Half-Day Inshore Fishing – Private Charter
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Private 4hour inshore charter accommodates up to 3 guestsTarget 8 species including Redfish, Snook, and CobiaAll equipment, licenses, and bait included with trip
Captain Tanner's Charter Co. offers one of the best inshore fishing experiences you'll find anywhere along the coast. This top-rated 4-hour private charter is perfect for small groups looking to get serious about catching fish without dealing with crowded party boats. Whether you're a seasoned angler or just getting your feet wet, our half-day trips put you right where the fish are biting. You'll be fishing prime inshore waters where redfish cruise the flats, snook ambush baitfish in the shallows, and cobia patrol the deeper channels. The beauty of inshore fishing is the variety – one minute you're sight-casting to tailing reds, the next you're working structure for snapper or feeling the burn of a jack crevalle peeling line off your reel.
Your fishing adventure starts aboard our well-equipped 22' Pathfinder, a customer favorite that's built specifically for inshore work. This isn't some repurposed deep-sea boat – the Pathfinder's shallow draft gets us into skinny water where bigger boats can't go, and the wide beam keeps everyone comfortable while fighting fish. We've got all the electronics you need including GPS and a quality fishfinder to locate schools and structure. The live bait well keeps your bait frisky, and our trolling motor lets us work quietly through productive areas without spooking fish. You'll be using light tackle and spinning gear, which makes every fight more exciting and gives you a real feel for what's on the other end. The trip accommodates up to 3 guests, so you're not fighting for rod space or competing with strangers for the best fishing spots. Your captain knows these waters like the back of his hand and will put you on fish using proven techniques and local knowledge that only comes from years on the water.
We focus on light tackle spinning techniques that are both effective and fun to fish. Depending on conditions and target species, you'll be using everything from live shrimp under popping corks for speckled trout to cut bait on the bottom for sheepshead around structure. When we're sight-fishing for redfish on the flats, we'll use paddle tails and spoons that you can cast accurately and work through the water column. For snook around mangroves and docks, live pilchards or pinfish work magic, especially on the moving tide. The trolling motor is key for our approach – it lets us position the boat perfectly and work areas thoroughly without the noise and disturbance of the main engine. All your tackle, bait, and fishing licenses are included, so you don't need to worry about rigging up or figuring out local regulations. Just bring sunscreen, drinks, and maybe a cooler if you want to take some fish home. The light tackle approach means you'll feel every head shake and run, making even smaller fish like mangrove snapper and Spanish mackerel a blast to catch.
Snook are the crown jewel of inshore fishing and for good reason. These ambush predators love structure – docks, mangroves, bridges, and oyster bars where they can pin baitfish against the cover. They're renowned for their explosive strikes and acrobatic fights, often jumping multiple times and making blistering runs toward structure to cut your line. The best snook action happens around moving tides, especially dawn and dusk. What makes them so exciting is their unpredictability – they can be finicky one minute and absolutely savage the next. A good snook will test your drag and your nerve as it tries every trick to throw the hook.
Redfish are world-class fighters that never give up. These copper-colored bruisers cruise shallow flats, often with their backs out of water as they root around for crabs and shrimp. Sight-fishing for reds is pure adrenaline – you see the fish before you cast, which adds a hunting element to the experience. They're strong, stubborn fighters that use their broad sides to leverage against the current. Redfish are typically most active during moving tides when prey gets stirred up. The thrill comes from the visual aspect and their tenacious fight – they don't jump like snook, but they'll drag you around and test your patience with their bulldogging runs.
Cobia are trending as one of the most sought-after inshore species, and once you hook one, you'll understand why. These brown sharks, as some call them due to their appearance, are curious fish that often approach the boat. They're excellent table fare and put up a tremendous fight, combining power with stamina. Cobia are most active in warmer months and can be found around structure, following rays, or cruising open water. They're exciting because of their size potential – a good cobia can easily hit 20-40 pounds – and their willingness to eat a variety of baits from live eels to jigs.
Jack Crevalle might not win beauty contests, but they're pound-for-pound some of the strongest fish in the ocean. These silver torpedoes travel in schools and feed aggressively, often creating explosive surface action when they're blitzing baitfish. Jacks are notorious for their stamina – they'll fight until they're completely exhausted, making multiple long runs and testing your equipment to the limit. They're most active when water temperatures are warm and bait is plentiful. The excitement comes from their raw power and the fact that you never know how big the one you've hooked really is until it's in the boat.
