Private 6-Hour Inshore and Flats Fishing
Private Trip
Flats/Shallows Fishing
Sixhour charter targets snook, redfish, trout in Tampa Bay watersAll gear, bait, licenses included with USCGlicensed captain guidanceAccommodates up to four guests on inshore and flats fishing adventure
Tampa Bay is hands down one of Florida's premier fishing destinations, and there's no better way to experience it than with a dedicated 6-hour charter that gives you serious time to work the water. This isn't your typical half-day rush job – we're talking about a full day where you can really settle in, learn the spots, and put some quality fish in the boat. With Salty Scales Charters, you'll hit both the productive inshore grass flats and venture into nearshore waters where the bigger game hangs out. The extended time means we can chase whatever's biting best that day, whether it's working the mangroves for snook or running out to the structure for some hard-pulling kings.
Six hours gives us the luxury of fishing smart instead of fishing fast. We'll start early to beat the heat and the weekend crowd, targeting different zones as the day progresses. The morning might find us poling the shallow flats with live shrimp, sight-casting to tailing redfish in knee-deep water. As the sun climbs higher, we'll move to deeper grass beds where the trout stack up, then potentially make a run to nearshore structure for Spanish mackerel and kingfish. Your USCG-licensed captain knows these waters like the back of their hand – every oyster bar, every drop-off, every piece of structure that holds fish. The boat comes fully rigged with quality tackle, and we'll have live bait on board plus a selection of artificials that work in these waters. All you need to bring is sunscreen, snacks, and drinks.
Tampa Bay fishing is all about adapting to conditions and reading the water. We'll be using a mix of live bait fishing and artificial lures depending on what we're targeting. For the flats work, expect light tackle with spinning reels – perfect for feeling those subtle trout bites or the aggressive strike of a snook. We'll fish live shrimp under popping corks in the grass beds, free-line pinfish around structure for snook, and use cut bait for redfish when they're being picky. When we move nearshore, we'll step up the tackle and run some live bait on the bottom for gag grouper, or troll spoons and diving plugs for the mackerel species. The captain will handle all the rigging and re-rigging – your job is to fish and have fun. Six hours means we have time to try different presentations if one isn't working, and the captain will teach you techniques you can use on your own future trips.
Spanish Mackerel are Tampa Bay's speed demons, and when they're around, the action is fast and furious. These silver bullets typically run 1-3 pounds and are absolute blast on light tackle. Peak season runs from late spring through fall, and they're usually found around nearshore structure, bridges, and channel edges. What makes them special is their aggressive strikes and acrobatic fights – they'll jump, run, and keep you busy. Plus, they're excellent table fare when prepared fresh.
Gag Grouper represent the bottom-dwelling bruisers of Tampa Bay's nearshore waters. These fish average 3-8 pounds in the bay, with occasional larger specimens that'll test your tackle. Gags are structure-oriented fish found around ledges, rocks, and artificial reefs in 15-40 feet of water. What anglers love about gag grouper is their hard initial strike followed by a determined fight straight down. They're also considered one of the best eating fish in these waters, with firm white meat that's perfect for grilling or frying.
Snook are Tampa Bay's signature gamefish and the species that keeps local anglers coming back. These ambush predators love mangrove shorelines, dock lights, and bridge pilings. They average 5-15 pounds in the bay, with trophy fish pushing 20-30 pounds. Snook are notorious for their explosive strikes and gill-rattling jumps. What makes them challenging is their sharp gill plates that can cut your line if you're not careful, and their tendency to wrap you around structure. They're catch-and-release only during certain seasons, making each one special.
King Mackerel are the offshore visitors that cruise Tampa Bay's nearshore waters, especially during cooler months. These torpedo-shaped predators can range from school-size fish around 10 pounds to smoker kings pushing 30-40 pounds. They're typically found around bait schools in 20-60 feet of water and are known for their blistering runs that can strip line faster than you'd believe. Kings are popular because they fight hard, grow large, and make excellent smoked fish – though you need to be careful with their razor-sharp teeth.
Redfish are Tampa Bay's most reliable year-round target and a favorite among flats anglers. These copper-colored fighters average 3-8 pounds in the bay, with occasional oversized "bull" reds that can exceed 20 pounds. Redfish are found in shallow grass flats, oyster bars, and mangrove creeks. What makes them special is their willingness to eat a variety of baits, their strong bulldogging fight, and their habit of tailing in shallow water – creating sight-fishing opportunities that are pure angling gold.
