St. Pete's Premier Beginner Inshore Fishing Trip

Published Date: September 7, 2025
Fishing

St Petersburg, FL
$450 price range

Summary

Get your feet wet with inshore fishing on this laid-back half-day trip in St. Petersburg. Captain Curtis takes you out on calm waters, perfect for beginners to learn the ropes. You'll focus on the basics - how to cast, work your bait, feel for bites, and handle fish safely. The morning hours are prime time for Redfish, Snook, and Sea Trout, so you'll target these species around docks, grass flats, and mangroves. With all gear provided and a relaxed pace, it's ideal for first-timers to pick up skills while actually fishing. The small group size of 1-2 guests means plenty of hands-on practice. By lunchtime, you'll head back with new fishing know-how, some great photos, and maybe even your first catch. It's a fun, practical intro to inshore fishing that sets you up for future adventures on the water.

St. Pete's Premier Beginner Inshore Fishing Trip

Inshore Catch of the Day

Angler with a big Blue Runner fish in FL

null

null

Impressive Redfish catch on Tampa Bay!

Wild catch—hands-on with a Florida shark!

Reel In Your First Inshore Slam in St. Pete

Get ready to wet a line in the fish-rich waters of St. Petersburg, Florida! This beginner-friendly half-day trip with Captain Curtis is your ticket to landing some of the area's most sought-after inshore species. Whether you're a first-timer or looking to brush up on your skills, you'll be casting like a pro in no time. We'll hit the flats, cruise past mangroves, and work the docks in search of the inshore slam: redfish, trout, and snook. With all gear provided and a laid-back vibe, it's the perfect way to kickstart your fishing journey or make the most of a quick getaway.

Trip Overview

Rise and shine for an 8:30 AM start at Bay Pines, where Captain Curtis will be waiting to show you the ropes. This 4-hour trip is all about getting you comfortable on the water and hooking into some fish. We'll keep the group small - just you and a buddy - so you get plenty of one-on-one guidance. As we cruise the calm inshore waters, you'll learn the ins and outs of casting, working different baits, and the art of feeling that telltale bite. We'll target the morning bite when the fish are most active, giving you the best shot at landing your first inshore trophy. By the time we head back in, you'll have new skills under your belt, some great photos, and maybe even dinner in the cooler!

Baits, Bites, and Backwaters

On this trip, we'll be focusing on light tackle techniques that are perfect for beginners but still a blast for more experienced anglers. We'll start with the basics of rigging up, then move on to casting accuracy and working your bait. You'll learn how to skip a lure under docks, twitch a topwater along grass flats, and slow-roll a soft plastic through potholes. Captain Curtis will show you how to read the water, spot fish sign, and adjust your approach based on conditions. We'll be using a mix of live bait and artificial lures, so you'll get a taste of different fishing styles. And don't worry about bringing gear - we've got top-notch rods, reels, and tackle all ready to go.

Why Anglers Keep Coming Back

St. Pete's inshore waters are a fisherman's playground, and this trip is designed to give you a proper introduction. The calm conditions make it easy to focus on learning without worrying about rough seas. Plus, with three of Florida's most popular gamefish on the menu, you've got a great shot at some bent rods and tight lines. Captains Curtis's patient teaching style and local knowledge mean you'll be picking up tips and tricks all morning long. By the time we head back to the dock, you'll be itching to plan your next trip out.

Species You'll Want to Hook

Redfish: These copper-colored bruisers are a staple of inshore fishing in St. Pete. Known for their powerful runs and distinctive black spot near the tail, redfish love to cruise the shallows in search of crabs and baitfish. We'll target them around oyster bars and along mangrove shorelines. When you hook into one, be ready for a fight - even smaller "rat reds" pull like freight trains!

Sea Trout: Speckled trout are the bread and butter of inshore fishing here. These spotted predators have soft mouths and a tendency to shake hooks, making them a fun challenge for anglers of all skill levels. We'll look for them over grass flats and around depth changes. The "gator" trout (big ones over 20 inches) are prized catches and make for great photos.

