Private 3 Hour Inshore Fishing in New Smyrna Beach
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Threehour inshore fishing targeting redfish, snook, and troutAccommodates two guests with calm waters ideal for beginnersCaptain Brad provides guided access to prime local fishing spots
When you want to get on the water without committing your entire day, this three-hour inshore trip hits the sweet spot. Captain Brad knows these New Smyrna Beach waters like the back of his hand, and he's got a knack for putting you on fish fast. Whether you've been fishing for decades or you're just getting your feet wet, the shallow flats and mangrove creeks around here serve up some of the best action on Florida's east coast. You'll be targeting prime species like snook, redfish, and trout in calm, protected waters that make for a comfortable ride and plenty of opportunities to wet your line.
This trip keeps things simple but effective. You'll launch from New Smyrna Beach and head into the renowned inshore waters where the Indian River Lagoon system creates perfect habitat for gamefish. Captain Brad runs a clean, well-maintained boat that handles these shallow waters with ease, so you can focus on what matters – catching fish. The beauty of inshore fishing here is the variety. One minute you might be sight-fishing for tailing redfish on a grass flat, the next you could be working a mangrove shoreline for snook. The scenery changes as much as the fishing techniques, with dolphins, manatees, and coastal birds adding to the experience. Most anglers are surprised by how much ground you can cover in three hours when you know where to go.
Captain Brad provides all the gear you need, from spinning rods rigged with live bait to artificial lures that mimic the local forage. Inshore fishing around New Smyrna Beach means adapting to conditions and what the fish want on any given day. You might be throwing topwater plugs at dawn, switching to soft plastics when the sun gets high, or dropping live shrimp around structure when the tide changes. The water depth rarely exceeds eight feet, which means you can actually see a lot of the action unfold. When a redfish crashes your bait in two feet of water, you'll understand why inshore fishing gets people hooked. The captain will walk you through each technique as conditions change, so even beginners leave knowing more than when they arrived.
Snook are the crown jewel of these waters, especially around the mangroves and dock lines that pepper the area. These fish are ambush predators that love structure, and they'll test your drag system when they make their trademark gill-rattling jumps. Peak snook season runs from late spring through early fall, though you can find them year-round if you know where to look. Most snook here run between 20 and 30 inches, with slot-size fish being common and the occasional monster pushing 35 inches.
Redfish patrol these flats in serious numbers, particularly during the cooler months when they school up in impressive numbers. These copper-colored bruisers are built for the shallow water life, with downturned mouths perfect for rooting around oyster bars and grass beds. A typical New Smyrna redfish weighs between 3 and 8 pounds, but don't let that fool you – they fight way above their weight class. The sight of a redfish tailing in skinny water gets every angler's heart racing.
Black drum might not win any beauty contests, but they're absolute bulldogs once hooked. These bottom-dwellers love oyster bars and deeper holes where they can use their pharyngeal teeth to crush crabs and shellfish. Fall and winter months are prime time for drum, with fish ranging from schoolie size up to genuine trophies pushing 30 pounds. They're not flashy fighters, but they'll put a serious bend in your rod.
Tarpon show up seasonally and turn every trip into an event when they're around. From late spring through summer, juvenile tarpon between 20 and 60 pounds cruise these waters looking for easy meals. Landing one is never guaranteed, but hooking up with the "silver king" creates memories that last a lifetime. Their acrobatic jumps and powerful runs test both angler skill and equipment limits.
Crevalle jack might be the most underrated gamefish in these waters. They travel in schools, hit lures with reckless abandon, and fight like they're twice their actual size. When you find a school of jacks, you can often catch them one after another until your arms give out. They're particularly active during warmer months and provide non-stop action when other species might be finicky.
Three hours on the water with Captain Brad gives you a real taste of what makes New Smyrna Beach inshore fishing so special. You'll learn techniques that work in these specific waters, catch fish that fight harder than their size suggests, and experience the relaxed vibe that keeps anglers coming back season after season. The trip accommodates up to two anglers, making it perfect for couples, father-son outings, or anyone who wants personalized attention on the water. With all gear provided and no need to worry about anything except enjoying yourself, this top-rated charter removes all the barriers between you and some serious fish. Book now and find out why locals and visitors alike consider these waters some of the best inshore fishing on Florida's east coast.
