Half-Day Nearshore Fishing – Private Charter
Captain Tanner's Charter Co. has put together one heck of a private fishing experience for serious anglers who want to target the best nearshore species without the crowds. This 4-hour trip takes you and one guest up to 9 miles offshore aboard a well-equipped 22' Pathfinder motorboat. You'll be chasing some of the most sought-after fish in these waters – Cobia, Permit, Red Grouper, Gag Grouper, Lane Snapper, Mangrove Snapper, Blacktip Shark, Sheepshead, and Grunt. With fishing licenses, bait, and tackle all included, you just need to bring your enthusiasm, some sunscreen, and whatever drinks you want for the trip.
What to Expect on the Water
This isn't your typical party boat fishing trip – you're getting the full private charter treatment with Captain Tanner's crew. The 22' Pathfinder is a solid choice for nearshore work, giving you stability when you're fighting fish while still being nimble enough to move between productive spots quickly. The boat comes loaded with everything you need: GPS for precise navigation to the best fishing grounds, a quality fishfinder to locate structure and baitfish, a live bait well to keep your bait fresh and lively, and a trolling motor for quiet positioning over sensitive spots. You'll spend your 4 hours working different techniques depending on what's biting – from dropping bottom rigs on structure for grouper and snapper to sight-casting with light tackle when you spot cruising Cobia or Permit. The captain knows these waters inside and out, so expect to hit multiple spots as conditions and fish activity dictate. Weather can change quickly out here, but the Pathfinder handles chop well, and the crew will adjust tactics to keep you comfortable and productive no matter what Mother Nature throws at you.
Techniques & Tackle Setup
You'll be fishing with a diverse arsenal of techniques on this trip, which is exactly what nearshore fishing demands. Bottom fishing is the bread and butter for targeting grouper, snapper, and grunt around structure – think live pinfish, sardines, or cut bait on circle hooks with enough weight to get down and stay down in the current. The boat carries both light and heavy tackle setups, so when you hook into a big Gag Grouper trying to get back to its hole, you'll have the backbone to turn it. Light tackle gets the nod when sight-fishing for Cobia or Permit – these fish are spooky and smart, so finesse presentations with spinning gear often make the difference between a hookup and a refusal. The crew will rig you up with whatever the situation calls for, from free-lining live baits to running jigs and soft plastics around structure. Spinning tackle shines when you need to make accurate casts to visible fish or cover water efficiently with search baits. The live bait well is a game-changer out here – fresh, lively bait will always outproduce dead or dying offerings, especially for finicky species like Permit and Sheepshead that can be incredibly selective about what they'll eat.
Target Species
Red Grouper are the steady producers on these nearshore trips, typically running 15-25 pounds with occasional heavyweights pushing 30-plus. They love hard bottom, ledges, and any structure that provides ambush points for prey. Red Grouper are year-round residents, but they really turn on during the cooler months when they're more aggressive and feed heavily. What makes them so appealing to anglers is their willingness to bite and their excellent table fare – firm, white meat that's hard to beat. They'll hit live pinfish, sardines, or cut bait dropped right on their noses, and once hooked, they make powerful runs straight back to the bottom.
Permit are the holy grail of nearshore flats and wreck fishing, averaging 10-20 pounds but capable of reaching 40-plus. These silver bullets are incredibly smart and spooky – they'll inspect your bait like they're getting paid to do quality control. Peak season runs from late spring through early fall when they're most active in the shallows and around structure. Permit get anglers fired up because they're so challenging to hook and then fight like fish twice their size with blistering runs and acrobatic jumps. Live crabs are the top bait, but they'll also take shrimp and small fish when they're in the mood.
Cobia are the gentle giants of this fishery, commonly running 20-40 pounds with trophy fish exceeding 50. They're curious fish that will follow the boat and investigate anything unusual, making them perfect targets for sight-casting with live baits or lures. Spring and early summer are prime time when they're cruising shallow waters and around structure looking for food and spawning opportunities. Anglers love Cobia because they're aggressive feeders, great fighters that don't give up easily, and they make fantastic table fare with meat similar to shark but without the ammonia taste.
Lane Snapper might be smaller than their Mangrove Snapper cousins, typically running 8-14 inches, but they make up for size with numbers and willingness to bite. They school heavily around structure and are active year-round, though summer months produce the best action. These colorful little fighters are perfect for light tackle fishing and will hit everything from live shrimp to small pieces of cut bait. They're excellent eating and often save the day when larger species are being finicky.
Gag Grouper are the premium catch on most nearshore trips, averaging 20-35 pounds but capable of reaching 50-plus. They prefer hard bottom, ledges, and artificial reefs where they can ambush prey. Winter and early spring offer the best chances at trophy-sized Gags when they're feeding heavily before spawning season. What sets Gag Grouper apart is their incredible fighting ability – they're stronger than