Damn Good Live Bait Fishing Charters In Tampa Bay

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

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Recently Booked Live Bait Fishing Charters In Tampa Bay

Damn Good
Certified Damn Good Guides offer 10/10 trips. Guides earn this badge through quality reviews, quick and responsive communication, and low cancellation rates.
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Inshore, Flats Fishing in Tampa

Tampa Bay Inshore Adventures

100% (11) Guided by Wade
24 ft 1 - 6 People From $400
Veteran Operated
This trip is managed by a veteran of the US armed forces.
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Inshore Fishing in Tampa

Tampa Bay Fishing Trip

98% (40) Guided by Christopher
21 ft 1 - 4 People From $350
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Deep Sea, Nearshore Fishing in Clearwater

Crushing Clearwater Offshore

100% (10) Guided by Steve
34 ft 1 - 12 People From $880
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Deep Sea, Nearshore Fishing in St. Petersburg

Offshore Trip - 27' Cape Horn

100% (4) Guided by Adam
27 ft 1 - 4 People From $550
Veteran Operated
This trip is managed by a veteran of the US armed forces.
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Inshore, Jetty Fishing in Tampa

Tampa Bay Shark Fishing

98% (40) Guided by Christopher
21 ft 1 - 4 People From $350
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Deep Sea, Nearshore Fishing in St. Petersburg

St. Pete Offshore Experience

100% (8) Guided by Greg
32 ft 1 - 6 People From $700
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Top Types of Live Bait Fishing Trips in Tampa Bay

Top Species for Live Bait Fishing in Tampa Bay

“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

More Live Bait Fishing Charters In Tampa Bay

Damn Good
Certified Damn Good Guides offer 10/10 trips. Guides earn this badge through quality reviews, quick and responsive communication, and low cancellation rates.
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Deep Sea, Nearshore Fishing in Sarasota

6 Hour Sarasota Fishing Trip

100% (3) Guided by Vasiliy
27 ft 1 - 6 People From $550
Damn Good
Certified Damn Good Guides offer 10/10 trips. Guides earn this badge through quality reviews, quick and responsive communication, and low cancellation rates.
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Inshore, Nearshore, River, Flats in St. Petersburg

Dusky Flats Fishing

100% (1) Guided by Dillon
20 ft 1 - 12 People From $400
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Deep Sea, Nearshore Fishing in Clearwater

Clearwater Offshore Fishing

100% (19) Managed by Brad
33 ft 1 - 6 People From $750
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Deep Sea, Nearshore Fishing in Clearwater

Clearwater Fishing Thriller!

100% (10) Guided by Steve
34 ft 1 - 12 People From $880
Damn Good
Certified Damn Good Guides offer 10/10 trips. Guides earn this badge through quality reviews, quick and responsive communication, and low cancellation rates.
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Inshore, Flats Fishing in St. Petersburg

St. Petersburg Inshore Adventures

100% (11) Guided by Wade
24 ft 1 - 6 People From $400
Damn Good
Certified Damn Good Guides offer 10/10 trips. Guides earn this badge through quality reviews, quick and responsive communication, and low cancellation rates.
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Inshore, Nearshore, Flats in Clearwater

Reel Salty Sportfishing

100% (10) Guided by Nick
26 ft 1 - 4 People From $450
See All Live Bait Fishing Trips in Tampa Bay

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

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

The best live bait fishing charters in Tampa Bay are:

Why should I book a live bait fishing charter in Tampa Bay with Captain Experiences?

Our Damn Good Guides currently offer 75 live bait fishing trips in Tampa Bay, and the most popular trips in the area are Tampa Bay Inshore Adventures guided by Wade, Tampa Bay Shark Fishing guided by Christopher, and Crushing Clearwater Offshore guided by Steve.

Our guides in Tampa Bay are rated a 4.97 out of 5 based on 3912 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 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 type of fishing 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, 4. gag grouper, and 5. mangrove snapper.

How much do Tampa Bay live bait fishing charters cost?

Prices for live bait fishing in Tampa Bay can range anywhere from about $500 to $3,340, but the average price for a half day trip for live bait fishing in Tampa Bay is $897. The average price for a full day trip for live bait fishing in Tampa Bay is $1,799.

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 Tampa Bay?

The most popular season to go on a live bait fishing charter in Tampa Bay is summer, and most anglers book their trips 13 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

  • ★★★★★
    Capn Mike took us out and was very informative about how and why and where went went Ladyfish were plentiful. it was tougher for bigger fish. But thats the way fishing is. Capn MIke kept us out longer in hopes of getting something We appreciated that, All in all it was a good experience and we would do it again. Don B

    Donald B. | December 31, 2024

    Trip: St. Petersburg Inshore Slam

  • ★★★★★
    Greg and his mate Logan were fantastic. They were friendly, accommodating, knowledgeable, efficient, and very “fishy”! We had a great day with them. I recommend Captain Greg highly.

    Christopher S. | December 31, 2024

    Trip: St. Pete Offshore Experience

  • ★★★★★
    Captain Brad and his first mate were great for our outing. Since my kids were new to ocean fishing, he kept us within a few miles of shore and knew some rocky pockets where we hauled in many fish. We had a blast. One reason I chose Capt Brad was the 33’ boat which was roomy to maneuver for our party of six. They are friendly and accommodating.

