Inshore Fishing Charter in Florida – Target Redfish, Trout & More
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fourhour inshore fishing charter targeting redfish and troutAll fishing gear provided aboard 24foot Carolina SkiffSuitable for beginners and experienced anglers alike
Captain Stacy's inshore fishing charters offer you a genuine Florida backwater experience that's tough to beat. Picture yourself cruising through shallow grass flats and mangrove shorelines aboard a reliable 24-foot Carolina Skiff, rod in hand, waiting for that telltale thump of a hungry redfish. This isn't some cookie-cutter fishing trip – it's four solid hours of targeting some of Florida's most sought-after inshore species in waters that have been producing fish for decades. Whether you're a weekend angler or someone who's never held a fishing rod, Captain Stacy knows how to put you on fish while keeping the atmosphere relaxed and fun. All your tackle, bait, and fishing gear come included, so you just need to bring your appetite for adventure and maybe some snacks to keep your energy up.
Your day starts with a quick rundown of the game plan as Captain Stacy fires up the Carolina Skiff and heads toward the day's hottest spots. Florida's inshore waters are like a giant puzzle, and Captain Stacy has been putting the pieces together for years. You'll be working everything from oyster bars and creek mouths to expansive grass flats where the water's so clear you can spot fish before they know you're there. The beauty of inshore fishing is the variety – one minute you're sight-casting to a school of redfish cruising the shallows, the next you're working a drop-off where speckled trout like to ambush baitfish. The Carolina Skiff is perfect for this kind of fishing because it draws minimal water and can slip into those skinny spots where the big fish feel safe. Captain Stacy provides all the rods, reels, tackle, and fresh bait you'll need, plus he's got the local knowledge to adjust tactics based on tides, weather, and what the fish are doing that particular day.
Inshore fishing in Florida is all about reading the water and adapting your approach. Captain Stacy runs a variety of techniques depending on conditions and what's biting. Live bait fishing with shrimp or pinfish is deadly effective when fish are holding tight to structure like docks, oyster beds, or mangrove roots. You'll also get into some artificial lure fishing – soft plastics rigged weedless work magic in the grass, while topwater plugs create explosive strikes during early morning or late afternoon feeds. The trolling motor gets a workout as you position quietly over productive spots, and Captain Stacy's got the patience to work an area thoroughly when fish are present but finicky. Sight fishing is where things get really exciting – polarized sunglasses help you spot the dark shapes of redfish tailing in inches of water, and the adrenaline rush of making an accurate cast to a fish you can see never gets old. The 24-foot Carolina Skiff gives you plenty of room to move around and fight fish properly, plus the shallow draft means access to spots bigger boats can't reach.
Redfish are the crown jewel of Florida inshore fishing and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers can range anywhere from schooling "rat reds" in the 16-20 inch range up to monster bulls pushing 40+ inches and 30 pounds. Redfish are year-round residents, but fall and winter months often produce the most consistent action as baitfish concentrate in the shallows. What makes reds so special is their aggressive nature and the variety of ways to catch them – they'll crush a topwater plug, inhale a live shrimp, or pick up a soft plastic bounced along the bottom. When you hook into a quality redfish, expect a determined fight with powerful runs and head shakes that'll test your drag system.
Speckled trout, or "specks" as locals call them, are another top target that provides both great action and excellent table fare. These spotted predators typically run 14-22 inches in Florida waters, with trophy fish exceeding 24 inches and 5 pounds. Trout are more temperature-sensitive than redfish, with the best fishing usually occurring in fall, winter, and spring when water temperatures drop into the 60s and 70s. They're ambush feeders that love to patrol grass flats, channel edges, and drop-offs where they can dart out to grab unsuspecting baitfish. Specks have relatively soft mouths, so steady pressure rather than heavy-handed fighting is the key to landing them consistently.
