Private Full-Day Indian River Lagoon Fishing Trip
Private Trip
River Fishing
Fullday fishing in Florida's biologically rich Indian River LagoonTarget redfish, snook, tarpon and trout with 45+ years expertiseAll licenses and premium gear included for up to two guests
Picture this: you're standing on the bow of a flats boat in one of Florida's most productive fishing spots, watching Captain Frank Catino read the water like an open book. With 45+ years of guiding experience under his belt, Frank knows every oyster bar, grass flat, and mangrove creek where the fish like to hang out. The Indian River Lagoon isn't just another fishing spot—it's a 156-mile-long estuary that's absolutely loaded with everything from aggressive snook to silver-sided tarpon. This full-day adventure gives you and one buddy the chance to work these waters with a captain who's been perfecting his craft since before most guides even picked up a rod.
Your day starts early, which is exactly when the fish are most active. Frank runs a top-rated operation that covers all the bases—shallow flats for sight fishing, deeper channels where the big fish cruise, and those magical mangrove edges where snook love to ambush baitfish. The beauty of the Indian River system is its diversity. One minute you're working a grass flat in two feet of water, the next you're drifting a deeper hole where tarpon roll. Frank provides all the premium tackle and knows exactly which baits and lures are working each season. You'll want to pack a rain jacket, dress for the weather, and definitely bring polarized sunglasses—they're a game-changer when you're trying to spot fish in shallow water. A good hat will keep the Florida sun off your neck too.
The lagoon fishing here is all about reading conditions and adapting your approach. Frank switches between live bait fishing and artificial lures depending on what the fish are telling him. When the water's clear and calm, you might be sight casting to tailing redfish on the flats using soft plastics or spoons. If the fish are deeper or the water's stirred up, he'll break out the live shrimp or pinfish and work the structure. The Indian River has incredible grass beds that hold baitfish, which naturally attract predators. Frank knows how to work these areas without spooking fish, positioning the boat so you get clean shots at cruising snook or trout. The mangrove shorelines are pure gold—these fish use the roots for cover and ambush points. Casting tight to structure takes some skill, but that's where Frank's coaching really pays off.
Snook are the crown jewel of this fishery, and for good reason. These fish are smart, aggressive, and put up a serious fight. They love hanging around docks, mangroves, and any structure that gives them an ambush point. Snook are most active during warmer months, but Frank knows where to find them year-round. They'll slam a live shrimp or crush a well-placed jig, and when they're hooked, they'll try every trick in the book—jumping, running to cover, and gill-shaking like crazy. Landing a quality snook never gets old.
Tarpon fishing in the lagoon is something special. These silver kings range from juvenile fish in the 10-30 pound class all the way up to monsters over 100 pounds. The smaller tarpon are perfect for light tackle fun—they jump repeatedly and fight way above their weight class. Larger tarpon move through the area seasonally, usually spring through fall. When you hook one, get ready for a show. They'll go airborne immediately and keep jumping until they're completely worn out. Even a 20-pound tarpon will test your drag and your patience.
Sea trout, or speckled trout as the locals call them, are abundant throughout the lagoon system. These fish are excellent table fare and great for building confidence with newer anglers. They hang around grass beds and drop-offs, especially during cooler months. Trout aren't the strongest fighters, but they're willing biters and Frank knows exactly where to find schools of quality fish. A good day might produce dozens of keeper-sized specks.
Redfish are the workhorses of the flats. These copper-colored fighters love shallow water and aren't particularly spooky, making them perfect targets for sight fishing. Reds feed by tipping down and rooting around in the grass, often with their tails sticking up—that's what anglers call "tailing." When you spot a red doing this, you know exactly where to cast. They're strong fighters that use their broad sides to pull hard against your drag. The lagoon holds both slot-sized fish perfect for dinner and oversized bulls that are pure adrenaline.
Ladyfish might not win any beauty contests, but they're some of the most fun you can have on light tackle. These silver torpedoes jump like miniature tarpon and are usually found in schools. When you find one, you've often found dozens. They're perfect action fish when the bigger species are being finicky, and they'll absolutely crush topwater lures at dawn and dusk.
