Ready to Reel In
Inshore Fishing
Tampa Bay Inshore Fishing Charters
Tampa Bay has over 400 miles of pristine estuary habitats, making it one of the best places to fish in Florida. Rich with aquatic life that thrives within the countless rivers, you’ll have an unforgettable adventure in Tampa’s beautiful waters. The best way to take advantage of the fishing experience if you don’t have a boat is to hire an inshore fishing charter. You’ll get up close and personal with diverse aquatic life, with the bonus of beautiful scenery. Inshore fishing charters in Tampa help you catch game fish species like Tarpon and Snook, along with over a dozen species of shark, such as blacktip and bonnethead. At Aquatic Escapes, we offer thrilling inshore fishing charters with the guidance of an expert captain. We take you to the best and most plentiful fishing spots in the area, where you can load up on fish and even bait. The shallow inshore waters make fishing in Tampa Bay ideal for experienced anglers as well as beginners, and the abundance of fish ensures a successful fishing trip. We make sure that every experience is fun and unique for you, your team, or your family and friends.
The Tampa Bay Experience
Our Tampa Bay fishing charters offer more than your average fishing trip. We provide fun and informative tours that give you an up-close and personal look at the breathtaking ecological scenery that Tampa Bay has in store. From dense, lush mangroves to grass flats teeming with life, we’ll make sure that your experience in Tampa Bay’s waters becomes a fond memory to cherish. Depending on the season when you book your fishing charter, you could make multiple catches in one trip. Since Tampa Bay has so much to offer for anglers, you’ll never see a dull moment in these waters. Depending on the trip, we can target the following fish species:
- Redfish
- Snook
- Snapper
- Trout
- Grouper
- Spanish mackerel
Whether you’re a Tampa Bay local or an out-of-state visitor, we offer informative and fun trips that you’ll remember for a lifetime.
Inshore Fishing Charters for All Anglers
At Aquatic Escapes, we maximize your fishing experience by guiding you to the best spots to find your next catch. Depending on group size and the trip type, we plan the experience from the minute you set foot on the boat. Inshore fishing charters in Tampa are exciting, fun, and fruitful for all anglers. Regardless of how much experience you have, you’re sure to make multiple catches and enjoy your charter year-round.Captain Jarrod makes sure that you and your party are comfortable and safe from the time you leave dry land to the moment you return. He offers his insight and expert advice as a lifelong lover of fishing to help you and your guests make the most of your time.
Redfish
Redfish Fishing Charters in Tampa Bay
Redfish in Tampa Bay’s inshore waters make great catches for anglers regardless of experience. You’ll find the largest of these feisty and formidable fish inshore and nearshore. A relative of the Black Drum, Redfish have a unique ability to smell their prey, as opposed to relying solely on sight. Redfish make great catches, and they’re one of the most popular game fish in Tampa. They can weigh up to 12 pounds and live for 40 years, and these fish are prime fighters. You’ll never see a dull moment during your search for these magnificent creatures. You can now experience Redfish fishing charters in Tampa Bay with Aquatic Escapes.
Redfish Fishing Basics
Catching Redfish is a breeze when you know where to look, how they search for prey, and what they like to eat. Redfish like to stay in underwater grass, and you’ll find them easy to spot in shallow waters, depending on the tide. Redfish like to eat shellfish but won’t hesitate to take a chunk off a larger fish that passes by them. Depending on the location, Redfish range in size from 14 to 35 inches long. Bigger and more mature Redfish prefer deeper waters, while younger fish breed in shallow water. Captain Jarrod takes you to the best fishing spots to find Redfish, where he guides you on everything from bait to gear. If you’re a professional angler, you can explore new areas or invite your fishing buddies for a great time out. At Aquatic Escapes, we offer fun, fast-paced, and exciting Redfish fishing charters in Tampa Bay that delight you and your guests.
Territory and Fishing
Although Redfish prey on smaller species, they are also food for dolphins and other larger aquatic predators. To stay safe, these fish prefer to stay near structures to hide and find crabs and shrimp to eat. During your charter trip, we take you to the best spots and structures where Redfish like to hide and help you make the perfect catch. You don’t need a massive rod or line when you want to catch a Redfish. Before starting your trip, you can always reach out to Captain Jarrod, who will happily answer your questions about the right equipment. The goal of the charter fishing experience is to help you and your group catch Redfish in a safe and fun environment. Even if you have no experience, our Redfish fishing charters in Tampa offer you or your group the perfect way to unwind, hone your fishing skills, and focus on your trip. With our reasonable rates and our love for all things fishing, we make sure you have a fantastic experience and a day full of surprises and action.
