St Petersburg Inshore Fishing Adventure
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Target redfish, sea trout, snook, and tarpon inshoreCaptain Matt provides equipment for up to 6 guestsChoose from 4, 6, or 8-hour fishing options
Captain Matt Rogers has been putting anglers on fish in the shallow waters around St. Petersburg for years, and he knows exactly where to find the action. Triple Threat Outfitters runs one of the top-rated inshore charters in Tampa Bay, and with good reason – these flats hold some of Florida's most sought-after gamefish year-round. You'll launch right at 8:00 AM for your choice of 4, 6, or 8-hour trips, giving you plenty of flexibility to match your schedule and fishing appetite. Whether you're bringing the family or a small group of buddies, Captain Matt keeps groups intimate at just 3 anglers max, so everyone gets personal attention and prime casting opportunities.
St. Petersburg's inshore waters are a maze of grass flats, mangrove shorelines, and oyster bars that create the perfect nursery for gamefish. Captain Matt knows these waters like the back of his hand, and he'll position you over the best structure based on tide, wind, and seasonal patterns. The boat stays in water typically between 2-8 feet deep, so you'll be sight-fishing a lot of the time – watching for wakes, nervous water, and those heart-stopping moments when you spot a big redfish tailing in skinny water. The fishing style here is active and engaging; you're not just sitting and waiting. You'll be making precise casts to specific targets, working lures through grass beds, and staying ready for that explosive strike that makes inshore fishing so addictive.
Captain Matt provides all the gear, and he's dialed in the right setup for these waters. You'll fish with medium-action spinning rods paired with quality reels spooled with braided line – perfect for cutting through grass and handling the runs these fish are known for. The tackle box is loaded with proven producers: soft plastics like paddle tails and jerk baits, topwater plugs for those magical surface explosions, and live bait when the situation calls for it. Techniques vary with conditions and target species, but expect to throw everything from weedless spoons over grass flats to suspending plugs along mangrove edges. The captain reads the water and adjusts tactics throughout the day, teaching you to recognize productive water and understand why fish position themselves in certain spots.
Redfish are the bread and butter of Tampa Bay inshore fishing, and St. Petersburg's grass flats are legendary for holding quality fish. These copper-colored bruisers range from slot-size 18-27 inchers up to bull reds pushing 40+ inches. Spring through fall offers the most consistent action, with fish scattered across the flats during high tide and stacked up in potholes and channels on the low water. What makes reds so special is their willingness to eat and their bulldogging fight – once hooked, they'll make powerful runs and use their broad shoulders to test your drag. The sight of a red's back and tail breaking the surface as it feeds in 2 feet of water never gets old.
Sea trout are another staple that keeps anglers coming back to these waters. These beautiful spotted fish are most active during the cooler months, from October through March, when they school up over grass beds and sandy potholes. Trout in the 15-20 inch range are common, with gator trout over 24 inches always a possibility. They're suckers for soft plastics worked slowly along the bottom, and their delicate mouths require a gentle touch. What's exciting about sea trout is their aggressive feeding behavior – when you find a school, you can often catch multiple fish from the same spot before they move on.
Snook are the most prized catch in these waters, and Tampa Bay holds some true giants. These ambush predators love structure – docks, mangrove overhangs, bridges, and creek mouths where they can pin baitfish against cover. The best snook fishing typically runs from spring through early fall, with the peak action during the warmer months when they're most active. A quality snook runs 24-30 inches, but the bay produces fish well into the 30+ inch range that'll give you a fight you won't forget. Their gill-rattling jumps and powerful runs make every hookup an event, and their finicky feeding habits mean earning one is always satisfying.
Tarpon represent the ultimate inshore prize, and St. Petersburg sits right in the heart of Florida's tarpon corridor. From late spring through summer, these silver kings migrate through Tampa Bay in impressive numbers. You'll encounter everything from juvenile tarpon in the 20-40 pound range year-round to the massive 100+ pound fish that show up during the peak season. What makes tarpon fishing so special isn't just their incredible size – it's their acrobatic fights. These fish launch themselves completely out of the water repeatedly, throwing hooks and testing tackle like no other species. Even a smaller tarpon will give you a workout, and landing one of any size is a legitimate achievement that'll have you planning your return trip before you even get back to the dock.
