The tail end of Pasco County scallop season always has a unique energy. For me, as the owner/operator of Fin and Feather Inshore Charters here in Tampa Bay, Florida, it’s one of my favorite times of year. The warm Gulf waters are still holding plenty of life, the fishing is heating up as we transition into fall, and you can often combine multiple Florida adventures into one trip.
Our most recent outing was a perfect example of that. Selina and I launched my East Cape Vantage from Anclote Park in Pasco County. The early morning light was perfect, the tide was incoming, and the breeze was just enough to keep the summer heat tolerable.
Catching Live Bait in Tampa Bay
Before chasing scallops, we slid over to the grass flats to catch fresh white bait (pilchards). With a little chum in the water, the bait came right to the boat. A couple of casts of the net and the livewell was blacked out with perfect-sized pilchards — exactly what you want for targeting snook, redfish, and even mangrove snapper later in the day.
Pasco County Scalloping – Late Season Harvest
From there, we headed to the scallop grounds. Late August scalloping in Pasco County is always a bit more challenging than peak season, but there were still plenty of tasty bay scallops hiding in the seagrass beds. The water was clear, making it easy to spot them, and in a short time we had enough for a fresh seafood dinner.
Scalloping here is one of those bucket-list Florida activities. It’s family-friendly, fun for all ages, and pairs perfectly with a day of inshore fishing. Fin and Feather Inshore Charters offers both scalloping and fishing trips during the season, and the ability to combine the two makes for an unforgettable day on the water.
Transitioning to Snook & Redfish
Once the scallops were in the cooler, it was time to put that white bait to work. We ran north and set up on deeper holes with moving water during the incoming tide. I like to cast my baits well uptide and let them drift naturally with the current — that presentation often produces the biggest fish.
It didn’t take long before rods were bending. Several snook over 30 inches were landed, and a number of redfish pushing 30 inches made for some great drag-screaming action. Interestingly, the snook and reds were mixed in the same areas, competing aggressively for the pilchards.
The highlight of the day — and maybe the heartbreak — came when Selina hooked into a true giant snook well over 40 inches. After a great fight, I had the fish in my hands, but a worn light leader and one powerful kick meant she swam away before we could get a photo. That’s fishing.
What’s Next – Early Fall Fishing Outlook
Looking ahead, I’ll be shifting my focus to redfish on the grass flats. White bait will still be productive, but as the water temperatures start to drop, I’ll begin transitioning to gold spoons — a classic fall redfish lure — along with other artificial baits.
Snook will also fire up with the cooler water, staging around mangrove points with moving water. This pattern has already been producing some bigger fish, and it should only get better through September and October.
Rock piles and shallow ledges around Tampa Bay are holding nice mangrove snapper right now, and getting a two- to three-person limit hasn’t been difficult. Free-lining live shrimp is the most consistent method for these fish.
As we roll into early fall, keep an eye out for my next fishing report, where I’ll cover targeting big speckled trout on the flats and tripletail around crab trap buoys — two more exciting opportunities for inshore anglers.
Fishing Locations Covered by Fin and Feather Inshore Charters
One of the advantages of running a versatile skiff like my East Cape Vantage is mobility. I tow my boat and can meet clients at a wide range of launch locations depending on the bite, weather, and tide.
That means we can fish:
- Tampa Bay for snook, redfish, trout, and snapper
- Pasco County for late-summer scalloping, redfish, and nearshore snapper
- Manatee County & Anna Maria Island for flats fishing, mangrove points, and beach snook
Whether you’re looking to fish the backwaters, grass flats, or nearshore structures, I can get you to the right spot at the right time.
Why Choose Fin and Feather Inshore Charters
When you book a trip with Fin and Feather Inshore Charters, you’re not just getting a boat ride — you’re getting years of local experience, a custom-tailored trip, and all the gear, bait, and licenses you need. I specialize in small group and private charters, ensuring you get personalized instruction and the best chance to hook into quality fish.
Our trips are great for:
- Families looking for a safe, fun day on the water
- Anglers chasing their first trophy snook or redfish
- Visitors who want to experience Florida scalloping
- Seasoned fishermen looking for a local’s insight on the bite
Book Your Tampa Bay Fishing Charter
Late summer and early fall offer some of the best inshore fishing opportunities in Tampa Bay, Pasco County, and Anna Maria Island. With scallop season wrapping up and the fall transition bringing cooler temperatures, now’s the time to get on the water.
Whether you want to chase redfish on gold spoons, target snook with live pilchards, or load up on mangrove snapper for the cooler, I’ll work to put you in the right place at the right time.
To reserve your trip, call or text Fin and Feather Inshore Charters today. Let’s get you on the water and into the action
