Fort Pierce Charter Fishing | Full Day Charter Trip
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Eighthour inshore fishing adventure in Indian River LagoonExpert guides target multiple species with lunch includedSmall group charter accommodates maximum four guests
Fort Pierce sits right in the heart of Florida's Treasure Coast, and there's no better way to experience what makes this area special than spending a full day on the water with Chosen One Fishing Charters. We're talking about eight solid hours of fishing in some of the most productive inshore waters you'll find anywhere in the state. The Indian River Lagoon system here is absolutely loaded with fish year-round, and our local knowledge means we know exactly where to find them based on tides, weather, and seasonal patterns. This isn't your typical half-day rush job – you'll have plenty of time to really get into the rhythm of the fishing and try different techniques as conditions change throughout the day.
Your day starts early – that's when the fish are most active and before the afternoon heat really kicks in. We'll launch from Fort Pierce and head into the Indian River Lagoon, one of the most diverse estuaries on the East Coast. The beauty of this system is the variety of structure and habitat we can fish in a single day. We've got shallow grass flats perfect for sight fishing, deeper channels where bigger fish cruise, oyster bars that hold plenty of action, and mangrove shorelines that are absolutely stuffed with fish. The water clarity here is typically excellent, which means you'll often see the fish you're targeting before you cast to them. That visual element adds a whole new level of excitement to the fishing. With a maximum of four anglers on board, everyone gets personal attention and plenty of room to fish comfortably. Lunch is taken care of, so you can focus entirely on fishing without worrying about bringing food or dealing with hunger pangs mid-day.
Inshore fishing in Fort Pierce requires adapting your approach based on what we're targeting and where we find them. Live bait is king here – we'll typically start the day with a mix of shrimp, pilchards, and pinfish depending on what's available and what the fish are feeding on. For the grass flats, we'll use lighter tackle with circle hooks and just enough weight to get the bait down without spooking fish in shallow water. When we're working the mangroves, we'll switch to slightly heavier setups to handle fish that want to wrap you up in the roots. Artificial lures play a big role too – soft plastics on jig heads are deadly when worked slowly through the grass, and topwater plugs can create explosive strikes during the right conditions. We'll also have some heavier spinning gear ready if we get into bigger tarpon or large snook that require more backbone. The key is staying mobile and switching techniques as we move between different types of water throughout the day.
Snook are the crown jewel of Fort Pierce inshore fishing and what most anglers dream about catching here. These fish are ambush predators that love structure – you'll find them tucked up under mangrove overhangs, around dock pilings, and along oyster bars where they can surprise unsuspecting baitfish. Snook are incredibly line-shy and have razor-sharp gill plates that can cut through leader material in seconds, so we use heavy fluorocarbon and keep steady pressure once hooked. The slot limit here protects the breeding population, with keepers measuring between 28 and 33 inches. What makes snook so special is their aggressive strike and their ability to jump and run once hooked – they'll use every bit of cover available to try and break you off.
Grey Snapper, or mangrove snapper as locals call them, are year-round residents that provide consistent action when other species are being finicky. These fish are smart and cautious, often requiring lighter leaders and smaller hooks to get them to bite. They school up around structure and once you find one, there are usually more nearby. Snapper in the 12 to 16-inch range are common, with occasional larger fish pushing 20 inches. They're excellent table fare and their cautious nature makes them a great challenge for anglers who enjoy finesse fishing. The key with snapper is patience – they'll often follow a bait for several seconds before deciding to strike.
Tarpon fishing in Fort Pierce is legendary, especially during the spring and summer months when large schools migrate through the area. These silver kings can range from juvenile fish in the 10 to 30-pound range up to massive adults exceeding 100 pounds. What makes tarpon fishing so addictive is their aerial acrobatics – these fish can jump six feet out of the water and throw the hook with violent head shakes. The Indian River Lagoon serves as a nursery for juvenile tarpon, while the inlet and nearshore waters see the larger migratory fish. Live bait works well, but tarpon will also crush properly presented lures. The fight can last anywhere from 20 minutes to over an hour depending on the size of the fish.
Sheepshead are the convicts of the inshore world with their distinctive black stripes, and they're some of the best eating fish you'll encounter. These fish have human-like teeth designed for crushing crustaceans and mollusks, which means they're usually found around structure where these food sources live. Oyster bars, bridge pilings, and rock piles are prime sheepshead habitat. They're notorious bait stealers – you'll often feel a subtle tick or just notice your bait is gone. The trick is using small hooks and reacting quickly to any change in your line. Sheepshead fishing requires concentration and quick reflexes, but the reward is some of the finest eating fish in the ocean.
