Full Day Inshore Fishing – Private Charter
Want to spend a full day on the water chasing some of the southeast's most prized inshore species? Captain Tanner's got you covered with this top-rated private charter that puts you and up to two buddies right where the fish are biting. We're talking 8 solid hours of fishing the flats, grass beds, and structure where redfish cruise, snook ambush bait, and cobia patrol the shallows. This isn't your typical crowded charter boat experience – it's just you, your crew, and Captain Tanner working the best spots with light tackle that makes every fight a blast.
What to Expect on the Water
Your day starts early aboard our 22-foot Pathfinder, a boat that's built for these inshore waters and rigged with everything we need to put you on fish. We've got GPS and a quality fishfinder to locate structure and baitfish, plus a live well that keeps your baits frisky and a trolling motor for those stealthy approaches when the fish are spooky. The beauty of inshore fishing is the variety – one cast you might be working a mangrove shoreline for snook, the next you're sight-fishing a tailing redfish on the flats. Captain Tanner knows these waters like the back of his hand and adjusts tactics based on tides, weather, and what's been biting lately. Don't worry about bringing gear – we've got all the rods, reels, tackle, and fresh bait you need, plus your fishing licenses are covered. Just grab some sunscreen, pack your favorite drinks, and get ready for a day of serious fishing.
Light Tackle & Spinning Techniques
We fish exclusively with light spinning tackle, which means every fish you hook is going to give you a real fight. No heavy boat rods here – we're talking about rods that bend and reels that sing when a big redfish makes its first run. This setup lets you feel every headshake from a snook and every run from a cobia, making the experience way more exciting than chunking heavy tackle. We'll be using live bait like shrimp, pinfish, and sardines when they're around, plus we'll throw artificials like soft plastics, spoons, and topwater plugs depending on conditions. The technique changes throughout the day – early morning might find us working topwater baits along mangrove edges, while midday could have us bouncing jigs near structure or sight-casting to fish we spot cruising the shallows. Captain Tanner will coach you through different presentations and help you read the water, so whether you're a seasoned angler or newer to inshore fishing, you'll be fishing like a pro by the end of the day.
Species You'll Want to Hook
Redfish are the bread and butter of inshore fishing around here, and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers love shallow water and put up one heck of a fight on light tackle. You'll find them tailing in skinny water during high tide or cruising grass flats looking for crabs and shrimp. Reds typically run anywhere from slot-sized fish around 18-27 inches up to monster bull reds that can stretch past 40 inches and really test your drag system. Fall and spring are prime time, but we catch them year-round. What makes redfish so special is they're not picky eaters and they fight hard – a perfect combination for an awesome day on the water.
Snook are the glamour species of inshore fishing, and once you hook one, you'll understand why anglers get obsessed with them. These ambush predators love structure like docks, mangroves, and bridges where they can dart out and crush baitfish. They're notorious for their gill-rattling jumps and their ability to cut you off on structure if you're not careful with your drag. Snook are warmwater fish, so they're most active when water temps are up, typically late spring through early fall. They can be finicky eaters, which makes landing one even more satisfying. A good snook will run anywhere from 20 to 35 inches, with the occasional monster stretching into the 40-inch range.
Cobia are like the bulldogs of the inshore world – they're curious, aggressive, and incredibly strong fighters. These brown sharks (that's what some folks call them because of their looks) cruise the shallows looking for crabs and smaller fish. They're often found around structure, rays, and even free-swimming in open water. What's cool about cobia is they'll often follow your bait or lure right to the boat, giving you multiple shots at hooking up. They typically range from 20 to 40 pounds in these waters, and on light tackle, they'll take you for a ride. Spring and fall are prime cobia season when they're moving along the coast.
Speckled trout might not be the biggest fish we target, but they're scrappy fighters and excellent table fare. These spotted beauties love grass flats and drop-offs where they can ambush shrimp and small baitfish. They're pretty cooperative when it comes to artificial baits, making them great for anglers who want to throw lures. Trout fishing is often best during cooler months when they school up in deeper grass beds and around oyster bars. A good trout runs 14 to 20 inches, with the occasional gator trout pushing past 25 inches – those bigger fish are real prizes.
Sheepshead are the convict-striped masters of structure fishing. These guys have human-like teeth that they use to crush crabs, barnacles, and oysters, making them one of the trickier fish to hook. They're notorious bait stealers, but once you figure out their subtle bite, they become addictive to target. Sheepshead love docks, bridges, and any hard structure where they can find crustaceans. Winter is prime sheepshead time when they