St. Petersburg Inshore Fishing Charter
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
68 hour inshore fishing charter targeting multiple speciesExperienced captain provides all gear and fishing permitsSmall group experience accommodating up to 2 guests
Ready to hit the flats around St. Pete? This 6-8 hour inshore fishing charter puts you right in the middle of some of Florida's best shallow water action. We're talking about crystal clear backwaters, grass flats, and mangrove shorelines where the fish are hungry and the scenery never gets old. Captain and crew from Lock It Down Sportfishing know these waters like the back of their hand, and they're stoked to put you on fish. Whether you're a weekend warrior or just getting your feet wet, this trip delivers the kind of fishing that keeps people coming back to Tampa Bay year after year.
Your day kicks off early when you meet the crew at the marina. We'll head out to prime fishing spots that change with the tides, weather, and what's biting that day. Think shallow grass beds where redfish cruise looking for crabs, deeper potholes where trout stack up, and structure where cobia and grouper hang out waiting for an easy meal. The boat stays in relatively protected waters, so you won't be fighting big swells all day. Instead, you get to focus on what matters – working your bait presentations and reading the water. The captain handles navigation and fish-finding while you concentrate on feeling that telltale tap on your line. These aren't crowded party boat conditions either. With just 2 anglers max, everyone gets plenty of room to cast and fight fish without tangling lines every five minutes.
All your gear comes included, from rods and reels to terminal tackle and bait. We're talking about medium-action spinning setups perfect for inshore work – sensitive enough to feel light bites but with enough backbone to turn a big red away from structure. Live bait like shrimp, pinfish, and pilchards are the go-to options, though artificial lures definitely have their place when fish are aggressive. You'll learn how to work a popping cork over grass flats, drift live bait along mangrove edges, and maybe even throw some topwater plugs if conditions are right. The captain adjusts techniques based on what's working that day. Sometimes that means slow-trolling live bait, other times it's sight-fishing to cruising reds in skinny water. No need to stress about bringing anything – even your fishing license is covered. Just show up ready to learn and have some fun on the water.
Sea Trout are the bread and butter of Tampa Bay inshore fishing. These spotted beauties love grass flats and drop-offs where they ambush baitfish. Most trout run 12-18 inches, but keepers over 20 inches pack some serious fight on light tackle. Spring and fall offer the most consistent action, though you can find them year-round if you know where to look. They hit live shrimp under popping corks and soft plastic jigs bounced along the bottom. What makes trout special is their willingness to bite – perfect for keeping kids and beginners engaged while you're hunting bigger game.
Redfish are the crown jewel of Florida inshore fishing, and St. Pete's shallow flats hold some beauties. These copper-colored bulldogs average 18-27 inches in the slot, though you might tangle with an oversized bull that'll test your drag system. Reds feed year-round but really turn on during cooler months when they school up in massive numbers. They're suckers for live shrimp and cut bait fished near oyster bars and mangrove shorelines. The fight is what hooks most anglers – that initial run followed by a stubborn, head-shaking battle that gets your heart pumping.
Cobia show up as bonus fish that can make your whole trip. These brown sharks (they're actually not sharks) cruise the flats looking for rays and crabs to munch on. When you spot one, it's sight-fishing at its finest – casting ahead of a moving fish and watching it turn to investigate your bait. Cobia in these waters typically run 20-40 pounds, and they fight like fish twice their size. Peak season runs from March through May, but stragglers hang around all year. They're curious fish that often follow the boat, giving you multiple shot opportunities if you don't spook them.
Gag Grouper add some bottom-fishing excitement to your inshore adventure. These guys hang around structure like rock piles, artificial reefs, and hard bottom areas in 20-40 feet of water. Gags are notorious bait stealers with crushing jaws and a habit of heading straight for cover when hooked. Most keeper-sized fish run 20-24 inches, but the occasional heavyweight will really put your equipment to the test. They're most active during cooler months and absolutely love live pinfish or large shrimp presentations. The key is setting the hook hard and keeping constant pressure to turn them away from structure.
