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St. Pete's Best 4-Hour Inshore Fishing Charter

  • Published Date: July 17, 2025
  • Fishing
  • St Petersburg, FL
  • $450 price range
  • Updated Date: September 7, 2025

Summary

Rise and shine for an early morning fishing adventure in St. Petersburg, Florida. This half-day trip gets you out on the water when the fish are most active. You'll be targeting redfish, snook, and sea trout – some of the area's most popular inshore species. The captain provides all the gear you need, so it's great for both newbies and seasoned anglers. As the sun comes up, you'll cruise the calm waters, casting lines and soaking in the peaceful morning vibe. It's just you and one other guest, so there's plenty of room to move around the boat and get personal attention from the captain. Whether you're after a big catch or just want to enjoy some time on the water, this trip with Burning Drag Fishing Charters is a perfect way to kick off your day. The early start means you'll be back with plenty of time to enjoy the rest of St. Pete, maybe with some fresh fish for dinner.
St. Pete's Best 4-Hour Inshore Fishing Charter

Morning Catch Highlights

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Spotted Weakfish, 14 inches, caught fishing in Seminole

Solid speckled trout catch on the flats!

A lone blue runner fish caught in FL

Fierce fight from this jack crevalle!

Redfish caught in Florida

Energetic redfish landed on the bow!

Two redfish caught fishing in FL

Awesome triple hookup on redfish!

Angler with a big Blue Runner fish in FL

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A single angler fishing in FL

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Redfish caught in FL

Impressive Redfish catch on Tampa Bay!

Fishing in Seminole

Wild catch—hands-on with a Florida shark!

Great white shark fishing in Seminole

Powerful catch on this Florida shark fishing trip!

Snook fish caught by two people in Seminole

Pumped with this snook catch on the Florida coast!

Spotted Weakfish, 14 inches, caught fishing in Seminole

Solid speckled trout catch on the flats!

A lone blue runner fish caught in FL

Fierce fight from this jack crevalle!

Redfish caught in Florida

Energetic redfish landed on the bow!

Two redfish caught fishing in FL

Awesome triple hookup on redfish!

Angler with a big Blue Runner fish in FL

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A single angler fishing in FL

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Redfish caught in FL

Impressive Redfish catch on Tampa Bay!

Fishing in Seminole

Wild catch—hands-on with a Florida shark!

Great white shark fishing in Seminole

Powerful catch on this Florida shark fishing trip!

Snook fish caught by two people in Seminole

Pumped with this snook catch on the Florida coast!

Spotted Weakfish, 14 inches, caught fishing in Seminole

Solid speckled trout catch on the flats!

A lone blue runner fish caught in FL

Fierce fight from this jack crevalle!

Redfish caught in Florida

Energetic redfish landed on the bow!

Two redfish caught fishing in FL

Awesome triple hookup on redfish!

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Reel in the Morning: St. Pete's Inshore Slam

Hey there, anglers! Ready to kick off your day with some serious rod-bending action? This half-day morning trip in St. Petersburg is your ticket to tight lines and screaming drags. We're talking prime time for redfish, trout, and snook - the inshore slam that'll get your heart racing faster than your first cup of joe. Whether you're a seasoned pro or just getting your feet wet, Captain's got you covered with all the gear you need. So grab your hat and let's hit the flats while the fish are hungry!

Trip Overview

Picture this: You're cruising out as the sun's just peeking over the horizon, the water's like glass, and there's that salty tang in the air that screams "fish on!" We'll be targeting the skinny water haunts where reds, trout, and snook love to hang out. The beauty of an early start? We beat the heat and the crowds, giving us the pick of the spots. Your captain knows these waters like the back of their hand, so you're in for some world-class fishing action. And don't sweat it if you're new to this - we'll have you casting like a pro in no time.

Tactics and Terrain

Alright, let's talk strategy. We'll be working the mangrove shorelines, grass flats, and oyster bars where our target species love to ambush their prey. Light tackle's the name of the game here - we're talking 7-foot medium-action rods paired with 2500-3000 size reels. We'll be tossing live bait, soft plastics, and maybe even some topwater lures if the conditions are right. The key is stealth and precision - these fish didn't get big by being dumb. We might do some sight casting if we spot tailing redfish, or work the potholes for trout. And if a big snook decides to bust up our bait, hold on tight 'cause you're in for a fight!

Target Species

Redfish: These copper-colored bruisers are the bulldogs of the flats. They'll test your drag and your patience with powerful runs and dogged determination. Look for them tailing in shallow water or cruising the edges of grass flats. They love a well-placed soft plastic or a juicy shrimp. Fall is prime time for reds, but we catch 'em year-round in St. Pete.

