5.0(2 Reviews)St Petersburg 4-Hour Inshore Fishing Adventure
5.0(2 reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
4hour inshore fishing aboard 25ft center console vesselTarget grouper, snapper, redfish, shark, and snook speciesTripletail sight fishing available during fall season
Looking for some serious action on Tampa Bay's best fishing grounds? Captain Joseph and his crew aboard the Reel Lucky Too know exactly where the fish are biting. This isn't your typical tourist boat ride – we're talking about a legitimate 25-foot center console that's built for fishing, not sightseeing. With room for up to 6 anglers but capped at just 2 guests for this trip, you'll get the personalized attention that makes all the difference between coming home empty-handed or with a cooler full of dinner.
Four hours might sound short, but trust me – that's plenty of time to get into some serious fish when you're working the right spots around St Petersburg. The Reel Lucky Too is rigged exactly how you'd want it: plenty of rod holders, a solid fish box, and all the tackle you'll need to handle everything from feisty redfish to monster grouper. Captain Joseph runs a tight ship but keeps things relaxed, so whether you're a weekend warrior or this is your first time holding a fishing rod, you'll feel right at home. The boat's setup lets us move quickly between spots, and with fall weather settling in, the fishing has been absolutely on fire. Tripletail season is here, and if you've never sight-fished for these guys, you're in for a real treat – it's like hunting with a fishing rod.
We fish smart, not hard. Depending on what's happening that day, we might be sight-fishing the flats for redfish, dropping live bait around structure for snapper and grouper, or working the nearshore waters for whatever's moving through. The boat carries everything from light spinning tackle for snook to heavy conventional gear when we're targeting bigger grouper or sharks. Live bait is the name of the game here – nothing beats a frisky pinfish or pilchard when you're trying to get a red snapper's attention. We'll also throw artificials when the situation calls for it, especially around grass flats where snook like to ambush their prey. Captain Joseph reads the water like a book, and his first mate keeps the bait fresh and the lines untangled so you can focus on what matters – fighting fish.
"We had an absolutely unforgettable day on the water with Captain Joseph and First Mate Jonathan! While the blackfin tuna weren't biting, these guys didn't miss a beat. Their ability to pivot and put us on an incredible variety of fish was seriously impressive—we hooked into powerful amberjack, beautiful Bonita, a monster mangrove snapper, a massive dusky shark, and limited out on giant red snapper! Captain Joseph's knowledge and Jonathan's hustle made the whole experience fun, smooth, and exciting from start to finish. And we can't forget their awesome boat dogs, Batman and Bandit—they made the trip even more fun! It's important to remember that fishing is unpredictable, but with a crew like this, you're guaranteed an amazing day. Highly recommend—we'll definitely be back!" - Kristi
"Always amazing trips with Captain Joe and his adorable dog Batman. We always catch more than we can eat for sure. His first mate Christopher is top notch! He is so polite and helpful. Captain Joe has never been late and always professional, patient and will see to it you have a great time. Been out on both boats they are both clean and meticulously maintained. If you haven't been out with him yet your missing out!" - Heather
Redfish are the bread and butter of Tampa Bay fishing, and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers love the shallow grass flats and oyster bars around St Pete, especially during the cooler months when they school up in big numbers. A slot-size red (18-27 inches) will give you a solid fight on medium tackle, and they're absolutely delicious on the table. Look for them tailing in shallow water during low light periods, or cruising the edges of grass beds when the tide's moving. What makes reds special is how they eat – when they want your bait, they'll crush it without hesitation.
Bonnethead sharks might be the smallest member of the hammerhead family, but they're pure fun on light tackle. These guys cruise the grass flats year-round, but fall brings some of the best action as they feed heavily before winter. They average 2-3 feet long and fight way above their weight class, making long runs and acrobatic jumps. Bonnetheads are also great for kids or nervous first-timers since they're completely harmless – more like swimming puppies than the sharks you see in movies. Plus, they're excellent eating when prepared right.
Red snapper season is what separates the serious anglers from the weekend crowd. These deep-bodied fighters live around hard bottom and structure in 20-100 feet of water, and when they bite, you know it. A good red snapper will test your drag and try every trick in the book to get back to its rocky home. The key is getting your bait down quickly before the smaller fish strip your hooks, then being ready for that distinctive snapper bite – they don't nibble, they grab and run. Fresh red snapper fillets are worth every bit of effort it takes to catch them.
