4-Hour Morning Inshore Fishing Charter
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fourhour morning charter targets snook, redfish, and trout inshoreCaptain Caleb provides all gear, bait, and fishing licensesTwentytwo foot AquaSport boat accommodates up to four guests
There's nothing quite like getting out on the water before the sun gets too high, and Captain Caleb O'Connor knows exactly where the fish are holding. This top-rated 4-hour morning charter departs at 8:00 AM sharp, putting you right in the sweet spot when inshore species are most active. You'll be fishing aboard a nimble 22' AquaSport flats boat that can get into those skinny-water spots where the big fish like to hang out. Whether you're a seasoned angler or just getting your feet wet, this trip is designed to put you on fish while you learn the ins and outs of productive inshore fishing.
Captain Caleb runs a relaxed but focused operation that's all about finding the bite. The morning hours are prime time for inshore fishing, and you'll cover a variety of productive water depending on conditions – from grass flats where redfish cruise in packs to deeper pockets where snook ambush baitfish. The 22' AquaSport is perfect for this kind of fishing since it draws minimal water and can access those back-country spots that bigger boats can't reach. You'll spend your four hours moving between different structures and areas, reading the water and adjusting tactics based on what's working. The boat comfortably handles up to four anglers, so there's plenty of room to cast without tangling lines. Everything you need is provided – quality rods and reels, fresh bait, tackle selection, your fishing license, and cold bottled water to keep you hydrated. You're welcome to bring along your favorite beverages in moderation (just leave the hard stuff and glass bottles at home). The captain knows these waters like the back of his hand and will put you on the most productive spots for the day's conditions.
This charter is all about light tackle fishing, which means you'll feel every headshake and run when you hook up. Captain Caleb sets everyone up with appropriate gear that matches the target species and conditions – typically spinning reels loaded with 10-15 pound test that gives you enough backbone to handle bigger fish while still providing the finesse needed for spooky inshore species. You'll learn to work soft plastics around structure, pitch live bait to likely holding spots, and read the subtle signs that indicate fish are nearby. The techniques vary throughout the trip depending on what you're targeting – maybe starting with topwater action early in the morning when the surface is calm, then switching to subsurface presentations as the sun climbs higher. The flats fishing requires stealth and accuracy, while fishing the backcountry mangroves demands precise casting to avoid hanging up in the roots. Captain Caleb will coach you through each technique, helping you understand not just how to fish these spots, but why certain presentations work better in different situations. It's hands-on learning that will make you a more complete angler, whether this is your first inshore trip or you're looking to fine-tune your skills.
Snook are the crown jewel of inshore fishing, and these fish have serious attitude. They're ambush predators that love to hang around structure – docks, mangrove edges, oyster bars – anywhere they can pin baitfish against cover. Snook are notorious for their explosive strikes and acrobatic fights, often jumping multiple times before you get them to the boat. They're most active during the warmer months and can range from schoolie-sized fish around 20 inches up to true trophies pushing 30-plus inches. What makes snook so addictive is their unpredictability – they can be finicky one minute and absolutely crushing baits the next. When you hook a good snook on light tackle, you'll understand why they're considered one of the premier gamefish in these waters.
Redfish are the workhorses of the flats and backcountry, and they provide some of the most consistent action you'll find. These copper-colored bruisers are built for the shallow water life, with their underslung mouths perfect for rooting around in the sand and grass for crabs and baitfish. Reds are year-round residents that can be targeted in water so shallow their backs are out of the water, making for some truly visual fishing. They typically run anywhere from slot-sized fish around 18-27 inches up to oversized bulls that can stretch past 40 inches. What anglers love about redfish is their willingness to eat and their bulldogging fight – they don't jump much, but they'll pull drag and test your equipment with their sheer power.
Speckled Trout are the bread and butter of many inshore trips, especially during the cooler months when they school up in deeper grass beds and creek mouths. These spotted beauties are aggressive feeders that respond well to both live and artificial baits, making them perfect for anglers of all skill levels. Specks have a soft mouth, so you need to keep steady pressure without horsing them, which makes them great for practicing your fish-fighting technique. They're also excellent table fare, with sweet, flaky white meat that's hard to beat. Most speckled trout run between 12-20 inches, with the occasional gator trout exceeding 25 inches providing trophy potential.
