Fishing Charters in Bradenton
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Inshore fishing charter targeting snook, trout, redfish, and sheepsheadFamilyfriendly experience with customizable options for small groupsIncludes island exploration and wildlife viewing opportunities
Looking for a genuine inshore fishing experience that'll put you on some of Florida's most sought-after game fish? Bear Hull Fishing Charters has you covered with intimate 2-person trips that get you away from the crowds and into the productive waters around Bradenton. Captain and crew know these flats, mangroves, and nearshore waters like the back of their hand, and they're ready to put you on snook, redfish, trout, and more. What sets this charter apart is the flexibility – whether you want to chase trophy fish or keep the kids entertained with steady action, they'll tailor the day to match your crew's fishing goals.
Your Bradenton fishing adventure starts in some of the most productive inshore waters on Florida's Gulf Coast. With just 2 anglers max, you'll have plenty of room to cast and the captain's undivided attention to help you land fish. The smaller group size means more personalized instruction, better positioning, and no fighting over the best spots on the boat. These waters hold an impressive variety of species year-round, from the grass flats loaded with sea trout to the mangrove shorelines where snook and redfish lurk in the shadows. The bonus island stop adds another dimension to your day – shallow water exploration where you might spot dolphins, manatees, or wading birds while stretching your legs between fishing spots. It's the kind of authentic Florida experience that families with kids especially love, combining great fishing with wildlife viewing in a relaxed setting.
Inshore fishing around Bradenton calls for a mix of techniques depending on what's biting and where we find them. Live bait fishing with shrimp, pilchards, or pinfish is deadly effective, especially around structure where snook and redfish hang out. Artificial lures shine when covering water – soft plastics bounced along the bottom for trout, topwater plugs worked over shallow grass for explosive strikes, and suspending baits twitched around mangrove edges. The captain provides all tackle and bait, with rods rigged for different situations so you can switch up your approach as conditions change. Light spinning gear lets you feel every bite while still having enough backbone to handle a bull redfish or slot snook. Don't worry if you're new to inshore fishing – the crew will walk you through proper casting techniques, how to work different lures, and reading the water to spot likely fish-holding areas. Experienced anglers appreciate the quality gear and the captain's knowledge of productive techniques specific to these waters.
Spanish Mackerel are speed demons that'll test your reflexes and provide non-stop action when they're schooled up. These silver bullets typically run 1-3 pounds and hit fast-moving lures with aggressive strikes that'll wake up anyone dozing in the boat. Peak season runs from late spring through early fall, and they're often found in 10-20 feet of water around bait schools. What makes them exciting is their acrobatic fights – they'll jump, run, and generally go crazy once hooked. Kids love them because they bite readily and put up a great fight on light tackle.
Snook are the crown jewel of inshore fishing, and Bradenton's mangrove shorelines and dock lights hold some real quality fish. These ambush predators can range from schoolie-sized to trophy specimens over 30 inches, with their distinctive black lateral line and oversized mouth making them unmistakable. They're structure-oriented fish that love mangrove overhangs, docks, and bridge pilings where they can dart out to grab unsuspecting bait. Summer months bring the best action, though they bite year-round in these waters. Landing a slot snook on light tackle is a rush – they'll make powerful runs toward cover and jump multiple times trying to throw the hook.
Grey Snapper, or mangrove snapper as locals call them, are crafty bottom dwellers that provide excellent table fare and a fun challenge on light gear. These copper-colored fighters typically run 12-16 inches around structure and require finesse to fool with their sharp eyesight and wariness. They're year-round residents but bite best during warmer months when they're more active. What anglers love about them is the combination of being great eating fish and surprisingly strong fighters that'll test your drag settings on their initial runs toward cover.
Sea Trout are the bread-and-butter species of these grass flats, offering consistent action and beautiful fish that photograph well. Speckled trout range from schoolie size up to gator trout over 20 inches, with their spotted flanks and soft mouth making them distinctive. They're most active during moving tides over grass beds in 3-8 feet of water. Spring and fall provide peak fishing, though they bite year-round. Trout are perfect for beginners because they're relatively easy to catch but still provide good fights, especially the bigger specimens.
Redfish are the bruisers of the flats, with their copper-bronze coloring and distinctive black spot near the tail making them one of Florida's most recognizable game fish. Bulls can exceed 30 inches and provide drag-screaming runs, while slot-sized fish in the 18-27 inch range offer the perfect combination of fight and table fare. They're sight-fishing targets in shallow water but also ambush feeders around structure. Cooler months often produce the best action as they school up in deeper holes and channels. What makes reds special is their power – even a mid-sized fish will test your tackle with strong, sustained runs.
