Saint Pete PM Trout & Redfish Charter
Private Trip
Flats/Shallows Fishing
Two-hour afternoon flats fishing for trout and redfishAll gear and licenses included for up to two guestsFlexible departure times with beginner-friendly guidance
There's something special about hitting the flats in the late afternoon when the water starts cooling and the fish get active. This 2-hour guided trip with Pocket Change Inshore Fishing Charters puts you right in the heart of Saint Petersburg's most productive inshore waters, targeting two of Florida's most beloved species – speckled trout and redfish. Whether you're new to saltwater fishing or just want a quick afternoon on the water, this top-rated charter delivers the goods without eating up your whole day. We'll have you rigged up and fishing within minutes of launch, and with all gear and licenses included, you just need to show up ready to fish.
Saint Pete's flats are legendary for good reason – miles of shallow grass beds, oyster bars, and mangrove shorelines create the perfect hunting grounds for trout and reds. Your guide knows these waters like the back of their hand, from the productive grass flats off Weedon Island to the deeper cuts around the Skyway Bridge. The afternoon timing works in your favor too, as the warming water throughout the day gets baitfish moving, which draws in hungry predators. You'll be fishing in 2-6 feet of crystal-clear water where you can often see your targets before you cast to them. The intimate 2-guest maximum keeps things personal and gives everyone plenty of room to fish comfortably. Don't worry if you've never thrown a spinning rod or tied a hook – your guide will get you dialed in quick and have you fishing like a local in no time.
This is all about light tackle inshore fishing at its finest. You'll be using spinning reels spooled with 10-15 lb test, paired with medium-light rods that give you the sensitivity to feel every tap and the backbone to turn a bull red away from structure. The go-to rigs are simple but deadly effective – live shrimp under popping corks for the grass flats, soft plastic paddle tails on jig heads for working oyster bars, and topwater plugs when the fish are busting bait on the surface. Your guide carries a full arsenal of proven local baits, from DOA shrimp to Gulp! artificials that drive these fish crazy. The key is reading the water and matching your presentation to what the fish want that day. Sometimes they're slamming topwater baits in 18 inches of water, other times they want a slow-rolled soft plastic bumping bottom in the deeper potholes. That's where having a seasoned local guide pays off – they'll put you on the pattern that's working and adjust tactics as conditions change throughout the trip.
Speckled trout are the bread and butter of Saint Pete's inshore scene, and for good reason. These spotted beauties love the grass flats and can be caught year-round, though they really turn on during the cooler months from October through March. A typical Saint Pete trout runs 14-18 inches, with plenty of "gator trout" over 20 inches mixed in to keep things interesting. They're aggressive feeders that hit both live bait and artificials hard, making them perfect for anglers of any skill level. What makes trout so addictive is their unpredictability – you might catch a dozen dinks and then nail a 4-pounder on the very next cast. They school up heavily, so when you find them, the action can be nonstop.
Redfish are the crown jewel of Florida's inshore waters, and the Saint Pete area produces some absolute tanks. These copper-colored bruisers average 18-27 inches in the slot, but don't be surprised to hook into an over-slot bull that'll test your drag system. Reds are year-round residents that love structure – oyster bars, mangrove roots, dock pilings, and grass bed edges. They're incredibly strong fighters that make blistering runs and use their broad tails to bulldoze toward cover. What really gets anglers fired up about reds is their willingness to eat just about anything you throw at them. Live shrimp, cut bait, soft plastics, spoons, topwater plugs – they're not picky when they're feeding. The sight fishing opportunities are world-class too, with plenty of chances to spot cruising reds in skinny water and make precision casts to individual fish.
This afternoon charter hits the sweet spot for so many anglers – it's long enough to get into some serious fish but short enough to leave time for other activities. The flexible departure times mean you can work it around your schedule, whether you're squeezing in some fishing before dinner or extending a beach day. With all tackle, bait, and licenses provided by this customer favorite charter service, you're getting maximum fishing time and minimal hassle. Saint Petersburg's inshore fishery is world-class year-round, but the afternoon bite during cooler months is particularly renowned among local guides. Don't sleep on this one – spots fill up fast, especially during peak season. Book now and get ready to experience some of the best inshore fishing Florida has to offer, right in the heart of Tampa Bay.
Your afternoon fishing adventure launches aboard a sleek 24' Carolina Skiff center console that's built for the shallow waters around Saint Petersburg. This 2015 vessel packs a 175HP Suzuki engine that'll get you to the prime trout and redfish spots quickly, hitting speeds up to 45 knots when needed. The center console design gives you plenty of room to cast and fight fish from every angle. Onboard tech includes a fish finder to locate those holding areas, GPS to mark your hotspots, and radar for those hazy Florida afternoons. The wireless trolling motor is perfect for sneaking up on spooky redfish in skinny water without spooking them. With space for your small group and all the gear, this boat handles the flats beautifully while keeping you comfortable during your 2-hour guided trip targeting inshore species.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the bulldogs of the flats – copper-colored powerhouses that'll test your drag and your patience. Around St. Pete, they typically run 18-30 inches and love super shallow water, sometimes with their backs showing above the surface. Look for them cruising oyster bars, mangrove shorelines, and grass flats in 1-4 feet of water. They're year-round residents but really fire up in spring and fall. What makes them special is that explosive strike and stubborn fight – they'll use every bit of structure to try breaking you off. The meat has a mild, sweet flavor that's perfect grilled. Here's the key: when you spot one tailing in skinny water, cast your bait 3-4 feet ahead of where they're headed, not right on top of them. Let it settle and twitch it just once.
Salmo TruttaSpotted sea trout are what we're really after here in St. Pete's grass flats. These silvery beauties typically run 14-24 inches and love cruising the shallows for shrimp and small baitfish. You'll find them in 2-6 feet of water around grass beds, especially during dawn and dusk when they're actively feeding. They're great fighters with surprising strength for their size, and the meat is white, flaky, and delicious – just don't overcook it or it gets mushy. Fall through spring is prime time when they school up in deeper holes during cold fronts. My local tip: when you see nervous bait dimpling the surface over grass, cast a soft plastic shrimp just past it and work it slow back through the commotion. Trout can't resist that presentation.
St. Petersburg, FL