Full Day Tampa Bay Inshore Fishing Adventure
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fullday inshore fishing targeting Snook, Redfish, and Spotted Sea TroutExpert captain provides guidance and equipment for all skill levelsSmall group experience accommodating up to 2 guests maximum
Tampa Bay is hands down one of Florida's most productive inshore fisheries, and this full-day trip with Salty Vaquero puts you right in the heart of the action. We're talking about a genuine 8-hour experience targeting the holy trinity of inshore species - Snook, Redfish, and Spotted Sea Trout. Your captain knows these waters like the back of their hand, from the grass flats around Weedon Island to the mangrove shorelines of Terra Ceia Bay. With just two anglers max, you'll get personalized attention and won't be fighting for space at the rail. This isn't some cattle boat operation - it's the kind of fishing trip where you actually learn something and come home with stories worth telling.
Your day kicks off early, meeting your captain at the designated marina while the morning air is still cool and the baitfish are active. Tampa Bay's inshore waters offer incredible variety - one minute you're casting live shrimp along a mangrove edge, the next you're working a grass flat with topwater plugs. The beauty of a full-day trip is the flexibility to move with the conditions and the fish. Morning might find you targeting trout over the grass beds in 3-4 feet of water, then shifting to deeper oyster bars for redfish as the sun climbs higher. Your captain will read the tides, wind, and fish activity to put you on the best bite throughout the day. The intimate 2-person capacity means you're not waiting in line for your turn - when fish are feeding, you're fishing.
All your tackle comes included, from light spinning rigs perfect for finesse presentations to medium-action setups that can handle a bull red on the run. Your captain will have you rigged with everything from live shrimp and pinfish to an arsenal of artificials - soft plastics, topwater plugs, and spoons that Tampa Bay fish can't resist. The techniques vary with the target species and conditions. You might be sight fishing to tailing reds in skinny water, working DOA shrimp under popping corks for trout, or throwing live bait along mangrove cuts where snook lurk in the shadows. Circle hooks are standard for live bait fishing, and your captain will show you the proper hookset technique. The boat's equipped with a quality fishfinder to locate structure and bait schools, plus a shallow water anchor system that keeps you positioned perfectly on productive spots without spooking fish in the shallows.
Snook are the crown jewel of Tampa Bay inshore fishing, and these ambush predators know how to put up a fight. They're structure-oriented fish, hanging around docks, mangrove overhangs, and bridge pilings where they can dart out to nail unsuspecting baitfish. Snook are most active during moving tides, especially the hour before and after tide changes. These fish are catch-and-release only, but hooking into a slot snook in 3 feet of water is pure adrenaline - they'll jump, they'll run, and they'll test every knot you've tied. Peak season runs from late spring through early fall when water temperatures are consistently warm.
Redfish, or red drum, are the workhorses of the bay and arguably the most fun fish to catch on light tackle. These copper-colored bruisers cruise the grass flats and oyster bars in schools, often feeding so aggressively you can see their backs and tails breaking the surface. Reds between 18-27 inches are keepers, making for excellent table fare with firm, white meat. They're year-round residents, but fall months bring some of the best action when schools of slot-sized fish move into shallow water to feed. A hooked redfish will make long, powerful runs that'll have your drag singing.
Spotted Sea Trout are Tampa Bay's bread and butter species, providing consistent action throughout most of the year. These speckled beauties love grass flats and drop-offs where they feed on shrimp, small crabs, and baitfish. Trout fishing is often fast-paced - you'll locate a school and catch several before they move on. They're aggressive feeders that readily take both live bait and artificials, making them perfect for anglers still learning the ropes. Keeper trout run 15-20 inches, and they're fantastic eating fish with delicate, flaky meat that's perfect for the grill or frying pan.
A full-day inshore trip in Tampa Bay gives you the complete Florida fishing experience without the long run to offshore waters. You'll cover more ground, target multiple species, and have time to really dial in techniques that work. With only two spots available, these trips fill up fast, especially during prime fishing months from March through November. Your captain's local knowledge combined with a full day on the water sets you up for the kind of fishing stories you'll be telling for years. Whether you're looking to check Tampa Bay off your fishing bucket list or you're a local wanting to fish with someone who knows where the fish live, this is your chance to experience why Tampa Bay is considered one of America's premier inshore fisheries.
Our 2012 Tidewater 22' center console is your ticket to Tampa Bay's best fishing spots. This solid fishing platform runs on a reliable 200HP Yamaha that'll cruise you to the productive waters at 32 knots, getting you more time with lines in the water. The spacious deck gives you and your fishing buddy plenty of room to work lures and fight fish without getting tangled up. The boat comes loaded with everything serious anglers need - GPS to mark those honey holes, radar for those early morning runs when visibility gets sketchy, and a quality fish finder to locate schools of snook, redfish, and trout. The wireless trolling motor lets you work shallow flats silently without spooking fish, while the built-in icebox keeps your catch fresh and drinks cold during those long Tampa Bay sessions. Whether you're sight-casting to cruising reds or working structure for snook, this rig handles it all with room for tackle, gear, and plenty of elbow room when the action heats up.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the perfect inshore target - tough fighters that eat well and live in skinny water where you can sight-fish them. Most Tampa Bay reds run 18-27 inches, with slot fish being the sweet spot for dinner. Look for them tailing in 1-4 feet over oyster bars, grass flats, and mangrove shorelines. They're year-round residents, but fall and winter bring the best action when they school up in bigger numbers. What guests love most is watching these copper-backed fish with their signature black spots cruise the shallows. They'll eat almost anything - shrimp, crabs, cut bait, or artificials. The fight is pure power with long runs that'll test your drag. Here's the trick: when you spot a red, cast well ahead of where it's moving and let your bait settle. Reds are bottom feeders, so keep your presentation low and be patient. A slow retrieve beats fast every time.
Salmo TruttaSpotted sea trout, or "specks" as locals call them, are a Tampa Bay staple that'll keep your rod bent all day. These silver beauties with their spotted backs typically range 12-20 inches, with occasional fish pushing 6-7 pounds. They cruise grass flats in 3-12 feet of water, especially around potholes and drop-offs. Dawn and dusk are prime time, but they bite well all day in cooler months. Fall through spring is peak season when they school up in deeper channels. Trout are scrappy fighters with a soft mouth, so keep steady pressure without horsing them. They're also top-notch table fare with sweet, flaky white meat. The key to consistent trout fishing is finding the grass. Work soft plastics or topwater lures over healthy grass beds, and pay attention to moving water. When you find one, work the area thoroughly - they usually travel in groups.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are Tampa Bay's premier inshore game fish, and for good reason. These sleek predators with their distinctive black lateral line typically run 18-28 inches, though big females can push 40+ inches. You'll find them around mangroves, docks, and oyster bars in 2-8 feet of water. They love structure and ambush points where they can burst out at prey. Spring through fall offers the best action, especially around the new and full moons when they're most active. What makes snook special is their explosive strike and bulldogging fight - they'll make powerful runs and try to cut you off in cover. The meat is white, flaky, and some of the best eating in the bay. Pro tip: cast your lure past the structure and work it back parallel to the cover. Snook rarely chase into open water, so precision counts more than distance.
Ruskin