Full Day Shark And Crevalle Jack Fishing Trip
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Full day 8hour inshore fishing trip starting at 7:00 AMTarget shark and crevalle jack in productive Tampa Bay watersSmall group experience with 2guest capacity maximum
When you're ready to experience Tampa Bay's legendary inshore fishing at its finest, this 8-hour charter with Ultimate Fishing Charters delivers everything you want in a full-day adventure. Starting at 7:00 a.m., you'll beat the crowds and hit the water when the fish are most active. This isn't your typical half-day rush job – you've got all the time you need to work different spots, try various techniques, and really dial in on what's biting. With just 2 anglers max, you're getting personalized attention from your captain and plenty of elbow room to fight those hard-pulling Tampa Bay bruisers. Whether you're after the adrenaline rush of hooking into a blacktip shark or the bulldogging fight of a crevalle jack, this trip puts you right where the action happens.
Tampa Bay's inshore waters are something special, and an 8-hour trip lets you explore them properly. Your captain knows these flats, mangrove edges, and deeper channels like the back of their hand. You'll start early when the water's still calm and the fish haven't seen much pressure yet. The beauty of a full-day charter is the flexibility – if one spot isn't producing, you've got time to relocate and try different areas. You might find yourself sight-casting to tailing redfish in shallow water one hour, then dropping baits in deeper holes for snook the next. The laid-back pace means you can take breaks when you need them, grab some water, and really soak in the experience. Your captain will be sharing local knowledge the whole time – where fish like to hang out, what baits work best in different conditions, and how to read the water like a pro. This is hands-on learning at its best, and you'll walk away a better angler no matter your skill level.
Your captain comes equipped with quality spinning and conventional tackle suited for Tampa Bay's diverse fishery. For targeting sharks, you'll likely be using heavier setups with wire leaders and circle hooks – essential gear when dealing with those razor-sharp teeth. Live bait like pinfish, grunts, or ladyfish work magic for blacktips, while cut bait can bring in a variety of species. When going after crevalle jacks, expect to throw everything from topwater plugs to bucktail jigs. These fish are aggressive and will smash lures with serious attitude. For redfish and snook around the mangroves, lighter tackle with live shrimp or pilchards under popping corks is often the ticket. You'll also work some artificial baits – soft plastics, spoons, and plugs that mimic the baitfish these predators feed on. The key to Tampa Bay fishing is staying versatile, and your captain will have you switching techniques based on conditions, tides, and what the fish are telling you. Don't worry about bringing your own gear – everything's provided, from rods and reels to terminal tackle and bait.
Redfish are Tampa Bay's crown jewel, and for good reason. These copper-colored fighters love the shallow grass flats and mangrove shorelines throughout the bay. They're most active during moving tides, especially early morning and late afternoon. What makes reds so special is their combination of power and stubbornness – they'll make drag-screaming runs then dig deep, using their broad sides to fight you every inch of the way. Tampa Bay holds fish from 18-inch "rat reds" to oversized bulls pushing 40+ inches. The slot-sized fish (18-27 inches) make excellent table fare, while the big breeders provide unforgettable photo opportunities before release.
Blacktip sharks bring serious excitement to any Tampa Bay fishing trip. These athletic predators cruise the bay year-round but peak during warmer months. Blacktips are pure adrenaline – they'll scream line off your reel and launch themselves completely out of the water in spectacular aerial displays. Most Tampa Bay blacktips range from 3-6 feet, perfect for sportfishing on appropriate tackle. They're also surprisingly good eating if you decide to keep one for the table. What's really cool about blacktip fishing is the anticipation – that initial tap-tap-tap on your rod tip, then the line starts peeling and you know you're connected to something special.
Crevalle jacks might not win beauty contests, but they'll earn your respect in a hurry. These blunt-headed battlers are pure muscle wrapped in silver, and pound-for-pound they're some of the hardest fighting fish in Tampa Bay. Jacks travel in schools and feed aggressively, especially around bait pods. When you hook one, expect an immediate freight-train run followed by a dogged fight all the way to the boat. They're active year-round in Tampa Bay but really turn on during spring and fall migrations. The beauty of jack fishing is the visual excitement – you'll often see them busting bait on the surface, creating feeding frenzies that'll get your heart pumping.
Tripletail are Tampa Bay's hidden gems, and spotting them takes a trained eye. These oddly-shaped fish like to float on their sides near structure, mimicking floating debris. They're ambush predators that feed on small baitfish and crustaceans. What makes tripletail special is the sight-fishing aspect – you'll spot them floating near markers, crab trap floats, or debris lines, then make precise casts with live or artificial baits. They're excellent table fare with firm, white meat that rivals grouper. Peak tripletail action in Tampa Bay runs from late spring through early fall, and finding them becomes addictive once you develop an eye for their unique behavior.
