World Class Redfish & Trout Adventures with Captain Stacy
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
6hour inshore fishing trip targeting redfish and trout24foot Carolina Skiff accommodates up to 2 guestsAll fishing gear and equipment provided by Captain Stacy
Captain Stacy's inshore charter puts you right in the heart of Florida's most productive shallow waters, where redfish cruise the grass flats and spotted seatrout hunt in the channels. This 6-hour adventure aboard a 24-foot Carolina Skiff gives you access to prime fishing spots that bigger boats just can't reach. You'll be casting to structure, working the mangroves, and drifting the flats with a captain who knows exactly where the fish are holding. All the gear is top-shelf, so whether you're a first-timer or a seasoned angler, you'll have everything you need to land some serious fish. Bring your own snacks and drinks, grab a buddy, and get ready for a day that'll have you planning your next trip before you even hit the dock.
Your day starts early when Captain Stacy fires up the Carolina Skiff and heads out into Florida's legendary inshore waters. The shallow draft of this 24-footer means you'll be fishing spots that stay untouched by the bigger charter boats – those hidden pockets where redfish tail in two feet of water and trout stack up along the drop-offs. The calm coastal waters make this trip perfect for families and anglers who want to focus on fishing instead of fighting seasickness. You'll spend the morning working different techniques as Captain Stacy reads the water, looking for signs of life. Maybe you'll start with some topwater action at dawn, then switch to live bait as the sun climbs higher. The beauty of inshore fishing is the variety – one minute you're sight-casting to a tailing red, the next you're working a jig along a mangrove shoreline where anything could grab it.
Captain Stacy comes loaded with the right gear for every situation you'll encounter on the flats. Light spinning tackle lets you feel every bump and run, while the bait selection covers everything from live shrimp and pinfish to an arsenal of soft plastics and topwater plugs. You'll learn how to work a paddle tail through the grass, how to present a live shrimp under a popping cork, and when to throw a spook across a feeding school. The Carolina Skiff's shallow draft and quiet trolling motor mean you can sneak up on fish without spooking them – essential when you're hunting reds in skinny water. Captain Stacy will position the boat perfectly for your casts, using his push pole in the shallows or anchoring up on productive structure. The tackle is matched to the fish you're targeting, so when that bull red makes its first run, you'll have the backbone to turn it before it cuts you off in the mangroves.
Redfish are the stars of Florida's inshore scene, and for good reason. These copper-colored bulldozers can be found year-round in the shallows, though they're most active during the cooler months from October through April. You'll spot them tailing in the grass flats during low light periods, their distinctive black spots making them easy to identify. When a slot red grabs your bait, expect a drag-screaming run followed by some serious head-shaking. They average 20-28 inches in the slot, but don't be surprised if you hook into an oversized bull that'll test your tackle and your patience. The thrill comes from sight-fishing to them in clear, shallow water where you can watch the entire fight unfold.
Spotted seatrout, or "specks" as locals call them, are another inshore favorite that'll keep your rod bent throughout the day. These silver-sided beauties love to hunt over grass beds and along channel edges, especially during moving tides. They're most cooperative during the spring and fall months when water temperatures sit in that sweet spot. Trout have soft mouths, so you'll need to keep steady pressure without horsing them. They're excellent table fare, and a cooler full of 15-18 inch specks makes for some of the best eating you'll find in saltwater. Look for them to school up around structure, and when you find one, there's usually more nearby.
Permit are the ghosts of the flats – spooky, selective, and absolutely addictive once you've hooked one. These disk-shaped fighters prefer deeper grass flats and will test your presentation skills like no other fish. They're year-round residents but become more active during the warmer months from May through September. When a permit takes your crab or shrimp, you'd better be ready for a blistering run that'll have your reel screaming. They're notorious for their acrobatic jumps and their ability to throw hooks, making every hookup a victory worth celebrating. Most run 8-15 pounds, but their fighting ability makes them feel twice that size.
Cobia are the tanks of the inshore world, cruising the flats like brown submarines looking for an easy meal. These curious fish often approach the boat, giving you shot after shot if you don't spook them. Spring migration from March through May brings the best action, though resident fish can be found year-round around structure. When a cobia eats, there's no mistaking it – they'll usually grab your bait and head for deep water in a hurry. These fish regularly push 30-40 pounds and have the stamina to back up their size. They're also fantastic on the table, with firm white meat that's perfect for grilling.
