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Top-Rated Inshore Fishing on Florida's Gulf Coast
- Published Date: July 16, 2025
- Fishing
- St. Petersburg, FL
- $400 - $1,100 price range
Summary
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Rods, Reels, and Catches
Reel in the action in St. Pete!
St. Pete’s waters are calling!
Big catches in St. Petersburg, FL! Tarpon Fishing
Trophy fish in Tampa Bay!
Chasing Snook under the Florida sun!
Reel in the action in St. Pete!
St. Pete’s waters are calling!
Big catches in St. Petersburg, FL! Tarpon Fishing
Trophy fish in Tampa Bay!
Chasing Snook under the Florida sun!
Reel in the action in St. Pete!
St. Pete’s waters are calling!
Big catches in St. Petersburg, FL! Tarpon Fishing
Trophy fish in Tampa Bay!
Florida Gulf Coast Inshore Fishing Adventure
Get ready to reel in some serious action on the Florida Gulf Coast! Capt. John's got the inside scoop on where the fish are biting, and he's itching to share his local knowledge with you. Whether you're a total newbie or a seasoned pro, this private morning charter is your ticket to an unforgettable day on the water. We've got all the gear, licenses, and even snacks covered – so all you need to bring is your sense of adventure and maybe a lucky fishing hat.
What to Expect on the Water
Picture this: you're cruising through crystal-clear waters, the sun's warming your face, and there's a cold drink in the cooler with your name on it. Capt. John's at the helm, scanning for signs of fish activity and sharing stories about the monsters he's helped land over the years. Before you know it, you're dropping lines in primo spots most tourists never even hear about. Whether you're after a hard-fighting redfish or a trophy snook, we've got the local know-how to put you on the fish. And don't worry if you're new to this – we'll walk you through everything from baiting your hook to landing your catch.
Fishing Techniques & Gear
On this trip, we're all about versatility. Depending on what's biting and where, we might be sight-casting to tailing redfish in the shallows, working jigs around structure for grouper, or free-lining live bait for snook. We provide top-notch gear that's perfect for inshore fishing – light to medium action rods, quality reels, and a mix of artificial lures and live bait. Capt. John's always got a few tricks up his sleeve, like using popping corks for speckled trout or slow-trolling for tarpon when they're running. He'll tailor the techniques to your skill level and the conditions, making sure you're in the best position to land that fish of a lifetime.
Why Anglers Keep Coming Back
"Great experience all the way around. Captain Johnny really put us on the fish and Cooper was great at keeping three 11-12 year old boys engaged and occupied. Perfect weather, lots of fish and lots of fun was had by all. I would highly recommend." - Dale
"Fun trip with a variety of fish caught. Will book again next time in the area." - Ryan
Species You'll Want to Hook
Redfish: These copper-colored beauties are a staple of inshore fishing in Florida. Known for their distinctive spot near the tail, redfish put up a great fight and are delicious on the dinner table. They love hanging around oyster bars and grass flats, and fall is prime time to target them as they school up in big numbers.
Crevalle Jack: Don't let their reputation as a "trash fish" fool you – these guys fight like freight trains! Jacks are often found in big schools, busting bait on the surface. When you hook one, hold on tight because they'll test your stamina and your gear. They're most active in the warmer months and are a blast on light tackle.
Gag Grouper: These bottom-dwellers are prized for their tasty white meat. Gags love structure, so we'll target them around reefs, wrecks, and rocky bottoms. They can grow to impressive sizes, with the biggest ones often called "godzillas" by local anglers. The cooler months are best for gag grouper fishing inshore.
Snook: The iconic linesiders are a favorite among Florida anglers. They're ambush predators, often found lurking around mangroves, bridges, and docks. Snook are known for their acrobatic jumps and blistering runs. Spring and fall are excellent times to target them as they move between their summer and winter haunts.
Grey Snapper: Also known as mangrove snapper, these wily fish are masters of structure. They might not be the biggest, but they're crafty and make for great light tackle action. Grey snappers are year-round residents and are excellent eating fish. We'll target them around docks, reefs, and mangrove shorelines.
Black Drum: These cousins of the redfish can grow to enormous sizes. They're bottom feeders with a sweet spot for crustaceans. Black drum are known for their distinctive "croaking" sound and can be found year-round, but winter is often the best time to target the big ones.
Tarpon: The "silver king" is the holy grail for many inshore anglers. These prehistoric fish can grow over 100 pounds and are famous for their spectacular leaps and long, powerful runs. Tarpon migrate through the area, with peak season typically from late spring through summer. Landing one of these giants is an unforgettable experience.
Ladyfish: Often called the "poor man's tarpon," ladyfish are small but mighty. They're incredibly acrobatic, often jumping multiple times when hooked. Ladyfish are great for novice anglers or anyone who wants non-stop action. They're around year-round but are especially active in the warmer months.
Time to Book Your Spot
Listen, the fish are out there waiting, and Capt. John's ready to put you on 'em. This isn't just another day of fishing – it's a chance to create some real memories on the water. Whether you're looking to bend a rod with your buddies, teach the kids how to fish, or just escape the grind for a while, we've got you covered. The boat's gassed up, the bait's fresh, and the fish are biting. All that's missing is you. So what do you say? Let's get Funked Up and make some fishing magic happen on the Florida Gulf Coast!
