New Smyrna Beach Beginner Fishing Charter
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fivehour beginnerfriendly charter with Captain Matt guidanceAll gear, bait, and licenses included for hasslefree fishingTarget Redfish, Snook, Flounder, and Tarpon in Mosquito Lagoon
Looking to get your feet wet in the fishing world? Capt. Matt's 5-hour beginner charter out of New Smyrna Beach is exactly what you need. This top-rated fishing experience takes you into the legendary waters of Mosquito Lagoon, where shallow flats and grass beds create perfect hunting grounds for some of Florida's most sought-after inshore species. With all gear, bait, and licenses included, you'll spend your time learning proper casting techniques, understanding fish behavior, and hopefully landing your first redfish or snook. This isn't just a fishing trip – it's your introduction to what could become a lifelong passion.
Your day starts at the dock where Capt. Matt will walk you through the basics – how to hold a rod, proper casting form, and reading the water. The boat heads out into Mosquito Lagoon's maze of channels and flats, where crystal-clear water lets you actually see the fish you're targeting. This shallow-water fishing style is perfect for beginners because you're not blindly casting into deep water hoping something bites. Instead, you'll learn to spot tailing redfish, cruising snook, and camouflaged flounder lying on the bottom. The 5-hour timeframe gives you plenty of opportunities to practice without feeling rushed, and with only 2 guests max, you get personalized attention that bigger charter boats simply can't provide. Capt. Matt knows these waters like the back of his hand and will position you for success while teaching you why fish behave the way they do in different conditions.
You'll be using light spinning tackle perfectly suited for inshore fishing – think 7-foot medium-light rods paired with 2500-series reels spooled with 15-pound braided line. This setup gives you the sensitivity to feel subtle bites while having enough backbone to fight bigger fish. Capt. Matt will rig you up with live shrimp, finger mullet, or artificial lures depending on conditions and target species. The fishing style varies from sight-fishing shallow flats to working deeper grass beds and oyster bars. You'll learn how to work a soft plastic jig head along the bottom for flounder, how to present live bait to cruising snook, and the excitement of watching a redfish crush a topwater plug in 2 feet of water. The lagoon's structure includes everything from sandy potholes to rocky shorelines, giving you exposure to different fishing environments in a single trip. Don't worry about bringing anything – tackle, bait, ice, and even bottled water are all provided so you can focus purely on learning and having fun.
Redfish are the bread and butter of Mosquito Lagoon fishing and perfect for beginners. These copper-colored bruisers average 18-27 inches and provide steady, bulldogging fights that won't snap your line but still give you that adrenaline rush. They're most active during moving tides and love to cruise shallow flats looking for crabs and shrimp. What makes reds special is their predictable behavior – once you learn to read their patterns, you'll spot them everywhere. Fall and winter months are prime time when they school up in impressive numbers.
Snook are the lagoon's premier gamefish and every angler's favorite target. These silver-sided fighters with the distinctive black lateral line are ambush predators that hang around structure like docks, bridges, and mangrove shorelines. They're incredibly line-shy and require precise presentations, making them challenging but rewarding for new anglers. Summer months bring the best snook action when they move into shallow water to feed. A hooked snook will jump, run, and test every knot in your tackle box – absolutely addictive once you've experienced it.
Southern Flounder might look like bottom-dwelling pancakes, but they're crafty predators perfectly camouflaged against sandy bottoms. These flatfish can grow surprisingly large in the lagoon system, with keeper-sized fish running 15-20 inches. They're excellent for beginners because they bite aggressively and don't require finesse presentations. Cooler months from October through March offer the best flounder fishing when they stack up in deeper channels preparing for their offshore spawning run.
Sea Trout are year-round residents that provide consistent action when other species get finicky. These spotted beauties love grass flats and will readily take both live bait and artificials. They're perfect confidence-builders for new anglers because they bite aggressively and fight just hard enough to be exciting without being overwhelming. Spring and fall produce the largest trout as they feed heavily during temperature transitions.
Tarpon represent the ultimate inshore challenge, even though you'll likely encounter juvenile "poon" in the 10-40 pound range. These silver kings are pure energy – jumping repeatedly and peeling drag like no other fish. While they're not easy for beginners, the experience of fighting even a small tarpon creates fishing memories that last forever. Summer months bring tarpon into the lagoon system where they're most accessible to light tackle anglers.
