Tampa Fishing Charters

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Featured Fishing Charters Near Tampa, Fl

Top Types of Fishing in Tampa

Top Targeted Species in Tampa

Half Day and Full Day Fishing Trips in Tampa

Everything to Know About Booking a Fishing Charter in Tampa

What are the best fishing charters in Tampa?

Our Damn Good Guides currently offer 157 trips in Tampa, and the most popular trips in the area are Clearwater Mixed Bag Trip guided by Gage, Tampa Bay Fishing Classic guided by Christopher, and Tampa Bay Inshore Adventure guided by Wade.

Our guides in Tampa are rated a 5 out of 5 based on 7327 verified reviews on Captain Experiences.

All guides on Captain Experiences are licensed, insured, and vetted by our team. You can access their reviews, click through trip photos, read bios to get to know them, and preview trip details like species, techniques, group sizes, boat specs and more.

Other popular cities nearby for booking a charter include St. Petersburg, Clearwater and Tierra Verde.

What types of fishing charters are common in Tampa?

Inshore fishing is the most popular in Tampa as well as flats fishing, nearshore fishing, and jetty fishing.

The most commonly sought after species in Tampa are: 1. snook, 2. redfish, 3. tarpon, and 4. speckled trout.

The most common fishing techniques in Tampa are light tackle fishing, live bait fishing, and sight casting but artificial lure fishing and bottom fishing are popular as well.

How much do Tampa fishing charters cost?

in Tampa prices can range anywhere from $250 to $3,000 and up, but the average price for a half day trip in Tampa is $681. The average price for a full day trip in Tampa is $1,252.

What month is best for fishing in Tampa?

The most popular season for fishing in Tampa is spring, and most anglers book their trips 12 days in advance.

Do I need a Tampa fishing license and what are the bag limits in Tampa?

You’re in luck! Our fishing tours in Tampa don’t require you to purchase a fishing license – your group is covered by your boat’s captain. See here for more information on bag limits and fishing season regulations in Tampa.

Tampa Bay Fishing Charter Overview

Tampa, Florida is a prime location for fishing enthusiasts, with a plethora of fishing charters available. The area boasts a thriving inshore fishery, with a variety of species available year-round, including Tarpon, Snook, Redfish, Spotted Seatrout, Sheepshead, and Flounder. In addition to the bay, Tampa's inland lakes and rivers offer opportunities for Largemouth Bass fishing, while the nearshore grounds provide access to King and Spanish Mackerel, Amberjack, Cobia, Snappers, and Grouper. Deep offshore waters in the Gulf of Mexico offer the chance to catch Mahi Mahi, Wahoo, Blackfin Tuna, Hogfish, Triggerfish, and various Shark species. Tampa fishing charters offer a range of options, from family-friendly flats fishing to deep sea expeditions. It is important to be aware of seasonal regulations for certain species and to ensure that you are fishing with a licensed charter or party boat. Popular departure points include West Gandy Boulevard and Ballast Point Park.

Tampa Bay Inshore Fishing Charters

Just by looking at a map of Tampa Bay will get any inshore angler's adrenaline pumping. Visiting Tampa to go inshore fishing gives anglers a unique opportunity to check off bucket list species just a few minutes away from the big city. Tampa has all the features of a world-class inshore fishery: from mudflats, sand bars, and islands - to channels, cuts, and mangrove forests. This makes Tampa Bay's inshore community very biodiverse.

Tampa's favorite fish, Snook, can be caught year-round, but the bite picks up from April to October. Red Snapper heats up in the summer and can be found only a short distance from the dock which is unlike most places they are found. The Silver King, or Tarpon, can be caught in the summer months when they invade Tampa Bay in search of schooling Menhaden or other baitfish. The formidable Redfish is the bread and butter of Tampa Bay fishing and the bite picks up from March through October. Other species to catch in Tampa include Sheepshead, Speckled Trout, and King Mackerel in the deeper waters.

Deep Sea Fishing Tampa FL

Just a short boat ride out of the bay will bring you to some highly productive nearshore waters. Deep dropping or trolling around structure will bring Hogfish, Snapper, Grouper, Cobia, and other formidable fighters to our Tampa charter boats.

