Info & Rates

The time of year and water temperature will determine the areas and fish we will be targeting. In the cooler months (November through April), the shallow waters of Tampa Bay get very clear and site casting opportunities are plentiful. In the warmer months (May through October), most of the fish move out of the back country to the beaches and passes along the coast. Usually the fishing in the intercostal or the areas closer to the gulf tend to hold better opportunities during that time.

Redfish, while they can be very picky at times, love to get extremely shallow and show themselves from a distance. If you find yourself on the right tide there are usually tailing fish to target somewhere along the coast year round. During the winter, the go-to patterns are small crab or shrimp flies, usually in darker colors. When the water warms and the baitfish begin to move onto the flats, small to medium size baitfish patterns can usually fire up even the pickiest of redfish.

Snook are generally pretty happy, as long as the water temps don’t drop too low, and can be very willing to take a fly. The upper bay is a huge nursery for snook and they will be out in numbers in the spring after wintering in the creeks. The beaches can hold a large amount of spawning fish during the summer and this can be the best time of year to target trophy-sized snook. Small to medium baitfish patterns tend to be the ticket, but they usually don’t shy away from a good shrimp pattern either.

Tarpon migrate along the Pinellas County coast as soon as the water temps begin to reach the mid to upper 70s. While there are resident fish to target year round, the migratory fish can offer exciting days with sometimes non-stop opportunities as schools of fish swim along our beaches. The best time of year for migratory tarpon is generally May through August. Fly selection can vary depending on water clarity and what seems to be working at the time.

Tackle: Captain Austin provides top of the line fly rods for your use. If you wish to bring your own, 7-9 weights work well for the snook and redfish. Bring an 11 or 12 weight for the migratory tarpon.

Deposits: A $100 deposit is required at the time of booking to reserve your date. The remainder will be paid to Captain Austin at the end of the trip. Cash or Venmo is the preferred method of payment. If a credit card is used, a 5% fee will be applied to the total of the trip.

The Boat: Trips are run on a 2022 18ft Floyd Skiff powered with a 90hp Yamaha. The boat handles the Captain and two passengers.

Captain Austin provides custom tied flies for the trip. If you wish to use your own flies, contact Austin in advance to discuss colors and patterns for the time of year you will be fishing. He will provide cold waters and a cooler with space for any snacks or drinks you may want for your trip. A good pair of polarized sunglasses are a must, and sun protection is important in the hot Florida sun.