Full-Day Tampa Bay Fishing Adventure
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Eighthour inshore fishing adventure targeting King Mackerel and Grouper species.Expert crew provides toptier gear for up to six guests.Tampa Bay waters offer prime fishing for Red Snapper catches.
Picture yourself on the productive waters of Tampa Bay, lines in the water at first light, with eight solid hours ahead to work the flats, structure, and nearshore reefs that make this fishery legendary. Our crew at Goofy Moose LLC knows these waters like the back of our hands, and we're stoked to put you on fish that'll have your drag screaming. Whether you're a weekend warrior looking to up your game or a seasoned angler chasing personal bests, this full-day charter gives you the time and guidance to make it happen. We're targeting some of Florida's most sought-after species – think hefty grouper, lightning-fast kings, and those beautiful red snappers that fight way above their weight class.
This isn't your typical half-day quickie – we're talking about a proper eight-hour fishing adventure that lets you really dial in on what Tampa Bay has to offer. Our boat accommodates up to six anglers, so you'll have plenty of elbow room and won't be bumping into each other when the bite gets hot. We'll start early to beat the crowds and hit the prime feeding windows, moving between different zones as conditions and fish activity dictate. The beauty of an all-day trip is flexibility – if the grouper are being stubborn on the deeper structure, we can slide over to work the mackerel runs or target snapper on the mid-range reefs. Our crew provides all the rods, reels, tackle, and bait you'll need, plus we've got the local knowledge to read the water and put you in the best spots. Fair warning though – you'll want to pack your own lunch and plenty of water since we're not providing meals on this trip.
We run a mix of techniques depending on what's biting and where we're fishing. For the bottom dwellers like grouper and snapper, we're talking heavy conventional tackle with circle hooks and enough weight to punch through the current and get your bait down to where the big boys live. We'll use a variety of live and cut baits – pinfish, grunts, sardines, and squid – whatever's working on the day. When we're chasing kings, we switch gears to trolling spreads or live bait fishing with stinger rigs to handle those razor-sharp teeth. Our boat is rigged with quality fishfinders and GPS, so we can mark productive spots and work structure efficiently. The tackle we provide is tournament-grade stuff – Penn and Shimano reels spooled with fresh line, rods matched to the target species, and a tackle box stocked with everything from jig heads to wire leaders. If you've got your own gear and want to bring it, that's cool too, but you definitely don't need to invest in anything special for this trip.
Red Snapper are the crown jewel of our bottom fishing game here in Tampa Bay. These beautiful fish with their bright red coloration and distinctive profile typically run anywhere from 2 to 15 pounds, with the occasional bruiser pushing into the 20-pound class. They're structure-oriented fish that love rocky bottom, artificial reefs, and ledges in 40 to 100 feet of water. Reds are notorious for their quick, hard bite followed by a determined fight straight down toward their rocky homes. What makes them so special to catch is their combination of beauty, fight, and incredible table fare – there's nothing quite like fresh snapper on the grill. Peak season runs from late spring through early fall, but we target them year-round when regulations allow.
Lane Snapper might be smaller than their red cousins, but don't let size fool you – these scrappy little fighters are pure fun on light tackle and absolutely delicious. Running typically 8 to 14 inches, lanes are perfect for kids and light-tackle enthusiasts. They school up thick over structure and artificial reefs, often mixed in with other snapper species. What's awesome about lanes is their aggressive feeding behavior – when you find a school, you can often catch them one after another until your arms get tired. They're distinguished by their yellow stripes and smaller mouths, and they respond well to small hooks and cut bait. Lane snapper are available year-round in Tampa Bay, making them a reliable target when other species are being finicky.
Gag Grouper represent the ultimate prize for many bottom fishermen, and Tampa Bay's nearshore reefs hold some real tanks. These fish can range from keeper-sized 24-inchers up to true monsters exceeding 40 pounds. Gags are ambush predators that hang around structure during the day and hunt open bottom at night. They're known for their incredible initial run when hooked – straight back to their hole with the power of a freight train. What makes gag grouper so exciting is their unpredictability and power. You never know if that bite is going to be a decent keeper or a fish-of-a-lifetime. They're most active during cooler months from late fall through early spring, though we catch them year-round on the deeper reefs.
Red Grouper are another fantastic bottom species that call Tampa Bay home. Typically smaller than gags but more numerous, red grouper in the 5 to 20-pound range provide consistent action and excellent eating. They're less structure-dependent than gags, often found over sandy bottom with scattered rocks or shell. Red grouper have a different fighting style – more of a bulldogging, head-shaking battle rather than the explosive runs of their gag cousins. They're active year-round but tend to bite best during warmer months. What anglers love about red grouper is their willingness to bite and their sweet, mild flavor that makes them a family favorite at the dinner table.
