St. Petersburg Inshore Fishing Charters
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Captain Kenny guides 28 hour customizable inshore fishing tripsTarget King Fish, Snapper, Redfish, Trout, Snook, and TarponSmall groups of 2 guests maximum for personalized experience
Captain Kenny knows these St. Petersburg waters like the back of his hand, and he's ready to put you on some serious fish. Good Inshore Fishing runs customizable trips from 2 to 8 hours, giving you the flexibility to fit fishing into your schedule whether you've got a quick morning or want to make a full day of it. The Tampa Bay area is loaded with structure, grass flats, and mangrove shorelines that hold everything from schooling redfish to monster tarpon. You'll be fishing prime inshore waters where the Gulf meets the bay system, creating the perfect mix of baitfish and hungry predators.
Your day starts early when the fish are most active and the boat traffic is light. Captain Kenny runs a clean, well-maintained vessel that can handle up to 2 anglers comfortably – perfect for a father-son trip or a couple looking to get away from the crowds. The beauty of these customizable charters is that Kenny adapts to what's biting and what you want to target. Maybe you're dreaming of that first tarpon jump, or you want to load the cooler with snapper for dinner. Either way, he's got the local knowledge to put you in the right spots at the right times. The inshore fishing here is world-class because you've got such diverse habitat in a relatively small area. One minute you're working a deep channel for king mackerel, the next you're sight-fishing redfish in two feet of water over turtle grass.
Captain Kenny comes prepared with quality tackle suited for everything from finicky trout to bruising tarpon. You'll be using a mix of live bait and artificials depending on conditions and target species. Live shrimp and pilchards are go-to baits here, but don't be surprised if Kenny breaks out the topwater plugs when the fish are busting bait on the surface. The fishing techniques vary widely – you might be drift fishing over structure for snapper, casting to visible redfish tailing in the shallows, or trolling the deeper grass edges for king mackerel. The tackle is matched to the quarry, so you're not fighting a 20-pound red on ultralight gear, but you're also not throwing boat rods at speckled trout. Kenny provides all the gear, but feel free to bring your favorite rod if you've got one. The key to success in these waters is reading the conditions – tide, wind, bait movement – and being willing to move when the action slows down.
Red snapper are the bread and butter of many trips, especially during their season. These fish are aggressive feeders that live around structure like rocks, wrecks, and hard bottom. They'll hit live bait and jigs with equal enthusiasm, and a good snapper bite can fill your cooler in a hurry. Most of the snapper you'll encounter run 2-8 pounds, perfect eating size. They're year-round residents, but the bite really turns on during the warmer months when they move shallow to spawn.
Tarpon fishing in St. Petersburg is legendary, and for good reason. These silver kings can show up any time from late spring through fall, with the peak season running May through August. You'll find them rolling in the channels, laid up under bridges, or cruising the flats looking for bait. When a hundred-pound tarpon goes airborne right next to the boat, you'll understand why anglers travel from around the world to fish these waters. Most tarpon fishing is catch and release, so you're fishing for the experience and the photos.
King mackerel are the speed demons of the inshore scene. These fish are built for one thing – catching baitfish – and they'll test your drag system when they make their first screaming run. Kings are most active during the cooler months, roughly October through April, when they move inshore chasing schools of sardines and threadfin herring. Trolling live bait or spoons along the grass edges and drop-offs is the most productive technique. A good king mackerel is excellent table fare when prepared fresh.
Sea trout, or speckled trout as the locals call them, are probably the most consistent biters in Tampa Bay. These fish love grass flats, and St. Petersburg has miles of prime trout habitat. They're active year-round but fishing is best during the cooler months when they school up in deeper holes and channels. Trout are perfect for light tackle fishing – they hit topwater plugs, soft plastics, and live shrimp with equal enthusiasm. A good day can produce dozens of fish, and they're outstanding on the dinner table.
Redfish are the poster child for Florida inshore fishing, and the Tampa Bay area holds some of the best redfish populations in the state. These copper-colored bruisers can be found everywhere from shallow grass flats to deep residential canals. The most exciting redfish action happens in the shallows where you can actually see the fish before you cast. Watch for tailing reds, wakes, or muddy water where they're rooting around for crabs and shrimp. Reds are legal to keep up to 27 inches, but many anglers release them to fight another day. The slot-sized fish typically run 18-27 inches and provide incredible fights on appropriate tackle.
