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Tampa Bay's Premier Inshore Fishing Adventure
- Published Date: July 17, 2025
- Fishing
- Tampa
- $500 - $700 price range
- Updated Date: October 29, 2025
Summary
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Inshore Catches of the Day
Tampa Bay catch & release
. Tampa’s trophy moment
Victory pose, Tampa style
Another Tampa catch landed
Foggy start, fire catch
Tampa views, hooked moods
Sunrise bites, Tampa light
Redfish rising in Tampa
Tampa snook strike success
Tampa trout on the line
Tampa Bay catch & release
. Tampa’s trophy moment
Victory pose, Tampa style
Another Tampa catch landed
Foggy start, fire catch
Tampa views, hooked moods
Sunrise bites, Tampa light
Redfish rising in Tampa
Tampa snook strike success
Tampa trout on the line
Tampa Bay catch & release
. Tampa’s trophy moment
Victory pose, Tampa style
Another Tampa catch landed
Afternoon Inshore Fishing in St. Pete: Snook, Reds & Trout
Ready to hit the flats for some killer inshore action? Captain Andy's got you covered with this 4-hour afternoon trip right in the heart of Tampa Bay. Whether you're a total greenhorn or a seasoned rod-bender, we'll put you on the fish and show you why St. Pete is a top spot for snook, redfish, and trout. No need to sweat the small stuff – we've got all the gear, bait, and know-how to make your trip a breeze. So grab your hat and let's go chase some tails!
What to Expect on the Water
As soon as we push off, you'll feel the laid-back vibe of Tampa Bay wash over you. We'll cruise the inshore waters, hitting all the honey holes where the fish are biting. Captain Andy knows these waters like the back of his hand, so he'll have you on the fish in no time. You might be sight-casting to tailing reds in the shallows, working a topwater for explosive snook strikes, or drifting live bait for some monster trout. The afternoon light is perfect for spotting fish, and the bite often heats up as the day goes on. With a max of 4 anglers, there's plenty of elbow room and personalized attention to make sure everyone's in on the action.
Techniques & Gear Rundown
On this trip, we'll be using a mix of light tackle techniques to target our inshore slam. Depending on the conditions and what's biting, we might be throwing soft plastics, working jigs, or free-lining live bait. Captain Andy's got a full arsenal of rods and reels rigged up and ready to go. We use top-notch gear that's perfect for handling these hard-fighting fish, but still light enough to feel every tap and tail thump. Don't worry if you're new to this style of fishing – the Captain will show you the ropes and have you casting like a pro in no time. And when the fish start coming over the gunwales, he'll be right there to help you land 'em and get some great photos for your brag wall.
Top Catches This Season
St. Pete's inshore waters are on fire right now, with anglers pulling in some real beauties. We've been seeing a lot of slot-sized redfish cruising the flats, often tailing in water so shallow you can see their backs out of the water. The snook bite has been insane, with fish busting bait all along the mangrove shorelines. And let's not forget about the gator trout – we've had several over 24 inches come aboard in the past few weeks. Depending on the season, you might also tangle with hard-pulling jack crevalle, acrobatic ladyfish, or even the occasional tarpon. The variety is what keeps folks coming back for more!
Species You'll Want to Hook
Snook: These are the rock stars of inshore fishing. Snook are ambush predators with a mean streak a mile wide. They love to hang around structure like mangrove roots and dock pilings, waiting to pounce on unsuspecting bait. When hooked, they'll make blistering runs and often jump clear out of the water. The bite is best in the warmer months, but you can catch them year-round in St. Pete. There's nothing quite like the thrill of a big snook crushing a topwater lure!
Redfish: Also known as red drum, these copper-colored bruisers are a staple of inshore fishing. They've got a distinctive black spot on their tail, which is why anglers often talk about "tailing reds" when you see them feeding in shallow water with their tails sticking up. Redfish are notorious for their powerful, bulldogging fights. They love to cruise the flats and shorelines, often in schools. When the water's clear, sight-fishing for reds is an absolute blast – it's like hunting and fishing combined.
Spotted Seatrout: Don't let the name fool you – these aren't your average trout. Spotted seatrout, or "specks" as the locals call them, are actually members of the drum family. They're known for their beautiful spotted pattern and their soft, rubbery mouths (which is why a lot of anglers lose them at the boat). Trout are often found over grass flats and around deeper holes. The really big ones, called "gator trout," can top 5 pounds and put up one heck of a fight on light tackle.