Ladyfish might not win any beauty contests, but they make up for it with pure aggression and aerial displays. These fish are like miniature tarpon – they'll jump repeatedly and fight much harder than their size suggests. Ladyfish are excellent light tackle fish and perfect for anglers who want constant action. They school up in large numbers and when you find them, you can catch fish on nearly every cast. They're particularly active during
Hit the waters of Fort Pierce aboard our dependable motorboat, built for serious inshore fishing adventures. This well-maintained vessel comes equipped with GPS navigation to get you to the hottest fishing spots and a reliable fish finder to locate where the action is happening. With room for up to 4 anglers, you'll have plenty of space to cast lines and fight fish without crowding each other. The boat's sturdy design handles the Indian River Lagoon's waters with ease, keeping you stable while you're focused on landing that perfect catch. Our captain knows these waters like the back of their hand and will put you on the fish whether you're targeting redfish, snook, or trout. Safety equipment is always on board, so you can concentrate on what matters most - getting your line wet and bringing dinner home.
Lutjanus GriseusGrey Snapper, or Mangrove Snapper as locals call them, are some of the smartest fish we target in these waters. Most run 12-16 inches and 1-2 pounds, though bigger ones lurk around deeper structure. They love docks, bridges, and mangrove edges where they can dart out to grab crabs and shrimp. You'll find them year-round, but they feed most actively at dawn, dusk, and night. What guests love about these fish is their cunning - they'll test your patience and skill. They're also excellent table fare with sweet, flaky white meat. The tricky part is their habit of stealing bait without getting hooked. My go-to trick is using a 4J hook with live shrimp hooked through the tail, not the head. Keep it natural - let it sink to the bottom, then reel up just a foot or two. When you feel that gentle tap, resist jerking and let them take it before setting the hook.
Elops SaurusLadyfish are like miniature tarpon - same family, same attitude, just smaller. They typically run 12-20 inches and put on quite a show when hooked, jumping and thrashing across the surface. You'll find them in shallow bays, around mangroves, and along the beaches year-round. They're not much for eating (pretty bony), but they're pure fun on light tackle and great for getting kids excited about fishing. What makes them special is their willingness to hit almost anything - shrimp, small jigs, even flies. They school up and compete for baits, so when you find one, there's usually more around. They're also excellent live bait for bigger gamefish like snook and tarpon. My tip for ladyfish: use a wire leader or heavy fluorocarbon. Those small teeth are sharp, and they'll thrash enough to cut regular mono. Light spinning gear makes the fight more entertaining too.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the "convict fish" of our waters - those black and white stripes make them unmistakable. Most run 2-5 pounds and 14-18 inches, perfect pan-frying size. They hang around any structure with barnacles: docks, bridges, rock piles. Winter months, especially February through April, are prime time when they school up for spawning. What makes sheepshead fun is they're notorious bait thieves with those human-like teeth. But once you master their quirks, they're reliable action and fantastic eating - sweet, flaky white meat that rivals grouper. The key is getting right up on structure and using small hooks with fresh shrimp or fiddler crabs. Here's my secret: when you feel them nibbling, don't set the hook right away. Let them chew for a second or two, then set hard. Their bony mouths need a solid hookset, and patience beats rushing every time.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are the kings of our inshore waters here in Fort Pierce. These silver beauties with that distinctive black lateral line typically run 18-24 inches, though we regularly see fish pushing 30+ inches in the Indian River Lagoon. They love structure - mangroves, docks, bridges - anywhere they can ambush baitfish. Spring through fall gives you the best action, especially around the new and full moons when they're most active. What makes snook special is their explosive strike and acrobatic fight. They'll hit hard then jump trying to throw the hook. Plus, they're fantastic eating with firm white meat. Here's a local tip: when fishing around structure, get your bait right up against the cover. Snook won't chase far, so that perfect cast into the shadows often makes the difference between going home empty-handed or with dinner.
Megalops AtlanticusTarpon are the ultimate gamefish - pure silver dynamite that can reach 6+ feet and 200+ pounds. Most we catch run 80-120 pounds, but even smaller ones put on a show with those famous jumps. They migrate through our waters May through September, following the warm currents and baitfish. You'll find them rolling in deeper channels, around bridges, and along the flats. What makes tarpon fishing special isn't the eating (they're full of bones), it's that heart-stopping moment when one explodes from the water. The fight can last an hour on bigger fish. We practice catch and release since these ancient fish can live 50+ years. Best conditions are moving tides with bait present. My advice when you hook one: bow to the fish when it jumps by dropping your rod tip toward the water. This prevents the line from breaking when that massive fish crashes back down and shakes its head.
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