New Smyrna Beach Fishing Charters | 5 Hour Trip
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Expert Captain Matt guides inshore Mosquito Lagoon fishing tripsTarget Flounder, Snook, and Tarpon with topquality gear providedFivehour charter accommodates up to three guests total
When it comes to world-class inshore fishing on Florida's east coast, few spots deliver like the pristine waters around New Smyrna Beach. Captain Matt runs one of the top-rated fishing charters in the area, specializing in the legendary Mosquito Lagoon system that's produced trophy fish for decades. This isn't your typical tourist fishing trip – we're talking about serious angling in some of the most productive shallow water flats you'll find anywhere. Whether you're casting for your first snook or chasing a personal best redfish, Captain Matt's 5-hour charter gives you the time and expertise needed to make it happen. The boat accommodates up to 2 anglers comfortably with room for a third, making it perfect for couples, father-son trips, or that fishing buddy who finally wants to experience what real Florida inshore fishing is all about.
Your day starts early when Captain Matt picks you up at the designated launch point, where you'll immediately notice the difference between this charter and the crowded party boats heading offshore. We're staying in the skinny water where the big fish hunt, using a shallow-draft boat that can navigate areas other guides can't reach. The Mosquito Lagoon system is a maze of grass flats, oyster bars, and mangrove shorelines that hold fish year-round, but it takes local knowledge to consistently put clients on quality catches. Captain Matt has been working these waters for years, reading the tides, wind patterns, and seasonal movements that separate the weekend warriors from the professional guides. You'll spend your time sight fishing the flats, working structure around downed trees, and targeting the edges where baitfish concentrate. The pace is methodical but exciting – this is precision fishing where every cast counts and the next fish could be the one you'll talk about for years.
All your fishing gear is included, and Captain Matt stocks his boat with quality rods, reels, and terminal tackle specifically chosen for Mosquito Lagoon conditions. We're primarily sight fishing with live bait and artificial lures, depending on what the fish are showing us on any given day. Live shrimp is always a reliable producer, but don't be surprised if Captain Matt hands you a topwater plug or soft plastic when the conditions are right – watching a snook blow up on a surface lure in two feet of water is something every angler needs to experience. The tackle is matched to the species we're targeting, with medium-light spinning gear that gives you the sensitivity to feel those subtle bites while still having enough backbone to turn a big redfish away from structure. Captain Matt reads the water constantly, adjusting techniques based on tide stage, water clarity, and fish behavior. Some days we're poling the flats looking for tailing reds, other times we're anchored up on structure waiting for the tide to bring the fish to us.
Southern Flounder are the sneaky predators of the lagoon system, lying buried in sandy patches waiting to ambush unsuspecting baitfish. These flatfish can reach impressive sizes in Mosquito Lagoon, with doormat flounder over 20 inches being a real possibility. Fall and winter months are prime time for targeting flounder as they stage near inlet areas before heading offshore to spawn. What makes them exciting to catch is their aggressive strike – when a big flounder commits to your bait, there's no mistaking it. They fight hard initially before that classic head-shaking battle as you bring them to the boat.
Snook are the crown jewel of Florida inshore fishing, and Mosquito Lagoon holds some true giants. These ambush predators love structure – downed trees, dock pilings, and mangrove overhangs where they can surprise passing baitfish. Snook are notorious for their gill-rattling jumps and powerful runs toward structure, making every hookup a chess match between angler and fish. The slot limit protects the breeding stock, but plenty of keeper-sized snook between 28-33 inches call these waters home. Summer months see the most consistent action, though skilled anglers can find snook willing to bite year-round if you know where to look.
Tarpon fishing in Mosquito Lagoon is legendary among serious anglers, with juvenile silver kings ranging from 20-80 pounds patrolling the flats. These fish are pure adrenaline – aerial acrobatics, long runs, and enough fight to test your tackle and technique. Spring through early fall brings the best tarpon action, particularly during morning and evening periods when they're actively feeding. Landing a tarpon isn't just about the fight; it's about the entire experience of watching these prehistoric fish hunt in shallow water.
Sea Trout, or speckled trout as locals call them, are abundant throughout the lagoon system and provide consistent action for anglers of all skill levels. These fish love grass flats and drop-offs, particularly during moving tides. What makes specs special is their willingness to hit both live bait and artificials, making them perfect for beginners while still challenging experienced anglers to refine their techniques. The bite can be subtle, requiring attention to detail, but once you dial in the pattern, multiple fish catches are common.
