Florida Inshore Fishing Adventure – Full-Day Charter
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Eighthour guided charter targeting redfish, trout, and cobiaCaptain Stacy provides 24foot Carolina Skiff with premium gearAccommodates two anglers exploring Florida's scenic backwaters
Captain Stacy's got you covered for eight solid hours of Florida's best inshore action. We're talking prime backwater fishing aboard a spacious 24-foot Carolina Skiff – the perfect platform for working the shallows where the big fish live. Whether you've been casting lines for decades or you're brand new to the salt, this charter delivers the kind of fishing that keeps people coming back to Florida's waters year after year.
Your day starts early when Captain Stacy fires up the Carolina Skiff and heads into Florida's maze of backwaters and shallow flats. These aren't your typical tourist waters – we're hitting spots where the fish actually feed and hang out. The 24-foot skiff gives us the perfect setup to navigate skinny water while keeping everyone comfortable during the full eight-hour adventure. You'll spend your time sight fishing, working structure, and learning to read the water like a local. Captain Stacy provides all the premium tackle and gear, so you just need to bring your lunch, drinks, and maybe a cooler with ice. The boat's got plenty of room for two anglers to fish without getting tangled up in each other's lines, plus all the storage you need for your catch and gear.
We fish the way inshore fishing should be done – quiet, strategic, and always moving to find active fish. The Carolina Skiff's shallow draft lets us get into places where bigger boats can't go, working grass flats, oyster bars, and mangrove shorelines where fish come to feed. You'll learn live bait techniques with shrimp and pinfish, plus artificial lures that work when the fish are being picky. Captain Stacy switches up tactics throughout the day based on tides, weather, and what the fish are doing. Sometimes we're sight casting to cruising fish, other times we're working deeper channels where the big ones stage up. The key is staying mobile and reading the signs – bird activity, bait movement, and water color all tell us where to focus our efforts.
Permit are the holy grail of Florida flats fishing and one of the smartest fish you'll ever target. These silver ghosts cruise the shallow flats looking for crabs and small baitfish, but they spook easily and test every bit of your patience. When you finally hook one, they make blistering runs that'll have your drag screaming. Spring through fall gives you the best shot at permit, especially around structure and deeper grass beds. Landing a permit is something most anglers remember for years – they're that special.
Blacktip sharks bring serious excitement to any inshore trip and Florida's backwaters hold plenty of them. These aggressive predators love shallow water and put up fights that'll leave your arms burning. They hit baits hard and immediately start jumping and spinning, which is why they're a customer favorite. Summer months see the most blacktip action, especially when you're fishing around bait schools. Don't worry about handling – Captain Stacy knows how to safely release these fighters so everyone stays safe while getting great photos.
Cobia are Florida's gentle giants and one of the best eating fish in the water. These curious fish often cruise just under the surface, making them perfect targets for sight fishing. They grow big – 20 to 40 pounds isn't unusual – and fight with steady power rather than flashy jumps. Spring migration brings the most cobia action, but residents stick around year-round. What makes cobia special is how they'll actually follow the boat and check out your baits, giving you multiple chances to get a good presentation.
Tripletail look like floating debris until they suddenly come alive and crush your bait. These oddball fish hang around structure, channel markers, and floating grass where they ambush prey. They're masters of camouflage but once hooked, they fight with surprising strength for their size. Tripletail fishing requires patience and sharp eyes, but the reward is one of Florida's finest table fish. Summer and early fall produce the most tripletail encounters, especially around deeper structure near the passes.
African Pompano are the speedsters of the flats and pack more fight per pound than almost any fish in Florida waters. These silver rockets make long runs and jump like tarpon when hooked, creating heart-pounding action that never gets old. They're not as common as other species, which makes landing one feel like hitting the lottery. African pompano prefer cleaner water and structure, so we target them around deeper grass beds and channel edges. Late spring through summer gives you the best chances, especially when water temperatures climb.
Eight hours with Captain Stacy means you're getting the real Florida inshore experience – not some watered-down tourist trip. This charter puts you on fish while teaching you about Florida's amazing backwater ecosystem. The Carolina Skiff setup, premium gear, and Captain Stacy's local knowledge create the perfect combination for a world-class fishing adventure. Whether you're after that first permit or looking to add tripletail to your species list, this full-day charter delivers the kind of fishing that brings people back to Florida year after year. Spots book up fast, especially during peak season, so don't wait too long to secure your dates.