Snook
Snook Fishing Charters
Snook Fishing Charters in Tampa take you on your ideal fishing trip. Aside from the fact that Tampa has some of the best waters in the country for fishing, Snook is an extraordinary fish species. At Aquatic Adventures, we offer fun, informative, and unique fishing experiences regardless of your age and experience level. We take you to different locations in Tampa Bay, all of them teeming with Snook fish, especially the Southern tip where vegetation and mangroves grow in abundance. Snook, as well as several other large fish species, make their homes among these plants. There, they are safe from predators and can feed on the prey that exists in the area. Whether you’re an expert angler or have never gone fishing before, we help you make the most of your Tampa snook fishing charters. With the knowledgeable Captain Jarrod by your side, we take you to different spots so you can catch the largest and feistiest Snook with ease.
Snook Fishing Basics
The Snook is a sight to behold with its bold stripe and its glimmering gray scales. This fish grows up to 50 inches long and lives between four and five decades. When caught, the fish makes showy leaps and will put up a fight before you can reel it in. Due to its nature, this game fish is one of the most popular choices for anglers when they want to go charter fishing in Tampa. One look at this species will hook you with its charm and acrobatic feats in and out of the water. Snook are powerful fish, and they won’t make it easy for you to catch them, especially in shallow water. We love to see the look in an angler’s eyes when they make their big catch. If you go on your next fishing charter with a group of friends, we make sure you enjoy every moment on the boat with contests and group activities. We want to create a bonding experience between group members through the art of fishing and make sure you have a great time.
Snook Charter Fishing with Aquatic Adventures
Snook are plentiful in the Tampa Bay area, which makes them an ideal target for anglers. You’ll find this fish species year-round, as one of the more popular charting fishing options at Aquatic Adventures. On especially plentiful days, you won’t leave the boat without multiple catches, even if you fish with a group. Captain Jarrod has a wealth of experience and a lifelong love of fishing in the waters of Tampa. You’ll always be in safe and knowledgeable hands when you book a Snook fishing charter with Aquatic Adventures. Experience the best of the Tampa fishing experience and join us on your next fishing trip at Aquatic Adventures.
Trout
Tampa Bay Trout Fishing
expeditions offer hours of relaxation as you drift over the grass flats with your rod and reel. With the number of trout in Tampa Bay, chances are you won’t go home empty-handed.
A Trout by Any Other Name
Trout have many names and species, including sea trout, spotted seatrout, speckled trout, and specks. As the various names imply, this type of trout has black spots along its sides and back over a silver underbelly. An average adult trout ranges between 12 and 24 inches long. Once a trout gets past 22-24 inches, we call it a gator trout. Trout typically weigh between 10 and 12 pounds, though the record for the biggest trout caught in Florida tips the scales at 17 pounds 7 ounces.
Best Places to Catch Tampa Trout
You’ll typically find trout in grass flats in about 1-6 feet of water. They like to stick close to mangroves near the shore, though you may also find them hidden in deep grass holes. During the winter, trout sometimes venture into water as deep as 15 feet. Our inshore trout fishing charters from St. Pete and Anna Marie Island to Tampa Harbor channels make the ideal trip for catching trout in their preferred habitats at any time of year.
Trout Season
One of the best parts of fishing for trout in Tampa Bay is that they are never out of season. However, per Florida saltwater fishing regulations, spotted seatrout season closes for February in the Western Panhandle zone, as well as through November and December in the Central East zone. Trout spawn inshore from March to November, making those months especially promising for reeling in a trout. However, you can catch trout year-round—just make sure to fish in deeper water during the cooler months.
Tips for Catching Trout
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission recommends following these tips for trout fishing success:
- Lure trout hiding in holes using a free-line rig baited with live shrimp or small pigfish.
- Use a float to ensure the bait drifts over grass beds.
- Spoon lures, top-water poppers, and soft-bodied jigs make the most effective bait.
- Return any undersized trout to the water as soon as possible to help ensure a healthy population. Keep in mind that spotted seatrout are currently catch-and-release only until May 31, 2021
Why Trout Fishing Charters
Trout fishing charters allow you to kick back, relax, and fish while Aquatic Escapes takes care of the rest. Our experienced team takes you to the best spots for a higher chance of finding a trout on the line and leaving you with lasting memories of your fishing trip.
