St. Pete 2-Hour Inshore Fishing: Simply Reel

Published Date: July 17, 2025
Fishing

St. Petersburg
$200 - $350 price range

Summary

Ready for a quick morning fishing trip in St. Pete? This 2-hour outing gets you on the water without eating up your whole day. We'll head out at 8 AM to fish the flats, nearshore spots, and backcountry using light tackle and spinning gear. You've got a good shot at hooking Redfish, Snook, Mangrove Snapper, Sheepshead, Flounder, and Spotted Seatrout. Depending on the season, we might also run into Spanish Mackerel, Gag Grouper, Jack Crevalle, or Cobia. It's a perfect intro if you're new to fishing, or just looking for a productive couple hours on the water. The boat can take up to 3 guests, so bring a couple friends along. Whether you're a seasoned angler or it's your first time holding a rod, we'll make sure you have a great time out there. It's a fun way to start your day and get a taste of what St. Petersburg inshore fishing is all about.

St. Pete 2-Hour Inshore Fishing: Simply Reel

Rods, Reels, and Catches

Inshore action near the mangroves

One fisherman catching a big 27 inch fish in FL

St. Pete's first catch moment

St. Petersburg fishing views

Snook fish caught by person in St. Petersburg

St. Pete kids' first catch moment

Quick St. Pete Inshore Fishing Adventure

Looking for a taste of St. Petersburg's legendary inshore fishing without burning a whole day? You're in luck. This 2-hour trip packs all the punch of a full-day excursion into a compact morning outing. We'll hit the water at 8 AM sharp, giving you plenty of time to wet a line and still make it back for lunch. Whether you're a seasoned angler or just getting your feet wet, this trip is perfect for anyone wanting to experience the thrill of St. Pete's inshore fishing scene.

What's Biting in the Bay

St. Petersburg's inshore waters are teeming with gamefish, and we'll be targeting some of the area's most sought-after species. Redfish, snook, and spotted seatrout are our bread and butter, but don't be surprised if you hook into a feisty mangrove snapper, a hard-fighting sheepshead, or even a doormat flounder. Depending on the season, we might also run into schools of Spanish mackerel, gag grouper, jack crevalle, or the ever-popular cobia. The beauty of inshore fishing is you never know what might grab your bait next!

Rods, Reels, and Tactics

We'll be using light tackle and spinning gear, perfect for the skinny waters and backcountry haunts where these fish like to hang out. I'll show you how to work a jig along the bottom, walk the dog with a topwater plug, or float a live shrimp under a popping cork. We'll hit the flats, cruise the mangrove shorelines, and maybe even sneak into some secret spots I've found over the years. It's all about reading the water, finding the structure, and presenting your bait in a way that makes those fish can't resist. Don't worry if you're new to this style of fishing – I'll have you casting like a pro in no time.

Top Catches This Season

St. Pete's inshore waters have been on fire lately. Redfish have been tailing on the flats during the early morning flood tides, and the snook bite has been insane around the dock lights and mangrove points. We've also been seeing some monster trout hanging around the deeper potholes, and the sheepshead have been stacked up on every piling and oyster bar in the bay. If we're lucky, we might even run into some of those big bull redfish that have been cruising the passes. Just remember, it's called fishing, not catching – but I'll do my darndest to put you on the fish!

Species You'll Want to Hook

Redfish: These copper-colored bruisers are the crown jewels of inshore fishing. Known for their distinctive spot on the tail, redfish can grow to over 40 inches and put up one heck of a fight. They love to cruise the flats and hang around structure, often giving themselves away with their signature tail out of the water as they root for crabs and shrimp. The "bull" reds can top 30 pounds and will test both your gear and your stamina.

Snook: Often called the "linesider" due to their prominent black lateral line, snook are the ultimate gamefish. They're ambush predators that love to hang around mangroves, docks, and other structure. Snook are known for their explosive strikes and acrobatic jumps. They can be finnicky, but when they're on, the action is non-stop. Just watch out for those gill plates – they're sharp!

Spotted Seatrout: Don't let their name fool you – these aren't your average trout. Spotted seatrout, or "specks" as we call them, are actually members of the drum family. They're known for their soft mouths and tendency to throw hooks, making them a challenging and fun catch. Big ones (we call 'em "gator trout") can top 5 pounds and put up a surprising fight on light tackle.

Crevalle Jack: If you're looking for a fish that pulls like a freight train, look no further than the jack crevalle. These guys are pure muscle and will test your drag system to the max. They often travel in schools, so if you hook one, be ready for more. Jacks aren't known for their table fare, but for pure fighting ability, they're hard to beat.

Cobia: These curious fish are sometimes mistaken for sharks when they're cruising near the surface. Cobia are known for their powerful runs and tendency to dive for structure once hooked. They can grow to over 100 pounds, though most inshore specimens are in the 20-40 pound range. Cobia have a reputation for being unpredictable – one minute they're following your boat like a puppy, the next they're taking off like a rocket with your bait.