    Karl B. | December 28, 2024

    Trip: Clearwater offshore fishing

  • ★★★★★
    enjoyed the trip very much even though we caught no fish. Captain Chris seemed very knowledgable and was very pleasant and very good with my 2 young grandsons who were with us. I will use him again.

    Michael B. | December 27, 2024

    Trip: Tampa Bay Shark Fishing

  • ★★★★★
    We had a great time. We caught around 40 fish. Gray snapper, Redfish, Porgy, and Sheep Head. Caught some group or two, but they’re out of season so I’d throw them back. The fish we did keep we took back and cooked them up. They were delicious.

    Griffin P. | December 13, 2024

    Trip: 6 Hour Sarasota Fishing Trip

  • ★★★★★
    Was very pleased with the experience. We caught about 40 fish overall and he took us to several spots. Easy to talk with and excellent communication.

    Dave C. | November 26, 2024

    Trip: Dusky Flats Fishing

  • ★★★★★
    Chris is an excellent guide (5 stars). He is very personable and we all became fishing buddies quickly. Enjoyed the action with the spotted seatrout on the flats in southern Tampa Bay.

    John C. | November 16, 2024

    Trip: Tampa Bay Fishing Trip

  • ★★★★★
    We had a great day with Capt Wade, he was very professional and knowledgeable and shared his experiences with us. We caught Snook, Redfish, and Speckled Trout in numbers and size to satisfy our needs until next time. His lunch recommendation to cook our catch was awesome too.

    Rick R. | November 12, 2024

    Trip: Tampa Bay Inshore Adventures

  • ★★★★★
    Chris very knowledgeable and easy to talk to. We had a great time and caught a lot of fish.

    Ed P. | September 22, 2024

    Trip: Tampa Bay Shark Fishing

  • ★★★★★
    Amazing guide! Friendly fun and even caught some fish! Will definitely use Christopher again!!

    Michael C. | September 21, 2024

    Trip: Tampa Bay Shark Fishing

  • ★★★★★
    Bad day for fishing. Captain was great.

    Regina A. | September 21, 2024

    Trip: Inshore Family Fun Fishing

  • ★★★★★
    It was a great trip. Three of us fished comfortably for a half day. Mother Nature provided the fish, and Nick provided a great atmosphere. Easy to talk to and gave some good local recommendations, will look to book with Nick again in the future.

    Michael L. | September 2, 2024

    Trip: Reel Salty Sportfishing

  • ★★★★★
    Nick was a fantastic a knowledgeable guide. His boat was clean and well kept. We are a party of 4 with a 10 and 13 year old. Nick took us to an area where every cast was a catch. Thanks again.

    Jason Q. | August 2, 2024

    Trip: Reel Salty Sportfishing

  • ★★★★★
    Great experience, great fishing! Captain Mikey took us right to where the fish were. Started catching fish within a minute of the first bait hitting the water. Steady action for a while, when things slowed Capt. Mikey moved us to a spot where we quickly started catching again. Fished in about four different spots not far from each other, all but the last produced multiple fish. Fun trip!

    Howard D. | August 1, 2024

    Trip: Clearwater Beach Family Fishing

  • ★★★★★
    Great time on the water. Chris and Kaden are very knowledgeable. Highly recommend

    Brian P. | July 30, 2024

    Trip: Florida Sportfish on Light Tackle

  • ★★★★★
    Awesome trip with Adam! Highly recommend!!

    Brionne J. | July 26, 2024

    Trip: Offshore Trip - 27' Cape Horn

  • ★★★★★
    Captain Heather sent my wife and I and our two granddaughters out for a 6 hour combination trolling and bottom fishing trip with Captain DJ and Tyler. We can't say enough about how enjoyable it was. Both DJ and Tyler were fantastic guys to be around and put us on plenty of fish, both trolling and bottom fishing. It was very impressive to watch them as a team work to keep our granddaughters busy reeling in fish. They made every aspect of the trip friendly, comfortable and fun. It was all we had hoped to experience. Many thanks to Heather, DJ, Tyler and Captain Experiences.

    Ricky M. | July 18, 2024

    Trip: Crushing Clearwater Offshore

  • ★★★★★
    Captain Greg put us on the fish all day and we had a great time!

    Adrian W. | July 17, 2024

    Trip: St. Pete Offshore Experience

  • ★★★★★
    Absolutely will be back. Super day out catching fish. Great crew, great boat. The day went way too fast!

    Brian M. | July 15, 2024

    Trip: Clearwater offshore fishing

  • ★★★★★
    We had a great fishing trip with Captain Wade. I booked our trip for my boyfriend’s 40th birthday for us, and 3 of his friends. Wade had everything we needed and more and provided a fun and laid back experience. We all caught a handful of fish, myself included, who had never fished before. I highly recommend!!

    Rachel B. | July 13, 2024

    Trip: St. Petersburg Inshore Adventures

Other Fishing Techniques in Tampa Bay

Other Hunting Techniques in Tampa Bay

  • Calling
  • Decoy Hunting
  • Hunting from a Blind
  • Shotgun Hunting

Featured Cities

Didn't Find What You Were Looking For?

Our guides are Damn Good Guides, which means they’re vetted by our team of outdoor experts who know them on a first-name basis. We hand pick each and every one of them, and our network spans all across the US and beyond.

The proof is in the pudding, and we’re incredibly proud of our 4.9 / 5 average review score. Hit the button below to see more trip options:

See All Live Bait Fishing Trips in Tampa Bay