St Petersburg 6 Hour Inshore Fishing Charter
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Sixhour private inshore charter accommodates up to four guestsTargets snook, redfish, tarpon using multiple fishing techniquesAll equipment, tackle, bait and licenses included in trip
St Petersburg's inshore waters are legendary among anglers, and this six-hour charter gives you the perfect window to experience why. Running from April 15 through August 1, this $900 trip accommodates up to four guests and targets the Tampa Bay area's most sought-after species. You'll fish the productive flats, mangrove shorelines, and grass beds where snook, redfish, tarpon, snapper, and Spanish mackerel call home. With all gear, tackle, bait, and licenses included, you just need to show up ready to fish.
Six hours gives us real flexibility to move around and adapt to what the fish are doing. We'll start early when the bite is typically strongest, hitting prime spots based on tides, weather, and seasonal patterns. The beauty of inshore fishing here is the variety – one cast might hook a hard-fighting redfish in shallow grass, while the next could connect with a snook lurking under mangroves. The trip works great for mixed groups since we can adjust techniques throughout the day. Beginners get hands-on instruction, while experienced anglers can push their skills with different presentations. Family groups love how we can keep everyone engaged, switching between action-packed spots and more relaxed fishing depending on what kids (and adults) are enjoying most.
We fish light tackle exclusively, which makes every fight more exciting and gives fish the best chance after release. Depending on conditions and target species, you'll experience bottom fishing around structure, trolling for Spanish mackerel and smaller tarpon, plus sight fishing with spinning gear when we spot fish in shallow water. Fly fishing opportunities come up regularly, especially for snook and redfish in skinny water. The boat carries multiple rod setups so we can switch techniques quickly – maybe start with live bait on the bottom for snapper, then switch to artificial lures when we move to the flats for reds. Circle hooks and barbless options keep fish healthy for release, and we'll show you proper handling techniques that make for great photos while protecting the resource.
Snook are the crown jewel of Tampa Bay inshore fishing, and our season timing puts us right in their most active period. These ambush predators hang around docks, bridges, and mangrove edges, exploding on baits with gill-rattling strikes. They're incredibly smart, often following lures multiple times before committing, which makes hooking one feel like solving a puzzle. Snook average 20-28 inches here, with fish over 30 inches providing arm-burning fights. They jump, make long runs, and use structure to their advantage – every hookup is a chess match.
Redfish cruise our grass flats in schools, their copper-colored backs visible in clear, shallow water. Sight fishing for reds is addictive – watching a fish turn and track your lure before the violent strike never gets old. These bruisers average 18-27 inches and fight like bulldogs, using their broad sides to pull hard in the current. They're less spooky than snook, making them perfect for newer anglers to build confidence. The "slot" reds (18-27 inches) are fantastic table fare, while oversized bulls provide pure pulling power.
Tarpon show up in good numbers during our season, particularly the 20-60 pound "poons" that are perfect on light tackle. Few fish provide the rush of a tarpon going airborne – they'll jump repeatedly, often throwing the hook with acrobatic tail-walks that leave everyone on the boat cheering. We target them around bridges, in deeper holes, and along channel edges where they roll and gulp air. Even smaller tarpon are incredibly strong, often taking 15-20 minutes to land on appropriate tackle.
Grey snapper are reliable producers around any hard structure – bridges, docks, rock piles, and artificial reefs. They're excellent eating and provide steady action when other species are finicky. Snapper are smart and structure-oriented, requiring precise presentations and quick hooksets. They average 12-16 inches but fight harder than their size suggests, diving immediately for cover when hooked. Perfect species for keeping kids engaged since bites come regularly.
Spanish mackerel are speed demons that hit trolled baits and lures with vicious strikes. They school up in open water and around bait pods, providing fast action when you locate them. These torpedo-shaped fighters make screaming runs and are excellent light tackle fish. They're also outstanding table fare when bled and iced immediately. Mackerel fishing often produces multiple hookups, leading to controlled chaos that experienced and novice anglers alike find exciting.
This charter hits the sweet spot for serious fishing without the commitment of longer offshore trips. Six hours allows us to really work different areas and techniques while staying in the protected inshore waters that make St Petersburg famous. The spring through summer season puts us right in the peak activity period for our target species, with consistent action and comfortable conditions. At $900 for up to four people, you're getting a top-rated private charter experience that includes everything except the fish cleaning. Whether you're local anglers looking to explore new water or visitors wanting to experience Florida's world-class inshore fishing, this trip delivers the goods. Book early since prime season dates fill up fast with returning customers who know what St Pete's waters can produce.
