Private 4 Hour On the Water Fishing Seminar
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fourhour handson fishing seminar aboard working vesselLearn live bait techniques and seasonal fish pattern identificationSmall group instruction with maximum two guests per trip
Want to level up your fishing game? Captain Rob's hands-on seminar puts you right where the action happens – on the water with rod in hand. This isn't some classroom lecture about fishing theory. You'll spend four solid hours learning real techniques that actually work, from reading current breaks to finding productive structure. With just two anglers max, you get personalized attention that'll transform how you approach inshore fishing. Whether you're struggling with bait presentation or can't seem to find fish consistently, this top-rated seminar covers the fundamentals that separate weekend warriors from serious anglers.
This world-class fishing seminar runs like a private coaching session tailored to your skill level. Captain Rob starts by showing you how to read seasonal patterns and bait migrations – knowledge that'll help you predict where fish will be before you even wet a line. You'll learn to catch your own live bait, position the boat for maximum effectiveness, and select tackle that matches the conditions. The hands-on approach means you're actually fishing while learning, not just watching demonstrations. Bridge and dock fishing techniques get covered in detail, plus you'll master fishing drop-offs and understanding how current affects fish behavior. By the end of four hours, you'll have a toolkit of proven methods that work consistently in inshore waters.
Captain Rob focuses on practical skills that make an immediate difference in your catch rates. Bait selection and presentation techniques form the foundation – you'll learn which baits work best for different species and how to present them naturally. Boat positioning becomes second nature as you practice reading wind, current, and structure to stay in the strike zone. Tackle rigging gets simplified into systems that work reliably without overthinking every setup. The current-reading portion alone is worth the trip – understanding how water movement affects fish feeding patterns gives you a massive advantage. You'll also pick up boat handling tips that help you stay on fish longer and work structure more effectively. These aren't gimmicky tricks but time-tested methods that produce results season after season.
Snook are the crown jewel of inshore fishing, and for good reason. These ambush predators love structure like docks, mangroves, and bridge pilings where they wait to hammer passing baitfish. Fall through early spring offers the best action when snook stack up in deeper holes and around warm-water discharges. What makes them special is their explosive strike and bulldogging fight – they'll run straight for cover and test your drag system. Plus, their distinctive black lateral line and bright yellow fins make them unmistakable when you land one.
Black drum might not win beauty contests, but they're scrappy fighters that'll teach you patience and technique. These bottom dwellers cruise shallow flats and around oyster bars, using their barbels to root out crabs and shellfish. Winter months bring the best drum fishing when they school up in deeper channels. Their powerful runs and stubborn resistance make every hookup a workout. The bigger specimens – called "big uglies" by locals – can stretch over 30 inches and provide arm-burning battles that'll leave you grinning.
Tarpon earn their "silver king" nickname through sheer athletic ability. Even juvenile tarpon in the 20-40 pound range will jump repeatedly and run like freight trains. Summer brings peak tarpon season when they move into shallow waters to feed on abundant baitfish. Their prehistoric appearance and chrome-bright sides make them stunning to see, but it's the aerial displays that hook anglers for life. Landing your first tarpon is a milestone that changes how you think about inshore fishing.
Summer flounder, or fluke, are masters of camouflage that ambush prey from sandy bottoms near structure. These flatfish can be tricky to locate, but once you find them, they often school together. Summer and early fall provide peak action when flounder move into shallower waters to feed aggressively. Their white, flaky meat makes them a customer favorite for the dinner table, and their sneaky strikes keep you alert. A doormat fluke over 20 inches is a trophy worth celebrating.
Redfish are the backbone of inshore fishing – reliable, hard-fighting, and absolutely gorgeous with their bronze sides and distinctive black spot near the tail. These drum cousins cruise shallow flats, oyster bars, and grass beds year-round, making them perfect targets for learning different techniques. Fall brings spectacular action when schools of reds push baitfish against shorelines. Their steady, powerful runs and willingness to eat various baits make them ideal for honing your skills. Plus, slot-size reds between 18-27 inches are renowned for their excellent table fare.
Captain Rob's fishing seminar delivers real skills you'll use every time you hit the water. Four hours of personalized instruction beats years of trial-and-error learning, and you'll leave with confidence to tackle inshore waters on your own. The small group size ensures you get individual attention, and the hands-on format means you're actually catching fish while building your skillset. Whether you want to improve your consistency, learn new techniques, or finally understand fish behavior, this best-in-class seminar provides the foundation for long-term angling success. Don't spend another season wondering why some days produce while others don't – book your spot with Brackish Bandit Fishing Charters and start fishing smarter, not harder.
