Fort Myers Inshore Fishing Adventure
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Expert captain tailors trips to skill levels and preferencesAccess flats, backcountry, inshore and nearshore fishing areasAll equipment, bait, tackle and licenses provided onboard
Looking to get your line wet in some of Southwest Florida's best fishing waters? Day 5 Charters has you covered with a top-rated Fort Myers fishing experience that brings you right into the heart of where the fish are biting. Whether you're teaching the kids how to cast or you're a seasoned angler looking to add some new species to your log, this trip puts you on prime fishing grounds that locals have been working for decades. With just two spots available, you'll get personalized attention from your captain while exploring everything from shallow grass flats to deeper nearshore structure.
Your Fort Myers fishing charter starts with a captain who knows these waters like the back of their hand. We're talking about someone who's been reading tides, watching weather patterns, and tracking fish movements in this area for years. You'll launch from one of Fort Myers' renowned marinas and head out to wherever the bite is hottest that day. Maybe that's working the mangrove shorelines in the backcountry, maybe it's hitting the grass flats where redfish cruise in skinny water, or perhaps you'll find yourself casting around nearshore structure where bigger fish hang out. The beauty of this charter is the flexibility - your captain adapts the game plan based on conditions, your skill level, and what you're hoping to catch. All your gear comes included, from quality rods and reels to fresh bait and tackle, plus your fishing licenses are handled. Just bring yourself, some snacks if you want them, and get ready to fish.
Fort Myers sits at the heart of some of Florida's most diverse fishing terrain, and you'll get to experience the variety firsthand. In the shallow flats, expect to work with lighter tackle, making precise casts to cruising fish in water so clear you can often see your target before you cast. Your captain might have you sight fishing for tailing redfish or working topwater lures around grass beds where snook ambush baitfish. When you move into the backcountry, the game changes to working mangrove edges and creek mouths with live or cut bait, letting the current carry your offering to fish holding in the shade. Nearshore fishing opens up different opportunities - maybe trolling for Spanish mackerel or dropping baits around structure for bigger snook and permit. The techniques vary throughout the day based on tides, conditions, and what's working, but your captain handles the strategy while teaching you the methods that make each spot productive.
Snook are the crown jewel of Fort Myers inshore fishing, and for good reason. These silver-sided predators can stretch over 30 inches and put up a fight that'll test your drag system and your patience. They love hanging around structure - docks, mangrove roots, bridge pilings - anywhere they can ambush passing baitfish. Peak season runs from spring through fall, with summer producing some of the biggest fish. What makes snook so exciting isn't just their size, but their attitude. They'll slam a topwater plug at sunrise, then turn finicky and require a perfectly presented live shrimp in the afternoon. Every snook caught feels earned.
Redfish bring their own brand of excitement to Fort Myers waters. These copper-colored bulldogs are built for shallow water battles, often found tailing in grass flats or cruising oyster bars. A typical red runs between 18-27 inches, though oversized fish over 30 inches show up regularly. Fall and winter months are prime time, when reds school up in impressive numbers. What anglers love about redfish is their willingness to eat - they'll take everything from gold spoons to live crabs - and their fighting style that combines powerful runs with head-shaking determination.
Sheepshead might not win any beauty contests, but these black-and-white striped fish are prized for two things: they're fantastic table fare and they'll humble even experienced anglers with their light bite. Found around any hard structure, especially during their winter spawning run, sheepshead require finesse and patience. They rarely exceed 15 inches locally, but their delicate bite and tendency to steal bait makes every hookup satisfying. Smart anglers know that mastering sheepshead fishing makes you better at feeling subtle bites from other species.
Sea trout, or speckled trout as locals call them, are the bread and butter of Fort Myers grass flats fishing. These spotted beauties typically run 12-20 inches and provide steady action when other species get finicky. They're most active during cooler months, from late fall through early spring, though fish can be found year-round. What makes sea trout special is their reliability - when you need to put fish in the boat or get kids excited about fishing, specks rarely disappoint. They hit artificial lures with enthusiasm and fight harder than their size suggests.
Permit represent the holy grail for many Fort Myers anglers. These deep-bodied, silver fish are notorious for their wariness and selective feeding habits. Most permit in local waters run 8-15 pounds, with fish over 20 pounds considered trophies. They're found year-round but become more predictable during warmer months when they cruise flats and nearshore wrecks. Landing a permit requires skill, patience, and often a bit of luck. They're known for following baits for long distances before either eating or spooking, making every encounter a chess match between angler and fish.