Snook: The snook is the rock star of Florida inshore fishing. These sleek, powerful fish are known for their acrobatic jumps and blistering runs. We'll target them around structure like docks and mangrove roots. Landing a snook is always a thrill, and they're considered one of the best-eating fish in the state (when in season). Even if you can't keep them, the catch-and-release action is top-notch.

Time to Book Your Spot

Whether you're looking to land your first fish or just want to experience the awesome inshore action St. Petersburg has to offer, this trip is your ticket to success. With expert guidance, all the gear you need, and some of the best fishing grounds in Florida at your fingertips, you're in for a morning you won't forget. Captain Curtis's easy-going style and focus on the fundamentals mean you'll come away with new skills and memories to last a lifetime. So why wait? Grab a buddy, book your spot, and get ready to discover why St. Pete is a top destination for anglers from around the world. The fish are biting, and your next big catch is just a cast away!

Learn more about the species

Redfish

Redfish are the bulldogs of the flats here in St. Pete. These copper-colored bruisers with the telltale spot on their tail can range from slot-sized 18-27 inchers up to bull reds over 40 inches. You'll find them tailing in skinny water, often so shallow their backs are out of the water. They love to hang around oyster bars, mangroves, and grass flats. Fall is prime time when big schools push into the bays, but you can catch 'em year-round. Reds put up a stubborn fight, using their broad sides to full advantage. They'll test your drag and your patience. Live bait like pinfish or cut mullet works great, but watching a red chase down a topwater lure is hard to beat. These fish have excellent eyesight, so stealth is key. Try this: On calm days, pole or drift into position, then make long accurate casts to avoid spooking them.

Sea Trout

Sea trout, or specks as we call 'em, are a blast to catch in our local waters. These spotted beauties typically run 14-20 inches but can push past 24 inches. You'll find them cruising grass flats and hanging around oyster bars, especially early mornings and evenings. They're suckers for live shrimp under a popping cork, but soft plastics and topwater lures can be dynamite too. Spring and fall are peak seasons, but you can catch 'em year-round. Trout aren't known for long runs, but they'll give you some nice head shakes and occasional jumps. They're also one of the tastiest fish you'll pull from these waters. When targeting trout, try drifting and fan-casting till you find a school. Once you do, work that area thoroughly. Local trick: On calm mornings, look for subtle surface disturbances – could be trout sipping bait off the top.

Snook

Snook are a prized catch in St. Pete's waters. These sleek ambush predators hang out near structure like docks and mangroves. Most run 20-30 inches, but trophy fish over 40 inches aren't unheard of. They're known for explosive strikes and acrobatic jumps when hooked. Spring and fall are prime seasons as snook move between inshore and nearshore areas. Look for them around points, creek mouths, and grass flats on moving tides. They love live bait, but artificials like swimbaits and topwaters work great too. When you hook one, keep your rod tip up and be ready for some reel-screaming runs. Snook put up an awesome fight and make excellent table fare. Just remember to check current regulations, as size and bag limits can change. Pro tip: Work your lure with erratic twitches to trigger that predator instinct.

About the Silver King

Vehicle Guest Capacity: 2

Manufacturer Name: Yamaha

Maximum Cruising Speed: 26

Number of Engines: 1

Horsepower per Engine: 80

Captain Curtis' half-day fishing trip is perfect for newcomers looking to learn the ropes in St. Petersburg's calm inshore waters. You'll meet at Bay Pines and spend 4 hours targeting redfish, snook, and sea trout around docks, grass flats, and mangroves. The captain provides all the gear and focuses on teaching you the basics - from casting techniques to safely handling your catch. With just 1-2 guests on board, you'll get plenty of personal attention as you practice your new skills. The relaxed pace makes it easy to soak in the morning scenery while waiting for the fish to bite. By lunchtime, you'll head back to shore with some great photos, newfound fishing knowledge, and a satisfying start to your day on the water.

Sitemap