Damn Good Live Bait Fishing Charters In The Manatee River

Check real-time availability and compare rates on Manatee River live bait fishing fishing trips. Confidently book your next day on the water.

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Recently Booked Live Bait Fishing Charters In The Manatee River

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Fishing in Destin
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Deep Sea Fishing in Bradenton

4-6 Hour Offshore Fishing

100% (1)
36 ft 1 - 6 People From $795
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Fishing in Destin
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Inshore, Nearshore, Flats in Bradenton

Inshore Fishing Charter Bradenton

100% (9)
24 ft 1 - 12 People From $600
Veteran Operated
This trip is managed by a veteran of the US armed forces.
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Inshore, Nearshore Fishing in Bradenton

Inshore Fishing Bradenton

100% (1)
36 ft 1 - 6 People From $545
Veteran Operated
This trip is managed by a veteran of the US armed forces.
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Inshore, Nearshore Fishing in Bradenton

Nearshore Fishing Bradenton

100% (1)
36 ft 1 - 6 People From $695
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Inshore, Nearshore, Flats in Bradenton

4-8 Hour Inshore Trip

NEW
23 ft 1 - 4 People From $550

Top Species for Live Bait Fishing in the Manatee River

“Our Damn Good Guides go above and beyond, and we’ve handpicked every single one. We’re passionate about the outdoors and look forward to getting you out on the trip of a lifetime, every time.”

Jonathan and Attison   |   Co-founders   |   Austin, Texas

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Exploring Manatee County

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23 ft 1 - 6 People From $550
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Fishing in Destin
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Nearshore Fishing in Bradenton

Goliath Grouper Handline Special

100% (17)
26 ft 1 - 6 People From $650
Fishing in Destin
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Inshore, Nearshore, Flats in Bradenton

Fish Bradenton/Sarasota/Anna Maria

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23 ft 1 - 4 People From $600

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Everything to Know About Booking a Manatee River live bait fishing charter

Why should I book a live bait fishing charter in the Manatee River with Captain Experiences?

Our Damn Good Guides currently offer 5 live bait fishing trips in the Manatee River, and the most popular trips in the area are 4-6 Hour Offshore Fishing guided by Jim, Inshore Fishing Charter Bradenton guided by Taylor, and Inshore Fishing Bradenton guided by Jim.

Our guides in the Manatee River are rated a 5 out of 5 based on 5945 verified reviews on Captain Experiences.

All guides on Captain Experiences are 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.

Looking for kid friendly live bait fishing guides / fishing lessons in the Manatee River? Check out our beginner and family friendly live bait fishing guides in the Manatee River.

What types of live bait fishing charters are common in the Manatee River?

Deep Sea fishing is the most popular type of fishing for live bait fishing in the Manatee River as well as inshore fishing, nearshore fishing, and flats fishing.

The most commonly sought after species for live bait fishing in the Manatee River are: 1. hogfish, 2. mangrove snapper, 3. spanish mackerel, 4. cobia, and 5. flounder.

How much do Manatee River live bait fishing charters cost?

Prices for live bait fishing in the Manatee River can range anywhere from about $647 to $2,140, but the average price for a half day trip for live bait fishing in the Manatee River is $913. The average price for a full day trip for live bait fishing in the Manatee River is $1,406.

Is booking a fishing guide worth the money?

Hiring a guide provides a number of benefits and many choose to book a fishing guide for a combination of experience, local knowledge, convenience, and cost-effectiveness.

Working with experienced fishing guides who know the best local spots and techniques can dramatically increase your odds of a great day. Having someone who is on the water every day and knows the area like the back of their hand is going to give you the best chances of success.

Booking a guide is also more cost effective, especially if you only get out a handful of times per year. When you consider all of the costs you would incur on your own such as the price of a boat, maintenance, insurance, gas, high-quality gear and tackle, repairs, and more, you’ll find that DIY is sometimes not worth the expense.

Even if you’ve got a great setup already in your home waters, booking a guide also provides a great opportunity to experience new techniques, new locations, or even a chance at a new target species to knock off the bucket list.

What month is best for on a live bait fishing charter in the Manatee River?

The most popular season to go on a live bait fishing charter in the Manatee River is winter, and most anglers book their trips 27 days in advance.

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

See here for more information on fishing licenses in the Manatee River, bag limits for target species, and fishing season regulations in the Manatee River. When in doubt, your fishing guide will always know the right rules and regulations in the Manatee River.

Recent Reviews

  • ★★★★★
    We had a great trip Taylor!! He was a great captain! We caught LOTS of fish. Super knowledgeable and such a pleasure to be around. We will definitely be calling him when we come back to Florida again. Top notch experience! Caught mackerel, trout, groupers, Jack fish, lady fish, lizard fish, catfish and we saw a dolphin. Thank you for a great experience!

    Laura Q. | November 24, 2025

    Trip: Inshore Fishing Charter Bradenton

  • ★★★★★
    Great Trip! We caught 4 different species of fish and constant action. Taylor was very knowledgeable of the area, safe and fun to fish with!! I will book a trip with him again!

    Eric U. | April 18, 2025

    Trip: Inshore Fishing Charter Bradenton

  • ★★★★★
    Taylor was a great guide very knowledgeable and genially loves fishing

    Gary B. | January 31, 2025

    Trip: Inshore Fishing Charter Bradenton

  • ★★★★★
    Taylor was great to fish with. We had my 3 year old son, my 70 year old father and my 14 year old nephew on the boat. Everyone had a blast and got a fish on a day that was not ideal conditions for fishing. Highly recommend and plan to use him and Alex again in the future.

    Bill Z. | December 31, 2023

    Trip: Inshore Fishing Charter Bradenton

Other Fishing Techniques in the Manatee River

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