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Fishing charters in Tampa Bay, FL

Top 5 fishing charters in Tampa Bay, FL

Good to Know

Whether you are planning an inshore fishing trip or a reef fishing, you’ll easily find a fishing charter in Tampa Bay.

These waters will yield anything from Mangrove Snapper and Snook to Redfish and Tarpon.

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Inshore fishing charters in Tampa Bay

Inshore fishing is one of Tampa Bay's key attractions. From the exciting Tarpon fishing to the night Snook fishing trips, there’s something for anglers of all tastes and all ages.

Tampa Bay fishing charters target variety of fish including species like Mangrove Snapper, Snook, Redfish, Tarpon, and many more.

Inshore fishing trips are good for families with kids, couples, and small groups of friends.

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Inshore fishing trip prices

$465 is the average price for a 4-hour inshore fishing trip and 2 people. Add $50 for an extra angler. Fishing charters can accommodate 2-6 anglers depending on the size of the craft.

$200 is the lowest price for a 2-hour inshore fishing trip in Tampa Bay found on our platform.

You can find 41 fishing charters in Tampa Bay and nearby cities. You will have a variety of choices for your next fishing getaway.

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Best time for inshore fishing

June, July and May are the best months for inshore fishing near Tampa Bay.

Popular inshore fish species

Popular inshore fishing charters

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Offshore fishing charters in Tampa Bay

Tampa Bay offshore fishing charters offer easy access to some of the best fishing grounds in the open water: from nearshore reef fishing to offshore fishing at the Continental Shelf.

Cobia, King Mackerel, Gag Grouper, Jack Crevalle, and Cobia can be your next catch.

Offshore fishing trips are good for experienced anglers, groups for friends, and those who want to reel in a bigger catch. Be ready to travel into the federal waters miles off the coast.

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Offshore fishing trip prices

On average, the price for a 4-hour offshore fishing trip is $770 for 2 people. Add $50 for an extra angler. Captains can take 4-6 anglers depending on the length of the boat.

$595 is the lowest price for a 4-hour offshore fishing trip in Tampa Bay.

In Tampa Bay and nearby cities, there are about 29 offshore fishing charters. It’s easy to book your next fishing break in Tampa Bay.

Tip: It takes some time to get to the offshore fishing spots. So it’s better to take a 6-hour or 8-hour offshore fishing trip for the best fishing experience.

Standard tips are 15-20% of the price you paid for your charter if the crew did a good job.

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Best time for offshore fishing

The best time to go offshore fishing in Tampa Bay are considered to be June, July and May.

Popular offshore fish species

Popular offshore fishing charters

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Family-friendly fishing charters in Tampa Bay

Tampa Bay is an excellent fishing destination for families with kids. Help your children catch their first fish, a memory that will last a lifetime. Your Captain will show you how to bait a hook and catch different species of fish.

If you choose to be away from the rough seas and stay close to the shore, inshore fishing could be your next choice. Because of the shallower depths, the calm inland waters are great for family fishing.

Family-friendly fishing trip prices

A half-day inshore fishing trip is a perfect trip for a family. Your family won’t get tired during a short outing.

On average, the price for a 4-hour family-friendly fishing trip is $436 for 2 guests. An extra guest fee is $50. Fishing charters can accommodate up to 6 persons depending on the capacity of the boat.

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Popular family-friendly fishing charters

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Shark fishing charters in Tampa Bay

Sharks are one of the most famous game fish in the waters of Tampa Bay. You can target these famous ocean predators by hiring one of the Tampa Bay shark fishing charters.

There are a lot of options for your next shark fishing trip near Tampa Bay. These waters are filled with Blacktip Shark, Bonnethead Shark, Nurse Shark, Bull Shark, and many more.

Note: you can keep certain Florida shark species, but most sharks are off-limits for harvesting. These sharks have to be released. Fishing charter Captains will help you with shark identification.

Sharks can be found in offshore and inshore waters. Shallows are a playground for juveniles, while deep waters are home to adult sharks.

Live or dead baits are great for shark fishing. It could be Mullet, Bonita, Blue Runner, or Ladyfish. The type of bait depends on the shark species you want to catch.

Shark fishing trip prices

$522 is the average base price for a private 4-hour shark fishing charter and 2 anglers. An extra angler fee is $50. Captains can accommodate 4-6 persons depending on the capacity of the vessel.

In Tampa Bay and nearby cities, there are about 13 shark fishing charters. You will have a lot of choices to book your next fishing retreat.

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Best time for shark fishing in Tampa Bay

Most of the non-prohibited shark species can be caught any time of the year. The best months for shark fishing in Tampa Bay are March through October.

Popular shark species

Popular shark fishing charters

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Tarpon fishing charters in Tampa Bay

Tampa Bay is one of the best Tarpon fishing destinations. Local fishing charters specialize in Tarpon fishing. They will show you all the productive spots and fishing methods.

Tarpon inhabit waters around river mouths, bays, mangroves, and shallows. You can catch it on live bait with crabs, pinfish, or mullet.

Note: The best practice is never to bring your catch in the boat because Tarpon is a catch-and-release-only fishery. By law, Tarpon over 40 inches must remain in the water. So be careful with your catch, take a quick photo, and let it go.

Tarpon fishing rates

$580 is the average price for a 6-hour Tarpon fishing trip and 2 guests. An extra person fee is $50.

We found 15 fishing companies specialized in Tarpon fishing in Tampa Bay.

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Best time for Tarpon fishing in Tampa Bay

Late spring and summer are the best seasons to go after Tarpon in Tampa Bay waters. August, July, and June are the best months.

Popular Tarpon fishing charters

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FAQ

What is included in the price?

Most trips are all-inclusive. Captains provide all the necessary fishing equipment, bait, and cooler with ice. Usually, Captains clean the catch with no additional payments.

The trip price includes a saltwater fishing license. This license covers all the people on the vessel.

An offshore fishing charter has to have a federal permit to fish in the federal waters.

What to bring on a fishing charter trip?

Depending on the weather, Captains recommend bringing sunscreen, polarized sunglasses, long sleeve shirt, hat, windbreaker, waterproof jacket, waterproof pans, appropriate non-skid footwear, gloves, your medicines, bug bite cream, sanitizer, drinks, and snacks.

Bring your freshwater license if you are planning to fish in the freshwater.

Some Captains don’t recommend bringing spray sunscreen, liquor, weapons, fireworks, and inappropriate footwear.

How to book a fishing charter trip?

You can make a reservation with a 10-30% deposit.

The remaining balance has to be paid directly to the Captain on the day of your trip or upon arrival.

The majority of the fishing charter deposits are refundable if you can cancel before the cancellation deadline. On average, a free cancellation deadline is 2-14 days before the trip date. Keep in mind that some of the bookings could be non-refundable.

What are the closest boat ramps and marinas to Tampa Bay?

Popular public boat ramps and marinas near Tampa Bay are:

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Nearby fishing destinations