Live Bait Fishing Charters In Tampa Bay

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Recently Booked Live Bait Fishing Charters Near Tampa Bay

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Deep Sea, Nearshore Fishing Charter in Clearwater

Clearwater Offshore Fishing

100% (6)
33 ft 1 - 6 People From $125 / person

Deep Sea, Nearshore Fishing Charter in Clearwater

Crushing Clearwater Offshore

100% (4)
34 ft 1 - 6 People From $147 / person
Damn Good

Flats, Inshore Fishing Charter in Tampa

Tampa Bay Inshore Adventures

100% (7)
24 ft 1 - 6 People From $100 / person

Flats, Inshore Fishing Charter in Tampa

Tampa Bay Fishing Classic

100% (9)
21 ft 1 - 4 People From $113 / person

Inshore, Jetty Fishing Charter in Tampa

Tampa Bay Shark Fishing

100% (8)
21 ft 1 - 4 People From $113 / person

Flats, Inshore, Nearshore Fishing Charter in Clearwater

Clearwater Classic

100% (2)
21 ft 1 - 4 People From $175 / person

Most Popular Types of Live Bait Fishing Trips in Tampa Bay

“Our Damn Good Guides go above and beyond to provide you an incredible trip, and we’ve handpicked every single one. We’re passionate about the outdoors and about empowering people to find the perfect-match guide for the trip of a lifetime, every time.”

Jonathan and Attison   |   Co-founders   |   Austin, Texas

Choose your trip by skill level

More Live Bait Fishing Charters Near Tampa Bay

Damn Good

Captain Tyson specializes in fishing the inlets and beaches for world-class saltwater fish species. The pristine waters of Florida’s Gulf Coast including Clearwater Beach, St. Pete Beach, Indian Rocks Beach, Redington Beach and Tampa Bay are home to an incredibly diverse variety of gamefish including: snook, trout, redfish and the king of inshore fishing…the mighty tarpon. Come fish with us! Whether you're a serious angler wanting to pursue a quest for a trophy fish or a novice wanting to learn the basics of saltwater fishing, he can do it all. Read More

Flats, Inshore Fishing Charter in Clearwater

Clearwater Flats Fishing

100% (3)
25 ft 1 - 5 People From $145 / person
Damn Good

Get ready for a thrilling day out with Captain Juan as you go after a range of exciting and delicious fish that call these waters home. These shallow waters can be difficult to navigate for some boats, but not when you have a 21’ Carolina Skiff, though. This light vessel will stay afloat in pretty much any body of water. Powered by a 150 HP Mercury engine, you’ll speed off along the bay, before the wireless trolling motor helps you steer in the skinny waters. She comes fitted with all the necessary safety equipment, including an EPIRB, and the captain is fully CPR-trained, for that extra peace of mind. When out on the fish, try bottom dropping, popping the tops, or trolling while you drift along. With the latest Penn rods and reels, you’ll have the best chance of hooking some of these tough-fighting species aboard. Battle it out with the notorious Snook, along with Redfish, and Seatrout. While you’ll also go after a range of tasty fish to fill up your fridge. Take home Sheepshead, Tripletail, Snapper, and Mackerel, among many more. At the end of your trip, Captain Juan will clean and prepare your catch for you to take home for a delicious dinner, and beyond! With water provided and your license taken care of, all that’s left for you to do is bring some snacks and drinks aboard and get ready for a productive day with Captain Juan. An incredible day’s inshore fishing in stunning surroundings awaits! **Captain Juan requires a 48 hour advance on bookings. So even if the date is open on the calendar, know that it is at his discretion to accept the trip on such short notice.** Read More

