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Expert Bowfishing Charters in Tampa Bay | G&A
- Published Date: July 16, 2025
- Fishing
- Tampa Bay
- $350 - $575 price range
Summary
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Bowfishing Tampa Bay: 4-Hour Night Adventure
Ready to try something totally different on the water? G&A Outdoors has you covered with our 4-hour bowfishing charters in Tampa Bay. This ain't your grandpa's fishing trip - we're talking lightweight carbon fiber bows, glowing arrow nocks, and the thrill of the hunt under the stars. Whether you're a seasoned bowfisher or just looking to mix things up, Captain Mike's got the know-how to put you on the fish and keep the good times rolling.
Night Moves on the Flats
Picture this: You're gliding across Tampa Bay's shallow flats, powerful lights cutting through the darkness to reveal fish cruising just below the surface. The air's thick with anticipation as you nock an arrow, draw back, and let it fly. There's nothing quite like the rush of seeing that arrow pierce the water and connect. We typically head out as the sun's going down, when the bay comes alive with activity. Our trips are scheduled for 4 hours, but don't be surprised if we stay out longer - Captain Mike's all about making sure everyone's having a blast, not watching the clock.
Gear That Won't Slow You Down
We set you up with top-notch Vader carbon fiber bows and AMS bottle reels. These bad boys are light enough that you can shoot all night without your arms turning to jelly. The bottle reels make for quick retrieves, so you're back in action fast after each shot. Never done this before? No sweat. We'll walk you through the basics and have you shooting like a pro in no time. And hey, if you're already a bowfishing fanatic, you'll appreciate the smooth draw and pinpoint accuracy these setups offer.
What Folks Are Saying
"Mike...on top of just being a really cool guy...will put you on the fish. Highly recommend you spend a few hours with him!" - Bryan "Captain Mike goes above and beyond to give everyone a memorable and unique experience! Just finished our third happy trip with him!" - Donald "Had a great time , will definitely have to book again in the future!" - William
Fish in the Crosshairs
Black Drum: These bruisers can grow to over 50 pounds, but we usually target the smaller "puppy drums" in the 5-15 pound range. They love hanging around structure and oyster bars, often giving themselves away with a distinctive drumming sound. Landing one of these with a bow is a real accomplishment - they're quick to spook and can put up a serious fight.
Striped Mojarra: Don't let their small size fool you - mojarras are a blast to target. These silvery fish with distinctive stripes move in schools, often darting around in the shallows. They're quick, so nailing one takes some serious skill. Perfect for honing your reflexes and accuracy.
Spadefish: With their distinctive disk-like shape, spadefish are unmistakable targets. They tend to hang around structure like pilings or wrecks, often in decent-sized schools. While they're not the biggest fish in the bay, their unique profile makes them a favorite for bowfishers looking to test their aim.
Southern Stingray: Now we're talking some serious targets. These graceful bottom-dwellers can reach wingspans of several feet. Spotting one cruising the flats is always exciting, and successfully sticking one is a real feather in your cap. Just remember, we practice careful handling and quick releases with rays to keep 'em healthy.
Sheepshead: With their black and white stripes, sheepshead look like they're dressed for a formal dinner. These structure-loving fish are prized for their tasty meat, but they're also some of the wiliest targets out there. They have a knack for stealing bait from hooks, but they can't outsmart a well-placed arrow. Landing one of these guys is always cause for celebration.
Time to Notch Your Belt
Look, there's fishing, and then there's bowfishing. If you're after a truly unique way to experience Tampa Bay after dark, this is it. Whether you're out with your buddies for some friendly competition or treating the family to a night they won't forget, our bowfishing charters deliver. We've got space for up to 6 people, so grab your crew and get ready for some serious fun. Just remember, once you try it, you might be hooked for life. Don't say we didn't warn you! Give us a shout to lock in your date - the fish are waiting, and the night is calling.
Customer Reviews
Fish With Cool Mike
Bryan Barnes
May 10, 2025
Mikes Magic Threepeat
Captain Mike goes above and beyond to give everyone a memorable and unique experience! Just finished our third happy trip with him!
Donald Darnell
June 8, 2025
Had a great time , will definitely have to book again in the future!
William Walls
June 16, 2025
Learn more about the species
Black Drum
Sheepshead are one of the coolest fish we target in Tampa Bay. They've got those crazy human-like teeth that help them crunch barnacles and crabs right off pilings and structures. Most weigh 1-8 pounds, but I've seen some monsters over 20 pounds. Look for their distinctive black and white striped bodies around docks, bridges, and reefs. Spring is prime time as they gather to spawn offshore. Anglers love sheepshead for their tasty white meat, but they can be tricky to catch. These bait stealers are notorious for nibbling without getting hooked. My tip is to use a small, sharp hook with fresh fiddler crabs or oysters. Get your bait right up against the structure and be ready for that tell-tale tap. Set the hook hard - their bony mouths make them tough to hook. The fight is worth it though, and you'll be rewarded with some excellent fish tacos. Just watch out for those fin spines when you're cleaning them!
Sheepshead
Southern Stingray
Striped mojarras are neat little fish we often see in Tampa Bay's shallows. They usually run 6-16 inches and weigh up to 2.5 pounds. Look for their silvery bodies with dark stripes in lagoons, creeks, and mangrove areas. These guys are pretty versatile, handling fresh, salt, and brackish waters. They like to hang out near the bottom in depths up to 100 feet. Spring and fall are good times to find them schooling up. Mojarras make for some fun light tackle fishing. Use small hooks with bits of shrimp, worms, or minnows. A cool thing about them is how curious they are - they'll often nibble at anything to check it out. While they're not huge gamefish, anglers enjoy targeting them for their scrappy fight and good eating. The meat is mild and flaky. They also make great bait for bigger fish. Pro tip: If you're having trouble finding them, look for sandy patches near mangroves. That's where they like to dig for tasty crustaceans and worms. Cast a small jig or live bait and you're in business.
Spadefish
Southern stingrays are some of the coolest creatures we see out on the flats. These kite-shaped rays can get huge - females especially, growing up to 5 feet wide and 50 pounds. You'll spot them gliding gracefully across sandy or grassy bottoms in the shallows. While we don't typically target rays for sport, seeing them is always a highlight. They use those "wings" to stir up the bottom and uncover crabs and small fish to eat. If you're wade fishing, do the "stingray shuffle" to avoid accidentally stepping on one. Interestingly, these rays can actually detect electrical signals from other fish using special sensors. It's pretty wild to watch them use this sixth sense to hunt. While they have that venomous barb on the tail, southern rays are usually pretty chill around humans. We sometimes see them in popular spots where people feed them by hand, though that's not great for the ecosystem. If you do encounter one up close, just give it space and enjoy watching this majestic creature of the bay.
Striped Mojarra
Spadefish are a blast to catch in Tampa Bay. These disk-shaped beauties usually run 3-10 pounds but can get up to 14 pounds. Look for schools of them around structures like reefs, wrecks, and buoys, especially in warmer months. They love hanging out near the coastline too. What makes spadefish fun is how they school up. You might see hundreds together, which makes for some exciting action when they're biting. They put up a scrappy fight for their size, darting around and using that flat body to resist. To catch them, I like using small hooks with bits of clam or squid. Here's a local trick - if you see a ball of jellyfish, that's a good sign spadefish are around. They love snacking on those jellies. Cast past the school and slowly retrieve through it. When you hook one, be ready for more to follow. The meat is pretty good eating too, kind of sweet. Just be careful of those sharp fins when you're handling them.
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Mike...on top of just being a really cool guy...will put you on the fish. Highly recommend you spend a few hours with him!