8 Hour Inshore Fishing Trip- St. Petersburg, FL
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Eight-hour inshore fishing adventure in Tampa Bay watersTarget sought-after species in flats and Gulf watersTake home fresh catch with Captain Bryan Foley
Looking for a full-day fishing adventure that'll get you into Tampa Bay's hottest inshore action? Captain Bryan Foley's 8-hour inshore trip out of St. Petersburg is exactly what you need. We're talking about real fishing here – the kind where you're working the flats for snook, sight-casting to tailing reds, and maybe even stumbling across some tripletail hanging around structure. This isn't some cookie-cutter charter boat experience. Bryan knows these waters like the back of his hand, and he's going to put you on fish in spots that produce day after day. You'll cover everything from the shallow grass flats to nearshore structure, and with 8 hours on the water, there's plenty of time to dial in on what's biting best that day.
Your day starts early – that's when the fish are most active and before the weekend warriors show up to muddy the waters. Captain Bryan will pick you up right here in St. Petersburg, and depending on conditions and what's biting, you'll head out to the intercoastal flats or make the run to the Gulf beaches. The beauty of an 8-hour trip is flexibility. If the trout are thick on the grass flats in the morning, you'll stay put and work them over. If the snook bite turns on around structure later in the day, you've got time to relocate and capitalize. Bryan's running a top-rated operation here, and his boat is rigged specifically for inshore work – shallow draft, quiet trolling motor, and all the tackle you need. The trip includes up to 2 anglers in the base price, so bring a buddy or book it as a romantic fishing date. Either way, you're going to have plenty of room to fish without getting in each other's way.
We're talking about serious inshore fishing here, not throwing chicken livers off a pier. Bryan's got the boat loaded with quality spinning gear – think 3000 to 4000 series reels spooled with 15-20 lb braid and fluorocarbon leaders. Depending on what we're targeting, you might be throwing live shrimp under popping corks for trout, pitching soft plastics to mangrove shorelines for snook, or sight-fishing with spoons and topwater plugs when the reds are cruising the flats. The technique changes based on tide, wind, and what's happening that day. Early morning might mean working topwater plugs over grass flats as the sun comes up. Midday could have you bouncing jigs along drop-offs or working live bait around structure. The afternoon bite often picks up around docks and mangroves where snook like to ambush bait. Bryan's been guiding these waters for years, so he's going to adjust tactics on the fly to keep you on fish all day long.
Snook are the crown jewel of Tampa Bay inshore fishing, and for good reason. These fish are aggressive, smart, and absolutely explosive when they hit. You'll find them around mangrove shorelines, dock pilings, and bridge structure, especially during moving tides. Summer and fall are prime time for snook, when they're feeding heavily and the water temps are right. They're ambush predators, so expect heart-stopping strikes when you're working a lure along the mangroves. A good Tampa Bay snook will run anywhere from 20 to 35 inches, and they'll test every knot and connection you've got when they make their run for structure.
Redfish are another customer favorite, and Tampa Bay's got some of the best red fishing in Florida. These copper-colored bruisers cruise the shallow flats, often in schools that'll make your heart race when you spot them. Reds are year-round residents here, but spring and fall offer the best action when they're most active. What makes them so fun is the variety of ways you can catch them – sight-casting to cruising fish, working cut bait on the bottom, or throwing topwater plugs when they're feeding aggressively. A slot red from Tampa Bay will average 18 to 27 inches and fight like a fish twice its size.
Sea trout might not get the glamour treatment, but they're the bread and butter of Tampa Bay inshore fishing. These spotted beauties are abundant, cooperative, and absolutely delicious on the table. You'll find them over grass flats, around sand holes, and near structure throughout the bay. Trout fishing is consistent year-round, though the bigger gator trout show up more often in the cooler months. They're perfect for anglers who want steady action, and on a good day, you might boat 20 or more keeper trout.
Tripletail are the wild card that can make any trip memorable. These oddball fish hang around floating debris, channel markers, and crab trap floats, looking like floating leaves until they're ready to strike. They're not always there, but when you find them, tripletail provide some of the most exciting sight-fishing opportunities in the bay. They're curious fish that will often follow a lure for several feet before deciding to eat, and when they do, it's explosive. Tripletail season runs roughly from April through October, with summer being the most consistent.
