Light Tackle Fishing Charters In St. Petersburg

If you're looking to get on some spectacular inshore sportfish in the Tampa Bay/St. Pete area, there's no better guide than Captain Thomas. He's been fishing these waters for more than two decades, and he's studied the prime spots and best holes in order to put you on record-setting fish! You'll be targeting classic inshore species such as Redfish, Speckled Trout, and Snook—sometimes known as the "Florida Triple" or the "Florida Grand Slam". These fish are all great fighters, and are an absolute blast to catch, whether it's your first time out there, or your thousandth. You'll be chasing bites using light-tackle techniques, fishing both live bait and lures depending on the season, water conditions, and weather. Captain Thomas is a pro, and he's got an array of tips and tricks to help you hook a personal best! Thomas runs his trips aboard his 22' Century bay boat—an ideal vessel for hunting lunkers in inshore waters. She's fast, with a 250-HP Yamaha engine, and a hull profile that's sharp enough to cut through chop and shallow enough to get into backcountry channels where big fish like to congregate. She's also equipped with a wireless trolling motor to help you sneak up on your targets, plus a live well for bait and an ice box for your keepers. Everything you need will be provided for you, including rods, reels, bait, and tackle. All you need to bring is sunscreen (lotion only, no spray!), a hat, and a pair of sunglasses to cut the surface glare. Get out there and have a blast! Read More

If you're looking to get on some spectacular Tarpon fishing in the Tampa Bay/St. Pete area, there's no better guide than Captain Thomas. He's been fishing these waters for more than two decades, and he's studied the prime spots and best holes in order to put you on record-setting fish! On this trip, you'll be focused on catching Tarpon, the premier Florida gamefish. These fish are big, beautiful, and known worldwide for their ferocious fighting abilities and acrobatic leaps! Commonly known as the "Silver King", these fish are the top predators in their inshore habitat, and hooking one is the experience of a lifetime. You'll chase bites using light tackle techniques with both bait and lures. Tarpon behavior changes depending on the season, the water conditions, and even the phases of the moon, so Captain Thomas' expertise here is absolutely invaluable. Thomas runs his trips aboard his 22' Century bay boat—an ideal vessel for hunting lunkers in inshore waters. She's fast, with a 250-HP Yamaha engine, and a hull profile that's sharp enough to cut through chop and shallow enough to get into backcountry channels where monster Tarpon like to congregate. She's also equipped with a wireless trolling motor to help you sneak up on your targets, plus a live well for bait. Tarpon fishing is catch-and-release only, so bring a camera! Everything you need will be provided for you, including rods, reels, bait, and tackle. All you need to bring is sunscreen (lotion only, no spray!), a hat, and a pair of sunglasses to cut the surface glare. Get out there and have a blast! Read More

On this trip with Captain Ray, you'll target Redfish, Snook, and Speckled Trout on light tackle! This is classic Tampa Bay fishing, where you can explore inshore mangrove channels and nearshore waters with ease. The type of fish you'll be targeting will be determined by the time of year. Most trips are geared towards catching a trophy Snook or Redfish. When summer comes around, the focus changes to targeting trophy Tarpon along the beaches. Captain Ray also targets other species like including Trout, Black Drum, Mackerel, Flounder, Tripletail, Permit, Pompano, Snapper, Grouper and Cobia! This trip is extremely flexible and can be catered to your preferences! Captain Ray will launch anywhere from Clearwater to Sarasota if the fish are there. Make sure to stay in contact with him in the days leading up to the trip to discuss what meet up location works best for you. Read More

Captain Chris offer fishing charters for Tampa Bay and The Gulf of Mexico. They know the inlets, islands, and estuaries of the waters around Tampa. When you want to catch kingfish, gag grouper, mangrove snapper, black sea bass, sheepshead, tarpon, Goliath grouper, red grouper, shark and more, they’ll show you where, when and how. They’ll take you to the best spots and guide you around the area. His 20' Scout comes loaded with all the gear you could possibly need for a successful day out on the water including all the rods, reels, tackle, bait and fishing licenses. So all you have to do is bring your favorite snack and drinks, your sun protection, and your camera and Captain Chris will take care of the rest! Read More

Captain Mike knows just where the fish bite around these parts, so listen closely to his advice - you could land yourself a trophy-sized fish! You’ll be fishing aboard Captain Mike’s 24-foot Mako, a center console that is equipped with a 225 HP Johnson Evinrude engine. She also comes with a GPS, fishfinder, live bait well, and an ice box. He will bring the energy as well as his drone and go pro so he can shoot quality videos while you reel in the likes of Redfish, Spanish Mackerel, Trout, Sheepshead and maybe even catch an epic shot of a Silver King soaring out of the water! Captain Mike likes to launch out of two different spots in the St. Pete area: Maximo is where he goes to wear out sheepshead, trout, and other inshore species for some rod bending action. His other launch is E.G. Simmons park which gives you closer access to the backcountry where you can chase Big Reds and Snook! All the rods, reels, tackle, lures, licenses, and live bait come included with your trip, and Captain Mike will also clean and fillet your fish after your trip at no extra charge! He will have bottled waters on board, but feel free to bring your own food and beverages. Don’t forget a hat, sunscreen, and a cooler with ice to take home your day’s catch. No matter if you’re a beginner or a seasoned professional, Captain Mike will lead the way! Read More

