St. Petersburg Inshore Fishing With Captain Kenny
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Customizable inshore fishing trips from 2 to 8 hours availableTarget King Fish, Snapper, Redfish, Trout, Snook, and TarponCaptain Kenny provides expert guidance for all skill levels
When you're looking for serious fishing action in the Tampa Bay area, Captain Kenny's got you covered with custom trips that fit your schedule and skill level. Based out of St. Petersburg, he runs everything from quick 2-hour morning bites to full-day 8-hour adventures targeting some of Florida's most sought-after gamefish. Whether you're a first-timer wanting to learn the ropes or an experienced angler chasing personal bests, these waters deliver consistent action year-round. The shallow flats and grass beds around St. Pete hold incredible populations of redfish, snook, and trout, while the nearshore structure produces king mackerel, snapper, and the occasional monster tarpon that'll test your drag to the limit.
Captain Kenny runs a clean, well-maintained boat equipped with quality tackle and electronics to put you on fish fast. The beauty of these customizable trips is that you decide the pace - want to target trophy snook around the mangroves at dawn? He's your guy. Looking to drift live bait over structure for big kings and snappers? Done. The 2-person capacity keeps things intimate, so you're not fighting for rod time or prime spots at the rail. St. Petersburg's inshore waters offer incredible diversity within just a few miles of the dock. You might start the morning sight-fishing redfish in skinny water, then transition to deeper grass flats for trout, and finish the day working artificial reefs for snapper and kingfish. The flexibility to adapt based on conditions, tides, and what's biting is what separates a good guide from a great one.
Captain Kenny's approach varies based on target species and conditions, but expect a mix of live bait fishing, artificial lures, and sight-casting opportunities. For redfish and snook, he'll often position the boat to cast topwater plugs and soft plastics around oyster bars and mangrove edges during moving water. Speckled trout respond well to suspending twitch baits and jigs worked over grass beds, especially during cooler months when they school up in deeper pockets. When targeting offshore species like king mackerel and red snapper, the game shifts to trolling spoons and diving plugs, or anchoring up with live pinfish and sardines. All tackle is provided, from light spinning gear for finesse fishing to heavy conventional setups for battling tarpon and big kings. The boat's equipped with a live well for keeping bait frisky, plus fish boxes to ice down your dinner. Don't worry about bringing anything except sunscreen, drinks, and snacks - Captain Kenny handles the rest.
Red snapper are the bread and butter of St. Petersburg's nearshore fishing scene. These aggressive feeders school up around artificial reefs, wrecks, and hard bottom structure in 30-80 feet of water. They'll hammer live bait, cut bait, and even artificial jigs when they're feeding hard. Most fish run 2-8 pounds, but double-digit snappers are always possible. The best action typically happens during summer months when regulations allow harvest, though catch-and-release opportunities exist year-round.
Tarpon fishing around St. Pete is legendary, with fish ranging from juvenile "poon" in the 20-40 pound class to massive adults exceeding 100 pounds. These silver kings are most active from late spring through early fall, with peak action during the summer spawn. Tarpon are primarily a catch-and-photo fish due to their protected status, but the fight is absolutely electric. They'll jump repeatedly, strip drag like a freight train, and test every knot in your system. Live crabs, pinfish, and large artificials all produce strikes.
King mackerel patrol the nearshore waters from spring through fall, with the biggest fish showing up during cooler months. These speed demons will smoke a trolled spoon or slam a live sardine fished under a kite. Kings in the 10-30 pound range are common, with the occasional smoker topping 40 pounds. Their razor-sharp teeth and blistering runs make them a favorite among action-oriented anglers. The meat is excellent when bled and iced immediately.
Sea trout, or speckled trout as locals call them, are year-round residents of Tampa Bay's grass flats and deeper holes. These spotted beauties are perfect for light tackle fishing, responding to everything from live shrimp under popping corks to artificial soft plastics. Most fish run 12-18 inches, but "gator trout" over 20 inches are the prize. Winter months often produce the biggest specimens as they concentrate in deeper, warmer water.
Redfish are the ultimate sight-fishing target in St. Petersburg's shallow waters. These bronze-backed bruisers cruise oyster bars, mangrove shorelines, and grass flats looking for crabs and baitfish. Reds are incredibly strong fighters that will bull-dog toward structure once hooked. The slot-size fish (18-27 inches) provide excellent table fare, while oversized "bull reds" offer pure sport on light tackle. They're catchable year-round, with fall months producing some of the most consistent action.
