5.0(6 Reviews)Half Day Snook and Redfish Charter in Tampa Bay
5.0(6 reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Top Rated
Target Snook, Redfish, Sea Trout, and Gag Grouper inshoreCaptain Joe provides all equipment and bait includedPerfect for beginners and experienced anglers alike
Captain Joe Masi knows Tampa Bay like the back of his hand, and he's ready to put you on some serious fish. This half-day inshore charter with Masi Boys Fishing Charters gives you 3-4 hours of prime fishing time targeting some of Florida's most sought-after species. Whether you're chasing that slot redfish or hoping to land your first snook, Joe's got the local knowledge and persistence to make it happen. With all gear and bait provided, you just need to bring yourself and maybe some extra cash for the tip – trust us, you'll want to after seeing Joe work his magic on the water.
This top-rated Tampa Bay fishing experience accommodates up to 3 anglers, making it perfect for a small group or family outing. Captain Joe runs a tight ship but keeps the atmosphere relaxed and fun, whether you're a seasoned angler or picking up a rod for the first time. The beauty of inshore fishing in Tampa Bay is the variety – you never know what's going to hit your line next. Joe's constantly reading the water, watching for baitfish activity, and adjusting his game plan based on conditions. Don't be surprised if he moves spots several times during the trip; that's just good captaining. The bay's protected waters mean you'll have a comfortable ride even when the Gulf gets choppy, and the scenery alone makes this trip worthwhile. Expect to learn something new about the local marine ecosystem while you're out there – Joe's passionate about these waters and loves sharing his knowledge.
Joe provides all the tackle you'll need, from light spinning gear perfect for trout to heavier setups when targeting bigger redfish and snook. Live bait is the name of the game in Tampa Bay – expect to fish with shrimp, pilchards, and whatever else is running fresh that day. Joe's an active captain who'll get right in there helping you with technique, whether that's teaching proper drift fishing methods or showing you how to work a lure around structure. The inshore waters around Tampa Bay offer diverse fishing opportunities, from grass flats where you'll sight-fish for reds to mangrove shorelines where snook lurk in the shadows. Depending on conditions and what's biting, you might find yourself casting toward oyster bars, working deep holes, or drifting over sandy bottom. The key is staying flexible and letting the fish tell you what they want that day.
"This was my second trip with Joe, we went out last year for the 4hr trip and brought back a dozen keeper grunt fillets to cook up. This year we were coming off a couple days of rainy, windy weather and the gulf was rough so we stayed on the intracostal areas but the water was still murky. Had a fair amount of bites, boated some trout that were just undersized so had to throw back but still fun to catch. Plus a couple hammerhead sharks about 18-20 inches that fought pretty good. Joe is very active on the boat, organized and worked hard for us, changing spots several times. Unfortunately no keepers this time, but that's why it's "fishing" and not "catching"!" - Michael
"we had an amazing fishing trip today with Joe! From start to finish, it was a great expereince. Joe was friendly, knowledgeable, and made sure everyone was comfortable and having fun the entire time. He knew exactly where to go and was incredibly patient and helpful, whether you're experienced or brand new to fishing. The trip was well organized, relaxed, and overall just a really fun day on the water. Highly fecommend booking with Joe if you're looking for a great fishing charger in St. Pete!" - Chase
"Had a wonderful experience with Joe Masi from Masi Boy's Fishing today with my sons. We are avid fishers from Long Island and going forward we will be spending plenty of time fishing in the St. Pete's area with Joe. Fish were plentiful and a wide range of species in only a 3 hour trip. Captain Joe was both very knowledgeable and helpful to my young sons in teaching them the waters and how to fish. See you again in a few months! Thank you Captain for the trip!" - Pete
Snook are the crown jewel of Tampa Bay inshore fishing, and for good reason. These ambush predators love structure – think dock pilings, mangrove overhangs, and bridge shadows. They're notorious for their explosive strikes and acrobatic fights, often jumping multiple times before you get them to the boat. Snook are temperature sensitive, so they're most active when water temps are in the 70s and 80s. The slot limit runs from 28 to 33 inches, and they have a closed season during summer spawning months, but catch and release fishing stays hot year-round. What makes snook special is their attitude – they hit hard, fight dirty, and test your drag like few other inshore species.
