St Pete Fishing Charters
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Six-hour inshore charter targeting snook, redfish, and grouperProfessional captain provides all fishing gear and baitPrivate trip accommodates up to two guests maximum
Looking for a solid inshore fishing charter in St. Petersburg? You've found it. This 6-hour adventure puts you right in the heart of some of Florida's best shallow water fishing grounds. We're talking about targeting snook, redfish, spotted seatrout, mangrove snapper, and grouper in waters that have been producing trophy catches for decades. Your captain brings the gear, bait, and local knowledge – you just need to show up ready to fish. Pack some drinks and snacks, and let's make it a day worth remembering on Tampa Bay's productive flats and structure.
This isn't your typical half-day rush job. Six hours gives us real time to work different spots, adjust to conditions, and put you on fish. We'll start early when the bite is hot, moving between productive grass flats, oyster bars, and deeper channels based on tides and fish movement. The boat seats two anglers comfortably, so you're not fighting for space or dealing with a crowded deck. Your captain knows these waters inside and out – every productive hole, every seasonal pattern, every structure that holds fish. Tampa Bay's inshore fishery is legendary for good reason, and this trip showcases exactly why serious anglers keep coming back. The variety here is what sets St. Pete apart from other fishing destinations. One minute you're sight-casting to cruising redfish, the next you're working structure for grouper.
All your tackle is dialed in and ready to go. We're running quality spinning and conventional setups matched to target species and conditions. Live bait is the name of the game here – pilchards, pinfish, and shrimp that we'll either catch fresh or pick up from local bait shops. Artificial lures have their place too, especially when fish are aggressive or we're covering water quickly. Depending on what's biting, you might be free-lining baits around structure, working soft plastics on the flats, or dropping jigs in deeper water. The captain adjusts techniques throughout the day based on tide, weather, and fish behavior. Circle hooks keep everything legal and improve survival rates for released fish. Don't worry about licenses or regulations – that's all handled. Just focus on hooksets and fighting fish.
Gag Grouper are the heavyweights of this charter. These bottom dwellers love structure – rocks, reefs, and artificial reefs where they ambush prey. Spring and fall are prime time when they move shallower, but you can find them year-round if you know where to look. They hit hard and dive straight for cover, testing your drag and technique. A good gag runs 15-25 pounds, with fish over 30 pounds always possible. They're excellent table fare and a serious fight on appropriate tackle.
Snook are Tampa Bay's signature gamefish. These ambush predators lurk around mangroves, docks, and bridge pilings, waiting for baitfish to swim by. They're incredibly structure-oriented and spook easily, making them a technical challenge. Summer months are best, especially around new and full moons when they spawn. A slot snook (28-33 inches) is pure gold, but catch-and-release keeps the fishery strong. Their gill-rattling jumps and powerful runs make every hookup memorable.
Sea Trout, specifically spotted seatrout, are the bread and butter of Tampa Bay fishing. They school up over grass flats and are aggressive feeders when conditions align. These fish love live shrimp and soft plastics worked slowly over the bottom. Winter months can produce some true giants – "gator trout" over 25 inches that are older, wiser, and much harder to fool. They're great eating in the slot (15-20 inches) and provide consistent action when other species are finicky.
Redfish are the copper-colored bulldogs of the flats. These powerful fish cruise shallow water in search of crabs and baitfish, often with their backs out of the water. Sight-fishing for reds is addictive – watching them hunt, making the perfect cast, and feeling that initial run when they realize they're hooked. They're year-round residents with fall being prime time for big schools. Slot reds (18-27 inches) are legal to keep, but many anglers release them to fight another day. Their stamina is legendary.
Permit are the wild cards of this fishery. These disc-shaped fighters are notoriously picky eaters and provide a serious challenge for experienced anglers. When they do eat, the fight is spectacular – long runs and aerial displays that test every knot and connection. They're primarily catch-and-release fish, prized more for the challenge than the cooler. Spring and summer offer the best shots, usually around structure or deeper grass flats. Landing a permit is a badge of honor among inshore anglers.
Six hours on Tampa Bay's productive inshore waters with a captain who knows where fish live and how to catch them. This charter delivers variety, action, and the chance at legitimate trophy fish without the expense and time of offshore fishing. The 2-angler limit means personalized attention and plenty of room to work. Whether you're looking to fill the cooler with quality eating fish or test your skills against some of Florida's most sought-after gamefish, this trip covers all the bases. St. Petersburg's inshore fishery is world-class, and this charter puts you right in the middle of it. Book now and find out why anglers travel from across the country to fish these waters with TD Guides Services.
