5.0(7 Reviews)Private 4-Hour Fishing Trip in 10,000 Islands
5.0(7 reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Top Rated
Private 4-hour fishing adventure targeting multiple species in 10,000 IslandsExpert captain guides guests through inshore, nearshore, and backcountry watersSmall group experience accommodates up to 5 guests with light tackle
Looking for a fishing trip that covers all the bases? Captain Jason at 4th Story Charters has you covered with a comprehensive 4-hour adventure through some of Southwest Florida's most productive waters. This isn't your typical one-spot fishing trip – we're talking about hitting inshore flats for redfish, checking nearshore wrecks for grouper, and exploring the maze-like backcountry of the 10,000 Islands around Goodland. Whether you're bringing the whole family or a group of serious anglers, this trip delivers variety and action that keeps everyone engaged.
Your day starts in Goodland, perfectly positioned to access multiple fishing environments within minutes. Captain Jason knows these waters like the back of his hand and tailors each trip based on conditions, tides, and what's biting. You might start the morning working shallow flats for snook and redfish with light tackle, then move to deeper structure for mangrove snapper and sheepshead. The beauty of this 4-hour window is the flexibility – if one spot isn't producing, we're onto the next. The 10,000 Islands offers endless options, from oyster bars and mangrove shorelines to deeper channels and nearshore structure. Expect to move between 3-5 different spots, each offering its own unique fishing opportunities. The boat comfortably handles up to 5 guests, making it perfect for families or small groups who want a personalized experience without the crowds of larger charter boats.
This trip combines multiple fishing techniques to match the diverse environments we'll fish. Light tackle fishing dominates most of the day – think spinning reels with 15-20 pound test, perfect for the explosive fights that snook and tarpon are famous for. When we hit deeper water or target bottom species like grouper and snapper, we'll switch to bottom fishing rigs with heavier weights to get down and stay down. Captain Jason provides all the gear you'll need, from rods and reels to tackle and bait. Live bait is the name of the game here – pilchards, pinfish, and shrimp are staples, though don't be surprised if we catch some ladyfish or catfish to use as bait for bigger predators like sharks or goliath grouper. The backcountry fishing relies heavily on reading the water – looking for baitfish schools, diving birds, and subtle current breaks that hold fish. Flats fishing requires a different approach entirely, with sight fishing opportunities for redfish and snook in skinny water.
"Family of 5 on a half day trip including kids 8-11 y/o. Amazing from start to finish. Can't say enough great things about the experience and Captain Jason. We caught lady fish, snapper (enjoyed that evening for 🍽️), saltwater cats, and 3 sharks! It felt like we nonstop caught fish and the 5 hours flew by. We moved to several different spots, we lost count of all the fish. Even though the saltwater catfish are a womp womp it was great for the kids!!! We ended the day with dolphins playing in the wake of the boat!! We can't wait to come back and will be telling family and friends visiting Naples or Marco to book with captain Jason!" - Sarah
"Captain Jason, 4thStoryCharters, set us up for a unique fishing experience! Due to weather and water conditions regular fishing was not optimal, so Captain Jason suggested that we use catfish as bait for shark fishing. We had never fished for large shark before…Hooked one about 8 feet, another about 6 feet, and took turns reeling them in! What a workout! It was a fantastic experience and we got action-packed videos!…Lots of FUN! Captain Jason also shared information and stories about different kinds of fish and pertinent shark behaviors." - Gail
"Highly recommend Captain Jason at 4thstory charters! Caught shark and Goliath! I told him before we left that I wanted to catch a big fish and not did we ever! Very clean, comfortable boat! Jason was so helpful and knowledgeable! We will be back!!!" - Kelli
Snook: The crown jewel of Southwest Florida fishing, snook are ambush predators that love structure. These fish hang around docks, mangroves, and bridge pilings, waiting to blast whatever swims by. They're incredibly aggressive when hooked, often jumping multiple times and making blistering runs toward cover. Peak season runs from spring through fall, with the best action during moving tides around dawn and dusk. What makes snook special is their fighting ability combined with excellent table fare – just watch out for that razor-sharp gill plate when handling them.
Goliath Grouper: These giants are the stuff of fishing legends, and the 10,000 Islands holds some monsters. Goliath grouper can exceed 400 pounds and provide an arm-burning fight that tests both angler and equipment. They're catch-and-release only, which makes each encounter even more special. These fish love structure – wrecks, ledges, and deep holes where they can ambush prey. The fight is all about power, not speed. They'll try to get back to their hole, and once hooked, it's a tug-of-war that can last 20 minutes or more. Summer months offer the best shot at these prehistoric-looking fish.
