5-Hour Private Flats Trip with Capt. Karty
Private Trip
Flats/Shallows Fishing
Private 5hour flats fishing trip for two guestsTarget redfish, trout, and seasonal species like tarponAll equipment provided with flexible morning start times
Looking for a top-rated fishing experience that adapts to your skill level and the day's conditions? Capt. Karty's 5-hour private trip on Mosquito Lagoon and the Indian River delivers exactly that. At $525 for two anglers, you get a full morning on some of Florida's most productive flats waters, with flexible start times between 6 AM and 11 AM. Whether you're chasing your first redfish or you're a seasoned angler wanting to dial in your sight-fishing skills, Capt. Karty tailors every trip to match what's biting and what you want to learn. The best part? He handles all the gear, so you just show up with sunglasses, sunscreen, and your appetite for action.
This isn't your typical charter boat grind. Capt. Karty runs a specialized flats operation, meaning you'll be fishing skinny water where redfish and spotted seatrout cruise the grass beds and oyster bars. Mosquito Lagoon and the Indian River system offer some of the most consistent sight-fishing opportunities on Florida's east coast, with crystal-clear water that lets you watch fish react to your presentations. The 5-hour window gives you plenty of time to work different techniques without feeling rushed. You might start the morning throwing topwater poppers over grass flats, then switch to soft plastics when you find tailing reds in the shallows. Capt. Karty reads the water conditions and adjusts the game plan accordingly - if the wind's up, you'll hit protected backcountry spots. If it's calm, you're heading to the prime sight-fishing zones where every cast could produce a world-class redfish.
Capt. Karty comes loaded with the right tackle for every situation. Light spinning setups with 10-15 pound braid are perfect for working soft plastics around structure, while his fly rods are rigged and ready if you want to try your hand at sight-casting to cruising fish. The beauty of flats fishing is the variety - you might be jigging a DOA shrimp over an oyster bar one minute, then making long casts with a spoon to busting trout the next. Topwater action is legendary here, especially during the cooler months when redfish get aggressive on poppers and walking baits. If you're new to any of these techniques, don't worry. Capt. Karty breaks it down step by step, from reading the water to setting the hook. The shallow-draft flats boat gets you into spots where bigger boats can't go, putting you on fish that see less pressure and eat with more confidence.
Redfish are the stars of this show, and for good reason. Mosquito Lagoon reds are famous for their size and fight, with plenty of fish in the 20-30 inch range and occasional bulls that'll test your drag. These copper-colored bruisers love the shallow grass flats and oyster bars, especially during moving tides when baitfish get pushed around. Spring through fall offers the most consistent action, but winter can produce some of the biggest fish of the year. Spotted seatrout are equally impressive here, with the Indian River system producing some hefty specimens. These fish suspend over grass beds and around structure, often giving away their location with surface boils when they're feeding. The trout bite typically peaks during the warmer months, but you can find them year-round if you know where to look.
Redfish are what most anglers come for, and Mosquito Lagoon doesn't disappoint. These fish average 18-28 inches, with plenty of slot-sized fish for dinner and oversized bulls for bragging rights. Reds feed heavily during moving tides, cruising the flats in search of crabs, shrimp, and baitfish. What makes them special is their willingness to eat in shallow water - sometimes so shallow their backs are out of the water. The sight-fishing opportunities are world-class, especially on calm mornings when you can spot their copper sides from 50 yards away. Peak season runs from April through November, but don't sleep on winter fishing when big schools of reds stack up in deeper holes.
Spotted seatrout bring a different kind of excitement to the mix. These fish are pure predators, often announcing their presence with explosive surface strikes that'll get your heart racing. The Indian River system produces trout from 12 inches up to legitimate 5-pound gator trout that'll make your reel sing. They're most active during warmer months, typically from March through October, and they love to suspend over grass beds where they can ambush passing baitfish. What's fun about trout fishing here is the variety of presentations that work - everything from topwater plugs at dawn to live shrimp under popping corks when the bite gets tough. When you find a good school of trout, the action can be fast and furious.
Capt. Karty's 5-hour private trip delivers the perfect balance of action, instruction, and flexibility that keeps anglers coming back. The $525 rate for two people is a solid value when you consider you're getting a renowned local guide, all tackle and bait, and access to some of Florida's best flats fishing. The free cancellation policy with three days' notice takes the pressure off, so you can book with confidence and adjust if the weather doesn't cooperate. Whether you're a first-timer wanting to learn the ropes or an experienced angler looking to up your flats game, this trip adapts to your goals. The flexible start times mean you can hit the water when conditions are prime, and five hours gives you plenty of time to work different spots and techniques without feeling rushed.
The 19-foot Day5 flats boat is your ticket to productive fishing in the shallow waters of Mosquito Lagoon and Indian River. Recently restored in 2020 and powered by a reliable 115HP Yamaha, this shallow-draft vessel gets you into those prime backcountry spots where the fish are holding. The wireless trolling motor lets you sneak up on redfish without spooking them, while the fish finder helps locate schools of trout in deeper pockets. GPS keeps you on productive water, and the onboard icebox keeps your drinks cold during those hot Florida mornings. Built for two anglers, there's plenty of room to cast without tangling lines, whether you're throwing topwater plugs at dawn or sight-fishing the flats. This boat handles the skinny water like a dream and gets you back to the dock comfortable after a full morning of fishing.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the crown jewel of our flats fishing here in Mosquito Lagoon. These copper-colored bruisers average 20-30 inches but can push well into the slot and beyond. You'll find them cruising our shallow flats in 1-4 feet of water, often with their backs exposed as they tail and root around oyster bars and grass edges. They're year-round residents, but spring and fall offer the most consistent action when they're actively feeding. What guests love most is watching these fish hunt in skinny water - it's pure sight fishing at its finest. They fight hard and make great table fare too. Here's the key: when you spot a red, lead them by a few feet and let your bait settle. They spook easy in shallow water, so patience pays off.
Salmo TruttaSpotted seatrout are one of our most reliable inshore targets here in the lagoon system. These speckled beauties typically run 14-24 inches and about 1-5 pounds, though bigger ones show up regularly. They love our grass flats and shallow water structure, especially around oyster bars and drop-offs. Spring through fall offers the best action, but they school up in deeper water during winter months. What makes trout special is their willingness to hit artificials - soft plastics, topwater plugs, and spoons all work great. They're also excellent table fare with firm, white meat that's hard to beat. My go-to tip: work your lures slow and steady over the grass. Trout often follow before they strike, so don't get impatient and speed up your retrieve.
Oak Hill, FL