The Ultimate Fishing Adventure in St. Petersburg
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Inshore fishing trips targeting snapper, snook, and redfish speciesExpert guides provide equipment and techniques for successful catchesMultiple trip durations available with maximum two-guest capacity
Looking for world-class inshore fishing action? You've found it right here in St. Petersburg. This top-rated charter experience puts you right in the heart of Florida's Gulf Coast fishing paradise, where crystal-clear waters hold some serious gamefish. With Westward Fishing Charters, you're getting more than just a boat ride – you're getting access to prime fishing grounds that local anglers have been working for decades. These waters are loaded with snook, redfish, sea trout, and a whole lot more. Whether you want to spend 4, 5, or 6 hours on the water, we've got the perfect trip length to match your fishing appetite.
When you step aboard, you'll immediately feel the difference of fishing with pros who know these waters like the back of their hand. This isn't some cookie-cutter fishing trip – it's a genuine St. Petersburg inshore experience where every cast counts. The boat accommodates up to 2 anglers, which means you get personalized attention and plenty of elbow room to work your lines. No crowded decks or fighting for rod space here. Your captain will read the conditions, check the tides, and put you on fish using decades of local knowledge. The inshore waters around St. Pete offer incredible variety, from shallow grass flats where redfish cruise to deeper channels where cobia patrol. You'll work different structures throughout the day, hitting mangrove shorelines, oyster bars, and sandy potholes where fish love to ambush baitfish.
This is pure inshore fishing at its finest, and the techniques we use are battle-tested for these Gulf Coast waters. You'll be working with live bait like shrimp, pinfish, and pilchards – the stuff that drives gamefish absolutely crazy around here. Light to medium tackle is the name of the game, letting you feel every head shake and run without overpowering these fish. We'll set you up with spinning reels spooled with 15-20 pound test, perfect for the structure and cover you'll be fishing. Depending on conditions and target species, you might be sight-casting to tailing redfish in 2 feet of water, or working deeper grass beds with jigs and soft plastics. The captain will teach you how to read the water – spotting nervous baitfish, finding the right depth on grass flats, and timing your presentations with the tide movement. All rods, reels, tackle, and bait are provided, so you can focus entirely on putting fish in the boat.
Sea Trout are the bread and butter of St. Petersburg inshore fishing, and these spotted beauties are active year-round in our waters. They love to hang around grass beds and sandy potholes, especially during moving tides. Most fish run 14-18 inches, but don't be surprised when a 20+ inch "gator" trout crushes your bait. These fish are aggressive feeders and put up a solid fight on light tackle. Spring and fall are peak times, but summer early mornings and winter warm-ups can produce some of the best action of the year.
Crevalle Jack are the bulldogs of the inshore world, and when you hook one, you'll know it immediately. These fish are pure muscle and will test your drag system to the limit. They travel in schools and can show up anywhere from shallow flats to deeper channels. Jack crevalle average 5-15 pounds in our area, but 20-pounders are definitely in the mix. They're not picky eaters and will smash live baits, jigs, and topwater plugs with equal enthusiasm. Summer months bring the best jack action, especially around bait schools in the early morning.
Cobia are the prize catch that keeps anglers coming back for more. These brown sharks of the inshore world can reach 30+ pounds and provide fights that will leave your arms burning. St. Pete waters see good cobia action from March through November, with peak times during spring and fall migrations. They're curious fish that will often approach the boat, giving you sight-fishing opportunities you won't forget. Cobia love structure like channel markers, docks, and crab traps, making them perfect targets for our inshore approach.
Snook are Florida fishing royalty, and our waters hold some absolute giants. These ambush predators love mangrove shorelines, dock lights, and anywhere baitfish get funneled by current. The slot limit protects the fishery, so you're looking at 28-33 inch keepers, though catching and releasing bigger breeding fish is part of the experience. Snook are moody and can be tough to pattern, but when you dial them in, the action can be fast and furious. They hit hard, jump, and use every trick in the book to throw your hook.
Grey Snapper round out the target list with their scrappy attitude and excellent table fare. These bottom dwellers love structure and will test your ability to turn them away from cover. Most greys in our area run 12-16 inches, perfect for a fish dinner. They're year-round residents but really turn on during warmer months. Grey snapper require finesse fishing with lighter leaders, but their aggressive nature means you'll get plenty of shots at them throughout the day.
