Full Day Inshore Fishing Charter Palmetto FL
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Sixhour guided charter targets Snook, Redfish, and TroutCaptain Wayne navigates multiple inshore habitats across Tampa BayAll fishing gear, tackle, and licensing included with trip
When you want to get serious about inshore fishing around Tampa Bay, this six-hour charter with Captain Wayne delivers the real deal. You're not just getting a boat ride – you're getting a guided tour of the most productive flats, grass beds, and structure around Palmetto where the fish actually live. With a full day on the water, we can chase the tides and move between spots until we find where the fish are feeding. This isn't a rushed half-day trip where you're heading back just as the bite heats up. We're talking about a proper fishing adventure that gives you time to dial in your technique and experience the best that Tampa Bay's inshore waters have to offer.
This full-day charter starts at Riverside Drive bright and early, giving us the entire day to work the tides and find active fish. Captain Wayne knows these waters like the back of his hand, and with that 250HP Yamaha pushing us around, we can cover serious ground without burning up your fishing time. The beauty of a six-hour trip is that we're not slaves to just one spot or one tide change. If the snook are being finicky on the morning incoming, we can slide over to some grass flats for trout or hit some structure for sheepshead. The boat's rigged with everything you need – quality rods, reels, terminal tackle, and all your licensing is handled. You just need to bring yourself, some snacks, plenty of water, and maybe a cooler if you want to keep some fish for dinner. The fishing here is light tackle heaven, perfect for feeling every head shake and run these inshore species are famous for.
We're fishing light tackle the way inshore fishing was meant to be done – with enough finesse to feel every bite but enough backbone to turn a big snook away from the mangroves. Most of our fishing involves working live bait around structure, drifting grass flats with soft plastics, or sight fishing when conditions allow it. Captain Wayne will have you fishing everything from DOA shrimp under popping corks to free-lined pinfish around dock pilings. The key to success out here is reading the water and adjusting your approach based on what the fish are telling you. Early morning might find us working topwater plugs over shallow grass beds, while midday could have us bouncing jigs along deeper edges where the fish move to escape the sun. The variety keeps things interesting, and you'll learn techniques that'll make you a better angler long after this trip ends.
Snook are the crown jewel of Tampa Bay inshore fishing, and these ambush predators know how to put on a show. They love hanging around structure – docks, mangroves, bridge pilings – anywhere they can pin a baitfish against something solid. Fall and spring are prime time when they're feeding heavy before and after spawning season. What makes snook so addictive is their attitude. They hit hard, jump like crazy, and have this nasty habit of trying to cut your line on anything sharp they can find. A slot snook between 28 and 33 inches is pure gold for the dinner table.
Redfish are the bulldogs of the flats, and around Palmetto they're thick in the shallow grass beds and oyster bars. These copper-colored fighters are year-round residents, but fall brings some of the best action when they school up in big numbers. They're not as flashy as snook, but they make up for it with pure pulling power. Watch for their backs and tails when we're running the skinny water – sight fishing for reds in two feet of water will get your heart pumping. The slot limit here is 18 to 27 inches, and they're fantastic eating when prepared right.
Sea Trout might not win any beauty contests, but they're willing biters and great fun on light tackle. These spotted fighters love grass flats and are usually the most cooperative fish of the bunch. They're perfect for working on your technique since they'll often bite when nothing else will. Spring and fall are peak seasons, though you can catch them year-round in Tampa Bay. They're also one of the better eating fish we target, with white flaky meat that's hard to beat.
Sheepshead show up strong around structure during their spawning runs from late winter through early spring. These black-and-white striped bandits have serious attitude and will test your drag system. They're notorious bait stealers with those crushing jaws, but once you hook one, you'll understand why anglers get obsessed with targeting them. They're excellent table fare and put up a surprisingly good fight for their size.
Hogfish are a bonus species that'll make your day when they show up. These colorful characters are usually found around hard bottom and structure, and they're considered some of the best eating fish in the Gulf. They're not always cooperative, but when we find them feeding, they can provide some fast action. Their pig-like snouts and bright colors make them one of the most distinctive fish you'll encounter on Tampa Bay.
A full day on Tampa Bay's inshore waters with Captain Wayne isn't just a fishing trip – it's a masterclass in reading water, finding fish, and making the most of prime fishing opportunities. With six hours to work with, we can adapt to conditions, follow the fish, and give you the kind of comprehensive experience that half-day charters just can't match. Whether you're looking to put some quality fish in the cooler, learn new techniques, or just spend a proper day doing what you love, this charter delivers. The combination of Captain Wayne's local knowledge, quality equipment, and Tampa Bay's world-class inshore fishing creates the perfect setup for an outstanding day on the water. Don't wait around – the best dates fill up fast, especially during peak seasons when the fishing is lights out.
