5.0(4 Reviews)Private Inshore Fishing in Vero Beach
5.0(4 reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Private inshore fishing trip for 28 guests in Vero BeachAll equipment, licenses, and premium bait included with bookingAdditional guests join for $70 each beyond base capacity
Looking for a solid day on the water where the fish are biting and the good times keep rolling? This private inshore fishing trip out of Vero Beach delivers exactly what serious anglers and families alike are searching for. You'll spend 4 to 8 hours working the productive waters along Florida's Treasure Coast, where the Indian River Lagoon meets the Atlantic and creates some of the most fish-rich territory you'll find anywhere. Captain Gay and his crew at Bottoms Up Fishing Charters have this fishery dialed in, and they'll put you on the species that make Vero Beach a standout destination for inshore action.
Your trip starts with everything handled – fishing license, premium bait, and quality tackle are all provided, so you can focus on what matters: catching fish. The charter accommodates up to 2 guests in the base package, but if you've got a bigger crew, additional anglers can join for $70 each. This setup works great for couples wanting a private experience or families introducing kids to the sport. The boat runs clean and well-maintained, giving you a stable platform to work from whether you're sight-casting to cruising snook or dropping baits near structure for grouper. Bring your own drinks and snacks since meals aren't included, but that just gives you more flexibility to pack what your crew actually wants to eat and drink during the day.
Vero Beach inshore fishing means working a variety of productive zones depending on conditions, tides, and what's biting. You'll likely spend time around the countless mangrove shorelines where snook and black drum patrol for easy meals, plus deeper channels where grouper hold near ledges and structure. The crew knows when to switch from live bait presentations to artificials, and they'll keep your hooks baited and help land fish so you can concentrate on the fight. Expect to use circle hooks for the bigger species, lighter tackle for the croakers and smaller drum, and a mix of live shrimp, pilchards, and cut bait depending on what the fish are showing interest in that day. The Indian River Lagoon system offers endless pockets, points, and drop-offs to explore, so you're not stuck fishing the same spot all day if the bite slows down.
"Captain Justin was very knowledgeable about the are and the fish we were after. He was very good with our 8 yearvold daughter." - Wes
"The boat is excellent, and the captain is welcoming. They are dedicated to ensuring customer satisfaction and possess expertise in the local area." - Bill
"Being a seasoned angler I'm not use to having someone bait my hook and take fish off my hook. I have to say it was a nice treat. Captain Gay knows where the fish are and will make sure you catch them. Best charter I've ever been on. Will definitely use him again. Thanks." - Mathew Wattoff
Gag Grouper represent some of the hardest-fighting fish you'll encounter in these waters. These bottom dwellers typically run 2-5 pounds inshore, though bigger specimens patrol deeper ledges near the inlet. Gags are most active during cooler months from October through March, and they'll absolutely test your drag when they make their initial run toward structure. What makes them special is their willingness to eat both live and dead baits, plus they're excellent table fare with firm, white meat that's perfect for the grill or fryer.
Fat Snook are the kings of Vero Beach inshore fishing, and when you hook into a slot-sized fish, you'll understand why anglers travel from across the country to target them. These ambush predators love to cruise mangrove shorelines and dock pilings, especially during moving tides. Summer months offer the most consistent action, though fall and spring can produce some monster fish. Snook are famous for their explosive strikes and acrobatic fights, often jumping multiple times before you get them to the boat. Currently under harvest moratorium, these fish are catch-and-release only, but the fight alone makes them worth targeting.
Black Drum provide steady action throughout the year and are particularly fun for younger anglers since they fight hard but don't require pinpoint accuracy to hook up. These fish patrol shallow flats and deeper channels, often traveling in schools that can keep you busy for hours once you locate them. Smaller drum in the 1-3 pound range are common, though fish over 10 pounds show up regularly. They're not picky eaters, readily taking shrimp, crabs, and cut bait, making them a reliable species when other fish are being finicky.
Atlantic Croaker might not win any beauty contests, but they're scrappy fighters that kids absolutely love catching. These smaller fish are active year-round in the lagoon system and provide non-stop action when you find a school. They average 8-12 inches but make up for size with enthusiasm, hitting baits aggressively and fighting harder than their size suggests. Croakers are also excellent bait for larger predators, so catching a few often leads to hooking into something bigger.
Flannelmouth Sucker represent an unusual target species for this region, typically found in freshwater systems rather than the brackish and saltwater zones around Vero Beach. If you're targeting these fish, you'll likely be working the upper reaches of tributaries where fresh water influences are strongest. These bottom feeders require specific techniques and locations, making them an interesting challenge for anglers looking to diversify their catch beyond the typical inshore species.
