Flats & Mangrove Fishing in Tampa Bay
Shallow Water. Lots of Different Fish.
Most of this trip happens in one to five feet of water.
We run the grass flats and mangrove shorelines of Tampa Bay, then quietly troll in close so we don't spook the fish.
Captain Dmitri calls it backcountry sport fishing. It's the trip with the most variety.
Why Tampa Bay Is Built for It
Tampa Bay is the largest open-water estuary in Florida. That means miles of grass flats and mangroves, all close to St. Pete.
The grass holds bait. The mangroves give fish shade and cover. Put the two together and you've got the kind of water snook and redfish live in.
What You'll Catch
Snook, redfish, spotted seatrout (speckled trout), black drum, flounder and Spanish mackerel are all fair game on the flats.
Every so often a tarpon shows up. You can't plan on one, but it happens on this trip.
Florida sets seasons and size limits on most of these fish. Captain Dmitri will tell you what's legal to keep.
When to Go
In summer, go early. Captain Dmitri recommends starting around 7:00 am.
Once the water heats up, the bite on the flats shuts off. An early start beats the heat too.
The rest of the year, timing comes down to tide, current, wind, water temperature and air pressure. Dmitri will suggest the best start time for the day you book.
The Boat and the Captain
Captain Dmitri's 25-foot C-Hawk is set up for this water. It handles the shallow grass flats and still has room for six.
Dmitri has fished the Gulf Coast for more than 30 years, from the Texas coast to the Ten Thousand Islands. He knows how shallow fish behave, and he's patient with first-timers.
Who It's For
This is a good first trip for families. The water is shallow and protected, and there are a lot of different fish around, which keeps it interesting for kids.
It's also the trip for anglers who want to work the mangroves for a snook or a redfish.
Trips run from a couple of hours to most of the day. Shorter trips work well with young kids.
Trip Details
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Up to 6 guests
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Leaves from Maximo Park or Jungle Prada in St. Petersburg
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Included: fishing license, rods, reels, tackle, live bait and ice
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Captain Dmitri fillets, bags and ices your keepers
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Bring: sun protection, drinks and snacks. Alcohol is fine, just no glass.
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Rates: see Charters & Rates
Book your trip online, or call or text Captain Dmitri at (361) 557-0179.
