5.0(1 Reviews)Half Day Inshore Charter Trip
5.0(1 reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fourhour morning trip targets Snook, Redfish, and GrouperUSCGlicensed captain provides gear, bait, and expert guidanceBeginnerfriendly experience aboard comfortable 24foot center console
Looking for a perfect morning on the water that won't eat up your whole day? Captain Jake Nickol's half-day inshore charter delivers exactly what you're after. This top-rated 4-hour fishing adventure kicks off at 8:00 AM and targets some of the most sought-after inshore species in shallow, protected waters. Whether you're bringing the kids for their first fishing experience or you're a beginner wanting to learn the ropes without pressure, this trip strikes the perfect balance between action and education. With Jake's patient teaching style and deep local knowledge, you'll be working light tackle in calm conditions while chasing Snook, Redfish, Spanish Mackerel, Gag Grouper, and even the occasional Tarpon.
Your morning starts aboard Jake's comfortable 24-foot center console—built for inshore work and designed to get you into those skinny water spots where the fish love to hang out. The boat handles beautifully in shallow areas, and with room for up to 2 guests, you'll have plenty of space to move around and cast without bumping elbows. Jake provides all the gear you'll need, from rods and reels perfectly matched to the target species, to fresh bait and a tackle box full of proven lures. The beauty of inshore fishing lies in its accessibility—you're not dealing with rough seas or long boat rides. Instead, you're working mangroves, grass flats, and structure in protected waters where fish feed aggressively and fights happen in clear, shallow water where you can actually see the action unfold.
Inshore fishing is all about finesse and reading the water, and Jake excels at teaching both. You'll be using light spinning tackle that lets you feel every bump and tap, making even smaller fish feel like worthy opponents. Techniques vary depending on what's biting—you might be casting live shrimp under popping corks near oyster bars for Redfish, or working soft plastics along grass edges for Snook. Jake's approach focuses on understanding fish behavior rather than just throwing lines in the water. He'll show you how to read bird activity, spot baitfish schools, and identify the subtle water color changes that indicate feeding zones. The shallow water environment means you can actually watch fish follow your bait, creating visual excitement that deep-water fishing simply can't match. Live bait fishing with shrimp, pinfish, and pilchards produces consistent results, while artificial lures add an element of skill development that keeps the learning curve engaging.
"Jake is very knowledgeable and loves what he does, we had a great time, great with kids and made sure everyone caught some fish" - Jon
Spanish Mackerel are the perfect starter fish for this charter—aggressive, abundant, and always ready to hit a moving bait. These sleek predators average 1-3 pounds and fight with surprising strength for their size, making long runs and acrobatic jumps that get everyone excited. They're most active during cooler months and early morning hours, which aligns perfectly with your 8 AM start time. Spanish Mackerel school heavily around baitfish, so when you find one, you've usually found many. They hit fast-trolled spoons, live shrimp, and small jigs with reckless abandon, making them ideal confidence builders for nervous first-timers.
Gag Grouper represent the heavyweight division of your target species, typically running 3-8 pounds in inshore waters with the occasional teenager showing up to test your drag system. These bottom-dwelling bruisers love structure—rocky outcroppings, artificial reefs, and hard bottom areas where they ambush prey. Gags are notorious for their powerful initial runs straight back to cover, creating heart-stopping moments when you're wondering if your line will hold. They're excellent table fare and provide that satisfying bend-the-rod experience that makes for great photos. Peak action typically occurs during moving tides when baitfish get pushed around structure.
Snook are the crown jewel of inshore fishing—smart, strong, and absolutely beautiful with their distinctive black lateral line and golden flanks. These ambush predators love mangrove shorelines, docks, and bridges where they hide in shadows waiting for unsuspecting prey. Snook fishing requires patience and precision since they're incredibly structure-oriented and known for their ability to cut you off in the roots. When hooked, they make blistering runs and gill-rattling jumps that test both your equipment and nerves. They're catch-and-release only during certain seasons, but the thrill of landing one makes it a bucket-list experience regardless.
Tarpon, even the juvenile "peanut" variety you'll encounter inshore, are pure excitement in fish form. These silver kings are famous for their spectacular aerial displays—multiple jumps, gill rattles, and death rolls that create memories lasting far beyond the fishing trip. Baby Tarpon typically run 10-30 pounds but fight like fish twice their size. They prefer deeper holes in flats, channels with moving water, and areas where fresh and salt water mix. Hooking a Tarpon transforms a quiet morning into an adrenaline-pumping battle that often attracts attention from other boats wondering what all the commotion is about.
