Saltwater Fishing University
Learn inshore
fishing free.
A free video course from a full-time Gulf Coast of Florida guide. Gear, knots, bait, lures, reading the water and the fish themselves, in short lessons you can watch anywhere.
Lesson 1
Welcome to the course
Who it's for
Built for you if
You're new to saltwaterYou've fished lakes or ponds and want to figure out the Gulf without wasting a season.
You just moved to FloridaYou've got the water, maybe a boat or kayak, and no idea where to start.
You fish on your ownYou catch a few, but want to understand why fish are where they are and catch more of them.
What you'll learn
Nine modules, short lessons
Module 0
Start here
Welcome, why we fish saltwater, and an overview of how inshore fishing works.
Module 1
Safety and rules
Staying safe on the water, licenses, checking current regulations, and conservation.
Module 2
Gear
Rods, reels, line, leader and terminal tackle, plus a starter tackle box that covers 90% of inshore fishing.
Module 3
Knots and rigs
The few knots you actually need and four rigs: free-line, popping cork, knocker and jighead.
Module 4
Bait
Which baits work, throwing a cast net, catching bait with a sabiki and keeping it alive.
Module 5
Lures 101
Paddletails, soft jerkbaits, topwaters and twitch baits, and when each one shines.
Module 6
Reading the water
Tides, structure and seasons: where fish are and why.
Module 7
Species
Redfish, snook, trout, sheepshead, tarpon and more: where they live and how to target them.
Module 8
Fight and release
Drag, hooksets, landing fish, and releasing them so they swim away strong.
Free signup
Start the free course
Sign up free to unlock every lesson and get the Inshore Starter Kit: a knot and rig cheat sheet, a starter tackle shopping list, a first-trip checklist, and a monthly Gulf Coast pattern report.
Your instructor
Capt. Phil Rugari
A full-time Gulf Coast of Florida guide for 8 years, fishing these waters since childhood, and a 2023 Best of Florida winner. This course is the same stuff I teach clients on the boat every day, put in order so you can learn it at your own pace.
Questions
FAQ
Is it really free?
Yes. The first lessons are open to everyone, and a free signup unlocks the rest of the course and the Starter Kit.
Do I need a boat?
No. Most of the course applies from a bridge, pier, beach or kayak too.
Does this work outside Tampa Bay?
Yes. It's taught on Florida's Gulf Coast, and the fundamentals carry over to inshore fishing across the Southeast.
How long are the lessons?
Most are under 10 minutes. You can watch one on a lunch break.
Rather learn it on the water?
Book a private trip and learn hands-on with Capt. Phil.