5.0(3 Reviews)Half Day Fishing in Englewood's Prime Waters
5.0(3 reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Target redfish, trout, and snook in Lemon Bay watersFish grass flats and mangrove shorelines with Captain DaveHalf-day inshore trips accommodate up to four guests maximum
If you're looking for some of Florida's most productive inshore fishing, you've found it. Captain Dave Spargur knows these Englewood waters like the back of his hand, and his half-day trips are legendary among local anglers. You'll be targeting the holy trinity of Southwest Florida fishing - snook, redfish, and trout - in some of the most beautiful and fish-rich waters you'll find anywhere. With a maximum of four anglers on board, you get that personalized attention that makes all the difference between just fishing and actually catching fish.
Your adventure starts in the pristine waters around Lemon Bay and Stump Pass, two areas that consistently produce quality fish year-round. Captain Dave runs a clean, well-equipped boat that's perfectly sized for inshore work - you can get into those shallow spots where the big fish like to hang out without spooking them. The half-day format gives you plenty of time to work multiple spots without feeling rushed, but it's also perfect if you've got other plans or you're fishing with kids who might get antsy on longer trips. You'll be casting around grass flats that hold feeding trout, working the mangrove edges where snook ambush baitfish, and hitting those deeper pockets where redfish cruise looking for an easy meal. The captain provides all the gear you need, but feel free to bring your own setup if you've got favorites.
This is classic Southwest Florida inshore fishing at its finest. You'll be working shallow grass flats with live bait and artificials, sight-casting to redfish tailing in skinny water, and throwing topwater plugs at snook crashes near the mangroves. Captain Dave switches up techniques based on conditions and what the fish are doing that day. Some days it's all about slow-rolling soft plastics over the grass beds, other days the fish want fast-moving spoons or jigs. The Stump Pass area is famous for its variety - you might catch a snook on one cast and a nice trout on the next. The mangrove shorelines provide perfect ambush points for snook, especially during moving tides when baitfish get pushed through the cuts and channels. Lemon Bay's expansive flats are prime redfish territory, and when conditions are right, you'll see these bronze bulldogs pushing wakes as they hunt in water so shallow their backs are almost out of the water.
"Capt Dave Spargurs Charters with Captain Dave Spargur provided an outstanding fishing experience! Captain Dave's expertise and dedication to customer satisfaction made for an unforgettable trip. Highly recommend for anyone looking for a fantastic day on the water!" - Elly
"What an outstanding day of fishing with Capt Dave Spargurs Charters and Captain Dave! Dave's expertise and personable nature made for a seamless and enjoyable trip. Highly recommend booking with them for an unforgettable adventure!" - George
"Highly recommend Capt Dave Spargurs Charters with Captain Dave Spargur! Dave's knowledge of the area and his dedication to customer satisfaction ensure an exceptional fishing experience. We had a blast and can't wait to go out with them again!" - Rusty
Snook are the crown jewel of Southwest Florida inshore fishing, and for good reason. These aggressive predators can grow over 40 inches and put up fights that'll test your drag and your arms. They're ambush feeders that love structure - you'll find them lurking under mangrove overhangs, around docks, and near any kind of cover where they can surprise passing baitfish. Spring through fall are prime times, especially during the warmer months when they're most active. What makes snook special is their explosive strike and their tendency to jump and tail-walk when hooked. They're also excellent eating if you're within the slot limit, with white, flaky meat that's perfect for the grill.
Redfish are the workhorses of the flats, and catching one never gets old. These copper-colored fighters are built like tanks and fight like they know it. You'll typically find them ranging from 18 to 30 inches in these waters, with some real bulls pushing over 40 inches. They're year-round residents that love shallow water, and there's nothing quite like watching a red's back and tail break the surface as it feeds in knee-deep water. They're not picky eaters - crabs, shrimp, small fish, they'll take it all. The fight is what sets them apart though - long, powerful runs that'll make your reel sing and test your patience as they try to wrap you around every piece of structure they can find.
Trout might not be the biggest fish in these waters, but they're definitely some of the most fun to catch and best to eat. Spotted seatrout are abundant in Lemon Bay and around Stump Pass, especially over the grass flats where they feed on shrimp and small baitfish. They're most active during cooler months, but you can catch them year-round if you know where to look. What anglers love about trout is their willingness to bite artificials - they'll hit soft plastics, topwater lures, and live bait with equal enthusiasm. A good day might see you catching trout in the 15 to 20-inch range, with some gator trout over 25 inches mixed in if you're lucky.
Captain Dave Spargur's half-day fishing trips fill up fast, especially during peak season, and there's a good reason why. You're getting access to some of Florida's most productive inshore waters with a captain who's been working these spots for years. The four-person maximum means you're not fighting for rod space or the captain's
Salvelinus NamaycushLake trout aren't found in Englewood's warm saltwater - these are cold-water fish that live in deep northern lakes like those in Canada and the Great Lakes region. They're the largest of the char family, commonly reaching 15-40 pounds and living in depths of 60-200 feet. Spring right after ice-out is prime time when they move shallow, but summer finds them deep where it's cold. What draws anglers is their impressive size and the challenge of fishing deep water with heavy jigs and spoons. They fight with steady, powerful runs rather than flashy jumps. The meat is rich and oily, perfect for smoking. A key trick is vertical jigging with spoons that mimic wounded baitfish - drop it down, lift it high, then let it flutter back down. That erratic action triggers strikes from these opportunistic feeders.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the backbone of our Englewood flats fishing, and they're a blast to catch in the shallow waters of Lemon Bay and around Stump Pass. Most reds we hook range 18-30 inches and love cruising grass flats and mangrove edges in just 1-4 feet of water. You can often spot their copper backs and that distinctive black spot near the tail. Fall through spring offers the best fishing when they school up and feed heavily. What makes redfish so popular is their powerful runs - they'll strip line and bulldoze through the shallows. Plus, they're fantastic eating with mild, sweet meat. They're not picky eaters either, hitting live shrimp, soft plastics, and topwater plugs. Pro tip: when sight-fishing, cast well ahead of cruising reds and let your bait settle - they spook easily but can't resist a well-placed offering.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are one of Florida's premier gamefish, and around Englewood they're found along mangrove shorelines and grass flats in 2-10 feet of water. Most fish we catch run 18-28 inches, but bigger ones lurk in deeper holes. They're ambush predators with serious attitude - when hooked, they'll jump, run, and try every trick to shake free. Spring through fall offers the best action, especially around dawn and dusk when they're actively feeding. What makes snook special is their explosive strikes and acrobatic fights that'll test your drag. They're also excellent table fare with firm, white meat. Here's a local tip: when working mangroves, cast your bait tight to the roots and let it sink - snook love to hang in that shade waiting for an easy meal to drift by.
5.0 out of 5.0Capt Dave Spargurs Charters with Captain Dave Spargur provided an outstanding fishing experience! Captain Dave's expertise and ded...
What an outstanding day of fishing with Capt Dave Spargurs Charters and Captain Dave! Dave's expertise and personable nature made ...
Highly recommend Capt Dave Spargurs Charters with Captain Dave Spargur! Dave's knowledge of the area and his dedication to custome...
Englewood, FL