Tarpon
The Silver King of Tampa Bay
Is battling the silver king on your angling bucket list? If so, Aquatic Escapes tarpon fishing charters has you covered. Our Tampa Bay sport fishing excursions will take you to the heart of the action.
An Audience with the King
Tarpon has earned the name the silver king for their distinctive shiny silver scales. Many anglers consider the silver king one of the most sought-after fish in Tampa Bay. Tarpon may not be renowned for its flavor, but catching this fish is one of the most exhilarating sport fishing experiences you’ll ever have. Long, fast runs and spectacular jumps contribute to the silver king’s reputation as one of the world’s greatest sport fish. Experienced anglers know tarpon for its stamina, and they can put up a fight that lasts anywhere from 20 to 40 minutes. While you might find it tempting to draw out the fight, you should end it as quickly as possible. Not only will this help ensure the tarpon’s survival, but it will also help avoid drawing in any nearby sharks.
No Small Fry
Tarpon typically range in size between 80 and 140 pounds, though they can reach upwards of 200 pounds. According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Florida holds 29 world records for tarpon. However, the current all-tackle world record tarpon, weighing in at a whopping 286 pounds 9 ounces, was caught in Africa in March 2003. In 2013, Florida might have had a chance to take that record. A group of anglers caught a tarpon measuring 96 inches long with a girth of 53 inches, estimated at over 300 pounds. At the time, the anglers didn’t realize they had a potential record-breaker and released the fish, making it impossible to submit for a world record.
Silver King Rules
If you want to attempt an International Game Fish Association record-breaking catch, you need a $50 harvest tag. Tarpon fishing is catch-and-release only. While there is no minimum size limit, all tarpon over 40 inches must stay in the water.
You must also follow these rules while fishing for tarpon in Florida:
- Use hook and line only. Spearing, snagging, and snatch hooking are prohibited.
- Use only single hooks, not treble hooks.
- A dehooking tool is highly recommended.
- Do not fish for tarpon off bridges or piers.
- Do not fish where large, predatory sharks feed.
Best Time for Tarpon Fishing
We offer tarpon fishing charters from May through July during the height of the migration period. However, anglers have caught tarpon as early as March and as late as August. Tampa Bay is one of the best places to find tarpon in an area world-renowned for its summer fishery. With our expertise at Aquatic Escapes and luck on your side, you can achieve multiple catches on our fishing charters.
Snapper
Snapper Fishing in Tampa Bay
If you’re looking for an inshore fishing excursion in Tampa Bay, Aquatic Escapes snapper fishing charters offer you the escape you need. Our experienced crew knows all the best spots for snapper from the bay inlet to the Tampa Harbor channels.
Varieties of Snapper
With over a hundred different snapper species, all with a variety of colors and sizes, you’ll find no shortage of fish on your trip. Each snapper has enlarged canine teeth, which gave them their name. You’ll find about 15 species of snapper in the Gulf of Mexico. You’ll commonly find two types of snapper in the Tampa Bay: Mangrove snapper: Also called gray snapper, mangrove snapper range from 8 to 28 inches long, however anything typically over 20 inches is found offshore and usually weigh no more than 10 pounds. If you’re looking for a challenge, mangrove snapper can prove difficult to catch. However, it’s well worth the effort, as the mangrove snapper is considered a local delicacy with flaky, sweet meat. In Tampa Bay, snappers are considered reef fish, and you’ll find them primarily inshore around structures such as reefs, rock piles, and bridges. As the name implies, mangrove snappers congregate near mangrove tree roots.
Snapper Season
Note that different snapper varieties show up during different seasons and have minimum size limits and regulations governing how much you can fish. While some snapper species have seasons, mangrove snapper are open year-round. If you are fishing for Mangrove Snapper in the bay, regulation dictates they must be at least 10 inches and you are allowed to keep 5 per person. If you are fishing offshore, they must be 12 inches, however you may bring home 10 per person, in the snapper aggregate.
Tips for Catching Snapper
Mangrove snappers are famous for stealing bait and escaping the line. However, this can make for a fun challenge. A light tackle and line with shrimp on the hook usually entice them more than any other bait. For any variety of snapper, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission requires the use of circle hooks and a dehooking device. These regulations help reduce the chances of a fish becoming hooked in the stomach or esophagus.
Our Guarantee
One of the benefits of Aquatic Escapes snapper fishing charters is our no fish guarantee. That means if you don’t catch any fish, you won’t pay. With the expertise of Captain Jarrod and our crew, we’ll make sure you have an exciting day of fishing by yourself or with a group.
