5.0(10 Reviews)Private 4 Hour Inshore Fishing Charter
5.0(10 reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Top RatedMost Reviewed
Fourhour inshore charter targeting six popular fish speciesCaptain Drew provides all gear, bait, and fishing licensesAccommodates two guests with beginnerfriendly guidance included
Captain Drew knows these Southwest Florida backwaters like the back of his hand, and he's ready to put you on some of the best inshore fishing you'll find anywhere. This 4-hour private charter targets the slam species that make Florida fishing legendary - snook, redfish, speckled trout, mangrove snapper, sheepshead, and hard-fighting jack crevalle. You'll fish the scenic maze of mangrove creeks, grass flats, and oyster bars where these fish love to hang out. Perfect for two anglers who want personalized attention and premium fishing without the crowds.
Your day starts early when Captain Drew picks you up at the boat ramp with everything rigged and ready to fish. The backwaters of Southwest Florida are a maze of mangrove islands, shallow grass flats, and deep cuts that hold incredible numbers of fish year-round. You'll be fishing aboard a well-maintained flats boat that can get into skinny water where the big fish feed. Drew provides all the top-quality tackle, fresh bait, and even takes care of your fishing license - you just need to bring snacks, drinks, and plenty of sunscreen. The beauty of inshore fishing here is that it's perfect for all skill levels. Whether you're a seasoned angler or picking up a rod for the first time, Drew will adjust his approach to make sure you have the best day possible. The scenery alone is worth the trip, with crystal clear water, abundant wildlife, and some of the most pristine fishing grounds in Florida.
Captain Drew runs a variety of techniques depending on conditions and what the fish are doing. You'll likely throw live bait around structure like docks, mangrove overhangs, and oyster bars where snook and redfish love to ambush prey. Artificial lures are deadly here too - soft plastics worked slowly over grass flats can produce explosive strikes from speckled trout and redfish. When targeting sheepshead around structure, you'll use light tackle with small hooks and fresh shrimp or fiddler crabs. The key to success in these backwaters is reading the water and understanding fish behavior, something Drew has mastered over years of guiding these waters. Tides play a huge role in inshore fishing success. Moving water brings baitfish and gets predators feeding actively. Drew times each trip to hit the prime fishing windows when fish are most aggressive. The shallow nature of inshore fishing means you'll often see your target before you cast - watching a big redfish cruise the flats with his back out of water is pure adrenaline.
"Drew was a fabulous captain! Had so much fun and caught some amazing fish. I saw dolphin, stingray, shark and manatee along the way! You have to make Drew w/Chum Crazy Charters part of your experience!" - Kimberly. "Capt.Drew with chum crazy charters will 100% get you on the fish! He has been a very good freind for a good while now and I couldn't recommend his guide service enough! There is a lot of captains in our area including myself so this review should say a lot! Every single time we fish together as friends I am always learning from his wisdom and experience in our waters! You will not be disappointed! This could be for anglers trying to land trophy fish or just a pleasant family experience to keep the lines tight. Drew will for definitely make sure your needs are fulfilled!" - Capt.Roland. "Everything you want in a boat captain. Knowledgeable. Friendly, helpful, patient. Quality and clean boat. Had us on the fish almost non stop. Highly recommend." - Eric.
Snook are the crown jewel of Southwest Florida inshore fishing and arguably the most sought-after species in these waters. These ambush predators love structure and moving water, often hiding under docks, mangrove overhangs, or around bridge pilings waiting to smash unsuspecting baitfish. Snook are incredibly aggressive fighters that will jump, run, and use every trick in the book to throw your hook. They can range from slot-sized fish around 20 inches up to true giants over 30 inches. The best action typically happens during moving tides, especially around dawn and dusk. What makes snook so special is their explosive strike and acrobatic fight - when a big snook hits your bait, you'll know it instantly.
Redfish are another customer favorite that patrol these shallow flats in impressive numbers. These copper-colored bruisers are known for their bulldogging fight and willingness to eat both live bait and artificials. Southwest Florida reds typically range from 18 to 30 inches, with the bigger fish often found cruising the grass flats in skinny water. Redfish are visual feeders, and there's nothing quite like watching a big red slowly cruise up to your bait before inhaling it. They're year-round residents here, but fall and winter often produce the biggest fish as they fatten up for spawning season.
Speckled trout are the bread and butter of these grass flats and provide consistent action for anglers of all skill levels. These beautiful spotted fish love to suspend over grass beds in 3 to 8 feet of water, making them perfect targets for topwater lures and soft plastics. Trout have a relatively soft mouth, so the fight is more about finesse than brute strength. They're excellent table fare and can be found year-round, though the cooler months often produce the biggest specimens. A good day on the trout can easily result in multiple fish, making them perfect for keeping the action steady between shots at bigger predators.
