Multi-Species Inshore Fishing with Pocket Change Charters
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Sixhour inshore fishing charter accommodates up to four guestsTarget ten species including Tarpon, Snook, Redfish, and SnapperAll fishing gear and licenses provided by experienced guides
Saint Petersburg's inshore waters offer some of Florida's most consistent multi-species fishing, and this 6-hour charter with Pocket Change Inshore Fishing Charters puts you right in the thick of it. You'll fish the grass flats, mangrove shorelines, and structure-rich areas where Trout, Tarpon, Snook, Redfish, and Snapper call home. With all gear and licenses included, this top-rated charter accommodates up to 4 anglers and delivers the kind of action that keeps locals and visitors coming back season after season. The variety here is what makes Saint Petersburg special – one cast might bring a feisty Redfish, the next could have you battling a Silver King.
Your day starts early when the fish are most active and the inshore bite is hot. The captain knows these waters like the back of his hand, reading the tides and targeting the spots where multiple species converge. You'll work the shallow flats where Redfish cruise in skinny water, then move to deeper grass beds where Sea Trout stack up. The beauty of this charter is the diversity – Spanish Mackerel might crash the party near structure, while Sheepshead pick at the pilings. Expect to move around quite a bit as conditions change throughout the day. The boat stays in protected waters, so even novice anglers feel comfortable while experienced fishermen appreciate the technical aspects of sight fishing and reading water. Each spot offers something different, keeping the action fresh and your anticipation high.
This charter covers all the bases with live bait, artificial lures, and everything in between. You'll use light tackle spinning gear perfect for the inshore environment – sensitive enough to feel that subtle Trout bite but with enough backbone to handle a bull Redfish or jumping Tarpon. Live shrimp under popping corks work magic on the grass flats, while soft plastic paddle tails and jerk baits trigger aggressive strikes from Snook around structure. The captain switches up techniques based on conditions and target species. When Tarpon are rolling, you might throw live crabs or large swimbaits. For Pompano, small jigs bounced along sandy bottoms do the trick. The gear provided is well-maintained and appropriate for each situation, so you can focus on fishing instead of wondering if your setup is right for the job.
Red Snapper are the bread and butter of this fishery, especially during their peak season from June through August. These hard-fighting fish hang around structure and ledges, attacking live bait with authority. They're excellent table fare and put up a solid fight on light tackle. What makes them special here is their consistency – when you find them, you usually find them in numbers.
Snook are the ultimate inshore game fish, and Saint Petersburg's mangrove shorelines and dock lights hold plenty of them. These ambush predators strike with violence and immediately head for cover, testing your drag and patience. They're most active during warmer months and around moving water. The thrill comes from their unpredictable nature – they might ignore a perfect presentation ten times, then absolutely crush it on the eleventh cast.
Tarpon earn their "Silver King" nickname through sheer power and aerial displays. Even juvenile Tarpon in the 20-50 pound range provide world-class fights, jumping repeatedly and making long runs. Peak season runs from May through September when they migrate through these waters. Landing one is a badge of honor that never gets old, regardless of size.
Sea Trout are abundant year-round and provide consistent action when other species are finicky. They school up over grass beds and respond well to both live and artificial baits. What anglers love about Trout is their willingness to bite and their excellent eating quality. They're perfect for building confidence and keeping the action steady throughout the day.
Redfish are the inshore slam favorite, known for their copper-colored sides and powerful runs. Saint Petersburg's shallow flats are prime Redfish habitat, and sight fishing for them in skinny water gets the adrenaline pumping. They're available year-round but really turn on during fall months. The excitement comes from watching them hunt in shallow water and getting that perfect cast ahead of a cruising fish.
This charter delivers exactly what inshore fishing should be – variety, action, and the chance to target multiple trophy species in one trip. The 6-hour format gives you enough time to really explore different areas and techniques without feeling rushed. With all gear provided and an experienced captain who knows where the fish are biting, you're set up for success from the moment you step on board. Saint Petersburg's inshore waters are fishing at their finest, and Pocket Change Inshore Fishing Charters has the local knowledge to make your day memorable. Whether you're looking to fill the cooler, chase that personal best, or just enjoy a day on the water with friends and family, this charter covers all the bases. Book now and get ready to experience why these waters have earned their reputation as a world-class inshore fishing destination.
