5.0(2 Reviews)Palmetto FL Family Inshore Fishing Charter (AM)
5.0(2 reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Morning inshore fishing charter designed for families with childrenCaptain provides all gear and teaches basic fishing techniquesExplores calm Tampa Bay waters including grass flats and mangroves
Looking for a family-friendly fishing adventure that won't leave the kids (or nervous adults) feeling seasick? This morning inshore charter out of Palmetto is exactly what you need. Captain Pat specializes in taking families into the calm, protected waters around Tampa Bay where everyone can actually catch fish without fighting rough seas. We're talking about grass flats, mangrove creeks, and shallow estuaries where the action is consistent and the setting is perfect for first-time anglers. With only three spots available, you'll get personalized attention and instruction that makes all the difference between a good day and a great one on the water.
This isn't your typical cattle-boat charter where you're elbow-to-elbow with strangers. Captain Pat keeps groups small for a reason – it means more fish, better instruction, and a relaxed pace that works for families. You'll launch early to beat the heat and the crowds, then head into Tampa Bay's most productive inshore spots. The captain knows these waters like his backyard and will position you over grass beds where redfish cruise, along mangrove edges where snook ambush baitfish, and near structure that holds grouper. All your gear is provided, from rods and reels to tackle and bait, so you can focus on learning techniques rather than worrying about equipment. The boat stays in protected waters, so even if it's breezy offshore, you'll be fishing comfortably in areas sheltered by islands and shorelines.
Inshore fishing is all about reading the water and matching your approach to what the fish are doing. Captain Pat will set you up with medium-action spinning rods perfect for the species you're targeting – not too heavy for kids to handle, but with enough backbone to fight a good fish. You'll learn to work live shrimp under popping corks over grass flats, a deadly technique for redfish and trout. Around mangroves, you'll pitch jigs and soft plastics right into the roots where snook and tarpon like to hide. The captain will teach you how to feel the difference between a fish bite and bottom contact, when to set the hook, and how to fight fish without breaking them off. For the bigger species like tarpon and goliath grouper, he'll handle the heavy lifting while making sure everyone gets a turn on the rod. This hands-on instruction is what separates a good charter from a great one.
"Why are you reading my review? Book the trip now and read the rest after. Okay so now that you have that out of the way, Patrick is easily my favorite captain of any charter I've ever taken. Super easy to get along with, extremely helpful, and great with my boys. Patience is required for my younger son and Patrick handled him with ease. Enough good things can't be said about him, book now!" - Joseph
"Great time with Captain Pat. My 16 year-old son and I went on the 3 hour inland trip. We caught 6 different species of fish and Captain Pat made sure we were successful." - Bradley
Redfish are the bread and butter of Tampa Bay inshore fishing, and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers average 20-30 inches and fight like fish twice their size. They cruise grass flats in schools during the cooler months and move shallow during summer mornings. What makes reds special is their willingness to eat – they'll hit live shrimp, cut bait, and artificials with equal enthusiasm. Kids love them because they're strong enough to bend the rod but not so powerful they can't handle the fight.
Snook are the glamour species of Florida inshore fishing. These silver-sided predators with the distinctive black lateral line are ambush feeders that hang around mangroves, docks, and bridges. They're most active during warmer months and can reach 30+ inches in these waters. Snook are notorious for their gill-rattling jumps and blistering runs toward structure. Landing one requires finesse – they have razor-sharp gill plates and love to wrap you around mangrove roots.
Tarpon are the silver kings of the flats, and Tampa Bay holds some of the best tarpon fishing in Florida. These prehistoric fish can range from juvenile "baby" tarpon of 10-20 pounds to full-grown giants over 100 pounds. Even the smaller ones will test your tackle with their acrobatic jumps and powerful runs. Peak season runs from late spring through early fall, and there's nothing quite like watching a tarpon cartwheel out of the water right next to the boat.
Gag grouper might seem like an odd inshore target, but the rocky areas and structure around Tampa Bay hold plenty of these excellent table-fare fish. They typically run 15-25 inches in these waters and are perfect for families who want to take fish home for dinner. Gags are bottom dwellers that require a different approach – you'll drop baits to the bottom around hard structure and feel for that distinctive grouper "thump" when they grab your bait.
Goliath grouper are the gentle giants of Tampa Bay. These massive fish, which can exceed 400 pounds, are catch-and-release only, but hooking one is a bucket-list experience. They hang around bridges, artificial reefs, and deep holes, and when one grabs your bait, you'll know it immediately. The fight is more like a tug-of-war than traditional fishing, and Captain Pat will make sure everyone gets a photo with these impressive creatures before release.
