Tampa Bay Inshore Fishing - 6-8 Hour Charter
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fullday inshore fishing charter targeting redfish, snook, and troutProfessional captain provides local techniques and equipment aboard 22' PathfinderSmall group experience accommodates up to four guests maximum
Tampa Bay is hands down one of Florida's hottest inshore fishing destinations, and this 6-8 hour charter puts you right in the thick of the action. We're talking about a fishery that cranks out trophy snook, bull redfish, and silver kings year-round. Our 22' Pathfinder is built for these shallow waters - she's got the draft to get you into those skinny spots where the big fish live, plus the range to cover serious water when we need to chase the bite. Whether you're a weekend warrior looking to dial in your technique or a seasoned angler after your next wall-hanger, this trip delivers the goods every single time.
Your captain knows these flats like the back of his hand - every oyster bar, every grass bed, every tide change that turns fish on or off. We launch early to beat the crowds and hit the prime spots while they're fresh. The beauty of Tampa Bay inshore fishing is the sheer variety - one minute you're sight-casting to laid-up snook under mangroves, the next you're working a topwater plug over a grass flat loaded with trout. The 22' Pathfinder gives us options that bigger boats just can't match. We can pole into water so shallow you can count scales, then fire up the Yamaha and run to deeper channels when the fish move with the tide. Every trip is different because these fish are constantly on the move, following bait, temperature, and water levels. Your captain reads the conditions daily and adjusts the game plan accordingly - that's what separates a good day from an epic day on Tampa Bay.
We run a mix of live bait and artificials depending on what the fish are telling us. Live shrimp under popping corks is deadly for trout and redfish, especially around the grass flats near Weedon Island and the Gandy Bridge. When we're targeting snook, we'll switch to live pilchards or pinfish and work them around structure - docks, mangrove points, anywhere these ambush predators like to set up. Artificial-wise, we keep the rod locker stocked with proven producers: DOA shrimp, Gulp baits, topwater plugs like Skitterwalks and Super Spooks. The Pathfinder's shallow draft lets us get up on those flats where you can literally see fish tailing and cruising. That's when the real fun starts - sight-fishing with light tackle spinning gear, making precise casts to individual fish. We'll also troll the deeper channels with diving plugs when we're covering water looking for cobia or jacks. The key is staying flexible and letting the fish dictate the approach. Your captain carries enough gear to handle whatever Tampa Bay throws at us.
The snook bite has been lights-out around the residential canals and mangrove shorelines. These fish are staging in 3-6 feet of water, especially during the warmer months when they're actively feeding. Redfish are schooling up in huge numbers on the grass flats - we're talking about 20-30 fish schools cruising in water so shallow their backs are out. The trout fishing stays consistent year-round, with the deeper grass beds producing the biggest fish. Tarpon show up heavy from May through September, rolling in the deeper channels and around the bridges. When they're here, it's all hands on deck - these silver kings will test your drag and your patience. Cobia are the wild card - they cruise the flats looking for rays to follow, and when you spot one, it's drop-everything-and-cast time. Crevalle jacks roam in aggressive schools, perfect when you want to put kids on fish or just enjoy some rod-bending action. The variety keeps every trip interesting - you never know what's going to hit next.
Snook are the crown jewel of Tampa Bay inshore fishing, and for good reason. These fish are smart, aggressive, and absolutely beautiful with their distinctive black lateral line. They average 24-28 inches in these waters, with plenty of slot-busters mixed in. Best time to target them is early morning or late afternoon when they're actively feeding along mangrove edges and dock lines. They hit hard and jump like tarpon - pure adrenaline on light tackle. The fight is what hooks most anglers, but the challenge of getting them to eat keeps you coming back.
Tarpon are the ultimate Tampa Bay gamefish when they're around from late spring through early fall. We're not talking about the 150-pound monsters from down south - these are 40-80 pound fish that are perfect for the inshore setup. They roll and crash baits on the surface, then launch into aerial displays that'll have you shaking. The key is keeping steady pressure while they jump and knowing when to bow to the king. Most of our tarpon action happens around the Sunshine Skyway and the shipping channels where they stage on moving tides.
Redfish are the bread and butter of Tampa Bay - reliable, hard-fighting, and available year-round. The fish here run 18-27 inches typically, with some real bulls pushing 30-plus. They school heavily on the grass flats, especially during cooler months. What makes reds special is how they eat - that distinctive head-down tail-up feeding posture makes them perfect targets for sight-fishing. They'll crush topwater baits in shallow water, creating explosive strikes that never get old.
