St. Petersburg Night Inshore Redfish Charter
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Private night fishing charter targets redfish and tarpon inshore.All gear, bait, licenses, and fish cleaning services included.Professional guide handles logistics for novice to advanced anglers.
When the sun sets over Tampa Bay, the real action starts. This private night charter with Funked Up Fishing puts you right in the heart of St. Pete's legendary inshore fishery, where redfish, tarpon, and black drum come alive under the cover of darkness. You'll have the boat to yourself with just one other angler, making this a top-rated experience for serious fishing without the crowds. Captain handles all the gear, bait, and licensing while you focus on what matters most – getting bent on some of Florida's hardest fighting fish. Plus, they'll clean and fillet your catch so you can head home with dinner ready for the pan.
Night fishing in St. Petersburg's inshore waters is a completely different ballgame than daytime angling. The estuary system around Tampa Bay transforms after dark, with baitfish moving into the shallows and predators following close behind. You'll be working the grass flats, mangrove shorelines, and creek mouths where these fish love to ambush prey. The atmosphere is electric – listening for the splash of a rolling tarpon or the distinctive gulp of a redfish hitting topwater. With premium tackle provided and your guide's intimate knowledge of these waters, you'll be casting to productive spots that only locals know about. The boat stays comfortable with just two anglers, giving everyone plenty of room to work without tangled lines or crowded quarters.
This charter runs on live bait and artificial lures depending on what the fish are showing you. Your captain comes loaded with premium spinning gear perfect for these inshore species, typically 3000-4000 series reels spooled with 15-20 pound braid. Live shrimp and pinfish are the go-to baits, especially when free-lining around structure or under lights. When the fish are aggressive, topwater plugs and soft plastics create explosive strikes that'll get your heart pumping. You'll be sight fishing in shallow water, so stealth matters – quiet presentations and accurate casts make all the difference. The guide handles boat positioning and reads the water conditions, putting you on fish while teaching techniques that work in these specific waters. Whether you're a weekend warrior or seasoned angler, you'll pick up local tricks that translate to better fishing long after this trip ends.
Redfish are the bread and butter of St. Pete inshore fishing, and these copper-colored fighters are what dreams are made of. Slot fish here typically run 18-27 inches and fight like they're twice that size, making long runs through the grass beds and using their broad tails to their advantage. Night fishing gives you the best shot at reds because they move shallow to feed, often in water so skinny their backs show. Spring through fall offers the most consistent action, but winter nights can produce some of the biggest fish of the year when conditions align.
Tarpon fishing in these waters is world-class, especially during the summer months when juvenile fish flood the bay system. These silver kings range from 10-40 pounds in the inshore waters, and every single one jumps like their life depends on it. What makes tarpon special isn't just their acrobatics – it's the way they test every aspect of your fishing skills, from hook sets to drag management. The night bite can be phenomenal when tarpon are rolling on the surface, giving away their location before you even make a cast.
Black drum might not win beauty contests, but they're absolute bulldogs that will humble any angler who underestimates them. These bottom dwellers grow large in Tampa Bay, with fish over 30 inches common around structure and deeper grass beds. They're excellent table fare when filleted properly, and their steady, powerful runs make them a favorite among anglers who appreciate a good fight without the theatrics. Best fishing happens during cooler months when big drum move into shallower water to feed.
Ladyfish earn their nickname "poor man's tarpon" for good reason – they jump, run, and fight with surprising intensity for their size. While most anglers consider them a bonus catch, ladyfish are actually fantastic practice for bigger gamefish since they test your reflexes and drag settings. These chrome-sided speedsters hit both live bait and artificials with reckless abandon, making them perfect action fillers when the bigger fish are being finicky.
St. Petersburg's inshore night fishing offers something you can't get anywhere else – intimate access to some of Florida's best fishing without the daytime boat traffic and summer heat. This private charter experience with Funked Up Fishing puts you on fish while handling all the details that can make or break a fishing trip. With gear, bait, licenses, and fish cleaning included, you're getting serious value for a world-class fishing experience. The two-angler capacity means you're not fighting for space or competing with strangers for the best spots. Book this trip and see why St. Pete's inshore waters have earned their reputation as a customer favorite among serious anglers looking for their next best trip.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the gentle giants of our inshore waters, and they're perfect for anglers wanting steady action with a chance at something big. These bronze-black bruisers typically weigh 5-15 pounds, but 30+ pounders aren't uncommon around our oyster bars and mud flats. They're bottom feeders with powerful jaws, crushing crabs and oysters with ease. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning, especially around full moons. What guests love is their steady, bulldogging fight - no flashy jumps, just pure pulling power. They're also great eating when under 15 pounds. The bigger ones get tough and stringy. Key tip: fresh blue crab or cut mullet fished right on the bottom near oyster structure is your best bet. Use enough weight to stay down, and be patient - they're deliberate feeders.
Caranx HipposCrevalle Jacks are the bullies of our flats, and that's exactly why guests love targeting them. These golden-sided fighters typically run 3-8 pounds but can push 20+ pounds, and they'll test your drag from the first run. Look for them around structure like bridges, docks, and grass edges in 2-15 feet of water. Spring through fall gives you the best shot at them. They hunt in schools and create surface commotion chasing baitfish - watch for diving birds as your cue. What sets them apart is pure aggression and stamina. They'll bend your rod double and fight until they're completely spent. While they're not great eating, the fight is worth it. My advice: cast silver spoons or white jigs past the school and burn them back fast. Jacks love the chase, and hesitation kills your chances.
Elops SaurusLadyfish might be called "poor man's tarpon," but don't let that fool you - these silver rockets put on a show. Running 12-20 inches on average, they're scrappy fighters that'll jump and cartwheel across the surface when hooked. You'll find schools of them in our bays, around bridges, and along the beaches year-round. They're not picky eaters and will hit live shrimp, small jigs, or flies with aggressive strikes. While they're not great table fare, they're fantastic for getting kids hooked on fishing and keeping the action steady between bigger fish. Here's the thing about ladyfish - use a heavy mono or fluoro leader because they'll bite through light line with their small but sharp teeth. They school up tight, so when you find one, you've usually found fifty.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the bread and butter of St. Pete inshore fishing. These copper-backed beauties average 20-28 inches and love our shallow grass flats, oyster bars, and mangrove shorelines in 1-4 feet of water. You'll spot them by their distinctive black eyespots near the tail. They're year-round residents here, but fall and winter offer the best action when they school up. What makes them special? They fight hard, taste great (mild and flaky), and give you that classic "redfish pull" when hooked. Plus, they're not too spooky - perfect for beginners. Pro tip: when you see them tailing in skinny water with their backs exposed, cast your bait well ahead and let it drift naturally into their path. They spook easily when feeding shallow.
St. Petersburg, FL