Ready to reel in some of Tampa Bay's finest? Our 4 to 8 hour inshore fishing charters are the perfect way to get your line wet and your heart pumping. Whether you're a seasoned angler or just starting out, we've got the know-how to put you on the fish. We're talking Snook, Redfish, Trout, and more – all swimming in our backyard. Let's face it, there's nothing quite like the thrill of a bent rod and a screaming drag, especially when you're surrounded by the beautiful waters of Tampa Bay.
When you step aboard one of our boats, you're in for a treat. We kick things off by netting some fresh bait – because nothing beats live bait for enticing those big ones. Our captains know these waters like the back of their hand, so we'll zip you straight to the hotspots. We're talking mangrove shorelines, grass flats, and hidden structures where the fish love to hang out. And don't worry if the bite's slow in one spot; we're always ready to move and adapt our tactics to make sure you're catching, not just fishing.
Inshore fishing in Tampa Bay is all about finesse and knowing the lay of the land – or in this case, the water. We'll show you how to work a popping cork for those surface-feeding trout, or how to slow-roll a jig along the bottom for hefty redfish. If the Snook are feeling finicky, we might switch to freelining live bait around dock pilings. It's all about reading the water and the fish's mood. We provide all the gear you need, from light tackle rods to the latest in fish-finding tech. Just bring your game face and maybe a lucky hat.
"From start to finish Capt Steve of Florida Raised Fishing was awesome. Never overbearing but able to provide advice and assistance when needed. From netting our bait fish to moving the boat to several locations till we found the perfect spot to fulfill our catch. We couldn't get a charter date in 2024 with Steve, and used someone else. This year we were able to book early and get the date we needed. We had such a great time today that we have already deleted the prior charter's information. More fish and twice the size. We will definitely be back with Florida Raised next year" - William
"We've fished a couple times with Captain Steven, going for shark, snook and redfish in the past. This trip we caught a limit of trout. Steven knows the spots and techniques to catch fish, and doesn't waste time. If we tried a spot or technique and it didn't work after a few minutes, he was adapting to make sure we were catching. He took care of everyone in our group, but made sure the 9 y.o. was setup to have the hot hand this day. Great guide and highly recommended!!" - Martin
"Steven was phenomenal with our family of six! We have four boys ranging from 5-14 and he took time with each of them. Only having one tide contributed to a slow bite but he made the best of it. We shifted the strategy to catch some sharks which was a huge hit! We also caught snook and trout! I couldn't recommend Steven more. We will be back!" - Brian
Redfish: These copper-colored bruisers are a Tampa Bay staple. Known for their distinctive black spot near the tail, redfish put up a heck of a fight. They love to cruise the shallows, often with their backs out of the water – it's a sight that gets every angler's heart racing. Fall is prime time for reds, but you can catch them year-round. They're not picky eaters, which means more hook-ups for you.
Cobia: While not as common as some other inshore species, when you hook into a cobia, you're in for a treat. These brown battlers can grow over 100 pounds and are known for their powerful runs and acrobatic jumps. They typically show up in spring and stick around through summer. Cobia have a habit of following large rays, so keep your eyes peeled for those "sheets" gliding through the water.
Snook: If there's a rock star of Tampa Bay inshore fishing, it's the snook. These silver-sided, line-sided gamefish are as wily as they come. They love to hang around structure – mangroves, docks, bridges – you name it. Snook fishing is hot in the warmer months, especially at night when they come out to feed. Landing a big snook is a badge of honor for any angler.
Grey Snapper: Don't let their size fool you – these tasty little fighters punch above their weight class. Also known as mangrove snapper, they're abundant around – you guessed it – mangrove shorelines. They're crafty and quick, often stealing bait before you know it. The good news? They're around all year and make for some fantastic eating if you're looking to take some fish home for dinner.
Black Drum: The heavyweight champion of our inshore waters, black drum can grow to over 100 pounds. These big boys are often found in deeper holes and channels, especially during the cooler months. They're not the prettiest fish in the sea, but what they lack in looks they make up for in fight. When a big drum takes your bait, hang on tight – you're in for a workout.
Look, Tampa Bay is teeming with fish, and we're itching to get you out there. Whether you're looking to bend a rod, fill the cooler, or just soak up some Florida sunshine, we've got you covered. Our 4 to 8 hour trips give you plenty of time to get into the action without taking up your whole day. And with room for up to 4 anglers, it's perfect for a family outing or a day out with your buddies. Don't just dream about landing that trophy fish – let's make it happen. Give us a call, and we'll get you set up for a day on the water you won't forget. The fish are biting, and your spot on the boat is waiting. Let's go fishing!
April 21, 2025
We’ve fished a couple times with Captain Steven, going for shark, snook and redfish in the past. This trip we caught a limit of trout. Steven knows the spots and techniques to catch fish, and doesn’t waste time. If we tried a spot or technique and it didn’t work after a few minutes, he was adapting to make sure we were catching. He took care of everyone in our group, but made sure the 9 y.o. was setup to have the hot hand this day. Great guide and highly recommended!!