This freshly restored 24-foot Carolina Skiff Sea Chaser is your ticket to Florida's best inshore fishing spots. The center console design gives you plenty of room to move around while fighting fish, and the 250HP Yamaha gets you to the honey holes fast – we're talking up to 55 knots when conditions are right. Built for serious anglers, this boat handles Florida's shallow backwaters like a dream while staying rock-solid when you hook into that bull redfish. The fish finder takes the guesswork out of locating structure and baitfish, while GPS keeps us on the most productive spots. An onboard icebox keeps your drinks cold and your catch fresh during those long Florida days on the water. Whether you're sight-casting to tailing reds in skinny water or working structure for cobia, this rig has the speed, stability, and fishability to make your day productive.
Alectis CiliarisAfrican pompano are the speed demons of the jack family, with their distinctive silvery, diamond-shaped bodies. Adults typically run 20-30 inches, but they can reach nearly 40 inches and over 50 pounds. Juveniles are easy to spot with those long, trailing filaments that disappear as they mature. You'll find them from 30 to 250 feet, usually near the bottom over sandy areas and reefs. They're fast swimmers that cover serious distance hunting crabs and baitfish. Spring through fall provides consistent action in Florida waters. What makes them fun? Pure speed and endurance - these fish will test your drag and stamina. They're attracted to shiny, moving objects, so jigs work well alongside live bait. Pro tip: when you hook up, be ready for long runs. Keep steady pressure but don't horse them - let that drag work.
Carcharhinus LimbatusBlacktips are the acrobats of the shark world, known for launching themselves up to 21 feet out of the water. These sleek hunters average 5 feet but can reach over 9 feet and 270 pounds. You'll spot them by the distinctive black tips on their fins. They patrol depths of 30-100 feet around reefs, jetties, and structure where baitfish congregate. Spring through fall offers the best action when they move into warmer waters. Despite their size, they're surprisingly timid until they get excited - then watch out for feeding frenzies. Guests love the explosive fights and aerial shows. Use heavy braided line, 20-50 pound test, with circle hooks. Here's my tip: get that chum going with oily fish like mackerel or sardines. The smell drives them crazy and brings them right to your boat.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are like the bulldogs of inshore fishing - dark brown, stocky, and built for power. These solitary hunters average 6 feet and 100 pounds, living up to 12 years. Don't mistake them for sharks when you first spot that single dorsal fin. They love hanging around structure - reefs, wrecks, buoys, and pilings in 30 feet or less, though they'll go deeper to 300 feet at oil rigs. Spring migration and spawning season from June to August is prime time. What makes them special? They're sight fishing targets that cruise just below the surface, and the meat is absolutely phenomenal - firm and flaky. Bucktail jigs work great, but here's the trick: when you spot one, cast past it and work the lure back slowly. Cobia are curious and will often follow the boat, so keep a ready rod with a live bait.
Trachinotus FalcatusThe permit is the holy grail of Florida flats fishing. These silver, disc-shaped fish average around 36 inches but can hit 48 inches and 60 pounds. What makes them special? Those golf ball-sized eyes that rotate almost 360 degrees, giving them vision that'll humble any angler. You'll find them cruising shallow grass flats in just 2 feet of water, despite their tall profile. Juveniles school together inshore, but adults become loners. Peak season runs April through October during spawning, though we catch them year-round in South Florida. They're notorious for being harder to fool than bonefish or tarpon. Blue crabs are your best bet - rig one on a 2/0 circle hook with 30-pound leader. Here's the key: cast well ahead and let that crab sink naturally. These fish spook easily, so stay quiet and patient.
Lobotes SurinamensisTripletail are one of the coolest sight fishing targets in Florida waters. These chunky, olive-colored fish get their name from the way their dorsal and anal fins mirror their tail. They average 18 inches and 2-13 pounds, but can reach 3 feet and over 40 pounds. The unique thing about tripletail? They float on their sides near the surface, mimicking floating debris or weeds. You'll find them along weed lines and structure from near-surface to 200 feet deep. Summer peaks from July to August during spawning season. Guests love them because despite their bulky build, they're surprisingly acrobatic fighters, and the meat rivals red snapper. Here's the secret: when you spot one, cast well away from it and slowly drag your bait or lure past them. They're ambush predators but spook easily, so stealth is everything.
St Marks, FL