Sheepshead might not win any beauty contests, but they're among the craftiest fish you'll encounter on Florida flats. These black-and-white striped convicts have human-like teeth designed for crushing shellfish, making them notorious bait stealers. Most sheepshead run 2-6 pounds, but fish over 8 pounds are caught regularly around the right structure. They're most active during cooler months, particularly around full and new moon phases when tides are strongest. Sheepshead require finesse and patience – they'll nibble and test your bait before committing, and setting the hook requires perfect timing. The reward is some of the best eating fish in the ocean.
Black drum are the bulldozers of the inshore world, ranging from puppy drum under 5 pounds to massive spawning adults that can exceed 40 pounds. These bottom-dwellers use their underslung mouths to vacuum up crabs, worms, and mollusks from oyster beds and sandy bottoms. Black drum are available year-round but peak during spring spawning runs when large schools move through inshore waters. They're not flashy fighters like redfish, but their sheer power and determination make them a favorite among anglers who appreciate a prolonged battle. Larger black drum are typically released due to concerns about parasites, but smaller "puppy drum" provide excellent table fare with firm, white meat.
Hit the Florida backwaters aboard this restored 24-foot Carolina Skiff Sea Chaser, your perfect platform for chasing redfish and trout in the shallows. This center console beauty runs on a reliable 250HP Yamaha that'll get you to the hot spots fast, while the shallow draft design lets you slip into those productive skinny waters where the big fish hide. The onboard fish finder helps locate structure and baitfish, while GPS keeps you on course to Captain Stacy's favorite honey holes. With an icebox to keep your drinks cold and plenty of deck space for casting, this rig handles everything from sight fishing the flats to working deeper grass beds. The stable hull cuts through chop smoothly and gives you a solid casting platform whether you're throwing topwater plugs at sunrise or bouncing jigs along oyster bars.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the heavyweights of Florida's inshore waters, typically running 5-30 pounds but capable of reaching 90+ pounds. These bottom-feeders love oyster beds and muddy flats in 1-4 feet of water, using their powerful jaws to crush crabs and shellfish. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning - that's when you'll hear their distinctive drumming sounds underwater. What makes them special is the fight they put up, especially the bigger ones that'll test your drag. The smaller fish under 15 pounds make excellent table fare with mild, flaky meat. Pro tip: use fresh crab for bait and keep it right on the bottom - they rarely chase anything more than a foot off the mud.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are Florida's signature inshore species, sporting copper-bronze backs and that distinctive black spot near the tail. Most slot fish run 18-27 inches, but oversized "bulls" can push 40+ inches and really test your tackle. They love super shallow water - oyster bars, grass flats, and mangrove shorelines in 1-4 feet where their backs sometimes show. Year-round fishing is good, but fall and spring offer the best action when they school up. What hooks guests is watching them cruise the shallows and that explosive strike when they hit topwater lures. The meat is mild and sweet, perfect for the grill. Pro tip: look for "tailing" fish in skinny water and approach quietly - spook one and you'll scatter the whole school.
Salmo TruttaSea Trout, or "Specks" as locals call them, are beautiful spotted fish that average 14-24 inches and 1-5 pounds. They cruise grass flats and shallow bays in 2-8 feet of water, feeding on shrimp and small baitfish. Best action happens during cooler months and low-light periods - early morning, late evening, and overcast days. What makes them popular is their willingness to hit both live bait and artificials, plus they put up a scrappy fight for their size. The tender, white meat is excellent eating, but don't overcook it or it gets mushy. Here's a local trick: work the edges of grass beds with soft plastics or topwater plugs at dawn. When the water's calm, you'll see them "popping" shrimp on the surface.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the crafty "convict fish" of Florida waters, easily spotted by their black and white stripes and those famous human-like teeth. Most run 1-8 pounds, but 20-pounders lurk around bridge pilings and dock structures. They stick tight to barnacle-covered areas in 3-15 feet, feeding on crustaceans and mollusks. February through April is peak season when they spawn around structures. What guests love is the challenge - these notorious bait thieves require finesse and quick hook sets. The reward is sweet, white meat that's hard to beat on the dinner table. My tip: use fiddler crabs and get your bait as close to the pilings as possible. When you feel that nibbling, don't wait - set the hook hard and fast.
St Marks, FL