5.0(2 Reviews)Expert Guided Morning Inshore Fishing St Petersburg
5.0(2 reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fourhour morning charter targeting snook, redfish, and tarponProfessional guidance for experienced anglers in Tampa BayAll gear, bait, and fishing licenses provided onboard
If you're serious about fishing and ready to target some of Tampa Bay's most prized inshore species, this 4-hour morning charter with Captain Andy is exactly what you've been looking for. We're talking about a focused trip designed for anglers who already know their way around a rod and reel – no hand-holding here, just pure fishing action targeting Snook, Redfish, Spotted Seatrout, and seasonal Tarpon. Getting out early means you'll hit the water when the fish are most active and the conditions are prime. This isn't your typical tourist fishing trip; it's a skill-based experience where you'll work with a captain who knows these waters like the back of his hand.
Captain Andy runs a tight ship focused on putting you on fish fast and keeping you there. This top-rated charter starts before sunrise, which might sound brutal, but trust me – that's when the magic happens in Tampa Bay. The early morning bite is legendary here, and you'll quickly understand why local anglers swear by these hours. With just 2 anglers max, you'll have plenty of room to work and won't be fighting for prime spots on the boat. All your gear, bait, and licenses are handled, so you can focus entirely on what you came here for – landing quality fish. The captain's approach is straightforward: find active fish, position the boat right, and let your experience take over. This is fishing at its finest, where technique and timing matter more than luck.
This charter utilizes proven inshore tactics that separate the weekend warriors from serious anglers. You'll be working with live bait presentations around structure, sight fishing in shallow flats, and targeting specific zones where these species feed. Captain Andy reads water conditions, tidal movements, and seasonal patterns to position you for success. Expect to use both spinning and conventional tackle depending on the situation – light tackle for finesse work on spooky fish, and heavier setups when the Tarpon are rolling. The boat setup includes quality rods, reels spooled with appropriate line weights, and a selection of lures that produce results in these waters. You'll learn why certain baits work better at specific times and locations, knowledge that'll make you a better angler long after this trip ends.
"Mr friend and I had a geeat time fishing with Captain Andy. we caught a lot of fish and just had a good time. i will definitely come back and do it again. i woukd recommend this for anyone, kids, experienced or not. Communication was excellent and the entire experience was smoo" - Michael
"Capt Andy was able to accommodate us after a last minute cancellation by another angler (boat trouble happen sometimes). We were so grateful to get booked with Andy, as my young kids were looking forward to this trip for over a year! Capt Andy replied that he loved working with kids, and his actions greatly reflected that! He was very kind and patient with my two kids (ages 12 and 10). He put us on fish, and made it almost foolproof to catch them! He took great pictures and sent them to us, so my husband and I could focus on fishing ourselves and enjoy the moment. If the fish stopped biting, he would quickly take us to the next spot! He was very knowledgeable and educated us about how the last hurricane impacted the community. You can tell he truly cares about his community and has a passion for what he does. We all caught fish, stayed hydrated (he provided water and snacks-and we went through several bottles of water because it was hot that day- and he wouldn't just politely ask if we wanted water, but would just hand them out and tell us to drink up- he really took care of us), we had a lovely visit from a dolphin, which was magical in itself for the kids, and he filet our fish for us. He was so kind and patient, I couldn't have asked for a better captain, especially for the kids! I would definitely fish with him again!" - Amanda
Snook are the crown jewel of Tampa Bay inshore fishing, and for good reason. These ambush predators love hanging around structure – docks, mangroves, bridges – anywhere they can pin baitfish against cover. They're notorious for their gill-rattling jumps and bulldogging runs that'll test your drag system. Best action happens during moving water, especially the first two hours of incoming tide when they position themselves in current breaks. What makes Snook so special here is their size – Tampa Bay produces fish in the 28-35 inch range regularly, with some real monsters pushing 40 inches. They're catch and release only during certain seasons, but the fight alone makes them worth targeting.
