4.9(10 Reviews)Half Day Bowfishing Trip In Tampa Bay
4.9(10 reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Top RatedMost Reviewed
Night bowfishing for stingrays, cobia, and sheepshead in Tampa BayPurpose-built boat with high-intensity lights and included gearSmall group charter accommodating up to 2 guests
If you've never pulled back a bow and aimed at a fish swimming beneath the surface, you're missing out on one of Florida's most addictive fishing experiences. Captain Ike runs these night bowfishing charters out of Tampa Bay, where the shallow waters are loaded with stingrays, sheepshead, flounder, cobia, and more. This isn't your typical hook-and-line fishing - it's archery meets angling, and once you nail your first shot, you'll understand why guys drive hours just to get back out here. The boat's rigged with powerful LED lights that turn the dark water crystal clear, letting you spot fish from 20 feet away. Cold drinks, all your gear, and even your fishing license are handled, so you just show up ready to shoot.
Captain Ike's boat is purpose-built for bowfishing, which means everything from the lighting setup to the deck layout is designed to give you clean shots. Those high-intensity lights aren't just bright - they're positioned to eliminate shadows and glare that would normally spook fish or mess with your aim. You'll be fishing Tampa Bay's grass flats and shallow channels where stingrays cruise the bottom and cobia patrol the edges. The water's usually calm at night, making it easier to spot movement and line up your shots. Since this is a 2-person max charter, you're not fighting for space or waiting your turn - it's an intimate trip where Captain Ike can focus on putting you both on fish. The cooler stays stocked with cold drinks, and you'll appreciate that after a few hours of drawing back a bow under Florida's humid night sky.
All the bowfishing gear is provided, but Captain Ike likes to know if you're right or left-handed so he can set up the bows properly before you arrive. The arrows are attached to heavy line that's tied off to the boat - no barbed broadheads getting lost in the bay. Bowfishing arrows are heavier than hunting arrows and designed to penetrate water, but the real trick is learning to aim low. Water refracts light, so that fish you're looking at is actually a few inches deeper than it appears. Most first-timers aim right at what they see and shoot high every time. Captain Ike will coach you through the physics, but it takes a few shots to get the feel. The bows are set at a comfortable draw weight - enough power to drive through water but not so heavy that you'll be struggling after an hour of shooting.
"Trip was so much fun Ike was a great charter he was able to get us on the fish even with bad weather conditions the day before making visibility hard. 10/10 experience 100% recommend it was so much fun!!" - Jacob. "One of the best experiences ever. The boys had a blast. My best friend comes from Ohio every year and always wanted to go🥰. Ike was very thorough and patient with the kids. He got them up to speed fast and we smoked a bunch of sting ray and fish. So much fun. I would recommend this for any novice, angler, or experienced angler. Absolute blast 💥" - Dustin. "Capt Ike was awesome! This was an amazing charter, and we got to shoot lots of fish. It was just me and my boyfriend and we had a blast. We will definitely be back! This was the best bowfishing charter I've been on for sure." - Lucy.
Southern stingrays are the bread and butter of Tampa Bay bowfishing, and for good reason. These flat pancakes of muscle can stretch 3-4 feet across and weigh 50-75 pounds. They cruise the grass flats at night feeding on crabs and shellfish, often in water so shallow their backs break the surface. Rays are active year-round in Tampa Bay, but summer nights are prime time when they're most aggressive. The bigger specimens put up a serious fight once arrowed - imagine trying to haul a trash can lid through the water that doesn't want to come. Captain Ike's seen rays that took three guys working together to muscle them to the boat.
Sheepshead might be the trickiest target you'll encounter out here. These black-and-white striped fish have human-like teeth for crushing barnacles and oysters, and they're smart enough to make bowfishing challenging. They hang around structure like dock pilings and oyster bars, usually in 2-6 feet of water. Sheepshead are most active during cooler months from October through March, making them perfect targets for winter bowfishing trips. They're incredibly spooky, so you get one shot before they disappear. But nail a nice sheepshead and you've got some of the best eating fish in the bay - firm white meat that's worth the effort.
Cobia are the wildcards that can turn a good night into a legendary one. These brown torpedo-shaped fish can hit 40+ inches and weigh 30-50 pounds, making them by far the largest target species you'll encounter. They're curious fish that will actually swim up to investigate the boat lights, giving you shots at fish that would cost $800+ to target on an offshore charter. Cobia are seasonal visitors to Tampa Bay, showing up in spring and hanging around through early summer. They're incredible fighters that will test every knot and connection on the bowfishing setup. Most guys who arrow a big cobia end up booking another trip before they even get back to the dock.
