Afternoon Inshore Fishing Adventure in Bradenton
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fourhour afternoon inshore fishing trip in Bradenton watersTarget snook, flounder, cobia, mangrove snapper, and Spanish mackerelAll fishing gear provided with stunning sunset views included
There's something special about hitting the flats and grass beds around Bradenton when the afternoon sun starts painting the sky. This four-hour inshore fishing trip puts you right in the heart of some of Florida's best shallow-water action, where snook lurk in the mangroves and redfish cruise the oyster bars. You'll fish the productive waters of Tampa Bay and the Manatee River system with a captain who knows every shell bar, grass flat, and structure that holds fish. With gear provided and a small group of just two anglers, you get the personalized attention that makes the difference between watching fish swim by and putting them in the boat.
Your afternoon starts with a quick meet-up at the dock where your captain will size up the conditions and game plan your trip. Wind direction, tide stage, and recent fish activity all factor into where you'll spend your time on the water. The beauty of inshore fishing around Bradenton is the variety – one minute you're sight-casting to tailing redfish in two feet of water, the next you're working a live shrimp under a mangrove overhang hoping for a snook to blow up on it. The boat stays in skinny water most of the trip, which means you're always close to structure and cover where fish like to hang out. As the day winds down, you'll often find yourself positioned perfectly to watch the sunset paint the sky while making a few last casts in prime feeding time.
All your gear comes ready to go – spinning rods spooled with 15-20 pound test, appropriate for the species you're targeting. Your captain will have you rigged up with everything from live shrimp and pinfish to soft plastics and topwater plugs depending on what the fish are eating. Inshore fishing here is all about reading the water and adapting your approach. You might be flipping jigs into potholes one hour and throwing spoons at breaking Spanish mackerel the next. The shallow draft boat lets you get into spots that bigger offshore rigs can't reach, putting you on fish that don't see as much pressure. Circle hooks are standard for live bait fishing, and your guide will show you the proper hookset technique to maximize your landing percentage while keeping the fish healthy for release.
Southern Flounder are masters of disguise, lying flat against sandy bottoms and grass beds throughout the bay system. These flatfish typically run 14-18 inches around Bradenton, with larger "doormat" flounder pushing 20+ inches showing up more often in fall and winter months. They're ambush predators that inhale live shrimp or small pinfish bounced along the bottom, and the fight is more about dead weight than speed. What makes flounder special is their table fare – few fish eat better than a fresh flounder fillet.
Snook are the poster fish for Florida inshore fishing, and the waters around Bradenton hold some beauties. These fish love structure – docks, mangroves, oyster bars, and bridge pilings all attract snook looking for shade and ambush points. They're most active during dawn and dusk feeding periods, which puts your afternoon trip right in their wheelhouse. Snook have a slot limit (28-33 inches) and closed seasons, so many of your catches will be catch-and-release, but the fight alone makes them worth targeting. They hit hard, make blistering runs, and aren't shy about jumping when hooked.
Sea Trout, or spotted seatrout, are year-round residents that school up over grass flats and sandy potholes. These fish are perfect for anglers who want consistent action – they're aggressive feeders that hit both live bait and artificials with enthusiasm. Trout in the 15-20 inch range are common, with larger "gator trout" over 20 inches providing bragging rights. They're excellent eating fish within the slot limits, and their willingness to bite makes them perfect confidence builders for newer anglers.
Redfish are the bread and butter of Bradenton inshore fishing, cruising shallow flats in small schools or as singles. These copper-colored bulldogs are built for power, using their broad tails to make long, stubborn runs when hooked. Reds feed heavily on crabs, shrimp, and small baitfish, making them perfect targets for live bait or scented soft plastics. The shallow water around here offers prime sight-fishing opportunities when conditions are right – there's nothing quite like watching a red drum inhale your bait in crystal clear water.
Cobia are the wildcards of your trip, often showing up when you least expect them. These brown sharks with fins (they're actually related to remoras) are curious fish that will follow the boat and investigate anything that moves. Spring and fall see the most cobia action around Bradenton, when fish are moving along the coast. They're strong fighters that test your drag system, and at 20-40+ pounds, they're the heaviest fish you're likely to encounter on this trip. Cobia are also top-shelf table fare, making them a prized catch when they cooperate.
This afternoon inshore trip delivers exactly what Bradenton fishing is all about – variety, action, and the chance to connect with some of Florida's most sought-after gamefish. With experienced guidance, quality gear, and access to productive waters, you're set up for success whether you're a seasoned angler or picking up a rod for the first time. The small group size means you get individual attention and plenty of fishing time, while the afternoon timing puts you on the water during prime feeding periods. Don't wait on this one – good inshore fishing trips book up fast, especially during peak seasons when the fish are most active.
