Hi, I’m Captain Lori Deaton of Ladyfish Charters. I’ve been guiding angler’s of all skill levels throughout Tampa Bay and it’s tributaries for over 20 years. Although I run most of my guided trips out the Apollo Beach area, I am a seasoned guide in all of Tampa Bay giving my clients many different convenient options for pick up. 

Tampa Bay is Florida’s largest open water estuary that borders many counties. It’s source of water comes from over a hundred tributaries with four major rivers, the Alafia, Hillsborough, Little Manatee, and the Manatee rivers. These areas boast the best in inshore light tackle fishing bar none. Our idyllic weather provides opportunity to fish year-round catching an exciting array of species including snook, trout, redfish, cobia, tarpon, sharks.

Snook are probably the most sought after species on light tackle. We are extremely fortunate to have one of the most incredible snook habitats right here on the West Coast of Florida. The most successful time of year to catch snook is between March and June.

Tarpon travel to tropical and sub tropical regions, they migrate here from the Florida Keys, spend time here feeding and spawning and then make their way up the Texas Coast. Tarpon start to show up in good numbers in our area here in Tampa Bay by late April early May.

Redfish are a highly sought after inshore species here in Tampa Bay. Redfish have a dark red color on their back that fades into white on their belly. Redfish spawn between August and October. In the fall redfish will migrate towards the ocean and you can find them in deep channels.

Speckled Sea Trout are a reliable target just about all year long in Tampa Bay. While most species migrate and move their way in and out of Tampa Bay, Trout remain a staple along with being great table fare. They have very firm light flakey taste making them the least “gamey” tasting of all local inshore species.