Tripletail are the oddball success story of Florida inshore fishing. These laterally compressed fighters love to hang around floating debris, channel markers, and crab trap floats, where they blend in perfectly with their mottled coloration. Summer months from June through August offer the best action, though they can be caught year-round in the right conditions. They're ambush predators that require a stealthy approach and precise presentation. When hooked, tripletail jump like tarpon and fight with
Hit Florida's prime redfish and trout waters aboard this freshly restored 24-foot Carolina Skiff Sea Chaser. This center console beauty runs smooth with a 250HP Yamaha that'll get you to the hotspots fast, cruising at speeds up to 55 knots. The boat's equipped with everything you need for a successful day – GPS to navigate the flats, fish finder to locate those schools, and an icebox to keep your catch fresh and drinks cold. Captain Stacy knows these inshore waters like the back of his hand and provides all the top-quality tackle. Whether you're casting for reds in the shallows or working the grass beds for speckled trout, this skiff handles the skinny water perfectly. Built for comfort with space for up to 6 anglers, though your trip maxes at 2 for a more personalized experience. The stable platform gives you plenty of room to work your lines while staying comfortable during the 6-hour adventure through Florida's coastal backwaters.
Centropristis StriataBlack sea bass are scrappy bottom dwellers that pack a punch for their size. Most run 1-4 pounds with dark, mottled coloring and big mouths. They love hanging around structure - rocks, wrecks, pilings, and jetties in 20-120 feet of water. Late spring through summer is prime time when they move closer to shore. What's great about them? They bite aggressively, fight hard until they break the surface, and make excellent table fare with sweet, flaky meat. During spawning season, the males turn bright blue with a pronounced hump on their heads - pretty cool to see. Drop a squid strip or live bait right to the bottom near structure and hold on. They'll hit fast and try to dive back into the rocks, so keep steady pressure and reel quickly once hooked.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are like underwater bulldogs - dark brown, powerful fish that average 30-50 pounds but can push 100. They're usually loners cruising around structure like channel markers, buoys, and shallow reefs in 10-50 feet of water. Spring and early summer are peak times when they move inshore to spawn. What makes them fun? They're curious fish that'll often approach the boat, giving you sight-casting opportunities. Plus they're fantastic eating - firm, white meat that rivals any restaurant fish. They fight strong and steady, not flashy but determined. When you spot one near the surface, pitch a bucktail jig or live bait right in front of them. They'll usually eat aggressively, but don't horse them - steady pressure works best since their mouths are surprisingly soft.
Trachinotus FalcatusPermit are the holy grail of sight fishing - tall, silver, and incredibly wary. These disc-shaped fish typically run 20-36 inches but can hit 48 inches and 60 pounds. They cruise shallow grass flats and sandy areas, sometimes in water so thin their backs show. April through October is prime time when they're most active and feeding heavily on crabs. Guests love the challenge - permit have amazing eyesight and spook at the slightest wrong move. When hooked, they make blistering runs that'll empty your reel fast. The meat is top-shelf eating too. My best advice: use a live blue crab and approach from downwind. Keep the boat back and make long, accurate casts. Once you hook up, hold on tight because these fish don't give up easy.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are Florida's signature inshore species - bronze-backed beauties with distinctive black spots near their tails. Most fish we catch run 18-28 inches, though bigger "bulls" can stretch past 40 inches and really test your drag. They love super shallow water, often in just 1-3 feet around oyster bars, grass flats, and mangrove shorelines. Spring through fall gives us the best action when they're actively feeding. What makes them special? They fight hard, taste great with that mild, sweet flavor, and you'll often see their backs out of water as they cruise the shallows. Here's a local trick: when you spot one tailing, cast well ahead and let your bait settle - they spook easily but can't resist a well-placed live shrimp or soft plastic near their nose.
Lobotes SurinamensisTripletail are quirky fish that look like floating leaves until they explode on your bait. They're brownish with mottled patches and get their name from fins that make them appear to have three tails. Most run 2-8 pounds, though they can hit 20 pounds. You'll find them floating near weedlines, buoys, or debris in 5-30 feet of water. Summer months are best when they're most active near shore. Guests love them because they're acrobatic fighters and taste similar to snapper or grouper. They're also masters of camouflage - they'll lay on their sides mimicking floating seaweed. The trick is spotting them first, then casting past them and slowly working your bait nearby. Live shrimp or small crabs work great. Be gentle on the hookset since they have soft mouths.
St Marks, FL