3-Hour Inshore Fishing with Calusa Coast
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
3hour inshore fishing targeting snook, tarpon, and kingfishCaptain Joseph guides trips for all skill levelsAccommodates up to 6 guests in Sarasota waters
Captain Joseph knows these waters like the back of his hand, and he's ready to put you on fish. This 3-hour charter gives you a solid taste of what Sarasota's inshore and nearshore waters have to offer without burning up your whole day. Perfect for families, first-timers, or seasoned anglers looking to squeeze in some quality fishing time. You'll be targeting some of the Gulf Coast's most sought-after species while learning the ins and outs of Florida's productive fishing grounds from a captain who's been working these flats and channels for years.
Captain Joseph runs a tight ship but keeps things relaxed and fun. Your 3-hour window gives you enough time to hit multiple spots and try different techniques without feeling rushed. The boat accommodates up to 6 anglers, making it perfect for family outings or small groups of fishing buddies. You'll start early to beat the heat and catch fish when they're most active, or opt for an afternoon trip when the wind usually dies down. The captain provides all the gear you need, from rods and reels to tackle and bait, though you're welcome to bring your own setup if you prefer. Expect to move around a bit as Captain Joseph reads the conditions and adjusts your fishing locations based on tides, weather, and recent fish activity.
This charter covers both inshore and nearshore fishing, giving you the best of both worlds. Inshore, you'll work the grass flats, mangrove shorelines, and oyster bars where snook and sheepshead love to hang out. Captain Joseph uses live bait when it's available – nothing beats a frisky pinfish or shrimp for getting strikes. You'll also throw artificials like soft plastics and jigs, especially around structure where cobia cruise. When conditions allow, you'll venture into nearshore waters to target kingfish and barracuda. This usually means trolling with spoons or live bait, covering water until you find the bite. The captain's got a fish finder and GPS loaded with productive spots, but he's not afraid to explore new water when the fish move. Light tackle is the name of the game here – it makes every fish feel like a monster and keeps things fun for anglers of all ages.
Great Barracuda are the speed demons of these waters, and once you hook one, you'll understand why anglers get addicted to their explosive strikes. These toothy predators can reach 20-30 pounds in Sarasota's nearshore waters and are known for their blistering runs and acrobatic jumps. They're most active during warmer months and love shiny spoons or live bait. The fight is pure adrenaline – they'll rip line off your reel faster than you can blink.
Cobia are the gentle giants that every angler wants to tangle with. These brownish, shark-looking fish cruise the flats and nearshore areas, often following rays and sharks. Spring through fall is prime time, with fish ranging from 20 to 50 pounds. They're curious by nature and will often come right up to the boat to investigate. Captain Joseph knows how to sight-fish for them, and watching a big cobia eat your bait is pure magic.
Snook are Florida's signature inshore species and the reason many anglers fall in love with these waters. They're ambush predators that lurk around mangroves, docks, and oyster bars, waiting to crush unsuspecting baitfish. These fish are notorious for their gill-rattling jumps and stubborn fights. Summer months offer the best action, with fish ranging from schoolie-sized to trophy specimens over 30 inches. They're catch-and-release only during certain seasons, but the fight is worth more than any fillet.
Northern Kingfish are the workhorses of nearshore fishing, and they're always hungry. These silver bullets love trolled baits and will hit everything from spoons to live sardines. They typically run 5-20 pounds and are fantastic table fare. King mackerel are most active during cooler months, making fall and winter trips particularly productive. Their razor-sharp teeth and powerful runs make them a blast on light tackle.
Grey Snapper, or mangrove snapper as locals call them, are scrappy little fighters that punch well above their weight class. These bottom-dwellers are structure-oriented fish that love hanging around rocks, reefs, and mangroves. They're year-round residents but bite best during warmer months. Don't let their size fool you – a 15-inch snapper will give you a workout on light tackle, and they're some of the best eating fish in these waters.
Captain Joseph's 3-hour charters fill up fast, especially during peak season when the fishing is red-hot. This trip gives you a perfect taste of what Sarasota fishing is all about without requiring a full day commitment. Whether you're testing the waters before booking a longer trip or just want to get your fishing fix, this charter delivers quality fishing with a top-rated captain who knows how to put his clients on fish. The combination of inshore and nearshore fishing means you'll experience different techniques and target multiple species in one outing. Book now and get ready to see why Sarasota's fishing scene keeps anglers coming back year after year.
