Tampa Bay Inshore/Nearshore Fishing
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Target snook, redfish, trout, and tarpon in Tampa Bay watersEighthour trips include nearshore kingfish, grouper, and cobia opportunitiesSmall group fishing experience accommodates up to four guests
Tampa Bay's legendary inshore waters offer some of Florida's most consistent year-round fishing, and this 8-hour charter puts you right in the heart of the action. We'll work the grass flats, mangrove shorelines, and structure where snook, redfish, trout, and tarpon call home. When conditions are right, we'll push out to nearshore waters to target bigger game like kingfish, grouper, snapper, and cobia. With room for up to 4 anglers, this trip gives everyone plenty of elbow room to fight fish and enjoy Tampa Bay's world-class fishery.
We'll start early to beat the crowds and catch fish during prime feeding times. Tampa Bay's shallow waters warm up quickly, so morning and late afternoon bites are usually your best bet. The bay's diverse structure means we can adapt to conditions – if the wind's up, we'll tuck into protected mangrove creeks. If it's calm, we'll work the open flats and oyster bars where big trout and reds love to ambush baitfish. The 8-hour format gives us flexibility to chase whatever's biting best, whether that's sight-casting to laid-up tarpon in the backcountry or running offshore to find schools of kingfish. You'll spend the day learning Tampa Bay's fish-holding secrets while putting quality species in the boat.
We fish Tampa Bay with a mix of live bait and artificials, depending on what the fish want that day. For inshore species, we'll use medium-action spinning gear with 15-20 pound braid – perfect for working around structure without getting broken off. Live shrimp, pinfish, and scaled sardines are go-to baits for snook and redfish around the mangroves, while DOA shrimp and Berkeley Gulp work great on the grass flats. When we head nearshore, we'll step up to heavier tackle and fish with live bait on the bottom for grouper and snapper, or pull kingfish rigs behind the boat to cover water. Sight-fishing is huge here too – when we spot cruising reds or tarpon, we'll break out the fly rods or throw topwater plugs for some of the most exciting fishing Tampa Bay has to offer.
Snook are Tampa Bay's signature species and the reason many anglers keep coming back. These ambush predators love structure – dock pilings, mangrove overhangs, and oyster bars where they can pin baitfish. They're most active during summer months but can be caught year-round in deeper holes and residential canals during cooler weather. A slot snook (28-32 inches) puts up an incredible fight with their gill-rattling jumps and powerful runs back to cover. The thrill of watching a big snook crush a topwater plug in shallow water never gets old.
Tarpon turn Tampa Bay into a world-class fishery from April through October. These silver kings range from juvenile fish in the 20-50 pound class to monsters pushing 150 pounds or more. They're famous for their acrobatic fights – multiple jumps and long runs that test your tackle and patience. We find them rolling on the surface in the morning, laid up in channels during midday heat, or feeding aggressively on bait schools at dusk. Hooking your first tarpon is a fishing milestone that hooks anglers for life.
King Mackerel show up in Tampa Bay's nearshore waters from spring through fall, offering fast action and great table fare. These speed demons hit hard and make blistering runs, often jumping completely out of the water. We typically find kings in 20-40 feet of water around structure or temperature breaks. A 20-30 pound king is common, with fish over 40 pounds caught regularly. They're perfect for anglers who want consistent action – when you find a school, you can often catch several before they move on.
Redfish are Tampa Bay's most reliable species, available year-round in good numbers. These copper-colored bruisers love shallow water – grass flats, oyster bars, and mangrove shorelines where they root around for crabs and shrimp. Reds fight with pure power, making long runs and using their broad sides to stay deep. Sight-fishing for tailing reds in skinny water is as good as it gets, and schools of bull reds in fall provide non-stop action. They're also excellent eating, making them a customer favorite.
Cobia are Tampa Bay's wild card species – you never know when one will show up, but when they do, it's game on. These brown sharks (as locals call them) cruise shallow flats and nearshore waters, often following rays or swimming solo near structure. Cobia are curious fish that will investigate the boat, giving you shot opportunities with sight-casting. They fight like a cross between a shark and a grouper – long runs followed by bulldogging near the boat. A 30-40 pound cobia is common, with fish over 50 pounds caught each season.