This beginner-friendly charter fills up quickly, especially during peak fishing seasons when conditions are most favorable for new anglers. Capt. Matt's patient teaching style and intimate knowledge of Mosquito Lagoon create the perfect environment for your first real fishing experience. You'll leave with new skills, confidence on the water, and likely plans for your next fishing adventure. The 5-hour duration strikes the perfect balance – long enough to really learn but not so long that beginners get overwhelmed. With all gear included and a maximum of just 2 guests, you're getting personalized instruction that would cost significantly more elsewhere. Book now and discover why so many people consider New Smyrna Beach their gateway to the addictive world of inshore fishing.
The Sundance skiff is your ticket to exploring New Smyrna Beach's prime fishing waters. This 20-foot motorboat cuts through the shallows of Mosquito Lagoon with ease, powered by a dependable 140 HP Suzuki that'll get you to the best fishing spots quickly. Built for up to 4 anglers, this 2023 model comes equipped with everything serious fishermen need - a wireless trolling motor for stealthy approaches when stalking redfish and snook, plus GPS and fish finder to locate structure where flounder hide and tarpon cruise. The onboard bait tank keeps your live bait fresh all day, while the shallow draft design lets Captain Matt navigate those skinny water honey holes where the big fish feed. Whether you're casting to oyster bars or working grass flats, this well-equipped skiff handles the diverse inshore terrain around New Smyrna Beach perfectly.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are copper-colored bruisers with distinctive black spots near their tails - our bread and butter species here in the lagoon. They typically run 20-30 inches and love super shallow water, sometimes with their backs showing. You'll find them tailing on oyster bars, grass flats, and around mangrove shorelines in 1-4 feet of water. They bite year-round, but fall is prime time when they school up. What makes reds special is they eat almost anything and fight like bulldogs - plus they're delicious with a mild, sweet flavor. They're not spooky like some species, making them perfect for beginners. My best tip: look for nervous water and tail splashes on the flats. When you spot one tailing, cast your bait 3-4 feet ahead and let it settle naturally - they'll find it.
Salmo TruttaSea trout, or speckled trout, are beautiful fish covered in dark spots with that classic trout shape. They typically run 14-20 inches and love grass flats in 2-6 feet of water. Spring and fall are peak seasons, especially on moving tides during low light periods. They're a blast to catch because they hit hard and make great table fare - sweet, flaky white meat that's perfect for the dinner table. You'll find them feeding on shrimp, small fish, and crabs around grass beds and sand holes. They can be finicky, so varying your retrieve is key. A local secret: use a popping cork with live shrimp about 18 inches below it. The cork creates noise and commotion that draws them in from a distance, and the suspended shrimp looks natural in the water column.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are one of our most prized inshore species, averaging 18-28 inches with that distinctive black lateral line down their silver sides. They're ambush predators that love structure - mangroves, docks, bridges, and oyster bars in 2-8 feet of water. Spring through fall are your best bets, especially around dawn and dusk when they're actively feeding. What gets people hooked on snook is their aggressive strikes and strong runs - they'll jump and fight hard. They're also fantastic eating with firm, white meat. They're very temperature sensitive though, so cold fronts shut them down fast. My go-to advice: cast live shrimp or small pinfish right up against cover and let it drift naturally. Don't be afraid to get your lure within inches of structure - that's where they live.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern flounder are masters of disguise - these flat fish bury themselves in sand and mud with only their eyes showing, waiting to ambush prey. You'll find them around 15-18 inches on average, though some reach over 30 inches. They love shallow flats, grass beds, and creek mouths in 1-6 feet of water. Fall and winter are prime times when they're moving toward deeper channels. What makes them fun is that explosive strike when they nail your bait - plus they're excellent table fare with sweet, white meat. The key is fishing slow along the bottom with live shrimp or small jigs. Here's a local trick: when you feel that first tap, don't set the hook right away. Let them mouth it for a few seconds since they attack from below and need time to turn the bait around.
Megalops AtlanticusTarpon are the silver kings of our waters - these prehistoric fish can reach 4-6 feet and jump completely out of the water when hooked. We see them in shallow flats, channels, and around bridges, especially during their migration from spring through summer. They're not great eating due to their bony meat, but the fight is absolutely legendary. Watching a 100-pound tarpon cartwheel through the air is something you'll never forget. They feed on baitfish, crabs, and shrimp, often rolling on the surface. The trick with tarpon is patience - they're smart and can be picky. When you see them rolling, cast ahead of their direction and let your bait sink naturally. Once hooked, keep steady pressure but don't horse them - let them tire themselves out with those jumps and runs.
New Smyrna Beach, FL