Why Anglers Keep Coming Back
There's a reason St. Pete is a top destination for inshore fishing, and it's not just the year-round sunshine. The diversity of species and the quality of the fishery keep anglers coming back trip after trip. Where else can you sight-cast to tailing redfish in the morning, tangle with hard-fighting snook in the afternoon, and still have a shot at a trophy trout? The calm waters of Tampa Bay make for a comfortable trip, even if you're prone to seasickness. And with Captain Andy at the helm, you're not just going fishing – you're getting an education in the local ecosystem and picking up tips and tricks that'll make you a better angler long after your trip is over.
Time to Book Your Spot
If you're itching to bend a rod and feel that drag screaming, don't wait to book this trip. The afternoon bite in St. Pete is often the best of the day, and with only 4 spots available, these charters fill up fast. Whether you're looking to put some fish in the cooler for dinner or just want the thrill of catch-and-release action, Captain Andy will tailor the trip to your goals. Remember, all the gear is provided, and your catch will be cleaned and filleted right on board. So what are you waiting for? Grab your sunscreen, your favorite lucky hat, and let's hit the water for some of the best inshore fishing Florida has to offer. Book now and get ready to make some memories (and maybe set a new personal best) on the rich waters of Tampa Bay!
Learn more about the animals
Redfish
Redfish, or red drum, are one of our most popular inshore species. They're easy to spot with that copper color and black spot near the tail. Most reds we catch run 18-27 inches, perfect for the dinner table, but big bulls over 40 inches cruise the passes too. You'll find them year-round in Tampa Bay, often tailing in super shallow water less than 2 feet deep. They love to root around oyster bars, mangroves, and grass flats for crabs and small fish. Reds put up a great fight, with strong runs and head shakes. They're not picky eaters - live bait, cut bait, or artificials all work well. My favorite way to target them is sight-fishing on the flats. Look for their tails sticking up as they feed, then make a quiet cast ahead of them. There's nothing like watching a red pounce on your lure!
Sea Trout
Spotted seatrout, or just "trout" to us locals, are a staple of inshore fishing here. These silvery, speckled fish usually run 15-20 inches, though gator trout over 5 pounds aren't uncommon. You'll find them year-round in Tampa Bay, especially over grass flats in 3-6 feet of water. They're most active at dawn and dusk, so those low-light periods are your best bet. Trout are fun on light tackle and make for great eating too. They've got soft mouths, so a steady retrieve works better than sharp hooksets. Try drifting with live shrimp under a popping cork - it's deadly effective. My go-to artificial is a soft plastic jerk bait in white or chartreuse. Work it with a slow, twitching retrieve right over the grass and hold on!
Snook
Snook are a prized catch here in St. Pete, known for their hard-fighting spirit and tasty white meat. These sleek, powerful fish typically run 24-34 inches, though trophy catches can reach 4 feet. You'll find them hanging around mangroves, docks, and other structure in shallow inshore waters. Snook love warm water, so spring through fall is prime time. They're ambush predators, so we'll target them with live bait or lures that mimic their natural prey. The fight is what makes snook so fun - they'll make blistering runs and even jump clear out of the water. My tip? Work those mangrove edges carefully, especially on moving tides. A well-placed cast right up against the roots can trigger explosive strikes. Just be ready to steer them away from those snags fast!
Tarpon
Tarpon are the silver kings of Tampa Bay, and for good reason. These prehistoric-looking fish can reach massive sizes - we're talking 100+ pounds and 6-8 feet long. They're seasonal visitors, showing up in big numbers from late spring through summer. Look for them rolling on the surface in deeper channels or cruising the flats on high tides. Tarpon are famous for their acrobatics - when hooked, they'll launch completely out of the water, shaking that big bucket mouth. It's a sight you won't forget. They're strictly catch-and-release, but the thrill of the fight is what it's all about. Live bait like pinfish or crabs work well, but nothing beats the rush of a tarpon crushing a topwater plug. My advice? Be patient when setting the hook - wait until you feel the weight of the fish before you swing.
About the Robalo (Center console)
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Vehicle Guest Capacity: 4
Manufacturer Name: Yamaha
Maximum Cruising Speed: 30
Number of Engines: 1
Horsepower per Engine: 300
