Full-Day Reef & Bay Fishing Charter
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fullday inshore fishing charter targeting grouper, snapper, and tarponLight tackle fishing near Skyway Bridge accommodates all skill levelsFourguest capacity ensures personalized attention from experienced guides
Saint Petersburg's waters offer some of Florida's most consistent inshore action, and this full-day charter puts you right in the thick of it. You'll fish productive reefs scattered throughout Tampa Bay and work the structure around the iconic Skyway Bridge, where big fish stack up year-round. Captain and crew at Pocket Change Inshore Fishing Charters know these waters like their backyard, targeting everything from hard-fighting grouper to explosive tarpon jumps. Whether you're a weekend warrior or someone who's never held a rod, this trip delivers the kind of fishing stories you'll tell for years.
Your day starts early, meeting at the dock before sunrise to maximize your time on productive water. The captain will brief you on the game plan while rigging rods with light tackle setups perfect for the variety of species you'll encounter. Saint Pete's reef fishing means working structure in 15-40 feet of water, where rocky bottom and artificial reefs create underwater highways for feeding fish. You'll anchor up on productive spots, drift live bait over ledges, and work the pilings around the Skyway Bridge where current brings baitfish and predators together. The beauty of this fishery is its diversity – one cast might bring up a scrappy sheepshead, while the next could be a freight train grouper trying to bury you in the rocks. With a maximum of four anglers, everyone gets plenty of rod time and personalized instruction from the crew.
This charter specializes in light tackle fishing, using spinning reels spooled with 20-30 pound braid and circle hooks to maximize the fight while keeping fish healthy for release. You'll fish with live shrimp, pinfish, and sardines depending on what's biting, plus cut bait for the bigger predators lurking around structure. The crew will show you how to feel bottom, detect subtle bites from sheepshead, and set the hook on hard-charging cobia. When targeting grouper around the reefs, it's all about getting your bait to the bottom quickly and being ready for that telltale thump before they head for cover. Near the Skyway Bridge, you'll work the current with live bait, letting it sweep naturally past the pilings where tarpon and kingfish patrol. The light tackle approach makes every fish feel like a monster and gives smaller species like snapper and sheepshead the respect they deserve as table fare.
Blacktip sharks are the ultimate light tackle adversaries in these waters, especially during warmer months from May through October. These sleek predators average 3-5 feet and are famous for their aerial acrobatics when hooked, often launching completely out of the water in spectacular jumps. They patrol the flats and reef edges looking for wounded baitfish, and once you hook one on light tackle, you're in for a 15-20 minute battle that'll test your drag and your arms. The beauty of blacktips is their aggressive nature – they'll hit live bait, cut bait, and even artificial lures with reckless abandon.
Cobia are the holy grail of sight fishing around Saint Pete, cruising the surface near structure and following rays in shallow water. These brown torpedoes can reach 30-50 pounds and fight like submarines, making long powerful runs that'll have you questioning your knots. Spring and fall offer the best cobia action, particularly around the Skyway Bridge where they stack up during migration. What makes cobia special is their curiosity – they'll often approach the boat to investigate, giving you a clear shot with live bait or jigs. Once hooked, they dive deep and fight dirty, using their broad tail and strong body to test every component of your tackle.
Red snapper represent the pinnacle of bottom fishing around Tampa Bay's reefs, though regulations mean most will be released to fight another day. These crimson beauties average 15-25 pounds and are notorious for their hard initial run toward structure when hooked. Summer months offer the most consistent red snapper action, and they're suckers for live pinfish and large shrimp fished tight to the bottom. What anglers love about red snapper is their attitude – they fight like they're twice their size, peeling drag and testing your ability to turn them away from the rocks. Even when you have to release them, the satisfaction of fooling a mature red snapper on light tackle is worth the effort.
Black grouper are the bulldozers of the reef, using brute strength and knowledge of structure to challenge even experienced anglers. These chocolate-colored tanks range from 10-40 pounds in local waters and are masters at wrapping you around whatever cover they can find. Year-round residents of Tampa Bay's reefs, black grouper require heavy drags and quick reflexes to turn away from structure after the hookset. They're ambush predators that inhale baits near the bottom, and once hooked, it's a straight power struggle between angler and fish. The reward is some of the best table fare in the Gulf, with firm white meat that's perfect for grilling or blackening.
Northern kingfish might not win beauty contests, but these bottom dwellers are masters of subtle bites and close-quarters combat. Averaging 1-3 pounds, they inhabit sandy areas near reefs and are particularly active during cooler months. What makes kingfish appealing to light tackle anglers is their delicate bite – you need to stay connected to your sinker to feel their gentle pecking before they commit to the bait. They're excellent table fare with sweet, flaky meat, and perfect for anglers who enjoy the technical aspects of bottom fishing. Kids especially love catching kingfish because they're cooperative and provide steady action when other species are finicky.
