5.0(3 Reviews)Half Day Inshore Fishing Adventure in Englewood
5.0(3 reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Halfday inshore fishing targeting snook, redfish, and troutMaximum four guests with Captain Dave in Englewood watersExplore Lemon Bay grass flats and mangrove shorelines
Looking for some serious inshore action without burning your whole day? Captain Dave Spargur's half-day charters out of Englewood put you right in the thick of Florida's best shallow water fishing. We're talking crystal-clear grass flats, twisty mangrove shorelines, and backwater spots that hold some of the most sought-after game fish on the Gulf Coast. This isn't your typical tourist trip – it's real fishing with a captain who knows every oyster bar, cut, and feeding zone from Lemon Bay down to Stump Pass. With just four anglers max, you get personalized attention and plenty of room to work without bumping elbows.
Your morning kicks off early when Captain Dave fires up the outboard and we head out into the maze of grass flats and mangrove-lined channels that make Englewood such a hotbed for inshore species. This is sight fishing and structure fishing at its finest – one minute you're casting to laid-up snook under a mangrove overhang, the next you're working a grass edge where redfish are tailing in two feet of water. The beauty of a half-day trip is we hit the prime feeding windows when these fish are most active, usually the first few hours after sunrise or the couple hours before sunset. Dave's been running these waters for years, so he reads the tides, wind, and bait movement like a book. You'll learn why certain spots produce on moving water while others fire up during slack tide.
We fish light tackle here – mostly spinning gear with 15-20 pound braid that lets you feel every bump and headshake. Depending on conditions and what's biting, you might be throwing live shrimp under popping corks around dock pilings, pitching soft plastics into potholes on the grass flats, or working topwater plugs along mangrove edges during low light periods. Captain Dave provides all the rods, reels, and terminal tackle, but if you've got a favorite setup, bring it along. The key to success in these skinny waters is being quiet and making accurate casts – spooked fish in three feet of water don't give you second chances. We'll anchor up on productive spots or use the trolling motor to stay positioned over structure while working different depths and cover types until we find where they're holding.
"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 Englewood's inshore waters and the fish that keeps anglers coming back trip after trip. These ambush predators love structure – you'll find them tucked under mangrove overhangs, around bridge pilings, and along deep edges where they can dart out to nail unsuspecting baitfish. Spring through fall is prime time, with the best action happening during moving water when they position themselves in current breaks. What makes snook so addictive is their explosive strike and acrobatic fight – they'll jump, gill-rattle, and make screaming runs that'll have your drag singing. Most fish we catch run between 20-28 inches, but don't be surprised if a 35-inch beast shows up to test your tackle.
Redfish are the workhorses of the flats and probably the most consistent biters you'll encounter on these trips. These copper-colored bruisers cruise the grass beds and oyster bars year-round, though they really turn on during the warmer months when they move shallow to feed. Watch for their telltale tails breaking the surface as they root around in the grass looking for crabs and shrimp – it's some of the most visual fishing you'll ever do. Reds fight dirty, using their broad sides to bulldoze toward structure once hooked. The slot fish we target typically run 18-27 inches and provide steady action when other species are being finicky. They're also great table fare if you want to keep a couple for dinner.
Lake Trout might sound like a freshwater fish, but down here we're talking about spotted seatrout – one of the most reliable and fun targets in these waters. These spotted beauties love grass flats and sandy potholes, especially during cooler months when they school up in deeper holes and channels. Trout have soft mouths, so you need to keep steady pressure without horsing them, but their willingness to bite makes them perfect for kids and newer anglers looking to get some rod-bending action. They hit everything from live shrimp to soft plastics, and the bigger "gator" trout over 20 inches put up a surprisingly good scrap. Most of our trout action happens in 3-8 feet of water over mixed bottom where grass meets sand.
Half-day trips book up fast, especially during peak season and weekends when everyone wants to get out on the water. Captain Dave's reputation for putting clients on fish and showing them a good time means his calendar fills quick. Whether you're a seasoned angler looking to dial in new techniques or a family wanting to introduce the kids
Salvelinus NamaycushI need to clarify something - we don't actually target lake trout here in Englewood, Florida. Lake trout are a cold-water species found in deep northern lakes like the Great Lakes region and Canada, not in our warm saltwater flats. These char family members need cold, deep water with high oxygen levels to survive - basically the opposite of our subtropical inshore waters. They're impressive fish that can reach 40+ pounds and live in depths of 100+ feet during summer months. If you're interested in lake trout fishing, you'd need to head north to places like Minnesota, Michigan, or Canada where they thrive in cold, deep lakes. Here in Englewood, we focus on our amazing inshore species like snook, redfish, and sea trout that love our warm, shallow waters and grass flats.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are hands down one of the most reliable and fun fish to target in our Englewood waters. These copper-colored beauties average 20-28 inches and are famous for that distinctive black spot near their tail. You'll find them cruising our shallow grass flats, oyster bars, and mangrove edges in just 1-4 feet of water - sometimes so shallow their backs show above the surface. They bite year-round here, but fall and winter months are prime time when they school up. What guests love most is watching these fish "tail" in skinny water and the bulldogging fight they put up once hooked. They're also excellent eating with mild, sweet meat. My go-to technique is sight fishing with a gold spoon or live shrimp on a jig head. Key tip: approach them quietly and cast well ahead of where they're heading - spook one and you'll often spook the whole school.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are the crown jewel of our inshore waters here in Englewood. These beautiful fish have that distinctive black lateral line and can reach up to 30 pounds, though most we catch run 18-28 inches. They love hanging around mangrove shorelines, docks, and creek mouths in 2-6 feet of water. Spring through fall gives you the best action, especially during moving tides when they're actively feeding on shrimp and baitfish. What makes snook special is their explosive strike and powerful runs - they'll test your drag for sure. They're also fantastic table fare with white, flaky meat. My tip: cast your lure past the structure and work it back slowly. Snook are ambush predators, so they'll often hit right as your bait passes their hideout. Live shrimp under a popping cork is deadly effective around our grass flats.
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