Indian River Fishing Guides
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fourhour inshore fishing trip departing at 7:00 a.m.All gear, bait, licenses, and catch cleaning included.Accommodates two anglers with optional third person.
Nothing beats an early morning on the Indian River Lagoon with Captain Kyler's crew. This four-hour inshore charter kicks off at 7 a.m., right when the fish are most active and the water's still glass-calm. You'll spend your morning working some of the most productive flats and backcountry waters on Florida's east coast, targeting everything from aggressive snook to hard-fighting redfish. The lagoon system here is legendary among anglers – it's a massive estuary that stretches for miles, packed with structure, grass flats, and oyster bars that hold fish year-round. We've been running these waters for years, and every trip brings something different. Whether you're a seasoned angler or just getting started, this is the kind of fishing that keeps people coming back trip after trip.
Your morning starts at the dock with a quick rundown of the game plan. Captain Kyler knows these waters like the back of his hand, so you'll head straight to where the fish are biting that day. The Indian River Lagoon is shallow, which means we can get into spots bigger boats can't reach – those hidden pockets where the big ones like to hang out. You'll be fishing from a well-equipped inshore boat that's designed for these waters, with a shallow draft and all the electronics you need to find the fish. The package takes care of everything – rods, reels, tackle, live bait, artificial lures, and even your fishing license. All you need to worry about is setting the hook and fighting the fish. The boat can handle two anglers comfortably, but we can squeeze in a third person for an extra fifty bucks if your crew needs the space. Just remember to pack some drinks, snacks, and plenty of sunscreen – four hours on the water means you'll get some sun, even with an early start.
Inshore fishing in the Indian River Lagoon is all about versatility. Depending on conditions and what's biting, you might find yourself throwing live shrimp under a popping cork one minute, then switching to topwater plugs the next. The water here is typically shallow – anywhere from two to eight feet in most spots – which makes sight fishing a real possibility on clear days. Captain Kyler carries a full spread of tackle, from light spinning gear for trout and snapper to heavier baitcasting setups for when the big snook and redfish show up. Live bait is often the ticket here, especially live shrimp and small pinfish, but don't sleep on artificials. Soft plastics, spoons, and topwater lures can absolutely light up the action, especially during the cooler months. The grass flats are perfect for working jigs and soft baits, while the deeper channels and creek mouths are ideal for live bait presentations. You'll learn to read the water, watch for bird activity, and spot the telltale signs that fish are around – skills that'll make you a better angler no matter where you fish.
The Indian River Lagoon is home to some of Florida's most sought-after inshore species, and each one brings something different to the table. Snook are the crown jewel of these waters – they're aggressive, acrobatic, and absolutely beautiful fish. They love structure, so you'll find them around docks, mangrove shorelines, and oyster bars. Best time for snook is during the warmer months, from late spring through early fall, when they're most active and feeding heavily. These fish can get big here, with slot-size snook being common and trophy fish always a possibility. They hit hard and fight harder, often jumping clear out of the water when hooked.
Grey snapper are another favorite, and they're scrappy little fighters that punch above their weight class. These fish school up around structure and are always willing to eat, making them perfect for keeping the action steady throughout the trip. They're excellent table fare too, so don't be surprised if you end up taking a few home for dinner. Black drum are the bulldogs of the lagoon – they don't jump or make long runs, but they'll test your tackle with their brute strength. These fish can get surprisingly large, and hooking into a big drum in shallow water is something you won't forget.
Sea trout are probably the most consistent fish in the system. They school up on grass flats and are usually willing to bite, making them perfect for anglers who want steady action. They're beautiful fish with distinctive canine teeth and spots along their sides. During cooler months, they gather in deeper holes and creek mouths, while summer finds them scattered across the flats. Redfish might be the most exciting fish you'll encounter here. These copper-colored bruisers are built for power, and when you hook one in shallow water, the fight is absolutely electric. They're smart, strong, and have a habit of making long runs that'll test your drag system. The lagoon holds some real trophy-class reds, and sight fishing for them on shallow flats is about as good as it gets in the inshore world.