Flats, Inshore Fishing Charter in St. Petersburg

Half-Day Quick Trip

100% (4)
21 ft 1 - 6 People From $108 / person

Are you ready for the fishing adventure of a lifetime? Come join Captain Steve or Captain Tucker on board their beautiful 34' delta sportfishing vessel, and get out there on a thrilling charter fishing trip in the beautiful waters of Clearwater, FL! On this offshore trip, you'll be targeting a range of species across the whole water column. Up towards the surface, you'll troll and cast for Barracuda, Kingfish, Bonito,and Spanish Mackerel, while down on the bottom you'll drop lines for Grouper, Snapper, and Amberjack. Whether you're a seasoned angler or just looking to try your hand at fishing, our experienced captains and crew have got you covered. The 34' Delta sportfisher is a purpose-built fishing vessel equipped with top-of-the-line fishing gear, comfortable seating, restrooms, and all the amenities you need for a successful day on the water. Licensed to carry up to 6 passengers, this safe, clean, comfortable vessel carries state-of-the-art Furuno GPS bottom-sounder and radar and is equipped with Coast Guard approved safety equipment, EPIRB radio beacon, life preservers, flares, and throwable life ring. There is a bathroom, tuna tower, outriggers for offshore trolling, fish-fighting chairs, and plenty of seating on board. 4 hour, 5 hour, and 6 hour charters are offered in the morning and afternoon and are generally bottom fishing in winter and trolling in spring, summer, and fall. 8 hour, 10 hour, and 12 hour charters require a morning departure (7am at the latest) and are the perfect length for bottom fishing, trolling, and live baiting. Red snapper season begins June 1st through July and requires a 10 or 12 hour trip! Captain Steve and Captain Tucker have over 35 years of fishing experience out of Clearwater combined, so you'll be in great hands when you set out to bag some fish! Read More

Deep Sea, Nearshore Fishing Charter in Clearwater

Clearwater Fishing Thriller!

100% (2)
34 ft 1 - 6 People From $147 / person

Head out to fish the waters of the coast of St. Pete with Captain Adam for an awesome day out on the water slaying the fish! Captain Adam - with his 9+ years of experience - will take you where the fish are biting. All Adam's trips are offshore where you can explore some reefs and wrecks to bottom fish for Red Snapper, Grouper, Triggerfish and other offshore species, or troll grass lines for other pelagic species like Mahi, Wahoo, and Mackerel. For these trips, Captain Adam uses his 27’ Cape Horn, which comes with the latest marine electronics and safety gear, this boat has been recently renovated and decked out so get ready to ride in style!. It can accommodate up to 6 anglers fishing in full comfort and is federally permitted to go beyond state waters and explore the open ocean past 9 miles out! (Though a longer trip 6+ hours will definitely be necessary to motor out to those depths) Captain Adam provides all rods, reels, and tackle. All you need to bring are your favorite snack and drinks, your sun protection, and your camera to record your trophies! Bring your kids or your angling buddies and head out for a fishing adventure to remember with Captain Adam! Read More

Deep Sea, Nearshore Fishing Charter in St. Petersburg

Offshore Trip - 27' Cape Horn

100% (2)
27 ft 1 - 4 People From $138 / person

Go aboard Captain Greg's beautiful 32' Sabalo and see what fishing in St. Peter's is all about! You'll be able to get a taste of everything on this trip, including nearshore reef fishing, offshore trolling, and everything in between. There are so many species available on this trip that we're barely able to list them all! The Gulf of Mexico is know as the Grouper capital of the world, and in the reefs, wrecks, and ledges you'll fish there are Black, Red, Scamp, Gag, and Goliath Grouper. Aside from bottomfish, there are also tons of Gray Snapper, Mangrove Snapper, Red Snapper, Amberjack, and Triggerfish that can be caught on the same reefs! These fish are all absolutely delicious table fare, and Captain Greg is happy to clean your keepers at the end of the trip. For surface trolling, there's an abundance of King Mackerel, Mahi Mahi, Spanish Mackerel, Barracuda, and even Sharks! These species are a blast to catch and provide a challenge for every level of angler. You'll be fishing from a 32′ Sabalo sportfisher, built in the "Down East Cruiser" style. She has 15 feet of fishing deck space, with 11 rod holders and an open deck all the way around the stern. The 315-HP Cummins diesel engine makes her an extremely reliable fishing machine. With over 200 gallons of fuel capacity, she can take you out 100 miles and back with fuel to spare! In addition, she boasts 1800 lbs. of ice capacity; far more than a charter could ever need. This means there’s room for all your food, drinks, fish, and plenty of fresh ice. The creature comforts of this charter boat are more than worthy. Her central engine box has a cushion that’s 24 square feet and 6” thick for comfortable seating for six. There’s also a fish box with another 4 inch thick cushion that seats two. There’s also plenty of room to rest in the oversized v-berth below. Whether you want to relax on a fifty mile ride offshore or sit down and reel in a fish, there’s room for you AND five of your friends. Captain Greg will provide everything you need for a blue-ribbon day, including rods, reels, bait, and tackle. All you need to bring is sunscreen, proper clothing, sunglasses, and a smile! Read More