Redfish are the workhorses of these flats, and they'll give you a battle you won't forget. These copper-colored bruisers cruise the shallow grass beds and oyster bars, often with their backs out of the water when they're feeding. Sight fishing for Reds is addictive – watching a 25-pound fish cruise toward your bait gets your heart pumping every time. They're most active during the cooler months, but Tampa Bay holds fish year-round. What anglers love most about Redfish is their willingness to eat – they're not finicky like Snook can be. When you hook one, expect a long, powerful run followed by head-shaking attempts to throw the hook.
Spotted Seatrout are the bread and butter species that keep your rod bent between the bigger fish. These schooling fish move with the baitfish, and when you find them, the action can be non-stop. They're most active during the cooler months when they gather in deeper holes and channels. What makes Trout fishing exciting is the numbers game – it's not unusual to boat 20-30 fish when you locate an active school. They're excellent eating too, so you can
Your fishing platform for this Tampa Bay adventure is a well-equipped 2006 Scout Bay 240, a solid 24-foot bay boat that knows these inshore waters. Powered by a reliable 250 HP Yamaha, she'll cruise at 35 mph to get you to the productive spots where snook, redfish, and tarpon are holding. The shallow draft design lets Captain Andy work the grass flats, mangrove shorelines, and structure where these gamefish feed. Onboard electronics include GPS and fish finder to locate bait schools and mark productive areas. The live bait tank keeps your offerings fresh and lively - crucial when targeting finicky snook around structure or presenting to cruising tarpon. Built for serious fishing, this bay boat handles Tampa Bay's changing conditions while giving you the stable platform needed for accurate casts to feeding fish along the flats and backcountry edges.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are Tampa Bay's most recognizable gamefish with that copper-bronze color and distinctive black spot near the tail. Most slot fish run 18-27 inches, and they love cruising the shallow flats in just 1-3 feet of water where you can actually see their backs. Look for them around oyster bars, grass edges, and mangrove shorelines where they root around for crabs and shrimp. Year-round fishing is good, but fall and winter offer the best action when they school up. What makes reds special is their powerful, bulldogging fight and willingness to eat both live bait and artificials. They're also great on the table with sweet, firm meat. Local secret: watch for "tailing" reds with their tails sticking up as they feed head-down. Approach quietly and cast ahead of their direction - they spook easily in skinny water.
Salmo TruttaSpotted sea trout, or "specks" as we call them locally, are consistent producers in Tampa Bay's grass flats and shallow waters. Most run 14-18 inches with those distinctive black spots covering their silvery sides. They prefer 3-8 feet of water over grass beds and sandy bottoms, feeding heavily on shrimp and small baitfish. Fall and spring offer the best fishing when water temps are in the 70s. Trout have a soft mouth and tender fight, but they make up for it with their willingness to bite and excellent eating quality - mild, flaky white meat that's perfect for the dinner table. My go-to trick is using a popping cork with live shrimp about 18 inches below. The popping sound attracts them from a distance, and the natural presentation gets the bite.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are some of the smartest fish in Tampa Bay, averaging 18-24 inches with that signature black lateral line running down their golden sides. They love hanging around mangroves, docks, and oyster bars in 2-6 feet of 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 strike and acrobatic fight - they'll jump and make powerful runs that'll test your drag. They're also excellent table fare with firm, white meat. Here's a local tip: cast your lure past the structure and work it back slowly along the edges. Snook are ambush predators, so they hit when the bait looks like it's trying to escape cover.
Megalops AtlanticusTarpon are the ultimate saltwater challenge - we're talking about fish that can reach 100-150 pounds and jump clear out of the water when hooked. They roll through Tampa Bay's channels and flats, especially during their spring and summer migration from May through August. You'll spot them in 10-30 feet around bridges, passes, and deep holes where they stage before moving shallow to feed. What draws anglers is their raw power and aerial displays - a hooked tarpon can jump 8-10 times, trying to throw the hook. Most are released since they don't make good eating due to their bony structure. Pro tip: when a tarpon jumps, bow to the fish by lowering your rod tip toward them. This keeps tension off the line and prevents the hook from pulling out during their acrobatics.
5.0 out of 5.0Mr friend and I had a geeat time fishing with Captain Andy. we caught a lot of fish and just had a good time. i will definitely c...
Capt Andy was able to accommodate us after a last minute cancellation by another angler (boat trouble happen sometimes). We were s...
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