St. Pete's Premier Full-Day Inshore Fishing

Published Date: September 6, 2025
Fishing

St. Petersburg, FL
$325 - $700 price range

Summary

Looking for a day of serious fishing in St. Petersburg? Deep Color Fishing has you covered with their full-day charter. You'll be targeting a variety of species including grouper, cobia, permit, sheepshead, and trout in some of the area's most productive inshore waters. The experienced crew provides all the gear and licenses you need, so you can focus on reeling in the big ones. Whether you're a seasoned angler or new to fishing, the team is ready to help you make the most of your day on the water. With a guest capacity of 2, you'll get plenty of personal attention and guidance. The best part? You can book with confidence knowing you can cancel free of charge up to a day before your trip. So grab a friend and get ready for a day of non-stop fishing action in the beautiful waters of St. Petersburg, Florida.

St. Pete's Premier Full-Day Inshore Fishing

Reels and Rods

Redfish of St. Petersburg, Florida, average size

Permit fish caught fishing in St. Petersburg

Even with that zoom you can see the big fish

Two anglers caught three Great Barracuda and African Pompano fish in Florida.

Assorted catches today with seasoned guest.

Ultimate Grouper Catch in St Petersburg, FL.

Full Day Fishing: St. Pete's Inshore Bonanza

Ready to reel in some serious action in the Sunshine City? Deep Color Fishing's full-day trip in St. Petersburg is your ticket to hooking into some of Florida's most prized inshore species. We're talking grouper, cobia, permit, and more – all waiting for you in the rich waters of Tampa Bay and the Gulf. Whether you're a seasoned angler or just getting your feet wet, our expert crew's got you covered with all the gear and know-how you need for a day of non-stop fishing fun.

What to Expect on the Water

Kick off your day bright and early as we push off from the docks of St. Pete. You'll be greeted by our seasoned captain and mate, who know these waters like the back of their hand. We'll cruise out to the hottest spots, where the fish are biting and the action is steady. With room for two guests, you'll get plenty of one-on-one attention to dial in your technique and maximize your chances of landing the big one. No need to sweat the small stuff – we've got all the licenses, rods, reels, and bait you need. Just bring your game face and maybe a cooler for your catch!

Tactics and Techniques

On this full-day adventure, we'll mix it up to target a variety of species. We might start by bottom fishing for grouper, dropping live bait or jigs to tempt these hard-fighting bottom dwellers. As the day heats up, we'll switch gears and sight fish for cobia cruising near the surface or try our luck with permit on the flats. Our captain's always got an eye on the conditions, so we'll adjust our approach to where the fish are biting. You'll get hands-on experience with different rigs and techniques, from light tackle finesse fishing for trout to battling it out with a bruiser grouper.

Species You'll Want to Hook

Goliath Grouper: These massive fish are the true giants of the reef. Growing up to 800 pounds, hooking into a goliath is like trying to pull a Volkswagen off the bottom. They're catch-and-release only, but the thrill of the fight is unforgettable. Look for them around structure and wrecks, especially in the warmer months.

King Mackerel: Known as "kingfish" to locals, these speedsters can smoke a reel faster than you can say "fish on!" We'll troll for kings with live bait or spoons, targeting them in the cooler months when they're thick in the Gulf. The acrobatic runs and aerial displays of a hooked king make for an exciting catch every time.

Sea Trout: A staple of inshore fishing, speckled trout are abundant year-round in St. Pete's grass flats and channels. We'll use light tackle and live shrimp or artificial lures to entice these tasty predators. They're great for beginners and seasoned anglers alike, offering consistent action and a delicious dinner option.

Permit: These elusive fish are the holy grail for many inshore anglers. With their distinctive forked tail and powerful runs, permit offer a true test of skill. We'll sight fish for them on the flats, using crabs or small jigs to tempt these picky eaters. Landing a permit is a real notch in any angler's belt.

Cobia: Also known as ling or lemonfish, cobia are curious creatures that often swim right up to the boat. We'll keep our eyes peeled for their distinctive dark lateral stripe as they cruise near the surface. These hard-fighting fish can tip the scales at over 100 pounds, so be ready for a workout when one takes the bait!

Why Anglers Keep Coming Back

St. Petersburg's waters are a fisherman's playground, and our full-day trip lets you make the most of it. With Deep Color Fishing, you're not just paying for a boat ride – you're tapping into years of local knowledge and a passion for putting clients on fish. We pride ourselves on going the extra mile, whether that's tweaking your technique or running to that secret spot where the big ones are biting. Plus, with our flexible cancellation policy, you can book with confidence knowing you can reschedule if plans change.