St. Petersburg's inshore fishing scene is world-class, and Captain Matt Rogers consistently delivers the kind of day that creates lasting memories. The combination of diverse species, beautiful scenery, and year-round fishing opportunities makes this one of Florida's premier inshore destinations. With small group sizes and a captain who genuinely loves putting people on fish, Triple Threat Outfitters offers the personal attention and local expertise that separates a good day from a great one. The flexible trip lengths mean you can customize your adventure to fit your schedule, whether you want a quick morning bite or a full day exploring everything these waters have to offer. Don't wait – the fish are biting, and Captain Matt is ready to put you on them.
The Skeeter bay boat is your ticket to some serious inshore action around St. Petersburg's productive waters. This sleek fishing machine packs a 250HP Yamaha that'll get you to the hotspots fast, cruising at 40 knots when you need to cover ground quickly. Perfect for up to 3 anglers, she's built for chasing redfish in the shallows and hunting snook around the mangroves. The GPS keeps you on course while the fish finder helps locate those schools of trout hiding in the grass flats. Whether you're sight-fishing the skinny water or working the deeper edges, this bay boat handles it all with style. Captain Matt knows exactly where to position this versatile vessel for the best shots at St. Pete's legendary tarpon and other inshore species that make these waters famous.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are hands-down one of the most exciting fish we target in these waters. They typically run 18-30 inches, with those famous black spots near their tails making them easy to identify. You'll find them cruising grass flats, oyster bars, and mangrove shorelines in super shallow water - sometimes so shallow their backs stick out. Year-round fishing is good, but fall and spring offer the most consistent action. What makes reds special is their powerful runs and stubborn fights - they'll pull drag and test your gear. Plus, they're fantastic eating with sweet, firm meat. The sight fishing opportunities are amazing when you can see them tailing in skinny water. Here's my go-to technique: approach quietly and cast a gold spoon or soft plastic just ahead of a cruising fish. Let it sink and twitch it slowly - that flash and movement drives them crazy.
Salmo TruttaSpotted sea trout, or "specks" as locals call them, are a blast to catch and great on the table. Most run 12-20 inches, with bigger ones hitting 24+ inches during good years. You'll find them over grass flats, sandy bottoms, and around oyster bars in 3-10 feet of water. Fall and winter are peak times when they school up in deeper holes. What makes trout fishing fun is their aggressive strikes on artificials and their willingness to bite throughout the day. They have tender, flaky white meat that's perfect for the dinner table. The cooler months bring the best action when they group up in channels and deeper areas. Local trick: use a popping cork with a soft plastic shrimp or jig underneath. The popping sound calls them in from a distance, and that natural presentation below gets the bite.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are one of our most popular targets here in St. Pete. These sleek fish with that distinctive black lateral line usually run 18-28 inches, though we occasionally hook into bigger ones pushing 40+ inches. They love hanging around mangrove shorelines, dock pilings, and grass flats in 2-8 feet of water. Spring through fall gives you the best action, especially around the full and new moons when they're most active. What makes snook special is their explosive strike and strong runs - they'll jump and fight hard right to the boat. Plus, they're excellent eating with firm, white meat. Here's a local tip: cast your live shrimp or pinfish right up against the mangroves and let it drift naturally with the current. Snook are ambush predators, so they'll often hit when your bait gets close to cover.
Megalops AtlanticusTarpon are the ultimate challenge fish - pure adrenaline on a rod. Most of what we catch here range from 80-150 pounds, but they can grow much larger. These silver kings love our shallow flats, bridges, and channels, typically in 4-15 feet of water. Late spring through early fall is prime time, especially on warmer days when they're rolling on the surface. What gets people hooked on tarpon fishing is their spectacular jumps - watching a 100-pound fish launch 8 feet out of the water never gets old. They're strong fighters that can run for hundreds of yards. We practice catch and release since they're not great table fare. Pro tip from years of guiding: when you hook one, bow to the fish during those jumps by lowering your rod tip. This gives them slack and prevents them from throwing the hook on those wild aerial displays.
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