5.0(4 Reviews)4 Hour New Smyrna Beach Inshore Charter
5.0(4 reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fourhour morning charter targets Mosquito Lagoon watersAll fishing equipment and expert crew guidance includedSpecies include Flounder, Tarpon, Snook in clear waters
New Smyrna Beach sits right at the heart of some of Florida's best inshore fishing, and Code Red Fishing Charters knows these waters like the back of their hand. This 4-hour morning charter takes you into the legendary Mosquito Lagoon, where crystal-clear flats meet deeper channels packed with gamefish. Captain Matt and Captain Lee have been putting anglers on fish in these waters for years, and they've got the local knowledge to make your morning count. Whether you're hoping to sight-cast to cruising redfish or work the grass beds for snook, this trip delivers the authentic Florida inshore experience you've been dreaming about.
Your morning starts early when the fish are most active and the water is calm. Code Red's comfortable boat comes equipped with everything you need – quality rods, reels, tackle, and bait – so you can focus on fishing instead of gear. The Mosquito Lagoon system offers incredible variety, from shallow grass flats where you'll sight-fish for reds and snook to deeper pockets where flounder and sea trout hang out. The crew knows exactly where to find fish based on tides, weather, and seasonal patterns. With only two anglers max per trip, you'll get personalized instruction and plenty of opportunities to cast. The captains are patient teachers who'll help beginners get comfortable while challenging experienced anglers to up their game. Don't be surprised if you spot dolphins, manatees, or wading birds during your trip – this area is teeming with wildlife.
Inshore fishing here is all about reading the water and matching your technique to the conditions. Your captain will rig you up with live bait like shrimp or pinfish when the fish are finicky, or switch to artificial lures when they're aggressive. Expect to do some sight-fishing on the flats using spinning gear with 15-20 lb test line – perfect for the clear, shallow water. When targeting flounder or sea trout, you might drift deeper grass beds or structure with soft plastics or live bait on circle hooks. The boat is equipped with a shallow-water anchor and trolling motor for quiet approaches in skinny water. Your captain handles all the navigation and positioning, so you can concentrate on making accurate casts and fighting fish. The gear is tournament-quality stuff that can handle everything from scrappy mangrove snapper to powerful tarpon.
"We had a great time fishing with Captain Matt! Everything was good with this experience including communication, meeting up, and fishing. Matt has good knowledge of the water and created an entertaining experience for my girlfriend and I. Although we didn't get into the reds, drum, or snook like I was wanting we were able to easily catch our limit of mangrove snapper and a even a pompano! Plus my girlfriend loved seeing all the dolphins up close and catching tons of snapper! Altogether a great trip and beautiful day on the water! I highly recommend this trip and would fish with Matt again!" - Timothy
"Great experience! I wouldn't go on any other charter in the area. Captain Matt was great and made me feel at home. Matt did a great job we caught fish and learned a lot about his fishery. I recommend this boat/captain Lee A+++!" - Mark
"Great time today with Cpt Lee, caught plenty of fish, and he took extra time with my 11 year old grandson and his friend. Comfortable boat and quality gear, we had a terrific time and will charter with him again." - Robert
Southern Flounder are the chameleons of the flats, lying camouflaged on sandy bottoms waiting to ambush baitfish. These tasty flatfish typically run 14-20 inches in Mosquito Lagoon, with some doormat-sized specimens pushing 24 inches or more. Fall and winter are prime time as they stage for their offshore spawning runs. Flounder hit live shrimp, mud minnows, or soft plastic baits worked slowly along the bottom. The fight isn't spectacular, but the satisfaction of fooling these masters of disguise makes up for it – plus they're absolutely delicious on the dinner table.
Snook are the crown jewel of Florida inshore fishing, and Mosquito Lagoon holds some real bruisers. These ambush predators love structure like docks, mangrove roots, and oyster bars where they can surprise unsuspecting baitfish. Slot-sized fish run 28-33 inches, but you might hook into a true giant that'll test your drag and nerves. Summer months are fantastic for snook action, especially around dawn and dusk. They'll smash topwater plugs, soft plastics, or live bait with authority. The combination of their gill-rattling jumps and bulldogging runs makes every snook a trophy, regardless of size.
Tarpon bring big-game excitement to the flats, with juvenile "poons" ranging from 20-60 pounds providing world-class sport on light tackle. These silver rockets are famous for their aerial acrobatics – expect multiple jumps and long runs that'll have your arms burning. Spring through fall offers the best tarpon fishing, with early morning being prime time. They're catch-and-release only, but landing a tarpon is a bucket-list experience that'll have you grinning for days. Live bait works well, but nothing beats the visual excitement of watching a tarpon crush a topwater plug.