Tarpon: The "Silver King" needs no introduction to serious anglers. These acrobatic giants can reach over 100 pounds and are famous for their aerial displays when hooked. Tarpon fishing around the 10,000 Islands peaks during spring and early summer when schools migrate through the area. They're sight fishing at its finest – you
Ready to reel in some serious fish in the pristine waters around Goodland? The 4th Story, our 2020 Robalo 25-foot center console, delivers the perfect platform for your private 4-hour fishing adventure through the legendary 10,000 Islands. This beauty packs a powerful 300HP Yamaha engine that'll get you to the hottest fishing spots fast, whether we're chasing Goliath Grouper on the wrecks or stalking Snook in the backcountry shallows. Built for serious anglers, she's loaded with everything you need - wireless trolling motor for sneaking up on spooky fish, GPS and radar for navigation, plus a top-notch fish finder to locate those underwater honey holes. The spacious center console design gives up to 5 anglers plenty of room to work, whether you're bottom fishing for Mangrove Snapper or throwing light tackle at Bull Sharks. From flats fishing for Redfish to nearshore battles with Jack Crevalle and Tarpon, this boat handles it all with style and comfort.
Caranx HipposJack Crevalle are the bulldogs of the flats - pure muscle and attitude packed into 15-30 pound packages. These brassy-colored fighters cruise both shallow and deep water, but you'll usually spot them by watching for bird action where they're pushing baitfish to the surface. They're around year-round but really fire up in warmer months. What makes jacks fun is their raw power - pound for pound, they're some of the strongest fish we target. They're not the best eating, but the fight more than makes up for it. Here's the trick: when you find feeding jacks, cast past the school and rip your lure through fast. They can't resist something trying to escape. Silver spoons and fast-moving plugs work great. Don't try to finesse these guys - they want aggressive, fast retrieves.
Epinephelus ItajaraThese giants are the real monsters of our reefs - we're talking fish that can hit 400-500 pounds and stretch over 6 feet long. You'll find them around wrecks, ledges, and hard bottom in 20-150 feet of water throughout the year. What gets people hooked on targeting goliaths is that first incredible pull - it's like being tied to a truck. They're protected, so it's strictly catch and release, but the experience is something else. These fish have zero fear and will come right up to investigate your bait. The key is using heavy tackle - 80-pound class gear minimum - and positioning yourself where you can pull them away from structure before they break you off. Drop a big live bait or chunk near the bottom and hang on tight when that rod doubles over.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are our bread and butter species around these shallow flats. Most run 20-30 inches and 5-15 pounds, with that copper-bronze back and distinctive black spot near the tail. They love super shallow water - sometimes so shallow their backs stick out - around oyster bars, grass flats, and mangrove shorelines. Fall and winter are prime time when they school up heavy. What guests love about reds is how they eat - explosive strikes on topwater and long, bulldogging runs in shallow water. Plus they're excellent on the table with sweet, firm meat. My go-to tip: look for "tailing" redfish with their tails sticking up as they root around for crabs in skinny water. Cast ahead of them with a gold spoon or shrimp imitation jig and work it slow.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are one of our most popular targets around the 10,000 Islands. These sleek, golden fish usually run 1-3 feet long with that distinctive black lateral line running down their sides. You'll find them hanging around mangroves, creek mouths, and structure in shallow water - they love cover just like bass do. Spring through fall gives you the best action when they're most active. What makes snook special is their aggressive strike and strong runs, plus they're fantastic eating with white, flaky meat. Here's a local tip: during spawning season (May-September), their fins turn bright yellow and they get really aggressive. Work your lures fast and erratic around the mangroves - these ambush predators can't resist a quick-moving bait that looks like it's trying to escape.
Megalops AtlanticusThe silver king is what dreams are made of out here. Most of our tarpon run 80-150 pounds and 4-6 feet long, though we see some real giants pushing 200+. They cruise the flats, channels, and passes year-round, but May through August is prime time when they're thick and feeding hard. What makes tarpon fishing so addictive is watching a 100-pound fish launch itself 8 feet in the air - pure adrenaline. They're not great table fare with all those bones, so most folks are after the fight and photos. The secret is keeping constant pressure during those jumps - when they go airborne, bow to the fish by dropping your rod tip. This keeps tension on the line without giving them leverage to throw the hook. Live mullet or crabs work best, but they'll crush topwater plugs too.
5.0 out of 5.0Family of 5 on a half day trip including kids 8-11 y/o. Amazing from start to finish. Can’t say enough great things about the expe...
Captain Jason, 4thStoryCharters, set us up for a unique fishing experience! Due to weather and water conditions regular fishing w...
This fishing trip was the highlight of our Florida vacation! Captain Jason was awesome! He was great with our kids. We checked out...
Highly recommend Captain Jason at 4thstory charters! Caught shark and Goliath! I told him before we left that I wanted to catch a ...
We booked the 5hr trip for my wife and 3 kids and myself. We enjoyed the time on the water, fishing multiple spots, catching shar...
We had an outstanding experience with 4thstorycharters. From start to finish, the trip was exceptional. Captain Jason was incredib...
This was our second offshore fishing trip in Naples and our first with Capt. Jason. This trip far exceeded our expectations. Capt....
Naples