Our 2021 Hewes Redfisher 21' is built specifically for Tampa Bay's shallow flats and grass beds where trophy snook and redfish hunt. The 250HP Yamaha gets you to the productive spots quickly, while the shallow draft design lets us slip into skinny water where other boats can't reach. Captain Wayne uses the wireless trolling motor to position us silently over nervous fish, and the GPS fish finder combo helps locate structure and baitfish concentrations. The spacious deck gives you plenty of room to work a topwater plug or sight-cast to cruising reds. Cold drinks and snacks stay fresh in the built-in icebox during those hot Palmetto afternoons. This boat handles Tampa Bay's changing conditions with ease, from the protected creeks to open flats, keeping you comfortable while we chase whatever's biting.
Lachnolaimus MaximusHogfish are unique wrasse with pig-like snouts they use to root around reefs for crabs and shellfish. They typically run 2-4 pounds and up to 20 inches, with males showing brighter colors and a black spot behind their fins. You'll find them around hard bottom, live rock, and structure in 15-40 feet of water. They're year-round residents but more active in warmer months. What makes hogfish special is they're considered some of the finest eating fish in Florida - sweet, mild meat that's restaurant quality. They're also curious and will often approach the boat. The challenge is their speed and wariness around hooks. Here's my approach: use small hooks with live or fresh-dead shrimp, get close to structure, and be ready for a quick bite. They're fast strikers, so keep your rod tip up and set the hook at the first tap.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the bulls of the flats, easily spotted by their copper-bronze color and signature black spots near the tail. Most fish run 18-27 inches, but we target the big "bull reds" that can push 30+ pounds in deeper water. They love shallow grass flats, oyster bars, and mangrove shorelines in 1-4 feet - sometimes so shallow their backs show. Year-round fishing is solid, but fall brings the best action when they school up. What anglers love is their power - redfish make long, sustained runs and use their broad tails for leverage. They're also great eating when kept within slot limits. The key is sight fishing - look for nervous water, mud trails, or tails sticking up. Cast ahead of moving fish with gold spoons, topwater plugs, or live shrimp. Keep the boat in deeper water and wade the flats when possible.
Salmo TruttaSpotted sea trout, or "specks," are our most reliable inshore species, running 14-20 inches with beautiful spotted sides. They school up over grass flats in 2-8 feet of water, especially around creek mouths and deeper potholes. Spring through fall produces steady action, but they really turn on during cooler months when they pack into deeper channels. Trout are perfect for light tackle - they hit topwater plugs, soft plastics, and live shrimp with enthusiasm. What makes them special is they're aggressive feeders and excellent table fare with mild, flaky meat. The fight isn't overwhelming, making them great for kids and beginners. Pro tip: work the grass edges early morning or late evening with a popping cork and live shrimp. Listen for feeding activity - when trout are busting bait on top, cast quickly and hang on.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the "convict fish" with those distinctive black stripes, and they're some of the best eating you'll find on Tampa Bay. Most run 2-5 pounds and 14-18 inches, though we occasionally see 8-pounders around deeper structure. You'll find them year-round around docks, bridges, and any barnacle-covered pilings where they feed on crabs and shellfish. Winter and early spring are prime time when they school up for spawning. What guests love is the challenge - these fish have human-like teeth and are notorious bait thieves. The reward is their sweet, flaky white meat that rivals any restaurant fish. Here's the trick: use small hooks with fiddler crab or live shrimp, get as close to structure as possible, and when you feel that tap-tap-tap, set the hook hard immediately. They'll steal your bait if you hesitate.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are Tampa Bay's premier inshore gamefish, averaging 18-28 inches with that distinctive black lateral line running down their golden sides. These ambush predators love structure - docks, mangroves, creek mouths, and oyster bars in 2-6 feet of water. They're most active during moving tides, especially around dawn and dusk. Spring through fall offers the best action when water temps stay above 60°F. What makes snook special is their explosive strike and strong runs - they'll jump, shake their heads, and use every piling to try breaking your line. Plus, they're fantastic table fare with sweet, white meat. My tip: cast live shrimp or pinfish tight to structure and be ready - when a snook hits, it happens fast and you need to get them away from cover quickly.
Palmetto, FL