3/4 Day Inshore Fishing – Private Charter
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Private 6hour inshore charter for up to 3 guestsTarget redfish, snook, cobia using light tackle techniquesAll fishing licenses, bait, and tackle included
You and up to two buddies can spend six solid hours working the inshore waters with Captain Tanner's Charter Co., and trust me, that's plenty of time to get into some serious fish. This private charter keeps things intimate – no crowds, no rushing, just you, your crew, and whatever the flats want to give up that day. We're talking prime Gulf Coast inshore action where the fish are hungry and the scenery never gets old.
Captain Tanner runs a sharp 22' Pathfinder that's built for these shallow waters, and it shows. The boat's rigged with everything you need: GPS to find the honey holes, fishfinder to mark the structure, live bait well to keep your baits kicking, and a trolling motor for those sneaky approaches when the fish are spooky. You'll be fishing light tackle and spinning gear – perfect for feeling every head shake and tail dance these inshore species are famous for. No need to stress about licenses, bait, or tackle since it's all covered. Just show up ready to fish, and if Mother Nature throws you a curveball, you can cancel up to seven days out without any hassle.
Inshore fishing is all about finesse, and that's where light tackle really shines. You'll be throwing everything from live shrimp under popping corks to artificial lures that mimic wounded baitfish. The spinning gear lets you make accurate casts to structure, docks, and grass flats where these fish love to hang out. When a redfish crushes your bait in two feet of water, you'll feel every bit of that fight on light tackle – it's what separates inshore fishing from the heavy-handed offshore game. Captain Tanner knows when to drift the flats quietly and when to anchor up on productive structure, reading the conditions and adjusting tactics throughout the day.
Spanish Mackerel are speed demons that'll test your reflexes when they hit your lure like a freight train. These silver bullets typically run 1-3 pounds and are most active during the warmer months when they're chasing glass minnows and sardines near the surface. They're perfect for light tackle because they jump, make screaming runs, and put up a fight that's way bigger than their size suggests. Plus, they're excellent table fare if you want to take a few home for dinner.
Snook are the holy grail of inshore fishing – aggressive, acrobatic, and absolutely beautiful fish that love structure and ambush points. These golden flanked fighters can push 20+ pounds and are notorious for their gill-rattling jumps when hooked. They're most active during dawn and dusk, hanging around docks, mangrove shorelines, and bridge pilings. Snook have a slot limit, so you'll need to know your regulations, but even the ones you release will give you a memory that lasts.
Sea Trout, or speckled trout as the locals call them, are bread-and-butter inshore fish that bite year-round and fight with surprising strength for their size. They love grass flats, especially during moving tides, and they're suckers for live shrimp and soft plastic baits. Most trout run 1-4 pounds, but the big gator trout over 20 inches are wall-hangers that any angler would be proud to catch. They're also fantastic eating, making them a favorite target for families.
Redfish are the poster children of inshore fishing, with their copper-colored sides and distinctive black spots near the tail. These drum family members are tough fighters that use their broad sides to pull hard in shallow water. They'll eat just about anything – crabs, shrimp, cut bait, and artificials – and they're found around oyster bars, grass flats, and shallow structure. Reds are available year-round, but fall brings the big bull reds that can stretch the tape over 30 inches.
Cobia are the wildcards of inshore fishing – big, brown, and always ready to surprise you when you least expect it. These shark-lookalikes can weigh 20-50 pounds and are known for their curiosity, often following the boat and checking out anglers. They're sight-fishing targets when conditions are right, and they'll crush live baits or large jigs with authority. Cobia are most common in spring and fall when they're moving through inshore waters, making every trip a potential trophy opportunity.
Six hours of private inshore fishing with top-notch equipment and an experienced captain – that's the kind of day that reminds you why you love being on the water. Whether you're looking to introduce someone new to fishing or you're a seasoned angler wanting to target specific species, this charter delivers the goods. The variety of fish available means you'll stay busy, and the intimate setting lets you fish at your own pace without feeling rushed. Captain Tanner's Charter Co. has built a reputation on putting clients on fish, and this 3/4 day trip gives you plenty of time to make it happen. Don't wait for the perfect conditions – book your dates and let the inshore waters show you what they're all about.
