TAMPA BAY FISHING CHARTERS
We are an exciting inshore charter company specializing in sight fishing charters with spinning and fly fishing equipment in Tampa Bay and surrounding areas!
Here is your chance to fish some of the most exciting flats on Florida’s Suncoast! We will spend our day stalking these fish in the waters of Saint Joseph Sound, Tampa Bay and in the estuaries of the Gulf of Mexico. These areas have an amazing landscape of sand flats, mangroves and turtle grass flats. This gives us ample opportunities to find happy fish at all parts of the tide cycle. Sight fishing is a rush like no other. We will be poling around on the flats usually in about a foot of water. Visibility is fantastic on these flats, so bring your A game. These fish don't get this big by being stupid.
Our primary focus will be on the big three, Redfish, Snook and Tarpon. But I like to have clients cast at whatever comes into range. Depending on conditions, you might hook into Black Drum, Sheepshead, Bonefish, Cobia, Flounder, Jack Crevalle, Permit, Tripletail or Speckled Trout and who knows what else! The Saltmarsh Heron 18 is loaded up with the best gear and tackle! You bring the passion, and we will supply the rest!



Trip availability and prices

  • Private trip
    4 Hour Trip – Inshore Fly Fishing
    FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
    4 Hour Trip, starts at 6:00 AM
    Price for up to 3 persons
    US $500
    Is there anything better than making the perfect cast and watching the fish eat your fly? I don't think so! We will work the flats of Old Tampa Bay for some of the biggest Redfish, Snook and Tarpon in these skinny waters. Sight fishing is such a rush. It is similar to hunting, where we are stalking these fish and using stealth to sneak up on them. Then it's time to make that perfect cast and work that fly to trick them into eating. After that hang on & do battle with a freight train in a foot of water!
    Types of fishing
    Inshore Fishing
    Flats Fishing
    Backcountry Fishing
    Fishing techniques
    Fly Fishing
    Targeted fish
    Bonefish
    Bonefish
    Cobia
    Cobia
    Jack Crevalle
    Jack Crevalle
    Permit
    Permit
    Snook
    Snook
    Tarpon
    Tarpon
    Redfish
    Redfish
    Spotted Seatrout
    Spotted Seatrout
    Tripletail
    Tripletail
    Speckled Trout
    Speckled Trout
  • Private trip
    4 Hour Trip – Inshore Spinning
    FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
    4 Hour Trip, starts at 6:00 AM
    Price for up to 3 persons
    US $500
    Is there anything better than making the perfect cast and watching the fish eat your bait? I don't think so! We will work the flats of Old Tampa Bay for some of the biggest Redfish, Snook and Tarpon in these skinny waters. Sight fishing is such a rush. It is similar to hunting, where we are stalking these fish and using stealth to sneak up on them. Then it's time to make that perfect cast and work that bait to trick them into eating. After that hang on & do battle with a freight train in a foot of water!
    Types of fishing
    Inshore Fishing
    Flats Fishing
    Backcountry Fishing
    Fishing techniques
    Light Tackle
    Spinning
    Targeted fish
    Bonefish
    Bonefish
    Cobia
    Cobia
    Jack Crevalle
    Jack Crevalle
    Permit
    Permit
    Snook
    Snook
    Tarpon
    Tarpon
    Redfish
    Redfish
    Spotted Seatrout
    Spotted Seatrout
    Tripletail
    Tripletail
    Speckled Trout
    Speckled Trout
  • Private trip
    TARPON SEASON 2025 Spin or Fly
    FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
    8 Hour Trip, starts at 6:00 AM
    Seasonal trip Apr 15 - Sep 1
    Price for up to 3 persons
    US $800
    Get on the books for the 2025 TARPON SEASON! If it’s anything like the 24’ season it will be epic. Tarpon fishing off the beach is a unique experience with some big rewards! Tarpon migrate along the Suncoast as the water temps get into the mid to upper 70s. These larger migratory fish can offer exciting days with ample opportunities at 100lb+ fish swim along our beaches. The best time of year for migratory tarpon is May through August. We use heavy spinning gear or 11wt fly rods to target the Silver King
    Types of fishing
    Inshore Fishing
    Flats Fishing
    Backcountry Fishing
    Fishing techniques
    Light Tackle
    Fly Fishing
    Spinning
    Targeted fish
    Tarpon
    Tarpon
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Customer reviews

Rating summary
Excellent
5.0 / 5
out of 5 stars from 4 reviews
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Photos & videos by reviewers (4)
True skinny water sight fishing
Half day trip
August fishing trip
+1
Angler rating
4
0
0
0
0
Anglers claimed
Good experience
100%
Friendly captain
100%
Recommend this charter
100%
Appropriate for children
100%
Satisfied with the boat
100%
Caught fish
100%
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Showing:
4 of 4 reviews
Robert M.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

True skinny water sight fishing

VERIFIED   4 Hour Trip – Inshore Spinning on November 10, 2024
Me and my wife had a great time sight fishing for snook and redfish back in the mangrove creeks and flats.  Threw softbaits...
Robert M. recommends TAMPA BAY FISHING CHARTERS - Tarpon
Mark review as helpful
You found this review helpful
  Paul Duffey Captain replied

