%2Ffit-in%2F250x250%2Fguide_websites%2F119863%2Fimages%2F1771925537622guybusinesslogo.jpeg&w=1200&q=100)
/users/1af30e13-566f-4773-a0a4-7d1b4737c95a/ratecard/beg-mm0egfi7.jpeg)
%2F300x300%2Fusers%2F1af30e13-566f-4773-a0a4-7d1b4737c95a%2Fratecard%2Fbeg-mm0egfi7.jpeg&w=256&q=75)
%2F300x300%2Fusers%2F1af30e13-566f-4773-a0a4-7d1b4737c95a%2Fimages%2Fredfish-tampa-fishing-tour-2663.jpg&w=256&q=75)
%2F300x300%2Fusers%2F1af30e13-566f-4773-a0a4-7d1b4737c95a%2Fimages%2Fredfish-catch-tampa-2645.jpg&w=256&q=75)
%2F300x300%2Fusers%2F1af30e13-566f-4773-a0a4-7d1b4737c95a%2Fimages%2Ftampa-fishing-tour-2667.jpg&w=256&q=75)
%2F300x300%2Fusers%2F1af30e13-566f-4773-a0a4-7d1b4737c95a%2Fimages%2Fredfish-cruises-fishing-tours-fl-2712.jpg&w=256&q=75)
%2F300x300%2Fusers%2F1af30e13-566f-4773-a0a4-7d1b4737c95a%2Fimages%2Fredfish-black-drum-tampa-fishing-2760.jpeg&w=256&q=75)
%2F300x300%2Fusers%2F1af30e13-566f-4773-a0a4-7d1b4737c95a%2Fimages%2Fsnook-fishing-tampa-2633.webp&w=256&q=75)
%2F300x300%2Fusers%2F1af30e13-566f-4773-a0a4-7d1b4737c95a%2Fimages%2Fredfish-caught-florida-2680.webp&w=256&q=75)
%2F300x300%2Fusers%2F1af30e13-566f-4773-a0a4-7d1b4737c95a%2Fimages%2Fbest-great-fishing-fl-grey-2633.webp&w=256&q=75)
%2F300x300%2Fusers%2F1af30e13-566f-4773-a0a4-7d1b4737c95a%2Fimages%2Fredfish-catch-tampa-2713.webp&w=256&q=75)
%2F300x300%2Fusers%2F1af30e13-566f-4773-a0a4-7d1b4737c95a%2Fimages%2Fsnook-fish-tampa-fishing-2614.webp&w=256&q=75)
Tampa Bay Beginner Fishing 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.
Full Day Beginner Tampa Bay Fishing Adventure
Looking for the perfect introduction to Tampa Bay fishing? Captain Guy's got you covered with an 8-hour experience that's built from the ground up for first-timers and families. This isn't your typical "throw you to the wolves" fishing trip – it's a hands-on learning adventure where you'll master the basics while actually catching fish. We're talking real coaching here, not just pointing you toward the stern and hoping for the best. You'll spend your day in the calm, protected waters of Tampa Bay targeting some of Florida's most popular inshore species, all while building confidence with every cast.
What to Expect on the Water
This trip starts at 6326 S Richard Ave in Tampa, where you'll meet Captain Guy and get your first taste of what makes Tampa Bay such a special fishery. The beauty of this 8-hour format is that there's no rushing – plenty of time to learn proper casting technique, understand how different baits work, and get comfortable handling fish safely. We stay in the protected inshore waters where the chop is manageable and the fish are cooperative. Captain Guy walks you through everything step by step: how to feel a bite, when to set the hook, and the right way to bring fish to the boat. Your group of up to 4 people gets personalized attention, which means everyone actually learns instead of just watching one person fish all day. All your gear is provided – rods, reels, tackle, and bait – so you can focus on fishing instead of figuring out what to bring.
Techniques & Tampa Bay Tactics
Tampa Bay inshore fishing is all about reading the water and adapting your approach. You'll learn to work with live bait around structure like docks, mangrove shorelines, and grass flats where fish love to hang out. Captain Guy teaches you how to present your bait naturally – whether that's free-lining a live shrimp near a mangrove overhang or bouncing a jig head along the bottom for flounder. The techniques you pick up here translate to fishing anywhere in Florida. You'll get hands-on experience with circle hooks for catch-and-release fishing, learn why certain spots hold fish at different tides, and understand how weather affects fish behavior. The captain adjusts tactics based on conditions and what's biting, so you might start the morning sight-fishing for redfish in shallow water and finish the day bottom fishing for snapper and sheepshead around structure.
Top Catches This Season
Redfish are the stars of Tampa Bay, and for good reason. These copper-colored fighters typically run 18-27 inches in the bay and put up a solid fight that gets beginners hooked on fishing. They're most active during moving tides and love shallow grass flats where you can actually see them cruising. What makes reds special is they're year-round residents, so there's always a good shot at hooking one. Sea trout are another Tampa Bay favorite – they're aggressive strikers that hit live shrimp and soft plastics with authority. Most trout in the bay run 14-18 inches, and they're perfect for learning proper hook-setting technique since they have soft mouths. Spring and fall are prime time for bigger trout, but the smaller ones provide consistent action all year. Sheepshead are the technical challenge of the group – these black-and-white striped fish are notorious bait thieves with incredible bite detection skills. They hang around any kind of structure and require a delicate touch, making them perfect for advancing your skills. Summer flounder, or fluke, are the chameleons of Tampa Bay. These flatfish bury themselves in sandy bottom and ambush prey, which means you need to keep your bait moving to trigger strikes. They're excellent eating and provide a different fishing experience from the other species. Red snapper round out the target list when they're in season – these deep-bodied fish are strong fighters that test your drag system and provide some of the best table fare in the Gulf.