Your floating classroom awaits aboard this nimble 18' Sea Pro center console, perfectly rigged for hands-on fishing education. Powered by a reliable 115HP Suzuki outboard, this boat cuts through inshore waters with ease while you learn the ropes from Captain Rob. The onboard GPS keeps you on course to the best fishing spots, while the fish finder reveals what's lurking below the surface. Built for two anglers, this center console design gives you plenty of room to practice your casting technique and work with live bait. You'll navigate to prime bridge and dock fishing locations, learn to read current breaks, and master boat positioning for maximum success. The stable platform makes it easy to focus on tackle selection and gear setup while staying comfortable throughout your 4-hour learning adventure. Perfect for discovering seasonal fish patterns and understanding bait migrations in real-world conditions.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the heavyweights of the drum family, typically running 5-30 pounds but capable of reaching 90+ pounds. These bottom-dwellers love oyster beds, muddy flats, and shallow bays where they crunch shellfish with powerful jaws. You'll find them in brackish water and around structure like pier pilings and creek mouths. Spring during spawning season is prime time when they school up and become easier to target. What draws anglers is their bulldogging fight - they won't jump, but they'll use that weight to test your tackle. Smaller fish under 15 pounds make excellent table fare with mild, flaky meat. The bigger ones get tough and are best released. Pro tip: use fresh blue crab for bait and fish it right on the bottom. Crab stays on the hook better than other baits and the catfish won't steal it as quickly.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are copper-colored fighters with distinctive black spots near their tails, averaging 20-30 inches inshore with larger fish found offshore. These drum family members thrive in super shallow water - sometimes so shallow their backs show above the surface. Look for them around oyster bars, grass flats, mangrove shorelines, and dock pilings in 1-4 feet of water. They're year-round residents, but fall and spring offer peak action when they school up. What makes reds special is their willingness to eat almost anything and their powerful, sustained runs. Plus, they're excellent table fare when kept within slot limits. The distinctive eyespot near their tail confuses predators - and sometimes anglers trying to tell which way they're facing! Here's a solid tip: when sight-fishing shallow flats, cast your bait well ahead of cruising fish and let them find it. Reds spook easily in skinny water, so keep noise to a minimum.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are one of the most sought-after inshore fish, averaging 1-3 feet with that distinctive black lateral line and golden color. These ambush predators love structure - mangroves, docks, bridges, and oyster bars in shallow water up to 60 feet. They move between salt and fresh water easily, making estuaries prime hunting grounds. Spring through fall offers the best action, especially around new and full moons when they're most active. What makes snook special is their explosive strike and acrobatic fight - they'll jump and make powerful runs that test your drag. The meat is fantastic too, firm and white. Here's a key tip: when working lures around structure, keep them moving steadily. Snook will follow before striking, and if you pause or slow down, they often turn away. Work that bait with confidence and stay ready for the hit.
Paralichthys DentatusSummer flounder are masters of camouflage, lying flat on sandy and muddy bottoms with both eyes on their left side. These flatfish typically run 15-20 inches but can reach impressive sizes up to 26 pounds. You'll find them on the bottom in 10-60 feet of water around structure, drop-offs, and current edges where they ambush baitfish. Fall months from September through November offer the best action when they're most active before heading offshore. Anglers love flounder for their excellent table fare - sweet, white, flaky meat that's hard to beat. They're also fun to catch, using that flat body to pull hard once hooked. The key to consistent flounder fishing is keeping your bait moving slowly along the bottom. Use a bucktail jig tipped with squid or minnow, and work it with short hops. Flounder will often grab the bait and run with it, so give them a few seconds before setting the hook.
Megalops AtlanticusTarpon are the silver kings of sportfishing, averaging 4-6 feet and 80-100 pounds, though giants over 200 pounds roam our waters. These prehistoric fish prefer shallow coastal flats, channels, and harbors where they roll and gulp air at the surface. Late spring through summer brings the best fishing when they migrate through in large schools. What makes tarpon legendary is their aerial show - they'll jump 10 feet out of the water and make blistering runs up to 35 mph. Most anglers practice catch and release since the meat is bony and not great eating. The real prize is the fight and that photo. When targeting tarpon, live bait like mullet or pinfish works best, but here's the key: when they jump, bow to the fish by dropping your rod tip toward them. This gives slack and prevents them from throwing the hook during those spectacular leaps.
Jacksonville