5.0(8 Reviews)Tampa Bay Bowfishing Adventure
5.0(8 reviews)
Private Trip
Flats/Shallows Fishing
Top Rated
Four-hour bowfishing charter across Tampa Bay's shallow watersLightweight Vader carbon bows with smooth AMS bottle reels providedCaptain Mike prioritizes guest enjoyment over strict scheduling
Captain Mike's bowfishing charters put you right in the heart of Tampa Bay's shallow flats, where crystal-clear water meets some of the best sight fishing you'll find on Florida's Gulf Coast. This isn't your typical rod-and-reel trip – we're talking about combining archery skills with fishing instincts for a completely different way to target fish. Using top-rated Vader carbon fiber bows paired with smooth AMS bottle reels, you'll have everything you need to make clean shots without wearing yourself out. Mike's all about making sure everyone has a blast, so don't be surprised if your 4-hour charter stretches longer when the action's hot.
Tampa Bay's flats create the perfect bowfishing playground, with water depths ranging from knee-deep to about four feet – shallow enough to spot your targets but deep enough for fish to feel comfortable moving through. Captain Mike knows these waters like the back of his hand, positioning the boat where current, structure, and tidal movement create feeding opportunities for our target species. The lightweight Vader bows make it easy for first-timers to get the hang of shooting, while experienced bowhunters will appreciate how quickly they can draw and release without fatigue. Mike keeps the boat immaculately clean and runs a relaxed operation where your enjoyment takes priority over rigid schedules. Whether you're bringing the family or heading out with your fishing buddies, this customer favorite charter adapts to whatever vibe you're looking for on the water.
The Vader carbon fiber bows we use are specifically designed for bowfishing – they're forgiving, smooth to draw, and won't leave you sore after a few hours of shooting. The AMS bottle reels handle the line retrieval automatically, so you can focus on your shot placement instead of managing equipment. Unlike traditional archery, bowfishing requires you to aim low since water refraction makes fish appear higher than they actually are. Mike walks everyone through proper shooting form and helps dial in your accuracy before you start targeting fish. The key is staying patient and waiting for broadside shots where you can see the fish clearly. Most of our target species move slowly enough to give you time to draw, aim, and release without rushing your shot.
"Mike…on top of just being a really cool guy…will put you on the fish. Highly recommend you spend a few hours with him!" - Bryan
"Boat was immaculately clean, Mike was friendly, professional, and went out of his way to ensure that we had ample opportunity to catch some fish as conditions weren't perfect out for them. Even with less opportunity, we had a blast on our trip and if we decide to go on another charter, it will be with Captain Mike, the bow fishing experience really set itself apart from other charters. We spent the trip completely comfortable (as comfortable as you can be on a fishing boat) and Mike was talkative with us, but also quiet when we were focused on looking for fish. I don't think we could have asked for a better guide to match whatever your vibe may be for enjoying some late-night fishing." - Randall
"Captain Mike goes above and beyond to give everyone a memorable and unique experience! Just finished our third happy trip with him!" - Donald
Black Drum are the heavyweights of Tampa Bay bowfishing, with fish ranging from 5 to 30 pounds cruising the flats year-round. These copper-colored fighters move slowly and deliberately, making them perfect targets for bowhunters. Spring and fall offer the best action when drum move shallow to feed on crabs and small baitfish. What makes them so popular is their size – landing a big drum on a bow creates an adrenaline rush that's hard to match with traditional tackle.
Striped Mojarra might be smaller than drum, but they make up for it in numbers and challenge. These silver fish travel in schools and can be surprisingly spooky, requiring good shot placement and quick reactions. They're most active during warmer months when they move into the shallows to spawn. Their quick movements and tendency to scatter when spooked make them a favorite among experienced bowfishermen looking to test their skills.
Spadefish cruise the grass flats in small groups, their distinctive diamond-shaped bodies making them easy to identify in clear water. These fish are known for their curious nature – they'll often approach the boat before spooking, giving you multiple shot opportunities. Peak season runs from late spring through early fall when water temperatures stay consistently warm. Their unique shape and beautiful silver coloring make them a rewarding target for any skill level.
Southern Stingrays add excitement to any bowfishing trip, with their flat bodies perfectly camouflaged against sandy bottoms until they move. These rays can reach impressive sizes, with some specimens stretching over three feet across. They're most active during incoming tides when they move into shallow water to hunt for crabs and mollusks. The challenge comes from spotting them before they detect your presence – once they take off, you'll see why they're considered one of the most challenging bowfishing targets in Tampa Bay.