Mangrove snapper are one of the smartest fish swimming in these waters, but that's what makes catching them so rewarding. These structure-loving fish hang around docks, bridges, and mangrove roots, picking off small
Your fishing adventure starts aboard our 2017 Tidewater Baymax 2110, a perfectly sized 21-footer that's built to handle Southwest Florida's diverse inshore waters. This bay boat runs on a brand-new 2025 Yamaha F-150 four-stroke that'll get you to the fish quickly and quietly. The spacious layout comfortably accommodates two anglers with plenty of room to cast and fight fish without getting tangled up. We've got dual GPS/fish finders to pinpoint structure and schools, plus a wireless trolling motor for stealthy approaches to those spooky redfish and snook. The Power Pole keeps us locked down on productive spots, while the jack plate lets us run skinny when chasing fish into the backcountry. Stay comfortable under the T-top shade between fish, and keep your drinks ice-cold in the built-in cooler. The JBL marine stereo adds some tunes during travel time, and our VHF radio keeps us connected for safety and fishing intel from other boats.
Lutjanus GriseusMangrove snapper are scrappy little fighters that make every angler work for their catch. These copper-red fish typically run 12-16 inches around our docks and mangrove shorelines, though deeper structure can hold 3-4 pounders. They love hanging around any cover - bridge pilings, oyster bars, and mangrove roots in 3-15 feet of water. Best fishing happens during moving water, especially on outgoing tides when baitfish get flushed out. They bite year-round but really turn on during warmer months. What makes them special is their wariness - they'll test your skills every time. Plus, they're some of the best eating fish we catch, with sweet, flaky white meat. Pro tip: use the lightest leader you can get away with and let your live shrimp sink naturally to the bottom, then lift it just off the structure.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the bulldogs of the flats - bronze-backed fighters with distinctive black spots near their tails. Our slot-sized fish run 18-27 inches and put up serious battles in shallow water. Look for them cruising oyster bars, mangrove shorelines, and grass flats in just 1-4 feet of water - sometimes so shallow their backs show above the surface. They feed year-round but fall and spring offer peak action when they school up heavily. What makes redfish special is their power and the visual fishing opportunities - watching one crush a topwater lure in skinny water never gets old. They're also excellent table fare with firm, mild fillets. Best tip I can share: when you spot tailing or cruising reds, cast well ahead of them and let your bait settle before they arrive. Lead them like a duck hunter and stay patient.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are perfect starter fish that'll keep you busy all day long. These silvery beauties with black spots typically run 14-18 inches in our grass flats and shallow bays. They prefer 2-6 feet of water over sandy bottoms with scattered grass, especially near drop-offs and channels. Spring through fall provides consistent action, with dawn and dusk being prime time. Cold fronts can shut them down, but they bounce back quickly. Guests appreciate their willingness to bite artificials and their gentle fight that's perfect for kids and beginners. The soft, white meat is delicious but delicate - don't overcook it. Here's what works: fish the edges of grass flats with live shrimp under a popping cork, or throw soft plastics on light jigheads. Keep moving until you find a school, then work that area thoroughly.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the convict fish of our waters, sporting bold black stripes and human-like teeth that crunch barnacles off dock pilings. Most run 2-4 pounds and 14-18 inches, perfect for the dinner table. You'll find them around any hard structure - bridges, docks, rocks - where they scrape barnacles and crabs for food. They're year-round residents but fishing peaks in cooler months when they school up heavily. What guests love most is the challenge - sheepshead are notorious bait thieves with light bites that'll clean your hook before you know it. Their sweet, mild flesh makes the effort worthwhile though. My go-to technique: use small hooks with fiddler crabs or shrimp, get as close to the structure as possible, and set the hook at the first sign of weight. Don't wait for a hard pull or you'll miss them every time.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are one of Southwest Florida's premier game fish, known for their distinctive black lateral line and golden color. Most fish we catch run 18-28 inches, though they can grow much larger. These ambush predators love structure - mangroves, docks, bridges, and oyster bars in 2-8 feet of water. They're most active during moving tides, especially around dawn and dusk. Spring through fall offers the best action when water temps stay above 70°F. Guests love snook for their explosive strikes and strong runs - they'll jump and bulldoze toward cover when hooked. The meat is excellent eating too, with firm white fillets. Here's a local trick: when fishing around docks, cast your bait tight to the pilings and let it sink naturally. Snook are line-shy, so don't rush the presentation.
5.0 out of 5.0Drew was a fabulous captain! Had so much fun and caught some amazing fish. I saw dolphin, stingray, shark and manatee along the wa...
I’ve had the opportunity to fish with Capt. Drew several times before, but this was my first time back since Hurricane Ian. Drew h...
Joshua Downey, Thank you! You folks were awesome. Looking forward to our next trip.
Capt.Drew with chum crazy charters will 100% get you on the fish! He has been a very good freind for a good while now and I couldn...
Returning customer. Recently, I had the pleasure of going out with chum crazy charters and fish with Captain Drew for the second ...
Awesome trip. Short notice and Drew locked in and we got on a bunch of snook. Great captain and guide! Highly recommend
Everything you want in a boat captain. Knowledgeable. Friendly, helpful, patient. Quality and clean boat. Had us on the fish almos...
It was a very good trip with Captain drew I took my four year old son and drew was very patient and kid friendly. Got sent to some...
Captain Drew is great; so knowledgeable, friendly, and kind. He accommodated us last minute when another charter had to cancel our...
Drew is a very nice guy and knowledgeable of the fishery. We had a great morning of fishing and conversation. He was on time with ...
Drew was an amazing captain, first charter I’ve been on and will only continue to use chum crazy in the future. The spot was perfe...
Fort Myers, FL