5.0(1 Reviews)Half Day Weekend Fishing In Stuart, Florida
5.0(1 reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Half-day weekend charters targeting redfish, snook, and tripletailCaptain Bob provides local expertise for all skill levelsAccommodates up to 6 guests with flexible trip options
Captain Bob and the crew at Catch 22 Fishing Charters know exactly where the fish are biting in Stuart's productive inshore waters. This weekend fishing trip puts you right in the sweet spot of Florida's Treasure Coast, where the Indian River Lagoon meets the Atlantic and creates some of the most consistent fishing action you'll find anywhere. Whether you're bringing the family for a quick morning bite or looking to spend a full day chasing trophy fish, Captain Bob tailors every trip to match your crew's experience level and fishing goals. With room for up to six anglers, this is the perfect setup for small groups who want personalized attention and access to the hottest fishing spots around Stuart.
Your day starts at the dock where Captain Bob and his experienced mates will get you rigged up and ready to fish. These guys have been working these waters for years, so they know exactly which flats are holding fish and where the bite is turning on each day. The boat is equipped with everything you need - from light tackle spinning gear perfect for snook to heavier setups when the redfish are running thick. You'll be fishing the maze of mangrove shorelines, grass flats, and oyster bars that make this area so productive. Captain Bob reads the tides like a book, positioning the boat where fish are most likely to feed based on water movement, bait activity, and seasonal patterns. The crew keeps things relaxed but focused, helping beginners learn proper techniques while giving experienced anglers the space to work their favorite spots. Between the constant coaching and prime fishing locations, you'll be amazed how quickly the action picks up once you're in the right areas.
The fishing style here is all about sight fishing and working structure with live bait and artificials. Captain Bob runs a mix of techniques depending on what's working best - you might be pitching live shrimp under mangrove overhangs for snook, working topwater plugs over grass flats at first light, or slow-trolling live pinfish along deeper channel edges for tripletail. The tackle is perfectly matched to the target species - medium-light spinning gear with 15-20 lb braided line gives you the sensitivity to feel light bites while having enough backbone to turn fish away from cover. Circle hooks are standard when using live bait, which means better hooksets and healthier fish releases. The mates are constantly watching the electronics and reading water conditions, adjusting tactics as the day progresses. You'll learn to spot fish movement, read bird activity, and identify prime ambush points where predators wait for easy meals. The boat positioning is key - Captain Bob uses his trolling motor to keep you at the perfect casting distance while staying quiet enough not to spook shallow-water fish.
"Best fishing day!! Captin and both Mates - AJ and Rich totally made the trip a day we will never forget! Highly recommend, as we will definitely be back!" - Michael
Snook are the crown jewel of Stuart's inshore fishing scene, and for good reason. These powerful ambush predators love to lurk under mangrove overhangs, around dock pilings, and along rocky shorelines where they can surprise unsuspecting baitfish. The best snook action typically happens during the warmer months from April through October, with peak fishing occurring around the full and new moon phases when these fish move shallow to feed. What makes snook so exciting is their explosive strike and their tendency to jump and run toward structure once hooked. You'll be casting live shrimp, pilchards, or artificial lures right up against cover where snook hide, requiring accurate casts and quick reflexes to keep them out of the mangroves. The slot limit keeps things interesting - you're looking for fish between 28 and 33 inches, which means plenty of catch-and-release action with occasional keepers for dinner.
Redfish have made a remarkable comeback in these waters and now provide some of the most consistent action you'll find anywhere in Florida. These copper-colored fighters prefer shallow grass flats, oyster bars, and mangrove edges where they cruise in small schools searching for crabs, shrimp, and small fish. The great thing about reds is they feed year-round, though the cooler months from November through March often produce the biggest fish as they school up for their offshore spawning runs. Redfish are famous for their bulldogging fights - they don't jump much but they'll pull drag and make long, powerful runs that test your tackle and technique. You'll spot them tailing in skinny water, cruising the flats with their backs out, or pushing wakes as they chase bait. The 18 to 27-inch slot limit means most of the fish you catch will be perfect eating size, and these fish are excellent table fare with firm, white meat that works great grilled, blackened, or fried.
