Half Day Prime Fishing Trip - Fort Pierce, FL
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Halfday Atlantic fishing targeting snapper, grouper, and mackerel offshoreInshore flats fishing for snook, trout, and redfish includedProfessional gear and experienced crew provided for all skill levels
Fort Pierce sits right on Florida's Treasure Coast, and there's a reason anglers from all over come here to wet their lines. This half-day charter with Colossal Catch gives you the best of both worlds - we'll run you out up to 9 miles into the Atlantic to work the reefs and wrecks where the big boys hang out, then swing back to hit the flats and backwaters where the inshore slam lives. You're looking at snapper, grouper, and kings offshore, plus snook, trout, and reds in the shallows. All gear's provided, and our crew knows these waters like the back of their hand. Whether you're a weekend warrior or just picked up your first rod, we'll put you on fish.
We'll meet you at the dock bright and early, get you rigged up with quality tackle, and head out through the Fort Pierce Inlet. The boat ride out to the fishing grounds is part of the fun - you'll see dolphins working bait, maybe some pelicans diving, and get a feel for what the ocean's serving up that day. Once we hit our first spot on the reefs, it's all about bottom fishing. We're talking about dropping baits down to structure where snapper and grouper set up shop. The wrecks hold some serious fish, and when a gag grouper grabs your bait, you'll know it. After working the offshore spots, we'll cruise back toward shore and hit the flats. This is where things get technical - sight fishing for snook around mangroves, working grass beds for trout, and maybe throwing some topwater if the conditions are right. The variety keeps everyone engaged, and with a 6-person max, you're not fighting for rod space.
Offshore, we're using conventional reels with enough backbone to pull fish up from 40-60 feet of water. Circle hooks are the way to go for snapper - they hook themselves when they run with the bait. For grouper, you need to be ready to horse them up before they duck back into their holes. We'll have you fishing with cut bait, live pinfish when we can get them, and sometimes squid depending on what's biting. The inshore game is totally different. We switch to spinning gear, lighter leaders, and start thinking like the fish. Snook are ambush predators, so we're pitching baits tight to structure. Trout like to cruise the grass flats, so we'll drift and cover water with soft plastics or live shrimp. Redfish are opportunistic - they'll eat just about anything if you put it in front of them. Our crew will walk you through each technique, and trust me, once you feel that first solid hookup, you'll get the hang of it quick.
The mutton snapper around Fort Pierce are some of the best eating fish in the ocean. These guys can get up to 20 pounds, but most of what we see runs 3-8 pounds - perfect for the dinner table. They're structure-oriented fish that love the rocky bottom and ledges. Muttons are picky eaters, so when you hook one, it feels like you've accomplished something. Gag grouper are the bread and butter of the reef fishing game here. They're aggressive, fight hard, and taste even better. We see them year-round, but spring and fall are prime time when they're feeding heavy before and after spawning. Snook are the crown jewel of inshore fishing in Florida. They're finicky, strong, and absolutely beautiful fish. The slot limit keeps things interesting - you need one between 28 and 33 inches to take home. Goliath grouper are the monsters of the reef. These are catch-and-release only, but hooking into a 200-pound goliath is something you'll talk about for years. King mackerel are speed demons that'll smoke your drag and put on an aerial show. They're seasonal here, with the best action typically in the cooler months when they're chasing bait schools close to shore.
This half-day trip packs a lot of fishing into a manageable timeframe. You get the offshore action without committing to a full day, plus the bonus of inshore fishing that a lot of charters skip. Fort Pierce's location gives us access to some of the most diverse fishing on the east coast of Florida. The crew at Colossal Catch knows how to read the conditions and put you where the fish are biting. With quality gear included and a 6-person limit, you're getting personalized attention that the cattle boats can't match. Whether you're looking to put some fish in the cooler or just want to feel that bend in the rod, this trip delivers. The variety keeps it interesting, the crew keeps it fun, and Fort Pierce keeps producing fish. Don't wait around - good captains and prime dates fill up fast, especially during the cooler months when the fishing really turns on.
