Morning Fishing Trip in Gulfport, FL
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Halfday inshore fishing adventure near Skyway Bridge and Egmont KeySmall group experience with maximum two guests aboardProfessional charter service covers Tampa Bay to offshore waters
If you're looking for a solid half-day fishing charter that hits all the right spots, Scotty J's has you covered. This isn't your typical crowded party boat situation – we keep it intimate with just 2 anglers max, so you'll actually get hands-on attention and prime rod time. We'll cruise the productive waters around the iconic Skyway Bridge, explore the fish-rich flats near Egmont Key, work the structure in lower Tampa Bay, and push out to the 3-mile mark where the bigger fish patrol. It's the kind of morning that reminds you why you fell in love with fishing in the first place.
This half-day adventure kicks off early when the fish are most active and the Gulf is typically at its calmest. We'll start by reading the conditions – tide, wind, baitfish activity – then plot our course accordingly. The beauty of this trip is the variety of structure and depth changes we'll fish. One minute you might be working vertical jigs over rocky bottom near the Skyway Bridge pilings, the next we're sight-casting to tailing redfish on the Egmont Key flats. The water clarity around here is usually fantastic, especially in the morning hours, giving you that visual connection to what's happening below. Captain Scotty knows these waters like the back of his hand, and he's not shy about sharing the little details that separate good anglers from great ones – like how to read the current seams or why certain baits work better on specific tides.
We'll be running a mix of bottom fishing, jigging, and live bait presentations depending on what the fish are telling us. The rocky structure around the Skyway Bridge is prime territory for vertical jigging with heavy spoons and bucktails – perfect for those deeper-holding gag grouper and red grouper. When we hit the flats and shallow structure, we'll switch gears to lighter tackle with live shrimp, pinfish, and cut bait. The sheepshead around here are notorious bait thieves, so we'll rig up with smaller hooks and fresh fiddler crabs to match their finicky feeding habits. For the cobia and redfish, we might throw some larger live baits or work topwater plugs if they're cruising shallow. All rods, reels, tackle, and bait are provided, but if you've got a lucky rod or favorite lure, bring it along – sometimes that personal touch makes all the difference.
Gag grouper are the crown jewel of this fishery, and for good reason. These guys are smart, strong, and absolutely delicious on the table. They love the rocky bottom and structure around the Skyway Bridge, typically holding in 15-30 feet of water. Peak season runs from late fall through early spring, and they'll hit live pinfish, large shrimp, or a well-presented jig. When you hook into a keeper gag, expect a serious fight – they'll try to get back to their hole every time, so keep that drag tight and your rod tip up.
Sheepshead might not win any beauty contests, but they're one of the most challenging and rewarding fish you'll target here. These black-and-white striped convicts hang around any structure they can find – bridge pilings, docks, rock piles – and they have the most delicate bite you can imagine. Winter months are prime time when they school up heavy for their spawning runs. Fresh fiddler crabs or sand fleas are the ticket, and you'll need quick reflexes because they can steal your bait faster than you can blink.
Red grouper are the more aggressive cousins of the gag grouper, and they're typically found in slightly deeper water as we push toward that 3-mile mark. They're less structure-oriented than gags and more willing to roam over sandy bottom looking for an easy meal. These fish are great for beginners because they'll usually eat whatever you put in front of them, and their red coloration makes for some fantastic photos.
Redfish are the ultimate sight-fishing target when conditions align. These copper-colored bruisers cruise the shallow flats around Egmont Key, often with their backs out of the water as they root around for crabs and shrimp. Spring and fall are peak times, but you can find them year-round if you know where to look. There's nothing quite like watching a big red slowly approach your bait in crystal-clear water – your heart will be pounding before you even set the hook.
Cobia are the wildcards of this trip – you never know when one might show up, but when they do, it's game on. These brown sharks (they're actually not sharks at all) are curious fish that will often approach the boat to investigate. They're strong fighters that make long runs and aren't afraid to jump. Spring migration brings the best action, but resident fish stick around all year. They'll eat live bait, jigs, or even topwater lures if they're in the mood.
