Fort De Soto Fishing Charters

Fort De Soto Fishing Charters Unlike Any Other!

The Experience of a Lifetime

If you’re looking for a Fort De Soto Fishing Charter to take your fishing experience to the next level, then you’ve come to the right place! At YACHTFISH Fishing Charters, we provide unparalleled inshore and offshore charter fishing trips for anyone wanting to feel the refreshing salt air while reeling in multiple species of fish, regardless of age or skill level.

Our Founder and Captain, Matt Douglas, grew up on the waters of Tampa Bay and his intense passion for fishing has fueled the growth of YACHTFISH over the past 30 years into your premier source for Fort De Soto Fishing Charters! You won’t find any other company that can provide a successful and invigorating fishing experience in Fort De Soto like YACHTFISH.

With YACHTFISH, you’ll travel in smaller private groups in comfort, while also having a real advantage due to our experience and state of the art equipment. Read our reviews and get ready for the best fishing in Fort De Soto and an action-packed day on the water.

A Unique Fishing Location

The sub-tropical climate and miles of unspoiled mangrove estuaries and wetlands provide optimal breeding grounds for snook, redfish, mangrove snapper, flounder, trout, cobia and more. The 3,190-acre Weedon Island preserve on the west side of Tampa Bay is an aquatic upland ecosystem supporting a diverse population of bird rookeries and animals. It’s also the spawning grounds for many of the inshore species of fish found in Tampa Bay. Mackerel, kingfish, grouper and tarpon also move into the bay from the Gulf of Mexico and can be found around shipping channels, artificial reefs and deeper water. Fort De Soto is world renowned for tarpon fishing in the spring and summer.

Fort De Soto Inshore Fishing Charters

If you’re looking for an unbelievable day on the water, then let YACHTFISH take you on the ultimate Fort De Soto Inshore Fishing Charter.

Fort De Soto Fishing Charter

Your Fort De Soto fishing charter will begin close to the Fort De Soto shore, which is home to one of the best light tackle fishing destinations anywhere in the country. With over 1,000 miles of Florida shoreline to explore, our 30 years of experience has allowed us to pinpoint the exact locations for an inshore fishing trip that guarantees fish and fun every time!

Armed with a bait well full of live bait, your licensed and professional captain will guide you to secret spots where you’ll find some of the most amazing fishing in the world. Just a mile out into the Gulf of Mexico, or back in the mangroves of Tampa Bay, you’ll have a chance to get your hands on a variety of inshore fish species. Flats fishing in the shallow waters around Fort De Soto is always a popular option. Ask your captain about sight fishing the flats. Yes, it’s just as it sounds. See the fish, cast, hook the fish, reel in the fish and repeat. We guarantee you’ll catch fish, and we’ll do whatever it takes to find them!

With fresh salt air in your lungs and a light breeze on your face, you’ll enjoy the magical experience of gliding out on the waters surrounding Fort De Soto. You might even be greeted by manatees and porpoises. We have a variety of proven inshore fishing techniques that will leave you wishing the trip would never end; including trolling with live bait to provide a fast-paced adventure as you witness fish jumping above the surface desperate for a meal.

Fish You’ll Catch on Our Fort De Soto Inshore Fishing Charters

We guarantee you’ll catch fish!

Tarpon – Named ‘The Silver Kings’ of Fort De Soto’s coastal areas, these migratory fish are the largest and most powerful fish you’ll find close to the shoreline. The majority of tarpon will move into the coastal waters from May to July. They usually travel in groups, so they’re easy to spot in the calmer inshore areas. We’ll try our best not to spook them, before giving you a chance to hook a real trophy size fish!

Snook – Snook are notoriously tricky to get your hands on. While they have no teeth, their gill plate is razor sharp. However, the reward is a majestic fish that weighs between 8-12 pounds and will give you a run for your money with acrobatic leaps as the line screams off your reel.