March 26, 2025
Steven was phenomenal with our family of six! We have four boys ranging from 5-14 and he took time with each of them. Only having one tide contributed to a slow bite but he made the best of it. We shifted the strategy to catch some sharks which was a huge hit! We also caught snook and trout! I couldn’t recommend Steven more. We will be back!
June 14, 2025
If you want to fish the Southeast side of Tampa Bay, Capt. Steven Swindal is the perfect choice. My two friends and I have been fishing for many years and had one of the best fishing trips ever. We were catching fish 10 minutes from leaving the dock. When the bite slowed at one spot, we were quick to move on. We caught lots of snook and after every fish we landed Capt. Steven would check our line for fraying and change hooks as needed. We will be booking with him again.
November 24, 2022
Captain Steven is the REAL DEAL. Hard working guide not like others that just sit in the one spot and make excuses why we are not catching fish! Excellent with kids and just a great person to be around. He loves what he does, and you can always tell that with a guide! We will be using Capt. Steven for our fishing tournament again next year!
April 8, 2024
This was our third trip with Captain Steven Swindal. All three have been excelent, we have always caught lots of fish. I look forward to booking another trip this Fall.
April 27, 2024
Black Drum are the heavyweight cousins of redfish, known for their size and hard-pulling fights. Inshore drum usually run 5-30 pounds, but they can top 90 pounds in deeper water. You'll find them in brackish areas around oyster bars, bridge pilings, and channel edges. Spring is prime time as they school up to spawn. Anglers target them for their strong runs and good eating (stick to smaller ones for better taste). To catch drum, use heavy tackle and fish on the bottom with natural baits like crab or clams. They make a distinctive croaking sound, so listen for them! Pro tip: When you find one, there are usually more nearby - they often travel in schools.
Cobia are hard-fighting fish that'll test your gear and your arms. These powerful predators average 3-4 feet long but can reach over 6 feet and 100 pounds. Often mistaken for sharks, they cruise near the surface around structure like buoys, wrecks, and reefs. Spring through fall is prime time as they migrate along the coast. Cobia are prized for both their fight and their firm, white meat. To hook one, keep your eyes peeled - they're often spotted before they're caught. Try slow-trolling live bait like pinfish or eels around structure. When you see one, cast a bucktail jig or large swimbait right in front of its nose. Local trick: Cobia love to follow big rays, so always check any rays you see for tagalongs.
Grey Snapper, also called Mangrove Snapper, are crafty little fighters that'll keep you on your toes. These tasty fish usually run 10-14 inches inshore, but can get much bigger offshore. Look for them around docks, bridges, and mangrove shorelines, often in 5-15 feet of water. They're here year-round but really fire up in summer. Anglers love their flaky white meat and the challenge of outwitting them. To catch greys, use light tackle and small hooks. Live shrimp is the go-to bait, but they'll hit small jigs and flies too. Local secret: Chum with crushed shellfish to get them fired up, then drop your bait right in the mix. Just be ready - they're lightning-fast strikers!
Redfish are a Tampa Bay favorite, known for their copper-red color and distinctive black spot near the tail. These inshore bruisers typically range from 20-30 inches, but can grow much larger. Look for them in shallow water, often just 1-4 feet deep, around oyster bars, grass flats, and mangroves. They love a muddy bottom. Spring and fall are prime seasons, but you can catch 'em year-round here. Anglers prize redfish for their strong fight and excellent table fare. To land one, try sight fishing with a gold spoon or soft plastic on the flats. When the water's murky, switch to cut bait and focus on deeper holes. Pro tip: On hot days, look for redfish tailing in super shallow water - you might even see their backs sticking out!
Snook are the prize catch of Tampa Bay, known for explosive strikes and acrobatic jumps. These sleek predators average 24-28 inches but can grow over 40 inches. You'll find them around mangroves, docks, and bridges, often in just a few feet of water. Spring and fall are peak seasons as they move between backcountry and beaches. Anglers love snook for their challenging fight and tasty white meat (when in season). To target them, try live bait like pinfish or whitebait around structure. Artificial lures like soft plastics and topwater plugs work great too. Pro tip: Fish the outgoing tide at night around lighted docks - snook stack up to ambush bait in the current.
From start to finish Capt Steve of Florida Raised Fishing was awesome. Never overbearing but able to provide advice and assistance when needed. From netting our bait fish to moving the boat to several locations till we found the perfect spot to fulfill our catch. We couldn’t get a charter date in 2024 with Steve, and used someone else. This year we were able to book early and get the date we needed. We had such a great time today that we have already deleted the prior charter’s information. More fish and twice the size. We will definitely be back with Florida Raised next year