Sheepshead bring their own unique appeal to bowfishing with their distinctive black stripes and human-like teeth. These fish are structure-oriented, often found around docks, pilings, and rocky areas where they feed on barnacles and crabs. They're available year-round but most active during cooler months when they congregate in larger numbers. Their wariness and tendency to stay close to cover make them a technical challenge that rewards patience and precision shooting.
Tampa Bay bowfishing offers something completely different from your typical fishing charter – it combines the excitement of archery with the challenge of sight fishing in some of Florida's most productive shallow water. Captain Mike's world-class operation focuses on your experience rather than watching the clock, and his knowledge
This specialized bowfishing boat cuts through Tampa Bay's shallow flats with quiet precision, powered by a heavy-duty 36v MinnKota trolling motor that won't spook your targets. Eighteen high-output ArrowLED lights illuminate the water around you, making it easy to spot rays, gar, and other fish moving through the shallows. The spacious shooting platform gives all four anglers plenty of room to draw and release without crowding each other. GPS keeps you on track to the best spots while the fish finder shows what's moving below. Captain Mike runs a relaxed charter focused on your success rather than watching the clock – trips often stretch longer when the action heats up. You'll use lightweight Vader carbon fiber bows paired with smooth AMS bottle reels that make it easy to shoot repeatedly without wearing out your arms. Perfect setup for families or friends looking to try something different on Tampa Bay's productive flats.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the heavyweights of Tampa Bay, running anywhere from 5-30 pounds with giants reaching 90+ pounds. These grey-black bruisers love shallow muddy flats and oyster beds where they cruise around crushing shellfish with powerful jaws. You'll hear them before you see them - they make drumming sounds that carry underwater. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning in February through April. What makes them special is the fight they put up and those human-like sounds echoing through the water. The smaller ones under 15 pounds are great eating with flaky white meat. Pro tip: when you spot one, look for the mud clouds they kick up while feeding - that's your shot window.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the "convict fish" with distinctive black bars across their silver bodies and those famous human-like teeth. Running 1-8 pounds typically, with occasional 20-pounders, they're structure huggers found around every dock, bridge piling, and barnacle-covered post in the bay. Spring spawning season from February-April is when they stack up thick around passes and jetties. Guests love them because they're everywhere, fight hard for their size, and are some of the best eating fish in the bay - sweet white meat that's hard to beat. The secret is getting close to structure since they rarely venture far from cover, and watching for them picking barnacles off pilings.
Hypanus AmericanusSouthern stingrays are the flat pancake-shaped targets that bury themselves in sandy bottom throughout Tampa Bay. Females get huge - up to 5 feet across and 50 pounds - while males stay around 26 inches. They love shallow grass flats, sandy areas near mangroves, and muddy creek mouths where they hunt for crabs and small fish. You'll spot them by the puff of sand when they move or that distinctive diamond shape gliding just under the surface. What makes them exciting is the size and unique challenge - plus they're perfectly legal to harvest by bow. The trick is leading your shot since they move faster than they look, and always aim for the thick body, not the thin tail.
Chaetodipterus FaberSpadefish are the disc-shaped silver beauties with bold black stripes that cruise our bay in massive schools of hundreds. Running 3-10 pounds and around 18 inches, they look like oversized angelfish gliding through the water column. You'll find them around structure - bridge pilings, docks, and shallow reefs where they feed on small crabs and jellyfish. What guests love is how they school up tight, giving multiple shot opportunities, plus they put up a solid fight when arrowed. They're excellent table fare with white, flaky meat. Best trick is to cast past the school and drag your arrow through them - they're curious and will often follow the disturbance right to you.
Eugerres PlumieriStriped mojarra are schooling silver fish that run 6-16 inches and love our shallow mangrove creeks and grass flats. They've got this unique extendable mouth that looks weird but works perfectly for picking at small crabs and shrimp in the sand. These curious little guys will nibble at just about anything, making them active targets year-round, though April-June and September-December are hottest. Guests love them because they travel in big schools - once you find one, you'll find dozens. They're also great bait fish for bigger species. The key is watching for nervous water in the shallows where they're stirring up the bottom looking for food.
5.0 out of 5.0Mike…on top of just being a really cool guy…will put you on the fish. Highly recommend you spend a few hours with him!
Boat was immaculately clean, Mike was friendly, professional, and went out of his way to ensure that we had ample opportunity to c...
Captain Mike goes above and beyond to give everyone a memorable and unique experience! Just finished our third happy trip with him...
Captain Mike was great. Chill guy. We enjoyed being with him. He knows his craft and seemed to enjoy sharing it with us. We’ll be ...
Had a great time , will definitely have to book again in the future!
Mike is great! He is well versed in bow fishing and got us into fish right away, He is a respectful and responsible guid, I would...
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