Private Inshore Fishing Charter for Up to 3 Guests
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Eighthour private charter targets multiple inshore species with light tackleProfessional 22' Pathfinder boat includes GPS, fishfinder, and live bait wellAll fishing licenses, bait, and tackle provided for up to three guests
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.
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.
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.
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
This fully restored 22' Pathfinder is your ticket to some serious inshore action. The 225 HP Yamaha pushes you through the flats at 30 mph, getting you to the fish fast and keeping you comfortable all day. Fresh from a 2023 restoration, she's loaded with everything you need - GPS to mark those productive spots, fishfinder to locate structure where reds and snook hide, plus a live bait well to keep your bait frisky. The wireless trolling motor lets you work the shallows silently without spooking fish, while the fighting chair gives you leverage when that big cobia decides to test your drag. An icebox keeps your catch fresh and your drinks cold during the full 8-hour adventure. Built tough for inshore work, this Pathfinder handles everything from grass flats to mangrove shorelines where trout and snapper lurk. Perfect for up to 3 anglers who want to target redfish, snook, jack crevalle, and whatever else is biting in these productive waters.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are the ultimate sight fishing challenge - think brown torpedoes cruising just under the surface. These solitary fish average 20-40 pounds but can easily hit 60+ pounds, making them our biggest regular inshore catch. They hang around structure like channel markers, wrecks, and crab trap floats, usually in 15-50 feet of water. Spring migration from March through May is prime time when they're moving and feeding heavily. Guests love them because they're aggressive, fight incredibly hard, and are absolutely outstanding table fare - firm, white meat that's restaurant quality. Since they're curious fish, they'll often approach the boat. Here's the key: when you spot one, get a bucktail jig or live bait in front of them quickly but don't spook them with the splash.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the bread and butter of our inshore fishing, known for that distinctive black spot near their tail and copper-colored backs. Most fish we catch run 20-30 inches and 5-15 pounds, perfect for our light tackle setup. They love super shallow water - sometimes so shallow their backs stick out - around oyster bars, grass flats, and mangrove shorelines. Fall and spring offer the best action when they school up, but we catch them year-round. What makes them special? They're aggressive feeders, fight like bulldogs, and are built for the shallows. The sight fishing is incredible when you spot their backs cruising the flats. My go-to strategy: look for nervous baitfish in skinny water and cast topwater plugs or gold spoons just ahead of cruising fish.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are one of our most reliable inshore targets, especially popular with light tackle anglers. These spotted beauties typically run 14-18 inches and 1-2 pounds, though 3-pounders show up regularly. You'll find them over grass flats in 2-6 feet of water, particularly around drop-offs and current breaks. They're active year-round but really turn on during cooler months when they school up in deeper channels. Guests enjoy them because they're aggressive strikers, fight well for their size, and make fantastic table fare - just don't overcook that tender white meat. Night fishing can be dynamite, especially under lights. Pro tip: work soft plastics or topwater lures slowly over the grass beds during low light periods. The strikes often come right at dawn or dusk.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the convict fish of our waters, sporting those black and white prison stripes and human-like teeth that'll surprise you. These crafty fish average 1-3 pounds but can reach 8 pounds around the right structure. They live around docks, bridges, and any barnacle-covered pilings where they scrape off their favorite meals. Winter through early spring is prime time when they school up for spawning. Guests love them because they're challenging to hook - notorious bait thieves - but absolutely delicious with sweet, flaky white meat. They're also great for kids since you'll find them close to shore. My advice: use small hooks with fresh shrimp, get as close to structure as possible, and set the hook hard the moment you feel weight.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are one of our most sought-after inshore species, and for good reason. These sleek fish with their distinctive black lateral line typically run 1-3 feet long, though the big females can push 4 feet. You'll find them around mangroves, docks, and creek mouths where they ambush prey with lightning-fast bursts. They're temperature sensitive, so the best action happens from late spring through early fall when water temps stay warm. What makes them special? They fight hard, jumping and making powerful runs that'll test your drag. Plus, they're excellent eating with firm, white meat. Here's a tip: cast tight to structure and work your lure slowly - snook are cover-oriented and won't chase baits far from their hideouts.
Fort Myers, FL, United States