Get ready to chase trophy fish aboard this well-equipped 24' Carolina Skiff center console, built for serious inshore action in Saint Petersburg's productive waters. The 175HP Suzuki engine delivers smooth runs to the best fishing spots while keeping fuel costs reasonable. With room for 4 anglers, everyone has plenty of space to fight fish without getting tangled up. The wireless trolling motor lets you position quietly over structure where snook and redfish hide, while the fish finder helps locate schools of trout and Spanish mackerel moving through the grass flats. GPS navigation gets you to those secret spots quickly, and the radar keeps you fishing safely when afternoon storms roll in. This 2015 boat handles choppy water well and cruises comfortably at 30+ knots, so you'll spend more time with lines in the water and less time getting there. Perfect for targeting the variety of species Saint Pete's inshore waters offer - from slot redfish in the mangroves to big trout on the flats, with plenty of shots at snook, sheepshead, and whatever else is biting that day.
Lutjanus CampechanusRed Snapper are bottom dwellers that typically run 1-2 feet and 5-10 pounds, though they can get much bigger. You'll find them around structure in 30-200 feet of water - think wrecks, reefs, and hard bottom. They're gorgeous fish with that classic red color and make excellent table fare with sweet, white meat. The fight isn't crazy, but they're smart and will try to wrap you around structure. Best fishing is during cooler months when they move into shallower water. Pro tip: use circle hooks with live pinfish or cut bait, and keep steady pressure once hooked - they love to dive straight down into whatever structure they can find. Fresh squid works great too when live bait's hard to come by.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are probably our most popular target - bronze-colored beauties with distinctive black spots near the tail. Most run 20-30 inches and put up a serious fight with long runs and head shakes. They love super shallow water - sometimes so skinny their backs stick out. Look for them on oyster bars, grass flats, and around mangroves in 1-4 feet. They feed year-round here, but fall and winter bring the best action when they school up. What guests love is the variety - sight fishing, topwater explosions, or bottom fishing with live bait. They're also excellent eating with sweet, firm meat. My go-to tip: watch for tailing fish on low tide. When you see that black spot waving above the water, cast 3 feet past and work back slowly.
Salmo TruttaSea Trout, or Speckled Trout, are a bread-and-butter inshore species averaging 12-16 inches. They're schooling fish that love grass flats and sandy potholes in 2-8 feet of water. You'll spot them by those distinctive dark spots along their sides. Spring and fall are prime time when they're most active feeding. They're not the strongest fighters, but they're willing biters and make excellent table fare with delicate, flaky meat. Best fishing is dawn and dusk, especially around moving water. They're sight feeders, so clear water helps. Here's what works: soft plastic shrimp under a popping cork over grass beds. Let it sit still for 10-15 seconds between pops - that's when they usually hit. Look for nervous bait on the surface.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are one of Florida's premier gamefish, averaging 18-28 inches with that distinctive black lateral line. They're ambush predators that love structure - mangrove shorelines, docks, bridges, and oyster bars in 2-8 feet of water. These fish are temperature sensitive, so they're most active when water temps are 68-78°F, making spring through fall prime time. What makes them special is that explosive strike and bulldogging fight - they'll jump and make runs toward cover. Plus they're excellent eating with flaky white meat. Here's a local trick: work your lure parallel to the mangroves, not away from them. Snook sit tight to cover and won't chase far. Live shrimp under a popping cork near structure is hard to beat.
Megalops AtlanticusTarpon are the ultimate gamefish - pure adrenaline on a hook. Most fish we see run 50-100 pounds and 4-6 feet, but giants over 150 pounds show up regularly. They prefer shallow flats, channels, and around bridges in 3-15 feet of water. Peak season is May through August when they're here to spawn. The draw is simple: few fish jump like a tarpon. They're aerial acrobats that'll leap 8 feet out of the water multiple times. We mostly catch and release since they're not great eating - too many bones. Best fishing is early morning or late evening on the flats. Local secret: when you hook one, bow to the fish during jumps by pointing your rod tip at them. It gives slack and keeps them from throwing the hook on those spectacular leaps.
St. Petersburg, FL