Half Day Redfish & Cobia Trips Tampa Bay FL

Half Day Tampa Bay Inshore Adventure

Looking for something different on the water? Captain Tony Frankland knows these Tampa Bay flats like the back of his hand, and he's ready to put you on some serious fish. This half-day trip packs four solid hours of fishing into the sweetest spots around Tampa Bay, targeting everything from hard-fighting redfish to acrobatic cobia. Whether you're bringing your buddy or making it a family outing, this top-rated inshore experience gives you plenty of action without eating up your whole day. We're talking about some of Florida's most sought-after species in waters that consistently produce year-round.

What to Expect on the Water

Captain Tony runs a tight ship but keeps things relaxed and fun. You'll launch early enough to beat the crowds but not so early that you're stumbling around in the dark. The boat's set up perfectly for inshore work – shallow draft, quiet trolling motor, and all the gear you need to get after these fish properly. Tampa Bay's got this amazing mix of grass flats, oyster bars, and mangrove shorelines that hold different species depending on the tide and time of year. One minute you might be sight-casting to cruising redfish in two feet of water, the next you're working structure for snook or chasing schools of jacks that are tearing up baitfish on the surface. Captain Tony reads the water conditions each morning and adjusts the game plan accordingly. Some days we're throwing topwater plugs at first light, other days we're bouncing jigs along the bottom or working live bait around structure.

Techniques & Tackle Setup

The beauty of Tampa Bay inshore fishing is the variety of techniques that work here. Captain Tony's got spinning gear rigged and ready, typically medium-action rods spooled with 15-20 pound braid and fluorocarbon leaders. Depending on what's biting, you might be throwing soft plastics on jig heads, working topwater plugs during the early bite, or fishing live shrimp and pinfish around structure. The shallow water means you can actually see a lot of the fish you're targeting – there's nothing quite like watching a big red cruise up to your bait in crystal clear water. When the cobia show up, we'll often switch to heavier tackle and live bait or big jigs. Captain Tony provides all the rods, reels, tackle, and bait, plus he's constantly adjusting presentations based on what the fish want that particular day. The boat's equipped with a shallow water anchor system, so we can lock down on productive spots and work them thoroughly without spooking fish.

Top Catches This Season

Redfish are the bread and butter of Tampa Bay inshore fishing, and for good reason. These copper-colored bulldogs typically run 18-27 inches in these waters, with plenty of slot fish and some oversized bulls mixed in. They're most active during moving water, especially around oyster bars and grass flats edges. What makes reds so special is their willingness to eat and their fighting ability – they'll peel drag and make multiple runs even in shallow water. The best action usually happens during the cooler months from October through April, but you can catch them year-round if you know where to look. Cobia are the wild cards that can make your whole trip. These brown sharks of the inshore world show up in spring and fall, often cruising just under the surface in 3-8 feet of water. They're curious fish that will often approach the boat, giving you sight-casting opportunities you won't find anywhere else. A good cobia will go 20-40 pounds and fight like they're twice that size. Crevalle jacks might not win any beauty contests, but they're some of the hardest fighting fish pound-for-pound in Tampa Bay. Schools of jacks will crash baitfish right on the surface, creating feeding frenzies that you can hear and see from hundreds of yards away. They hit hard, run fast, and never give up – perfect for anyone who wants their drag screaming. Bluefish are seasonal visitors that show up in cooler months, usually traveling in schools and feeding aggressively on shrimp and small baitfish. They're excellent eating when caught in clean water and provide steady action when you find them. Snook are the glamour species of Florida inshore fishing – they're beautiful, fight incredibly well, and have this attitude that makes every hookup feel special. Tampa Bay snook love structure like docks, mangrove shorelines, and bridge pilings. They're ambush predators that will explode on topwater plugs or perfectly presented live bait.

Time to Book Your Spot

Captain Tony's half-day trips book up fast, especially during prime season when the weather's perfect and the fish are cooperating. Four hours gives you enough time to hit multiple spots, try different techniques, and really get a feel for what Tampa Bay inshore fishing is all about. Whether you're a seasoned angler looking to explore new water or someone who's never held a fishing rod, this customer favorite trip delivers the kind of action that keeps people coming back. The two-person limit means you get personalized attention and plenty of chances to get on fish. Don't wait until the last minute – the best fishing days fill up weeks in advance, and you don't want to miss out on what could be the highlight of your Florida trip.