Deep Sea, Nearshore Fishing Charter in St. Petersburg

St. Pete Offshore Experience

100% (5)
32 ft 1 - 6 People From $117 / person

Head out with Captain Tyler for an awesome inshore experience fishing around Tampa Bay and Clearwater Florida. This area has an abundance of different fish species and several different ways to target them. You have Snook, Redfish, Trout, Tarpon, Pompano, Permit, Cobia, and Black Drum just to name a few, and Captain Tyler knows how to catch 'em all! To hook into these fish, you will mostly be sight fishing the inshore bays, flats, and even backcountry river systems around the Clearwater-St. Pete area. There is nothing more rewarding than spotting your quarry, stalking your quarry, and making a perfect cast onto an unsuspecting fish. The rush of the hook set after that is an experience you won't soon forget. Captain Tyler is especially adept at teaching new fishermen these techniques so whether you're a seasoned veteran looking for your next trophy or a beginner looking to learn the ropes, Captain Tyler will work his hardest to make sure you have the best possible experience out on the water! Everything for your trip is included, but you're more than welcome to bring any of your own gear if you like. Otherwise, alls you need to bring are your favorite snacks and drinks, and Captain Tyler will take care of the rest! Read More

Inshore, Nearshore Fishing Charter in Belleair Bluffs

Sunny Fishing On Tampa Bay

100% (3)
23 ft 1 - 6 People From $108 / person
See All Live Bait Fishing Trips in Tampa Bay

Everything to Know About Booking a Tampa Bay live bait fishing charter

What are the best live bait fishing charters in Tampa Bay?

Our Damn Good Guides currently offer 66 live bait fishing trips in Tampa Bay, and the most popular trips in the area are Tampa Bay Inshore Adventures guided by Wade, Crushing Clearwater Offshore guided by Heather, and Clearwater offshore fishing guided by Brad.

Our guides in Tampa Bay are rated a 4.97 out of 5 based on 2406 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.

The most popular cities to book a Live Bait Fishing charter in are St. Petersburg, Clearwater and Sarasota.

Looking for kid friendly live bait fishing guides in Tampa Bay? Check out our beginner and family friendly live bait fishing guides in Tampa Bay.

What types of live bait fishing charters are common in Tampa Bay?

Deep Sea fishing is the most popular for live bait fishing in Tampa Bay as well as inshore fishing, nearshore fishing, and flats fishing.

The most commonly sought after species for live bait fishing in Tampa Bay are: 1. redfish, 2. snook, 3. speckled trout, and 4. gag grouper.

How much do Tampa Bay live bait fishing charters cost?

for live bait fishing in Tampa Bay prices can range anywhere from an affordable $300 to $2,700, but the average price for a half day trip for live bait fishing in Tampa Bay is $595. The average price for a full day trip for live bait fishing in Tampa Bay is $1,082.

What month is best for on a live bait fishing charter in Tampa Bay?

The most popular season to go on a live bait fishing charter in Tampa Bay is spring, and most anglers book their trips 12 days in advance.

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

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

Recent Reviews of Captain Experiences

  • ★★★★★
    Awesome experience!! Alex and Tom where great!

    Brandi D. with Alex S. of Clearwater, Florida

  • ★★★★★
    Chris did a great job putting us on the fish. He toikbus to all the hot spots and gave us 4 hours of action packed fishing. Me and my son enjoyed fresh fish immediately after our trip. Great time!

    John C. with Christopher T. of Tampa, Florida

  • ★★★★★
    Thanks, Jonathan! It was a great experience for me (although seasickness played a part in our trip!!) and my grandson. He definitely wants to do it again with you next year and we already booked our condo so we'll see you next year. By the way, we cooked some of the fish and let's just say, DELISH!! Thanks again, Terry & Max

    Terry B. with Alex S. of Clearwater, Florida

  • ★★★★★
    Had a great trip with captain nick. Despite the tough conditions we were able to find some fish, will book again.

    Max S. with Nick H. of Clearwater, Florida

  • ★★★★★
    Luke and Skye did a great job with us. We hope to do it again!! Well worth the money!!

