Christmas Special Inshore Fishing Charters
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Holiday fishing charters available December 20th to January 10thTarget Redfish, Trout, and Black Drum using fly fishing techniquesIntimate 2-guest capacity trips with Captain Bach Charters
There's something magical about casting a line during the holiday season, especially when you're working the crystal-clear waters around New Smyrna Beach. Captain Bach's Christmas Special inshore charters give you the perfect excuse to escape the holiday chaos and get back to what really matters – you, the water, and some seriously good fishing. These discounted charters run from December 20th through January 10th, hitting that sweet spot when the inshore bite is hot and the crowds have thinned out. With space for just two anglers, you'll get the personalized attention that makes all the difference between a good day and an epic one.
New Smyrna Beach's inshore waters are like a fish highway during the winter months, and Captain Bach knows every pothole, oyster bar, and grass flat where the action happens. You'll be working the Mosquito Lagoon system and Indian River, places that consistently produce quality fish year-round but really shine during the cooler months. The water clarity this time of year is phenomenal – you can actually watch redfish tailing in two feet of water, which makes sight fishing a real game-changer. These trips focus heavily on fly fishing, so if you've been wanting to step up your game with the long rod, this is your chance. Don't worry if you're new to it though – Captain Bach will have you throwing decent loops and presenting flies properly within the first hour. The flats boat gets you into skinny water where the big fish feel safe, and that's where the magic happens.
Fly fishing the flats is all about stealth and precision, and Captain Bach's setup reflects that philosophy. You'll be working with 8-weight fly rods that have enough backbone to handle a bull red but won't overpower smaller trout and black drum. The flies are tied locally – think Clouser minnows, spoon flies, and crab patterns that mimic the baitfish and crustaceans these fish hammer all winter long. Sight fishing is the name of the game here, so you'll spend time learning to spot fish before they spot you. The technique involves long, quiet poles through likely areas, watching for wakes, tails, and shadows that give away feeding fish. When you're not sight fishing, you'll work structure like dock pilings and oyster bars where fish stack up during moving tides. Captain Bach uses a 21-foot flats skiff that draws less than a foot of water, letting you get right up on fish that have never seen a lure. The trolling motor keeps everything whisper-quiet, and the elevated poling platform means your guide can spot fish from way off and position you for the perfect shot.
Redfish are the crown jewel of New Smyrna Beach inshore fishing, and winter is when they really put on a show. These copper-colored bruisers average 24 to 30 inches through the winter months, with plenty of oversized fish that'll test your drag system. Reds are ambush predators that love to cruise the flats during incoming tides, tailing in super shallow water as they root around for crabs and shrimp. What makes them so addictive is their attitude – they eat aggressively and fight dirty, using their broad shoulders to bulldoze toward structure once hooked. The best part about winter redfish is their predictability. Find bait, find structure, find moving water, and you'll find reds.
Spotted seatrout are the technical challenge that keeps fly anglers coming back. These fish are spookier than reds but way more aggressive once they commit to eating. Winter trout in this area run 16 to 22 inches typically, with the occasional gator trout pushing 25-plus inches that'll make your day. They love grass flats adjacent to deeper channels, especially during the last two hours of incoming tide when baitfish get pushed up shallow. Trout have soft mouths, so the fight is more about finesse than brute force. They jump, they make runs, and they'll straighten your hooks if you horse them. The reward is some of the best eating fish in the ocean, with firm white meat that tastes like the clean water they live in.
Black drum are the underrated powerhouse of the flats, and Captain Bach's waters hold some real monsters. These fish are pure muscle – think redfish strength with better endurance. Winter black drum average 20 to 35 inches, with 40-plus inch fish showing up regularly enough to keep things interesting. They're bottom feeders that cruise in small schools, usually in 2 to 4 feet of water near oyster bars and creek mouths. Black drum are sight fishers' dreams because they're easy to spot but challenging to hook. They eat slowly and deliberately, so your presentation has to be perfect. Once hooked though, they make long, powerful runs that'll have you questioning your knot-tying skills. They're also excellent table fare when kept in the slot, with firm meat that works great blackened or grilled.
Holiday fishing charters book fast around here, especially the discounted ones that actually deliver on the promise of quality fishing. New Smyrna Beach becomes a hotspot for visitors looking to escape colder weather, and word gets around quickly when the bite is on. Captain Bach's Christmas Special gives you access to some of the most productive inshore waters on the East Coast during prime time, with personalized instruction that'll make you a better angler regardless of your experience level. The limited booking window from December 20th to January 10th means you're fishing during the absolute peak of the winter pattern, when fish are concentrated and feeding aggressively. Don't sleep on this opportunity – grab your spot now and give yourself the kind of holiday memory that'll last way longer than anything you'll find under the tree.
Titusville