Tampa Bay's reputation as a top-rated inshore fishing destination isn't hype – it's earned through consistent action and diverse fishing opportunities. This 8-hour charter gives you the best of both worlds: productive inshore fishing for classic Florida species plus nearshore opportunities for bigger game. Whether you're a seasoned angler looking to add new species to your list or a family wanting to experience Florida fishing at its finest, Tampa Bay delivers. The fishery stays strong year-round, but prime dates fill up fast during peak seasons. Book your Tampa Bay fishing adventure and discover why this is considered one of Florida's premier fishing destinations.
Our well-equipped motorboat gets you to Tampa Bay's hottest fishing spots with ease. The wireless trolling motor keeps things quiet when stalking spooky snook and redfish in shallow flats, while the fish finder helps locate schools of trout and those monster tarpon cruising the channels. From the elevated flybridge, you'll spot rolling fish and navigate through grass beds like a pro. The GPS keeps you on productive structure, and the VHF radio ensures safe communication on the water. Perfect for up to 4 anglers targeting everything from inshore slam species to nearshore bruisers like kingfish, grouper, and cobia when we venture outside the bay. This boat handles Tampa's varied waters beautifully, whether we're working dock lights for snook or hitting nearshore reefs for bigger game.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are the curious brown sharks that aren't actually sharks - these barrel-shaped fighters average 20-40 pounds and love checking out boats. We find them around buoys, channel markers, and crab trap floats in 15-50 feet of water. Spring migration from March to May offers the hottest action, though they stick around structure all summer. Guests love cobia because they're aggressive strikers, strong fighters, and absolutely delicious - firm white meat that grills perfectly. Their curious nature makes them fun to sight fish too. Best trick I can share: when you spot one, toss a bucktail jig or live bait right in front of its nose. They'll usually eat it immediately if you don't spook them with the boat.
Scomberomorus CavallaKings are speed demons that'll test your drag system - these silver bullets typically run 15-30 pounds but can push 50+ in deeper water. We target them in 40-100 feet, usually around structure, bait schools, or temperature breaks. They're most active from spring through fall when the water stays above 68 degrees. What guests love about kingfish is the searing runs and aggressive strikes, plus they make outstanding table fare with firm, white meat. The key to landing more kings is using a slow-trolled live bait on a long leader - around 6 feet of wire or heavy fluorocarbon. Keep that bait swimming naturally about 20 feet behind the boat, and hang on tight when they hit.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the perfect sight-fishing target in Tampa Bay's shallow waters, cruising grass flats and oyster bars in just 1-4 feet deep. These copper-colored bruisers with the signature black spot average 18-28 inches, though slot busters over 27 inches pack serious muscle. Fall and spring offer the most consistent action, but they bite year-round in our warm waters. Reds are popular because they eat almost anything, fight hard with long runs, and taste great on the table. The explosive topwater strikes in skinny water get everyone's heart pumping. Pro tip: look for nervous water or "waking" fish on calm mornings - that's usually redfish pushing bait in the shallows. Cast ahead of their path, not right on top of them.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are Tampa Bay's signature inshore species, averaging 1-3 feet with that distinctive black lateral line running down their golden sides. They love hanging around mangroves, docks, and oyster bars in shallow water where they ambush baitfish. Spring through fall gives you the best action, especially around dawn and dusk when they're actively feeding. What makes snook special is their explosive strikes and powerful runs - they'll jump and thrash like crazy once hooked. Plus, they're fantastic eating with white, flaky meat. Here's a local tip: cast your lure or live bait right up against the mangrove roots where snook hide. They won't chase it far, so accuracy beats distance every time.
Megalops AtlanticusThe "silver king" is what fishing dreams are made of - these prehistoric giants average 4-6 feet and 80-100 pounds around Tampa Bay. You'll find them rolling in channels, around bridges, and over deeper grass flats, typically in 6-20 feet of water. May through September is prime time, especially on moving tides during new and full moons. Tarpon fishing is all about the fight - watching a 100-pound fish launch itself 8 feet out of the water never gets old. Most anglers practice catch and release since they're not great table fare. My best advice: when that fish jumps, bow to the king by dropping your rod tip toward the water. It prevents the line from snapping on a slack jump.
Anna Maria Island, FL