Trout – Trout are beautiful fish and can be found in vast numbers in Fort De Soto’s shallower waters. We find them in groups around our local Fort De Soto flats, providing us with plenty of rod bending action. They’re as photogenic a fish as you’ll ever see!

Redfish – A real favorite for Fort De Soto anglers, redfish are plentiful and easy to find just a few feet from shore. We frequently see them in mangroves, and they provide a fight that is hard to match! Look for the telltale black spots on the tail.

Snapper – We find a variety of snapper species all year round in Fort De Soto, and they are perfect for any skill range. They’re also delicious!

Kingfish – Kingfish are very strong and sleek and never fail to amaze our Guests when they see them out of the water. The big ones, up to 50 pounds, are called smokers. They’re the largest common mackerel in Florida, We know exactly where to find them!

Fort De Soto Deep Sea Fishing Charters

As Deep Sea fishing experiences go, Fort De Soto is home to some of the best in the world. YACHTFISH will provide you with a Anna Maria Deep Sea Fishing Charter trip you will never forget!

With over 30 years of experience and hundreds of GPS waypoints, we know which areas to fish any time of year. Whether it’s slow trolling for kingfish, or bottom fishing for grouper, you will enjoy non stop action during the entire trip. You’ll truly feel detached from land, as cell phone signals fade and your focus shifts to having fun on your trip of a lifetime in the vast, open Gulf of Mexico.

There are few better feelings at sea than when the anchor is set, engines are turned off, the rods are ready and your captain announces that you’ve arrived at “the spot.” If you’re inexperienced with deep sea fishing, your captain will guide you throughout the entire day. If you’re more of an expert, you’ll be in the company of some of the finest, most skilled charter captains in the country.

Equipt with trusted and enticing baits, you’ll have the chance to hook a range of the Gulf’s top predators and potentially set your eyes upon dolphins, sea turtles and sharks during your return to shore! Keep your eyes peeled for Frigatebirds. They usually hover over schools of baitfish and can lead you to the promised land.

Fish You’ll Catch on Our Fort De Soto Deep Sea Fishing Charters

We guarantee you’ll catch fish!

Grouper – Grouper is a popular table fish that we find when heading out from Fort De Soto. Occasionally we catch a trophy-sized Grouper that wows the entire crew. There are various species of grouper, including the distinctly photogenic red grouper.

Snapper – We find a variety of snapper species all year round in Fort De Soto, and they prove perfect for any fishing skill range, especially kids. They’re also extremely tasty!

Kingfish – Kingfish sparkle and are a great catch that never fails to amaze our clients when seen in the water. They’re the largest common mackerel in Florida, and our experience means we know exactly where to find them!

Tuna – When you fish in the Gulf of Mexico, one of the prized catches is a tuna. They’re energetic and tough to catch, but our captains enjoy a challenge and would love to help you reel in what will feel like a bowling ball out of control.

Shark – Yes, when one strikes you will know it! Always a fun catch and quite the cardiovascular workout. Great for group pictures too.

Amberjack – We consider catching an amberjack one of the most exciting experiences you can have on our charters. Even an experienced angler will be tested to reel in these impressively strong fish. They’re a great fish to put in the smoker!

Mahi – You won’t find many fish more beautiful than mahi near Fort De Soto. Their vibrant colors and brilliantly characterful fins make any catch an instant trophy fish!

Fort De Soto Shark Fishing Charters

The Tampa Bay Area and specifically Fort De Soto, is home to an abundance of shark species, giving you an opportunity for a truly unique fishing experience! YACHTFISH happens to be smack dab in the middle of some of the best inshore, nearshore and deep sea shark fishing in Florida. Sharks are plentiful all year round from the deep waters of the Gulf of Mexico to the shallow flats in and around Tampa Bay.

Have you heard about the legendary Hammerhead Old Hitler that hangs out on the west coast of Florida? Old Hitler has a head as wide as a pickup truck and is longer than most of the fishing boats it has been spotted from. If you are not sufficiently pumped up about your shark fishing charter by now, research Old Hitler!

