Master the Tampa Bay Slam on Our Premier Triple Charter
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Sixhour inshore charter targeting Tampa Bay's premier gamefish speciesPursue the challenging Tampa Bay Slam with expert captain guidanceSmall group experience accommodating up to three guests maximum
Looking to test your skills against Tampa Bay's most prized gamefish? Captain JJ's "Triple" Charter puts you right in the thick of it with a full 6-hour hunt for the legendary Tampa Bay Slam. We're talking Snook, Redfish, and Seatrout in one trip – sounds simple enough until you're out there working the flats and structure trying to make it happen. This isn't your average day on the water. It's a challenge that separates weekend warriors from serious anglers, and with only 3 spots available, you'll get the personalized attention that makes all the difference.
The Triple Charter is designed for anglers who know their way around a rod and reel. Captain JJ will have you working multiple zones throughout Tampa Bay, from shallow grass flats where Seatrout love to ambush bait, to the mangrove shorelines that Snook call home, and those productive oyster bars where Redfish cruise looking for an easy meal. The beauty of this 6-hour window is having enough time to really dial in each species without rushing from spot to spot. You'll be sight fishing in skinny water one minute, then working structure in deeper pockets the next. The captain knows when to stay put and when to make a move – that's what turns a good day into a slam day.
Captain JJ runs a well-equipped boat with everything you need to target these three species effectively. We're talking live bait rigs, artificial lures, and the right tackle for each situation. For Snook, you'll be throwing everything from topwater plugs at dawn to live pinfish around docks and structure. Redfish require a different approach – whether it's sight casting to tailing fish on the flats with soft plastics or dropping live shrimp near oyster beds. Seatrout are often the easiest piece of the puzzle, but they still demand finesse with lighter tackle and the right presentation. The captain switches up techniques based on tides, weather, and what the fish are telling him. You'll learn to read the water, understand structure, and pick up techniques that'll make you a better angler long after this trip ends.
Redfish are the backbone of Tampa Bay fishing, and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers average 18-27 inches in our waters, with some real bulls pushing well into the slot and beyond. They're most active during moving tides when they push up on the flats to feed. What makes Redfish special here is their year-round availability and willingness to eat both live and artificial baits. Watch for their distinctive black spot near the tail when they're tailing in shallow water – it's one of the most exciting sights in inshore fishing. They fight hard, make long runs, and that distinctive drum sound they make when hooked always gets your heart pumping.
Snook are Tampa Bay's premier gamefish and the most challenging piece of the slam puzzle. These ambush predators love structure – docks, mangroves, bridges, and anywhere they can use current and cover to their advantage. They're incredibly temperature sensitive, so timing and location are everything. Spring through fall offers your best shot, with dawn and dusk being prime time. Snook hit hard and jump like tarpon, making them a favorite among serious anglers. Their distinctive black lateral line and that unmistakable gill-rattling jump when hooked makes every Snook catch memorable. They're also the pickiest eaters of the three, which is why completing the slam can be such a challenge.
Seatrout might be the "easy" part of the slam, but don't let that fool you into thinking they're pushovers. These spotted beauties are abundant in Tampa Bay's grass flats and love to school up, especially during cooler months. They're suckers for live shrimp under a popping cork, but they'll also crush soft plastics and topwater lures when conditions are right. Seatrout average 14-18 inches with some real slobs reaching 20+ inches. They're most active during low-light periods and moving water. While they might not have the raw power of Redfish or the acrobatics of Snook, a good Seatrout on light tackle is pure fun, and they're excellent table fare if you decide to keep a few.
Crevalle Jack add some serious muscle to your Tampa Bay experience. These silver torpedoes show up in schools and fight way above their weight class. When you hook into a Jack, you'll know it immediately – they make blistering runs and never give up until they're in the net. They're opportunistic feeders that will crush just about any bait or lure you throw at them. Jacks are most common in warmer months and often travel in large schools, so when you find one, there are usually more around. They're perfect for wearing out your drag and testing your tackle.
Black Drum are the heavy hitters of Tampa Bay's inshore scene. These bottom-dwellers can reach impressive sizes, with fish over 30 pounds not uncommon in our waters. They love oyster bars, bridges, and deeper grass flats where they root around for crabs and shrimp. Black Drum are powerful, stubborn fighters that use their weight and the bottom to their advantage. They're most active during cooler months and are often caught while targeting Redfish in similar habitats. Their distinctive barbels under the chin and deep, thumping fight make them easily identifiable and always welcome in the boat.