This morning fishing trip hits the sweet spot between action and relaxation, giving you the chance to target multiple species in some of Florida's most productive inshore waters. With only 2 spots available, you're guaranteed personalized attention and plenty of rod time. Whether you're a seasoned angler looking to dial in your technique or someone just getting serious about saltwater fishing, Captain Scotty will make sure you leave with new skills, great memories, and hopefully a cooler full of fresh fish. The combination of structure fishing, flat work, and deeper water opportunities makes this one of the most well-rounded half-day trips you'll find. Book now and get ready to see why Gulfport's inshore fishing scene keeps anglers coming back season after season.
Our fully-equipped motorboat is built for serious inshore fishing around Gulfport's prime waters. With a wireless trolling motor, you'll slip quietly through the shallows near Egmont Key and under the Skyway Bridge without spooking the fish. The onboard fish finder helps locate schools while GPS and radar keep you on target even when morning fog rolls in. An ice box keeps your catch fresh, and there's a head onboard for comfort during longer sessions. Perfect for two anglers ready to work the flats and deeper channels of lower Tampa Bay, from the protected inshore waters out to the 3-mile mark where snook, redfish, and trout are waiting.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are the brown sharks that aren't sharks - these solitary bruisers cruise our waters looking like trouble but fighting even harder. Most fish we see run 20-40 pounds, but they can push 60+ pounds and will absolutely test your drag. You'll spot them around buoys, structure, and cruising the surface near the Skyway Bridge and Egmont Key in 15-50 feet of water. Spring through fall is prime time, especially during their migration periods when they're moving through our area. What makes them special is that they're sight-fishing targets - you'll actually see them swimming before you cast. They eat almost anything but love bucktail jigs and live bait. The meat is outstanding, firm and white like premium steak. Watch for that dark fin cutting the surface, make a good cast ahead of them, and hang on tight.
Mycteroperca MicrolepisGag grouper are solid fighters that'll test your tackle around Tampa Bay's structure. These gray fish with marbled patterns typically run 15-25 inches, but the bigger males can push 30+ inches and really put up a scrap. You'll find them hanging around the Skyway Bridge pilings, near Egmont Key's rocky areas, and any hard bottom within our fishing zone. They love live pinfish and cut bait, especially crab. Fall through spring gives you the best shots when they're more active in cooler water. What makes them special is that aggressive strike and the way they try to dive straight back to cover once hooked. Keep steady pressure and don't give them slack, or they'll wrap you up in the structure every time.
Epinephelus MorioRed grouper are the bread and butter of our offshore spots, and they're some of the tastiest fish in these waters. These rusty-red fish average 5-10 pounds but can reach 20+ pounds on the right day. You'll find them on hard bottom, around wrecks, and near structure in 30-80 feet of water - perfect for our nearshore range. They're year-round residents, but fall and winter months often produce the best action when they're feeding heavy. What guests love is the solid fight and that sweet, firm white meat that tastes like it's been dining on shellfish. They're aggressive feeders that'll hit live bait hard, especially shrimp and cut crab. Once you hook up, keep steady pressure and get them up quick - they'll try to cut you off on the bottom structure if you give them a chance.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the inshore kings around Tampa Bay's shallow flats and grass beds. These copper-colored bruisers with the distinctive black spots near their tails typically run 18-27 inches in our area. You'll find them cruising 2-6 feet of water around Egmont Key, the flats near the Skyway, and throughout lower Tampa Bay's grass beds. Spring through fall gives you the best action, especially on moving tides when they're actively feeding. Guests love sight-fishing for these fish - watching that bronze back cruise the shallows before the explosive strike is pure adrenaline. They fight hard with powerful runs and make excellent table fare. The key is staying quiet, using live shrimp or cut bait, and making accurate casts to feeding fish without spooking them in the shallow water.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the "convict fish" with those black and white stripes, and they're some of the best eating you'll find in Tampa Bay. Most run 2-5 pounds, but we see plenty of 8-10 pounders around the Skyway Bridge pilings and dock structures. They've got human-like teeth for crunching barnacles and crabs, which is exactly what you want to use for bait. Spring months from March through May are prime time when they're spawning around structures. Guests love the challenge - these fish are notorious bait thieves with light bites that'll clean your hook before you know it. The meat is sweet and flaky, perfect for the dinner table. My tip: use small hooks with fresh shrimp or fiddler crabs, get tight to the structure, and set the hook hard at the first nibble.
Gulfport, FL