St. Petersburg inshore fishing delivers the kind of action that creates fishing addicts, and this charter puts you right in the middle of it all. With expert guidance, top-notch equipment, and access to prime fishing grounds, you're set up for success from the moment you cast off. The variety of species keeps things interesting, and the personalized attention means you'll actually learn something that makes you a better angler. Whether you're looking to check Florida gamefish off your bucket list or just want to spend a few hours doing what you love, this is the real deal. Book your trip today and get ready to
Your fishing adventures in St. Petersburg waters start aboard this beautifully restored 22' Skeeter. Originally built in 2000 and given new life in 2022, this motorboat packs serious performance with its 200HP Suzuki engine that'll get you to the hottest fishing spots at speeds up to 50 knots. The wireless trolling motor lets you slip quietly into shallow waters where snook and redfish love to hide, while the fish finder helps locate schools of Spanish mackerel and sea trout. GPS navigation keeps you on track to productive waters, and the VHF radio ensures safe communication. Built to handle up to 2 guests comfortably, this boat gives you everything needed to target grey snapper, red snapper, jack crevalle, flounder, cobia, and whatever else is biting in these productive inshore waters.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are the "brown sharks" that get your heart racing until you see that single dorsal fin. These chocolate-brown bruisers average around 30-50 pounds but can push 100+ pounds when mature. We find them around reefs, wrecks, and structures in 30-70 feet during spring migration season, which is prime time from April through June. They're mostly loners, so it's all about sight fishing and being ready when one shows up. What makes cobia special is they're probably the best eating fish in the Gulf - firm, white meat that tastes like a cross between grouper and mahi. Plus, they fight hard with powerful runs. The key to landing one is using a heavy bucktail jig in the 4-8 ounce range and working it aggressively near structure. Color doesn't matter much - movement does.
Caranx HipposCrevalle jacks are pure muscle and attitude - the bulldogs of Tampa Bay. These brassy, golden fighters average 12-24 inches and 3-5 pounds, but the big ones can hit 40+ pounds and test your tackle to the limit. Look for diving birds - that's usually jacks pushing baitfish to the surface. They roam both shallow flats and deeper structure around 30-100 feet, preferring areas with current and bait concentrations. Spring and summer bring the best action when they're most active. Guests love them because they fight like fish twice their size, making screaming runs that'll burn your drag. They're not the best table fare, but the fight more than makes up for it. My trick: cast silver spoons past the school and retrieve fast - jacks can't resist chasing something that looks like it's trying to escape.
Lutjanus GriseusMangrove snapper are the sneaky opportunists of our local waters - greyish-red fish that are way smarter than they look. Most run 10-14 inches and 1-2 pounds inshore, though the offshore ones can hit 20 pounds. They love structure like docks, mangroves, reefs, and any kind of cover where they can ambush prey. Year-round fishing is solid, but summer nights during full moons are prime time when they're most active. Guests love them because they're excellent table fare - white, flaky meat that's hard to beat. They're also great for kids since they bite readily, though they can be finicky. The trick with mangroves is patience - they're opportunistic feeders that like to study their meal first. Use live shrimp hooked through the tail, let it sink to the bottom, then barely lift it off. Too much movement spooks them every time.
Salmo TruttaSpotted sea trout, or speckled trout, are some of the most reliable fish we target in St. Pete waters. These silvery beauties with black spots run 14-24 inches typically, though we catch plenty in the 2-5 pound range. They love grass flats and shallow bays, especially at night when they move up to feed. Spring through fall offers the best action, but winter fishing can be hot when they school up in deeper holes. What makes them special is their delicate, flaky white meat - some of the best eating you'll find inshore. They're also great for beginners since they bite readily on live shrimp or soft plastics. Pro tip: when working grass flats, keep your bait just above the grass line to avoid snags and stay in the strike zone where trout cruise for food.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are the holy grail of inshore fishing here in St. Pete - sleek, silver torpedoes with that distinctive black lateral line. Most run 18-28 inches, but the big females can stretch over 40 inches and really test your skills. They're structure lovers, hanging around docks, mangroves, and bridge pilings in shallow water. Best action comes during warmer months from May through September, especially around the full and new moons when they spawn. What makes snook special is they're incredibly smart and spooky, plus they jump like tarpon when hooked. The meat is outstanding too - firm and sweet. They change from male to female as they grow, so those big ones are all ladies. Pro tip: use live pilchards or shrimp and cast past the structure, then work your bait back naturally. Snook ambush from cover, so patience pays off.
St. Petersburg, FL