This private fishing charter delivers the kind of personalized experience that keeps anglers coming back season after season. With flexible trip lengths from 4 to 8 hours, you can customize your day base
Jump aboard this beautifully restored 33' Hydra-Sports center console for your Vero Beach fishing adventure! This 2007 boat got a complete makeover in 2021 and runs like a dream with triple 250HP Yamaha engines that'll get you to the best fishing spots fast, hitting speeds up to 52 knots. Perfect for inshore action, she's loaded with everything serious anglers need - GPS to navigate the waters, fish finder to locate those hiding spots, and a wireless trolling motor for sneaking up on your targets without spooking them. The spacious deck gives you plenty of room to fight that trophy catch, and there's even a head onboard for longer trips. With room for up to 6 people, you can bring the whole crew to experience Vero Beach's fantastic inshore fishing. From snook in the mangroves to redfish on the flats, this boat puts you right where the fish are biting.
Micropogonias UndulatusAtlantic croaker are the chatterboxes of our local waters - you'll actually hear them croaking when you bring them aboard. These pink-silvery fish with brown spots typically run about a pound and 18 inches, though some reach 8 pounds. They're bottom-feeders that love muddy areas in 25-30 feet of water, especially around channels and deep holes. Spring through fall is your best bet when they move into our estuaries from their offshore wintering grounds. What guests enjoy is how cooperative they are - great for beginners and kids, plus they taste fantastic. Before and after high tide seems to turn them on. The trick I always share: look for tiny holes in the sand and pump out ghost shrimp for bait. Nothing beats fresh local shrimp for croaker. If you can't find them, bloodworms and small pieces of clam work well on size 3-4 hooks.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the heavyweights of the drum family, typically running 5-30 pounds but capable of hitting 90 pounds. You'll hear them before you see them - they make distinct drumming sounds, especially during spring spawning season. Look for them on shallow muddy flats, around oyster beds, and near inlet mouths in brackish water. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning, making them much easier to target. What makes them fun? They're strong fighters and the smaller ones (under 15 pounds) are excellent eating with sweet, flaky meat. The bigger fish get tough and stringy. These bottom-feeders love live or fresh crab, soft shells, and cut clam. My local trick: target them right after a cold front passes when they move into the shallows to warm up. Use enough weight to keep your bait on bottom where they feed.
Centropomus ParallelusFat snook are the thick-bodied cousins in the snook family, averaging 6-10 pounds but capable of reaching 28 inches. That black lateral line makes them unmistakable. You'll find them around mangroves, bridge pilings, and inlet mouths where they ambush feed, especially at dawn and dusk. Summer months are prime time when they're spawning in saltwater, though they move between fresh and salt year-round. What guests love is their aggressive strikes and solid fights - they're true ambush predators. The meat is top-notch eating too. These fish are temperature sensitive, so avoid fishing them during cold fronts. My go-to tip: target the shadow lines around structure with live pilchards or mullet. They hide behind pilings and rocks, waiting to surprise their next meal when it drifts into range.
Catostomus LatipinnisI need to be honest - flannelmouth suckers aren't found in Vero Beach waters. This species is native to freshwater rivers in the western United States, particularly the Colorado River system in states like Arizona, Colorado, and Utah. They're a riverine species that requires large, flowing freshwater systems and wouldn't survive in our coastal saltwater environment here in Florida. For our Vero Beach charters, we focus on species that actually inhabit our local Atlantic waters and Indian River Lagoon system. If you're interested in our actual target species like snook, redfish, tarpon, or various drum species, I'd be happy to share details about those fish that we regularly encounter on our local waters.
Mycteroperca MicrolepisThese fish might not win beauty contests, but they're pure muscle and attitude. Most gag grouper run 20 inches, though the big ones can hit 50+ inches and 80 pounds. You'll find them around offshore reefs, wrecks, and rocky structure - juveniles hang inshore while adults head to deeper water. Spring through fall gives you the best action when they're actively feeding on crabs, shrimp, and baitfish. What makes them special? They fight like bulldogs, trying to drag your line straight back to their rocky hideouts. Once hooked, keep that drag locked tight and don't let them freewheel or they'll dive into a hole and cut you off. The meat's excellent on smaller fish. Here's the trick: look for stone crab traps - gag grouper love hanging around them for easy meals.
5.0 out of 5.0Captain Justin was very knowledgeable about the are and the fish we were after. He was very good with our 8 yearvold daughter.
The boat is excellent, and the captain is welcoming. They are dedicated to ensuring customer satisfaction and possess expertise in...
Bill D, Thank you! You folks were awesome. we hope we get the pleasure of booking you in the future...
Being a seasoned angler I’m not use to having someone bait my hook and take fish off my hook. I have to say it was a nice treat. C...
Mathew Wattoff, Thank you! You folks were awesome. Looking forward to our next trip. Thank you so mu...
Great trip. Captain Gay put us on fish right away and was extremely knowledgeable. John was very adept at keeping the bait on and ...
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