Quick Fishing Trip in St Petersburg
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
2-hour inshore fishing charter with Captain Garrett McFallAccommodates up to 2 guests for intimate fishing experienceTarget multiple fish species in St. Petersburg waters
Looking for a solid fishing adventure without burning your whole day? Captain Garrett McFall's 2-hour charter with Imperial Sport Fishing is exactly what you need. This isn't some tourist trap where you'll drift around aimlessly – we're talking about a focused, action-packed trip targeting the most sought-after inshore species in Tampa Bay. With spots for just two anglers, you'll get personalized attention and prime positioning on every cast. Whether you're trying to squeeze in some fishing before dinner or want to introduce someone to the sport without overwhelming them, this quick trip delivers real results on St. Pete's productive waters.
Captain Garrett knows these waters like the back of his hand, and he's not wasting time getting you to where the fish are biting. You'll launch from one of St. Petersburg's convenient marinas and head straight to his proven spots along the grass flats, mangrove shorelines, and structure that hold snook, sea trout, and redfish year-round. The beauty of a 2-hour window is that there's no downtime – every minute counts, so you'll be fishing productive water from start to finish. The intimate group size means you won't be competing with a boat full of people for the captain's attention or the best fishing spots. This is hands-on guidance where Captain Garrett can adjust techniques, switch baits, and move locations quickly based on what's working that day.
All your tackle and bait are provided, so you can show up ready to fish without hauling gear around. Captain Garrett runs light to medium spinning tackle perfect for the inshore game – sensitive enough to feel those subtle trout bites but with enough backbone to handle a bull redfish when it decides to make a run. Depending on conditions and what's feeding, you might be throwing live shrimp under popping corks around grass beds, working soft plastics along drop-offs, or sight-casting to tailing reds in skinny water. The captain reads the tide, wind, and fish activity to determine the best approach for your trip. Artificial lures like paddle tails, spoons, and topwater plugs often produce explosive strikes, while live bait tends to be more consistent for putting fish in the boat. You'll learn proven techniques that work in these specific waters – knowledge you can take with you on future fishing adventures.
Snook are the crown jewel of Tampa Bay fishing, and for good reason. These ambush predators love to hang around structure like docks, mangrove roots, and bridge pilings where they can dart out to crush unsuspecting baitfish. They're notorious for their explosive strikes and acrobatic fights, often jumping multiple times when hooked. The best action typically happens during moving water around dawn and dusk, but Captain Garrett knows the midday haunts where they seek shade during cooler months. What makes snook so addictive is their unpredictability – you might catch slot-sized fish around 24 inches or hook into a bruiser over 30 inches that'll test your drag and your nerves.
Sea trout are Tampa Bay's bread and butter species, and they're perfect for anglers wanting consistent action. These spotted beauties school up over grass flats and sandy holes, making them ideal targets for a quick fishing trip. They hit a variety of baits from live shrimp to soft plastic jigs, and their subtle bite teaches you to really feel what's happening on the other end of your line. Trout fishing is often about covering water and finding the schools – once you locate them, you can catch multiple fish from the same area. Spring and fall produce the largest specimens, with some "gator trout" pushing 20+ inches and providing surprisingly strong fights on light tackle.
Redfish might just be the most fun species you'll target on this charter. These copper-colored fighters are built like bulldogs and fight accordingly, using their broad tails and stocky bodies to make powerful runs that'll have your reel screaming. Reds often cruise the shallows in small schools or singles, sometimes with their tails breaking the surface as they root around oyster bars and grass flats for crabs and shrimp. When you spot that telltale red tail or bronze back in shallow water, the sight-fishing becomes as exciting as the catch itself. They're available year-round in St. Pete waters, but fall and winter often provide the most consistent action as they school up in larger numbers.
A 2-hour charter might sound short, but it's perfectly designed to deliver maximum fishing action without the commitment of a full day on the water. Captain Garrett's local knowledge and efficient approach mean you'll spend more time with lines in the water and less time searching for fish. This trip works great for visitors with limited time, locals wanting to squeeze in some fishing after work, or anyone looking to try inshore fishing without a major time investment. The small group size ensures personalized instruction and better fishing opportunities for everyone aboard. St. Petersburg's inshore waters are productive year-round, so there's never a bad time to book this quick fishing adventure. Ready to get out there and see what Tampa Bay has to offer? Your next great catch is just a booking away.
This fully customized 24' Avenger is built for serious fishing in St. Pete waters. The boat features a massive 50-gallon livewell to keep your catch fresh, plus double 10' Power-Poles for precise positioning over those productive spots. A Minn Kota trolling motor lets you work the shallows quietly, while the Garmin fish finder and chart plotter help locate fish and navigate safely. The custom tower provides shade and an elevated spotting platform to sight fish in clear water. High gunnels keep you dry when running between fishing holes and offer stability while fighting fish. JL audio keeps the mood upbeat between bites. The flybridge gives you excellent visibility for spotting birds, bait schools, and structure. An icebox keeps drinks cold and fresh bait ready. VHF radio ensures safety communication. This rig handles both shallow grass flats and deeper inshore structure, making it perfect for targeting whatever species are biting around St. Petersburg's diverse fishing grounds.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the ultimate sight-fishing target in St. Pete's shallow waters. These copper-colored beauties average 20-30 inches and are famous for that black eyespot near their tail. You'll spot them cruising oyster bars, grass flats, and mangrove shorelines in just 1-4 feet of water - sometimes so shallow their backs break the surface. They bite year-round but are most active during warmer months. What makes redfish special is their powerful, bulldogging fight and willingness to eat everything from topwater plugs to live shrimp. They're also excellent table fare with sweet, firm meat. Local secret: look for nervous water or "pushing" wakes on calm mornings - that's often reds feeding in the shallows. Cast ahead of their path and let them find your bait.
Salmo TruttaSpotted sea trout, or "specks" as we call them locally, are perfect for our quick trips since they're abundant and willing biters. These beautiful fish typically run 14-24 inches with distinctive spots covering their silver sides. Look for them over grass flats in 3-8 feet of water, especially around dawn and dusk when they feed most actively. They're most cooperative during cooler months when they school up in deeper channels. Guests love trout fishing because they're aggressive strikers and put up a respectable fight for their size. Plus, they're some of the best eating fish in these waters - mild, flaky white meat that's hard to beat. Pro tip: use a popping cork with live shrimp about 18 inches below - the noise draws them in from a distance.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are one of the most sought-after species in our St. Pete waters, and for good reason. These sleek predators average 1-3 feet but can grow much larger, with that distinctive black lateral line making them easy to spot. You'll find them around mangroves, docks, and structure in shallow water - they love ambush spots where they can dart out with surprising speed. Best action happens during warmer months, especially around new and full moons when they're most active. What makes snook special is their explosive strike and stubborn fight once hooked. They're also fantastic eating with firm, white meat. Here's a local tip: cast your lure past the structure and work it back slowly - snook often follow before committing to the bite.
Clearwater