Fort Myers fishing doesn't get much better than this - a world-class charter experience with a captain who knows where the fish live and how to catch them. With only two anglers per trip, you're getting personalized instruction and prime fishing opportunities that bigger boats simply can't offer. Whether you're looking to cross new species off your list, introduce family to the sport, or just spend a morning doing what you love most, Day 5 Charters delivers the kind of fishing experience that keeps anglers coming back season after season. The gear
Get ready to hit the waters around Fort Myers aboard this sleek 2022 Robalo bay boat! Powered by a beastly 300HP Yamaha engine, this fishing machine can cruise at speeds up to 49 knots, getting you to the hottest fishing spots in no time. Whether you're targeting snook in the mangroves, redfish on the flats, or permit in the backcountry, this boat has everything you need. The GPS and fish finder will help locate schools while the wireless trolling motor keeps things quiet when stealth is key. Stay comfortable with the onboard icebox for cold drinks, multimedia system for tunes between catches, and even a toilet for longer trips. The flybridge gives your captain the perfect vantage point to spot feeding fish and navigate shallow waters. Perfect for couples or a parent-child duo looking to experience Florida's legendary inshore fishing scene.
Trachinotus FalcatusPermit are the holy grail of flats fishing - easily our most challenging target. These disc-shaped silver ghosts typically run 15-25 pounds with that distinctive tall profile and forked tail. They cruise shallow sand and grass flats, often in just 2-3 feet of water, but they're incredibly spooky with amazing eyesight. April through October is prime season when they're most active. What draws serious anglers is the difficulty - landing one is a real achievement that separates novices from veterans. Their fight combines speed with power, and that first run will surprise you. Fresh blue crab is the gold standard for bait, but here's the key: make a perfect presentation well ahead of them and let the crab sink naturally. Any sudden movement or splash and they're gone.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the bread and butter of our inshore fishing. These copper-colored fighters with the signature black spot near their tail average 18-27 inches, but we regularly see 30+ inch bulls on the flats. They love super shallow water - sometimes so shallow their backs are showing. Look for them around oyster bars, grass flats, and mangrove shorelines in 1-4 feet of water. They bite year-round, but fall and winter offer some of the best action when they school up. What makes reds special is their powerful runs and that classic "redfish pull" that bends your rod in half. They're also great eating in the slot size. Here's my secret: look for nervous water and tailing fish on calm mornings. Approach quietly and cast ahead of where they're moving.
Salmo TruttaSpotted sea trout, or "specks" as we call them, are perfect for anglers wanting consistent action. These silvery beauties with black spots typically run 14-20 inches and 1-3 pounds, making them ideal for lighter tackle. They cruise grass flats and sandy bottoms in 3-8 feet of water, especially around Tampa Bay and Pine Island Sound. Fall and winter are prime time when they school up tight. Guests love their gentle fight and that distinctive "drumming" sound they make. They're also excellent table fare with tender, white meat that's hard to beat fried up fresh. My go-to trick: fish the grass edges at dawn or dusk with a popping cork and live shrimp. When you find one, work that area thoroughly - they travel in schools.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the convict fish of our waters - those black and white stripes make them unmistakable. Most run 2-5 pounds and 14-18 inches, but we see some bruisers hitting 15+ pounds around the right structure. They're obsessed with anything with barnacles: docks, bridges, pilings, and channel markers. You'll find them from February through April during their spawning run, though they bite year-round in our area. What guests love is their sneaky bite and those crazy human-like teeth - always gets a reaction! Plus, they're some of the best eating fish in the Gulf with sweet, flaky meat. Pro tip: keep your bait pinned tight to the bottom right against structure. They're notorious bait thieves, so set the hook hard the moment you feel weight.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are one of our most popular targets around Fort Myers. These sleek fish with their distinctive black lateral line typically run 18-28 inches, though we occasionally hook into real trophies pushing 40+ inches. They love hanging around mangroves, docks, and structure in shallow water - anywhere from 2-8 feet deep. Spring through fall offers the best action, especially during moving tides. What makes snook special is their explosive strike and powerful runs that'll test any angler's skills. They're also fantastic eating with firm, white meat. Here's a local tip: cast your lure right against the mangroves where most people are afraid to throw. That's exactly where the big ones hide, waiting to ambush baitfish.
Fort Myers Beach, FL