Time to Book Your Spot

So there you have it, folks – a quick but action-packed 2-hour trip that'll give you a real taste of what St. Pete inshore fishing is all about. We'll be on the water as the sun's coming up, hitting all the prime spots before heading back in time for you to grab lunch and tell everyone about the one that didn't get away. Whether you're looking to bend a rod before a day of sightseeing, want to introduce the kids to fishing without overwhelming them, or just need a quick fishing fix, this trip's got you covered. The boat's gassed up, the bait well's full, and the fish are waiting. All we need is you. So what do you say? Ready to make some memories on the water? Book your trip now and let's go catch some fish!

Learn more about the species

Cobia

Cobia are a unique catch - often mistaken for sharks with their long, sleek bodies. They average 6 feet and 100 pounds when full-grown. You'll find them around structure like reefs, buoys, and wrecks in 30-70 feet of water. Spring is prime time as they migrate along the coast. Cobia are curious fish, often approaching boats, which makes for exciting sight fishing. They put up a marathon fight and are excellent eating. To target them, keep an eye out for their distinctive shape just under the surface. I like using large bucktail jigs or live eels. A local trick is to always have a ready rod with a jig tied on - cobia often appear suddenly, and you need to cast quickly. Once hooked, be prepared for long runs and acrobatic jumps. Landing a big cobia is a real accomplishment for any angler.

Crevalle Jack

Crevalle Jack are the bulldogs of our inshore waters. These powerful fish average 12-24 inches but can reach 4 feet and 60 pounds. Look for them around structure like reefs, wrecks, and oil rigs, from the shallows out to 1100 feet deep. They're most active in warmer months, often pushing bait to the surface. Jacks give an incredible fight, making long runs and testing your gear. To find them, watch for diving birds - that's a sure sign jacks are busting bait below. These guys love the chase, so use fast-moving lures like spoons or topwater plugs. Cast past the school and retrieve quickly. My go-to trick is using a popper fly - the commotion on the surface drives them crazy. Be ready for explosive strikes and hold on tight - pound for pound, jacks are some of the strongest fish you'll hook around here.

Grey Snapper

Grey Snapper, also called Mangrove Snapper, are a favorite for both eating and catching. These copper-red fish average 10-14 inches inshore but can get much bigger offshore. Look for them around structure like mangroves, reefs, and docks. They're opportunistic feeders, most active at night or on cloudy days. Grey Snapper are known for their soft, flaky white meat. They can be tricky to catch, as they're pretty wary. I like using light tackle with live shrimp or small baitfish. A local trick is to use a long fluorocarbon leader - these fish have good eyesight and can be leader-shy. When you feel a bite, don't set the hook right away. Let them take it for a moment, then slowly reel to tighten up. Grey Snapper might not be the biggest, but they're fun to catch and tasty on the table.

Redfish

Redfish are a favorite target around St. Pete, with their distinctive spot near the tail and copper-red color. You'll find them in shallow water, often just 1-4 feet deep, hanging around oyster beds, grass flats, and mangroves. They average 28-33 inches but can grow much larger. Redfish put up a great fight and taste delicious, making them popular with anglers. Spring and fall are prime seasons, but you can catch them year-round. These opportunistic feeders will hit a variety of lures, but I like using gold spoons or scented soft plastics. A local trick is to look for their tails sticking up out of the water as they root around for crabs in the shallows. Cast beyond them and slowly retrieve your lure past their nose - they can't resist an easy meal. Just be ready for a hard strike and strong runs when you hook up with one of these bruisers.

Snook

Snook are one of our most prized gamefish here in St. Pete. These sleek predators have a distinctive black lateral line and protruding lower jaw. They average 1-2 feet but can grow to 4 feet in the right conditions. You'll find them around mangroves, docks, and in coastal creeks. Snook are ambush predators, using structure for cover. They're most active in warmer months, especially around spawning time from May to September. Snook put up an incredible fight with explosive strikes and acrobatic jumps. They're also excellent eating when in season. To target them, I like using live bait like pilchards or soft plastic jerkbaits. A local trick is fishing docklights at night - snook can't resist the bait attracted to the light. Just be ready for a hard strike and prepare to keep them away from pilings. Landing a big snook is always a thrill.

About the Simply Reel

Vehicle Guest Capacity: 3

Manufacturer Name: Mercury

Maximum Cruising Speed: 32

Number of Engines: 1

Horsepower per Engine: 150

Jump aboard for a quick and fun 2-hour fishing trip in St. Petersburg's inshore waters. This compact morning adventure is perfect if you're short on time but still want to experience the excitement of Florida fishing. You'll explore the flats, nearshore spots, and hidden backcountry areas, using light tackle and spinning gear to target a variety of local species. Try your luck at hooking Redfish, Snook, Mangrove Snapper, Sheepshead, Flounder, and Spotted Seatrout. Depending on the season, you might also encounter Spanish Mackerel, Gag Grouper, Jack Crevalle, or Cobia. Whether you're a first-timer or an experienced angler looking for a brief outing, this trip offers a productive and enjoyable start to your day on the water. With room for up to three guests, it's a great way to get a taste of St. Pete's fantastic fishing scene without committing to a full-day charter.

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