Sea Trout: Don't let their delicate looks fool you - speckled trout are ambush predators with a serious appetite. They hang out over grass flats and potholes, waiting to pounce on passing baitfish. A popping cork rig with a live shrimp is like ringing the dinner bell for these guys. Spring and fall are peak seasons, but winter can produce some real gators (that's big trout in local speak).

Snook: Ah, the beloved linesider. Snook are the prize of inshore fishing around here. They're wily, strong, and boy, can they jump! You'll find them lurking around structure - docks, mangrove roots, bridge pilings - ready to explode on your bait. Live pilchards or pinfish are snook candy, but they'll hit artificial lures too if you work 'em right. Summer's the hot ticket for snook, but spring and fall can be dynamite too.

What to Expect on the Water

Listen up, folks - this ain't no leisurely boat ride. We're here to put you on fish, and that means we'll be covering some ground. Expect to hit multiple spots as we follow the bite. Your captain's got their finger on the pulse of these waters, so trust the process. We might start by working some docks for snook, then scoot over to a grass flat for trout, and finish up sight fishing for reds on the flats. It's all about adapting to what the fish are doing. And hey, if we find a hot spot, we'll stick and pick until the action slows. Just remember, it's called fishing, not catching - but we'll do our darnedest to make sure you're bending that rod!

Why Anglers Keep Coming Back

Let me tell you, there's something special about fishing these waters. Maybe it's the thrill of watching a redfish tail in skinny water, or the heart-stopping moment when a big snook inhales your bait. Could be the peaceful quiet of the early morning, broken only by the splash of your lure and the screech of an osprey overhead. Or maybe it's just the satisfaction of outsmarting a fish on its home turf. Whatever it is, it gets in your blood. I've seen folks come back year after year, chasing that perfect cast, that personal best, or just the simple joy of being on the water. This trip? It's your chance to see what all the fuss is about.

Top Catches This Season

Alright, bragging time! We've been on a hot streak lately with some real trophy catches. Last week, Jimmy from Ohio landed a 32-inch snook that put on an aerial show like you wouldn't believe. Took him right under the boat and nearly spooled him before we turned it around. Then there was Sarah from Chicago who sight-casted to a big ol' redfish - must've been pushing 30 pounds. That fish towed us around for a good 15 minutes before we got it to the boat. And let's not forget about the gator trout Bill caught last month - 26 inches of pure silver and spots. These are the kind of fish that make memories, folks. And they're out there waiting for you.

Time to Book Your Spot

Look, I could go on all day about the fishing here in St. Pete, but there's only one way to really understand - you gotta experience it yourself. This half-day morning trip is the perfect way to dip your toes in the inshore fishing scene. Whether you're looking to bend a rod, learn some new techniques, or just enjoy a beautiful morning on the water, we've got you covered. The fish are biting, the weather's perfect, and your spot on the boat is waiting. So what do you say? Ready to make some fishing memories? Don't let this chance slip away - book your trip now and let's get out there where the big ones are waiting. Tight lines, folks!

Learn more about the species

Redfish

Redfish are one of our most popular inshore species here in St. Pete. These bronze beauties typically run 20-30 inches and love super shallow water - you'll often see their tails waving above the surface as they root for crabs and shrimp. Look for them around oyster bars, mangroves, and grass flats, especially on low tides. Redfish put up a dogged fight, with powerful runs that'll test your drag. They're also excellent eating when slot-sized. Fall is prime time as big schools push into the flats to fatten up. For a fun challenge, try sight-fishing them with light tackle or flies. A local tip: on sunny days, cruise the flats slowly and watch for their coppery bodies reflecting in the water. When you spot one, a well-placed gold spoon is hard to beat!

Redfish

Sea Trout

Sea trout, also called speckled trout, are a local favorite here in Florida. These silvery fish with dark spots usually run 14-24 inches and hang out in grass flats and deeper channels. Dawn and dusk are prime times to target them, especially around lighted docks at night. Sea trout put up a good fight on light tackle and make for some tasty fillets too. They're suckers for live shrimp under a popping cork, but artificials like soft plastics work great too. A local trick is to fish the edges of grass flats on an outgoing tide - the trout stack up to ambush bait getting pulled off the flat. Fall and winter are fantastic seasons as the fish school up. Nothing beats the thrill of a sea trout smashing a topwater plug at first light!

Sea Trout

Snook

Snook are a prized catch here in St. Pete. These sleek, powerful fish typically range from 20-40 inches, with a distinctive black lateral line and protruding lower jaw. You'll find them lurking around mangroves, docks, and other structures in shallow coastal waters. Snook fishing heats up in spring and fall as they move between inshore and nearshore areas. Anglers love targeting snook for their aggressive strikes and acrobatic fights - they'll often leap clear out of the water. They're also excellent eating when in season. To entice a bite, try working a soft plastic jerkbait or live bait like pinfish along mangrove shorelines during moving tides. Just be ready for that first explosive run when a big snook hits!

Snook
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