New Smyrna Beach Inshore Fishing Charter
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Threehour afternoon inshore fishing charter in Mosquito LagoonTarget redfish, snook, and trout with included gear and licenseSmall group experience with maximum two guest capacity
Looking for a solid half-day fishing trip that won't eat up your whole vacation? Code Red Fishing Charters has you covered with our three-hour afternoon charter in the legendary Mosquito Lagoon. This isn't your crowded party boat experience – we keep it intimate with just two anglers max, so you'll get plenty of personal attention and prime fishing time. The lagoon system around New Smyrna Beach is hands-down some of the most productive shallow water fishing on Florida's east coast, and we know exactly where the fish are holding.
Your afternoon starts when you meet us at the dock, where we'll get you set up with everything you need. No worries about bringing tackle or dealing with licensing headaches – we've got premium gear ready to go and your fishing license is covered. The Mosquito Lagoon is a maze of grass flats, oyster bars, and mangrove shorelines that create perfect ambush spots for our target species. We'll be running a shallow-draft boat that can get into those skinny water spots where the big fish like to hang out. The afternoon bite can be absolutely killer here, especially when the tide is moving and baitfish start getting pushed around the flats. You'll be sight fishing in crystal clear water where you can actually watch redfish tailing and snook lurking in the shadows. It's the kind of fishing that gets your heart pumping when you see that wake coming toward your bait.
We run light tackle setups perfect for the shallow water game – typically 15-20 pound spinning gear that gives you the sensitivity to feel those subtle bites but enough backbone to turn a big red away from the mangroves. Live bait is our go-to when we can get it, but don't underestimate the power of well-placed artificials in these waters. Soft plastics rigged weedless work magic around the grass beds, and topwater plugs during the right conditions will bring explosive strikes that you'll be talking about for years. The key in the lagoon is staying quiet and making accurate casts – these fish see a lot of pressure, so presentation matters. We'll work everything from three-foot depths on the flats to deeper holes and cuts where the big trout like to suspend. Depending on conditions and what the fish are telling us, we might be poling the shallows, drift fishing the edges, or anchored up on a productive spot.
Redfish are the bread and butter of Mosquito Lagoon, and these copper-colored bulldogs are here year-round in good numbers. You'll find them ranging from schooling rats in the 18-22 inch range all the way up to bull reds pushing 35+ inches that will test your drag system. Spring through fall brings the best action, but even winter days can produce when you find them stacked up in the deeper pockets. What makes reds so addictive is their fighting style – they'll make that classic head-shaking run toward structure, and in shallow water, every moment is intense. Snook are the glamour species here, especially during the warmer months from April through October. These ambush predators love to hang around docks, mangrove overhangs, and anywhere they can surprise unsuspecting baitfish. A big snook in three feet of water is pure adrenaline – they'll jump, they'll run, and they'll do everything possible to wrap you around the nearest piling. Sea trout might not get the same respect as reds and snook, but the lagoon produces some real beauties, especially during the cooler months. Look for them over grass beds and sand holes, and don't be surprised when a five-pound gator trout inhales your bait. Southern flounder are masters of camouflage, lying buried in sandy spots waiting to grab anything that swims by. They're most active during moving tides and can provide some fun action when you're working the bottom. Tarpon show up seasonally and provide the ultimate challenge – even a 30-pound juvenile will give you a fight you won't forget, with their signature jumps and runs that can empty your spool in seconds.
Three hours might not sound like much, but in productive waters like these, it's plenty of time to get into fish and have a blast. The afternoon timing works perfectly with the lagoon's rhythm – you're often hitting prime feeding windows as baitfish move with the tide changes. With only two anglers on board, you're not waiting around for your turn or dealing with tangled lines from inexperienced fishermen. Every cast counts, and you'll get the kind of personalized instruction that makes you a better angler. The Mosquito Lagoon system is also incredibly scenic, with its pristine waters and abundant wildlife, so even when the fish aren't cooperating, you're still experiencing some of Florida's most beautiful backcountry. We know these waters like the back of our hands – every grass bed, every drop-off, every spot where fish like to congregate. That local knowledge makes all the difference between a good trip and a great one. Plus, you'll be back to shore with plenty of daylight left to enjoy the rest of your day in New Smyrna Beach.
Don't let this opportunity slip by – spots fill up fast, especially during peak season. The Mosquito Lagoon delivers consistent action year-round, but the best trips go to anglers who plan ahead. Whether you're a seasoned pro looking to tangle with some lagoon giants or a newcomer wanting to experience world-class inshore fishing, this charter has something for everyone. Book with Code Red Fishing Charters today and get ready to see why New Smyrna Beach is considered one of Florida's premier fishing destinations. Your next fishing story starts here.