St. Petersburg's inshore fishing scene is as good as it gets, and Captain Kenny's local expertise gives you the best shot at a successful day on the water. Whether you're looking for a quick morning trip before the family vacation activities kick in, or you want to dedicate a full day to chasing that fish of a lifetime, these customizable charters have you covered. The flexibility to adjust trip length means you can fish as long as the action stays hot, or wrap things up early if the weather turns. Good Inshore Fishing has built a reputation on putting clients on fish while showing
Captain Kenny's Pathfinder 2500 cuts through St. Petersburg waters with serious fishing credentials. This 25-foot boat packs a reliable 300-horsepower Mercury engine that cruises smoothly at 30-35 knots, getting you to prime fishing spots quickly without burning your whole day traveling. Built specifically for inshore action, the Pathfinder handles shallow flats and deeper channels where redfish, snook, and speckled trout love to hide. The boat's design keeps things comfortable for two anglers, giving you plenty of room to work the lines without bumping elbows. Whether you're casting for tarpon near the bridges or hunting snapper around structure, this setup delivers the stability and speed serious fishing demands. Captain Kenny knows these local waters inside and out, and his boat is dialed in for whatever St. Pete's inshore fishery throws your way.
Scomberomorus CavallaKing Mackerel, or "Kings" as we call them, are speed demons that'll test your drag system and your nerves. These torpedo-shaped fish average 15-30 pounds but can push 50+ pounds during peak season. You'll find them in 40-150 feet of water along drop-offs, ledges, and around bait schools. Spring and fall migrations bring the best fishing when water temps hit that 68-78 degree sweet spot. Kings are popular because of their blistering runs - they'll peel line like few other fish can. Plus, they're excellent table fare with firm, white meat perfect for the grill. One trick I always share: use a wire leader and rig your bait with a stinger hook. Kings have razor-sharp teeth and often hit bait from behind, so that second hook near the tail saves a lot of cutoffs and missed fish.
Lutjanus CampechanusRed Snapper are one of the most prized catches in these Gulf waters, and for good reason. These bottom-dwelling fish typically run 1-2 feet long and 5-10 pounds, though we occasionally hook into real monsters pushing 20+ pounds. You'll find them around structure in 30-200 feet of water - think wrecks, ledges, and rocky bottom. Summer through early fall gives us the best action when they're most active. What makes snapper fishing so popular is the solid fight they put up, plus they're absolutely delicious on the table with that sweet, flaky white meat. Here's a local tip: when you feel that first tap, don't set the hook immediately. Let them take it and run for a second or two before setting - snapper are notorious for short strikes and you want to make sure they've got it good.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the ultimate sight-fishing thrill and probably our most popular inshore target. These copper-colored bruisers typically run 18-27 inches and 3-8 pounds, with those famous black spots near their tails. They cruise super shallow flats, oyster bars, and mangrove shorelines in just 1-4 feet of water - sometimes so shallow their backs break the surface. Year-round fishing is good, but fall and spring are prime when they school up. What gets anglers hooked is watching these fish cruise in clear, shallow water and the explosive topwater strikes they're famous for. They're also fantastic eating with a mild, sweet flavor. Pro tip: when you spot a redfish, cast well ahead of where they're going, not where they are. Let your lure sit still until they get close, then give it just a twitch - that subtle movement usually triggers the strike.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled Trout are our bread-and-butter inshore fish and perfect for anglers of all skill levels. These spotted beauties typically run 14-20 inches and 1-3 pounds, with occasional "gator trout" pushing 5+ pounds. They love grass flats, oyster bars, and shallow bays in 2-8 feet of water. Fall through spring offers the most consistent action, especially on cooler mornings and evenings. What makes trout fishing so enjoyable is their willingness to bite artificial lures and their excellent eating quality - sweet, flaky white meat that's hard to beat. They're also great fighters for their size, with that classic head-shaking battle. Here's a key tip: fish slow and low. Trout have soft mouths, so use a light drag and avoid jerky movements. A slow, steady retrieve with a jig or soft plastic near the bottom is usually money.
Megalops AtlanticusTarpon are the kings of Tampa Bay and what most anglers consider their bucket-list fish. These silver giants typically range 4-6 feet and 80-150 pounds, though we see some real bruisers over 200. They love our shallow flats, bridges, and channels, especially in 3-15 feet of water during their spring through fall migration. May through July is prime time when they're thick in the bay. What makes tarpon special isn't just their acrobatic jumps - it's that heart-pounding moment when 100+ pounds of fish goes airborne right next to the boat. They're catch-and-release only, but the fight is reward enough. My advice: when a tarpon jumps, bow to the fish by dropping your rod tip toward the water. This keeps tension off the line and prevents them from throwing the hook during those spectacular leaps.
Clearwater