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Extended Tampa Bay Redfish Trip Run And Gun
Tampa BayWhat you will be catching:
Red Snapper
Redfish
Sea Trout
Sheepshead
Summer Flounder
Trip Pricing and Availabilities:
Trip pricing information is temporarily unavailable.
Extended Half Day Tampa Bay Fishing Adventure
Captain Guy's been working Tampa Bay waters for decades, and he knows exactly where the fish are hiding. This 6-hour inshore trip gives you serious time on the water without breaking the bank or taking up your whole day. Whether you're bringing the kids for their first fishing experience or you're a weekend warrior looking to add some variety to your tackle box, this trip delivers. The 26-foot Gause-built boat handles Tampa Bay's chop like a dream, and with room for up to 4 anglers, you won't feel cramped while fighting fish. Captain Guy provides all the gear and bait, so you just need to show up with your Florida fishing license and get ready to bend some rods.
What to Expect on the Water
Six hours gives Captain Guy plenty of time to work different spots around Tampa Bay depending on tides, weather, and what's biting. You'll start early to beat the heat and the weekend boat traffic, heading to productive flats and structure where the fish are feeding. The Gause boat draws shallow, so you can get into those skinny water spots where the big redfish cruise. Captain Guy reads the water like a book – he'll point out nervous baitfish, show you how bird activity tells you where the action is, and explain why certain spots produce at different times of day. The family-friendly approach means everyone gets hands-on instruction, from setting the hook to proper fish handling. Kids especially love seeing their first redfish up close, and Captain Guy always makes sure the younger anglers get plenty of coaching without feeling rushed.
Techniques and Tackle Setup
Captain Guy runs a mix of live bait and artificials depending on what the fish want that day. You'll likely throw some live shrimp under popping corks for sea trout and redfish, while also working jigs around structure for sheepshead and snapper. The shallow Tampa Bay flats call for light tackle – usually spinning gear with 15-20 pound braid that gives you the sensitivity to feel those subtle bites. When targeting snapper around structure, Captain Guy might bump up to slightly heavier gear to keep fish out of the rocks. He's got everything rigged and ready, but he's also happy to show you his setup if you want to replicate it on your own boat later. The approach changes throughout the trip – you might start sight fishing for reds on the flats at dawn, then move to deeper channels as the sun gets higher and fish seek cooler water.
Top Catches This Season
Red Snapper are the crown jewel of this trip, and Tampa Bay's snapper population has been strong lately. These fighters average 2-5 pounds but don't let the size fool you – they'll test your drag and try every trick to get back to their rocky hideouts. They're most active during cooler parts of the day and love structure like bridge pilings and artificial reefs. The bite is usually best on the bottom with fresh cut bait or live shrimp. Redfish are Tampa Bay legends, and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers cruise the shallow flats in small schools, and when you hook one, the fight is absolutely electric. They average 20-30 inches here, with some real bulls pushing the 40-inch mark. Peak season runs from late spring through fall, and they're suckers for live bait presented near mangrove shorelines and oyster bars.
Sea Trout might be called "weakfish" elsewhere, but Tampa Bay's specks are anything but weak. These spotted beauties love grass flats and drop-offs, especially during dawn and dusk feeding periods. They hit soft plastics and live shrimp with aggressive strikes, and the 16-20 inch fish are perfect table fare. Sheepshead earn their nickname "convict fish" with distinctive black stripes, and they're notorious bait stealers with their crushing bite. Tampa Bay's sheepshead hang around structure year-round, but winter months bring the biggest fish as they stage for spawning. They're tricky to hook but worth the effort – few fish fight harder pound-for-pound. Summer Flounder, or fluke, are the chameleons of Tampa Bay. These flatfish bury in sandy bottom waiting to ambush baitfish, and when they strike, it's lightning fast. The bigger ones – called "doormat" fluke – provide fantastic table fare and a sneaky strong fight that surprises first-time anglers.