Time to Book Your Spot

Don't let this chance to experience some of Florida's best inshore fishing slip away. Our full-day trips fill up fast, especially during peak seasons. Whether you're looking to cross some species off your bucket list, learn new techniques, or just enjoy a day on the water with a friend, Deep Color Fishing has you covered. Remember, everything's included – from top-notch gear to expert guidance. All you need to bring is your sense of adventure and maybe a camera to capture your trophy catches. So what are you waiting for? Give us a call or book online today, and let's get you hooked up with some of St. Pete's finest fish!

Learn more about the species

Cobia

Cobia are one of the most sought-after gamefish in our waters. These powerful bruisers average 20-40 pounds but can top 100. They're often mistaken for sharks due to their similar profile. Look for cobia around buoys, wrecks, and other structures in 30-70 foot depths. Spring is prime time as they migrate through, but we catch them all summer too. Cobia are curious fish - they'll often investigate anything unusual in the water. That's why sight-fishing for them can be so effective. When you spot one, toss a bucktail jig or live eel in front of it. Be ready for a fight when they bite - cobia are known for long, powerful runs and acrobatic leaps. They're also excellent table fare with firm, white meat. Here's a pro tip: always have a heavy spinning rod rigged and ready. You never know when a cobia might pop up, and you'll want to be able to cast to it quickly.

Goliath Grouper

These massive fish are true monsters of the deep, growing up to 8 feet long and 800 pounds. You'll find them lurking around reefs, wrecks, and other structures in waters up to 150 feet deep. Goliaths are loners, but they gather to spawn in late summer and fall. Catching one is a real battle - they're known for their powerful first pull that can yank you right off the boat if you're not careful. We use extra-heavy gear with 600-pound test line and 20/0 circle hooks to handle these giants. The key is anchoring close enough to the structure to tempt them out, but far enough to pull them away before they break you off. Try bouncing your bait off the bottom to get their attention. Just remember, these protected fish are strictly catch-and-release, so we do our part to keep the population healthy for future anglers to enjoy.

King Mackerel

King Mackerel are speed demons of the Gulf, known for blistering runs that'll make your reel scream. These sleek predators typically run 20-40 pounds, but monsters over 90 pounds have been caught. Look for them in 40-150 foot depths, especially around structures like reefs and wrecks. Kings are migratory, so spring and fall are prime seasons as they pass through our waters. Trolling is the go-to technique - we'll often use planers to get our baits down. Live bait like blue runners or menhaden work great, but Kings will also hit on spoons and other artificials. When you hook up, be ready for some acrobatics - these fish love to leap and tailwalk across the surface. Kings make excellent table fare too, just be mindful of mercury levels in larger specimens. Pro tip: use a stinger rig to improve your hookup ratio on short strikes.

Permit

Permit are the Holy Grail for many flats anglers - they're challenging, powerful, and downright frustrating at times. These silvery, disc-shaped fish typically run 10-30 pounds, though they can top 50. You'll find them tailing on shallow flats or cruising near offshore wrecks and reefs. Spring through fall is prime permit time in our area. They have incredible eyesight and are notoriously picky eaters, which makes fooling them a real accomplishment. Live crabs are the go-to bait, but fly anglers can have success with crab patterns too. When hooked, permit make blistering runs and fight dirty, often heading straight for structure. The real thrill is sight-fishing for them in skinny water - it's a game of stealth and precision. Here's a local tip: if you spook a permit, don't give up. They often circle back around, giving you a second shot if you stay put and patient.

Sea Trout

Sea Trout, also called Speckled Trout, are a favorite inshore species here in St. Pete. These silvery fish with distinctive spots usually run 1-5 pounds, though some gators push past 10 pounds. You'll find them in grass flats, around docks, and in deeper channels, especially at night. Sea Trout are most active in cooler months when they school up. They're fun on light tackle and put up a good fight for their size. Soft plastics, topwater plugs, and live shrimp are all effective baits. One local trick is to fish the edges of grass flats on an outgoing tide - the trout will often stage there to ambush bait being swept out. Sea Trout have delicate mouths, so set the hook with a smooth, steady pull rather than a hard jerk. They're also great eating fish with a mild, flaky white meat. Just be careful not to overcook them, or they'll get mushy.

About the

Vehicle Guest Capacity: 4

Manufacturer Name: Suzuki

Maximum Cruising Speed: 45

Number of Engines: 1

Horsepower per Engine: 175

Get ready for an awesome day of fishing in St. Petersburg with Deep Color Fishing! We've got everything set up for you to have a great time out on the water. Our experienced crew knows all the best spots to catch grouper, cobia, permit, sheepshead, trout, and more. No need to worry about bringing gear or getting a license - we've got you covered. Whether you're a seasoned pro or trying fishing for the first time, we'll make sure you have a blast. The boat can take 2 guests, so grab a friend and get ready for some serious angling action. We're all about making your day on the water easy and fun. Just remember, if plans change, you can cancel up to a day before at no cost. So what are you waiting for? Book your trip with us and let's go catch some fish!

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