5.0(7 Reviews)Gag Grouper And Snook Fishing On Tampa Bay
5.0(7 reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Top Rated
Target Gag Grouper, Redfish, Sea Trout, and Snook speciesCaptain Joe Masi leads 45 hour Tampa Bay tripsSmall group charter accommodates maximum three guests
Looking for a solid day on the water targeting some of Florida's most prized inshore gamefish? Captain Joe Masi knows Tampa Bay like the back of his hand, and he's ready to put you on the fish. Operating out of Bay Pines, this isn't your typical tourist trap charter – Joe runs a tight ship with a maximum of three anglers, ensuring everyone gets plenty of rod time and personal attention. Whether you're after that trophy snook or want to wrestle with a hefty gag grouper, these waters deliver year-round action that keeps both beginners and seasoned anglers coming back for more.
Captain Joe offers 4 and 5-hour trips that give you real time to work the best spots without feeling rushed. The beauty of fishing Tampa Bay is the variety – one minute you're working structure for gag grouper in 15 feet of water, the next you're sight-casting to tailing redfish in the shallows. Joe's boat is equipped with quality tackle and he knows exactly when to switch up techniques based on conditions. The trip starts early to beat the afternoon winds and boat traffic, giving you the prime fishing hours when these fish are most active. Don't expect to just sit and wait – this is active fishing where you'll learn to read the water, understand the tides, and pick up techniques that'll make you a better angler long after the trip ends.
Tampa Bay inshore fishing is all about adapting to what the fish want on any given day. Captain Joe runs a mix of live bait fishing with pinfish, pilchards, and shrimp, plus artificial lures when the bite calls for it. For gag grouper, you'll be working structure with knocker rigs and circle hooks, learning how to feel the bottom and detect those subtle grouper bites. Snook fishing means getting up close to mangroves, docks, and bridges with both live bait and topwater plugs – there's nothing quite like watching a 30-inch snook blow up on a surface lure. The tackle is matched to the target species, from medium-heavy spinning gear for grouper to lighter setups for trout and smaller redfish. Joe provides all the gear, but if you've got a favorite rod you want to bring, he's more than happy to let you use it.
"Joe was great, we had an excellent time and caught a lot of fish. Would highly recommend!" - Tristan. "We have been fishing charters in Florida for over 20 years. Some good, some bad. Fishing with Joe was hands down the most fun, most successful trip including a 36" Snook my gf caught. It was a full service charter, he is very knowledgeable, patient, and willing to move to find the fish. He was low stress and he made everyone comfortable as we had beginners to experienced anglers with us. We will definitely be fishing with him again. Not just the catch, but it was the best charter I have been on all around." - Regan. "Captain Joe was great, like most reviews say, fishing with him is like fishing with a buddy you've known a lifetime. My wife and I had a great time, caught a bunch of fish and will be back in the future!" - James.
Gag grouper are the bread and butter of Tampa Bay structure fishing. These aggressive bottom dwellers average 3-8 pounds but can push 15-20 pounds when you find the right spot. They're most active during cooler months from October through March, hanging around hard bottom, artificial reefs, and bridge pilings. What makes gag grouper so appealing is their willingness to bite and their excellent table fare – they're arguably the best eating fish in these waters. The fight is all about power, with short runs and head-shaking that'll test your drag system.
Snook are the glamour fish of the inshore scene, and Tampa Bay holds some true giants. These ambush predators love structure – mangrove shorelines, dock pilings, and bridge shadows where they wait to attack baitfish. Peak season runs from April through October when water temperatures climb, but don't count them out during winter warm spells. A 28-inch snook is a solid fish, but the bay regularly produces 30-plus inch specimens that'll make your arms ache. They're notorious for their acrobatic jumps and blistering runs toward cover, making every hookup a heart-pounding experience.
Sea trout patrol the grass flats and provide consistent action when other species are finicky. These spotted beauties average 14-18 inches but keeper-sized fish over 15 inches are common throughout the bay. They're most active during moving tides, especially around dawn and dusk. Trout respond well to both live shrimp and soft plastic baits, making them perfect for anglers still learning to feel subtle strikes. While they don't fight as hard as snook or grouper, their numbers and willingness to bite make them a crowd-pleaser.
Redfish are the ultimate sight-fishing opportunity in Tampa Bay's shallow waters. These copper-colored bruisers cruise the flats and mangrove edges, often with their backs and tails visible above the surface. Fall months from September through November offer the best action, but reds are catchable year-round. They average 18-27 inches in the slot, with occasional oversized bulls that'll strip line and test your knots. Redfish are notorious for their bulldogging runs and refusal to give up, making them a favorite among anglers who appreciate a fish with attitude.