Schools of baitfish hang out near the mouth of the bay in the summer, so that's a great place to start. There are also plenty of reefs & wrecks always providing a diverse catch to Tampa deep sea fishing charters. For the full-day and extended day offshore trips of 40+ miles out, Kingfish, Tuna, Mahi-Mahi, and billfish can be caught.

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Popular Types of Fishing In Tampa

Tampa fishing charters offer a variety of options for anglers of all levels. The most common types of fishing charters in Tampa include inshore, offshore, and flats fishing. Inshore fishing is perfect for those who want to stay close to shore and catch species such as snook, redfish, and trout. Offshore fishing is for the more adventurous angler who wants to venture out into the Gulf of Mexico to catch species such as grouper, snapper, and kingfish. Flats fishing is a unique experience where anglers can catch species such as tarpon, bonefish, and permit in shallow waters.

Some of the most common fish to catch in Tampa include snook, redfish, trout, grouper, snapper, kingfish, tarpon, bonefish, and permit. Depending on the type of fishing charter you choose, you may have the opportunity to catch one or more of these species.

Tampa fishing charters often depart from popular landmarks such as the Tampa Riverwalk and the St. Petersburg Pier. These locations offer easy access to the water and are popular among locals and tourists alike. No matter which type of fishing charter you choose, you're sure to have an unforgettable experience on the beautiful waters of Tampa Bay.
Check out our trips for more on Tampa fishing charters prices, target species, and more!

The Best Places To Fish In Tampa

Tampa, Florida is a prime location for fishing enthusiasts. With its abundance of waterways and diverse fish species, there are plenty of great spots to cast a line. Whether you're looking for a peaceful day of fishing or a thrilling adventure on a fishing charter, here are some of the best places to fish in Tampa:

1. Tampa Bay - Known for its variety of fish species, Tampa Bay is a popular spot for both recreational and professional anglers. Fishing charters are available for those looking for a guided experience.

2. Hillsborough River - This scenic river is home to a variety of fish, including bass, catfish, and tilapia. It's a great spot for both shore fishing and kayaking.

3. Apollo Beach - Located just south of Tampa, Apollo Beach is a popular spot for fishing charters. It's known for its abundance of tarpon, snook, and redfish.

4. Fort De Soto Park - This park offers both beach and pier fishing, with a variety of fish species to catch. It's also a great spot for birdwatching and beachcombing.

5. Weedon Island Preserve - This nature preserve offers a unique fishing experience, with opportunities to catch redfish, snook, and trout. Kayak rentals are available for those looking to explore the waterways.

6. Gandy Bridge - This bridge offers a great spot for shore fishing, with a variety of fish species to catch. It's also a popular spot for crabbing.

7. Courtney Campbell Causeway - This causeway offers both shore and pier fishing, with a variety of fish species to catch. It's also a great spot for birdwatching and scenic views of the bay.

Other Things To Do In Tampa

While Tampa fishing charters are a popular attraction, there are plenty of other things to do in this vibrant city. Take a stroll through the beautiful Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, where you can experience thrilling roller coasters and up-close animal encounters. For a more laid-back experience, visit the Florida Aquarium or the Tampa Bay History Center. If you're looking for some outdoor fun, head to the Hillsborough River State Park for hiking, kayaking, and camping. And don't forget to check out the famous Ybor City, known for its historic architecture, delicious food, and lively nightlife. With so much to see and do, Tampa is the perfect destination for any traveler.

What Type of Fish Can I Catch In Tampa?

There are numerous different species of fish to target in the Tampa area including snook, redfish, trout, tarpon, and more. If you're interested to learn more, read about the 10 most popular fish to catch in Tampa.

Recent Reviews of Captain Experiences

  • ★★★★★
    We all had a great time during the fishing trip. We caught quite a few fish that we got to keep. The deck hand was on top of his game and took good care of us as we were catching fish. The Captain had a cooler of water, a bathroom on board and cleaned all of our fish for us. My daughter and I got a little sea sick but we all had a great time regardless.

    Patti K. with Greg M. of St. Petersburg, Florida

  • ★★★★★
    Captain Scott was great. He was very patient and encouraging with our kids as they learned the details of near shore fishing. Very hard worker. We ended up catching 50 fish!! Everyone had a great time.

    John J. with Scott F. of Holmes Beach, Florida

  • ★★★★★
    Very knowledgable about the area, great guy and lots of fun on water. You can’t go wrong with Captain Nick. Thank you again.