Cast off in style aboard the Sundance, a sleek 20-foot skiff that's your ticket to prime fishing spots around New Smyrna Beach's legendary Mosquito Lagoon. This 2023 beauty packs a powerful 140 HP Suzuki engine that'll get you to the hottest redfish and snook honey holes in no time, cruising smoothly at 40 knots when you need to cover water fast. Built for serious anglers, she's loaded with the essentials: a wireless trolling motor for those stealthy approaches in skinny water, GPS to mark your productive spots, and a fish finder to locate schools holding in deeper channels. The onboard bait tank keeps your shrimp lively and pinfish frisky throughout your three-hour adventure. Perfect for up to 4 anglers, this shallow-draft skiff slides right into those back-country areas where big trout lurk in grass beds and trophy snook ambush baitfish along mangrove shorelines. Whether you're sight-casting to tailing reds or working the edges for that next keeper, the Sundance puts you right where the action is hottest.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the crown jewel of Mosquito Lagoon fishing, famous for their copper-bronze backs and distinctive black spots near the tail. Our lagoon fish typically run 18-27 inches and 3-8 pounds - perfect slot-sized fish that fight like freight trains. They cruise super shallow water, often with their backs exposed, feeding along oyster bars, mangrove shorelines, and grass flats in just 1-4 feet. Fall and winter months are prime time when they school up and feed aggressively. Guests love redfish because they're sight-fishing targets that pull drag and never give up easily. They're also outstanding table fare with sweet, firm meat. Here's what works: look for nervous water or tailing fish, then cast a gold spoon or soft plastic shrimp just ahead of where they're heading. Let it sink and twitch it slowly - reds can't resist that wounded baitfish action.
Salmo TruttaSpotted sea trout, or "specks" as we call them locally, are bread-and-butter fish that provide consistent action in Mosquito Lagoon. Most run 12-18 inches with plenty of keeper-sized fish around 15 inches and 1-2 pounds. They love grass flats in 2-6 feet of water, especially areas with good current flow and bait activity. Cooler months are fantastic, but they bite year-round if you find the right depths. Trout are popular because they're willing biters, reasonably easy to catch, and make excellent table fare with sweet, flaky meat that's perfect for fish tacos. They're also great for kids and beginners. Local secret: use a popping cork with live shrimp about 18 inches below. Work it slowly over the grass beds, and when you hear that distinctive "pop-pop-thud," set the hook. Trout can't resist that sound and action combo.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are the ultimate inshore trophy fish around New Smyrna Beach, with their distinctive black lateral line and that aggressive strike you won't forget. Most of our fish run 18-28 inches, but the lagoon holds some real bruisers over 30. They love structure - docks, mangroves, oyster bars, and any kind of cover in 2-6 feet of water. Spring through fall are your best bets, especially around dawn and dusk when they're actively feeding. What makes snook fishing special is their explosive hits and acrobatic jumps - they'll test your drag and your nerves. They're also fantastic eating with firm, white meat. Here's a local trick: cast your live shrimp or soft plastic right into the shadows under docks and let it sink slowly. Snook can't resist that natural presentation, and the strike usually comes on the fall.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern Flounder are unique flatfish that love to hide in the sandy and muddy bottoms of our shallow waters here in Mosquito Lagoon. These ambush predators typically run 15-18 inches, though we occasionally see them pushing 25+ inches. What makes them special is both eyes sit on their left side, and they can change color to match the bottom perfectly. You'll find them year-round in 2-8 feet of water, but fall and winter are prime time when they're fattening up. Guests love the challenge of spotting their outline against the sand and the surprise of their strong, bulldogging fight. They're also excellent table fare with sweet, flaky white meat. Pro tip: look for subtle depressions or slightly raised areas on the bottom - that's often a flounder buried just under the sand waiting to strike.
Megalops AtlanticusTarpon are the silver kings of our waters, and even the smaller ones we see in Mosquito Lagoon will give you a fight you'll remember forever. Around here, most tarpon run 20-60 pounds, but their acrobatics make them feel much bigger. They cruise our deeper channels and basins, typically in 4-10 feet of water, often rolling on the surface. Late spring through early fall is prime time, especially on warmer days when they're more active. What draws anglers to tarpon is simple - nothing fights like them. When hooked, they'll jump repeatedly, often clearing the water by several feet. They're strictly catch-and-release due to their bony meat. My advice: when you see one jump, bow to the fish by pointing your rod tip toward them. This prevents the line from snapping when they crash back down.
New Smyrna Beach, FL