Saint Petersburg's inshore reefs and bridge structure offer world-class fishing opportunities that cater to every skill level and fishing preference. This full-day charter maximizes your time on productive
Step aboard this sleek 24' Carolina Skiff center console and get ready to chase fish around Saint Petersburg's productive waters. Powered by a reliable 175HP Suzuki engine, this 2015 vessel cuts through the waves at speeds up to 45 knots, getting you to the hottest fishing spots around the reefs and Skyway Bridge in no time. The spacious center console design gives all four anglers plenty of room to fight fish without tangling lines. When you hook into a big grouper or feisty tarpon, the wireless trolling motor lets your captain position the boat quietly for the perfect approach. The GPS navigation keeps you on the fish while the radar ensures safe passage in any weather. Most importantly, the fish finder helps locate those underwater structures where snapper, sheepshead, and cobia love to hang out. Whether you're dropping light tackle down to the reefs or targeting cruising kingfish and sharks in open water, this Carolina Skiff handles it all with the smooth, stable ride these boats are famous for.
Mycteroperca BonaciBlack grouper are the heavyweights of our reef system and definitely a bucket-list fish. Most run 2-3 feet, but they can grow massive - the record is over 5 feet and 125 pounds. These ambush predators hang around reefs, wrecks, and ledges in 30-300 feet, moving shallow in winter and deeper in summer. They're not fast, but man are they strong. Once hooked, it's a straight tug-of-war as they try to pull you back to the rocks. What guests love is that raw power and the fact that they're some of the best eating fish in the water - firm, mild white meat that's perfect grilled or fried. You need serious tackle: heavy reel with 20+ pounds of drag, 80lb braid, and 100lb leader minimum. They'll eat anything you put down there, dead or alive. Here's the secret: black grouper don't nibble - they inhale their food. The second you feel that thump, start cranking hard and don't stop until it's in the boat.
Carcharhinus LimbatusBlacktips are one of the most exciting sharks to target around Tampa Bay. These sleek predators average 4-5 feet but can reach up to 9 feet, and they're known for their dramatic jumps when hooked - sometimes launching 21 feet per second out of the water! You'll find them patrolling artificial reefs and structure in 30-100 feet of water, especially during warmer months when baitfish are thick. They're surprisingly social and can get worked up into feeding frenzies, but also pretty timid so they won't hang around long if spooked. What makes them fun is that explosive fight and those acrobatic leaps. Heavy braided line and circle hooks are must-haves since they'll try to snap your gear. Pro tip: get some oily fish like mackerel, pound it into chum, and let the scent trail work its magic. Once you hook up, crank hard and fast - don't give them time to dive back to structure.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are one of my favorite targets because they're basically the perfect game fish - strong fighters that also happen to be outstanding table fare. These brown, shark-looking fish average around 6 feet and 100 pounds, though we've seen them pushing 135. They're loners most of the year, cruising reefs, wrecks, and structure in 30-70 feet of water. Spring through early summer is prime time when they move through during spawning season. What guests love is the visual game - we often spot them just under the surface and sight-cast to them. They hit hard and fight like trucks, making long runs and testing your drag. The meat is firm, white, and delicious - some say it's the best eating fish in the Gulf. Bucktail jigs in the 4-8 oz range work great around structure, and honestly, color doesn't matter much. Here's the key: when you see one, get your bait in front of it quickly - they don't stick around long.
Menticirrhus SaxatilisNorthern kingfish might be small, but they pack a surprising punch for their size. These little drum family members average 10-14 inches and rarely top 3 pounds, but they're scrappy fighters that'll give you a good tussle on light tackle. You'll find them in sandy and rocky bottoms in shallow water, often in small schools. They're most abundant near shore during late summer, making them perfect targets when we're fishing the bay areas and near-shore structure. What makes them fun is they're great for newer anglers - active biters that aren't too intimidating, plus they make excellent table fare with sweet, white meat. They're bottom feeders with a little barbel under their chin that they use to root around for food. Light tackle with small hooks is the way to go. Here's my tip: use small pieces of fresh shrimp or bloodworms on the bottom, and don't overthink it - these fish are hungry and aggressive when you find them.
Lutjanus CampechanusRed snapper are the crown jewel of reef fishing around here, and for good reason. These beautiful red fish average 1-2 feet and under 10 pounds, but the big ones can hit 35+ pounds. They live on hard bottom, reefs, and wrecks in 30-200+ feet of water, and they're absolute warriors when hooked - they'll run straight for cover to cut your line. Summer is peak season when they're most active and feeding heavy. What makes them special is that incredible fight combined with some of the best eating you'll find in the Gulf. The meat is mild, nutty, and perfect for any preparation. We fish them with heavy rigs, multiple hooks, and fresh cut bait like cigar minnows or live pinfish for the biggest ones. Here's what most people don't know: when you hook a snapper, horse it up immediately. Don't give it time to think or it'll wrap you around the reef and you'll lose both fish and tackle every time.
St. Petersburg, FL