    Wyatt P. with Nick H. of Clearwater, Florida

  • ★★★★★
    What an awesome trip! Captain Brad is super knowledgeable and was a great help with not only the typical trivia questions but tips and tricks on techniques and your style of fishing. He was willing to work with me on getting a variety of fish but also taking the time to get a tarpon, which was well worth the wait. He was a great coach during the long battle and would've lost it if it weren't for him. The boat was great and would work well for a smaller group. Overall was a fantastic trip. Ill be sure to book Captain Brad again next time I'm in the area.

    Jonathan S. with Brad D. of Clearwater, Florida

  • ★★★★★
    Excellent guide and great fishing. Had a perfect time.

    Mike N. with Tyson W. of Clearwater, Florida

  • ★★★★★
    Wade was great! Patient with us newbie fishermen and didn't give up trying to find us fish for dinner. Great time. Thanks!

    Henry C. with Wade O. of Tampa, Florida

  • ★★★★★
    Chris was excellent. Great knowledge nice boat had a fantastic time. Thank you so much.

    Brian C. with Christopher T. of Tampa, Florida

  • ★★★★★
    Great trip, great captain.

    . with Cody B. of Tampa, Florida

  • ★★★★★
    We had a great fishing trip in Clearwater Florida. Our captains (Brett and Luke) were very nice and knowledgeable. I would definitely recommend Brett and Luke. They put us on some King Mackerel that fought like crazy. It was a lot of fun. Ask for Captain Brad.

    Rick W. with Brad D. of Clearwater, Florida

  • ★★★★★
    We had a wonderful vacation at Clearwater Beach Florida. So many memories. The totally enjoyed fishing with Captain Christopher, he was knowledgeable and easy to talk with. Good time for them. Only comment was a little larger boat for the four of them. But then they like to move around…thank you for the memories. Denise

    Denise S. with Christopher T. of Tampa, Florida

  • ★★★★★
    We had the best time with Capt. Kevin! We caught tons of fish and he was informative and engaging. I could not recommend more. The boat is also fantastic. Beautifully maintained custom boat with great speakers. Can't wait to get on the water with him again!

    Harper W. with Kevin W. of St. Pete Beach, Florida

  • ★★★★★
    Captain Phil is Great!!’n Phil is very personable and put you on fish. Phil shared pointers on fishing techniques to help you catch fish. A lot of fishing action in the Tampa Bay fishery!!! You can’t go wrong by chartering with Phil, you’ll leave a friends. 😎 “Phil’s a damn GOOD Captain”

    Brad S. with Phil P. of Ruskin, Florida

  • ★★★★★
    It was a blast! Chris knew where the fish were biting. And I caught my first hammerhead shark! Overall 10/10!

    Laura K. with Christopher T. of Tampa, Florida

  • ★★★★★
    Brad is a very friendly and experienced captain. He said he would put us on some fish and did exactly that.

    Donnie L. with Brad D. of Clearwater, Florida

  • ★★★★★
    Bad weather plagued our trip. A big fog bank rolled in on us. Caught a few but it could have been better. I saw no other boats catching fish either. Chris knows his stuff and I'm booking a Tarpon trip with him next month.

    Walter R. with Christopher T. of Tampa, Florida

  • ★★★★★
    Captain Ray was great with our kids and got us into a lot of fish. Load of fun.

    Jasin P. with Ray C. of St. Petersburg, Florida

  • ★★★★★
    Had an awesome time. Brad is knowledgeable and super friendly.

    Heidi H. with Brad D. of Clearwater, Florida

  • ★★★★★
    The trip I had with Captain Roy was amazing! Being from out of town he was very helpful because I'm used to fishing for pan fish and fishing in Florida is a little different then that. My buddy, his 6 year old son, and I all had a lot of laughs and caught some fish. Caught my biggest fish and got to see a dolphin swimming around our boat. I'll definitely be planning on another trip with Captain Roy.

    Mark C. with Roy J. of St. Petersburg, Florida

  • ★★★★★
    Had a great time! Caught a lot of fish! Would recommend!

    Michael H. with Christopher T. of Tampa, Florida

  • ★★★★★
    Captain Chris put us on some fish and made us laugh!!! Made a good experience out of a hot day! 10/10 recommend! We had a blast

    Madelyn S. with Christopher T. of Tampa, Florida

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