Full Day Fishing Trip in Tampa Bay
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
8hour inshore fishing adventure with experienced Captain GuyTarget redfish, snapper, sea trout, and snook speciesFamilyfriendly trip accommodates up to 4 guests
Captain Guy's been working these Tampa Bay waters for decades, and he knows exactly where the fish are biting. This 8-hour inshore adventure puts you right in the middle of some of Florida's best fishing action, targeting redfish, sea trout, sheepshead, and snook in the productive shallows and grass flats that make Tampa Bay famous. Whether you're bringing the kids for their first fishing trip or you're a seasoned angler looking to dial in your inshore game, this top-rated charter delivers consistent action and memories that'll last a lifetime. You'll fish from a spacious 24-foot Action Craft bayboat that's built specifically for these waters, and Captain Guy provides everything you need except your Florida fishing license.
Your day starts at the Gandy boat ramp on West Gandy Boulevard, where Captain Guy will have the boat rigged and ready to roll. Tampa Bay's inshore waters offer something special year-round – shallow grass flats where redfish cruise in skinny water, deeper holes where snook ambush baitfish, and oyster bars where sheepshead hang out looking for an easy meal. The 24-foot Action Craft gives you the perfect platform for sight fishing in shallow water while still handling the chop when you need to make longer runs to productive spots. Captain Guy reads these waters like a book, adjusting tactics based on tides, weather, and what the fish are doing that day. The boat accommodates up to four anglers comfortably, so you've got plenty of room to cast without tangling lines. This family-friendly charter welcomes beginners and experienced anglers alike – Captain Guy takes the time to teach proper techniques while making sure everyone stays safe and has fun.
Tampa Bay inshore fishing is all about reading the water and adapting your approach. Captain Guy runs a variety of techniques depending on conditions and target species. You'll work shallow grass flats with topwater plugs and soft plastics for redfish and sea trout, especially during morning and evening feeding periods when these fish move up shallow to hunt. Around structure like docks, mangroves, and oyster bars, you'll pitch jigs and live bait for snook and sheepshead. The captain provides all tackle, from light spinning gear perfect for finesse presentations to heavier setups when you need to muscle fish away from structure. Live shrimp, pinfish, and pigfish are go-to baits, but artificial lures like DOA shrimp, spoons, and topwater plugs often trigger explosive strikes. Sight fishing is a big part of the experience – there's nothing quite like watching a redfish's back break the surface as it crushes your lure in two feet of water. Captain Guy's local knowledge means you're fishing the most productive spots at the right times, whether that's working a moving tide on the flats or hitting deeper holes during slack water.
Redfish are the bread and butter of Tampa Bay, and these copper-colored fighters never disappoint. Most redfish here run 18 to 27 inches, with plenty of slot-sized fish that make excellent table fare. They're most active during moving tides, especially early morning and late afternoon when they push up on the flats to feed. Redfish hit hard and fight dirty, making long runs and using their broad tails to put serious pressure on your drag. Sea trout provide consistent action throughout the day, with fish ranging from 14 to 20 inches being common. These spotted beauties are perfect for beginners since they're aggressive feeders and relatively easy to hook. Look for them over grass flats and around deeper potholes. Sheepshead are the technical challenge of the group – these black-and-white striped convicts have incredible eyesight and will inspect your bait before deciding to bite. They average 2 to 4 pounds in Tampa Bay and are considered some of the best eating fish you'll catch. Snook are the glamour species, especially during warmer months when they're actively feeding around docks and mangrove shorelines. These silver-sided gamefish are known for their acrobatic jumps and powerful runs, and they're catch-and-release only to protect the fishery.
This world-class inshore fishing experience books up quickly, especially during peak fishing seasons when the bite is hot. Captain Guy's decades of experience and intimate knowledge of Tampa Bay's best fishing spots make this charter a customer favorite among both locals and visiting anglers. You'll leave the dock confident in your captain's abilities and return with a cooler full of fish and stories worth telling. The 8-hour trip length gives you plenty of time to target multiple species and explore different areas of the bay, maximizing your chances for a memorable day on the water. Remember to bring your Florida fishing license, sunscreen, and drinks – Captain Guy handles the rest. Whether you're planning a family outing, a guys' trip, or just want to experience some of Florida's best inshore fishing, this charter delivers the goods every time out.
Captain Guy's custom 24' Gause Built is built for serious Tampa Bay fishing. This shallow-draft beauty runs on a powerful 300HP Yamaha and features a dual-station tower that puts you above the water for spotting those cruising redfish and snook in the flats. The wireless trolling motor keeps things quiet when you need to sneak up on spooky fish, while the GPS ensures you hit all the productive spots around the bay. With room for up to 4 anglers, this dry-riding charter boat handles Tampa's choppy waters with ease, getting you comfortably to where the fish are biting. Whether you're working the grass flats for trout or hunting trophy snook around the mangroves, this well-equipped vessel gives you the edge you need for a productive day on Tampa Bay.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are Tampa Bay's signature shallow water fighters, easily spotted by that black eyespot near the tail. Most slot fish run 18-27 inches, but we see plenty of oversized "bulls" too. They love super shallow flats, oyster bars, and mangrove shorelines - often in water so skinny their backs show. Year-round fishing here, but fall and spring offer the most consistent action. What hooks people is watching them cruise the shallows and that bone-jarring strike when they hit. They're also great eating with sweet, firm meat. The secret is being quiet and watching for "redfish signs" - muddy water, waking fish, or tails sticking up. Once you spot them, make an accurate cast ahead of their path and let your bait sink naturally. Cut bait, live shrimp, or gold spoons work magic.
Salmo TruttaSpotted sea trout, or "specks," are Tampa Bay's bread-and-butter fish. Most run 12-18 inches with those distinctive black spots covering their silver sides. They cruise grass flats in 2-8 feet of water, especially around drop-offs and potholes in the seagrass. Spring and fall are peak times, but they bite year-round here. What guests love is their willingness to hit both live bait and artificials, making them perfect for beginners and kids. They're also excellent table fare with mild, flaky meat. The real magic happens at dawn and dusk when they move shallow to feed. My go-to technique: work a soft plastic jig or live shrimp over the grass beds, paying attention to depth changes. When you find one trout, there's usually a school nearby, so work the area thoroughly.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the "convict fish" with their black and white stripes, typically running 1-3 pounds in Tampa Bay. They hang around any structure with barnacles - bridges, docks, rock piles - using those human-like teeth to crunch crustaceans. Winter through spring is prime time when they school up for spawning. Anglers love the challenge because they're notorious bait thieves with light, finicky bites that require skill to hook. The payoff is some of the best eating fish in the bay - sweet, flaky white meat that rivals snapper. My trick: use the smallest hook you can get away with and fresh shrimp or fiddler crabs. Feel for that subtle tap-tap-tap, then set the hook hard and fast. They've got tough mouths, so don't hesitate when you feel them testing your bait.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are Tampa Bay's premier gamefish, averaging 1-3 feet with that distinctive black lateral line and golden color. These ambush predators love mangroves, docks, and creek mouths in 2-10 feet of water. They're temperature sensitive, so spring through fall gives you the best action when water stays warm. What makes them special is their explosive strike and acrobatic fight - they'll jump and make powerful runs that test your drag. Plus, they're fantastic eating with firm, white meat. Here's the key: cast your lure right into the structure where they hide. Don't be afraid to get close to those mangrove roots or pier pilings - that's where the big ones wait. Use live shrimp or soft plastics that mimic baitfish, and be ready for that sudden strike.
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