This composite hull motorboat cuts through Fort Pierce waters like a dream, taking you from Atlantic reefs 9 miles offshore right back to the shallow flats where the big fish hide. The dry ride keeps you comfortable whether you're bottom fishing for grouper and snapper on the wrecks or stalking redfish in the backcountry. With an icebox to keep your catch fresh and drinks cold, plus a solid fish finder to locate those productive spots, you're set up for success. The GPS gets you to the honey holes fast, and the multimedia system keeps things lively between bites. Built for 6 anglers, this boat handles both the open Atlantic swells and skinny water with ease. Your captain knows these waters inside and out - from the productive reefs where the snappers stack up to the grass flats where speckled trout and snook cruise the shallows. The boat's design means more time fishing and less time getting bounced around, so you can focus on what matters: putting fish in the box.
Mycteroperca MicrolepisGag grouper are solid bottom fish that average 20 inches but can reach 4+ feet and 80 pounds. The bigger ones are usually males with darker coloration and reticulated dorsal fins. They love structure - our offshore reefs, wrecks, and ledges in 60-200 feet are prime spots. These fish are ambush predators that hide in holes and crevices, so expect them around any kind of shelter. Cooler months from fall through spring offer the best fishing when they're more active. Guests love the hard initial strike and bulldogging fight as they try to get back to their holes. The meat is excellent eating with firm white flesh. My advice: once you hook one, lock that reel down tight and don't give them an inch. Keep your rod tip low and horse them straight up away from the bottom. If you let them run back to structure, you'll lose them every time in the rocks.
Epinephelus ItajaraThese massive fish are the giants of our reefs - we're talking 200-400+ pounds and up to 8 feet long. You'll find them around our shallow reefs, wrecks, and structure in 20-100 feet. They're protected, so it's strictly catch and release, but what an experience! Summer months are best when they gather for spawning. The thrill is in the challenge - that first pull can literally drag you across the boat deck. You need heavy tackle, 80-pound class minimum, and strong arms. They're not fast, but they're incredibly powerful. Guests love the photo opportunities with these prehistoric-looking fish before we release them. The key to landing one is staying close enough to structure so they'll come out for bait, but far enough that you can pull them away before they get back to their holes. Use big live bait like jacks or rays, and when they grab it, hold on tight and pump hard - it's more like moving furniture than fighting a fish.
Scomberomorus CavallaKings are speed demons that'll test your reflexes and tackle. Most average 20-40 pounds, but we regularly see fish over 60 pounds, especially the big females. These pelagic hunters cruise our offshore waters from 40-150 feet, often following baitfish schools and temperature breaks. Spring through fall offers the best action as they migrate along our coast. What makes king fishing exciting is their blistering runs and aerial displays when hooked. They're also excellent table fare with rich, flavorful meat. We typically troll with live bait or spoons, but they'll also hit jigs worked around structure. The trick with kings is using a wire leader - their razor-sharp teeth will cut through mono in seconds. When trolling live baits, rig with two hooks: one through the nose and a stinger hook near the tail since kings often attack from behind. Keep your drag smooth and be ready for that screaming run when they hit.
Lutjanus AnalisThese beautiful fish are some of the most prized snappers around Fort Pierce. Most run 15-20 inches, but we've seen them push 30+ inches and weigh over 20 pounds. You'll find muttons hanging around our offshore reefs and wrecks in 80-200 feet of water, especially where there's good structure and sandy bottom nearby. They're strong fighters that'll make long runs and try to get back to the rocks. The meat is outstanding - firm, white, and sweet. Spring through fall gives us the best action when they're feeding actively. Here's a local trick: use the freshest bait you can get and keep your sinker light. Let that bait drift naturally in the current, and when you feel that tap, don't hesitate - set the hook hard and keep steady pressure to pull them away from the structure before they know what hit them.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are one of our most popular inshore targets, and for good reason. These sleek fish with the distinctive black lateral line typically run 18-28 inches, though some reach over 40 inches. You'll find them in our mangroves, around docks, bridge pilings, and inlet areas where fresh and salt water mix. They're ambush predators that love cover and structure. Warmer months from May through October are prime time, especially around the full and new moons when they spawn. What makes snook special is their explosive strikes and acrobatic fights - they'll jump, run, and use every trick in the book. The meat is fantastic too, sweet and flaky when prepared right. Keep in mind they're very temperature sensitive, so cold fronts shut them down fast. My go-to tip: work your lures slowly around structure and be ready for that strike - they hit like lightning and immediately try to cut you off on whatever cover is nearby.
Stuart