5.0(3 Reviews)Cape Canaveral Fishing Charters
5.0(3 reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Inshore fishing targeting Redfish, Sheepshead, Flounder, and SnookAll equipment, bait, and fishing licenses includedAccommodates up to 4 anglers in Cape Canaveral waters
When you're looking for a fishing charter that delivers results, Cape Canaveral's coastal waters offer some of Florida's most consistent action. All Points Guide Service runs these inshore trips with Captain Mike at the helm, targeting everything from chunky redfish to feisty sheepshead in the calm backwaters and nearshore flats. Whether you're bringing the kids for their first fishing experience or you're a seasoned angler wanting to dial in on local hotspots, these charters are built for fishing success. The boat handles up to four anglers comfortably, with room for six if you've got a bigger crew. Every trip comes fully rigged with quality tackle, fresh bait, and your fishing licenses handled - you just show up ready to fish.
Captain Mike runs a top-rated operation that focuses on putting you on fish, not just taking you for a boat ride. These inshore charters work the protected waters around Cape Canaveral, from grass flats to oyster bars and deeper channels where fish stack up during tide changes. The fishing style varies based on what's biting - you might be sight-casting to tailing redfish on shallow flats, dropping live shrimp around structure for sheepshead, or working soft plastics along drop-offs for flounder. Morning trips typically start around sunrise to catch the early bite, while afternoon charters time the incoming tide when fish move up to feed. The boat stays in calm water, making it perfect for families with younger anglers who might get seasick on rough offshore trips. You'll want to bring plenty of sunscreen, snacks, and drinks since Florida sun reflects hard off the water. Captain Mike provides everything fishing-related, from circle hooks to landing nets, so you can focus on the fun part.
These inshore charters use light to medium tackle that's perfect for the species you'll encounter. Captain Mike rigs the boat with quality spinning reels loaded with braided line and fluorocarbon leaders - essential for clear Florida waters where fish can be line-shy. Depending on conditions and target species, you'll fish with live bait like shrimp, pinfish, and mud minnows, plus an arsenal of artificial lures including soft plastics, spoons, and topwater plugs. The technique changes throughout the day as you move between different types of structure. On shallow grass flats, you might be sight-fishing with weedless jigs, while deeper channels call for bottom rigs with circle hooks. Captain Mike reads the water and adjusts tactics based on tide, wind, and where fish are holding. The boat's shallow draft lets you access skinny water where bigger boats can't go, giving you shots at fish that haven't seen much pressure. Everything's rigged and ready when you arrive - no time wasted tying knots when fish are biting.
"Captain Atwell put us on fish when none were being caught by any other boats. He is an expert for every type of fishing in the area and makes the experience fun for all. High end fishing poles/reels and boat was in great well maintained condition. Highly recommend for kids & no kids!" - Michael
"We had a great afternoon with Mike fishing nearshore. Caught a few fish and two sharks." - Robert Amico
"Captain Mike was great! Very knowledge and accommodating. He took us to several spots which produced a variety of fish. Everyone on board had a fun time. I would highly recommend him!!" - Cody
Redfish are the crown jewel of Cape Canaveral inshore fishing, and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers cruise shallow flats and mangrove shorelines year-round, with peak action from spring through fall. Reds in this area typically run 18 to 28 inches, with plenty of slot-size fish that make excellent table fare. What makes redfish special is their aggressive nature - they'll crush topwater lures, inhale live shrimp, and put up a bulldogging fight that tests your drag. During low tide, you might spot their backs and tails as they root for crabs in super shallow water, creating heart-pounding sight-fishing opportunities.
Sheepshead fishing around Cape Canaveral is a year-round proposition, but winter months bring the best action when these black-and-white striped fish stack up around structure. Don't let their smaller size fool you - sheepshead have incredible pulling power and require finesse to hook consistently. They're notorious bait thieves with human-like teeth designed for crushing barnacles and oysters. Captain Mike knows exactly which pilings, rocks, and oyster bars hold the biggest schools. Fresh shrimp fished tight to structure is the go-to technique, but you need to stay alert since sheepshead bites can be incredibly subtle.