Trent W.
United States
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Unforgettable experience with Captain Paul

4 Hour Trip – Inshore Fly Fishing on March 1, 2024
I had an amazing day on the water with Captain Paul. From the moment we started, he made the trip not only productive but a...
Trent W. recommends TAMPA BAY FISHING CHARTERS - Tarpon
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You found this review helpful
  Paul Duffey Captain replied

Jack T.
United States
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Half day trip

4 Hour Trip – Inshore Spinning on August 18, 2024
Had a great trip with Capt Paul. Very knowledgeable about the area and will definitely put you on the fish. His boat was awesome...
Jack T. recommends TAMPA BAY FISHING CHARTERS - Tarpon
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You found this review helpful
  Paul Duffey Captain replied

Bill S.
Bluffton, South Carolina
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

August fishing trip

4 Hour Trip – Inshore Spinning on August 1, 2024
This guy can flat out find fish ! Had a great outing, his gear and boat are top tier !! His knowledge of fishery is extensive....
Bill S. recommends TAMPA BAY FISHING CHARTERS - Tarpon
Mark review as helpful
You found this review helpful
  Paul Duffey Captain replied

FAQs about TAMPA BAY FISHING CHARTERS - Tarpon

TAMPA BAY FISHING CHARTERS - Tarpon offers the following trips to customers:
  • US $500 per group - 4 Hour Trip – Inshore Fly Fishing (4 hours)
  • US $500 per group - 4 Hour Trip – Inshore Spinning (4 hours)
  • US $800 per group - TARPON SEASON 2025 Spin or Fly (8 hours)

When you book a trip with TAMPA BAY FISHING CHARTERS - Tarpon, you can expect the following amenities onboard:
  • GPS
  • Fishfinder

Trips booked with TAMPA BAY FISHING CHARTERS - Tarpon include:
  • Rods, reels & tackle
  • Lures

TAMPA BAY FISHING CHARTERS - Tarpon offers the following types of fishing:
  • Inshore Fishing
  • Flats Fishing
  • Backcountry Fishing

TAMPA BAY FISHING CHARTERS - Tarpon offers the following fishing techniques:
  • Light Tackle
  • Spinning
  • Fly Fishing

Top targeted fish species with TAMPA BAY FISHING CHARTERS - Tarpon include:
  • Bonefish
  • Cobia
  • Jack Crevalle
  • Permit
  • Redfish
  • Snook
  • Speckled Trout
  • Spotted Seatrout
  • Tarpon
  • Tripletail

Your captain

Paul Duffey
St. Petersburg, Florida, United States
1 Fishing Report
ID & license verified
14 Customer reviews
Response time within an hour
Member since July 2022
Man, I love what I do! Being a guide for me is an excuse to fish with new friends and give them the bow time they have been longing for. Sight fishing for Florida's top inshore species is an addiction and gets your blood pumping! It is similar to hunting where you have to pay close attention, read your surroundings while stalking these fish to take advantage of opportunities. Going after snook, Tarpon, and big Redfish are just a few of the targets you will see on each trip. Sight fishing the flats is a challenge with some big rewards and my clients absolutely love it! I love the history of fishing here in Florida. I grew up watching Flip on the Walker's Cay Chronicles and José Wejebe, dreaming that one day I would have a chance to be a guide. I started Tampa Bay Fishing Charters to bring that dream to life. I know I will never be Flip but hopefully I can do my part to continue growing the passion for this sport through my client's adventures. We are always chasing that next rush of excitement when that drag starts screaming, it makes you feel alive in your soul. I hope to see you on the bow of the skiff soon!

The fish you can target

Bonefish Bonefish
Cobia Cobia
Jack Crevalle Jack Crevalle
Permit Permit

What the boat is like

Boat Image
Boat category
Skiffs and flats boats
Capacity
3 persons
Boat length
18 ft
Year built
2019
Boat manufacturer
Ankona Saltmarsh Heron 18
Boat type
Skiff

Engine model
Suzuki
Powered by
1 x 60HP
Max cruising speed
32 knots

Which types of fishing are offered

Inshore Fishing
Flats Fishing
Backcountry Fishing

Which fishing techniques you can try

Light Tackle
Spinning
Fly Fishing

Which amenities are available onboard

GPS
Fishfinder

What’s included in the trip price

Rods, reels & tackle
Lures

How cancellations work

Free cancellation up to 3 days prior to trip

You can cancel or modify your booking up to 3 days before the trip date, free of charge. If you cancel or modify your booking later, or fail to show up, you'll forfeit 100% of what you've paid.

What the listing policies are

Pickup included in price
Transfer from hotels or jetties in St. Petersburg to departure site is available and included in trip rates.
You Keep Catch

How you can pay

Book with 30% deposit, pay rest to captain

When the captain confirms your trip, FishingBooker charges your credit card a 30% deposit to guarantee your reservation.

The remaining balance is to be paid directly to the charter operator on or prior to your trip date in one of the following payment methods:

Cash
PayPal
Bank Transfer

What’s biting in St. Petersburg right now

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