A 6-hour Tampa Bay charter with Salty Scales Charters gives you the full Florida fishing experience without the rush. You'll have time to learn new techniques, target multiple species, and really get a feel for what makes this fishery so special. The extended trip length means better odds of putting together a memorable day, whether that's a cooler full of keeper trout and redfish or the adrenaline rush of
Your fishing machine for Tampa Bay's best inshore action is a 25' Avenger Custom by Marauder—built tough for serious anglers who want results. This boat handles shallow flats and deeper inshore waters with ease, giving you and three fishing buddies plenty of room to work the water for snook, redfish, and trout. The wireless trolling motor keeps things quiet when you're stalking fish in skinny water, while the fish finder helps locate schools and structure. Your captain stocks quality rods, reels, and lures, plus live bait to tempt those finicky Tampa Bay fish. The icebox keeps your drinks cold and your catch fresh during those hot Florida days. With GPS navigation and VHF radio onboard, you're covered for safety while focusing on what matters—putting fish in the boat.
Mycteroperca MicrolepisGag grouper are stocky fighters that average 20 inches but can reach 50+ inches and 80 pounds. The big ones hang around offshore reefs and wrecks in 60-100+ feet, while juveniles stay closer to inshore structure. Spring through fall gives you the best shot at them when they're more active feeding. What makes these fish special is the pure power - once hooked, they'll try everything to get back to their hole in the rocks. The meat is fantastic too, firm white fillets that taste great any way you cook them. Pro tip: when you feel that thump, lock down your drag immediately and keep steady pressure. Don't give them an inch or they'll wrap you around structure and it's game over. Circle hooks are required, but they work great for these ambush feeders.
Scomberomorus CavallaKingfish are speed demons that typically run 20-40 pounds but can top 90 pounds for the real giants. They cruise open water from 40-150 feet deep, often following baitfish schools and working structure edges. Fall through spring is your best bet when they're thick in Tampa Bay waters. These fish are pure adrenaline - long, screaming runs that'll burn drag and test your backing. The meat's decent grilled, though it's really about the fight with these guys. Here's the key: always use a wire leader and rig two hooks on your live bait - one through the nose, one near the dorsal fin. Kings typically grab the tail end of baitfish, so that back hook is usually what gets them. Keep your drag loose until they finish their first run, then tighten up.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the bread and butter of shallow water fishing, running 18-32 inches on average with that iconic black spot near the tail and copper-bronze coloring. They cruise oyster bars, grass flats, and mangrove edges in 1-4 feet - sometimes so shallow their backs stick out. Year-round fishing here, but fall and winter are fantastic when they school up. What makes them special is they eat everything and fight hard with powerful runs in skinny water. Plus they're excellent table fare with sweet, firm meat. My go-to technique: look for tailing fish or nervous water, then make a quiet approach and cast ahead of where they're moving. Use a 1/4 oz gold spoon or live shrimp under a popping cork. Keep it simple and let them find it.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are the ultimate inshore gamefish, with that distinctive black lateral line and gold coloring. Most run 18-30 inches, but the big females can push 40+ inches and really test your gear. They love mangrove shorelines, docks, and creek mouths in 2-10 feet of water, especially around moving water during tide changes. Summer and fall are prime time when they're most active feeding. Guests go crazy for their acrobatic jumps and bulldogging runs - plus they're catch-and-release only, so it's all about the fight. Here's what works: cast tight to structure and work your lure away from it. Snook ambush from cover, so get within inches of those mangroves. Use a 30-pound leader too - their gill plates are like razors and will cut lighter line every time.
Scomberomorus MaculatusSpanish mackerel are fast, aggressive fish that average 1-2 feet and 8-11 pounds, making them perfect for light tackle action. You'll find them in schools near the surface around structures, flats, and oyster bars, especially during warmer months when they move closer to shore. They're one of the fastest swimmers in the Gulf, so when you hook one, expect a solid fight with quick runs. What really makes guests love targeting them is the excellent table fare - mild, flaky meat that's perfect grilled or blackened. Here's a local tip: when you see birds diving, get there quick and drift to the school instead of running straight at them. The noise will spook them deep, and once they're down, they're tough to bring back up.
Ruskin, FL