King Mackerel bring a completely different dimension to our Tampa Bay fishing – pure speed and athleticism. These silver bullets can range from schoolie-sized 15-pounders up to true smokers over 40 pounds. Kings are pelag
Get ready to hit Tampa Bay's productive waters aboard this beautifully restored 46' Bertram sport fisher! Twin 750HP Detroit engines will cruise you out to the hotspots at a comfortable 22 knots while you stay cool with onboard AC. This classic fishing machine comes loaded with everything serious anglers need - fish finder to locate those King Mackerel and Grouper, GPS and radar for safe navigation, plus an icebox and full galley to keep your catch fresh and crew fed. The flybridge gives you perfect visibility for spotting birds and bait schools, while below deck you'll find a comfortable cabin with bed and head for those longer runs offshore. Whether you're targeting Gag Grouper around structure or chasing Kings in open water, this boat's got the range and fishability to put you on the fish. With space for up to 6 anglers, there's plenty of room to work the rails when the bite gets hot in Tampa's legendary fishing grounds.
Mycteroperca MicrolepisGag Grouper are Tampa Bay's ultimate structure fish and one of our most popular targets. These thick-bodied fighters average 20 inches but can push 40+ inches and 30 pounds. You'll find them hugging rocky bottom, reefs, and wrecks in 20-100 feet of water. They love any structure that offers cover - ledges, artificial reefs, even stone crab traps. Spring and fall are prime seasons when they're most active and feeding heavily. What guests love about Gags is the pure tug-of-war battle - they'll try to drag your bait straight back to their hole and test every ounce of your tackle. They're also top-shelf eating with firm, white meat. Here's the key: once you hook up, keep that rod low and reel hard. Don't give them an inch or they'll wrap you around the structure and break you off every time.
Scomberomorus CavallaKing Mackerel are Tampa Bay's premier pelagic predator and the fish that gets everyone's adrenaline pumping. These silver rockets average 15-30 pounds but regularly push 40+ pounds in our waters. You'll find them roaming open water from 40-150 feet, following bait schools and temperature breaks. Spring through fall is prime season when they move inshore to feed. What makes Kings special is their blistering runs - they'll scream drag off your reel like nothing else in the Gulf. They're also excellent eating despite what some people think, especially the smaller "school" fish. The key to consistent King fishing is live bait presentation. Rig a blue runner or threadfin with a stinger hook setup - one hook in the nose, treble in the back. Kings love to attack from behind, so that rear hook is crucial for hookups.
Lutjanus SynagrisLane Snappers are the perfect "bonus fish" that'll surprise you while bottom fishing for bigger targets. These colorful little fighters typically run 10-14 inches with distinctive pink and yellow stripes that look like candy cane lanes. You'll find them in 70-230 feet around coral patches and sandy bottom with good structure. March through September is prime time when they're spawning and feeding aggressively. Don't let their size fool you - they're scrappy fighters that'll bend your rod and put up a real battle. They're also excellent table fare with sweet, flaky meat. The cool thing about Lanes is they're not shy about taking your bait, making them great for keeping kids and new anglers engaged. Best tip: fish at night with shrimp or cut squid when they feed most actively.
Epinephelus MorioRed Grouper are Tampa Bay's most reliable bottom dwellers and a staple of our offshore trips. These rusty-red fish with distinctive white spots average 5-10 pounds, but 20+ pounders show up regularly. They prefer muddy and rocky bottom in 30-300 feet, often mixed in with ledges and structure. You can target them year-round, but avoid January through April during their spawning closure. What makes Red Grouper special is their aggressive feeding and bulldogging fight - they'll test your drag and your patience. They're also fantastic eating with moist, flaky meat that tastes almost shellfish-like from their crab and shrimp diet. The trick with Reds is using their favorite baits: fresh shrimp, cut crab, or live pinfish. Drop it right on the bottom and be ready - when they eat, they eat hard.
Lutjanus CampechanusRed Snapper are the holy grail of bottom fishing here in Tampa Bay. These beautiful red fish average 1-2 feet and 5-10 pounds, though trophy fish over 20 pounds show up regularly. You'll find them around structure in 30-200 feet - wrecks, ledges, and hard bottom areas. They're year-round residents, but spring through fall offers the best action when water temps hit that 60-75 degree sweet spot. What makes them special? They fight like hell, diving straight for cover the second they feel the hook. Plus, there's no better eating fish in these waters - firm, sweet meat that's perfect for the grill. Pro tip: when you hook one, lock that reel down tight and keep steady pressure. Let them run to structure and you'll be retying all day.
Tierra Verde, FL