Redfish are Tampa Bay's most reliable customers, and they'll eat just about anything you put in front of them. These copper-colored bruisers are famous for their bulldogging fights – they won't jump like a snook, but they'll pull drag and test your patience with their stamina. Reds love shallow grass flats where they cruise around tailing and rooting for crabs and shrimp. The slot size runs from 18 to 27 inches, with one fish per person allowed in the slot. Oversized bull reds over 27 inches provide serious arm-burning action but must be released immediately. Peak redfish action happens during cooler months when they school up in big numbers.
Gag Grouper bring the deep-water excitement to your inshore adventure. These bottom-dwellers hang around structure like artificial reefs, wrecks, and rock piles in the deeper parts of Tampa
Captain Joe's 24-foot Proline is built for serious Tampa Bay fishing action. This spacious boat handles the inshore waters like a champ, giving you and up to 2 other anglers plenty of room to work your lines without bumping elbows. The 60-gallon livewell with dual pumps keeps your bait kicking strong all day, while two massive 90-quart coolers hold your catch and cold drinks. Equipped with GPS, fish finder, and VHF radio for safety, plus a wireless trolling motor that lets you sneak up on those spooky redfish and snook without spooking them. Whether you're casting into mangrove cuts or working grass flats, this rig has everything needed to put you on the fish in Tampa Bay's productive waters.
Mycteroperca MicrolepisGag grouper are bottom dwellers that love rocky structure and reefs around Tampa Bay. These gray, marbled fish typically run 20 inches but can reach impressive sizes up to 50+ pounds. You'll find them hanging around bridge pilings, ledges, and artificial reefs in 15-40 feet of water. They're aggressive fighters that'll try to drag your line straight back to their rocky hideouts the moment they're hooked. Spring through fall offers the best action when they're actively feeding on crabs and small fish. What makes them special is that powerful initial run - they'll test your drag immediately. For table fare, they're hard to beat with firm, white meat. Local tip: Once you hook one, keep steady pressure and don't let them get back to the rocks or you'll lose them for sure.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish, or red drum, are Tampa Bay's most popular inshore target with their copper-bronze color and signature black spot near the tail. Most range 20-30 inches, but the big "bull" reds can reach 40+ inches and give you a real workout. They cruise shallow flats, oyster bars, and mangrove edges in 1-4 feet of water - sometimes so shallow their backs show above the surface. Year-round fishing is good, but fall and spring offer the most consistent action. What makes reds special is their powerful runs and the fact you can sight-fish them in skinny water. They're also great eating in the slot-size range with mild, sweet meat. During cooler months, they school up in deeper channels. Local secret: look for "tailing" reds with their tails sticking up while they root around for crabs in the shallows.
Salmo TruttaSpotted sea trout, or "specks" as we call them, are one of Tampa Bay's most consistent fish. They average 14-18 inches with plenty of beautiful spots along their silver sides. You'll find them over grass flats in 3-8 feet of water, especially around drop-offs and sandy potholes. Spring and fall provide the best action, but they bite year-round here in Florida. What guests love about trout is their willingness to hit both live bait and artificials - they're great for beginners and kids. They make excellent table fare with mild, flaky meat that's perfect for a fish fry. During summer, try fishing early morning or late evening when they move shallow to feed. Pro tip: look for diving birds over the grass flats - that usually means trout are feeding on glass minnows underneath.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are the kings of Tampa Bay's inshore waters, known for that distinctive black lateral line and golden color. Most run 18-28 inches, but the big females can push 40+ inches and really put up a fight. You'll find them around mangrove shorelines, docks, and creek mouths in 2-10 feet of water - they love ambush spots with current breaks. Best fishing happens during warmer months from April through October, especially around dawn and dusk. What makes snook special is their explosive strike and acrobatic jumps once hooked. They're also excellent eating with flaky white meat. One thing about snook - they're temperature sensitive, so cooler water in winter pushes them to deeper holes. My go-to tip: work your lure slow along the mangrove edges and be ready for that sudden hit.
5.0 out of 5.0This was my second trip with Joe, we went out last year for the 4hr trip and brought back a dozen keeper grunt fillets to cook up....
we had an amazing fishing trip today with Joe! From start to finish, it was a great expereince. Joe was friendly, knowledgeable, a...
Had a wonderful experience with Joe Masi from Masi Boy’s Fishing today with my sons. We are avid fishers from Long Island and goin...
It was an unseasonably cold day in St. Pete, not exactly the best weather for fishing. In spite of that, Joe was courteous, knowle...
What a great kid!!! ( I’m an old lady) very personable, friendly professional & knowledgeable taught me a lot! Would definitely go...
Captain Joe was awesome! He was very persistent on putting us on fish. We tried several locations to diversify our catch. We lande...
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