Half Day Or Full Day Guided Fishing In St. Pete
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Half or full day inshore fishing for snook, tarpon, redfish, and troutBeginnerfriendly trips in calm, shallow waters near mangrove islandsAll fishing gear and expert guidance included with Gulf Goats Charters
St. Petersburg's inshore waters offer some of Florida's best fishing action, and Gulf Goats Charters knows exactly where to find the fish. Whether you're after a hard-fighting snook in the mangroves or hoping to tangle with a silver king tarpon, these shallow flats and backcountry spots deliver the goods. Captain and crew keep groups small with just 2 anglers max, so you get personalized attention and plenty of shots at the prime fishing spots. The calm, protected waters make this trip perfect for beginners getting their feet wet or seasoned anglers wanting to dial in their inshore game without dealing with rough seas.
Your day starts in the shallow flats and mangrove-lined creeks around St. Pete, where the water stays calm and the fish stay active. These protected areas offer a completely different vibe from offshore fishing - you're sight-casting to cruising redfish, working topwater lures along oyster bars, and threading lines through mangrove roots where big snook love to ambush baitfish. The boat can get into skinny water that bigger vessels can't touch, opening up prime fishing real estate that sees less pressure. Weather rarely shuts down an inshore trip since you're tucked away from open water swells. Captain handles the navigation through these maze-like backwaters while you focus on making good casts and fighting fish. The relaxed pace means there's time to learn new techniques, take photos, and really appreciate the natural beauty of Florida's coastal ecosystem.
Gulf Goats provides all the gear you need, from spinning rods rigged with live shrimp to baitcasting setups loaded with topwater plugs. Inshore fishing here means adapting to conditions - some days call for bouncing jigs along grass beds, other times you're tossing spoons at tailing redfish or working soft plastics around structure. The captain reads the water and adjusts tactics based on tides, weather, and what the fish are doing. Light tackle is the name of the game, typically 15-20 pound test that lets you feel every headshake while still having enough backbone to turn fish away from cover. Live bait like shrimp, pinfish, and pilchards are deadly when fish are finicky, but artificial lures often trigger more aggressive strikes. You'll learn to cast accurately since many shots are tight to cover, and stealth becomes important in shallow, clear water where fish can spook easily.
Red Snapper might be the name on everyone's lips during federal season, but these inshore waters serve up consistent action with several premier species. Redfish are the bread and butter of Tampa Bay's inshore scene, prowling grass flats and oyster bars year-round. These copper-colored bruisers average 18-27 inches and fight like they're twice their size, making long runs and using their broad shoulders to bulldoze toward structure. Fall and spring offer the best action when schools of reds move shallow to feed. Snook fishing peaks during warmer months when these ambush predators stack up around mangrove points, docks, and creek mouths. They're notorious for their explosive strikes and acrobatic jumps, plus they're just plain beautiful fish with that distinctive black lateral line. Catching one over the 28-inch slot limit is a real trophy. Tarpon season runs roughly April through August, when juvenile "poon" in the 20-80 pound range flood the backcountry. Even a small tarpon will test your tackle and technique with their famous gill-rattling jumps. Sea Trout round out the slam opportunities, especially during cooler months when they school up over grass beds. These spotted beauties are excellent table fare and cooperative biters when you find them.
St. Pete's inshore fishing stays productive year-round, but the best days fill up fast with Gulf Goats' intimate 2-angler limit ensuring quality over quantity. Half-day trips let you sample the action without a huge time commitment, while full-day adventures give you shots at multiple species as conditions change throughout the day. The captain's local knowledge of seasonal patterns, tide movements, and productive spots makes all the difference between a good trip and a great one. Remember that deposits are non-refundable, so check the weather forecast and plan accordingly. Whether you're looking to introduce kids to fishing, celebrate a special occasion, or just get away from the daily grind, these protected inshore waters offer the perfect escape with plenty of fish to keep things interesting.
