5-Hour Private Flats Trip with Capt. Karty
Private Trip
Flats/Shallows Fishing
Private 5-hour flats fishing targeting redfish and spotted seatroutAll tackle, rods, and bait provided by experienced captainFlexible start times between 6 AM and 11 AM daily
Looking for a solid day on the water without all the crowds? Capt. Karty's 5-hour private fishing trip hits all the sweet spots around Mosquito Lagoon and the Indian River. This isn't your typical charter boat deal – we're talking prime flats fishing where you'll work shallow waters for redfish and spotted seatrout using techniques that actually produce fish. At $525 for two anglers, you get a full morning of fishing (6 AM to 11 AM start times) with everything provided except your drinks and the stories you'll tell later. Three days' notice for cancellation means you can book with confidence, and Capt. Karty adapts every trip to match your skill level and what's biting that day.
This trip covers some of Florida's most productive inshore waters, and Capt. Karty knows exactly where to put you on fish. Mosquito Lagoon is famous among flats anglers for its gin-clear water and healthy populations of reds and trout, while the Indian River system offers deeper cuts and backcountry spots that hold different fish depending on tides and season. You'll spend your morning moving between river channels, grass flats, and shallow backcountry areas – each spot chosen based on current conditions and what species are most active. The beauty of a private trip is the flexibility: if the bite is hot in one area, you stay put. If fish are moving, you move with them. Capt. Karty reads the water like a book and puts that knowledge to work for your success on every cast.
Capt. Karty brings a full arsenal of fishing methods to match whatever the day throws at you. Light tackle spinning is the bread and butter – perfect for working soft plastics through grass beds or bouncing jigs along drop-offs where trout and reds feed. When conditions allow, fly fishing becomes an option, especially in skinny water where you can sight-cast to cruising redfish. Popping cork setups work magic when fish are scattered, and the jigging bite can be absolutely lights-out around structure and deeper edges. All rods, reels, tackle, and bait come with the trip, so you're not hauling a tackle shop to the dock. Capt. Karty matches the gear to the technique and the technique to the fish, whether you're a seasoned angler or picking up a rod for the first time. The key is having options – some days require finesse, others call for aggressive presentations, and experience tells you which approach will put fish in the boat.
Spotted seatrout are the bread and butter of this fishery, and for good reason. These fish are active year-round in the Indian River system, though they really turn on during cooler months when they stack up in deeper holes and around structure. Trout are scrappy fighters that hit a variety of baits, from live shrimp under popping corks to soft plastics worked slowly along grass edges. What makes them special here is the size – this area produces some genuinely impressive gator trout that'll test your drag and give you something to brag about. They're also great teaching fish since they're relatively forgiving of presentation mistakes while still rewarding good technique with consistent action.
Redfish are the other star of this show, and Mosquito Lagoon reds are legendary among flats anglers. These copper-colored bulldogs cruise the shallows year-round, though spring and fall offer the most consistent action. Reds here are known for their attitude – they'll eat aggressively when they're feeding and test every knot you tied when hooked. The shallow water sight-fishing opportunities are world-class, especially when you spot a school of tailing reds working a flat. Beyond the primary targets, seasonal species keep things interesting: black drum show up in cooler months, snook prowl the backcountry during summer, and tarpon rolling through the area can turn any trip into something memorable. Capt. Karty knows the seasonal patterns and adjusts tactics to give you the best shot at whatever's biting.
This trip delivers exactly what serious anglers want: productive water, experienced guidance, and the flexibility to make the most of changing conditions. Capt. Karty's local knowledge of Mosquito Lagoon and the Indian River puts you on fish that other guides might spend all day looking for. The 5-hour timeframe gives you enough water time to really get into a rhythm without feeling rushed, and the private boat means you're fishing at your pace with techniques that match your interests. Whether you're after that first redfish or trying to top your personal best trout, this trip gives you the platform to make it happen. The gear's provided, the knowledge is proven, and the fish are waiting – all you need to do is show up ready to cast.
Step aboard this restored 19-foot Day5 flats boat, perfectly rigged for stalking redfish and spotted seatrout in the skinny waters of Mosquito Lagoon. The 115HP Yamaha gets you to the fishing grounds fast, while the wireless trolling motor lets you glide silently over grass flats without spooking fish. Captain Karty's setup includes everything serious anglers need—GPS to mark productive spots, fish finder to locate schools, and an icebox to keep your catch fresh and drinks cold. Built for shallow water fishing, this boat draws minimal water so you can reach backcountry spots where big fish hide. Whether you're sight-fishing the flats or working structure in the Indian River, you'll have room to cast freely with space for two anglers. The boat handles chop well on windy days but really shines in calm conditions when you can spot tailing reds from the poling platform. All tackle is provided, from light spinning gear to fly rods, so you can focus on reading the water and making the right presentation.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the crown jewel of our flats fishing here. These copper-colored bruisers with the distinctive black spot near their tail typically run 20-30 inches in the shallows, though we hook into some real bulls pushing 40+ inches. They cruise grass flats, oyster bars, and mangrove shorelines in 1-4 feet of water - sometimes so shallow their backs are showing. Year-round fishing is solid, but fall and spring offer the best action when they're most active. What guests love is their power - even a 20-inch red will peel drag and test your skills. They're also great eating with firm, mild meat. They'll hit everything from topwater plugs to soft plastics, but here's the key: when you spot one tailing or cruising, lead them by at least 10 feet and let your lure sink before starting your retrieve.
Salmo TruttaSpotted seatrout are one of our most reliable targets here in the lagoon. These silvery fish with black spots run 14-24 inches typically, though we see plenty in the 2-4 pound range that'll give you a solid fight on light tackle. They love grass flats in 2-6 feet of water, especially around dawn and dusk when they're actively feeding on shrimp and small baitfish. Spring through fall are prime time, but winter can be great too when they school up in deeper channels. What makes them special is their willingness to hit topwater lures - nothing beats that explosive surface strike. They're also excellent table fare with white, flaky meat. Pro tip: when you see them tailing in shallow water, cast your lure well ahead of where they're moving and work it slowly back through their path.
Oak Hill, FL