Redfish are the steady producers of inshore fishing—bronze-colored bulldogs that fight hard and eat almost anything you throw at them. These copper-sided beauties average 18-27 inches in slot size, with their distinctive black spot near the tail making them instantly recognizable. Reds love shallow water, often feeding in areas so skinny you can see their backs breaking the surface. They're not picky eaters, readily taking live shrimp, cut bait, and artificial lures. What makes Redfish special is their tendency to school up, meaning when you find one, there are usually more nearby. Their powerful
Get ready to fish Florida's inshore waters aboard this solid 24-ft center console that's built for action. The 200HP engine gets you to the fishing spots quickly while the spacious deck gives everyone room to cast and fight fish comfortably. Your captain will use the onboard fish finder to locate schools of Snook, Redfish, and Sheepshead in the shallow coastal waters where these species love to hang out. The boat's stable design makes it perfect for beginners and families - you won't be fighting seasickness while learning to work light tackle. Keep your drinks cold in the icebox and enjoy the multimedia system during the ride to your fishing spots. With GPS navigation, your licensed captain knows exactly where to find the best bite. This center console handles beautifully in calm inshore conditions, letting you focus on perfecting your casting technique and learning to read the water. Whether you're after hard-fighting Redfish in the grass flats or trying to coax Gag Grouper from structure, this boat puts you in the right position to succeed.
Mycteroperca MicrolepisGag Grouper are chunky bottom dwellers that average around 20 inches but can reach 50+ inches and 80 pounds. Males are darker with reticulated dorsal fins, while females show a marbled gray pattern. They love rocky structure, reefs, and ledges where they can ambush prey like crabs and small fish. Younger fish hang inshore around oyster bars, but bigger ones move to deeper structure. They're famous for their bulldogging fight - once hooked, they'll try to drag your bait straight back to the rocks. That's what makes them exciting to target. The meat is white, flaky, and delicious. My advice: keep your reel locked tight and your rod tip low when you hook up. Don't give them any slack or they'll dive into a hole and cut you off.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are copper-colored fish with distinctive black spots near their tail that typically run 18-30 inches inshore. They love super shallow water - sometimes so shallow their backs stick out. Look for them around oyster bars, grass flats, and mangrove shorelines in 1-4 feet of water. Fall and spring offer prime action when they school up heavily. What makes them great targets is their willingness to eat topwater lures and their strong, steady fight. They're also excellent table fare with mild, sweet meat. The spot near their tail fools predators into attacking the wrong end, letting them escape. My go-to tip: work topwater lures slow and steady over shallow flats early morning - the explosive strikes will get your heart pumping every time.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are sleek, golden fish with that distinctive black lateral line running down their sides. They typically run 1-2 feet, but can hit 4+ feet in the right conditions. You'll find them around mangroves, docks, bridges, and creek mouths in shallow water - anywhere there's structure and moving water. They're ambush predators that love live shrimp, pinfish, and mullet. Spring through fall gives you the best action when water temps are up. What guests love is their aggressive strike and acrobatic fight - they'll jump and make strong runs. Plus, they're great eating with firm, white meat. Here's the trick: they're notorious for their razor-sharp gill plates, so use a landing net and keep your fingers clear when handling them.
Scomberomorus MaculatusSpanish Mackerel are fast-moving silver fish with yellow spots that typically run 1-2 feet and 8-11 pounds. You'll find them in schools near the surface, often around structures or chasing baitfish close to shore during warmer months. They're some of the quickest swimmers out there, hitting at 5.5 meters per second, so they put up a solid fight on light tackle. What makes them popular is their excellent table fare - mild, flaky meat that's perfect grilled or smoked. Best action happens when water temps rise and schools move shallow. Pro tip: when you hook into a school, work fast and keep your lures moving - they spook easy but if you stay on them, you can catch multiple fish before they disappear.
Megalops AtlanticusTarpon are the silver kings - massive fish that can reach 6+ feet and 200+ pounds, though most run 4-5 feet. They're famous for their acrobatic jumps, launching 10 feet out of the water when hooked. You'll find them in shallow bays, around bridges, and near drop-offs from spring through fall during their migration. They gulp air at the surface, making them easy to spot. What makes them special is the pure adrenaline rush - watching a 100-pound fish go airborne is something you never forget. They're strictly catch-and-release since the meat is bony and not great eating. Pro tip: bow to the king when they jump - drop your rod tip toward them to prevent the line from snapping tight. It takes practice, but it'll save you heartbreak.
5.0 out of 5.0Jake is very knowledgeable and loves what he does, we had a great time, great with kids and made sure everyone caught some fish
Clearwater