Captain George Hastick has been fishing the waters of the St. Petersburg/Tampa Bay area for over 42years and has been professionally guiding for 25 years. He welcomes all from the novice angler to the professional angler. Trips with Capt. George are family friendly but are also good for entertaining business clientele, birthday parties, bachelor and bachelorette parties. We will fish Tampa Bay and its flats and backwater areas. We will always put you in protected waters on windy days to make sure you are in calm waters having a great time. There is a wide variety of fish in Tampa Bay that can be tailored to what you are after, whether it is dinner or just sportfishing catch and release, we customize the trip for you. The main species that we target are snook, redfish, trout and mangrove snapper but we also catch shark, spanish mackerel, sheepshead, cobia and more! The 4 hour trip is a great trip to get out there and have plenty of time to experience the great fishing that Tampa Bay has to offer. This trip is great for the novice to the average angler who doesn't want to be out there to long but still have fun catching plenty of fish. The 6 hour trip is for the angler that just can't get enough and wants to maximize their day of fishing. This trip will give the fishing fanatic plenty of time to get their fishing fix in! Also your picture could end up on a show or in magazines if you would like that. Captain George co-hosts Fishing Adventures Florida which streams on 5 channels plus YouTube, he also co-hosts Florida West Coast Fishing Report Live Monday nights on Facebook and he writes for Coastal Angler Magazine and Onshore Offshore Magazine. So there is a good possibility that you could be slightly famous after a trip with Capt. George if you would like your photo featured on one of these platforms. Read More

Come have some serious fun and explore some of the most prolific waters in the area with Captain Andy! Captain Andy has a keen eye for where the fish bite. He likes to launch out of Crisp Park which is the closest boat ramp to Weadon Island Preserve. Weadon Island provides a sanctuary for all kinds of wildlife especially big reds, trout, snook, and flounder! Listen to his advice and you’ll be catching some trophy-sized fish in no time! Captain Andy specializes in catching multiple species in the same day so if you're looking to target and inshore slam, Captain Andy is an awesome choice! On this 4- or 6-hour escapade, you will be working the water around Weadon Island aboard Captain Andy’s 24.5-foot Center Console equipped with one 300 HP Yamaha. This boat is outfitted with a GPS, Fishfinder, live bait well, and an ice box. It can accommodate four anglers, so make sure you bring some good company! Captain Andy will provide all rods, reels, tackle, live bait, and licenses. He’ll also provide chips, granola, energy bars, as well as bottled water. You may also bring your own food and beverages. Don’t forget a hat, sunscreen, and a cooler with ice to take home your day’s catch. Test your skills and strength and fill the boat on what promises to be an exhilarating day with Captain Andy! Read More

Are you ready for a fish that will test your strength, stamina, and fishing skill? If you can handle the challenge, the “Silver King” is the fish for you. The majestic Tarpon has become the most sought-after game fish in Florida—especially between May and July. During this short window, these huge saltwater predators migrate up and down the coast, hunting for food. Tides, weather, and the phases of the moon play essential roles in Tarpon behavior, but in the spring and early summer these kings of the inshore are always hungry, biting on both live and artificial bait. Get out there and test yourself against these prime gamefish with Captain Zach, an experienced Tarpon fisherman and one of our top guides in the Tampa area. Tarpon can get up to 200 pounds in this area, so bring your A-game! On the day of the trip, you'll set out aboard Captain Zach's 27' Sea Hunt center console—the perfect boat for fishing the Florida inshore. It's equipped with everything you could possibly need for a successful and comfortable trip, including GPS, Fishfinder, and a Live Bait Well. Captain Zach will provide everything you need, including top-of-the-line rods, reels, bait, and tackle, so that all you have to do is cast out, hook up, and then hold on for the fight of your life! To maximize your time on the water, make sure to bring proper clothing, a hat, sunscreen, and a camera! Any trip with Captain Zach is sure to be picture-worthy, and Tarpon are a particularly photogenic fish. Read More

