Half Day Inshore Fishing Trip - Port Canaveral
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fourhour inshore fishing targeting redfish and sea troutGuided experience covers productive flats and backwater areasSuitable for beginners and experienced anglers alike
Port Canaveral's inshore waters offer some of the most consistent fishing action you'll find on Florida's east coast, and this 4-hour guided trip puts you right in the heart of it. With 321FISH LLC, you'll work the productive flats, weave through the backwaters, and hit those sweet nearshore spots where fish stack up year-round. Whether you're chasing your first redfish or looking to complete an inshore slam, this top-rated experience delivers the variety and action that keeps anglers coming back. Our seasoned guides know exactly where the fish are holding and how to put you on them, making this the perfect choice for everyone from complete beginners to weekend warriors looking to sharpen their skills.
This isn't just another fishing trip – it's a masterclass in inshore angling. Your guide will start by reading the conditions and adjusting the game plan accordingly. Some days that means working the shallow grass flats where redfish cruise in packs, other times it's hitting the deeper pockets where sea trout suspend near structure. The beauty of Port Canaveral's inshore fishery is its diversity. You've got crystal-clear flats that let you sight-fish to tailing reds, mangrove-lined creeks perfect for snook ambushes, and oyster bars that hold everything from black drum to flounder. Your captain will move between these zones based on tides, weather, and what the fish are telling us. Expect plenty of hands-on coaching – whether you need help with your casting technique, reading the water, or fighting that first bull red. Groups of up to 6 anglers can fish together, making this a great option for families or buddy trips where everyone wants in on the action.
Inshore fishing here is all about versatility and reading the situation. Your guide will have you rigged with everything from live shrimp under popping corks to soft plastics on jig heads, depending on what's working that day. When the water's clear and fish are spooky, we'll go light and stealthy – maybe a small paddle tail on a 1/8-ounce head, worked slow over the grass. When they're aggressive, it's time for topwater plugs or gold spoons that flash and vibrate through the water column. The tackle is perfectly matched to the species we're targeting – medium-light spinning gear that gives you the sensitivity to feel that subtle trout bite, but with enough backbone to turn a bull red away from the rocks. Live bait fishing with shrimp, pinfish, or finger mullet is always in play, especially around structure where the bigger fish like to hold. Your guide will teach you how to work each bait presentation, when to set the hook, and how to play different species. The boat stays positioned for optimal casting angles, using the trolling motor to hold you in the strike zone while you work each spot thoroughly.
Redfish are the crown jewel of Port Canaveral's inshore scene, and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers average 20-28 inches in our waters, with plenty of oversized fish that'll test your drag system. Spring through fall offers the most consistent action, but winter can produce some of the biggest fish of the year when they school up in deeper water. What makes reds so special is their willingness to eat and their bulldogging fight – once hooked, they'll make long, powerful runs that'll have your arms burning. You'll find them cruising the flats on incoming tides, often in schools that let you catch multiple fish from the same spot.
Sea trout, or speckled trout as the locals call them, are the perfect complement to your redfish action. These beautiful fish with their distinct black spots love the grass flats and sandy potholes, typically running 14-18 inches with occasional gator trout pushing over 20. They're most active during the cooler months from October through March, but you can find them year-round if you know where to look. Trout have a soft mouth, so the fight is more about finesse than power – they'll jump and shake their heads trying to throw the hook. Their willingness to hit artificial lures makes them a favorite among light-tackle enthusiasts.
Black drum are the heavyweights of the inshore slam, with fish commonly weighing 20-40 pounds in these waters. They love structure – think oyster bars, bridge pilings, and channel edges where they root around for crabs and shrimp. These fish are notorious for their stubborn, head-shaking fight that feels more like you've hooked a submarine than a fish. Winter months typically produce the largest drum, and they're suckers for fresh shrimp or blue crab fished right on the bottom. When you hook a big drum, be ready for a long battle of patience and persistence.