Captain Joseph's 25-foot Parker center console is built for serious fishing in Sarasota's productive waters. This 2000 model handles both inshore flats and nearshore Gulf waters with ease, powered by a dependable Yamaha 250HP that gets you to the fish fast at 35 knots. The boat's layout works perfectly for up to six anglers, with plenty of room to fight those feisty snook and tarpon without getting tangled up. An onboard fish finder takes the guesswork out of locating schools, while GPS navigation keeps you on the best spots Captain Joseph has dialed in over years of fishing these waters. The wireless trolling motor lets you slip quietly into shallow areas where sheepshead and cobia like to hang out. Keep your catch fresh and drinks cold in the spacious icebox. Whether you're casting around mangrove shorelines or heading a few miles offshore for kingfish, this Parker delivers the stability and fishability you need for a productive day on Florida's Gulf Coast.
Rachycentron CanadumBrown bombers that look like sharks until you see that single dorsal fin - cobia average around 30-40 pounds but can push 60. These loners cruise our reefs, wrecks, and nearshore structures in 20-80 feet of water. Spring migration from March to May is prime time when they're moving through our area to spawn. What guests love about cobia is the hard fight and some of the best table fare in the Gulf - firm, white meat that tastes like a cross between grouper and mahi. They're curious fish that will often follow the boat, giving you multiple shot opportunities. My go-to technique is sight fishing with bucktail jigs or live bait. Pro tip: when you spot one, don't cast directly at it - lead them by 10 feet and work the bait into their path.
Sphyraena BarracudaThese silver torpedoes are one of our most exciting nearshore targets, reaching 4-6 feet and hitting speeds up to 35 mph. You'll find them cruising shallow reefs and grass flats, often solo hunting for baitfish. They're curious by nature and will investigate boats, making them perfect for sight fishing. Spring through fall gives you the best action when they're most active in our warm Gulf waters. What makes barracuda special is their explosive strike and that first blistering run - they'll test your drag but tire quickly. The meat's decent, though most folks release them. Here's a local tip: use a wire leader and cast past them, then retrieve the lure right in front of their nose. They can't resist that ambush opportunity.
Lutjanus GriseusAlso called mangrove snapper, these copper-red fish are some of the smartest in our waters. They typically run 1-3 pounds inshore, though bigger ones lurk around deeper structure. You'll find them around docks, mangroves, reefs, and any cover they can use for ambushing prey. They're active year-round but bite best during warmer months and around full moon periods. Guests love them for two reasons: they're challenging to catch due to their wariness, and they're outstanding table fare with sweet, flaky white meat. These nocturnal feeders are opportunistic hunters that prefer to ambush their meals. The trick with grey snapper is patience - use live shrimp hooked through the tail, let it sink to structure, and don't move it much. They're line-shy, so lighter leaders help get more bites.
Menticirrhus SaxatilisThese scrappy bottom dwellers might only run 10-14 inches, but they punch above their weight class. Part of the drum family, kingfish have distinctive dark "V" markings on their bronze-silver sides and a single barbel under their chin. You'll find them on sandy and rocky bottoms in shallow nearshore waters, often in small schools. Late summer brings the best fishing when they move closer to shore. Don't let their size fool you - kingfish are feisty fighters that will bend your rod tip. They're also excellent table fare with sweet, white meat that's perfect for the dinner table. Since they're bottom feeders, drop down with light tackle and small hooks. My secret: use fresh cut shrimp or bloodworms and keep your bait right on the bottom - that's where they do their hunting.
Centropomus UndecimalisOur signature inshore gamefish with that distinctive black lateral line and golden sides. Most run 18-28 inches, but the big females can stretch past 40 inches. These ambush predators love structure - docks, mangroves, bridges, and oyster bars in 2-15 feet of water. They're temperature sensitive, so warmer months from May through October offer the best action. What makes snook special is their gill-rattling jumps and bulldogging runs, plus they're excellent eating with sweet, flaky meat. They're notorious for their moody feeding habits, which keeps things interesting. During spawning season their fins turn bright yellow. Here's the key: work your lure or bait tight to cover and be ready for that explosive strike. They'll often hit right at the boat.
Siesta Key