Get out there and enjoy a fun, laid-back light tackle sportfishing trip on beautiful Tampa Bay. On this trip with Captain Wade, you'll be going after classic species including snook, redfish, seatrout, and more! There are multiple options for your adventure, so you can find what's best for you. On the three-hour charter, you'll get a great introduction to Tampa Bay and have time to catch multiple species of fish. This is ideal for visitors, first-timers, couples, seniors, or parents with kids, young or old. Of course, you'll be treated to professional, family-friendly service and courteous expert instruction. Four hours provides a greater opportunity to cover a larger area of Tampa Bay and catch more fish. Many people find this amount of time ideal for entertaining friends, clientele or hosting bachelor parties. Have a blast, while competing to see who catches the biggest fish or most fish. Six hours is highly recommended to maximize your fishing adventure on Tampa Bay. This charter is ideal for avid anglers, and enthusiasts looking to hone their inshore angling skills. Experience fishing numerous grass flats, mangrove shorelines, oyster beds, creeks and back-bays. No matter the adventure you select, you'll have a great time fishing with Captain Wade! He provides premium spin, fly or plug fishing tackle such as G-Loomis, Penn, Sage and Tibor. Live-bait, flies, artificial lures, ice, bottled drinking water and sunscreen lotion is also provided. He will also fillet, bag, and ice your catch, should you decide to keep some fish for lunch or dinner! His 24' Sheaffer is an ideal boat for fishing this inshore environment and was refurbished in 2022 with brand-new electronics and motor. Get out there and enjoy all that Tampa Bay has to offer! Afishionado, "Always an Adventure." Read More

Captain Dmitri will guide you through the waters outside of St. Petersburg, Florida, as you embark on this 4-hour fishing escapade! His 23-foot center console is equipped with custom lighting to help those fish that tend to hide at night. You’ll be targeting the Mangrove Snapper, Redfish, Snook, Spanish Mackerel, and Speckled Trout / Spotted Seatrout that live near the canals and docks, as well as out in Tampa Bay Don’t forget to bring a hat, sunscreen, and a cooler with ice to take home your day’s catch. Captain Dmitri will provide all rods, reels, tackle, lures, and fishing licenses. He will also clean and fillet your fish at no extra charge! Let go of those daily responsibilities and come have a night on the water with Captain Dmitri! Read More

Climb aboard with Joseph and enjoy a memorable day of fishing outside of St. Petersburg, Florida! You’ll be fishing aboard Captain Joseph’s 25-foot C Hawk. She is a versatile vessel, capable of running through shallow inshore waters, as well as cruising offshore. As a 2019 custom rebuild, she is equipped with a toilet within the console, which has more than 6 feet of headroom. Don’t forget to bring a cooler with ice to take home your day’s catch, sunscreen, and a hat. Feel free to bring food and beverages of your choice as well. Captain Joseph will provide all rods, reels, tackle, lures, licenses, and live bait (free of charge). A first mate will also be on board. He’ll be assisting you throughout your trip. Come on down to St. Petersburg, Florida, and test your casting accuracy with Captain Joseph! Read More

Captain Dmitri will guide you through the waters outside of St. Petersburg, Florida, as you embark on this 6-hour fishing escapade! His 23-foot center console is equipped with a GPS, Fishfinder, Live Bait Well, and an Ice Box. You’ll be targeting the Gag Grouper, King Mackerel / Kingfish, Mangrove Snapper, Red Grouper, Red Snapper, Redfish, Snook, Spanish Mackerel, and Speckled Trout / Spotted Seatrout that live nearshore and around the flats. Don’t forget to bring a hat, sunscreen, and a cooler with ice to take home your day’s catch. Captain Dmitri will provide all rods, reels, tackle, lures, and fishing licenses. He will also clean and fillet your fish at no extra charge! Captain Dmitri takes fishing to a whole new level, so come on down to St. Petersburg and make some memories! Read More

Come experience Tampa Bay and the variety of fishing experiences! We will be fishing out of a 22 foot Skeeter bay boat with all the bells and whistles... Primary types of fishing include but not limited to grass flats, mangrove shorelines, nearshore wrecks and ledges, docks, etc... Primary species targeted are snook, trout, redfish, spanish mackerel, snapper, grouper, tarpon, and more! I look forward to showing you a great day and making memories in Tampa Bay! Read More

Climb aboard with Joseph and enjoy a memorable day of fishing outside of St. Petersburg, Florida! On this 4-hour adventure, you’ll be fishing aboard Captain Joseph’s 25-foot C Hawk. She is a versatile vessel, capable of running through shallow inshore waters, as well as cruising offshore. As a 2019 custom rebuild, she is equipped with a toilet within the console, which has more than 6 feet of headroom. Don’t forget to bring a cooler with ice to take home your day’s catch, sunscreen, and a hat. Feel free to bring food and beverages of your choice as well. Captain Joseph will provide all rods, reels, tackle, lures, licenses, and live bait (free of charge). A first mate will also be on board. He’ll be assisting you throughout your trip. Come on down to St. Petersburg, Florida, and make some memories with Captain Joseph! Read More