Captain Frank's 45 years of experience shows in every aspect of this trip—from his fish-finding ability to his gear selection to the way he positions the boat for the best shots. The Indian River Lagoon is consistently ranked as one of Florida's premier fishing destinations, and having a guide who knows every productive spot makes all the difference. Whether you're a seasoned angler looking to dial in your technique or someone who just wants to catch fish and have a great time, this full-day adventure delivers. All licenses and gear are included, so you just need to show up ready to fish. Don't wait too long to book—guides like Frank who combine decades of experience with genuine passion for the sport fill up fast, especially during peak season.
This 18-foot Momentum custom carbon fiber skiff is your ticket to serious fishing action on Florida's Indian River Lagoon. Fresh from a complete 2024 restoration, this shallow-water specialist cuts through skinny flats and tight mangrove channels where big redfish and snook love to hide. The reliable 50 HP Honda pushes you silently into prime fishing zones without spooking wary fish. Built tough but lightweight, this boat handles like a dream whether you're sight-casting to cruising reds on the flats or working structure for trout and tarpon. Perfect for two anglers who want to fish hard all day in one of Florida's richest fishing grounds.
Elops SaurusOften called "poor man's tarpon," ladyfish are fantastic light-tackle fun that'll surprise you with their acrobatics. They typically run 12-18 inches and are built like silver bullets with forked tails. You'll find schools of them in channels, around bridges, and near creek mouths in 3-15 feet of water. They bite year-round but are most active during warmer months. What makes them special is their aerial show - they'll jump and skip across the surface like miniature tarpon when hooked. While not great table fare, they're perfect for beginners and kids since they're aggressive biters. They also make excellent cut bait for bigger fish like snook. My tip: use small jigs, spoons, or live shrimp on light spinning gear. When you hook one, expect to hook several more since they travel in schools and get competitive when feeding.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the bread and butter of our shallow water fishing, known for that distinctive black spot near their tail. Most range from 18-27 inches in our waters, perfect slot-size fish. They love cruising oyster bars, mangrove shorelines, and grass flats in 1-4 feet of water - sometimes so shallow their backs show above the surface. Fall and spring offer the best action when they're actively feeding. What makes reds special is their powerful, bulldogging fight and willingness to eat almost anything. They're also excellent table fare with firm, mildly sweet meat. You'll often spot them tailing in skinny water, making for exciting sight fishing. Here's my go-to method: use a gold spoon or soft plastic shrimp and cast ahead of cruising fish. Let it sink to the bottom, then work it slowly with short hops.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are perfect for anglers wanting consistent action and great table fare. These spotted beauties typically run 14-20 inches and make for excellent eating with their mild, flaky white meat. You'll find them over grass flats in 2-8 feet of water, especially near deeper potholes and channel edges. They bite year-round but really turn on during cooler months when they school up heavily. What guests love is their willingness to bite - they're not as finicky as some species. They'll hit live shrimp, soft plastics, and topwater plugs with equal enthusiasm. The key is fishing early morning or late evening when they're feeding actively. Pro tip: use a popping cork with live shrimp underneath. The noise draws them in from a distance, and that natural bait seals the deal.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are one of the lagoon's most prized catches, with their distinctive black lateral line and golden coloring. Most run 18-28 inches, though bigger ones lurk around deeper structure. They love hanging near mangroves, docks, and oyster bars in 2-6 feet of water. Peak action happens during warmer months when they're more active, especially around dawn and dusk. What makes them special is their explosive strike and strong runs - they'll jump and thrash like crazy. The meat is excellent too, white and flaky. Here's a local tip: cast your lure past the structure and work it back slowly. Snook are ambush predators, so they'll dart out from cover to nail your bait. Use a heavy leader since they've got sharp gill plates that'll cut light line.
Megalops AtlanticusThe "silver kings" of our waters are something every angler should experience at least once. Most tarpon here run 80-150 pounds and 4-6 feet long, though we see some real giants. They cruise shallow flats and deeper channels, often rolling on the surface in schools. Best fishing is late spring through summer when they're most active. What sets tarpon apart is their aerial show - they'll jump repeatedly, sometimes 10 feet out of the water. It's pure adrenaline watching a hundred-pound fish go airborne next to the boat. They're catch-and-release only since the meat isn't great. My advice: keep steady pressure but don't horse them. When they jump, bow to the fish by dropping your rod tip - it prevents the hook from popping out during their acrobatics.
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