New Smyrna Beach Fishing Charter with Capt. Matt
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Expert Captain Matt guides inshore Mosquito Lagoon fishing adventuresTarget Flounder, Snook, and Tarpon with top-quality gear providedFive-hour charter accommodates up to three guests maximum
Looking for a top-rated fishing charter that'll put you on the fish? Capt. Matt's 5-hour inshore adventure on Mosquito Lagoon is where serious anglers and first-timers alike come to experience some of Florida's best fishing. This isn't your typical tourist trip – we're talking about productive waters, quality gear, and a captain who knows every grass flat, oyster bar, and drop-off where the fish hang out. Whether you're after that picture-perfect snook or hoping to feel the power of a tarpon on the end of your line, this charter delivers the goods. With space for up to three anglers but priced for two, you've got room to bring a buddy or enjoy a more intimate fishing experience with personalized attention from one of the area's most experienced guides.
Mosquito Lagoon isn't just another fishing spot – it's a world-class inshore fishery that consistently produces trophy catches year-round. When you step aboard with Capt. Matt, you're getting decades of local knowledge and access to prime fishing grounds that many weekend warriors never find. The lagoon's shallow flats and deeper channels create the perfect habitat for multiple species, and Matt knows exactly when and where to find them based on tides, weather, and seasonal patterns. You'll be fishing from a well-equipped boat with all the gear provided, so whether you prefer live bait fishing or want to try your hand at artificial lures, everything's ready to go. The five-hour window gives you plenty of time to work different spots, adjust tactics based on what's biting, and really get into the rhythm of successful inshore fishing. Don't worry if you're new to this – Matt's patient instruction has turned countless beginners into confident anglers, and experienced fishermen always learn a few new tricks from his approach.
Success on Mosquito Lagoon comes down to reading the water and matching your approach to what the fish want on any given day. Capt. Matt runs a variety of techniques depending on conditions and target species – from sight fishing the shallow grass flats with topwater plugs to working live shrimp along oyster bars where redfish cruise. When the tarpon are rolling, you'll be throwing large swimbaits or live bait to these silver kings in deeper channels. The lagoon's structure is perfect for multiple approaches: crystal-clear shallows where you can actually see your targets, deeper potholes that hold concentrations of trout, and mangrove shorelines where snook ambush prey. Matt provides quality rods, reels, and tackle suited for each technique, plus he'll teach you how to properly work each bait or lure for maximum effectiveness. The boat's equipped with a shallow-water anchor system that lets you position perfectly for each spot without spooking fish, and the trolling motor keeps things quiet when stealth is key. Live bait is available when that's the ticket, but don't be surprised if artificials outproduce natural baits – Matt's selection of proven lures has been fine-tuned through years of successful trips.
Southern Flounder are the chameleons of the lagoon, lying perfectly camouflaged on sandy bottoms waiting to ambush passing baitfish. These flatfish typically range from 14 to 20 inches, with the occasional doormat pushing 24 inches or more. Fall and winter months are prime time for flounder fishing when they're fattening up before their offshore spawn. What makes them exciting to catch is their aggressive strike – one second you're bouncing a jig along the bottom, the next your rod tip is bent over from a fish that hits like a freight train. They're also excellent table fare, making them a customer favorite for anglers who like to take dinner home.
Snook are the lagoon's premier ambush predators, lurking around structure with that distinctive black lateral line and massive mouth ready to inhale anything that looks like an easy meal. These fish range from schoolie-sized 18-inchers to true trophies over 30 inches, and they're active year-round in these protected waters. Summer months offer the most consistent action, but winter can produce some of the biggest fish when they're holding in deeper water. What gets anglers hooked on snook fishing is their explosive strike and acrobatic fights – they'll jump, dive for structure, and use their gill plates to try shaking the hook. Plus, that distinctive golden color and prehistoric look makes every snook feel like a trophy worth photographing.
Tarpon fishing in Mosquito Lagoon offers a shot at the silver king without the expense and uncertainty of offshore fishing. These fish typically range from 20 to 80 pounds, with the occasional giant pushing triple digits. Late spring through early fall provides the most consistent tarpon action when they're feeding actively in the lagoon's channels and flats. There's nothing quite like watching a tarpon explode out of the water with your line attached – the combination of size, power, and aerial displays makes them the ultimate inshore gamefish. Even smaller tarpon will test your tackle and technique, while the big girls will give you a workout you'll remember for years.
