Inshore Fishing Charter in Tampa Bay

Barefoot Fishing Charters is built around the kind of fishing Tampa Bay is known for: warm water, diverse inshore habitats, and plenty of opportunities to chase fish without spending half the day traveling offshore. Our private inshore fishing charters explore the waters around Tampa, St. Petersburg, and the surrounding bay, with trips shaped around the conditions, the season, and what’s biting. Whether you fish every chance you get or you’re picking up a rod for the first time, the experience is laid-back, personal, and centered around having a genuinely good day on the water.

We want Barefoot Fishing Charters to feel less like booking a tourist attraction and more like getting an invitation to experience Tampa Bay from the water. That might mean working mangrove shorelines for snook, targeting redfish across the flats, looking for trout over grass beds, or simply enjoying a few hours away from land with your family or friends. Every trip is private to your group, giving you room to fish at your own pace, ask questions, learn something new, and enjoy the part of Florida that looks a whole lot better from a boat.

captain frankie bird

Your Captain

Barefoot Fishing Charters is owned and operated by Captain Frankie Bird, a Tampa Bay captain who has spent years fishing the inshore waters around Tampa and St. Petersburg. His knowledge of the bay comes from time on the water, learning how tides, weather, seasons, and changing conditions affect where the fish are and how they behave. He created Barefoot Fishing Charters to give locals and visitors a more personal way to experience the fishing that makes this part of Florida special.

Captain Frankie personally runs each charter and tailors the trip to the people stepping onto his boat. Experienced anglers can spend the day chasing their target species, while first-time fishermen and families get the patience and guidance they need to enjoy the experience. His approach is relaxed and welcoming, with plenty of local knowledge mixed in and a genuine focus on making your time on Tampa Bay worth remembering.

Built for Fishing Tampa Bay and St. Pete

Your day with Barefoot Fishing Charters happens aboard a 2019 23-foot Key West Bay Reef, a versatile bay boat built for the kind of inshore fishing Tampa Bay offers. With room for up to four adults, the boat gives your group plenty of space to fish comfortably while staying nimble enough to work flats, shorelines, and other productive inshore areas throughout the bay.

The boat is equipped with updated electronics and safety equipment, a Minn Kota trolling motor, dual Power-Poles, two livewells, and plenty of rod storage. A tower with a second station gives Captain Frankie an elevated view of the water while keeping the deck below open for anglers, and the tower provides welcome shade during those sunny Florida days. Everything aboard has a purpose: helping Frankie position the boat, adapt to conditions, and give your group a comfortable setup for a full day of Tampa Bay fishing.

inshore fishing charter tampa bay

Why Choose Barefoot Fishing Charters?

Barefoot Fishing Charters is built for people who want a day on Tampa Bay that feels personal from the moment they step aboard. Every charter is private to your group and planned around the conditions, your experience level, and what you want to get out of the trip. Captain Frankie brings years of local knowledge, quality fishing gear, and a fully equipped bay boat, while keeping the atmosphere relaxed and welcoming. Serious anglers can spend their time chasing the fish they came for, while families and first-time anglers can learn at their own pace and enjoy being on the water. It’s Tampa Bay fishing with a local captain who cares about giving you a day worth coming back for.

 

“I want people to feel comfortable the second they step on the boat. We’ll fish hard, have some laughs, and make the most of whatever Tampa Bay gives us that day.”


— CAPT. FRANKIE BIRD

From Ruskin to the Waters of Tampa Bay

Barefoot Fishing Charters launches from Ruskin, Florida, with quick access to the inshore waters of Tampa Bay. From this side of the bay, Captain Frankie can fish the flats, mangrove shorelines, channels, bridges, and other productive areas throughout the southern and central bay. Where you head on any given trip depends on the tide, weather, season, and where the fish are moving that day.

From Our Clients

Great day fishing. Frankie was a great captain. He took us to multiple spots and we caught lots of fish! Lots of snook, trout, catfish, ladyfish and yellow jack. He took the time to teach and help me and my kids with everything. Highly recommend for any fishing trip.

-Andrea

I just spent a week in Florida with my son and two friends and we booked with Capt. Frankie for four days, and what a great time we had. Frankie put us on fish every day and went above and beyond our expectations. We endured wind and rain and it didn’t bother him a bit. We just moved around the bay to find new spots out of the weather. He works hard every day catching fresh bait and he isn’t afraid to run around and burn gas to put you on fish. If you’re looking for a good guy to fish with that’s laid back and easy to get along with, Frankie is your guy.

-Josh

We went out on a full-day, in-shore trip and had an absolute blast! We caught a good variety of fish including snapper, mackerel, grouper, snook and tarpon and were able to bring home plenty for dinner. Frankie was an awesome captain and made sure we got the most out of our time. We also appreciated his enthusiasm and excitement every time we caught a fish. We will definitely be booking with Barefoot again!

-Madeline

Capt. Frank is top notch. His communication before the trip was amazing. His knowledge of the area was also amazing. It felt like just three guys fishing. He was one of the guys with the go to spots. Highly recommend and worth every dime.

-Kevin

Ready to Spend A Day On The Water?

Your fishing adventure is just a few clicks away.

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Fishing Charters
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Get in Touch
104 4th St SW, Ruskin, FL 33570
(813) 751-7895
Barefootfishingcharter@gmail.com
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