6 Hour Inshore Fishing Trip
Looking to spend a solid day on the water chasing some of the best inshore species around? This 6-hour fishing adventure with Charter Boat Family Tradition is built for anglers who want more than just a quick trip. We're talking about a proper day of fishing that gives you time to hit multiple spots, adjust tactics, and really dial in on what's biting. At $800 for up to four people, you're getting serious value for a full morning that starts at 7 AM and wraps up at 1 PM – perfect timing to beat the afternoon heat and catch fish during their most active feeding periods.
What to Expect on the Water
This isn't your typical rush-around-and-hope-for-the-best charter. Six hours gives us the luxury of time to really work the water properly. We'll start early when the fish are most active, hitting prime feeding zones while the water's still cool and the baitfish are moving. The boat's equipped with everything you need – quality rods, reels, tackle, and bait – so you can focus on what matters most: putting fish in the cooler. We'll move between productive spots based on tides, weather, and what the fish are telling us. Some days that means working shallow grass flats, other days we're bouncing between oyster bars and creek mouths. The beauty of having six hours is we can adapt and chase the bite wherever it takes us.
Tackle and Techniques
We run a variety of techniques depending on what we're targeting and where we find them. Light tackle spinning gear loaded with braided line gives you the sensitivity to feel those subtle bites and the strength to turn fish away from structure. We'll use everything from live shrimp under popping corks to soft plastic paddle tails on jig heads. When the redfish are schooled up in shallow water, we might switch to topwater plugs for some explosive surface action. For deeper holes where the black drum hang out, we'll drop down bottom rigs with cut bait. The key is staying flexible and letting the fish tell us what they want. All tackle and bait are provided, but feel free to bring your favorite rod if you've got one – just make sure it's spooled with 10-20 pound test.
Top Catches This Season
The inshore waters we fish are loaded with Southern Flounder, and these flatfish are absolute masters of camouflage. They bury themselves in sandy bottoms near grass edges and ambush unsuspecting baitfish. Fall months are prime time for doormat flounder, with fish pushing 20+ inches showing up regularly. What makes flounder so exciting is the way they hit – often just a slight tick on your line that you might miss if you're not paying attention. Once hooked, they put up a surprising fight for a flatfish, using their broad body to create drag in the current. The meat is incredible too – firm, white, and perfect for the dinner table.
Black Drum are the heavyweights of our inshore waters, and when you hook into a big one, you'll know it immediately. These fish can push 40+ pounds and will test your tackle and your back. They love to hang around oyster bars, bridge pilings, and other hard structure where they can crush crabs and oysters with their powerful pharyngeal teeth. Spring and fall are peak seasons, though we catch them year-round. The smaller "puppy drum" in the 2-5 pound range are fantastic table fare, while the bigger bulls are usually released to keep the population strong. Black drum don't jump or make long runs, but they'll pull steady and hard, using their weight and the current to their advantage.
Sea Trout, or speckled trout as most locals call them, are probably the most popular inshore species we target. These beautiful fish love grass flats, especially during cooler months when they school up in deeper holes. Spring and fall offer the best action, with fish ranging from keeper-sized 15-inchers up to trophy "gator trout" exceeding 25 inches. Specks are aggressive feeders that will hit live bait, soft plastics, and topwater plugs with equal enthusiasm. They're also excellent eating, with sweet, flaky meat that's perfect for the grill or fryer. The key to consistent trout fishing is finding the bait schools – where you see mullet and shrimp, trout usually aren't far behind.
Redfish are the crown jewel of inshore fishing, and for good reason. These copper-colored fighters are built for power, with broad tails that can rip line off your reel in seconds. We target them in shallow water around oyster bars, grass flats, and marshy shorelines. Summer and fall are prime time when schools of bull reds cruise the shallows, often with their backs out of the water. Sight fishing for reds in 2-3 feet of water is about as good as inshore fishing gets – you can see them coming, make your cast, and watch the whole thing unfold. Slot-sized fish (16-27 inches in most areas) are incredible on the table, while the bigger bulls over 27 inches are typically released to preserve the breeding stock.
Time to Book Your Spot
Six hours on the water with Charter Boat Family Tradition gives you the time and opportunity to experience everything inshore fishing has to offer. Whether you're a seasoned angler looking to put some quality fish in the cooler or someone wanting to learn proper inshore techniques, this trip delivers. The early start means we're fishing during prime time, and the extended duration lets us really work the water without feeling rushed. At $800 for up to four people, you're looking at $200 per person for a full day of guided fishing with all gear included – that's solid value for this level of experience. Don't wait too long to book, especially during peak season when the best dates fill up fast. Give us a call and let's get you set up for a day of fishing