Redfish are the backbone of Mosquito Lagoon fishing, with healthy populations of bronze-backed bulls roaming the flats. These copper-colored fighters are built for power, using their broad tails and low center of gravity to make blistering runs across shallow flats. Reds feed aggressively on crabs, shrimp, and small fish, making them relatively cooperative targets for both live bait and lure presentations. The sight fishing opportunities for redfish here are world-class, with fish often visible in water so shallow their backs are out of the water while feeding.
Captain Matt's 5-hour New Smyrna Beach fishing charter represents the best value in
Meet the Sundance, your gateway to productive fishing on New Smyrna Beach's prime inshore waters. This 20-foot skiff cuts through the shallows with a powerful 140 HP Suzuki engine, getting you to the hotspots where snook, tarpon, and flounder are biting. The wireless trolling motor keeps things quiet when you're working structure, while the fish finder helps locate schools and bottom changes that hold fish. GPS navigation ensures you never miss a productive spot twice. Built for serious anglers, this 2023 model handles rough chop and skinny water equally well. The onboard bait tank keeps your live shrimp and pinfish frisky, giving you the edge when targeting finicky fish. Whether you're sight-casting to cruising reds or working docks for snook, the Sundance delivers the performance and features that turn good fishing days into great ones on Florida's Space Coast waters.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the bread and butter of our shallow water fishing, and they put up one heck of a scrap. Most range from 18-27 inches - perfect slot size - though we get some big bulls pushing 40+ inches. They love cruising the skinny flats in 1-4 feet of water, often with their backs out of the water around oyster bars and grass beds. Year-round fishing here, but fall is phenomenal when they school up. What guests love is watching them tail in shallow water and that bulldogging fight once hooked. They're also top-notch eating with sweet, firm meat. The spotted tail isn't just for looks - it confuses predators about which end is which. Pro tip: when you see them tailing, cast well ahead of where they're moving and let your bait sit still. Moving baits often spook them in super shallow water.
Salmo TruttaSea trout, or "specs" as we call them, are probably the most reliable fish in Mosquito Lagoon. These spotted beauties typically run 12-20 inches with some reaching 5+ pounds. They love grass flats in 2-8 feet of water, especially around potholes and drop-offs. Spring and fall are money time, but they bite year-round here. Dawn and dusk are magic hours. What makes them great for families is their willingness to bite and their excellent table fare - mild, flaky white meat that even kids love. They're not the strongest fighters, but they make up for it in numbers and taste. Local secret: work a soft plastic shrimp or DOA under a popping cork over the grass beds. That popping sound drives them crazy, and you can cover water fast to find the schools.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are the ultimate inshore trophy with that distinctive black lateral line and that mean-looking lower jaw. Around here, most run 18-28 inches, but the lagoon holds some true giants over 30 inches. They're structure lovers - hanging around docks, mangrove edges, and oyster bars in 2-6 feet of water. Spring through fall is peak season, especially around the new and full moons when they get aggressive. What makes them special is that explosive strike and the way they'll jump and run for cover. Plus, they're hands down the best eating fish in these waters - firm, sweet meat that's hard to beat. One tip that works magic out here: cast your live shrimp or pinfish just upcurrent of a dock piling and let it drift naturally past. That's when the big ones usually hit.
Paralichthys LethostigmaThese flat, oval-shaped fish are masters of disguise, burying themselves in sandy or muddy bottoms with just their eyes showing. Both eyes sit on the left side of their head - pretty wild looking when you first see one! Most run 15-18 inches, but we catch some pushing 30+ inches in the lagoon. They're ambush predators that love shallow water around grass beds and oyster bars. Fall and winter are prime time when they're fattening up before heading offshore to spawn. Guests love the sneaky fight they put up, and they're outstanding table fare - sweet, flaky white meat. Here's a local trick: when you feel that subtle tap-tap on your shrimp or mullet, count to three before setting the hook. Flounder like to grab bait sideways first, then turn it to swallow.
Megalops AtlanticusTarpon are the silver kings of Mosquito Lagoon - pure adrenaline on a fishing line. Most of ours run 20-80 pounds, but we see some monsters over 100 pounds, especially in late spring and summer. They cruise the deeper channels and along the grass flats in 4-15 feet of water. May through September is prime time when they're actively feeding and rolling on the surface. What hooks people is that first jump - 6 feet of silver muscle exploding out of the water, shaking its head trying to throw the hook. They're purely catch and release since the meat's not great, but landing one is a lifetime memory. The key here is keeping steady pressure without overdoing it. When they jump, bow to the fish - drop your rod tip toward them. It prevents that leverage they need to throw the hook on those wild aerial shows.
New Smyrna Beach, FL