Expert Guided Tampa Bay Morning Fishing Adventures
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fourhour morning fishing adventure in Tampa Bay watersTarget snook, redfish, trout, and tarpon species inshoreSmall group experience accommodating up to three guests
Looking for some serious fishing action without burning your whole day? This 4-hour morning charter with Keep On Reeling is exactly what you need. We'll hit Tampa Bay's most productive inshore waters while the fish are still hungry and the sun isn't beating down on us. With room for up to 3 anglers, this trip gives you plenty of elbow room and personal attention from your captain. Tampa Bay's shallow flats and mangrove shorelines hold some of Florida's most sought-after species, and we know exactly where to find them.
Your morning starts early, which is perfect because that's when the fish are most active. We'll launch before the recreational boat traffic picks up, giving us first shot at the prime spots. Tampa Bay's inshore waters are like a giant fish highway - the grass flats, oyster bars, and mangrove creeks all hold different species depending on the tide, season, and time of day. You'll be fishing in water that ranges from 2 to 15 feet deep, which means you can actually see a lot of the action happening. The shallow water fishing here is visual and exciting - you might spot a redfish tailing in the grass or watch a tarpon roll just out of casting range. Morning trips have that special energy where anything can happen, and Tampa Bay delivers consistently.
We fish light tackle here because it's way more fun and the fish fight harder. Most of our fishing involves live bait fishing with shrimp, pinfish, or threadfin herring, depending on what the fish are eating that day. We'll also throw artificial lures like soft plastics, spoons, and topwater plugs when the conditions are right. The beauty of inshore fishing is the variety - one cast you might be bouncing a jig along an oyster bar for redfish, the next you're throwing a topwater plug at rolling tarpon. We provide all the rods, reels, tackle, and bait, so you just need to bring yourself and maybe some snacks. The boat is equipped with a shallow water anchor system that lets us stay positioned perfectly over productive spots without spooking fish in skinny water.
Goliath Grouper are the giants of Tampa Bay, and when you hook one, you'll know it immediately. These massive fish can weigh several hundred pounds and will test every bit of your tackle and stamina. They hang around structure like docks, bridges, and deep holes, and once hooked, they'll try to wrap you around anything they can find. The thrill isn't necessarily landing one - it's the incredible power and the realization of just how big fish can get in these waters. Most anglers are perfectly happy just to experience that initial run.
Tarpon are Tampa Bay's silver kings, and they're here in good numbers from spring through fall. These fish are pure athletes - they jump, they run, and they'll give you a workout you won't forget. A typical Tampa Bay tarpon runs 50-100 pounds, though we see bigger ones regularly. They roll on the surface, which makes them exciting to spot and target. When you hook a tarpon, get ready for an aerial show because they're going to come out of the water multiple times. Most of these fish get released to fight another day.
Red Grouper are excellent table fare and put up a solid fight on light tackle. They live around hard bottom and structure in deeper parts of the bay. These fish are smart and can be finicky, but when you figure out what they want, you can have some great action. They're typically in the 5-15 pound range in the bay, perfect for eating. Red grouper fishing requires patience and the right bait presentation, but the payoff is worth it.
King Mackerel show up in Tampa Bay when the baitfish are thick, usually from spring through early winter. These fish are built for speed and have razor-sharp teeth, so wire leaders are essential. Kings will slam a bait and make blazing runs that'll burn drag off your reel. They're fantastic eating when prepared right, and a 20-30 pound king will give you all the fight you can handle on medium tackle.
Redfish are Tampa Bay classics and one of the most reliable species we target. They cruise the grass flats, hang around oyster bars, and push up into shallow creeks following the tides. Reds are visual feeders, so you can often sight-fish for them in clear water. They make strong runs and have this bulldogging fighting style that's different from other species. A slot-sized red (18-27 inches) is perfect for the dinner table, while the bigger bulls provide catch-and-release excitement.
Tampa Bay morning fishing trips book up quickly, especially during the cooler months when the bite is hot and the weather is perfect. This 4-hour format gives you serious fishing time without taking up your entire day, leaving you free for other activities or just relaxing afterward. With only 3 spots available per trip, you're guaranteed personalized attention and plenty of fishing time. The morning bite is typically the most productive, and you'll be back at the dock before the afternoon heat kicks in. Don't wait - the fish are biting and your spot is waiting!
