Tampa Bay Inshore Fishing with Slobby Joe
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Halfday inshore fishing charter targeting redfish, snook, and cobiaMultiple pickup locations including Tampa, Clearwater, and Anna MariaAll equipment, licensing, and live bait provided by captain
Tampa Bay's got some of the best inshore fishing in Florida, and this half-day charter puts you right in the thick of it. Whether you're meeting up in Anna Maria, Clearwater, Tampa, or Ruskin, you're looking at four solid hours chasing some of the bay's most popular gamefish. Captain's got all the gear, bait, and licenses covered, so just bring your crew and whatever drinks you want to sip between fish. Fair warning though - leave the glass bottles at home and pack everything in cans or plastic.
This isn't some crowded party boat situation. You're talking about a focused inshore trip with room for up to six people, but the price covers four anglers comfortably. The captain knows these waters like the back of his hand and will put you on structure, grass flats, and dock lines where the fish are actually feeding. Morning trips usually kick off around sunrise when the water's calm and the fish are active, while afternoon charters let you sleep in and still get plenty of action before the day's done. The boat's set up specifically for inshore work - shallow draft, quiet motor, and positioned perfectly for sight fishing when conditions are right.
You'll be fishing with medium-action spinning rods spooled with 15-20 lb test, perfect for the structure and cover you'll be working. Live bait's the name of the game here - expect to see live shrimp, pinfish, and pilchards in the wells, depending on what's available and what the fish are eating that day. The captain will have you working everything from free-lining baits around docks and mangroves to bouncing jigs off oyster bars and grass flats. Circle hooks are standard to keep the fish healthy for release, and you'll learn proper catch-and-release techniques if you're new to it. When the bite gets hot, you might switch to artificials - soft plastics, spoons, and topwater plugs that really get these inshore species fired up.
Snook are the crown jewel of Tampa Bay inshore fishing, and for good reason. These ambush predators love hanging around dock pilings, bridge structures, and mangrove shorelines where they can dart out and nail unsuspecting baitfish. They're most active during the warmer months from late spring through early fall, though you can find them year-round in deeper channels. What makes snook so special is their fighting ability - they'll jump, run for cover, and use every trick in the book to throw your hook. Plus, they're just beautiful fish with that distinctive black lateral line and golden sides.
Sheepshead might not win any beauty contests, but they're absolute masters at testing your fishing skills. These black-and-white striped fish have human-like teeth designed for crushing barnacles and crabs off dock pilings and bridge supports. They're notorious bait thieves, so you'll need to stay sharp and set the hook at the slightest tap. Winter months from December through March are prime time for sheepshead, when they school up in deeper waters. Land one of these clever fish and you've earned some serious bragging rights.
Redfish, or red drum as some folks call them, are Tampa Bay's most reliable year-round target. These copper-colored bruisers cruise the grass flats and oyster bars looking for crabs, shrimp, and small fish. The slot-sized fish between 18-27 inches are perfect for the dinner table, while the oversized "bull" reds provide heart-pumping fights but must be released. Reds are famous for their powerful runs and their ability to use their broad tails to bulldoze through grass beds. They're also one of the few inshore species that'll readily take artificial lures, making them a favorite among serious anglers.
Crevalle Jack might be the strongest fish you'll hook in Tampa Bay, pound for pound. These silver bullets travel in schools and attack bait with reckless abandon, often creating feeding frenzies that'll get your adrenaline pumping. They're built like footballs with fins - pure muscle designed for speed and power. While they're not great table fare, jacks provide some of the most exciting fights you'll experience on light tackle. They're most common during the warmer months and often show up when you're targeting other species.
Cobia are the wild cards of Tampa Bay inshore fishing. These brown, shark-looking fish are curious by nature and will often follow the boat or investigate anything unusual in their territory. Spring migration brings the big fish through the bay, with many specimens pushing 30-40 pounds. They're excellent eating and provide powerful fights, often making long runs and trying to wrap you around any available structure. Cobia fishing requires patience since they don't school up like other species, but when you hook one, it's an experience you won't forget.