Captain Joe Masi has built his reputation on putting clients on fish while making sure everyone has a great time on the water. With Tampa Bay's year-round fishing opportunities and Joe's knowledge of the best spots
This 24-foot Proline is built for serious Tampa Bay fishing, with plenty of room for you and two buddies to work the flats and deeper channels around Bay Pines. Captain Joe has rigged her with top-notch electronics including GPS and fish finder to put you on the gag grouper and snook. The 60-gallon livewell with dual pumps keeps your bait swimming strong all day, while two massive 90-quart coolers handle your catch and cold drinks. You'll appreciate the wireless trolling motor for sneaking up on those spooky inshore fish without spooking them. VHF radio keeps you connected, and the multimedia system adds some tunes between bites. With an icebox for snacks and gear storage throughout, this boat's designed for comfort during those 4-5 hour adventures targeting Tampa Bay's best gamefish.
Mycteroperca MicrolepisGag grouper are some of the strongest fighters you'll find around Tampa Bay's rocky bottoms and structure. These guys average 20 inches but can push 40+ inches and really know how to use cover. They hang around offshore reefs, wrecks, and any hard structure they can find to ambush prey like crabs, shrimp, and smaller fish. Fall through spring gives us the best action when they're actively feeding. What makes them special is that powerful fight - once hooked, they'll try everything to drag your bait back to their rocky hideout. The meat is outstanding too, firm white fillets that taste great. My tip: keep that drag locked tight and don't give them an inch, or they'll wrap you around the nearest structure and win the battle.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the bulls of the shallow flats, easily spotted by their copper-bronze sides and that famous black eyespot near the tail. Around Tampa Bay, most run 20-30 inches and love super shallow water - sometimes so shallow their backs show above the surface. You'll find them cruising oyster bars, mangrove edges, and grass flats hunting for crabs and shrimp. They bite best during moving tides, especially in fall and spring. What makes reds special is their raw power and that distinctive tail-walking fight. They're also great eating with sweet, firm meat. The sight-fishing opportunities here are amazing too - watching a big red cruise the shallows gets your heart pumping. Pro tip: look for muddy water or "nervous" baitfish - that usually means reds are nearby feeding.
Salmo TruttaSpotted sea trout, or "specks" as we call them, are perfect for anglers wanting consistent action on Tampa Bay's grass flats. These silvery fish with black spots typically run 12-18 inches and love shallow water from 2-8 feet deep. They school up over seagrass beds and sandy potholes, feeding on shrimp and small baitfish. Winter months are prime time when they form large schools in deeper channels, but they bite year-round. Guests love them because they're willing biters, put up a decent scrap, and make excellent table fare - the meat is tender and flaky. Best part? You can catch multiple fish in one spot. My go-to technique is drifting grass flats with live shrimp under a popping cork. The cork's noise draws them in from a distance.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are the ultimate ambush predator in Tampa Bay's mangroves and grass flats. These silver-sided beauties with that distinctive black lateral line typically run 18-30 inches, though bigger ones lurk in deeper water. They love hanging around docks, mangrove shorelines, and creek mouths where they can surprise baitfish. Best fishing happens during warmer months, especially around dawn and dusk when they're actively hunting. What hooks anglers is their explosive strike and acrobatic fight - they'll jump, run, and give you everything they've got. Plus, they're excellent table fare with flaky white meat. Here's a local trick: cast live shrimp or pinfish right into the shadows under docks and mangrove overhangs. That's where the big ones wait.
5.0 out of 5.0Joe was great, we had an excellent time and caught a lot of fish. Would highly recommend!
We had a wonderful time with Captain Joe Masi. He is a very knowledgable fisherman and local to the St. Pete area. He worked very ...
We have been fishing charters in Florida for over 20 years. Some good, some bad. Fishing with Joe was hands down the most fun, mos...
We had a great time with Joe we caught redfish! Joe is very knowledgeable and knows secret spots !
Had a great time. Caught a 28 inch Red Fiah!!
Captain Joe was great, like most reviews say, fishing with him is like fishing with a buddy you've known a lifetime. My wife and I...
Unforgettable Fishing Trip with Captain Joe (Masi Boys)! We had an incredible experience with Masi Boys Fishing Charter! From sta...
St Petersburg