Tripletail are one of the most unique and sought-after species in Stuart's waters, known for their quirky behavior and outstanding eating quality. These odd-looking fish have a habit of floating on their sides near the surface, often around crab trap buoys, channel markers, or floating debris where they ambush small fish and crabs. The tripletail season really heats up from May through September when these fish move inshore in good numbers. What makes tripletail fishing so exciting is the sight-fishing aspect - you'll actually see the fish floating before you cast, which creates a thrilling stalk-and-catch scenario. They're notoriously finicky eaters, often following a bait multiple times before committing, so patience and precise presentations are key. Once hooked, tripletail are strong fighters that make several determined runs before coming to the boat. At 15-18 inches, they're legal to keep, and many anglers consider tripletail among the best-tasting fish in the ocean, with sweet, flaky meat that rivals grouper or snapper.
Hit the waters around Stuart aboard this spacious 25-foot 2016 Trident Pontoon that's built for serious fishing comfort. The reliable 200HP Suzuki motor pushes you and up to 5 fellow anglers to those productive redfish flats and snook hideouts at a smooth 25 knots. Captain Bob knows exactly where the tripletail are hanging around those channel markers and crab trap buoys. The boat's fish finder takes the guesswork out of locating structure, while the wireless trolling motor lets you slip quietly into shallow water without spooking fish. Keep your catch fresh in the onboard icebox, and trust the GPS to navigate Stuart's intricate backcountry waters. The stable pontoon design means you can focus on sight-casting to tailing reds instead of fighting for balance. Whether you're working live shrimp around the docks or throwing topwater plugs at dawn, this rig delivers the platform you need for a productive day targeting Stuart's premier inshore species.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the bread and butter of our Stuart flats fishing. These copper-colored bruisers typically run 20-32 inches with distinctive black spots near their tail. We find them in skinny water from 1-4 feet deep around oyster bars, grass flats, and mangrove edges. They're year-round residents, but fall and spring offer the best action when they're actively feeding. What makes reds special is their willingness to eat and their bulldogging fight - they'll make long, powerful runs that'll burn your arms. They're also great eating with firm, mild flesh. The key to consistent redfish success is staying quiet and watching for their backs or tails showing in shallow water. Once you spot them, a well-placed live shrimp or soft plastic ahead of their path usually seals the deal.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are one of our most prized inshore targets here in Stuart waters. These sleek predators typically run 18-30 inches, with that unmistakable black lateral line and golden coloring. You'll find them cruising mangrove shorelines, docks, and creek mouths in 2-8 feet of water. They love structure and ambush prey from cover. May through September is prime time when they're most active around the full and new moons. What makes snook special is their explosive strike and acrobatic fight - they'll jump and make blistering runs that'll test your drag. Plus, they're fantastic eating with white, flaky meat. Here's a local tip: cast past the structure and work your bait back along the edges. Snook are spooky, so that indirect approach gets more bites than bombing right on top of them.
Lobotes SurinamensisTripletail are one of the more unique fish we target around Stuart. These oddball-looking fish average 2-10 pounds but can push 20+ pounds. They get their name from having rounded dorsal and anal fins that match their tail, giving them three "tails." You'll spot them floating near the surface around weedlines, debris, or crab trap floats, often on their side mimicking floating leaves. Summer through early fall is best when water temps stay above 70°F. What guests love about tripletail is the sight fishing aspect - we cruise until we spot one, then make a precise cast. They're scrappy fighters and excellent table fare, tasting similar to grouper. Pro tip: don't cast directly at them. They spook easily, so cast 10 feet away and work your bait slowly toward them.
5.0 out of 5.0Best fishing day!! Captin and both Mates - AJ and Rich totally made the trip a day we will never forget! Highly recommend, as we w...
Stuart