Crevalle jacks bring the muscle when you want to feel what your drag is really about. These fish travel in aggressive schools and hit anything that moves. They're not pretty, but they're pure power - think of them as the bulldozers of the flats. Perfect for breaking in new anglers or when you just want to bend some rods. The jacks in Tampa Bay run 15-25
This freshly restored 2023 22' Pathfinder center console is your ticket to Tampa Bay's hottest fishing spots. Powered by a reliable 150HP Evinrude, she'll cruise at 40 knots to get you on the fish fast and cover more water when the bite moves. The center console design gives all four anglers plenty of room to work their lines without getting tangled up. The wireless trolling motor lets your captain position the boat silently over shallow flats where redfish and snook love to prowl, while the fish finder pinpoints structure and baitfish below. Between fishing spots, crank up the multimedia system and keep your drinks ice-cold in the onboard icebox. This nimble bay boat handles Tampa's varied inshore waters like a dream – from grass flats to mangrove shorelines to deeper channels where the trout stack up. Perfect setup for putting you on the action all day long.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are the loners of Tampa Bay - solitary brown sharks that aren't actually sharks. These bruisers average 30-50 inches and 20-40 pounds, making them serious tackle-testers. You'll spot them cruising alone near buoys, channel markers, and structure in 15-40 feet of water. Spring migration from March to May is prime time, especially around spawning season. What makes cobia special? They're curious fish that'll often swim right up to the boat, giving you perfect sight-fishing opportunities. They fight like freight trains and are some of the best eating fish in the Gulf - firm, white meat that rivals any fish. They're not picky eaters either, hitting everything from bucktail jigs to live crabs. Local tip: when you see one, don't spook it with the boat. Drop a jig or live bait right in front of their face and hold on tight.
Caranx HipposCrevalle Jack are the bullies of Tampa Bay - aggressive, hard-fighting fish that'll bend your rod double. Most run 12-24 inches and 3-8 pounds, but occasionally we hook into 20-pounders that'll really test your tackle. They school up around structure, grass flats, and anywhere baitfish concentrate. You'll often spot them by watching for diving birds - jacks push bait to the surface where pelicans and gulls crash the party. They bite year-round but summer and fall are peak times. What's fun about jacks? They're absolutely vicious on topwater lures and never give up during the fight. They're not great table fare, so most folks release them. Here's the deal: when you find a school, work fast with silver spoons or swimbaits. Keep your lure moving - these fish love the chase and won't hit slow presentations.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are Tampa Bay's most reliable fighters. These copper-colored bruisers with distinctive black spots near their tails typically run 20-30 inches and 5-15 pounds around here. You'll find them tailing in 1-4 feet of water over grass flats, around oyster bars, and near mangrove shorelines. They're year-round residents, but fall and winter offer the best action when they school up. Reds are popular because they fight dirty - long, bulldogging runs that'll burn your arms. They're also excellent eating with sweet, flaky meat that's perfect for blackening. Unlike snook, they're not spooky, so you can work an area thoroughly. Local secret: look for nervous water or subtle wakes in skinny water - that's usually redfish pushing through the shallows. Topwater plugs at first light are magic, but soft plastics work all day.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are the holy grail of Tampa Bay fishing. These sleek, golden fish with that distinctive black lateral line typically run 18-28 inches, though bigger ones lurk around docks and mangroves. They love structure - bridges, oyster bars, creek mouths - anywhere in 2-6 feet of water where they can ambush prey. Best action happens during moving tides, especially dawn and dusk. Spring through fall produces consistent results, but they get finicky in winter when water temps drop. What makes snook special? They fight hard, jump, and make blistering runs that'll test your drag. Plus they're outstanding table fare with firm, white meat. Here's a local trick: when working mangrove shorelines, cast your lure past the fish and work it back - snook spook easily if you land right on them. Soft plastics and topwater plugs are money.
Megalops AtlanticusTarpon are pure adrenaline on a fishing line. These silver kings average 4-6 feet and 80-150 pounds in Tampa Bay, though giants over 200 exist. You'll find them rolling in channels, around bridges, and over grass flats in 6-20 feet during warmer months. May through September is prime time, especially around new and full moons when they spawn. What sets tarpon apart? The jumps - they'll clear the water by 8 feet, shaking their heads trying to throw your hook. It's a bucket list fish for good reason. They're not great eating due to lots of bones, so most folks release them. The fight can last an hour or more on big fish. Pro tip: when they jump, bow to the fish by dropping your rod tip toward them - it prevents the line from snapping tight and pulling the hook free.
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