Sharks You’ll Catch on Our Fort De Soto Shark Fishing Charters

  • Black Tips
  • Spinners
  • Hammerheads
  • Nurse
  • Lemons
  • Bonnet Heads
  • Bull sharks and more!
YACHTFISH Fishing Charters

Don’t Miss the Boat, BOOK TODAY!

We will customize a charter fishing trip just for you! Whether it’s hardcore deep sea fishing, flats fishing inshore or breaking up the day with waterside dining, we can do it. Take the first step towards experiencing your Fort De Soto Fishing Charters by booking your trip with YACHTFISH today. Fill out the form below or CALL or TEXT (727) 433-4200 now!

    Fishing Options

    We Provide

    • Fishing Licenses, Rods, Reels, Tackle, Bait, Cooler, Bottled Water and Ice

    • USCG Safety Equipment

    • We Fillet Your Catch at No Extra Charge!


        *Rates are for inshore fishing trips up to 2 people, $50 each additional angler. Deep sea and nearshore options available upon request.
        **Shark Fishing Charters minimum 4 hours, add $100 to rate
        ***Tarpon Trips minimum 6 hours, add $100 to rate
        A 4% convenience fee will be applied to all credit/debit transactions.
        ☺Gratuity is not included

    How Many Guests?

    123456more than 6


        *We have a 6 person maximum per boat. We can accommodate groups larger than 6 by taking additional boats.

    Best Date?

    Best Time?


    Reserve your Fort De Soto Fishing Charters with YACHTFISH!

    Whether you want just 2 hours inshore or a full day in the Gulf of Mexico, you can rely on YACHTFISH. We’re respected as THE best inshore fishing charter to use for solo and private group excursions. Don’t waste your time or money on inexperienced Fort De Soto Fishing Charters that fail to share our passion for fishing. With YACHTFISH, you’ll have the fishing experience you’ve always dreamt of, regardless of your skill level or age. With YACHTFISH you’re guaranteed fish every time!

    Why Choose YACHTFISH Fishing Charters?

    The YACHTFISH Fleet

    Enjoy your Fort De Soto Fishing Charters in style.

    Inshore and Near-Shore Equipment: The three Avenger custom 25 bay boats with 300 horsepower each will skip across the flats effortlessly and handle choppy deeper water with ease. They are the perfect boat that is designed for inshore and near-shore charters.

    Deep-Sea Equipment: The Invincible custom 33 is powered by twin 300 Yamaha four stroke engines and has all the extras for serious deep-sea fishing. The Sea Vee 32 is a diesel workhorse for offshore fishing in the Gulf of Mexico and has an extremely smooth ride due to the location of the inboard engine. The CABO 40 Express is powered with twin 800 Mann diesels and boasts a 15′ 9″ beam with plenty of comfortable seating and all the comforts of home in the air-conditioned cabin. All three boats will provide the speed, reliability, comfort, and safety needed to get deep-sea fishing quickly and back to port safely with your boatload of fish.

    Avenger 25
    Avenger 25
    Avenger 25
    Avenger 25
    Invicible 33
    Invicible 33
    Avenger 25
    Avenger 25
    SeaVee 32
    SeaVee 32
    Cabo 40
    Cabo 40

    What Our Clients are Saying

    Highly recommend Captain Scott!!
    Go Lightning! Avatar
    3/06/2024
    We had an amazing time on YachtFish with Captain Johnny and Cooper! They were very welcoming and made our time super fun. Our time in the ocean was absolutely unforgettable and we will do it again. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
    Agnieszka Fisher Avatar
    3/04/2024
    We had such a great time with these guys. Captain Nick and Captain Scott we spent two day inshore fishing with. Both of them are great guys and we had a blast fishing with them. We went off shore with Captian Pat and Sam, these two guys kept us busy... read more
    Jake Vagher Avatar
    2/07/2024