Full Day Inshore Fishing – Private Charter
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Private 8-hour inshore charter for up to 3 guestsTarget redfish, snook, cobia using light tackle techniquesAll equipment, licenses, and bait included aboard 22' Pathfinder
Captain Tanner's Charter Co. delivers a world-class inshore fishing experience that puts you right in the heart of some of the Southeast's most productive shallow waters. This private 8-hour charter accommodates up to 3 anglers, making it perfect for families, small groups, or serious fishermen who want personalized attention without the crowds. You'll be targeting premier inshore species like Redfish, Snook, Cobia, and Speckled Trout using light tackle techniques that maximize both the fight and the fun. Everything's included except your drinks and sunscreen, so you can focus on what matters most – putting fish in the boat.
Your day starts aboard Captain Tanner's 22-foot Pathfinder, a top-rated inshore platform that's built for navigating skinny water and getting you to the fish. This boat's equipped with all the essentials: GPS for pinpoint navigation, a quality fishfinder to locate structure and baitfish, a live bait well to keep your offerings fresh, and a whisper-quiet trolling motor for stealthy approaches to spooky fish. The Pathfinder's shallow draft lets us work grass flats, oyster bars, and mangrove shorelines where the big fish like to hang out. You'll spend your 8 hours moving between productive spots, reading water conditions, and adapting techniques based on tides, weather, and fish behavior. Captain Tanner knows these waters like the back of his hand, so you're not just getting a boat ride – you're getting decades of local knowledge that turns good days into great ones.
We fish exclusively with light spinning tackle, which means you'll feel every head shake and run these inshore species are famous for. The approach focuses on finesse fishing with live bait, soft plastics, and topwater lures depending on conditions and target species. You'll learn to work DOA shrimp under mangroves for Snook, drift live pinfish over grass flats for Redfish, and cast spoons to breaking Spanish Mackerel. The light tackle makes even smaller fish feel like monsters, but when you hook into a 30-inch Red or a slot-size Snook, you'll understand why this style of fishing has such a devoted following. All rods, reels, tackle, and bait are provided, along with your fishing licenses. The captain will teach you proper technique if you're new to inshore fishing, or help experienced anglers fine-tune their approach for local conditions.
Redfish are the backbone of inshore fishing here, and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers average 20-28 inches and fight like fish twice their size. They school up on grass flats during moving tides and cruise shallow water looking for crabs and shrimp. Fall and spring offer the best action, but Reds bite year-round if you know where to look. What makes them special is their willingness to eat and their drag-screaming runs – plus they're excellent table fare when kept within slot limits.
Snook are the crown jewel of inshore fishing, known for their aggressive strikes and acrobatic fights. These ambush predators lurk around mangrove shorelines, dock pilings, and bridge structures waiting to crush baitfish. They're highly seasonal, with peak action during warmer months when they move into shallow water to feed. A good Snook will jump repeatedly and make powerful runs toward structure, testing your drag and your nerves. They're strictly catch-and-release during closed seasons, which makes landing one even more rewarding.
Cobia are the unexpected bonus fish that can make your entire trip. These brown sharks of the inshore world cruise flats and hang around rays, growing to impressive sizes and fighting with surprising power. Spring migration brings the best Cobia fishing, when fish in the 20-40 pound range move through inshore waters. They're curious fish that will often follow lures to the boat, giving you multiple chances at a hookup. Cobia are excellent eating and provide some of the strongest fights you'll experience on light tackle.
Speckled Trout are the most reliable biters in the inshore lineup, making them perfect for beginners and kids. These beautiful spotted fish school up over grass beds and respond well to soft plastics and live shrimp. They bite consistently throughout the year, with spring and fall offering peak action. Trout average 14-18 inches but can reach impressive sizes in deeper grass flats. They're also some of the best eating fish in the inshore world, with white, flaky meat that's perfect for the dinner table.
Sheepshead are the challenge fish that separate novice anglers from experienced ones. These black-and-white striped convicts have human-like teeth and an uncanny ability to steal bait without getting hooked. They hang around structure like dock pilings, bridges, and oyster bars, feeding on barnacles and crabs. Winter is prime time for Sheepshead, when they school up for spawning and provide consistent action. Landing a good Sheepshead requires skill and patience, but they're among the finest eating fish in the ocean.