The Tampa Bay Slam isn't something you stumble into by accident – it takes skill, patience, and a captain who knows these waters inside and out. Captain JJ's Triple Charter gives you the best shot at this achievement with 6 full hours to work the bay's most productive spots. With only 3 anglers on board,
Captain JJ's 21-foot Parker Special Edition cuts through Tampa Bay waters with authority, powered by a dependable 200HP Yamaha that'll get you to the fishing grounds fast. This 2022 center console handles the bay's shallow flats and deeper channels with ease, perfect for chasing the Tampa Bay Slam. The wireless trolling motor keeps things quiet when you're stalking spooky redfish in skinny water, while the GPS and fish finder help locate structure where snook and seatrout hang out. With room for up to 3 anglers, there's plenty of space to work your lines without tangling up. The boat's design lets you cast from any angle, whether you're sight fishing the grass flats or working oyster bars. At 35 knots max speed, you'll cover serious water during your 6-hour hunt for that coveted triple species combo.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the gentle giants of Tampa Bay's flats. These gray-black fish with chin whiskers typically run 5-15 pounds, though some monsters can hit 30+ pounds. They're bottom feeders that love oyster bars, shallow muddy areas, and creek mouths where they crunch on crabs and shellfish all day. Spring is prime time when they school up to spawn, making them easier to target. What's fun about drum fishing is the detective work - you're sight fishing to tailing fish in skinny water. They fight differently than other species - more like a stubborn bulldog than a runner. Smaller ones eat great, but release the big breeders. Pro tip: fresh blue crab is deadly, but here's the key - let them eat it. Don't set the hook right away like with other species.
Pomatomus SaltatrixBluefish are visiting fighters that show up in Tampa Bay during cooler months, typically fall through early spring. These silver-blue predators average 2-8 pounds with razor-sharp teeth and an attitude to match. They hunt in schools over grass flats, around baitfish, and near structure in 10-30 feet of water. What makes them fun is their aggressive feeding - they'll hit almost any moving lure hard. They're also excellent eating when fresh, with white, flaky meat. Watch for bird activity diving on baitfish - that's usually bluefish pushing food to the surface. Pro tip: use a wire leader or heavy fluorocarbon because those teeth will cut through regular line in seconds. Also, handle them carefully - they'll bite even after you land them.
Caranx HipposCrevalle Jacks are the bulldogs of Tampa Bay - pure muscle and attitude. Most run 3-8 pounds here, but the big ones can hit 15-20 pounds and will test your drag system. Look for them around structure like bridges, reefs, and channel edges, both shallow and deep. They're year-round residents but most active in warmer months. What guests love is their aggressive nature and bulldogging fight - they'll pull drag like crazy. Watch for diving birds - that's your best clue to find feeding schools. They're not great table fare, but the fight is what you're after. Here's the trick: when you find a school feeding on the surface, cast silver spoons or fast-moving plugs past them and retrieve quickly. They can't resist the chase.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are one of Tampa Bay's most sought-after species and a key part of the Tampa Bay Slam. These copper-colored beauties typically run 18-28 inches here, with that distinctive black spot near their tail. You'll find them cruising super shallow flats - sometimes so shallow their backs stick out of the water. They love oyster bars, mangrove shorelines, and grass flats in 1-4 feet of water. Spring through fall offers the best action, especially on moving tides. What makes them special? They eat almost anything and fight hard when hooked. The meat is excellent too - mild and flaky. Pro tip: when you spot one tailing in shallow water, cast your bait well ahead of where they're moving, not right at them. They spook easily in skinny water.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are Tampa Bay royalty and the crown jewel of our inshore slam. These silver-sided beauties with the distinctive black lateral line typically run 18-30 inches around here. They're structure lovers - find them around mangroves, docks, bridges, and creek mouths in both salt and brackish water. Summer and fall are prime time, especially around new and full moons when they spawn. What makes snook special? They're smart, finicky feeders that put up an amazing fight with spectacular jumps. Plus, they're fantastic eating when in season. They're very temperature sensitive though - cold fronts shut them down fast. My go-to tip: work your lure super slow around structure. Snook like to ambush prey, so a subtle presentation near cover beats fast retrieves every time.
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