Private 3 Hour Fishing Trip In New Smyrna Beach
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Target Flounder, Redfish, and Tarpon on 3hour inshore tripCaptain provides gear and cleans fish after tripPrivate charter accommodates up to 2 guests maximum
Sometimes you don't need a full day on the water to land some serious fish. This 3-hour private charter out of New Smyrna Beach packs maximum fishing action into a perfect half-day window. Whether you're squeezing in some fishing before other plans or just want to test the waters before committing to a longer trip, this customer favorite delivers everything you'd expect from a world-class inshore experience. You'll have the boat to yourself (plus one buddy), which means no crowded rails and no waiting for your turn to cast. The captain knows these backwaters like his own backyard and will put you on fish fast.
New Smyrna Beach sits right in the heart of Florida's most productive inshore fishing grounds, where the Indian River Lagoon system meets the Atlantic. This creates the perfect storm for big fish action. Your captain will pick you up right at the dock and within minutes you'll be running to the first spot. No long boat rides eating into your fishing time - these waters are loaded with structure and grass flats that hold fish year-round. The boat comes rigged with top-rated tackle, so you don't need to bring anything except your fishing license and maybe some snacks. Coolers with ice are provided, and the captain handles all the messy work of cleaning and filleting your catch at the end. You'll be targeting everything from slot redfish cruising the shallows to massive tarpon rolling in the deeper channels.
This trip focuses on light tackle inshore techniques that put you right in the action. Your captain will have spinning reels spooled with 15-20 pound braid, perfect for the structure-heavy environment around New Smyrna. Depending on conditions and what's biting, you'll be throwing everything from live shrimp under popping corks to artificial lures like soft plastics and spoons. The shallow water here means sight fishing opportunities are common - nothing beats watching a big red drum inhale your bait in two feet of crystal clear water. When targeting tarpon, expect to step up to heavier tackle with circle hooks and live bait. The boat's electronics will help locate bait schools and structure, but much of the fishing here is visual. Your guide reads the water like a book, spotting nervous bait, waking fish, and subtle current changes that mark productive areas.
Snook are the crown jewel of New Smyrna's inshore scene. These fish love the docks, mangroves, and bridge pilings scattered throughout the area. They're ambush predators that hit hard and fight even harder, often jumping clear out of the water when hooked. Spring through fall offers the best action, with fish ranging from slot-size 28-inchers up to true bruisers pushing 35 pounds. What makes snook fishing so addictive is their attitude - they'll crush a topwater plug at dawn or pick off a perfectly presented live shrimp in the shade of a dock piling.
Black drum might not be the prettiest fish in the lagoon, but they're absolute bulldogs when it comes to pulling power. These bottom dwellers grow huge in these waters, with fish over 30 pounds caught regularly. They feed heavily on crabs and shrimp around oyster bars and grass edges. Black drum fishing is all about patience and feel - their bite can be subtle, but once you set the hook, you're in for a long, grinding fight. Winter months are prime time when schools of big drums move into the shallows to spawn.
Tarpon are the ultimate inshore gamefish, and New Smyrna Beach sees some of Florida's best tarpon action. From April through October, silver kings ranging from 50 to over 150 pounds patrol these waters. Hooking a tarpon is just the beginning - these fish are famous for their acrobatic jumps and powerful runs that can last 30 minutes or more. Many anglers consider just getting a tarpon to the boat and releasing it healthy to be the fishing achievement of a lifetime. The resident population here means you have shots at tarpon even on shorter trips like this one.
Redfish are probably the most reliable target in these waters and perfectly suited for anglers of all skill levels. These copper-colored fighters are aggressive feeders that hit both live and artificial baits with enthusiasm. New Smyrna's grass flats and oyster bars are redfish heaven, providing endless feeding opportunities. Fish here typically run 20 to 30 inches, with plenty of slot-size keepers for dinner. Reds are also great sight fishing targets - their dark backs and distinctive spots make them easy to spot in shallow water, and watching one track down your lure is pure excitement.
Crevalle jack might not win any beauty contests, but pound-for-pound they're some of the hardest fighting fish in the lagoon. These silver torpedoes travel in schools and feed aggressively on baitfish. When you find a school of jacks, it's often non-stop action with fish hitting anything you throw at them. They're perfect for kids or first-time anglers who want to feel some serious rod-bending power. Jacks are year-round residents here, though summer months see the biggest concentrations as they follow bait schools into the shallows.