Summer flounder, also called fluke, are the chameleons of the inshore world. These flatfish bury themselves in sandy bottoms near channel edges and grass bed transitions, perfectly camouflaged until they ambush passing baitfish. Florida's summer flounder season runs from early fall through spring, with the biggest fish - some reaching 20-plus inches - showing up during cooler months. They're exceptional table fare with mild, flaky white meat that's perfect for fish tacos or fried dinners. Flounder fishing requires patience and technique, typically involving slow retrieves with soft plastics or live bait presentations along the bottom.
Black drum might not win beauty contests, but they make up for looks with sheer pulling power. These heavy-bodied fish love oyster bars and deeper channels where they use their pharyngeal teeth to crush shellfish. Black drum in Cape Canaveral waters range from smaller "puppy drum" around 12-16 inches up to massive bulls that can exceed 40 pounds. Spring brings the best black drum action as fish move shallow to spawn. They're bottom feeders that respond well to fresh
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the heavyweights of the drum family, typically running 5-30 pounds with some monsters hitting 90+ pounds. You'll spot them around oyster beds, shallow muddy flats, and creek mouths in 2-15 feet of water. They're bottom feeders with powerful jaws built for crushing shellfish and crabs. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning, making them much easier to target. What makes them special is that drumming sound they make - you can actually hear schools of them underwater. Smaller fish under 15 pounds are excellent eating with sweet, flaky meat, but the big ones get tough. My go-to trick is using fresh blue crab on a circle hook and keeping it right on the bottom - they rarely come up to feed.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the bread and butter of our shallow water fishing, easily recognized by their copper-bronze color and distinctive black spot near the tail. They typically run 18-27 inches around here, preferring water so shallow their backs sometimes show above the surface. You'll find them cruising oyster bars, grass flats, and mangrove shorelines year-round, though cooler months bring the best action when they school up. What makes them special is their willingness to eat almost anything and their powerful runs when hooked - they're perfect for anglers of all skill levels. They're also excellent table fare with mild, sweet meat. My local tip: look for nervous water or tailing fish on the flats during incoming tides, and throw your bait slightly ahead of them since they spook easily in skinny water.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the "convict fish" with their distinctive black stripes and human-like teeth - they're built for crushing barnacles and crabs around structure. Most run 1-8 pounds and 14-20 inches, but 20-pounders show up around docks, bridges, and jetties. Winter and spring are peak times when they move inshore to spawn around February through April. They're notorious bait thieves, nibbling to steal your offering without getting hooked. What guests love most is the challenge - they require finesse and patience, plus they're some of the best eating fish in these waters with sweet, flaky white meat. Here's the key: get as close to structure as possible with fresh shrimp or fiddler crab, and when you feel that subtle tap-tap-tap, set the hook hard and fast before they steal your bait.
Paralichthys DentatusSummer flounder are the chameleons of the seafloor, changing colors to match their surroundings perfectly. These flatfish typically run 15-20 inches and can live over 15 years, with females growing much larger than males. They're ambush predators that bury in sandy bottoms in 10-40 feet of water, waiting for baitfish to swim by. Fall months from September through November are your best bet when they're most active and feeding heavily before winter. Guests love them because they're scrappy fighters and make fantastic table fare with sweet, white meat. The trick is using live baitfish hooked through the eye and bouncing it slowly along the bottom - they bite sideways, so give them a second to turn the bait before setting the hook.
5.0 out of 5.0Captain Atwell put us on fish when none were being caught by any other boats. He is an expert for every type of fishing in the ar...
We had a great afternoon with Mike fishing nearshore. Caught a few fish and two sharks.
Captain Mike was great! Very knowledge and accommodating. He took us to several spots which produced a variety of fish. Everyone o...
Cape Canaveral