Get ready to explore Bradenton's inshore waters aboard our twin 150HP Yamaha-powered fishing machine! This speedy boat cuts through the water at up to 42 knots, getting you to the prime fishing spots fast. We've got all the gear you need for a successful afternoon on the water - our fish finder will help locate schools of snook, flounder, and mangrove snapper hiding in the shallows, while the GPS keeps us on course to the best fishing holes. The wireless trolling motor lets us drift silently into those shallow flats where the big fish like to hang out. Keep your catch fresh in our onboard icebox, and don't forget to pack some drinks and snacks for the ride. With space for just two anglers, you'll get personalized attention as we chase Spanish mackerel and cobia around the mangroves. This boat is built for Florida's inshore fishing - shallow draft design gets us into those tight spots where the fish are biting, and twin engines mean reliable power when we need to make moves quickly.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are brown, shark-looking fish that grow large and fight hard - perfect for anglers wanting a serious battle. They average 20-40 pounds but can reach 50+ pounds and 6 feet long. These solitary hunters cruise around structure like channel markers, buoys, and reefs in 15-100 feet of water. Spring migration from March through May is peak season, with summer fish hanging around deeper structure. What makes cobia amazing is their incredible strength and stubborn fight - they'll sound deep and just pull. Plus, they're some of the best eating fish in the Gulf with firm, white meat that tastes like a cross between grouper and mahi. Since they're often alone, we sight fish for them on the surface or around floating objects. Here's my trick: when you spot one, cast a bucktail jig or live bait well ahead of them and let it sink - they're curious and will usually investigate.
Sciaenops OcellatusRed drum are copper-colored powerhouses with distinctive black spots near their tails that help fool predators. Most fish we catch run 20-32 inches, but slot-sized reds around 18-27 inches are perfect for the table. They love super shallow water - sometimes so shallow their backs show above the surface - around oyster bars, grass flats, and mangrove shorelines. Year-round fishing is solid here, but fall and spring offer the best action when they school up. What makes reds special is their aggressive nature and bulldogging fight that'll test your drag. They're also excellent eating with mild, sweet meat. These fish aren't spooky like some species - they'll often eat right at your feet. My go-to technique is sight fishing with gold spoons or topwater plugs in the shallows, but here's the trick: approach quietly and cast past them, then work your lure back through their path.
Salmo TruttaAlso called speckled trout, these silvery fish with distinctive spots are a staple of our grass flats. They typically run 14-20 inches and 1-3 pounds, feeding on shrimp, small crabs, and baitfish in shallow waters over seagrass beds. Best fishing is early morning, late evening, and at night when they move shallow to feed. Spring through fall offers consistent action, with winter fish holding in deeper channels. What guests love about trout is their willingness to bite artificial lures and their delicate, flaky white meat that's perfect for the dinner table. They're also great fighters for their size, making multiple runs when hooked. Local tip: use a popping cork with live shrimp or soft plastic jigs, and work the edges of grass flats where they ambush prey. Keep them on ice immediately - their soft flesh spoils quickly in the heat.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are the kings of our inshore waters, with that distinctive black lateral line and golden coloring that makes them unmistakable. Most run 18-28 inches, but trophy fish can hit 40+ inches and 30+ pounds. They're structure lovers, hanging around mangroves, docks, and oyster bars in depths from 2-20 feet. Spring through fall is prime time, especially around new and full moons when they spawn. What makes snook special is their explosive strike and bulldog fight - they'll jump, run, and try every trick to break free. Plus, they're fantastic eating with firm, white meat. Being temperature sensitive, they move to deeper water when it gets cold. Here's the key: work your lure or bait slowly along structure edges during moving water, and always use a leader - their gill plates will cut straight through mono.
Paralichthys LethostigmaThese flat, oval-shaped fish are masters of camouflage, burying themselves in sandy or muddy bottoms with both eyes on their left side. They're ambush predators that typically run 15-18 inches and around 5 pounds, though some reach over 20 pounds. You'll find them in shallow coastal waters, bays, and estuaries where they feed on shrimp, crabs, and small fish. Fall and winter are prime time when adults move to deeper offshore waters. Guests love targeting flounder because they're excellent table fare with mild, flaky white meat. They fight surprisingly hard for a flatfish too. Pro tip: when drift fishing, use a slow retrieve with live shrimp or bull minnows near the bottom - once you feel that distinctive tap-tap bite, give them a second to fully take the bait before setting the hook.
Bradenton, FL