St. Petersburg Inshore Redfish and Tarpon Charter
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Private night fishing charter targeting redfish and tarponAll gear, bait, licenses, and cleaning services includedSmall group experience for up to 2 guests
When the sun sets over Tampa Bay and most anglers are heading home, that's when the real action starts heating up. This private night fishing charter with Funked Up Fishing Charters puts you right in the heart of St. Pete's legendary inshore waters, where redfish cruise the shallow flats and tarpon roll in the channels under cover of darkness. You'll be targeting some of Florida's most prized gamefish in their prime feeding hours, when they're actively hunting and less spooked by boat traffic. This isn't your typical afternoon charter – night fishing brings a whole different energy to the Gulf Coast waters, and the bite often turns on just as the lights come up along the shoreline.
This top-rated charter accommodates up to two anglers, making it perfect for couples, friends, or anyone who wants a personalized fishing experience without dealing with crowded party boats. Your captain knows these St. Petersburg flats like the back of his hand – from the grass beds around Weedon Island to the deeper cuts near the Skyway Bridge where tarpon stage during their migrations. The night session gives you access to structure and shallow water spots that get hammered during daylight hours, but come alive after dark when baitfish move shallow and predators follow. You'll be fishing prime real estate while most other boats are tied up at the dock. The whole setup is designed to maximize your time with lines in the water rather than running around looking for fish, and with only two spots on the boat, you're guaranteed plenty of individual attention from your guide.
All your tackle, bait, and fishing licenses are handled, so you can focus on what matters most – putting fish in the boat. Your captain runs premium spinning and conventional gear matched specifically to the target species, from medium-heavy setups for slot redfish to heavier tackle when tarpon are in the area. Live bait is the name of the game here – fresh pinfish, pilchards, and shrimp that get the best reaction from these inshore species. You'll be fishing everything from shallow grass flats under lights to deeper channel edges where big fish cruise at night. Techniques vary based on conditions and what's biting, but expect to throw live bait under corks, work soft plastics around structure, and possibly even get into some topwater action if the fish are aggressive. The beauty of night fishing is that you can get close to nervous fish that would spook during daylight, especially around dock lights and bridges where baitfish concentrate. Your guide handles all the technical stuff like tide timing, bait selection, and spot selection, while you focus on feeling that thump on the other end of the line.
Redfish are the bread and butter of St. Petersburg's inshore scene, and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers patrol the shallow flats and mangrove shorelines, especially during moving tides when they're actively feeding. Slot-sized reds typically run 18 to 27 inches and put up a serious scrap on appropriate tackle, making long runs and using their broad sides to fight in the shallow water. Night fishing for reds is particularly productive because they move shallow to feed on crabs and baitfish around structure. The cooler months from October through March are prime time, but St. Pete's redfish bite stays consistent year-round. What makes these fish special is their willingness to eat and their fighting ability – they're perfect for anglers who want steady action with fish that actually pull back.
Tarpon fishing in St. Petersburg waters is world-class, especially during the spring and summer months when massive schools migrate through Tampa Bay. These silver kings can range from juvenile fish around 20 pounds up to giants exceeding 100 pounds, and they're famous for their spectacular jumping ability and bulldogging runs. Night fishing gives you a shot at tarpon that are actively feeding rather than just rolling on the surface, and the cooler temperatures often make them more aggressive. The area around the Skyway Bridge, Egmont Key, and the deeper cuts in Tampa Bay all hold tarpon at different times of the year. What every angler remembers about their first tarpon is that initial jump – when 50 pounds of silver explodes out of the water right next to the boat, it's a rush that never gets old.
Black drum might not be the flashiest fish in the bay, but they're absolute favorites among serious anglers who appreciate a strong, steady fight and excellent table fare. These bottom-dwellers cruise oyster bars, bridge pilings, and deeper grass flats, using their pharyngeal teeth to crush crabs and shellfish. St. Pete's black drum fishery produces fish from smaller puppy drum up to bull reds that can push 40 inches and fight like freight trains. They're particularly active during cooler months and around new and full moon phases when tides are strongest. The technique is straightforward – fresh cut bait on the bottom near structure – but the payoff is worth it when you hook into a big drum that just powers away from the boat.
Ladyfish don't get much respect from some anglers, but they're fantastic light-tackle gamefish that jump like miniature tarpon and bite aggressively at night. These chrome-sided speedsters school up around baitfish and will absolutely destroy live pilchards or small jigs worked around lights. While they're not keeper-sized fish, ladyfish are perfect for building confidence, breaking in new tackle, and keeping the action going between bigger fish. They're also excellent cut bait for targeting larger predators later in the trip. What makes ladyfish special in St. Petersburg is their sheer numbers – when you find a school, you can catch them until your arms get tired, and their acrobatic fights are genuinely entertaining on light spinning gear.
This customer favorite night charter fills up fast, especially during peak season when word gets around about the quality of fishing and the personalized service. With catch cleaning included and all gear provide
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the heavyweights of our drum family, and they'll put a serious bend in your rod. These dark, powerful fish typically weigh 5-30 pounds but can exceed 50 pounds in our Gulf waters. You'll find them on oyster bars, muddy flats, and around structure where they use those crushing jaws to crack open shellfish. Spring spawning season (March-May) is prime time when they school up in shallow water, though we catch them year-round. What guests love is their bulldogging fight - pure power without the jumps. Smaller ones under 15 pounds make great table fare, while the big ones are better released. The key to success? Fresh blue crab on the bottom with enough weight to stay put. Listen for their drumming sounds underwater - when you hear that, you know you're in the right spot.
Caranx HipposCrevalle Jack are the bullies of our local waters, and they fish like it. These brassy-backed fighters typically run 12-24 inches but can push 4 feet and really test your drag. You'll find schools around grass flats, channel edges, and structure from shallow bays out to 30+ feet. They're here year-round but really turn on during warmer months when baitfish are thick. What makes jacks special is their aggressive nature and powerful runs - they hit hard and don't give up easy. Look for diving birds working baitfish at the surface, that's usually jacks pushing prey up from below. They're decent eating when smaller, but most folks target them for the fight. My secret? Cast silver spoons past the school and retrieve fast - their competitive nature means one hookup often triggers a feeding frenzy.
Elops SaurusLadyfish might get called "poor man's tarpon," but don't let that fool you - these silver rockets put on quite a show. Running 12-24 inches on average, they're found throughout our bays and nearshore waters, from shallow flats to deeper channels up to 50 feet. What guests love most is their aerial acrobatics - they jump and skip across the surface like mini tarpon when hooked. Available year-round in our warm Gulf waters, they hit everything from live shrimp to small jigs and flies. While they're not the best eating (kind of bony), they're perfect for getting kids excited about fishing or warming up your arms before targeting bigger species. Pro tip: use a heavy mono leader since their small but sharp teeth will cut through light line, and be ready for some wild jumps.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the perfect shallow water target here in St. Pete's backcountry. These copper-colored beauties with distinctive black spots near their tails typically run 20-30 inches and love cruising our grass flats in just 1-4 feet of water. You'll find them around oyster bars, mangrove shorelines, and sandy potholes year-round, but spring and fall offer the best action when they school up. What makes reds so popular is their powerful runs and that satisfying tail-slapping fight in skinny water. Plus, they're excellent table fare with firm, mild flesh. My go-to trick? Look for their copper backs "tailing" in the shallows during moving tides - that's when they're feeding hard on crabs and shrimp. Cast past them and work your bait back slowly.
St. Petersburg, FL