Mangrove Snapper round out the target species list and provide fantastic action around structure. These feisty little fighters are incredibly smart and can be challenging to fool, but when you dial in the right presentation, they'll bite aggressively. Mangrove snapper are year-round residents that typically hang around docks, bridges, and mangrove edges where they can dart back into cover when threatened. They're excellent eating and provide great action on light tackle, with fish typically running 10-16 inches. What makes mangrove snapper special is their scrappy nature – pound for pound, they fight harder than fish twice their size and will test your drag system with their lightning-fast runs toward structure.
Step aboard this classic 22-foot AquaSport flats boat, a 1973 workhorse that's been getting anglers into the fish for decades. With a reliable 150HP Yamaha pushing you through shallow waters at a steady pace, this boat is built for accessing those productive flats and backcountry spots where snook, redfish, and speckled trout love to feed. The shallow draft design lets you slip into skinny water that bigger boats can't reach, while the live well keeps your bait frisky and your catch fresh. GPS navigation ensures you'll find the hot spots efficiently, and with room for up to 4 anglers, there's plenty of space to work your lines without getting tangled up. This no-nonsense fishing machine focuses on what matters most - putting you where the fish are biting.
Lutjanus CampechanusRed snapper are the holy grail of offshore fishing, but juveniles sometimes show up in our deeper inshore spots around structure. These bright red fish typically run 1-2 feet and 5-10 pounds in our waters, though the big ones offshore can hit 30+ pounds. They hug the bottom around rocks, wrecks, and hard structure in 30+ feet of water. The season runs May through October when they're most active and feeding heavily. What makes snappers special is their aggressive fight and world-class table fare - sweet, firm white meat that's restaurant quality. They'll test your drag and try to cut you off in the structure. Here's the key to landing more snapper: use a heavy fluorocarbon leader and keep steady pressure to pull them away from cover quickly. Once they get back into the rocks, you're usually done.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the perfect sight-fishing target for our shallow water adventures. These copper-colored bruisers average 18-27 inches inshore, with that distinctive black spot near their tail making them easy to identify. You'll find them cruising oyster bars, grass flats, and mangrove shorelines in water so shallow their backs show. What makes reds special is their powerful fight and willingness to eat - they'll crush topwater lures, soft plastics, and live bait equally. Year-round fishing is solid, but fall and spring offer the most consistent action when they're actively feeding. The meat is firm with a mild flavor that's great on the grill. Pro tip: when you spot tailing redfish in skinny water, cast well ahead of where they're heading and let your bait sit motionless. These fish spook easily, but a patient presentation will get you hooked up.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are perfect light tackle targets that make every trip fun. Most run 14-20 inches, though a good one might hit 24+ inches and several pounds. They cruise grass flats and shallow bays, especially around drop-offs and sandy potholes. During cooler months, they school up in deeper channels, making for some fast action. What guests love about specks is their willingness to bite and their excellent table fare - sweet, white meat that's hard to beat. They hit best on moving tides, particularly early morning and late afternoon. The key to consistent speckled trout fishing is working your lure slowly along the bottom. These fish often mouth the bait before committing, so if you feel any weight or unusual pressure, set the hook. Dead-sticking a soft plastic on a light jighead near grass edges will outproduce fast retrieves every time.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are one of the most sought-after inshore species around here. These golden beauties typically run 18-28 inches, though the big females can push 40+ inches. They love hanging around mangroves, docks, and structure in shallow water where they ambush baitfish. What makes them special is their explosive strike and acrobatic fight - they'll jump, run, and try every trick to throw your hook. The meat is white, flaky, and considered some of the best eating you'll find. Spring through fall gives you the best action, especially around moving water during tide changes. Here's a tip that'll save your day: always use a leader when targeting snook. Their razor-sharp gill plates will slice through regular line like butter, and there's nothing worse than losing the fish of a lifetime to a cutoff.
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