This beautifully restored 22' Aquasport puts you right where the fish are biting in St. Pete's productive inshore waters. Built in 1997 and completely refreshed in 2021, she's powered by a brand-new 2023 200HP Suzuki that'll get you to the hottest fishing spots fast, cruising at up to 45 knots. Perfect for up to 4 anglers, this boat comes loaded with everything serious fishermen need - GPS to navigate the flats, fish finder to locate structure and schools, plus an icebox to keep your catch fresh and drinks cold. The wireless trolling motor lets you drift silently over grass beds where snook and redfish love to hide. Whether you're working the mangroves for snapper, drifting oyster bars for trout, or hitting deeper structure for grouper, this reliable vessel handles St. Petersburg's diverse inshore fishery with ease.
Trachinotus FalcatusPermit are the holy grail of flats fishing - these disc-shaped silver bullets will humble even experienced anglers. They average 20-30 inches but can reach 48 inches and 60 pounds. With their tall, flat profile and massive eyes that rotate almost 360 degrees, they spot everything. You'll find juveniles on shallow grass and sand flats, while adults cruise wrecks and reefs offshore. Spring through fall is prime season, especially April to October when they spawn. What makes permit legendary is their wariness and incredible fight once hooked. The meat's excellent, but most anglers release them. They're crab eaters, so live blue crabs are the gold standard bait. Local secret: when you spot a permit tailing on the flats, present your crab well ahead of them and let it sink naturally - any sudden movement and they're gone like ghosts.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the bread and butter of our inshore fishing - that copper-bronze color and distinctive black eyespot near the tail make them easy to spot. They average 20-28 inches inshore, perfect eating size with sweet, firm meat. These fish love super shallow water, sometimes so shallow their backs stick out. Look for them on oyster bars, grass flats, and around mangrove shorelines in 1-4 feet of water. Fall is prime time when they school up in big numbers, but we catch them year-round. What makes reds special is they eat almost anything and fight hard with long runs. They're not spooky like some species, so they're great for beginners. My favorite technique: sight fishing the flats with gold spoons or topwater plugs. When you see that bronze flash in skinny water, cast past them and work the bait back slowly.
Salmo TruttaSpotted seatrout, or "specks" as we call them, are beautiful fish covered in dark spots with that classic trout shape. Most run 14-20 inches, perfect for the dinner table with their mild, flaky white meat. You'll find them over grass flats in 2-6 feet of water, especially around points and drop-offs. They school up heavily in winter, moving to deeper channels when it's cold. Spring through fall offers the best action, particularly early morning and late evening. What guests love about trout is they're willing biters - soft plastics, live shrimp, and topwater plugs all work great. They fight decent for their size but won't break your tackle. Best local trick: fish the grass edges at dawn with a popping cork and live shrimp about 18 inches below - when you find one, there's usually a whole school nearby.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are the ultimate inshore challenge - they've got that distinctive black lateral line and can grow up to 4 feet, though most run 18-24 inches. These ambush predators love hanging around mangroves, docks, and creek mouths where they can dart out for baitfish. They're very temperature sensitive, so warmer months from May through September are prime time, especially around the new and full moons when they spawn. What makes snook special is their explosive strikes and bulldogging fights in tight quarters. The meat's fantastic - white, flaky, and mild. They change from male to female as they mature, so those bigger fish are usually females. My go-to tip: work your lure slowly along the mangrove edges during moving water - snook love current breaks and will hammer a well-placed bait.
Mycteroperca MicrolepisGag grouper might not win any beauty contests, but they're solid fighters that'll test your tackle. These guys average around 20 inches, though the big ones can hit 50+ inches and 80 pounds. You'll find them hanging around rocky bottoms, reefs, and shipwrecks - juveniles stay inshore while adults head to deeper offshore structure. They love crabs and shrimp, so live bait works great. When you hook one, they'll immediately try to drag your line back into the rocks or wreck, so keep that drag locked tight and your rod tip low. Winter months are prime time when they school up. The meat's excellent - firm, white, and flaky. Pro tip: once you feel the bite, don't give them any slack or they'll dive straight into the nearest hole and you'll lose them every time.
Gulfport, FL