PRO-SERIES Inshore: Solo & Duo Cape Coral Trips
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fullday inshore fishing targeting redfish, snook, and sea troutExpert Captain Al provides instruction across multiple fishing techniquesSolo or duo trips through Cape Coral's mangrove backcountry waters
Looking for a serious fishing day that goes way beyond the typical half-day charter? Captain Al's PRO-SERIES inshore trip is built for anglers who want to dive deep into Southwest Florida's backcountry waters and come away with skills, stories, and hopefully a cooler full of fish. This 8-hour adventure takes you and one buddy (or just yourself) into the mangrove maze around Cape Coral, where the fishing is as diverse as it gets. You'll work multiple techniques, hit different water types, and get the kind of hands-on instruction that turns good days into great ones. Captain Al reads the conditions like a book and adjusts the game plan on the fly – whether that means sight-casting to cruising reds or working the grass flats for sea trout.
This isn't your cookie-cutter charter experience. Captain Al treats every PRO-SERIES trip like a masterclass in Southwest Florida inshore fishing, and the 8-hour window gives you time to really dial in different approaches. You'll start early, hitting prime feeding times when the fish are most active. The mangrove islands and backcountry around Cape Coral offer incredible variety – shallow grass flats where redfish cruise in skinny water, deeper channels where snook ambush baitfish, and oyster bars that hold everything from sheepshead to sea trout. The small group size means you get personal attention on every cast, whether you're learning to read the water or perfecting your hookset timing. Captain Al knows these waters like his own backyard and adjusts tactics based on tides, weather, and what the fish are doing that particular day. Some trips focus heavily on sight-fishing, others might emphasize structure fishing or working live bait around the mangroves.
The beauty of this PRO-SERIES format is variety. You'll likely work with several different setups throughout the day, from spinning gear for casting artificials to baitcasting outfits for working heavy cover. Captain Al brings the tackle, but he's also great about explaining why certain rigs work in specific situations. You might start the morning throwing topwater plugs over grass beds, switch to soft plastics for working mangrove roots at mid-day, then finish with live bait presentations as the afternoon bite picks up. The backcountry around Cape Coral demands versatility – one minute you're making long casts to tailing redfish in two feet of water, the next you're flipping jigs under overhanging mangroves where snook like to hide. Captain Al reads the conditions and fish behavior to determine the best approach, but he's always willing to let you try different techniques if you want to expand your skills. The boat is rigged for serious fishing with quality electronics, a good casting platform, and everything needed to handle the variety of species you'll encounter.
Redfish are the stars of the Cape Coral backcountry show, and for good reason. These copper-colored fighters cruise the shallow flats and mangrove shorelines year-round, offering some of the best sight-fishing opportunities in Florida. During cooler months, you'll find them in slightly deeper channels and around structure, while summer brings them up onto the flats where you can spot their backs and tails breaking the surface. Reds fight hard and dirty, using their broad tails and stocky build to make powerful runs toward cover. They're not particularly line-shy, which makes them perfect targets for anglers still learning to manage light tackle. The slot-size fish around Cape Coral typically run 18 to 27 inches, and they're absolute bulldogs on spinning gear.
Snook bring a different kind of excitement to the table. These ambush predators love structure – mangrove roots, docks, bridges, and oyster bars – where they can hide and attack passing baitfish. They're moody and can be picky about presentations, but when you connect with a good snook, you know it immediately. They jump, they run, and they use every trick in the book to throw your hook. Summer and early fall are prime time for snook around Cape Coral, when they're active and feeding aggressively. The closed season during winter spawning months means catch-and-release only at certain times, but they're always fun to target. A 20-inch snook on light tackle will give you a fight you won't forget.
Sea trout might not have the glamour of snook or reds, but they're consistent biters and great eating. These spotted beauties love grass flats and sandy bottom areas where they can blend in while hunting shrimp and small fish. They're year-round residents in Southwest Florida waters, though they bite best during moving tides. Trout have soft mouths, so they require a gentle touch, but they're forgiving targets for anglers working on their technique. The bigger "gator" trout – anything over 20 inches – are trophy fish that put up surprisingly good fights and make excellent table fare.
Sheepshead add some variety to the mix with their unique feeding style and stubborn fighting ability. These black-and-white striped fish hang around structure like dock pilings, bridges, and oyster bars, where they use their human-like teeth to crush crabs and barnacles. They're notorious bait stealers with lightning-fast reflexes, but once hooked, they make strong runs and try to cut your line on whatever structure they can find. Winter months bring the best sheepshead action around Cape Coral, when they school up for spawning. They're excellent eating and provide a fun challenge for anglers who like finesse fishing.
Captain Al's PRO-SERIES trips book up fast, especially during prime fishing months, and there's a good reason why. This top-rated 8-hour experience gives you the kind of comprehensive inshore education that typical charters just can't match.
Step aboard the 2024 Caymas 26HB, a top-tier fishing machine built to dominate Southwest Florida's inshore waters. This 26-footer packs serious punch with its Mercury V10 400 engine, getting you to prime fishing spots fast while the whisper-quiet Minn Kota trolling motor lets you sneak up on spooky fish in shallow water. Twin 8" Raptor displays give you crystal-clear views of structure and fish below, while GPS keeps you dialed into productive areas. The boat's equipped with radar for those foggy mornings and VHF radio for safety. An icebox keeps your catch fresh and drinks cold during long days chasing redfish through mangrove tunnels. With onboard facilities and room for two anglers max, you'll have plenty of space to work lures around oyster bars and grass flats without bumping elbows.
Cape Coral, FL