This St. Petersburg inshore fishing charter delivers exactly what serious anglers and families are looking for – quality time on productive waters with an experienced crew that knows how to put you on fish. Six to eight hours gives you enough time to hit multiple spots, adjust techniques, and really dial in what's working. The small group size means personalized attention and room to cast without stepping on each other. All gear and permits are handled, so you can focus on the fishing instead of logistics. Tampa Bay's inshore waters fish well year-round, but prime dates book up fast during peak seasons. Don't wait around hoping for a last-minute opening – lock down your spot with Lock It Down Sportfishing and get ready for some world-class shallow water action that'll have you planning your next trip before this one's even over.
Your fishing adventure awaits aboard our reliable 2000 Dorado 23SE center console, powered by a smooth 150HP Mercury engine that cruises comfortably at 26 knots through St. Petersburg's productive fishing waters. This well-equipped 23-footer features everything you need for a successful day targeting redfish, trout, cobia, snapper, and grouper in the area's best inshore spots. The onboard fish finder helps locate structure and baitfish while GPS navigation gets you to prime fishing grounds quickly. Stay comfortable with the icebox keeping your drinks cold and the multimedia system providing entertainment between bites. The wireless trolling motor allows for silent positioning when stalking spooky fish in shallow water, while the flybridge gives you an elevated view to spot feeding activity and navigate grass flats. Built for up to 2 anglers, this nimble boat handles St. Petersburg's diverse inshore fishing perfectly.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are the bulls of our waters - averaging 30-50 pounds and fighting like freight trains. They cruise solo around structure like wrecks, buoys, and nearshore reefs in 30-100 feet of water. Spring migration (March-May) is prime time when they move through in big numbers. What makes cobia special is the sight fishing - spotting that dark brown torpedo shape near the surface gets your heart pumping. They're also top-shelf eating with firm, white meat that tastes like a cross between grouper and mahi. These fish are curious and will often follow the boat. Here's the key: when you spot one, get a bucktail jig or live bait in front of them quick. They'll usually eat on the first cast if you don't spook them.
Mycteroperca MicrolepisGag grouper are the workhorses of our offshore trips, typically running 20-30 inches and putting up serious fights. They hang around hard bottom, reefs, and wrecks in 60-150 feet of water. Best fishing happens during cooler months when grouper season opens. What anglers love is the challenge - these fish will try to cut you off in the rocks the second they feel the hook. They're also premium table fare with sweet, flaky meat that's perfect for the grill. The females are lighter colored while males get almost black on the belly. My advice: once you hook one, keep steady pressure and don't let them get back to their hole. Use circle hooks with live pinfish or cut bait, and be ready for a tug-of-war.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are Tampa Bay classics, running 20-40 inches with that signature black spot near the tail. They love super shallow water - sometimes so shallow their backs stick out. Look for them around oyster bars, mangrove shorelines, and grass flats in 1-4 feet of water. Year-round fishing here, but spring and fall are prime when they're really aggressive. What guests love about reds is the fight - they'll make long runs and never give up easy. Plus they're fantastic eating with sweet, firm meat. The cool part is sight fishing them in clear water. My go-to trick: use a gold spoon or topwater plug and work it slow. When you see that red back, cast past them and work your lure right by their nose.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout average 14-24 inches and run 1-5 pounds, though bigger ones show up. You'll find them cruising grass flats and shallow bays, especially at night when they're most active. They feed heavily on shrimp, small crabs, and baitfish. Spring through fall offers the best action here in Tampa Bay. What makes trout special is their willingness to hit topwater lures - the explosion when one takes your plug is something else. They're also excellent table fare with mild, flaky white meat. Pro tip: work your lure slow and steady over the grass beds. Trout often follow before they strike, so don't jerk it away too fast. Circle hooks work great with live shrimp if you want to keep it simple.
Clearwater