Snook represent the ultimate Tampa Bay gamefish for many anglers. These silver-sided predators with the distinctive black lateral line are built for ambushing prey around structure.
The 2014 Skeeter 220sx is your ticket to serious fishing action in Tampa Bay's productive waters. This versatile bay boat packs a 250HP Yamaha engine that'll get you to the fish fast, cruising at 30 knots to hit multiple spots during your full day on the water. Built for up to 4 anglers but configured for an intimate 2-person experience, you'll have plenty of room to work your lines while targeting shark and crevalle jack. The wireless trolling motor lets you sneak up on fish without spooking them, while the fish finder helps locate schools and structure where the action happens. GPS navigation keeps you on productive spots, and the icebox ensures your catch stays fresh and your drinks stay cold during those long Tampa Bay sessions. Perfect for serious anglers who want performance and comfort while chasing Florida's premier inshore species.
Carcharhinus LimbatusBlacktip sharks are Tampa Bay's acrobatic show-offs, known for those spectacular jumps that can reach 21 feet out of the water. These streamlined sharks average 4-5 feet but can hit 9 feet and pack serious power. You'll find them in 30-100 feet of water around structure like artificial reefs and wrecks where they hunt schools of mackerel, herring, and sardines. Summer months bring the best action when bait schools are thick. What guests love is their aggressive nature and aerial displays - nothing beats watching a blacktip go completely airborne. They're also surprisingly social, often traveling in small groups. Here's what works: use heavy tackle with circle hooks and plenty of oily chum. The key is being patient - they can be timid at first, so let them get comfortable with the scent trail before expecting hookups.
Caranx HipposCrevalle Jack are the bulldogs of Tampa Bay - pure muscle wrapped in gold and green that'll test your drag system. These aggressive feeders typically run 12-24 inches and 3-5 pounds, but the big ones can push 20+ pounds. You'll find schools in 10-50 feet around grass flats, reefs, and wherever baitfish gather. They hunt year-round but summer and fall are prime when mullet and sardine schools are thick. What makes them special is that relentless fight - they never give up. Watch for diving birds marking feeding schools, then cast silver spoons or swimbaits into the chaos. They're not great table fare, but the fight more than makes up for it. Pro tip: when you see a school feeding on top, cast past them and retrieve fast - they love the chase and will hammer anything moving quickly through their feeding zone.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are one of Tampa Bay's most sought-after species, and for good reason. These copper-colored beauties average 20-30 inches and are famous for that distinctive black spot near their tail. You'll find them cruising the shallows - we're talking 1-4 feet of water around oyster bars, grass flats, and mangrove shorelines. They love structure and aren't shy about feeding in water so shallow their backs show. Spring through fall gives you the best action, especially on moving tides. What makes them special is that explosive strike and bulldogging fight once hooked. Plus, they're excellent table fare with that mild, sweet flavor. Here's a local tip: when you spot tailing reds in skinny water, cast beyond them and work your bait back slowly - spook them with a close cast and they're gone.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are Florida's signature gamefish, and Tampa Bay's mangrove coastlines hold some beauties. These sleek predators average 18-28 inches with that unmistakable black lateral line running down their golden sides. Find them around docks, mangroves, and creek mouths in 2-20 feet of water where they ambush baitfish. Summer spawning season brings the best action around passes and bridges on moving tides. What anglers love is their explosive strikes and acrobatic fights, plus they're premier table fare when in season. They're structure-oriented like bass, so work topwater plugs and soft plastics tight to cover. Here's a local secret: during spawning season, look for snook with bright yellow fins gathered around bridge pilings on the new and full moons. Fish live shrimp or pinfish on the down-current side where they wait to ambush bait getting swept through.
Lobotes SurinamensisTripletail are Tampa Bay's masters of disguise, floating sideways near the surface to mimic debris or seaweed. These odd-shaped fish average 18 inches and 2-5 pounds but can reach 40+ pounds. They're solitary hunters found around weed lines, crab trap buoys, and floating structure in 10-50 feet of water. Summer through early fall is peak season when water temps stay above 70 degrees. What makes them special is their acrobatic fight despite that chunky body, plus they're incredible table fare - some say better than snapper. The challenge is they spook easily, so sight fishing with live shrimp or small crabs works best. Here's the trick: when you spot one floating near structure, cast well past it and slowly work your bait toward them. Let them ambush the bait rather than dropping it right on their head - patience pays off with these wary fish.
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