Fort Myers Inshore Fishing with Captain Tommy
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Private 5hour afternoon charter targets snook, redfish, and tarponCaptain Tommy provides licenses, water, and allskilllevel guidanceTwoangler maximum ensures personalized inshore fishing experience
Captain Tommy's afternoon fishing charter puts you right in the heart of Fort Myers' best inshore action. This 5-hour private trip launches at 1:00 PM and gives you and one fishing buddy exclusive access to some of Southwest Florida's most productive shallow waters. With years of experience reading these flats, mangrove creeks, and grass beds, Tommy knows exactly where the fish are holding based on tides, weather, and seasonal patterns. You'll spend quality time targeting aggressive species like snook, redfish, and tarpon without dealing with crowded party boats or rushed schedules.
Your afternoon starts with a quick briefing at the dock where Tommy explains the game plan based on current conditions. The beauty of inshore fishing in Fort Myers lies in its variety – one minute you're working a mangrove shoreline for snook, the next you're sight-casting to tailing redfish on a shallow flat. Tommy runs a well-maintained boat equipped with quality tackle, and he'll match your gear to the target species and techniques for the day. Whether you're a seasoned angler or picking up a rod for the first time, he adjusts the approach to keep everyone engaged and learning. The afternoon timing works perfectly here since many inshore species feed actively as the sun gets lower and water temperatures start to cool.
Inshore fishing around Fort Myers requires versatility, and Tommy comes prepared with an arsenal of proven methods. You'll likely use live bait like pilchards, pinfish, and shrimp when targeting snook around structure or when the bite gets finicky. Artificial lures play a big role too – soft plastics on jig heads work magic in grass beds for redfish, while topwater plugs create explosive strikes from snook during low-light periods. The shallow water demands precise boat positioning and quiet approaches, especially when sight-fishing. Tommy uses a combination of trolling motor work and strategic anchoring to keep you in the strike zone without spooking fish. Circle hooks are standard for most applications, making catch-and-release easier while improving hook-up ratios on live bait presentations.
Snook remain the crown jewel of Fort Myers inshore fishing, and for good reason. These ambush predators lurk around dock pilings, mangrove overhangs, and bridge structures, waiting to demolish anything that looks like an easy meal. They're incredibly line-shy and structure-oriented, which makes every hookup a chess match of power and finesse. Fall through spring offers the best action as water temperatures stay in their comfort zone, though summer evenings can produce some memorable topwater explosions. What gets anglers hooked on snook fishing is their combination of size, fight, and intelligence – a slot-sized fish will test your drag system and boat-handling skills equally.
Redfish provide consistent action year-round and offer some of the most visual fishing experiences in Southwest Florida. These copper-colored bulldogs cruise grass flats in small schools, often with their tails breaking the surface as they root around for crabs and shrimp. Sight-casting to a tailing red is pure fishing adrenaline, especially when they turn and charge your bait. They're not as finicky as snook about presentation, but they're incredibly powerful fighters that use their broad sides to leverage against your rod. Most Fort Myers reds run between 18 and 27 inches, with occasional oversized bulls that will absolutely smoke your drag on the initial run.
Sheepshead might not win beauty contests, but they're among the smartest fish swimming these waters. These black-and-white striped convict fish have human-like teeth designed for crushing barnacles and crabs around structure. They're notorious bait stealers with mouths so soft that hook-sets require perfect timing and technique. Finding sheepshead means working around bridges, docks, and rock piles with small hooks and fresh shrimp or fiddler crabs. When you connect with a good one, they fight with surprising power and make excellent table fare for anglers who like to keep a few fish.
Crevalle jacks bring pure muscle to the party, often showing up in aggressive schools that attack bait with reckless abandon. They're not the prettiest fish or the best eating, but pound-for-pound, few inshore species fight harder. Jacks will absolutely wreck light tackle, making blistering runs and using their broad sides to stay deep. They're opportunistic feeders that respond well to both live bait and artificials, often providing fast action when other species get lockjaw. Many anglers underestimate them until they hook into a 15-pound jack that proceeds to test every component of their tackle.
Lane snappers add variety to the mix with their cooperative attitudes and excellent eating quality. These smaller members of the snapper family school around structure and grass beds, eagerly attacking small baits and jigs. They're perfect for keeping kids engaged or filling the cooler when you want to take home a few fish. Lane snappers rarely exceed a couple pounds, but they're scrappy fighters with beautiful pink and yellow coloration. They're also one of the most reliable species in Fort Myers waters, providing action when other fish get finicky about feeding.
