4-Hour Family Inshore Fishing Adventure
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fourhour inshore fishing charter targets redfish and seatroutAll fishing gear, bait, and licenses included with charterFlexible departure times available between 7am and 3pm
Ready to get the kids hooked on fishing? Captain Scott's 4-hour inshore charters out of Fernandina Beach are perfect for families looking to create some lasting memories on the water. These aren't your typical crowded party boat trips – with just 2 guests max, you'll get the personalized attention that makes all the difference between coming home empty-handed or with a cooler full of fish and stories to tell.
Your day starts whenever works best for your crew – Captain Scott offers flexible departure times between 7 AM and 3 PM, so whether you're early birds or prefer a later start, just let him know what suits your family. The beauty of inshore fishing around Fernandina Beach is that you're working the protected waters inside the inlet and around the marshes, so even if it's a bit choppy outside, you'll stay comfortable while targeting some of the area's top-rated game fish. All your gear, bait, and fishing licenses are covered, which means you can focus on what matters – teaching the kids how to read the water and feel that first tug on the line. The shallow flats and oyster bars around here hold plenty of fish, and Captain Scott knows exactly where they're feeding based on the tides and season.
Inshore fishing is all about finesse and reading the signs – something Captain Scott has mastered after years working these waters. You'll be using light tackle spinning gear loaded with live shrimp, mud minnows, and cut bait depending on what's biting. The technique varies based on your target: drifting oyster bars for flounder, sight fishing the grass flats for redfish, or working structure around docks and pilings where trout like to ambush prey. The water depth rarely exceeds 10 feet, so you're always in that sweet spot where fish feel secure but still accessible. Captain Scott will show you how to properly work a jig head through the grass, how to spot the nervous water that signals feeding fish, and when to let the tide do the work for you. Kids especially love the visual aspect of inshore fishing – watching their bait disappear in a puff of mud or seeing that red tail flash in the shallows.
Redfish are the crown jewel of inshore fishing around Fernandina Beach, and for good reason. These copper-colored fighters average 18-27 inches in these waters and put up a fight that'll test your drag system. They're most active during moving tides, especially around oyster bars and grass edges where they hunt for crabs and shrimp. Fall and spring offer the most consistent action, but summer mornings can produce some memorable sight fishing opportunities. What makes reds special is their intelligence – they're spooky fish that require stealth and patience, making them perfect for teaching kids the finer points of angling.
Spotted Seatrout are your bread-and-butter fish in these parts, and they're incredibly cooperative when you find them. These beautiful fish with their distinctive spots typically run 14-20 inches and love to stack up around grass flats and drop-offs. They're most active during dawn and dusk, but overcast days can keep them feeding throughout your trip. Trout hit everything from live shrimp to soft plastics, and their gentle take teaches new anglers how to feel the difference between a bite and bottom structure. They're also excellent table fare, making them a customer favorite for families wanting to take dinner home.
Southern Flounder are the chameleons of the inshore world, and spotting one perfectly camouflaged on the bottom never gets old. These flatfish typically measure 15-22 inches around Fernandina Beach and prefer sandy bottoms near structure. They're ambush predators that require a slow, methodical approach – perfect for teaching patience and proper bait presentation. Fall months offer the best flounder action as they begin their migration to deeper waters. What excites anglers most about flounder is the surprise factor – you never know when that "snag" is actually a nice doormat waiting to be landed.
Black Drum are the bulldozers of the inshore waters, and when you hook into a good one, you'll know it immediately. These powerful fish can range from juvenile "puppy drums" around 12-16 inches to massive adults exceeding 30 inches. They're bottom feeders with a preference for crabs and shrimp around oyster bars and bridge pilings. Spring and fall offer the most consistent drum fishing, and they're particularly active during incoming tides. Black drum teach anglers about patience and tackle strength – their crushing bite and stubborn fight make them a world-class target for serious inshore enthusiasts.
Bull Shark encounters add an element of excitement that transforms any routine fishing trip into something special. These apex predators patrol the inshore waters around Fernandina Beach, especially during summer months when baitfish are abundant. While targeting them specifically requires heavy tackle and wire leaders, they often show up as bonus catches when fishing for other species. Bull sharks in these waters typically run 3-6 feet and provide an adrenaline rush that's hard to match. Captain Scott ensures all shark encounters are handled safely and responsibly, often resulting in some of the trip's most memorable photos.