This fully restored 22' Pathfinder is your ticket to serious inshore fishing action. Powered by a reliable 225 HP Yamaha engine, she'll cruise at 30 mph to get you on the fish fast and move between productive spots throughout your 6-hour adventure. The boat's equipped with everything you need for a successful day on the water - GPS navigation to hit the best fishing grounds, a fishfinder to locate schools below, and a live bait well to keep your offerings lively. The wireless trolling motor lets you position quietly over structure where redfish and snook like to hide, while the fighting chair gives you leverage when battling bigger cobia and jack crevalle. An onboard icebox keeps your catch fresh and your drinks cold during those hot afternoons. With space for up to 3 anglers, there's plenty of room to work lures and live bait around mangroves and grass flats without crowding each other. The shallow draft design gets you into skinny water where speckled trout and sheepshead feed, places bigger boats can't reach.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are the sharks of the inshore world - big, brown, and often mistaken for the real thing until you see that single dorsal fin. These bruisers average 30-50 pounds and can hit 6 feet long, making them one of our largest inshore targets. Look for them around buoys, channel markers, and structure in 15-50 feet of water, especially during their spring migration from March through May. What gets anglers hooked is their raw power and the fact they're phenomenal eating - firm, white meat that's like a cross between grouper and mahi. They're usually loners, so sight-fishing is key. Here's the trick: when you spot one cruising near the surface, cast a bucktail jig well ahead and let it sink. Cobia are curious and will often follow before striking.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the bread and butter of shallow water fishing, with those signature black spots near the tail and copper-bronze coloring. Most fish we catch run 18-28 inches, though the big bulls can push 40+ inches. They love super shallow flats, oyster beds, and marsh grass in 1-4 feet - sometimes so shallow their backs show above water. Year-round fishing is good, but fall and spring offer the best opportunities when they're most active. What makes reds special is their powerful, steady fight and the way they'll cruise the shallows where you can sight-fish them. They're also excellent eating with firm, sweet meat. My go-to tip: look for nervous water or "push" wakes in skinny water. Reds make a distinctive V-wake when they're hunting, and that's your cue to make a cast ahead of them.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are a mainstay of our inshore waters, typically running 14-20 inches and weighing 1-3 pounds. These spotted beauties love grass flats and shallow bays in 2-6 feet of water, especially during cooler months when they school up in deeper channels. Fall and winter offer the most consistent action as water temps drop. What makes them popular is their willingness to bite and their soft, delicate meat that's perfect fried or grilled - just don't overcook it. They're also great fighters on light tackle, making long runs when hooked. Best advice I can give: fish the grass edges at dawn and dusk with a popping cork and live shrimp. Work it slow and let the cork do the calling - trout can't resist that sound.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are the crown jewel of inshore fishing, growing 18-36 inches with that unmistakable black lateral line and golden color. These ambush predators hang around mangroves, docks, bridges, and oyster bars in 2-8 feet of water where they can surprise their prey. Late spring through early fall is prime time, especially around the new and full moons when they spawn. What draws anglers back is their explosive strike and bulldogging fight - they'll run straight for cover and test every knot. They're also premium table fare with sweet, white meat. One thing to remember: snook are very structure-oriented, so get your lure right up against the mangroves or pilings where most anglers are afraid to cast. That's where the big ones live.
Scomberomorus MaculatusSpanish Mackerel are some of the fastest swimmers you'll encounter inshore, averaging around 18 feet per second. These silvery speedsters typically run 1-2 feet long and weigh 2-4 pounds, with distinctive yellow spots along their sides. You'll find them schooling near the surface around structures, flats, and drop-offs in 10-40 feet of water. Spring through fall offers the best action when they're actively feeding on baitfish. What makes them special is their aggressive strikes and blistering runs - they'll test your drag for sure. Plus, they're fantastic eating with mild, flaky meat that's perfect grilled or blackened. Pro tip: when you hook one, keep your lure moving because where there's one mackerel, there's usually a whole school ready to bite.
Fort Myers, FL, United States