Sea Trout are often overlooked, but these spotted beauties are both fun to catch and great eating when they're in the slot. The lagoon produces trout from 12 inches up to 20-plus-inch gator trout that'll surprise you with their fight. Winter months typically offer the best big trout fishing when they school up in deeper holes, while summer provides more consistent numbers across the flats. What makes trout fishing addictive is their willingness to hit artificials – a well-placed soft plastic or topwater plug can trigger explosive strikes that'll have you coming back for more.
Redfish are the lagoon's most reliable performers, offering consistent action and powerful runs that showcase why they're called "red drums." These copper-colored bruisers typically range from 18 to
Hit the productive waters around New Smyrna Beach aboard the Sundance, a nimble 20-foot skiff that's your ticket to some of Florida's best inshore fishing. This 2023 motorboat runs on a solid 140 HP Suzuki that'll get you to the fish fast, cruising at speeds up to 40 knots across Mosquito Lagoon and beyond. Perfect for small groups of up to 4 anglers, the Sundance comes rigged with everything you need for a successful day on the water. The wireless trolling motor lets you sneak up on spooky fish without spooking them, while the GPS keeps you on productive spots and the fish finder shows you exactly what's swimming below. Captain Matt knows these waters like the back of his hand and provides all the quality tackle you'll need to target flounder, snook, tarpon, and whatever else is biting. The onboard bait tank keeps your live bait fresh and lively all day long. Whether you're an experienced angler or just getting started, this shallow-draft skiff can access those skinny water honey holes where the big fish hide.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the bread and butter of our Mosquito Lagoon fishing - bronze-backed bruisers with that signature black eyespot near the tail. Most fish here run 18-27 inches, perfect slot size with a few oversized bulls mixed in. They cruise super shallow water, sometimes with backs exposed, hunting around oyster bars and grass edges. Year-round fishing is solid, but fall brings the best action when they school up. What guests love is watching them "tail" in skinny water and the bulldogging fight they put up. They're also excellent eating with mild, sweet meat. My local secret: look for nervous baitfish and subtle wakes in ankle-deep water - that's where the reds are hunting. Approach quietly and make accurate casts ahead of their path.
Salmo TruttaSpotted Sea Trout, or "specks" as we call them, are some of the most reliable fish in our lagoon system. These beauties typically run 14-20 inches with distinctive black spots scattered across their silver sides. You'll find them over grass flats and around deeper potholes in 3-8 feet of water. They bite year-round, but spring and fall offer the most consistent action when water temps are ideal. What makes them popular is their willingness to hit artificials and their sweet, flaky meat that's perfect for the dinner table. During colder months, they school up in deeper channels making for fast action. Best tip I can share: work soft plastics slowly over the grass beds during low light periods - dawn and dusk are magic hours for big specks.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are the gold standard of inshore fishing here - sleek, aggressive predators with that distinctive black lateral line. They average 24-30 inches in our waters, with plenty of slot fish around mangroves, docks, and oyster bars. These ambush feeders love structure in 2-6 feet of water. Warmer months are best, especially around new and full moons when they're most active. What gets anglers hooked is their explosive strikes and acrobatic fights - they'll jump and run like crazy. Plus, nothing beats fresh snook on the grill. They're catch-and-release only during closed seasons, so check regulations. Pro tip: cast your bait just upcurrent of structure and let it drift naturally into the strike zone. Snook are smart, so stealth pays off.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern Flounder are masters of disguise - these flat fish blend perfectly into sandy and muddy bottoms where they ambush prey. You'll find them throughout Mosquito Lagoon in 2-8 feet of water, especially around structure and drop-offs. Most run 15-18 inches, but we see plenty in the 3-5 pound range. Fall and winter are prime time when they're feeding heavy before their offshore spawn. What makes them fun is the surprise factor - one second you're drifting over empty bottom, next you've got a doormat pulling drag. They're excellent table fare with sweet, white meat. My go-to trick? Drift live shrimp or mud minnows slow along the bottom and watch for that telltale thump-thump bite.
Megalops AtlanticusTarpon are the silver kings of our waters - prehistoric giants that'll test every ounce of your fishing skill. These living torpedoes average 80-100 pounds around here, but we hook 150+ pounders regularly. Look for them rolling in 6-15 feet of water near channels and flats edges, especially during warmer months. May through September is peak season when they're actively feeding and moving through our area. What makes them special? Pure athleticism - when hooked, they'll launch 6 feet out of the water in spectacular jumps that'll get your heart racing. We practice catch-and-release since they're not great eating. My secret: use circle hooks and keep steady pressure during jumps - don't bow to them like everyone says, just keep that rod tip up.
New Smyrna Beach, FL