    Dawn G. with Brad D. of Clearwater, Florida

  • ★★★★★
    We had Captain Brett for our day of fishing. What an amazing day we had. We caught multiple fish we could keep and multiple fish we couldn’t keep. We had the experience of seeing multiple species that we didn’t catch. We saw a bull shark, a Goliath Grouper, a loggerhead turtle, and a manatee. We hooked in to a giant. Watching Brett and my brother work together to get this fish in was spectacular. The team work that it took as well as the skill. He was also great for those of us that were less experienced. He was so pleasant and kind while helping me change my techniques so I caught fish verses continuously just feeding the fish. He did great with my teenage son. Brett is a great communicator. We will go with Brett again.

    Shellie K. with Cameron F. of Clearwater, Florida

  • ★★★★★
    Had a great day fishing with Captain Nick Hughs! Trip started on time with nearly perfect weather. Boat was ready to go with all the bait and tackle we needed. Although the fish were hard to find, we did land a nice Snook. Nick worked his fanny off trying to get us on the fish. He’s a great Capt. and great host!

    Jan G. with Nick H. of Clearwater, Florida

  • ★★★★★
    We had a great time! Cameron was personal and knew what he was doing! We would recommend!

    Justin M. with Cameron F. of Clearwater, Florida

  • ★★★★★
    We had a great afternoon of fishing with Captain Wade in Tampa Bay; catching snook and redfish. Wade knows the bay well and he put us in the right spot for the conditions. We were originally scheduled for a Sunday morning trip but when the weather was not looking favorable, he offered to put in an extra long day and take us on Saturday afternoon. He works well with all skill levels and I highly recommend him for your next fishing trip!

    Ben R. with Wade O. of Tampa, Florida

  • ★★★★★
    Captain Nick is a pro!!! We had so much fun and he put us on a variety of fish. Can't wait to eat our trout for lunch now.

    Ken P. with Nick H. of Clearwater, Florida

  • ★★★★★
    Great time with a great guy. He's very personable and easy to talk which makes the experience even better. Definitely a next year excursion!

    Terry B. with Alex S. of Clearwater, Florida

  • ★★★★★
    Captain Wade was great! We were a bit late getting to the dock due to downtown traffic and we still went out on the water and had a good time. We caught some trout and sheepshead and so many lady fish! He was very informative on techniques and areas to fish. He kept the ride smooth and it was just a beautiful day on the water. So much wildlife out there, dolphins, ducks, pelicans and much more! Thank you for a great day on the water!

    Ashley R. with Wade O. of Tampa, Florida

  • ★★★★★
    They put us on fish the entire trip. It was a great day on the water. I would definitely book with them again

    Jacob P. with Heather H. of Clearwater, Florida

  • ★★★★★
    Cpt Brad and Luke made this trip awesome. We caught everything we said we would catch. Even though the AJs were out of season, I had an incredible fight on a solid 42 inches. Damn good charter. Highly recommend. Salute cap! 🫡

    Austin A. with Brad D. of Clearwater, Florida

  • ★★★★★
    Fantastic experience. Son and I caught 7-8 big Amber jacks!! Then on the way in saw a mako shark!! Caught lots of small fish that tasted awesome blackened in tacos!!!

    Chris H. with Greg M. of St. Petersburg, Florida

  • ★★★★★
    We had an awesome day on the water with Tommy! He kept us on the fish and sharks all day. If you are looking for an experience like you are out fishing with one of your buddies, Tommy is the type of guide for you.

    Justin L. with Tommy M. of Apollo Beach, Florida

  • ★★★★★
    Captain Chris was a awesome guide 5 star

    Robert L. with Christopher T. of Ruskin, Florida

  • ★★★★★
    Best time with Capt Jusn and my son. His first time fishing on the Gulf

    David C. with Juan H. of St. Petersburg, Florida

  • ★★★★★
    Caught lots of fish. Great communication before and during trip. Lots of fun. Will book with him again.

    Lannie C. with Wade O. of Tampa, Florida

  • ★★★★★
    Caught lots of fish. Great communication before and during trip. Super fun time. Will book from again.

    Lannie C. with Wade O. of Tampa, Florida

Other Hunting Techniques in Tampa Bay

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See All Live Bait Fishing Trips in Tampa Bay