Fort Myers Half Day PM Fishing Trip
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Halfday afternoon fishing targeting Snook, Redfish, and Spotted Sea TroutExpert guides provide inshore fishing experience during sunset hoursFourguest capacity ensures personalized attention from Captain Bill Walker
There's something special about chasing fish as the sun starts its descent over Fort Myers' backwaters. Our half-day afternoon trips put you right in the sweet spot when Snook, Redfish, Sea Trout, and Sheepshead turn active in the cooler evening hours. Captain Bill Walker knows these waters like the back of his hand, and he'll get your group of up to four anglers positioned where the fish are biting. Whether you're looking to introduce the kids to fishing or you're a die-hard angler wanting to put some quality fish in the boat, this PM trip delivers the goods without eating up your whole day.
We'll meet you at the dock in the early afternoon and get you rigged up with everything you need for a solid few hours of fishing. The beauty of our PM trips is timing – you'll be fishing during that golden window when the water starts cooling and baitfish become more active near the mangroves and grass flats. Captain Bill focuses on the productive spots around Fort Myers where these target species love to hang out. You'll be casting live bait and artificial lures around structure, working the edges of grass beds, and maybe even sight-fishing if conditions are right. The boat's equipped with all the tackle you'll need, from light spinning gear perfect for trout to heavier setups when we're targeting those bigger Snook. Don't worry about bringing anything except your fishing license – we've got rods, reels, bait, and all the terminal tackle covered.
Fort Myers inshore fishing is all about reading the water and adapting your approach. We'll be using a mix of live shrimp, pinfish, and pilchards depending on what the fish are keyed in on that day. Around the mangrove shorelines, we'll work live bait under popping corks or free-line baits in the current. When we're on the grass flats, expect to throw soft plastics on jig heads or work topwater plugs during those prime feeding times. Captain Bill's got years of experience reading tides, wind, and structure to put you on fish. The boat's rigged with a shallow water anchor system, so we can lock down on productive spots without spooking fish. You'll learn proper casting techniques for tight mangrove pockets and how to work lures through different water depths. The key to success in these waters is staying mobile and adjusting tactics as conditions change throughout the trip.
Snook are the crown jewel of Fort Myers fishing, and these ambush predators know how to put up a fight. They love hanging around dock lights, mangrove overhangs, and bridge pilings where they can surprise unsuspecting baitfish. Fall through early spring is prime time for Snook, when they're thick in the backcountry and aggressive. These fish have serious attitude – they'll slam a topwater bait and then try to wrap you around every piece of structure they can find. Landing a slot-sized Snook feels like Christmas morning, especially when they come flying out of the water trying to throw your hook.
Redfish are another Fort Myers favorite that'll test your drag system. These copper-colored bruisers patrol the shallow flats and love to root around oyster bars for crabs and shrimp. They're surprisingly spooky for such a big fish, so sight-fishing them in skinny water gets your heart pumping. Reds are year-round residents here, but fall and winter months often produce the best numbers. When you hook into a bull red, get ready for a long fight – they'll make multiple runs and use their broad shoulders to stay deep.
Spotted Sea Trout might not be the biggest fish in the bay, but they're willing biters that save the day when other species get finicky. These guys school up over grass beds and respond well to both live bait and artificial lures. Spring and fall offer the best trout action, with fish averaging 14-18 inches and the occasional gator trout pushing over 20. They're excellent table fare and fight harder than their size suggests, making multiple runs before coming to the boat.
Sheepshead are the thieves of the bay – they'll steal your bait before you know what happened. These black-and-white striped fish have human-like teeth perfect for crushing barnacles and crabs around structure. Winter months bring the best Sheepshead fishing when they move into shallow water to spawn. Don't let their funny appearance fool you – they're excellent eating and surprisingly strong fighters. You'll need to stay sharp when fishing for Sheepshead because they're notorious bait stealers with lightning-quick reflexes.