Tampa Bay inshore fishing delivers consistent action year-round, but the fish don't wait around for anyone. This half-day format gives you the best of both worlds - serious fishing time without burning your whole day on the water. The captain's local knowledge combined with top-notch gear and live bait puts you in prime position to hook into some of Florida's most sought-after gamefish. Whether you're a seasoned angler looking to dial in your inshore skills or a newcomer wanting to experience what Tampa Bay fishing is all about, this trip delivers the goods. Book your dates now and get ready to see why so many anglers consider Tampa Bay their home waters.
Hit the productive waters of Tampa Bay aboard this restored 2002 Ranger bay boat, perfectly rigged for chasing redfish, snook, and sheepshead in the shallows. The 300HP Mercury gets you to the best fishing spots fast, cruising at 45 knots to maximize your time with lines in the water. This boat's built for serious anglers - the fish finder helps locate structure and baitfish while the GPS keeps you on productive marks. Keep your drinks cold in the icebox and stay connected with VHF radio. Whether you're launching from Anna Maria, Clearwater, Tampa, or Ruskin, this bay boat handles the flats and nearshore waters like a dream. The multimedia system keeps things entertaining between bites, but with Tampa Bay's incredible inshore fishing, you'll be too busy reeling in cobia and trout to need much downtime. Perfect size for small groups who want personalized fishing without the crowded party boat scene.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are Tampa Bay's brown sharks that aren't actually sharks - they're premium eating fish that can reach 40+ pounds. These solitary hunters cruise around buoys, channel markers, and structure in 15-50 feet of water, often swimming near the surface where you can sight-cast to them. Spring migration from March through May is peak season as they move through our area heading north. What makes cobia special is they're curious fish that will often approach the boat, plus they're top-shelf table fare with firm, white meat that rivals grouper. The fight is strong but manageable. Here's my secret: when you spot one, don't get excited and cast right at it. Instead, lead the fish by 20 feet with a bucktail jig or live crab - they spook easily but will usually circle back if you're patient.
Caranx HipposCrevalle jacks are the muscle cars of Tampa Bay - all power and attitude. These brassy-colored bruisers typically run 3-8 pounds but can hit 20+ pounds, and they'll absolutely smoke your drag. Look for diving birds working baitfish - that's where you'll find jacks schooled up and feeding aggressively. They roam both shallow flats and deeper channels, often around structure or bait schools. Summer months are prime time when they're most active. What guests love is the raw power - pound for pound, few fish fight harder. They'll bend your rod double and never quit. While they're not great table fare, the fight is pure adrenaline. Best tip: when you find a school, work fast with silver spoons or topwater plugs, casting beyond the school and burning your lure back through the chaos.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are Tampa Bay classics, easily spotted by their copper-bronze color and distinctive black spot near the tail. Most fish we catch run 18-27 inches and love cruising the shallow grass flats in just 2-4 feet of water. These fish are year-round residents, but spring and fall offer the best action when they school up and feed aggressively. What makes redfish so popular is their willingness to eat almost anything and their bulldogging fight - they'll make long, powerful runs. They're also great eating with mild, sweet meat. The flats around Anna Maria and the Skyway are hotspots. Pro tip: look for "tailing" reds with their tails sticking up as they root for crabs in shallow water, then cast live shrimp or gold spoons just ahead of their path.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are Tampa Bay's favorite winter target, nicknamed "convict fish" for their black and white stripes. These crafty characters run 2-5 pounds typically and love hanging around any structure with barnacles - bridge pilings, docks, and oyster bars are prime spots. They're famous for those human-like teeth and being notorious bait thieves. Winter months from December through March are peak season when they move shallow to spawn. What guests love about sheepshead is the challenge - they require finesse and quick reflexes to hook. Plus, they're outstanding table fare with sweet, flaky white meat. My go-to trick is using small hooks with fresh shrimp, keeping your bait tight to structure, and setting the hook hard the moment you feel that telltale tap-tap.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are one of Tampa Bay's premier game fish, running 18-28 inches on average with that signature black lateral line and golden coloring. They love hanging around mangroves, docks, and creek mouths in shallow water, especially where structure meets moving water. These fish are ambush predators with serious speed - they'll crush a bait and take off on powerful runs that test your drag. Best fishing happens during warmer months from spring through fall, particularly around dawn and dusk. What makes snook special is they're both great fighters and excellent table fare with firm, white meat. Here's a local tip: when working mangrove shorelines, cast your bait right into the roots and work it slow - snook sit tight in cover waiting to strike.
Tampa, FL