Here's the bottom line – Captain Bryan Foley's 8-hour inshore trip gives you the best shot at experiencing everything Tampa Bay has to offer. You're getting a full day with an experienced guide who knows where the fish are and how to catch them. The trip includes all tackle and gear, so just bring your Florida fishing license, some snacks, and drinks for the day. You'll take home your legal catch, which means fresh fish for dinner and bragging rights for weeks. Additional anglers are just $50 each, making this a world-class fishing value for
Your fishing adventure starts aboard our reliable Coastal Bay motorboat, perfectly sized for up to 4 anglers but configured for an intimate 2-person experience on Tampa's productive waters. This well-equipped vessel comes with GPS navigation to get you to the hottest fishing spots and a quality fish finder to locate those sought-after species hiding in the flats and Gulf waters. Captain Bryan knows these intercoastal areas like the back of his hand, and this boat gives him the flexibility to chase redfish in shallow flats or run out to deeper Gulf waters where the action heats up. The spacious layout means you'll have plenty of room to fight fish and move around comfortably during your 8-hour adventure, whether you're casting into the mangroves or trolling the beaches around St. Petersburg.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are hands down one of the most exciting targets in Tampa Bay. These bronze beauties with their signature black spots near the tail typically range from 18-28 inches in our slot, though we catch plenty of oversized bulls that'll test your tackle. They cruise shallow flats, oyster bars, and mangrove shorelines in water so thin you can see their backs. Spring through fall offers the best action, with summer being prime time when they're really aggressive. What makes reds special is their powerful runs and stubborn fight - they'll peel drag and never give up. They're also excellent table fare with firm, slightly sweet meat. The key to consistent redfish success is staying quiet and watching for tailing fish or wakes in skinny water. When you spot one, cast well ahead of where they're headed and let them find your bait - spook them once and they're gone.
Salmo TruttaSpotted sea trout, or "specks" as we call them locally, are a staple of Tampa Bay fishing. These beautiful fish with their silver sides and distinctive spots usually run 14-18 inches, with some nice ones pushing 20-24 inches and 3-5 pounds. You'll find them over grass flats in 3-8 feet of water, especially around deeper potholes and channel edges. They bite best during cooler months from October through March, and low-light periods like dawn and dusk are prime time. Trout are fun because they hit topwater lures with aggressive strikes and put up a decent scrap for their size. They're also some of the best eating fish in the bay - delicate, flaky white meat that's perfect for the dinner table. Pro tip: when fishing grass flats, look for birds diving on baitfish. Trout will often be feeding underneath the action, and a soft plastic jig worked through the school usually produces.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are the crown jewel of Tampa Bay inshore fishing. These sleek, golden fish with that distinctive black lateral line typically run 18-28 inches, but we see plenty of slot fish and some real bruisers over 30 inches. They love hanging around mangroves, docks, and oyster bars in 2-6 feet of water. Best fishing happens during the warmer months from April through October, especially around new and full moons when they're most active. What makes snook special is their explosive strike and bulldogging fight - they'll jump, run for cover, and test your drag. Plus, they're fantastic eating with firm, white meat. Here's a local trick: cast your lure past the structure and work it back parallel to the mangroves rather than straight at them. Snook are ambush predators and they'll slam it as it passes by their hideout.
Lobotes SurinamensisTripletail are one of our most unique inshore species - weird-looking fish that fight way above their weight class. They average 2-5 pounds but can reach 15+ pounds, with their distinctive three-fin appearance and mottled coloration. These odd fish float near the surface around crab trap floats, channel markers, and debris lines from the surface down to about 20 feet. Summer through early fall is peak season when they're most active in our waters. What makes tripletail fishing special is the sight-casting opportunity and their acrobatic fight - they'll jump, spin, and pull surprisingly hard for a fish that looks like it's barely alive on the surface. They're also fantastic eating, with firm white meat that rivals grouper. The secret to tripletail success is stealth - they spook easily, so cast well past them and slowly work your bait or lure into their strike zone. A live shrimp under a popping cork is deadly.
Saint Petersburg, FL