Three hours might not sound like much, but this trip proves that quality beats quantity every time. You get all the benefits of a private charter experience - personalized instruction, fish cleaning service, and exclusive access to the captain's best spots - without committing to a full day. It's perfect for testing out a new guide, introducing someone to saltwater fishing, or just scratching that fishing itch when time is tight. The 2-person limit keeps things intimate and ensures everyone gets plenty of casting opportunities. New Smyrna's year-round fishery means any season can produce memorable catches, but spring and fall
Jump aboard this freshly restored 2015 Beavertail flats boat and get ready to hunt some serious fish in New Smyrna's prime inshore waters. This 18-footer is dialed in perfectly for shallow-water action with a punchy 90HP Suzuki that'll have you cruising at 50 knots to reach the hot spots fast. The wireless trolling motor keeps things whisper-quiet when you're stalking redfish and flounder in skinny water, while the fish finder helps locate those holding areas where the big ones hang out. With space for up to two anglers, you'll have plenty of room to work your lines without getting tangled up. The boat's loaded with all the essentials - GPS to navigate the flats, radar for those foggy mornings, VHF radio for safety, and an icebox to keep your drinks cold and your catch fresh. The multimedia system keeps things entertaining between bites. Whether you're sight-casting to tailing reds or working the deeper channels for tarpon, this skiff handles it all with the speed and shallow-draft performance that makes New Smyrna fishing so productive.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the workhorses of our local waters and perfect for anglers wanting consistent action. Most run 5-15 pounds, though we see giants up to 40+ pounds that'll test your tackle. They love oyster bars, muddy flats, and creek mouths in 2-10 feet of water. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning - that's when you hear their famous drumming sounds underwater. They're not flashy fighters but they're stubborn bulldogs that'll give you a solid workout. The smaller ones make excellent table fare with sweet, firm meat. Keep in mind the slot limits favor fish between 14-24 inches. Pro tip: use fresh crab or cut mullet on the bottom near oyster structure. Black drum have powerful jaws built for crushing shellfish, so don't be shy about fishing right in the rocks where other fish get hung up.
Caranx HipposCrevalle Jack are the bulldogs of the flats - pure muscle and aggression wrapped in a gold and green package. These bruisers typically run 12-24 inches and 3-5 pounds, but the big boys can hit 20+ pounds and really test your drag. They roam both shallow flats and deeper channels, often in schools that create surface commotion when feeding. Look for diving birds - that's your sign jacks are pushing bait to the surface. They're not great table fare, but the fight is what brings people back. These fish hit hard and pull harder, making screaming runs that'll burn your arms. Summer through fall is prime time when baitfish are thick. Here's the key: when you find a feeding school, cast fast-moving lures like spoons or topwater plugs and retrieve them quickly. Jacks love the chase, so don't be subtle about it.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are our bread-and-butter species - reliable, hard-fighting, and great on the table. Most slot fish run 18-27 inches with that signature copper color and black eyespot near the tail. They're shallow water lovers, cruising oyster bars, grass flats, and mangrove shorelines in 1-4 feet of water. Year-round fishing is solid, but fall and spring offer the best action when they school up. What guests love most is the sight-fishing - watching redfish tail in skinny water and making that perfect cast. They fight with steady, powerful runs and great stamina. The meat is fantastic too - mild, flaky, and versatile for any recipe. My go-to tip: look for nervous baitfish or slight surface disturbances on calm days. Redfish often give themselves away by pushing water or tailing while rooting in the grass for crabs and shrimp.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are some of the most sought-after fish around New Smyrna Beach, and for good reason. These sleek predators typically run 18-28 inches, with that distinctive black lateral line and golden coloring that makes them unmistakable. You'll find them hanging around mangroves, docks, and creek mouths in shallow water, especially during warmer months from May through September. They're ambush feeders with serious attitude - when one hits your lure, expect explosive strikes and acrobatic fights. The meat is outstanding too, white and flaky with a mild flavor that's perfect for the grill. Here's a local tip: work your lure slowly along structure changes like dock pilings or mangrove edges where the current creates an ambush point. Snook love to sit in these spots waiting for baitfish to sweep by.
Megalops AtlanticusTarpon are the silver kings of sport fishing - pure adrenaline on a hook. These prehistoric giants average 80-150 pounds and 4-6 feet long around here, with some monsters pushing 200+ pounds. They cruise shallow flats, bridges, and inlet mouths, especially during summer months when the water warms up. What makes tarpon special isn't the eating (they're catch and release) - it's the fight. When hooked, they explode from the water in jaw-dropping jumps that'll have you shaking. Their gill-rattling acrobatics and bulldogging runs can last 30+ minutes. The best action happens on moving tides around dawn and dusk. Local trick: when you see them rolling on the surface, cast live bait or large flies ahead of their path and let it sink slowly. Keep steady pressure but bow to their jumps or they'll throw the hook every time.
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