St Pete Beach Fishing Charters
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Target redfish, spotted seatrout, and snook inshoreFourhour morning charter includes equipment and live baitSmall group experience with maximum two guests
You know that feeling when you're standing on the bow at first light, watching the sun paint the water gold while baitfish start popping all around you? That's exactly what you'll get on our St Pete Beach fishing charters. These inshore waters around St. Petersburg are hands-down some of the most productive fishing grounds in Florida, and we're talking year-round action here. Whether you're a weekend warrior looking to bend some rods or someone who's been dreaming about that trophy snook, this 4-hour morning trip puts you right in the sweet spot where the big fish live.
Picture this: just you and one other angler (we keep it intimate at 2 guests max) working the flats, mangrove shorelines, and grass beds that make Tampa Bay famous. Your captain knows these waters like the back of their hand – every pothole, every oyster bar, every place where redfish like to ambush shrimp on the falling tide. We're launching early to beat the crowds and the afternoon wind, which means you'll be fishing the prime bite when these inshore species are most active. The boat's rigged with everything you need: quality rods and reels, a full spread of lures from topwater plugs to soft plastics, plus live bait that we'll pick up fresh. No need to worry about licenses either – we've got that covered so you can focus on what matters: putting fish in the boat.
Inshore fishing around St Pete is all about reading the water and adapting your approach. We'll be sight fishing the flats when the light's right, looking for those telltale wakes and tails that give away feeding redfish. When the fish are deeper or the water's stirred up, we'll switch to live shrimp under popping corks or work soft baits around structure. The grass beds here hold tons of trout, especially when we find clean edges where the current sweeps bait along. Your captain will teach you how to work a topwater plug at dawn (nothing beats that surface explosion), how to pitch a jig tight to mangrove roots without hanging up, and when to let that live bait just sit and do its thing. The gear we use is tournament-quality stuff – medium action spinning rods that can handle everything from schoolie trout to bull reds, matched with reels that have smooth drags because you never know when that 30-inch snook is going to make its run.
Spanish Mackerel are the speed demons of the inshore scene, and St Pete's waters are loaded with them, especially from spring through fall. These silver bullets typically run 1-3 pounds and hit like freight trains, often jumping clear out of the water when hooked. They're suckers for small spoons and white jigs worked fast, and when you find a school, you can literally catch them on every cast. The best part? They're fantastic table fare when iced down properly. Look for diving birds and bait schools – where you see that action, the macs won't be far behind.
Now let's talk about the king of inshore fishing: Snook. These ambush predators love the mangrove shorelines and dock pilings around St Pete, and catching one is like winning the lottery. They're incredibly structure-oriented, so we'll be pitching live shrimp and soft plastics right into their living rooms. Snook are notorious for their gill-rattling jumps and powerful runs, and the slot-size fish (28-33 inches) put up the fight of a lifetime. They're most active during the warmer months, and dawn and dusk are prime time. Fair warning: once you hook your first snook, you'll be addicted.
Grey Snapper might not be the flashiest fish, but they're smart, tasty, and a blast to catch on light tackle. These bottom-dwellers hang around structure – think docks, bridges, and oyster bars. They're year-round residents, though they bite best when the water's warm. What makes them challenging is their wariness; they'll inspect your bait like they're food critics. Use the lightest leader you can get away with, and be ready for that classic snapper head shake when they grab your offering. The keepers (12 inches and up) make for some of the best fish tacos you'll ever have.
Sea Trout (we call them spotted seatrout down here) are the bread and butter of inshore fishing, and the grass flats around St Pete are prime trout habitat. These beautiful fish with their distinctive spots along their sides are most active in cooler months, though you can catch them year-round. They love live shrimp under corks, but they'll also smash a well-presented soft plastic. The gator trout (anything over 20 inches) are the real prizes – they're old, smart, and know every trick in the book. When you hook into a big female, she'll make several strong runs before coming to the net.