Your fishing machine for Tampa Bay's inshore waters is a well-equipped motorboat built for serious angling action. This boat handles the shallow flats and grass beds where snook and redfish love to hide. The wireless trolling motor lets you sneak up on spooky fish without spooking them with engine noise - perfect for sight fishing those tailing reds. GPS keeps you on the productive spots while the fish finder shows what's swimming below. The ice box keeps your catch fresh and your drinks cold during those hot Florida mornings. Built for up to 3 anglers, there's plenty of room to cast without tangling lines. Whether you're working live bait around the mangroves or throwing artificials on the grass flats, this boat gets you where the fish are biting in Tampa Bay's legendary inshore fishery.
Epinephelus ItajaraThese massive groupers are true giants - we're talking 4-8 feet long and hundreds of pounds. They hang around structures like wrecks, ledges, and reefs in 20-150 feet of water throughout Tampa Bay. You'll find them year-round, but summer months tend to be most productive. What makes them special is the sheer size and power - that first pull will test every piece of your gear. They're protected, so it's strictly catch and release, but the experience is unforgettable. Use heavy tackle with 50-80 class reels and big baits like crab or jack. Pro tip: anchor close enough to the structure to get their attention, but far enough away that you can pull them out before they cut you off on the rocks.
Scomberomorus CavallaKings are speed demons that'll test your reflexes - sleek, silver torpedoes averaging 15-30 pounds with some pushing 50+. They cruise the edges of Tampa Bay in 40-100 feet of water, following bait schools and temperature breaks. Spring and fall migrations bring the best action when water temps hit that sweet spot around 70-80°F. What makes them exciting is their blistering runs and acrobatic jumps - they're built for speed. The meat is good eating too, though it's got some oil content. Trolling with spoons or live bait on wire leaders is the go-to method. Local tip: rig two hooks on your live bait - one through the nose and a stinger hook near the tail. Kings often attack from behind and that back hook will save you from a lot of missed fish.
Epinephelus MorioRed grouper are Tampa Bay's most reliable bottom fish - rusty red color with white spots makes them easy to identify. Most run 5-10 pounds, though 20+ pounders aren't uncommon around the right structure. They live on rocky bottom, ledges, and artificial reefs in 30-100 feet of water. Best fishing is spring through fall when they're most active. People love them because they fight hard and taste even better - firm, white meat that's perfect for the dinner table. They're aggressive feeders that'll hit live or dead bait, especially shrimp and crabs. Here's a local trick: bounce your bait off the bottom to create some commotion. These fish have no fear and will come investigate the noise, giving you a better shot at a hookup.
Sciaenops OcellatusReds are Tampa Bay's most popular inshore target - bronze-colored with distinctive black spots near the tail. They typically run 18-28 inches and 3-8 pounds, though bull reds over 40 inches show up offshore. These fish love super shallow water, often feeding in 1-4 feet around oyster bars, grass flats, and mangrove shorelines. Fall and winter are prime time when they school up and feed aggressively. What makes them special is their willingness to eat topwater lures in skinny water - explosive strikes that'll get your heart pumping. They're also excellent table fare with sweet, flaky meat. Try topwater plugs at dawn and dusk, or soft plastics bounced along the bottom. Pro tip: look for nervous baitfish or actual redfish tails sticking up as they feed head-down - that's your target zone.
Megalops AtlanticusThe "silver king" is what dreams are made of - 4-6 feet long, 80-200 pounds of pure athleticism. These fish love Tampa Bay's shallow flats, channels, and bridges, especially during their spring and summer migration. They feed in 3-10 feet of water but can be found deeper around structure. What gets people hooked is watching a 100-pound fish launch 10 feet out of the water - pure adrenaline. The fight is intense but relatively short. They're catch and release only, and the meat isn't great anyway. Use medium-heavy tackle with smooth drags, and live bait like crabs, pinfish, or mullet works best. Key tip: when they jump, bow to the fish by dropping your rod tip toward them - it keeps tension off and prevents them from throwing the hook.
Tampa, FL