Half Day Inshore Fishing - Cedar Key Waters
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Half-day inshore fishing targeting redfish, trout, and snookAll gear, tackle, bait, and licenses included with tripExpert guidance from Captain Chad for all skill levels
Looking for a solid half-day on the water without committing your entire day? Captain Chad at Chums Guide Service has you covered with this top-rated 4-5 hour inshore fishing adventure around Cedar Key's productive flats and backcountry waters. This customer favorite trip gives you plenty of time to get into fish while still leaving room for other plans. We're talking about some of the best redfish, trout, and snook action on Florida's Nature Coast, all wrapped up in a laid-back atmosphere where everyone from first-timers to seasoned anglers feels right at home.
Your morning starts at the Cedar Key marina where Captain Chad will have the boat rigged and ready to roll. The beauty of this half-day setup is we can hit multiple spots without feeling rushed - maybe start on some grass flats for trout, then work our way to oyster bars where the redfish like to cruise. The boat's equipped with everything you need: rods, reels, tackle, bait, and even your fishing license is covered. Just bring yourself, some snacks, plenty of water, and don't forget that sunscreen because the Florida sun doesn't mess around. With space for up to 2 anglers in the base price, it's perfect for couples, father-son trips, or just you and your fishing buddy. Need to bring more people? No problem - we can accommodate up to 6 total with additional spots at $100 per angler.
Cedar Key's inshore waters are all about reading the conditions and adapting your approach. Captain Chad knows these waters like the back of his hand, so depending on tides, weather, and what's been biting, you might find yourself sight-casting to tailing redfish in skinny water, working live bait around structure for snook, or drifting grass flats with soft plastics for speckled trout. The boat's set up for both light tackle fishing and fly fishing if that's your thing. We're talking about crystal-clear flats where you can actually see the fish you're casting to, winding creeks that hold surprises around every bend, and productive edges where the current brings baitfish and predators together. The gear selection includes everything from topwater plugs for those explosive morning strikes to bottom rigs for when the fish are holding deep.
Redfish are the bread and butter of Cedar Key inshore fishing, and these copper-colored bulldogs will give you a fight you won't forget. These fish range from schoolie-sized 20-inchers up to bull reds pushing 30+ pounds, and they're catchable year-round with peak action during fall months. What makes reds so special is their willingness to eat just about anything - cut bait, live shrimp, artificial lures - and once hooked, they'll make multiple powerful runs that'll test your drag system. You'll find them cruising oyster bars, tailing in shallow grass, and ambushing baitfish along mangrove shorelines.
Speckled trout are another world-class target that keeps anglers coming back to these waters. These beautiful fish with their distinctive spotted pattern typically run 14-20 inches, with occasional "gator trout" over 24 inches that are truly special catches. Spring and fall offer the most consistent action, but skilled guides like Captain Chad know how to find them year-round. Trout are structure-oriented fish that love grass flats, drop-offs, and areas where current creates ambush points. They're also one of the best eating fish in these waters, making them a favorite for anglers who like to take a few home for dinner.
Snook represent the premium gamefish of Florida's inshore waters, and Cedar Key's backcountry holds some real trophies. These fish are ambush predators that love structure - docks, mangrove roots, oyster bars, and creek mouths where they can hide and strike. What makes snook fishing so addictive is their explosive strike and acrobatic fighting style. A good snook will jump, run, and generally do everything possible to throw your hook. They're most active during warmer months and around moving water, particularly during dawn and dusk periods when they're actively feeding on baitfish.
This half-day trip strikes the perfect balance between serious fishing and not overwhelming your schedule. Captain Chad's local knowledge combined with Cedar Key's renowned fishery makes this a solid choice whether you're visiting the area or you're a local angler looking for a guided experience. The fact that everything's included - gear, bait, tackle, licenses - means you can just show up ready to fish. With space limited to 6 anglers maximum and only 2 included in the base price, these trips book up especially during peak seasons. Don't wait until you're already in town - reach out to Chums Guide Service now and lock in your dates for what could be your best day on the water this year.
Hit the waters around Cedar Key aboard this sweet 24' Carolina Skiff that'll get you to the fish fast and comfortable. This 2017 beauty packs a solid 300HP Mercury engine that cuts through the shallows like butter, perfect for chasing redfish and trout in those skinny water spots where the big ones hide. The shallow draft design means you can sneak into backcountry areas other boats can't touch, while the stable platform gives you a rock-solid casting deck whether you're sight fishing or working the grass flats. Built tough and fisherman-friendly, this skiff handles Cedar Key's waters like a champ and gets you back to the dock with a cooler full of fish. Captain Chad knows every productive spot from the nearshore reefs to the hidden creeks, so you'll spend more time fighting fish than searching for them.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the bread and butter of our Cedar Key flats fishing. These copper-colored bruisers with the signature black spot near their tail typically range from 18-27 inches in our shallow waters. You'll find them cruising oyster bars, grass flats, and mangrove shorelines in water so shallow their backs sometimes show. They bite year-round but really fire up during spring and fall when they're actively feeding. What makes reds special is their hard pull and stubborn fight - they'll run straight for the nearest structure. Plus, they're excellent eating with mild, firm meat. The key to success here is sight fishing - look for their dark shapes or wakes in the shallows, then make a quiet cast ahead of their path. Keep that bait moving naturally.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout, or "specks" as we call them here, are a consistent performer on our Cedar Key flats. These spotted beauties average 14-18 inches with some reaching 24+ inches during cooler months. Look for them over grass flats and sandy bottoms in 3-8 feet of water, especially around drop-offs and current breaks. They bite year-round but really turn on during fall and winter when they school up in deeper holes. Trout have a soft bite, so you need to stay alert. What guests love is their willingness to hit artificial lures and their excellent eating quality - sweet, flaky white meat that's hard to beat. Pro tip from these waters: use a popping cork with a soft plastic shrimp or jerkbait underneath. The noise draws them in from a distance.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are one of the most sought-after inshore species around Cedar Key. These sleek, golden fish with their distinctive black lateral line typically run 18-24 inches, though we occasionally hook into 30+ inch females. They love hanging around mangroves, docks, and oyster bars in 2-6 feet of water. Best fishing happens during warmer months when water temps stay above 60°F - they're temperature sensitive and go dormant when it gets cold. What makes snook special is their aggressive strike and powerful runs toward cover. They're also great table fare with firm, white meat. Here's a local trick: cast your lure past the structure and work it back slowly along the edges. Snook ambush from cover, so you need to bring the bait right to them.
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