Fort Myers afternoon fishing trips with Captain Bill Walker offer the perfect blend of productive angling and scenic beauty. You'll chase quality fish species while watching one of Florida's most beautiful sunsets paint the sky. The half-day format gives you plenty of fishing action without the full-day commitment, making it ideal for families, visiting anglers, or anyone wanting to experience world-class inshore fishing. Our customer-favorite PM trips consistently produce fish and memories that'll have you planning your next trip before this one's over. Captain Bill's local knowledge and years of experience guiding these waters give you the best shot at success. Book now and see why so many anglers consider Fort Myers a top-rated fishing destination.
Get ready to fish Fort Myers' productive inshore waters aboard our well-equipped 2017 Key West 24-foot center console. This bay boat handles beautifully with its Yamaha SHO 250HP engine, cruising smoothly to the best fishing spots where Snook, Redfish, and Spotted Sea Trout are biting. The wireless trolling motor lets us approach fish quietly in shallow water, while the fish finder helps locate schools and structure. With seating for up to 4 anglers, there's plenty of room to cast and fight fish without crowding. The onboard icebox keeps your catch fresh and drinks cold during those hot afternoon sessions. GPS navigation ensures we maximize fishing time by hitting productive flats and mangrove edges efficiently. Perfect for families or small groups wanting to experience Fort Myers' excellent inshore fishing action.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the bulls of the flats, and they put on a show that'll get your heart pumping. Most run 20-30 inches around Fort Myers, with that signature copper-red color and black spot near the tail. Look for them in 1-4 feet of water around oyster bars, mangrove edges, and grass flats - sometimes so shallow their backs are out of the water. They bite year-round, but fall and spring are prime time when they're feeding heavily. What makes reds special? They're powerful fighters that make long runs, plus they're not spooky so you can sight-fish them. Great eating too, with firm white meat. Pro tip: when you spot one tailing or cruising, cast your bait well ahead and let it settle - they'll eat almost anything but spook easily if you splash it down nearby.
Salmo TruttaSpotted Sea Trout are perfect for our evening trips since they feed aggressively in low light. These beauties typically run 14-20 inches in Fort Myers waters, with distinctive spots covering their silvery sides. You'll find them over grass flats in 2-6 feet of water, especially around creek mouths and drop-offs where the bottom changes. Spring through fall offers the best action, and they really turn on during moving tides. Guests love trout because they're eager biters that fight well for their size, plus they make outstanding table fare with sweet, flaky meat. Winter fishing can be fantastic when they school in deeper holes. The secret is using lighter tackle with soft plastics or live shrimp worked slowly over the grass beds - they'll often hit on the fall.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the "convict fish" of Fort Myers with those black and white stripes, but don't let their looks fool you - they're excellent table fare. Most run 2-5 pounds here, though we see some pushing 8+ pounds around deeper structures. You'll find them anywhere there's barnacles and structure: bridge pilings, docks, rock piles, and artificial reefs. They're year-round residents, but winter and spring offer the best action when they school up heavily. What guests love is the challenge - these fish have human-like teeth and steal baits like pros. Their delicate white meat rivals any restaurant fish. My tip: use small hooks with fresh shrimp and keep constant tension. The moment you feel that subtle tap-tap-tap, set the hook hard before they strip your bait clean.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are Fort Myers' most prized gamefish, and for good reason. These sleek predators typically run 18-28 inches around here, with that distinctive black lateral line and golden color that gets brighter during spawning season. You'll find them hugging mangrove shorelines, around docks, and in creeks where fresh and salt water mix - they love structure and ambush points. Evening trips work great since they feed heavily at dusk. What makes them special? They fight like crazy with powerful runs and jumps, plus they're fantastic eating with firm white meat. The key to landing snook is getting your bait tight to cover - they won't chase far. Cast live shrimp or pinfish right against the mangroves where most anglers are afraid to go.
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