Redfish are the poster children of inshore fishing, and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers are built like underwater bulldozers, and when a big red decides to run, you'd better hold on tight. St Pete's shallow flats and oyster bars are redfish heaven, especially during the cooler months when big schools push into the shallows. The slot reds (18-27 inches) are perfect eating and put up incredible fights, while the oversized bulls (anything over 27 inches) are pure adrenaline on a rod. Watch for their tails sticking up as they root around in shallow water – that's sight fishing at its finest.
Look, there's a reason why St Pete Beach fishing charters stay booked solid – the fishing here is just that good. You're getting four hours of prime-time angling with a captain who lives and breath
Lutjanus GriseusGrey Snapper, also called Mangrove Snapper, are smart, structure-loving fish that typically run 10-16 inches around St. Pete. These copper-colored fighters hang around docks, bridges, reefs, and mangrove edges in 5-30 feet of water. They're active year-round but bite best during warmer months, especially at night when they come up shallow to feed. Guests appreciate their scrappy fight and excellent table fare - white, flaky meat that's hard to beat. These fish are notorious bait stealers, so patience is key. The secret is using the smallest hook you can get away with and letting your bait sit still on the bottom. Live shrimp hooked through the tail works great, but don't set the hook too fast - count to three after you feel the bite to make sure they've got it good.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the crown jewel of our inshore fishing, typically ranging 18-27 inches with those distinctive black spots near their tails. These copper-colored bruisers love super shallow water - sometimes so shallow their backs stick out - around oyster bars, mangroves, and grass flats. They're active year-round but peak during spring and fall when they school up on the flats. What makes reds special is their power - they'll make long, bulldogging runs that test your drag and your patience. Plus, they're excellent table fare with firm, mild meat. The secret to finding redfish is looking for "tailing" fish - when you see their tails sticking up as they root around for crabs and shrimp. Approach quietly and cast well ahead of them since they spook easily in skinny water.
Salmo TruttaSpotted Seatrout are a staple of our inshore trips, averaging 14-18 inches with some nice 20+ inchers mixed in. These speckled beauties love grass flats, oyster bars, and shallow bay areas in 2-6 feet of water. They're active year-round but really turn on during spring and fall, feeding best on moving water during low-light periods. What makes trout special is their willingness to hit both live bait and artificials, plus they're fantastic eating with delicate, flaky white meat. The key to consistent trout fishing is working the grass edges quietly - they're easily spooked in shallow water. Popping cork rigs with live shrimp are deadly, but here's the trick: when you get a bite, don't jerk hard. Trout have soft mouths that tear easily, so just lift the rod firmly and keep steady pressure.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are one of our most sought-after inshore species, typically running 18-28 inches in St. Pete waters. These ambush predators love hanging around mangroves, docks, bridges, and oyster bars in 2-8 feet of water. They're most active during warmer months and feed heavily on moving tides, especially around dawn and dusk. What guests love about snook is their explosive strike and strong runs - they'll jump, roll, and fight hard right to the boat. Their white, flaky meat is prized by many anglers too. The trick with snook is being patient and quiet around structure. They spook easily, so approach slowly and make accurate casts. Live shrimp or pinfish near cover is deadly, but don't horse them - their gill plates are sharp and will cut your line if you're not careful.
Scomberomorus MaculatusSpanish Mackerel are fast, aggressive fighters that average 1-2 feet and 2-4 pounds around St. Pete waters. These silvery speedsters with yellow spots love to school up near the surface, especially around structure and baitfish. They're most active during warmer months from spring through fall, and you'll often spot them busting bait on the flats or near bridges. What makes them popular is their hard runs and aerial jumps when hooked, plus they're excellent table fare - mild, flaky white meat that's perfect grilled or blackened. The key to landing more Spanish is using wire leaders since their razor-sharp teeth will cut through mono in a heartbeat. They hit fast, so keep your drag smooth and be ready for that initial screaming run.
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