Sea Trout are the bread-and-butter species that keep your rod bent throughout the trip. These spotted beauties love grass flats and drop-offs where they feed on shrimp and small baitfish. Most fish run 12-18 inches with occasional "gator trout" over 20 inches that provide surprising power. They're active year-round but peak in spring and fall. Sea trout
The Sundance skiff is your perfect fishing companion for exploring New Smyrna Beach's productive inshore waters. This 20-foot vessel cuts through Mosquito Lagoon with ease, powered by a dependable 140 HP Suzuki that'll get you to the fish quickly and quietly. The wireless trolling motor lets you sneak up on wary snook and redfish without spooking them, while the fish finder shows exactly what's swimming below. GPS keeps you on the most productive spots our captain knows. With space for up to 2 anglers, you'll have plenty of room to cast and fight fish without getting tangled up. The built-in bait tank keeps your live shrimp and pinfish lively all morning. Whether you're sight fishing the flats or working deeper channels for flounder and tarpon, this 2023 skiff handles shallow water like a dream and runs smooth when covering distance between fishing spots.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are copper-colored bruisers with distinctive black spots near their tails - our bread and butter inshore species. They average 18-27 inches (slot limit), but we see plenty of oversized bulls pushing 35+ inches. They love super shallow water - sometimes their backs are showing - around oyster bars, grass flats, and mangrove shorelines. Year-round fishing is good, but fall and spring offer the most consistent action. What makes reds special is their powerful runs and that they're excellent eating within the slot. They're also surprisingly spooky in shallow water, making them a fun sight-fishing challenge. Local secret: look for them "tailing" in knee-deep water on falling tides around oyster bars. A gold spoon cast ahead of the fish and retrieved slowly rarely fails.
Salmo TruttaSea Trout, or "specs" as we call them, are beautiful fish with golden sides covered in black spots. They typically run 14-18 inches, with keepers at 15 inches minimum. You'll find them over grass flats in 2-6 feet of water, especially around potholes and drop-offs. They bite year-round but really turn on during cooler months from October through March. Guests love them because they're willing biters, decent fighters, and make outstanding table fare - sweet, flaky white meat that's hard to beat. They school up in winter, so when you find one, there's usually more. Pro tip: use a popping cork with live shrimp about 18 inches below. The popping sound attracts them from a distance, and that natural shrimp drift seals the deal.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are one of our most prized inshore targets, with that distinctive black lateral line and golden coloring. Most run 18-24 inches, but we see plenty in the 28-35 inch range that really put up a fight. They love structure - mangroves, docks, bridges, and oyster bars in 2-8 feet of water. Spring through fall are best, especially around new and full moons when they're most active. What guests love is their explosive strikes and acrobatic jumps when hooked. Plus, they're fantastic eating with firm, white meat. Here's a local trick: cast live pilchards or pinfish upcurrent from mangrove points and let them drift naturally into the strike zone. Keep your drag smooth - snook have sharp gill plates that'll cut you off if they get their head down.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern Flounder are masters of disguise - these flatfish bury themselves in sand and mud, waiting to ambush prey with lightning speed. You'll find them ranging from 15-18 inches typically, though they can reach over 30 inches. They love shallow waters around grass flats, oyster bars, and channel edges in Mosquito Lagoon. Fall and winter are prime times when they move through our area. What makes them special is their unique body - both eyes on one side and covered in distinctive spots. They're excellent table fare with sweet, white meat. My tip: fish slow with live shrimp or mud minnows right on the bottom, and watch for that subtle tap - they don't always slam the bait hard like other species.
Megalops AtlanticusTarpon are the silver kings of our waters - these prehistoric giants can reach 4-6 feet and 80-150 pounds in our area. They cruise shallow flats and deeper channels, often rolling on the surface to gulp air. Late spring through early fall brings the best action, especially on moving tides. What makes tarpon special isn't the eating (we release them all), but the pure adrenaline rush of watching a 100-pound fish launch 6 feet out of the water. Their stamina is legendary - fights can last 30-45 minutes. These fish have been around for 125 million years and can live over 50 years. My advice: when they jump, bow to the king - drop your rod tip to give slack, or they'll throw the hook on you every time.
5.0 out of 5.0We had a great time fishing with Captain Matt! Everything was good with this experience including communication, meeting up, and f...
Great experience! I wouldn't go on any other charter in the area. Captain Matt was great and made me feel at home. Matt did a grea...
Glad you enjoyed! Thanks a lot Mark! I appreciate your support.
Great time today with Cpt Lee, caught plenty of fish, and he took extra time with my 11 year old grandson and his friend. Comforta...
Thank you for fishing with me it was my pleasure having you and the noys on the boat today. I look f...
New Smyrna Beach, FL