St. Petersburg's inshore fishing scene is as good as it gets, and Captain Kenny knows how to put you on the action whether you've got 2 hours or a full day to spend on the water. The variety of species, techniques, and environments keeps every trip interesting - you never know if that next cast might produce a personal best or a fish tale you'll be telling for years. With tackle provided and trips customized to your preferences, all you need to do is show up ready to fish. The calendar fills up fast during peak seasons, so don't wait too long to secure your dates. Book your St. Petersburg fishing adventure with Good Inshore Fishing and get ready to experience some of
Captain Kenny's 25-foot Pathfinder 2500 cuts through St. Petersburg waters with authority, powered by a dependable 300-hp Mercury that cruises smoothly at 30-35 knots. This fishing machine is built for serious anglers targeting everything from shallow water redfish and snook to offshore kings and snappers. The boat's design maximizes your fishing time while providing comfort during those longer 8-hour trips chasing tarpon or working structure for grouper. With space for up to 2 guests, you'll have plenty of room to work your lines and land trophy fish. Whether you're casting for speckled trout in the grass flats or bottom fishing for snapper, this vessel gets you to the productive waters quickly and brings you back with a cooler full of dinner.
Scomberomorus CavallaKings are speed demons that'll test your drag system and your patience. These torpedo-shaped fighters typically run 15-30 pounds around St. Pete, but we hook into 40+ pounders regularly. They patrol 40-150 feet of water, cruising the edges and drop-offs where baitfish gather. Spring through fall is prime time when water temps stay above 68 degrees. What makes them special? Pure speed and fight - they're built like rockets and hit like freight trains. The meat's excellent too - rich and flaky, perfect for the grill. They're voracious feeders, chasing everything from sardines to blue runners. Here's my go-to rig: use a two-hook setup on wire leader. Put one hook in the bait's nose, let the second dangle near the tail - kings love to hit from behind.
Lutjanus CampechanusRed snapper are one of the most prized catches in our Gulf waters. These deep-red beauties typically run 1-2 feet and 5-10 pounds, though we've seen some push 20+ pounds. They live around structure in 30-150 feet - think wrecks, ledges, and rock piles where they ambush baitfish. Peak season runs April through October when water temps hit that sweet spot. What makes them special? They fight hard, diving straight for cover when hooked, and the meat is absolutely top-notch - firm, white, and sweet. Most folks say it's the best eating fish in the Gulf. Here's a local tip: when you feel that thump-thump bite, resist the urge to jerk hard. Keep steady pressure and reel fast - they'll wrap your line around structure if you give them the chance.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the perfect inshore target - aggressive, beautiful, and built to fight. These copper-colored bruisers average 20-28 inches and 5-15 pounds, with that distinctive black spot near the tail that fools predators. They cruise super shallow flats, mangrove shorelines, and oyster bars - sometimes in water so thin their backs show. Year-round fishing here, but fall and spring are prime when they school up. What makes reds special? They'll eat almost anything and fight like bulldogs, making long runs and using their broad sides against you. The meat's excellent too - firm and slightly sweet. They're sight-fishing gold on calm days when you can see them tailing in the shallows. Best local tip: look for nervous baitfish and wakes in skinny water. When you spot a red, cast past them and work your lure back - they spook if it lands too close.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are our bread-and-butter inshore fish - reliable, tasty, and fun to catch. Most run 14-20 inches and 1-3 pounds, with the occasional "gator" trout hitting 5+ pounds. They love grass flats, oyster bars, and shallow bays in 2-8 feet of water. Best fishing happens dawn and dusk, especially fall through spring when they school up. What guests love about specs? They hit topwater lures with explosive strikes and have some of the sweetest meat you'll find - white, flaky, and mild. They're also great for beginners since they're pretty forgiving. Winter's actually prime time here - they gather in deeper holes and creek mouths when it gets cold. Local secret: use a popping cork with live shrimp about 18 inches below. The noise draws them in, and that natural presentation seals the deal.
Megalops AtlanticusThe silver king is what we call the ultimate game fish around Tampa Bay. These giants average 4-6 feet and 80-150 pounds, though we see some monsters pushing 200+. They cruise shallow flats, bridges, and deeper channels, especially during their migration from May through August. What gets people hooked on tarpon? Pure acrobatics - they'll launch 6-8 feet out of the water and run like freight trains. Most folks release them since the meat's pretty bony, but landing one is a bucket-list experience. They're ancient fish - been around 125 million years - and can live 50+ years. Pro tip from years of guiding: when they jump, bow to the fish. Drop your rod tip toward them to keep slack out of the line, or they'll throw the hook on you every time.
Clearwater