There's something magical about watching a kid land their first redfish or seeing the concentration on their face as they work a trout through the grass. Captain Scott's 4-hour family charters offer the perfect balance of education, excitement, and hands-on fishing that creates lifelong anglers. The flexible scheduling means you can work around nap times and other family commitments, while the small group size ensures everyone gets individual attention. With all gear and licenses included, plus Captain Scott's extensive local knowledge, you're set up for success from the moment
Captain Scott's 22-foot Shearwater flats boat is built for serious inshore fishing around Fernandina Beach. This shallow-draft vessel gets you into those prime redfish and seatrout spots where the big boats can't go. The boat's equipped with a quality fish finder to locate schools and structure, plus GPS to mark your hotspots for future trips. VHF radio keeps you connected for safety and weather updates while you're targeting flounder, sharks, and whatever else is biting. The Shearwater's design handles the skinny water perfectly - whether you're working oyster bars, grass flats, or creek mouths. With room for two anglers, you'll have plenty of space to cast and fight fish without getting tangled up. The boat runs smooth and quiet, so you won't spook the fish when approaching shallow feeding areas. Perfect platform for sight fishing or bottom bouncing, depending on what's working that day.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the heavyweights of our inshore waters, ranging from schoolie 5-pounders to monster 30+ pound bruisers that'll test your drag. These thick-bodied fighters love our oyster bars, muddy flats, and creek mouths where they crush crabs and shellfish with powerful jaws. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning - that's when you'll hear them "drumming" underwater, making sounds you can actually feel through the boat hull. They're incredibly strong fighters that pull deep and steady, giving beginners and pros alike a real workout. The smaller ones under 15 pounds are fantastic eating with firm, white meat, while the big ones make better photos than dinner. Here's the key: use fresh blue crab or cut mullet on a Carolina rig, keep your bait on the bottom, and be patient - they're not speed demons but once hooked, they don't give up easy.
Carcharhinus LeucasBull Sharks are the ultimate inshore adrenaline rush - thick, powerful predators that can handle both salt and fresh water better than any other shark species. These gray bruisers typically run 6-8 feet around our waters, but we hook 200+ pounders that'll straighten hooks and test every knot you've tied. They patrol our creek mouths, channels, and anywhere baitfish congregate, especially during summer months when water temps climb. What sets them apart is their aggressive nature and ability to swim far up our rivers - I've caught them miles inland. Guests love the raw power and unpredictability of a bull shark fight. Summer evenings are prime time, particularly around moving water and structure. These aren't table fare, so we practice catch and release with proper handling. Here's my go-to method: fresh cut mullet or whole blue runners on a heavy circle hook setup with wire leader, and always have that drag set right - they'll run hard and fast when they first feel steel.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the crown jewel of our inshore fishing, easily spotted by their copper-bronze color and distinctive black eyespot near the tail. Around Fernandina, most reds run 18-27 inches, perfect slot-size fish that fight like freight trains. They cruise our shallow flats, oyster bars, and marsh creeks in just 1-4 feet of water - sometimes so shallow their backs stick out. Year-round fishing is solid, but fall brings the best action when big schools move through. What makes them special is their willingness to eat almost anything and their bulldogging fight that'll wear out your arms. They're also excellent table fare with mild, sweet meat that grills perfectly. The real thrill comes from sight fishing - watching a big red cruise the shallows and convincing it to eat your bait. Pro tip: when you see one tailing in skinny water, cast well ahead and let your jig sink to the bottom, then twitch it just once when the fish gets close.
Salmo TruttaSpotted Seatrout, or "specks" as we call them locally, are beautiful silvery fish covered in distinctive black spots that make them easy to identify. Most of our trout run 14-18 inches, but we regularly see keeper-sized fish up to 24 inches during cooler months. They love our grass flats, oyster bars, and creek mouths in 2-6 feet of water, especially around dawn and dusk. Fall through early spring is peak season when they school up in deeper holes and channel edges. What guests really enjoy is their aggressive strikes on topwater plugs and soft plastics - they'll blow up on a bait and put on an aerial show. The meat is tender and flaky, perfect for the dinner table if you don't overcook it. Best tip I can share: look for birds working baitfish, then throw a white jig with a pink tail under the action. Work it slow with twitches, and hang on when they hit.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern Flounder are masters of camouflage that bury themselves in sandy and muddy bottoms throughout our inshore waters. These flatfish typically run 15-18 inches around Fernandina, though we catch some pushing 25+ inches. What makes them special is having both eyes on their left side and the ability to change color to match the bottom. They're ambush predators that love our shallow bays, creeks, and grass flats year-round, but fall and winter fishing really heats up when they fatten up before heading offshore to spawn. Guests love the challenge of sight fishing for them on clear days, plus they're excellent table fare with sweet, flaky white meat. My tip: fish slow with live shrimp or bull minnows right on the bottom, and when you feel that tap, count to three before setting the hook - they like to mouth the bait first.
Fernandina Beach, FL