Soft Plastics & Artificial Lures on Tampa Bay – A Captain’s Perspective

Most days on Tampa Bay, we’re fishing with live bait—and for good reason. Live shrimp and baitfish flat-out catch fish, especially for first-time anglers and families looking for steady action. That’s how we put clients on snook, redfish, trout, snapper, and more, trip after trip.

That said, every now and then I get guests who want to learn something new. Maybe they’ve fished live bait their whole life. Maybe they want to sharpen their skills. That’s when we break out the artificial lures.

Live Bait First—But Options Matter

On Five O’Clock Charlie Boat Tours & Charters, live bait is our go-to. It’s simple, effective, and produces consistent bites in the inshore waters around Bradenton, Anna Maria Island, Palmetto, and throughout Tampa Bay.

But fishing isn’t always just about catching—it’s also about learning. When conditions are right and guests are interested, I’m happy to teach artificial lure techniques using soft plastics and other proven baits.

Why I Introduce Artificial Lures

Soft plastics and artificial lures are a great way to:

• Learn how fish react to movement and presentation
• Understand tides, structure, and water clarity
• Become a more well-rounded angler
• Stay actively involved with casting and retrieving

They’re not a replacement for live bait on most trips—but they’re an excellent tool for anglers who want to expand their skill set.

What We Use and How We Fish Them

When we fish artificials, I keep it simple and effective. Paddle tails, shrimp imitations, and jerk shads cover most situations. We match lure size and color to water conditions and rig them on light spinning tackle so they’re easy to cast and control.

We’ll work shorelines, grass flats, docks, and mangroves—places where artificial lures shine when fished correctly. I walk guests through casting, retrieving, and hook-setting so it’s hands-on and educational, not frustrating.

Species That Will Eat Artificial Lures

When fish are feeding, these species regularly hit soft plastics and artificials:

• Snook
• Redfish
• Spotted seatrout
• Spanish mackerel
• Jack crevalle
• Mangrove snapper

A Teaching Opportunity on the Water

Artificial lures are especially popular with repeat guests, experienced anglers, and kids who want to cast nonstop without worrying about bait. They’re clean, efficient, and a great way to stay engaged.

At the end of the day, my job is to tailor each trip to the people on board. If the goal is steady action, live bait is king. If the goal is learning new techniques and becoming a better angler, artificial lures are a tool I’m always happy to teach.  Using artificial bait is a way to trick the fish into biting. 

Fish Your Way on Tampa Bay

Whether you want to fish live bait, learn artificial lure techniques, or do a little of both, we’ll make it happen. Book a Tampa Bay inshore fishing charter with WWW.fivelockcharlietours.com  and experience fishing the way local captains do it—out of Bradenton, Anna Maria Island, and Palmetto.

Let’s go fishing.

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