Your fishing platform for St. Petersburg's inshore waters is a restored 2005 Dorado center console that's been completely rebuilt for serious angling. The 300HP Suzuki four-stroke gets you to the flats fast, then the wireless trolling motor keeps things quiet when you're working the mangroves for snook and redfish. All the essentials are covered - fish finder to locate schools, GPS and radar for navigation, plus VHF radio for safety. The boat handles two anglers comfortably with onboard facilities including a head and sleeping area for longer trips. Whether you're targeting tarpon rolling in the channels or sight-casting to reds on the shallow flats, this setup gives you the range and stealth to fish St. Pete's best inshore spots effectively.
Lutjanus CampechanusRed Snapper are deep-water fighters that'll give you a real battle once hooked. Most fish we catch run 1-2 feet and weigh under 10 pounds, but they can grow much larger. You'll find them in 30-620 feet of water around structure - reefs, wrecks, and rocky bottom. They're bright red with that distinctive snapper profile and a white belly. Spring through fall offers the best action when water temps hit that 50-70 degree sweet spot. Guests love them because they fight hard and taste even better - mild, nutty flavor that's perfect on the grill. Here's a local tip: when you feel that first bite, don't horse them up too fast. They'll run straight for cover and cut your line on structure every time. Keep steady pressure and work them away from the bottom.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the bread and butter of our shallow water fishing around St. Pete. They run 20-35 inches on average with that copper-red color and distinctive black eyespot near the tail. You'll find them in 1-4 feet of water over grass flats, oyster bars, and around mangrove shorelines - sometimes so shallow their backs stick out. They feed year-round but fall and winter bring the best action when they school up in large numbers. Guests love them because they're strong fighters and great eating with a mild, sweet flavor. They're not picky eaters either - live shrimp, cut bait, or artificial lures all work. Here's my local secret: look for nervous water or muddy spots where they're rooting around for crabs and shrimp. Cast past the disturbance and work your bait back through it slowly.
Salmo TruttaSpotted sea trout, or "specks," are one of our most reliable inshore species around St. Pete's grass flats. They typically run 14-24 inches and 1-5 pounds, covered in distinctive black spots. You'll find them over seagrass beds in 2-8 feet of water, especially around points and drop-offs. They bite year-round, but fall and winter provide the most consistent action when they school up in deeper holes. Trout are popular because they're scrappy fighters and excellent table fare - soft, white meat that's perfect fried or grilled. Just don't overcook them or they'll get mushy. Evening and early morning produce the best results, especially on moving water. Pro tip: use a popping cork with live shrimp about 18 inches below - the noise draws them in from a distance, and that setup keeps your bait in the strike zone.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are the ultimate inshore gamefish around St. Pete's mangrove shorelines and shallow flats. They average 1-2 feet but can stretch over 4 feet, with that distinctive black lateral line and sloped forehead. You'll find them ambushing baitfish around docks, bridges, and mangrove edges in water from a few inches to about 60 feet deep. May through October is prime time when they're spawning and their fins turn bright yellow. What makes snook special is their explosive strike and powerful runs - plus they're great eating with firm, white meat. They're temperature sensitive though, so cold fronts can shut them down fast. My go-to trick is working live shrimp or pinfish tight to structure, but be ready - once hooked, they'll bolt straight back to cover trying to cut you off.
Megalops AtlanticusTarpon are the silver kings of Tampa Bay - pure adrenaline on a fishing rod. Most fish we encounter run 4-6 feet and 80-100 pounds, though giants over 200 pounds patrol these waters. They cruise shallow flats, channels, and around bridges in 3-20 feet of water. Late spring through summer brings the best action as they move through on their migration routes. What sets tarpon apart is their acrobatics - they'll jump 10 feet out of the water trying to throw the hook. Guests fish for the fight, not the table since they're tough and bony. The key is using a smooth drag and keeping your rod tip down when they jump - "bow to the king" we say. Live bait like crabs or pinfish works best, but patience is crucial. These fish have been around 125 million years and they've learned every trick in the book.
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