Summer flounder round out the primary targets, and they're masters of camouflage that lie in ambush along sandy bottoms and channel edges. Most run 16-22 inches, but the occasional doormat flounder over 24 inches makes every drift exciting. They're most active during the warmer months and have a unique fighting style – once hooked, they'll plane through the water like a dinner plate, using their flat profile to create maximum resistance. Flounder fishing requires patience and a sensitive touch, as their bite can be subtle. But when you connect with a nice one, the fight and the table fare make it worth the effort.
Port Canaveral's inshore waters fish well year-round, but this world-class fishery gets busy, especially during peak seasons. This customer favorite trip fills up quickly because word gets around when guides consistently put clients on fish. The 4-hour format gives you serious fishing time without the full-day commitment, making it perfect for families, beginners, or anyone who wants to sample the best of
The Sailfish 24' puts you right where the fish are biting in Port Canaveral's productive inshore waters. This reliable motorboat cuts through flats and backwaters with its 250HP Yamaha engine, cruising at speeds up to 42 knots to get you from spot to spot quickly. The onboard fish finder helps locate schools of Redfish and Sea Trout hiding in the grass beds, while GPS navigation keeps you positioned over the best structure. With room for up to 6 anglers, there's plenty of space to work lures around mangrove shorelines or cast into channels where Snook ambush baitfish. The boat's shallow draft design gets you into those skinny water hotspots where bigger vessels can't reach. Whether you're targeting Black Drum around oyster bars or hoping to hook into a rolling Tarpon, this setup handles Port Canaveral's diverse inshore fishery with ease.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the heavyweight bruisers of our inshore waters, ranging from keeper-size 5-pounders up to monsters pushing 50+ pounds. These copper-colored fighters love hanging around oyster bars and shallow mudflats where they crush crabs and shellfish with powerful jaws. Spring brings the best action when they school up for spawning in our backwaters and creek mouths. What makes them special is that unmistakable drumming sound they make underwater, plus they put up a serious fight that'll test your drag. The smaller ones under 15 pounds make excellent table fare with sweet, flaky meat. Pro tip: fish dead on the bottom with fresh crab - they won't touch anything moving too fast, so patience pays off with these bottom-huggers.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the crown jewel of our shallow water fishing, easily spotted by their copper-bronze backs and distinctive black spots near the tail. These bruisers typically run 20-35 inches around here and absolutely love our oyster bars, grass flats, and mangrove shorelines in water so shallow their backs sometimes break the surface. They bite year-round but fall and spring offer the most consistent action when they school up. What makes them special is their aggressive strikes on topwater lures and the way they peel drag on powerful runs - pure adrenaline. Plus, they're fantastic eating with sweet, firm meat. The magic happens with live shrimp under popping corks or walk-the-dog style topwater plugs. Watch for tailing fish in skinny water and make long, quiet casts ahead of them.
Salmo TruttaSpotted Sea Trout, or "Specks," are the bread and butter of our grass flats, typically running 14-24 inches with beautiful spotted sides and a soft mouth that requires finesse. These schooling fish cruise shallow grass beds and sandy potholes, feeding on shrimp and baitfish throughout the year. Dawn and dusk produce the hottest action, especially during cooler months when they form larger schools in deeper channels. Anglers love their willingness to hit topwater plugs and their delicate, flaky white meat that's perfect for the dinner table. They're not the strongest fighters but make up for it with numbers and beauty. Key tip: use a light drag and keep steady pressure - their soft mouths tear easily, so let them run and tire themselves out rather than horsing them to the boat.
Paralichthys DentatusSummer Flounder are the masters of disguise on our sandy bottoms, perfectly camouflaged flatfish that average 15-20 inches but can surprise you with doormat-size fish over 5 pounds. These ambush predators lie motionless in sand and grass flats, both eyes on their left side watching for prey above. Fall months from September through November offer prime fishing when they're most active before moving offshore. What guests love is the challenge of sight-fishing these nearly invisible fish and their excellent eating quality - sweet, white meat that's hard to beat. They hit live minnows, shrimp, and slow-bounced jigs along the bottom. The trick is watching your line carefully since they often just pick up the bait and sit there - any slight tick or line movement means set the hook.
Port Canaveral, FL