Head on out with Captain Anthony for a bonanza on a boat! This quarter, half, or full day trip offers the opportunity to catch a multitude of spectacular species on the reefs outside St. Petersburg, FL. Captain Anthony can take up to 6 people on this nearshore adventure, making it the perfect trip for your family and friends, no matter what your angling experience is. There are so many species that hang out around the reefs, so come drop a line in and see what bites! Once your line is in, you might come up with an Amberjack, Barracuda, Black Grouper, Cobia, Gag Grouper, Hogfish, Kingfish, Lane Snapper, Spanish Mackerel, Tripletail, and more! Just tell Captain Anthony what you want to catch, and he’ll make it happen using his extensive knowledge. He’ll expertly pilot his 25’ C-Hawk center console to the hidden reefs and get you casting light tackle in no time. Captain Anthony provides all the rods, reels, bait, and tackle you need to hook a monster. All you need to bring for a great day is sun protection, appropriate clothing, food, and drinks. There are coolers on board to store your catch, which Captain Anthony will clean and fillet for you at the end of the voyage. Set out and come home with a delicious dinner! Read More

If you're looking to try everything that the Tampa Bay can offer, then this trip is your ticket! Get out there with Captain Zach and spend the day casting, trolling, drifting, and jigging for a wide range of popular gamefish species, including King Mackerel, Spanish Mackerel, Amberjack, Cobia, Snappers, Groupers, and more! These classic Florida gamefish offer a little bit of everything—hard fighting, delicious eating, and amazing pictures! Snapper and Grouper are especially well know as delicious eating fish. Captain Zach has decades of experience catching these prizewinners, and he will do everything he can to put you on the fish and give you the best possible chance to catch a champion. You'll be spending the day aboard his beautiful 27' Sea Hunt center console, powered by twin 200HP Yamaha outboards. This fast and versatile boat is perfect for fishing the different conditions you'll see in these waters, and can easily handle the big stuff in the 30 mile range and further. Captain Zach will provide everything you need for a perfect day on the water, including rods, reels, bait, and tackle. His goal is for everyone to have a blast and to catch a bunch of fish! Remember to bring proper clothing, a hat, and sunscreen. Read More

Hop on board with Captain William and prepare for an action-packed day of fishing the flats! Clearwater is home to plenty of productive inshores and flats where you can catch some of the prized fish Florida is known for without going too far from the dock. On this 4, 6 or 8-hour trip, Captain William will take you to the inshores to target Snook, Redfish, Speckled Trout, Sheepshead, Black Drum, Flounder and Shark, or venture you into nearshore waters where you can go after some Snapper, Grouper, Cobia, Black Seabass, Kingfish, Spanish Mackerel and Shark. You'll be targeting these fish using methods such as light tackle, heavy tackle, bottom fishing, trolling and jigging. Just let Captain William know what you want to catch and he'll get you set up with the best method! You’ll be fishing aboard a 21' Rabco Marine center console that can hold up to 4 guests. Powered by a 115 HP Yamaha engine, this vessel will have no problem bouncing you around the inshores and nearshores! She comes complete with GPS, Fishfinder, a Flybridge, Live Bait Well and Ice Box to store your catches. Captain William will even clean any keepers for you to take home! Captain William will provide all rods, reels, tackle, bait and fishing licenses. He'll even provide snacks and water, and on the full-day trips you can expect a tasty lunch too! All you need to bring is polarized sunglasses, a hat, sunscreen and any extra food or drinks you might want. Come see what Clearwater has to offer! Read More

Head out for a sweet 4 or 6 hour inshore/nearshore excursion with Captain Matt or one of his professional guides in Captain Phil and Captain Darius. These three run some of the best charters in Sarasota and are absolute experts at making sure you have a blast out there on the water. These 4 hour trips are one of their most popular options as it gives their clients time to hook into some rod-bending action and bring some tasty filets back to the dock in time for lunch (dinner if you leave in the afternoon)! For these trips you can opt to stick close to the shore to explore the inlets, channels, and mangroves to chase Snook, Redfish, Trout, and more. OR, you can choose to poke it a little further from shore to troll the nearshore waters of Sarasotas beautiful beach to troll for Mackerel and chase some snapper species. The 6 hour option is for anglers who are looking to spend more time catching fish! If you want to travel a little further and have a few more shots at some trophy fish then this is the charter for you! You have the same options listed above, but with the extra time there is an opportunity to do a little of both! No matter which option you choose, Captain Matt and his two expert Captains provide themselves on providing a family-friendly atmosphere for all ages and skill levels, and bait, fishing license, rods, reels, and tackle are always included. All they recommend you bring are your favorite snacks and drink, your sun protection (Suntan lotion, long sleeve shirts, sunglasses), and your camera to snap some pics! Read More