Gag grouper are the prize catch for serious bottom fishers around St Petersburg. These ambush predators hang around ledges, rocks, and artificial reefs, waiting to inhale anything that looks like an easy meal. A keeper gag (24 inches minimum) will put serious hurt on your tackle, diving straight for the bottom the second it feels the hook. The fight usually happens in the first few seconds – either you turn them away from structure or they win by cutting you off on the rocks. Gags are also some of the best eating fish in the Gulf, with firm white meat that's perfect for grilling
Get ready to hit the waters around St. Petersburg aboard Reel Lucky Too, our custom 25-foot C Hawk center console that's built for serious fishing action. This 2019 beauty packs a powerful 250HP Suzuki engine that'll get you to the hottest fishing spots at a smooth 35 knots, whether you're chasing inshore targets or heading out to nearshore waters. The spacious center console design gives you and your fishing buddy plenty of room to work your lines and land those trophy catches. We've got all the essential gear onboard - a top-notch fish finder to locate schools of Grouper, Snapper, and Redfish, plus GPS and radar to keep us on course in any conditions. The built-in icebox keeps your drinks cold and your catch fresh throughout the 4-hour adventure. Fall fishing is prime time here, especially for Tripletail sight fishing - there's nothing quite like spotting these fighters cruising near the surface. Our boat handles beautifully in Tampa Bay's inshore waters and nearshore Gulf waters, putting you right where the Snook, Shark, and other sought-after species are biting. Perfect for anglers wanting to experience Florida's legendary fishing without the crowds of larger charter boats.
Sphyrna TiburoBonnetheads are the smallest hammerheads we catch, averaging 3-4 feet with their distinctive shovel-shaped heads. These shy sharks hang out in shallow bays and grass flats, often in schools of 10-15 fish. Summer through early fall is your best bet when they're most active in our warm waters. What guests love about bonnetheads is their scrappy fight for their size and the novelty of catching a hammerhead shark that's completely harmless. They're surprisingly strong and will make several good runs before coming to the boat. While not typically kept for food, they're a blast on light tackle. Pro tip: fresh blue crab cut in half is the magic bait - hook it through one of the legs and let it sit on the bottom near grass beds.
Mycteroperca MicrolepisGag grouper are ambush predators that average 20-25 inches but can reach impressive sizes over 30 inches. These mottled gray fish love hanging around structure - wrecks, reefs, and ledges in 40-120 feet of water. Fall and winter are prime seasons when they're more active and aggressive. What makes gags exciting is their initial powerful run once hooked - they'll try to drag you straight back to their hole. The fight is all about leverage and keeping them away from structure. They're also fantastic eating with firm, white meat that's perfect for grilling. Here's the key: once you set the hook, lock down your drag and keep your rod tip low. Don't let them get their head down or they'll bulldoze straight back to cover and break you off.
Lutjanus CampechanusRed snappers are the prize of our nearshore trips, typically running 15-25 inches and 3-8 pounds around here. These deep red beauties live around structure in 30-100 feet of water - wrecks, reefs, and hard bottom areas. Summer months are best when regulations allow, and they're absolutely worth the fight. Snappers are notorious for their hard initial run straight down to cover, trying to wrap your line around structure. That's what makes them exciting - it's a tug-of-war from the start. The payoff is some of the best eating fish in the Gulf with sweet, firm white meat. Local trick: once you hook one, keep steady pressure and pump it up quickly. Don't give them time to think or they'll dive straight into the nearest hole and cut you off on the rocks.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are one of our most reliable targets here in St. Pete's shallow waters. These copper-colored beauties with their signature black spots near the tail typically run 18-30 inches, though we see some real bulls pushing 40+ inches. They love cruising the flats in 1-4 feet of water around oyster bars, grass beds, and mangrove shorelines. Fall and spring are prime time when they're most active in the shallows. What makes redfish special is their aggressive strikes on topwater lures and their bulldogging fight - they'll make long runs and test your drag. Plus, they're excellent table fare with sweet, flaky meat. My local tip: when you see a red's back out of the water, cast your bait 3-4 feet ahead of where it's heading, not right on top of it.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are Florida's signature gamefish with their sleek bodies, sloped heads, and bold black lateral line. Most run 18-28 inches, but we catch some real slobs over 30 inches. They love mangrove shorelines, docks, and creek mouths in water from 2-20 feet deep. Spring and fall are peak seasons, especially around the new and full moons. What makes snook special is their explosive strikes and acrobatic jumps - they'll clear the water multiple times trying to shake the hook. They're also premier table fare with sweet, white flaky meat. These fish are structure-oriented, so think like you're bass fishing. My go-to technique: work a soft plastic jerkbait around mangrove roots and dock pilings. Keep your drag loose - snook have razor-sharp gill plates that'll cut your line if you horse them.
5.0 out of 5.0We had an absolutely unforgettable day on the water with Captain Joseph and First Mate Jonathan! While the blackfin tuna weren’t b...
Always amazing trips with Captain Joe and his adorable dog Batman. We always catch more than we can eat for sure. His first mate C...
St. Petersburg, FL