5.0(4 Reviews)New Smyrna Beach Inshore Fishing Charter
5.0(4 reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Four-hour morning charter targets Flounder, Tarpon, and SnookAll fishing equipment and expert crew guidance includedSmall group experience accommodates maximum two guests
Ready to get your lines wet in some of Florida's most productive inshore waters? Code Red Fishing Charters is serving up a top-rated 4-hour morning fishing adventure that'll have you casting into the legendary Mosquito Lagoon system around New Smyrna Beach. This isn't your typical tourist trap – we're talking about getting you on fish in waters that consistently produce some of the East Coast's best inshore action. Whether you're a seasoned angler or picking up a rod for the first time, our experienced captains know exactly where the fish are holding and how to put you on them.
Your morning starts early – and trust me, it's worth dragging yourself out of bed for. We'll be running a comfortable 2-angler max trip, which means you're getting personalized attention and prime fishing real estate without crowding. The Mosquito Lagoon is famous for its gin-clear water and diverse ecosystem, and there's good reason guides from all over Florida make the trip here. You'll be fishing shallow flats, deeper channels, and structure that holds everything from aggressive snook to trophy-sized tarpon. All your tackle is provided, so just bring yourself, some snacks, and maybe a cooler if you want to keep your catch. The boat's equipped with quality gear that can handle anything from finicky sea trout to bruiser redfish. Captain Matt and the crew have been working these waters for years, reading tides and weather patterns to put you where the action is hottest.
We're running light to medium tackle setups that give you the perfect balance between fighting power and sensitivity. Depending on conditions and target species, you'll be throwing live bait on circle hooks, working soft plastics around structure, or sight fishing with topwater plugs when the bite gets hot. The shallow nature of Mosquito Lagoon means we're often fishing in 2-6 feet of water where you can actually watch fish approach your bait – it doesn't get much more exciting than that. Our captains are masters at reading water and will position the boat to take advantage of current breaks, grass lines, and drop-offs where predator fish set up to ambush baitfish. You'll learn proper casting techniques for inshore fishing, how to work different lure presentations, and most importantly, how to fight fish in shallow water without breaking them off on structure. The morning bite is typically the most productive, as baitfish are active and gamefish are feeding aggressively before the sun gets too high.
"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 one of the most rewarding catches you'll encounter in these waters. These flatfish are masters of camouflage, burying themselves in sandy bottoms near structure and grass edges. Fall and winter months are prime time for doormat flounder, with fish pushing 5-8 pounds not uncommon. They're ambush predators that slam baits hard, and once hooked, they put up a surprising fight with powerful head shakes and runs. What makes catching flounder so satisfying is the challenge – you need to present your bait right in their face and be ready for a subtle bite that can easily be missed.
Snook are the crown jewel of Florida inshore fishing, and the Mosquito Lagoon system holds some genuine giants. These fish are structure-oriented and love to hang around docks, mangrove shorelines, and oyster bars. They're incredibly line-shy and spooky, which makes landing one a real accomplishment. Snook have a razor-sharp gill plate that'll cut your line in a heartbeat if you're not careful, and they're famous for their explosive jumps and powerful runs toward structure. Best fishing is during warmer months when they're most active, though they can be caught year-round by anglers who know what they're doing.
Tarpon fishing in these waters is pure adrenaline. While you might not hook into a 100-pound silver king, the juvenile tarpon in the lagoon system will test your skills and your tackle. These fish are acrobatic fighters that launch themselves completely out of the water multiple times during a fight. They're found around deeper holes and channels, especially during summer months when baitfish are thick. Landing a tarpon requires patience, proper technique, and a bit of luck – they have hard, bony mouths that make getting a solid hook set challenging.
Sea Trout are often the bread and butter of any successful inshore trip. These spotted beauties are found over grass flats and around structure, feeding actively on shrimp and small baitfish. They're willing biters that respond well to both live bait and artificials, making them perfect for anglers of all skill levels. Trout have a delicate mouth, so you need to keep steady pressure without horsing them in
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 gets you to the fish quickly and quietly. The wireless trolling motor lets you position silently over schools of redfish and snook without spooking them, while the fish finder pinpoints where they're holding. GPS keeps you on productive spots and guides you safely through shallow flats. The onboard bait tank keeps your live shrimp and pilchards frisky all morning. With room for 2 anglers plus your captain, there's plenty of casting space and no crowded decks. Whether you're sight-fishing the grass flats or working structure for flounder and tarpon, this 2023 skiff handles it all. Ready to put some bend in your rod?
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the backbone of our inshore fishing here in New Smyrna. These copper-colored bruisers typically run 18-27 inches in the slot, with that signature black spot near their tail. They cruise super shallow water - sometimes with their backs out - hunting oyster bars, grass flats, and mangrove shorelines. Year-round fishing is good, but fall and spring are outstanding when they school up. Guests love their powerful runs and bulldogging fights, plus they're excellent eating with sweet, firm meat. The key to redfish is sight fishing - look for wakes, tails, or that telltale copper flash in skinny water. My go-to advice: approach quietly and cast past them, then work your bait back into their path. They're curious fish but easily spooked in shallow water.
Salmo TruttaSpotted sea trout, or "specks" as we call them, are bread-and-butter fish in these waters. Most run 14-20 inches with beautiful spotted sides and that soft mouth that gives them away. They love grass flats, especially in 2-6 feet of water where they hunt shrimp and small baitfish. Spring and fall offer the best action, though we catch them year-round. What guests appreciate is their willingness to bite and excellent eating quality - sweet, flaky meat that's hard to beat. The challenge is their paper-thin mouths, so you can't horse them. Keep steady pressure and use a net. Best tip I can give: work topwater plugs early morning over the grass beds. When you hear that distinctive "pop" of a trout hitting the surface, you'll know why they're so addictive.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are one of Florida's most prized inshore gamefish, and Mosquito Lagoon holds some beauties. These sleek predators average 18-24 inches with that distinctive black lateral line running down their golden sides. They love structure - mangroves, docks, oyster bars, and grass edges where they ambush prey. Spring through fall are peak seasons, especially around dawn and dusk when they're most active. What guests love most is their explosive strike and acrobatic fight, plus they're fantastic table fare when in season. The trick with snook is being quiet - they spook easily in shallow water. I always tell folks to make long casts and work lures slowly along the edges. Live shrimp under a popping cork near structure is hard to beat.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern Flounder are unique flatfish that lie camouflaged on sandy and muddy bottoms throughout Mosquito Lagoon. These ambush predators typically run 15-18 inches, though we catch some pushing 2-3 feet. What makes them special is both eyes sit on one side of their head - usually the left. They're masters of disguise, changing color to match the bottom while waiting for shrimp, crabs, and baitfish to swim by. Fall and winter months are prime time when they move through our shallows. Guests love the challenge of spotting their subtle strikes and the sweet, mild meat they provide. My tip: drift slowly over grass flats and watch for that telltale puff of sand when they spook - that's where you'll find them.
Megalops AtlanticusTarpon are the silver kings of our waters, and seeing one roll in Mosquito Lagoon gets everyone's heart pumping. These prehistoric giants typically range 80-150 pounds here, though we've seen much bigger. They cruise shallow flats and deeper channels, often showing themselves with those signature rolls. Late spring through early fall is prime time when they migrate through our area. What makes them special isn't the eating - they're strictly catch and release - but that raw power and those aerial shows when hooked. A big tarpon will test every bit of your tackle and stamina. My advice: when you see one roll, cast well ahead of where it's heading. They move faster than you think, and you want your bait in the strike zone, not behind them.
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