This customer favorite private charter offers the perfect blend of action, education, and personalized service that keeps anglers coming back season after season. With free cancellation up to 7 days out, you can book with confidence knowing your plans are protected. Captain Tanner's local expertise, quality equipment, and commitment to putting clients on fish makes this one of the best trips you'll find for inshore fishing. Whether you're a seasoned angler looking to explore new waters or a beginner wanting to learn proper inshore techniques, this 8-hour adventure delivers the kind of fishing memories that last a lifetime. The Southeast's inshore waters are calling – time to answer with a rod in your hand.
This fully restored 22' Pathfinder is your ticket to productive inshore waters, powered by a reliable 225 HP Yamaha that'll cruise you to the hotspots at 30 mph. The boat's equipped with everything you need for a successful day chasing redfish, snook, and trout – GPS and fishfinder to locate structure, a live bait well to keep your bait frisky, and a wireless trolling motor for stealthy approaches to shallow flats. The fighting chair gives you leverage when battling bigger fish like cobia and jack crevalle, while the onboard icebox keeps your catch fresh and your drinks cold. With room for three anglers, this rig is perfect for light tackle fishing around mangroves, grass flats, and oyster bars where the action happens.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are like the sharks of inshore fishing - big, dark, powerful fish that'll test your tackle and skills. These bruisers average 20-50 pounds and can stretch 4-6 feet long. You'll spot them cruising near structures like buoys, markers, and channel edges, usually solo rather than schooled up. Spring migration from March to May offers the hottest action as they move through our waters to spawn. What makes cobia special is their incredible fight - long runs, diving deep, and never giving up easily. They're also top-tier table fare with firm, meaty fillets. The best technique is sight fishing - once you spot that brown torpedo shape, drop a bucktail jig or live bait right in front of them. They're curious fish, so if one passes your bait, it'll usually circle back for another look.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the ultimate shallow water gamefish, known for that copper-bronze color and distinctive black spot near the tail. Most inshore reds run 18-32 inches and fight way above their weight class. These fish love super shallow flats, oyster bars, and mangrove shorelines - sometimes in water so thin their backs show. Year-round fishing is solid, but fall and spring offer peak action when they school up. What hooks people on redfish is watching them cruise the shallows and that bulldogging fight once hooked. Plus, slot-sized reds make fantastic table fare with sweet, firm meat. The key is stealth - these fish spook easily in shallow water. I like to spot them first, then make quiet casts ahead of their path with gold spoons or soft plastics. Keep the boat far back and wade when possible.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are perfect light tackle fish that'll keep your rod bent all day. These silvery, spotted beauties typically run 14-24 inches and 1-5 pounds, with some pushing bigger. Look for them over grass flats in 2-8 feet of water, especially around drop-offs and current breaks. Cool weather months are prime time when they school up in deeper holes and channels. What makes trout fishing fun is their aggressive strikes and willingness to hit both live bait and artificials. They're also outstanding eating - tender, flaky white meat that's hard to beat. The trick is finding the schools since they move with bait and tide changes. My go-to method is working soft plastics or topwater lures early morning over grass beds. Once you find one trout, there's usually more nearby.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the "convict fish" of our waters, easily spotted by their black and white stripes and famous human-like teeth. Most run 1-8 pounds and 14-20 inches, perfect for light tackle action. You'll find them around any structure - docks, bridges, pilings, jetties - where they feed on barnacles and small crabs. Spring is prime time, especially February through April when they spawn and concentrate around structures. Guests love the challenge because sheepshead are notorious bait thieves with delicate bites, but once hooked, they put up a solid fight. The payoff is excellent table fare - sweet, flaky white meat that rivals snapper. Pro tip: get your bait as close to the structure as possible and set the hook hard at the first nibble. They'll strip your bait clean if you hesitate.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are one of our most sought-after inshore targets, and for good reason. These sleek, golden fish with that distinctive black lateral line typically run 1-3 feet long, though trophy snook can hit 4+ feet. You'll find them around mangroves, docks, and structure in shallow water where they ambush prey with lightning-fast strikes. They're temperature sensitive, so spring through fall offers the best action when water temps stay warm. What makes snook special is their explosive fight - they'll jump, run, and try every trick to shake your hook. The meat is excellent too, with firm white fillets perfect for grilling. Here's a local tip: cast your lure right against the mangrove roots where they hide. Most people fish too far away, but snook rarely venture more than a few feet from cover to feed.
Fort Myers, FL, United States