Time to Book Your Spot
This beginner-friendly Tampa Bay trip delivers exactly what new anglers need: real instruction, manageable conditions, and fish that actually bite. Captain Guy's teaching approach means you'll walk away with skills you can use for a lifetime of fishing, not just stories about the one that got away. The 8-hour format gives everyone in your group time to get comfortable and confident, whether you're 8 or 80. Just remember to grab your Florida fishing license before you show up, and don't hesitate to contact Captain Guy about ages in your group so he can have appropriate safety gear ready. Tampa Bay's inshore fishery is world-class, and this trip is your ticket to experiencing it the right way. Book now and get ready to discover why so many people fall in love with fishing in these waters.
Learn more about the species
Red Snapper
Red Snapper are one of those fish that'll give you a real workout. Most of what we catch run 2-4 pounds, but the bigger ones can hit 10+ pounds and they know how to use that weight. You'll find them around structure in 30-60 feet - think artificial reefs, wrecks, and rocky bottom. They're bottom dwellers with that distinctive red color and those sharp teeth, so watch your fingers. Best fishing is spring through fall when water temps are right. What guests love most is the fight - they'll head straight for cover when hooked, so you need to muscle them up quick. For bait, fresh squid or cigar minnows work great, but here's a local tip: pin your bait right to the bottom and keep steady pressure on the rod tip. The moment you feel that tap-tap-tap, set the hook hard. These fish are also fantastic eating with sweet, white meat that's perfect for the dinner table.
Redfish
Redfish are Tampa Bay's signature species - that copper-bronze color and distinctive black spot near the tail make them unmistakable. Most of our fish run 18-28 inches, with the bigger slot fish putting up serious fights in shallow water. You'll find them cruising grass flats, oyster bars, and mangrove shorelines in 1-4 feet of water - sometimes so shallow their backs stick out. They bite year-round but fall and spring are prime when they're most active. What guests love is watching them eat - seeing that bronze back tip down in clear water gets everyone excited. They're also strong fighters that use the shallow water to their advantage, making long runs and pulling drag. Live shrimp and cut bait work great, but here's what I've learned over the years: look for nervous water and baitfish activity. When you see mullet jumping or birds working, there's usually redfish underneath. Cast past them and work your bait back slowly - they'll often follow before committing to bite.
Sea Trout
Sea Trout, or Speckled Trout as we call them locally, are perfect for beginners because they're aggressive and fun to catch. Most of our fish run 14-20 inches with plenty of fight for their size. You'll find them over grass flats in 3-8 feet of water, especially around drop-offs and sandy potholes. They bite year-round but really turn on during cooler months when they school up. What guests enjoy is how willing they are to bite - they'll hit live shrimp, soft plastics, and topwater lures with equal enthusiasm. The silver sides with black spots make them easy to identify, and that soft mouth means you need to play them carefully. Live shrimp under a popping cork is deadly, but here's a local secret: work the grass edges at dawn or dusk when they're feeding actively. Keep your drag light because those soft mouths tear easily. They're also great eating with tender, flaky white meat - just don't overcook them or they'll get mushy.
Sheepshead
Sheepshead are the convict fish of Tampa Bay with those black and white stripes, but don't let their looks fool you - they're some of the smartest fish around. Most run 2-4 pounds and 14-18 inches, though we occasionally see 8+ pounders that'll surprise you. These guys live around any kind of structure - docks, bridges, pilings, anywhere there are barnacles and crabs to munch on. Winter and spring are peak season when they move shallow to spawn. What guests love is the challenge - they're notorious bait thieves with those human-like teeth, so you need to stay sharp. The bite feels like someone tapping your line, then sudden weight. Fresh shrimp is the go-to bait, but here's my trick: use a small circle hook and keep your bait tight to the structure. The second you feel them nibbling, don't wait - set that hook firm. They're also fantastic table fare with sweet, white meat that rivals any fish we catch.
Summer Flounder
Summer Flounder are the masters of disguise - these flatfish change color to match the bottom, making them tough to spot until you hook one. Around Tampa Bay, most run 15-18 inches, but the bigger females can push 4-5 pounds. They're bottom huggers that love sandy areas near grass lines and drop-offs in 8-20 feet of water. Fall months are prime time when they're feeding heavily before moving deeper. What makes them special is that sneaky bite - they'll often grab your bait and sit there, so you need to feel for that extra weight. The fight isn't flashy but they're strong and stubborn once hooked. Live mud minnows or finger mullet work best, and here's what I always tell guests: hook your baitfish through the lips, let it hit bottom, then lift it up about a foot. Keep that slow, steady retrieve going. Flounder are also some of the best eating fish we catch - that white, flaky meat is hard to beat on the dinner table.
About the Gause Built 26'
%2F%2Fusers%2F1af30e13-566f-4773-a0a4-7d1b4737c95a%2Fvehicle_picture%2Fcaptguyboat-mm0a70qy.jpg&w=1200&q=75)
Vehicle Guest Capacity: 6
Manufacturer Name: Yamaha
Maximum Cruising Speed: 32
Number of Engines: 1
Horsepower per Engine: 300