Captain Kyler's Indian River Lagoon charter offers everything you need for a top-rated inshore fishing experience. Four hours on some of Florida's best inshore waters, all gear and bait included, plus professional fish cleaning service – it's a complete package that delivers real value. The 7 a.m. start time puts you on the water when fishing is typically at its best, and the early finish means you'll have the rest of your day free to enjoy other activities. Whether you're looking to put fish in the cooler, learn new techniques, or just spend a morning doing what you love, this trip delivers. The Indian River Lagoon is a world-class fishery that produces year-round, and with Captain Kyler's local knowledge and experience, you're setting yourself up for success. Don't wait – the best dates fill up fast, especially during peak season. Book your spot
Hit the waters of Indian River Lagoon aboard our reliable 2007 Pathfinder Bay Boat, powered by a solid 150HP Yamaha that'll get you to the fish fast at speeds up to 35 knots. This bay boat is built for serious inshore fishing, equipped with everything you need for a productive morning on the water. Our GPS and fish finder will help locate the best spots, while the wireless trolling motor keeps things quiet when we're working structure or shallow flats. The onboard icebox keeps your drinks cold and your catch fresh. We'll target redfish, snook, trout, and whatever else is biting during our 4-hour trip starting at 7 AM. All tackle, live bait, lures, and licenses are covered, plus we'll clean your fish at the end. This boat comfortably handles up to 2 anglers, perfect for focused fishing without the crowds. Just bring sun protection, snacks, and drinks - we'll handle the rest and put you on fish in one of Florida's premier inshore fishing destinations.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the bruisers of the lagoon - powerful fish that can range from 5-30 pounds, with some monsters hitting 40+ pounds. They're bottom feeders with crushing jaws built for oysters and crabs, so you'll find them around oyster bars, muddy flats, and bridge pilings. Spring is when they really shine, schooling up for spawning season which makes them easier to target. What makes drum fishing addictive is the fight - they use that deep body and strong tail to make long, powerful runs. Plus, the smaller ones under 15 pounds make excellent table fare. The bigger ones get tough, so we usually release those giants. Best approach is fresh crab or shrimp fished right on the bottom. Here's my go-to tip: use just enough weight to hold bottom and watch your rod tip - drum often pick up bait gently before that classic head shake.
Lutjanus GriseusGrey snappers, or mangrove snappers as we call them locally, are smart little fighters that'll test your skills. Most run 10-14 inches and about 1-2 pounds, though we occasionally see bigger ones pushing 4-5 pounds in deeper water. They love hanging around docks, mangrove roots, and any structure that gives them cover to ambush prey. These nocturnal feeders are most active at dawn and dusk, making our early morning trips perfect timing. What guests love most is the challenge - they're incredibly wary and the excellent eating. Their white, flaky meat is some of the best you'll taste. The key to hooking them is patience. Use live shrimp hooked through the tail, let it sink to the bottom, then barely lift it off. Too much movement spooks them, so let the bait work naturally.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the poster fish of our shallow water fishing - bronze-backed beauties with those distinctive black spots near the tail. They typically run 18-28 inches and 3-8 pounds, though we see some slot-busters over 27 inches that really test your drag. These fish love super shallow water, often cruising flats so thin their backs stick out. You'll find them around oyster bars, mangrove shorelines, and grass flats where they root for crabs and shrimp. Fall and spring are peak seasons when they school up and feed aggressively. What guests love is the visual aspect - watching them cruise and cast ahead of them, plus that bulldogging fight and excellent table fare. They're not picky eaters but can be spooky in shallow water. Pro tip: when sight-fishing, cast well ahead of cruising fish and work your bait slowly back toward them. Let the red find your bait.
Salmo TruttaSpotted sea trout, or "specks" as we call them, are one of our most reliable targets year-round. Most run 14-18 inches and 1-2 pounds, with some nice ones pushing 3-4 pounds. They love grass flats, shallow bays, and areas with good current flow where they can ambush shrimp and small baitfish. Dawn and dusk are prime time, and they really turn on during cooler months when they school up in deeper holes. What makes trout fishing so popular is their willingness to hit both live bait and artificials, plus they're fantastic eating - tender, flaky white meat that's hard to beat. The bite is often subtle, so stay alert. My local trick: work soft plastics or live shrimp slowly along the bottom edges of grass beds. When you feel that gentle "tick," don't jerk - just lift and reel steadily.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are one of our most exciting targets here in the lagoon. These sleek, golden fish typically run 1-3 feet long with that distinctive black lateral line and can put up a serious fight with their lightning-fast bursts of speed. You'll find them around mangroves, docks, and structure where they ambush prey like shrimp and small fish. Spring through fall is prime time, especially around the new and full moons when they're most active. What makes snook special is their incredible table fare - firm, white meat that's hard to beat. They're also sight-fishing favorites since they cruise shallow flats and canals. Here's a local trick: when you spot one, cast well ahead of where it's heading and let your lure sink naturally. Snook are spooky, so patience pays off more than aggressive retrieves.
Fort Pierce