Captain Tommy's afternoon charter delivers exactly what serious anglers want from a Fort Myers fishing experience – personalized attention, productive fishing grounds, and the flexibility to adapt as conditions change. At $500 for up to two anglers, you're getting five hours of focused fishing time with all licenses and water included. The free cancellation policy up to three days out shows confidence in the product and protects your investment from unpredictable Florida weather. Afternoon trips often produce better fishing than morning charters in Southwest Florida, as inshore species become more active during the cooling hours before sunset. Don't wait too long to secure your date – experienced captains like Tommy book up quickly, especially during peak fishing seasons.
Captain Tommy's 18' Floyd Skiff cuts through Fort Myers waters with ease, getting you to prime snook and redfish spots without the crowds. This nimble boat handles shallow flats and mangrove channels where bigger vessels can't reach. The wireless trolling motor keeps things whisper-quiet when stalking spooky fish, while the fish finder helps locate structure and baitfish. With an icebox for your catch and drinks, plus GPS to mark productive spots, you'll have everything needed for a successful afternoon on the water. Built for two anglers, there's plenty of casting room without feeling cramped. The shallow draft design opens up backcountry fishing grounds where trophy snook and reds feed.
Caranx HipposCrevalle Jacks are the bulldogs of our local waters - pure muscle and attitude packed into a 12-24 inch package averaging 3-8 pounds. These brassy-green fighters school up around bridges, near-shore reefs, and anywhere baitfish are getting pushed to the surface. Watch for diving birds - that's your best indicator of feeding jacks below. They're year-round residents but summer brings the most consistent action. What guests love is their raw power and willingness to crush lures. They'll bend rods and test your drag like fish twice their size, though they're not great table fare. My advice: when you find a school, work fast with silver spoons or large topwater plugs. Keep your retrieves quick and aggressive - jacks love the chase and won't hit slow-moving baits. You'll sometimes smell watermelon when schools are feeding heavily.
Lutjanus SynagrisLane snappers are our "bonus fish" - those pretty pink and yellow striped snappers that often show up when you're targeting other bottom species. They typically run 10-14 inches and make great action on light tackle. You'll find them around coral patches, sandy bottoms with grass, and structure in 15-60 feet of water. They're most active March through September during their spawning season, and they feed heavily at night. What makes them popular is they're scrappy fighters for their size and absolutely delicious - sweet, white meat that's perfect for the dinner table. They're also not as line-shy as other snappers, making them great for kids or novice anglers. Local tip: use small hooks with fresh shrimp or cut squid, and don't be surprised if you catch several once you find them - they travel in schools and compete aggressively for food.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are probably our most consistent inshore target here in Fort Myers. These copper-colored bruisers with the distinctive black spot near their tail typically run 18-27 inches and 3-8 pounds in the shallows. Look for them in 1-4 feet of water over grass flats, oyster bars, and mangrove shorelines. They're year-round residents, but fall and winter offer the best action when they school up. What makes reds so popular is their strong, bulldogging fight and willingness to eat just about anything - live shrimp, cut bait, spoons, or topwater plugs. Plus they're great on the table with mild, sweet meat. Pro tip: when you spot them tailing in skinny water, cast well ahead of where they're moving and let your bait settle to the bottom - reds are head-down feeders and spook easily in shallow water.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the "convict fish" around here with those black stripes and human-like teeth. Most run 2-5 pounds and 14-18 inches, though we occasionally hook into 8-10 pounders. They hang tight around any structure - docks, bridges, pilings - feeding on barnacles and crabs. You'll find them year-round, but winter months through early spring are prime time when they gather for spawning. What guests love about sheepshead is they're excellent eating with sweet, flaky white meat that rivals grouper. They're also notorious bait thieves, which makes them a fun challenge. My tip: use small hooks with fresh shrimp or fiddler crabs, and fish right against the structure. When you feel that subtle tap-tap, set the hook immediately - they'll steal your bait every time if you hesitate.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are one of our most sought-after inshore species here in Fort Myers. These sleek fighters typically run 18-28 inches with that distinctive black lateral line and golden color. You'll find them lurking around mangroves, docks, and creek mouths in water from 2-15 feet deep. They're ambush predators with incredible bursts of speed. Spring through fall gives you the best action, especially around the new and full moons when they're most active. What makes snook special is their powerful fight and that gill-rattling jump when hooked. They're also excellent table fare with firm white meat. Here's a local tip: cast soft plastics or topwater lures tight to structure and work them slowly - snook are cover-oriented and won't chase bait far from their hideouts.
Fort Myers, FL