Sheepshead are the masters of structure fishing, hanging around pilings, rocks, and reefs where they pick off barnacles, crabs, and oysters with their human-like teeth. They're renowned for their light bite and ability to steal bait, earning them the nickname "convict fish" for their black and white stripes and thieving ways. The challenge and excitement come from detecting their subtle bites and setting the hook before they drop
Your private inshore fishing adventure begins aboard our fully restored 22' Pathfinder motorboat, a perfect match for targeting the diverse fish species in these productive waters. This sleek fishing machine packs a 225 HP Yamaha engine that'll cruise at 30 mph, getting you to the hotspots quickly while burning less fuel than larger boats. The GPS and fishfinder combo helps locate structure where redfish, snook, and cobia like to hang out, while the wireless trolling motor lets you drift silently over shallow flats where speckled trout and sheepshead feed. Built for serious anglers, she features a live bait well to keep your offerings frisky, a fighting chair for battling bigger fish like jack crevalle, and an icebox to keep your catch fresh and your drinks cold. With room for up to 3 guests, this boat strikes the ideal balance between fishing functionality and comfort, giving everyone space to cast without getting tangled up. The shallow draft design opens up skinny water areas where trophy fish often hide.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are the unicorns of inshore fishing - solitary, mysterious, and built like torpedoes. These brown sharks-lookalikes average 20-40 pounds but can hit 60+ pounds of pure power. They cruise around structure like buoys, wrecks, and channel markers, often just under the surface. Spring migration brings the best shots, but we see them around structure all summer. What makes them special is their size, curious nature, and excellent table fare - firm, white meat that rivals any offshore fish. They're sight-fishing targets that'll make your heart race. Key tip: when you spot one, drop a bucktail jig right in front of its nose. They're curious and will usually investigate.
Caranx HipposJacks are the ultimate light tackle thrill ride. These brassy bulldogs average 3-5 pounds but can reach 20+ pounds of pure muscle. They roam everywhere from shallow flats to deeper structure, often in aggressive schools. You'll know they're around when birds start diving - jacks push bait to the surface while feeding. Year-round action peaks during warmer months when they're most active. What guests love is their raw power and willingness to crush lures. They're not great eating, but the fight more than makes up for it. Watch for diving birds and cast silver spoons or swimbaits past the school, then burn them back fast. Jacks can't resist a fleeing baitfish.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the bread and butter of our shallow water fishing. These copper-colored beauties with their signature black spots typically range 20-30 inches, but we see plenty of "bull" reds pushing 40+ inches. They cruise grass flats, oyster bars, and shorelines in water so shallow their backs sometimes show. Fall and spring offer peak action, but they bite year-round in our waters. What makes them special is their willingness to eat and that powerful tail-slapping fight. They're also great table fare when kept at legal size. My go-to trick: look for nervous water or tailing fish on the flats. A well-placed topwater or soft plastic near the commotion usually gets hammered.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the "convict fish" with their black and white stripes, but don't let their looks fool you - they're crafty fighters. Most run 1-8 pounds and 14-20 inches, perfect for light tackle fun. You'll find them around any structure with barnacles: docks, bridges, pilings, and reefs. They're year-round residents but bite best in cooler months when they're more active. What guests love is the challenge - they're notorious bait thieves with those human-like teeth. The payoff is sweet, flaky white meat that's hard to beat on the table. Here's the secret: when you feel that subtle tap-tap, set the hook hard immediately. They'll steal your bait if you hesitate.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are one of our most popular targets, and for good reason. These sleek fish with their distinctive black lateral line typically run 1-3 feet, though big females can push 4 feet. They love hanging around mangroves, docks, and structure in shallow water where they ambush prey. Spring through fall gives you the best action when water temps are warm. What makes them special is their explosive strikes and bulldogging fights - they'll try every trick to wrap you around cover. Plus, they're fantastic eating with firm, white meat. Pro tip: get your bait tight to structure. Snook rarely chase far from cover, so accurate casting is key to success.
Fort Myers, FL, United States