Your fishing adventure starts aboard a freshly restored 2015 Beavertail flats boat that's built specifically for New Smyrna Beach's shallow inshore waters. This 18-footer cuts through the water with a reliable 90HP Suzuki engine, getting you to those prime fishing spots where the redfish and snook are biting. The shallow draft design lets us sneak into those hard-to-reach backwater areas where the big fish hang out. Captain Brad's got this boat dialed in with everything you need for a successful day on the water. The fish finder helps locate schools of trout, while the wireless trolling motor keeps things quiet when we're stalking fish in skinny water. GPS navigation ensures we hit all the productive spots, and the VHF radio keeps us connected. There's an icebox to keep your drinks cold and even a multimedia system for the ride out. Perfect for up to two anglers, this flats boat offers plenty of casting room without feeling cramped. The stable platform makes it easy to fight fish, and the shallow water capabilities mean we can access those secret spots where the locals fish.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the heavyweights of our inshore waters, typically ranging from 5-30 pounds with some giants pushing 50+. These dark, powerful fish love oyster beds, muddy flats, and shallow areas around creek mouths where they crush crabs and shellfish with their strong jaws. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning, making them easier to target. What guests love about drum fishing is the solid, bulldogging fight - they're not flashy jumpers, but they'll test your drag with steady, powerful runs. The smaller ones under 15 pounds make excellent table fare. You'll often hear them "drumming" underwater, especially during spawning season. My go-to tip for black drum is to fish fresh crab or cut bait right on the bottom. Keep your bait still and let them find it - they're bottom feeders that hunt by smell and feel.
Caranx HipposCrevalle jacks are the bulldogs of the flats - pure muscle and attitude in a 12-24 inch package averaging 3-8 pounds. These brassy-colored fighters love chasing baitfish around grass beds, channel edges, and nearshore structure. They're active year-round but really turn on during warmer months when bait is thick. What guests love about jacks is their aggressive nature and bulldogging fight - they'll bend your rod in half and make screaming runs. While they're not the best eating, the action more than makes up for it. They hunt in schools and aren't shy about hitting lures hard. Look for diving birds - that's your best sign that jacks are pushing bait to the surface. My tip: when you find a school, work fast with silver spoons or swimbaits. Cast past the school and retrieve quickly - jacks love the chase and won't hesitate to crush a fast-moving bait.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are our bread-and-butter inshore species and perfect for anglers of all levels. These copper-colored beauties average 20-32 inches and are easily spotted by their distinctive black spots near the tail. They love super shallow water - sometimes so shallow their backs stick out - around grass flats, oyster bars, and mangrove shorelines. Fall and spring offer the best action when they school up in big numbers. What makes reds so popular is their willingness to eat almost anything and their strong, steady fight. Plus, they're fantastic on the table with sweet, flaky meat. You can sight-fish for them in skinny water or blind-cast around structure. Here's my local secret: look for nervous water or subtle wakes in shallow areas - that's usually redfish pushing through the grass. Throw a gold spoon or live shrimp just ahead of where they're heading.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are one of our most prized inshore species around New Smyrna Beach. These sleek, silver fish typically run 18-28 inches and are famous for that distinctive black lateral line running down their sides. You'll find them hanging around mangroves, docks, and structure in 2-8 feet of water where they ambush prey. They're most active during warmer months, especially around dawn and dusk. What makes snook special is their explosive strike and strong fight - they'll jump and run hard when hooked. The meat is excellent eating too, with white flaky fillets that taste great grilled. Here's a local tip: cast your lure past the structure and work it back slowly along the edges. Snook are ambush predators, so they like to hide in the shadows and strike when bait comes by. Live shrimp or small swimbaits work great.
Megalops AtlanticusTarpon are the ultimate bucket-list fish - these silver kings can reach 4-6 feet and 80-150 pounds in our waters. They're famous for their acrobatic jumps, often launching 8 feet out of the water when hooked. You'll find them in channels, around bridges, and rolling on the surface in 10-40 feet of water. Late spring through summer is peak season when they migrate through our area. What makes tarpon fishing special is the pure adrenaline rush - their jumps and powerful runs will test every part of your tackle and skills. Most anglers release them since they're not great eating due to their bony meat. The fight is the real prize here. My advice: when a tarpon jumps, bow to the fish by pointing your rod tip toward them. This prevents the line from snapping tight and gives you a better chance of keeping them hooked through those wild jumps.
Daytona Beach, FL