This intimate 2-person charter experience books up fast, especially during peak fishing seasons when the bite is hot. Bear Hull Fishing Charters has built a reputation for putting clients on fish while providing the personalized attention that larger charter boats simply can't match. Whether you're looking to introduce kids to inshore fishing, celebrate a
Our 24-foot Carolina Skiff is perfect for navigating Bradenton's shallow inshore waters where snook, trout, redfish, and sheepshead love to hide. Built in 2013 with a reliable 140HP Suzuki motor, this boat cruises at 30 knots to get you to the hottest fishing spots quickly. The skiff's shallow draft design lets us slide into those back-country areas where bigger boats can't reach. You'll have an icebox to keep your catch fresh and drinks cold, plus a wireless trolling motor for sneaking up on spooky fish without spooking them. Our GPS and fish finder take the guesswork out of locating structure and schools of baitfish. With room for up to six anglers, there's plenty of space to cast without tangling lines. After we fill the cooler, we can cruise over to nearby islands for some exploring and wildlife watching. The boat handles Bradenton's inshore waters like a dream, whether we're drifting grass flats for trout or working mangrove shorelines for snook and redfish.
Lutjanus GriseusGrey snapper, or mangrove snapper as locals call them, are smart fish that keep you on your toes. These copper-colored fighters average 12-16 inches inshore, though bigger ones lurk around deeper structure. They love hanging around docks, mangrove roots, and rocky areas where they can ambush prey. Year-round fishing is good, but they're most active during warmer months. What makes them special is their wariness - they'll inspect your bait carefully before committing. The payoff is sweet, flaky white meat that's hard to beat on the dinner table. Here's the key: use the smallest hook you can get away with and let your bait sit still. These fish are opportunistic but cautious. Live shrimp on a 1/0 circle hook works great, just be patient.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the backbone of our Bradenton flats fishing, and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers with the signature black spot near their tail average 18-27 inches in the shallows. You'll find them tailing in 1-4 feet of water around oyster bars, grass flats, and mangrove shorelines. They're active year-round but really turn on during fall and spring. What guests love most is their powerful, sustained runs and that distinctive "thump" when they eat. Plus they're excellent table fare with firm, mild meat. Here's my local secret: look for "nervous water" or slight surface disturbances on calm days - that's usually redfish feeding just under the surface. A gold spoon or live shrimp works magic, but keep your presentations quiet in skinny water.
Salmo TruttaSpotted sea trout, or "specks" as we call them, are probably our most reliable inshore target. These silvery fish with black spots average 14-18 inches and love grass flats in 2-6 feet of water. They're most active during cooler months when they school up in deeper holes and channels. What makes trout fishing fun is their willingness to bite artificials - soft plastics, topwater plugs, and live shrimp all work well. They're also great eating with tender, mild flesh that's perfect for families. The meat is delicate though, so don't overcook it. My local tip: fish grass flats early morning or late evening with a popping cork and live shrimp. Work it slow and steady - trout like a subtle presentation. During cold fronts, look for them in deeper water around structure.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are the crown jewel of our inshore waters here in Bradenton. These ambush predators love hanging around mangroves, docks, and bridge pilings in 2-8 feet of water. They average 18-28 inches but can push 40+ inches. That distinctive black lateral line and sloped head makes them easy to spot. Best fishing is dawn, dusk, or night when they're actively hunting. What gets people hooked is their explosive strikes and bulldogging fight - they'll make several powerful runs before giving up. The meat is top-notch too, white and flaky. My go-to tip: work your lure slow around structure. Snook are lazy and want an easy meal, so don't rush it. Live shrimp under a cork near mangroves is deadly, especially during moving tides.
Scomberomorus MaculatusSpanish mackerel are fast-moving silver rockets that show up in schools throughout our waters. These sleek fish average 1-2 feet and 2-4 pounds, with distinctive yellow spots along their sides. You'll find them near the surface around structure - bridges, piers, and channel edges where baitfish gather. They're most active spring through fall when water temps are warm. What makes them popular is their aggressive strike and decent fight for their size, plus they're excellent eating with mild, flaky white meat. Here's a local trick: when you see birds diving or bait jumping, get there fast and throw small spoons or jigs. These fish move in schools, so if you hook one, keep fishing that same spot because there's likely more underneath.
Bradenton, FL, United States