Black drum are the sleepers that often surprise first-time bowfishers. These copper-colored fish look like oversized redfish and can weigh 20-40 pounds. They're bottom feeders that cruise the flats looking for crabs and worms, often in water shallow enough that you can see their backs. Black drum are year-round residents but seem most active
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the heavyweights of Tampa Bay, running anywhere from 5-30 pounds with some bruiser bulls hitting 50+ pounds. These dark, barrel-shaped fish hang around oyster bars, muddy flats, and bridge pilings in 2-15 feet of water. Spring months from March through May are prime time when they school up for spawning - that's when you'll find the best action. What makes them special is that powerful crushing fight and those human-like teeth they use to crunch oysters and crabs. The smaller ones under 15 pounds are fantastic eating with sweet, flaky meat. Pro tip: when you spot one cruising the shallows, lead your shot by about a foot - they're deceptively fast when spooked and will bolt quicker than you'd expect.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are the sharks that aren't sharks - big, brown, and cruising solo through Tampa Bay's shallows. These bruisers average 20-40 pounds and can stretch over 4 feet long. They patrol around structure like channel markers, wrecks, and crab traps in 10-30 feet of water, but often cruise right at the surface. Spring through early summer is prime when they're moving through on their annual migration. What makes them special is the combination of size, fight, and some of the best eating you'll find in the Gulf. The meat is firm and white, like a cross between grouper and shark. Key tip for bowfishing: they look slow and lazy cruising along, but they're surprisingly quick when spooked. Lead your shot and aim for the thick shoulder area just behind the head for the best anchor point.
Caranx HipposCrevalle jacks are the bulldogs of the bay - pure muscle and attitude wrapped in a brassy gold package. Most weigh 3-8 pounds, but the big ones can push 20+ pounds of raw power. They roam seagrass flats, channel edges, and around structure in 3-20 feet of water. Spring through fall is prime time when they're actively feeding on baitfish. Guests love the challenge because these fish are fast, aggressive, and will test your gear with bulldogging runs. They're not the best eating, but they make up for it with pure fight. Look for birds working the surface - that's usually jacks pushing bait up from below. When bowfishing, you need a quick release and accurate aim because they move in schools and won't stick around long once the action starts.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the "convict fish" of Tampa Bay with their distinctive black stripes and those crazy human-like teeth. Most run 2-5 pounds and 14-18 inches, though we see some doormat 8-10 pounders around the deeper structure. They live around any kind of cover - bridge pilings, docks, artificial reefs - anywhere there are barnacles to munch on. Winter through early spring is peak season when they stack up to spawn. Guests love targeting them because they're tricky to fool and absolutely delicious table fare with sweet, white meat. They're notorious bait thieves with those strong jaws. Here's the key: when bowfishing, wait for a clear shot since they spook easily, and aim low - they'll often dart upward when they sense movement. The shot needs to be precise with their compact body.
Hypanus AmericanusSouthern stingrays are perfect bowfishing targets, especially the females that can stretch nearly 6 feet across and weigh up to 50 pounds. They love sandy and muddy flats in 2-8 feet of water, often burying themselves with just their eyes and tail showing. Night fishing is ideal since they're more active feeding on crabs and small fish after dark. What guests love is the challenge - these rays are smart and will bolt fast once they sense danger. They're not aggressive, but that venomous tail demands respect. The meat is surprisingly good, similar to scallops when prepared right. My advice: aim for the thick part of the body just behind the head, and always approach from the side. Once you arrow one, keep your distance from that whip-like tail until it's completely subdued.
4.9 out of 5.0Trip was so much fun Ike was a great charter he was able to get us on the fish even with bad weather conditions the day before mak...
Jacob Erickson, Thank you! You folks were awesome. Looking forward to our next trip. thanks aga...
One of the best experiences ever. The boys had a blast. My best friend comes from Ohio every year and always wanted to go🥰. Ike w...
Grace Anderson, Thank you! You folks were awesome. Looking forward to our next trip.
Captain Ike was amazing to work with. Very communicative and flexible. Nice boat, clean and safe. Will definitely call on him agai...
Capt Ike was awesome! This was an amazing charter, and we got to shoot lots of fish. It was just me and my boyfriend and we had a ...
He’s a honest and genuine guy. He did what he could so we could have the best time possible and even after a dull night he found a...
We had a blast!! Best captain in Tampa
Kyle Schwartz, Thank you! You folks were awesome. Looking forward to our next trip.
We had an amazing time. As hunters from Wy it was pretty cool.
Dianna Lehn, Thank you! You folks were awesome. Looking forward to our next trip. Greatly appreciate...
We had a blast 2nd time with Ike he is so kind and patient and always finds some action, nor better!
Virgil Imhoff, Thank you! You folks were awesome. Looking forward to our next trip.
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