Your fishing platform for St Petersburg waters is a well-equipped 24' Tidewater bay boat that handles inshore conditions with ease. Powered by a reliable Yamaha 250 HP engine, this boat gets you to the fishing grounds quickly and positions you perfectly over structure where snook, redfish, and tarpon like to hang out. The wireless trolling motor keeps things quiet when you're working shallow flats or sneaking up on spooky fish. Quality electronics including GPS and fish finder help locate schools and mark productive spots. Spacious deck layout gives everyone room to cast without tangling lines, while the icebox keeps your drinks cold during those hot Florida fishing days. The onboard multimedia system adds some background tunes between bites. Built for comfort during long days on the water, this bay boat accommodates up to 4 anglers comfortably whether you're bottom fishing for snapper, casting topwater for tarpon, or working the grass beds for reds.
Lutjanus GriseusGrey snapper, also called mangrove snapper, are smart fish that'll test your patience and skills. These copper-colored fighters average 12-16 inches and 1-2 pounds around our inshore waters, though bigger ones lurk in deeper spots. You'll find them around docks, mangroves, oyster bars, and rocky structure in 5-25 feet of water. They're active year-round but really turn on during warmer months from May through August. What guests love about grey snapper is they're excellent table fare - sweet, flaky white meat that's hard to beat. They're also crafty fighters that will test your drag and try to break you off in cover. Here's the key: these fish are opportunistic but cautious. Use light tackle, let your bait sink to the bottom, then lift it just off the structure. Don't overwork it - they want to ambush something that looks vulnerable, not chase down a hyperactive meal.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the perfect inshore fish - they fight hard, look cool with those black spots, and taste great on the table. Most of our reds run 18-27 inches and 3-8 pounds, with that distinctive bronze color and dark eyespot near the tail. They love super shallow water - grass flats, oyster bars, and mangrove edges in 1-4 feet where you can actually see their backs. April through August is prime time when they're feeding aggressively in the shallows. What makes redfish special is they're not spooky like some species. They'll eat live bait, artificial lures, and flies with equal enthusiasm. Plus that first run when you hook one is something else - pure power heading for the nearest structure. The meat is mild and sweet, perfect for the grill. Pro tip: look for nervous water or "pushes" on calm mornings. When reds are feeding shallow, you can spot their wakes and tails from way off, then make a quiet approach and sight-cast to them.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are one of Florida's premier inshore gamefish, and they're built for ambush. These silver-sided fighters typically run 18-28 inches around St. Pete, with that distinctive black lateral line and jutting lower jaw. They love structure - docks, mangroves, oyster bars, and bridge pilings in 2-10 feet of water. May through July is prime time when they're active and feeding heavy before spawning season. What makes snook special is their fight - they'll jump, run, and try to cut your line on every piece of structure nearby. Plus they're fantastic eating with sweet, white meat. They're temperature sensitive though, so warmer water means more active fish. My go-to tip: work your lure slow and tight to cover. Snook are lazy hunters that want an easy meal drifting right past their hideout. Don't rush the retrieve - let them track it down and commit to the bite.
Scomberomorus MaculatusSpanish mackerel are fast, flashy fish that show up in schools around our inshore waters during the warmer months. These silver speedsters typically run 1-3 pounds and about 14-20 inches, though bigger ones push 4-5 pounds. You'll find them cruising grass flats, around structure, and near baitfish schools in 10-30 feet of water. They hit hard and make blistering runs - great light tackle action that gets everyone excited. The meat is excellent too, with a mild flavor that's perfect grilled or smoked. Best fishing is May through August when water temps climb above 70 degrees. Here's a local trick: when you see diving birds or bait getting pushed to the surface, get your spoons and small jigs ready. These mackerel hunt in packs and once you find one school, you can usually catch several before they move on to the next feeding spot.
Megalops AtlanticusTarpon are the ultimate bucket-list fish - silver kings that can reach 100-200 pounds and jump completely out of the water when hooked. These prehistoric giants show up in our waters from April through August, cruising shallow flats, channels, and around bridges in 5-20 feet. What makes tarpon fishing special isn't the eating (they're catch and release) - it's the pure adrenaline rush. When a 6-foot tarpon explodes from the water shaking its head, that's a memory that lasts forever. They're tough fighters that can battle for an hour or more, testing every bit of your tackle and technique. The fish migrate through our area following baitfish and warmer water. Best conditions are early morning or late afternoon with calm seas and good visibility. My biggest tip: keep your rod tip down during those jumps. When they go airborne, bow to the fish by pointing your rod right at them - it keeps slack in the line so they can't throw the hook as easily.
Hudson FL