With only three spots available and Captain Pat's reputation for putting families on fish, this charter fills up fast, especially during peak fishing months. The morning departure means you'll beat the afternoon heat and crowds while hitting prime feeding times for most species. You'll
Your Palmetto fishing adventure starts aboard our beautifully restored 19-foot Carolina Skiff, specifically designed for navigating Tampa Bay's shallow flats and backwaters. This nimble flats boat draws just inches of water, letting us slip into those productive spots where the big fish hide among grass beds and mangrove roots. The reliable 115HP Suzuki outboard gets us there fast, cruising at 30 knots across open water before we throttle down for serious fishing. Perfect for families with up to 3 anglers, this skiff keeps everyone comfortable while we work the inshore waters. The wireless trolling motor lets us ghost silently through skinny water without spooking fish, while our fish finder helps locate schools of redfish, snook, and trout holding in deeper pockets. GPS navigation ensures we hit the most productive spots around Palmetto's extensive flats system. The onboard icebox keeps your catch fresh and drinks cold during our morning adventure. Whether you're teaching kids to cast or adults learning to read water, this stable platform provides the perfect setup for Tampa Bay inshore fishing success.
Mycteroperca MicrolepisGag Grouper are solid fighters that average around 20 inches, though they can reach 50+ inches and 80 pounds. You'll find them around structure - rocks, reefs, and ledges where they love to hide and ambush prey. Younger fish hang out inshore near grass flats and mangroves, while bigger ones move to deeper offshore spots. They're fond of crabs, shrimp, and smaller fish. What makes them fun to target is that first powerful run when hooked - they'll immediately try to dive back into their hole, so keep that drag locked tight. Spring through fall offers the best action when they're more active. The meat is excellent eating with firm, white flesh. Pro tip: bounce your bait right off the bottom near structure to get their attention, and be ready to muscle them away from cover quickly once they bite.
Epinephelus ItajaraGoliath Grouper are the giants of the grouper family, reaching up to 8 feet and 800 pounds - true bucket list fish. These monsters live around reefs, wrecks, and structure in 20-100 feet of water, though juveniles hang out in mangroves and shallow areas. They're curious fish that aren't afraid of divers or boats. What makes them special is the sheer power - that first pull can literally drag you off balance if you're not ready. They're protected, so it's strictly catch and release, but the experience is unforgettable. Summer months are best when they're most active. You'll need heavy tackle - think 80-class reels with 400+ pound line because they'll try to break you off in the rocks immediately. Key tip: position your boat so you can pull them up and away from structure right after hookup. Don't give them a chance to get back to their hole.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are Tampa Bay's signature inshore species - copper-colored beauties with distinctive black spots near their tails. They typically run 18-30 inches in our shallow waters, cruising grass flats, oyster bars, and mangrove shorelines in just 1-4 feet of water. You'll often see their backs out of the water when they're feeding. Year-round fishing is solid, but spring and fall are peak times. What guests love is the aggressive strikes and strong, bulldogging fights - they'll make long runs and really test your drag. Plus, they're fantastic eating with mild, sweet meat. The cool thing about reds is you can sight-fish them on the flats, watching them cruise and tail in skinny water. My best tip: look for birds working baitfish or disturbed water where they're feeding, and keep your presentations quiet in shallow areas.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are the perfect inshore game fish, with that distinctive black lateral line and golden color. They typically run 1-3 feet, but can hit 4+ feet in our waters. You'll find them around mangroves, docks, bridges, and grass flats where they ambush baitfish. They love structure and current breaks. Spring through fall is prime time, especially around dawn and dusk when they're actively feeding. What guests love about snook is their explosive strikes and acrobatic fights - they'll jump and make strong runs. They're also excellent table fare with sweet, flaky white meat. One thing to remember: snook are temperature sensitive, so they get sluggish when it drops below 60 degrees. My go-to tip is to work your lure parallel to structure rather than away from it - that's where they position themselves to feed.
Megalops AtlanticusTarpon are the "silver kings" of Tampa Bay - absolute legends that can reach 6-8 feet and jump 10 feet out of the water. These prehistoric fish love shallow flats, channels, and around bridges where they roll and feed. Spring through summer is prime season when they migrate through our waters. What makes tarpon special isn't the eating (they're bony and rarely kept), it's the fight. Once hooked, they'll launch themselves skyward in spectacular jumps that'll get everyone's heart pumping. Most run 50-150 pounds in our area. They're incredibly strong and can fight for hours, so medium-heavy tackle works fine. The key is keeping a tight line during their jumps - bow to the fish when they go airborne to prevent the hook from popping out. Live bait like crabs and pinfish work best, staked out in the current.
5.0 out of 5.0Why are you reading my review? Book the trip now and read the rest after. Okay so now that you have that out of the way, Patrick i...
Great time with Captain Pat. My 16 year-old son and I went on the 3 hour inland trip. We caught 6 different species of fish and ...
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