Customer Reviews
Fishy Family Fun
Dale Allen
June 2, 2025
Hooked on Variety
Fun trip with a variety of fish caught. Will book again next time in the area.
Ryan Pantzke
April 14, 2025
Learn more about the species
Black Drum
Black drum are the bulldogs of the flats. These powerful fish average 5-30 pounds but can top 80 pounds. You'll find them in shallow coastal waters, often around oyster bars and pier pilings. They feed by rooting along the bottom, so look for muds or tailing fish. Spring is peak season as they gather to spawn. Drum put up a stubborn, dogged fight. Smaller ones are good eating, but larger fish can be wormy. When targeting drum, use fresh cut bait or crabs. Fish it on the bottom with just enough weight to hold. Black drum have sensitive barbels they use to feel for food. Once you get a bite, be patient - they often mouth the bait before committing.
Crevalle Jack
Crevalle jacks are the bullies of inshore waters. These aggressive predators average 2-5 pounds but can top 20+ pounds. Look for them in coastal areas, inlets, and around structure like piers. Jacks hunt in schools, creating feeding frenzies as they chase bait to the surface. Spring through fall is prime time to target them. Crevalle put up an incredibly strong fight for their size - it's like hooking a freight train. They're not great eating, but the action is non-stop. To catch jacks, watch for birds diving on bait schools. Throw a silver spoon or topwater plug into the fray and hang on tight. When hooked, these guys will test your gear and your arms.
Gag Grouper
Gag grouper are ambush predators that hang around rocky bottoms and reefs. They average 10-30 pounds but can reach 50+ pounds. You'll find them in depths from 60-250 feet, with bigger fish typically in deeper water. Fall is peak season as they move closer to shore to spawn. Gags put up a stubborn fight, trying to dive back into their rocky lairs. The meat is excellent - mild and flaky. When targeting gags, use heavy tackle and stout leaders. Drop large live baits like pinfish or grunts near structure. Once hooked, crank hard to pull them away from the rocks. Gags have serious power, so be ready for a battle.
Grey Snapper
Grey (mangrove) snapper are tasty little brawlers that hang around inshore structure. They typically run 1-5 pounds but can reach 10+ pounds. You'll find them near mangroves, docks, and rocky areas in depths from 5-100 feet. Summer is peak season as they move inshore to spawn. Greys are known for their crafty nature and sharp teeth. The meat is excellent - mild and sweet. When targeting them, use light tackle and small hooks. Chum heavily to draw them out, then fish with live shrimp or small baitfish. Keep your bait moving - greys are suspicious of anything that sits still too long. Once hooked, get them away from structure quickly or they'll break you off.
Ladyfish
Ladyfish are the poor man's tarpon, but they make up for their small size with non-stop action. These skinny speedsters average 1-3 pounds and rarely top 5 pounds. You'll find them in coastal waters, often chasing bait schools near the surface. They're around all year but most active in warmer months. Ladyfish are known for their frantic runs and aerial acrobatics when hooked. They're not good eating, but they're a blast on light tackle. To catch ladyfish, look for diving birds and surface commotion. Throw small jigs or spoons into the fray. Use fast retrieves - these guys love the chase. When you hook one, let it run and jump. It's like catching mini-tarpon, and they're great practice for the real thing.
Redfish
Redfish are a prized catch along the Florida Gulf Coast, known for their coppery color and distinctive black spot near the tail. These fish typically range from 20-30 inches and 5-15 pounds, though trophy reds can reach 40+ inches. You'll find them in shallow coastal waters, around oyster bars, mangroves, and grass flats. Redfish put up a great fight and are delicious to eat. Spring and fall are peak seasons, but you can catch them year-round. Look for their tails sticking up as they feed in shallow water - that's a dead giveaway. When sight-casting, use a gold spoon or soft plastic on a light jighead. Let it sink, then give it a few twitches. Reds can't resist an easy meal stirring up the bottom.
Snook
Snook are one of Florida's most sought-after gamefish. These sleek predators average 5-15 pounds but can top 40 pounds. Look for them around mangroves, docks, and inlets. They're most active at night and during tide changes. Snook season peaks in summer, but you can catch them year-round. They're known for explosive strikes and acrobatic jumps. The meat is delicious but highly regulated. When targeting snook, use live bait like pilchards or pinfish. Free-line it around structure or use a popping cork. Let the bait swim naturally. When a snook hits, give it a second to turn before setting the hook. These guys have sandpaper-like mouths, so check your leader often.
Tarpon
Tarpon are the silver kings of Florida waters. These prehistoric giants average 80-150 pounds but can exceed 200 pounds. You'll find them rolling and gulping air in coastal waters, especially around bridges and passes. Peak season is late spring through summer as they migrate along the coast. Tarpon are prized for their spectacular aerial displays when hooked. It's strictly catch and release, but the thrill of jumping a big tarpon is unforgettable. When targeting them, use heavy tackle and stout leaders. Live bait like mullet or crabs works well. Once hooked, bow to the king when he jumps to avoid breaking off. Landing a tarpon takes patience and skill - it's the fight of a lifetime.
Great experience all the way around. Captain Johnny really put us on the fish and Cooper was great at keeping three 11-12 year old boys engaged and occupied. Perfect weather, lots of fish and lots of fun was had by all. I would highly recommend.