Time to Book Your Spot
Tampa Bay's fishing stays consistent year-round, but each season brings different opportunities and peak bite times. Captain Guy's 6-hour format gives you the best of both worlds – serious fishing time without the full-day commitment. The trip works great for families wanting to introduce kids to saltwater fishing, couples looking for a fun day together, or small groups of friends ready to fill the cooler. Remember to grab your Florida fishing license ahead of time, and don't forget to ask Captain Guy about life jacket requirements when you book – he takes safety seriously and wants to make sure everyone's properly equipped. The 26-foot Gause boat provides plenty of room to move around, and the shallow draft opens up fishing spots that bigger boats can't reach. Book early, especially during peak season, because word's getting out about Captain Guy's top-rated Tampa Bay trips.
Learn more about the species
Red Snapper
Red Snapper are true fighters that'll give you a real battle once hooked. These pink-to-red beauties typically run 1-2 feet and under 10 pounds, but we see some real bruisers pushing 3 feet. They love hanging around structure in deeper water - think 30+ feet near reefs, wrecks, and ledges. The bite stays pretty consistent year-round here in Tampa Bay, but they really turn on during warmer months. What makes them special? That fight when they try to run back to cover, plus they're hands-down some of the best eating fish in the Gulf. Pro tip: use fresh squid or live pinfish, and when you feel that first nibble, set the hook hard - they've got crushers for jaws and will steal your bait if you hesitate.
Redfish
Redfish are Tampa Bay's signature species - copper-colored bruisers with that distinctive black spot near the tail. Most slot fish run 18-27 inches, but the big bulls offshore can hit 40+ inches and 30 pounds. These shallow-water hunters cruise oyster bars, grass flats, and mangrove shorelines in 1-4 feet of water. Year-round fishing is solid, but fall and spring offer the best action when they school up. Guests love reds because they fight hard, make dramatic surface strikes, and those big ones will take you into your backing. The meat's firm and sweet too. Pro tip: look for "nervous water" or tailing fish on the flats during moving tides. Cast ahead of cruising fish and work topwater plugs or soft plastics slowly - they'll crush it.
Sea Trout
Spotted Sea Trout, or "specks" as we call them, are perfect for anglers wanting consistent action. These silvery fish with dark spots typically run 14-24 inches and love shallow grass flats where they ambush shrimp and small baitfish. You'll find them in 2-6 feet of water around oyster bars, grass beds, and drop-offs. They bite year-round, but cooler months see them schooled up in deeper holes. What makes them popular is their willingness to hit artificials - they're not picky eaters. The meat is soft and flaky, so don't overcook it. Night fishing can be dynamite for big trout. Here's a local trick: work your lure slow and steady over grass flats at dawn or dusk. They have soft mouths, so keep steady pressure but don't horse them in.
Sheepshead
Sheepshead earn their nickname "convict fish" with those black and white stripes, but what really gets people talking are their human-like teeth. These crafty bait thieves typically weigh 1-8 pounds and love hanging around any structure - docks, bridges, pilings loaded with barnacles. They're notorious for nibbling bait right off your hook, which makes landing one feel like a real accomplishment. Spring months from February through April are peak season when they spawn around channel passes. Guests enjoy targeting them because they're smart fish that require skill, plus they make excellent eating with sweet, white meat. My advice: use small hooks with fresh shrimp or fiddler crab, keep your bait tight to the structure, and when you feel that subtle pick-up, set the hook immediately and hard.
Summer Flounder
Summer Flounder are the masters of disguise - these flatfish change colors to match the bottom perfectly. Most run 15-20 inches, but the big females can surprise you at 20+ pounds. They're ambush predators that bury in sand and mud, waiting for baitfish to swim by. You'll find them on both sandy flats and around structure, typically in 10-40 feet of water. Fall months from September through November are prime time when they're feeding heavy before winter. Guests love them because they fight different than other fish - more of a bulldogging pull - and they're fantastic table fare with sweet, flaky white meat. Here's the key: use a circle hook and fish slow. Hook your baitfish through the eyes and let it work the bottom naturally.
About the Gause Built 26'
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Vehicle Guest Capacity: 6
Manufacturer Name: Yamaha
Maximum Cruising Speed: 32
Number of Engines: 1
Horsepower per Engine: 300
