Private 4 Hour Fishing Trip In New Smyrna Beach
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fourhour inshore fishing adventure in legendary Mosquito Lagoon watersTarget Tarpon, Redfish, Snook, and Snapper with seasonal varietyPrivate charter accommodates two guests with flexible departure times
Looking for some serious inshore action without the crowds? This private 4-hour fishing charter puts you right in the heart of New Smyrna Beach's legendary fishing waters. You'll have the boat to yourself (up to 2 anglers), which means no strangers crowding your lines and no rushing to keep up with other people's schedules. We're talking about prime access to the famous Mosquito Lagoon plus the scenic backwaters around New Smyrna Beach – waters that consistently produce some of Florida's most sought-after inshore species. The flexibility here is unmatched too. Want to start at sunrise? Perfect. Prefer an afternoon bite? We've got you covered. This isn't your typical cookie-cutter charter experience where everyone does the same thing at the same time.
Your captain knows these waters like the back of their hand, and they'll tailor the trip based on what's biting and what you want to target. Some days we'll spend the entire four hours working the grass flats in Mosquito Lagoon, where the water is so clear you can sight-cast to tailing redfish. Other times, we might cruise the mangrove shorelines around New Smyrna Beach, pitching lures into the shadows where snook love to ambush baitfish. The beauty of a private charter is that it's all about what gets you excited. Maybe you've never caught a tarpon and that's your bucket list fish – we'll hunt for silver kings. Or perhaps you want to put your kids on some action with black drum and jacks. Either way, your captain will put you on fish and make sure you're using the right techniques to hook up. The scenery alone is worth the trip, but when you add in consistent action from multiple species, you've got yourself a top-rated fishing experience that locals have been enjoying for years.
We fish light tackle here – typically spinning rods in the 7 to 7.5-foot range spooled with 15-20 pound braid. This gives you the sensitivity to feel those subtle bites but enough backbone to turn a big red or snook away from structure. Live bait is king in these waters. We're talking about frisky shrimp, finger mullet, and pilchards that drive inshore species absolutely crazy. Your captain will have a full selection of artificials too – soft plastics, topwater plugs, and spoons that have proven themselves in these specific waters. Sight fishing is a huge part of what makes this area special, so you'll learn how to spot fish before you cast to them. Polarized sunglasses are a must, and your guide will coach you on reading the water – looking for nervous baitfish, wakes, and those telltale signs that predators are nearby. We'll also work different depths depending on the tide and time of year. Shallow flats during moving water, deeper potholes when things get tough, and mangrove edges when the fish are looking for ambush spots.
Snook are the bread and butter of New Smyrna Beach inshore fishing, and for good reason. These aggressive predators love the area's mangrove-lined creeks and docks. They're most active during the warmer months from April through October, with the best action happening around dawn and dusk. What makes snook so addictive to catch is their explosive strikes and acrobatic fights – they'll jump, run, and try every trick in the book to throw your hook. Plus, they're beautiful fish with that distinctive black lateral line and that prehistoric look. Black drum are another customer favorite, especially for anglers who want to feel some serious pulling power. These bottom-dwellers can get hefty – we're talking 20 to 40 pounds in some cases – and they'll test your drag system for sure. They're around year-round but seem to feed most aggressively during the cooler months when they school up in deeper water.
Tarpon fishing here is world-class, particularly from May through August when the big schools migrate through. Landing a tarpon is something every angler should experience at least once – they're called the "silver king" for a reason. These fish can reach over 100 pounds and jump completely out of the water when hooked. The fight can last 30 minutes or more, and it's as much about technique and patience as it is about strength. Redfish are probably the most reliable species in these waters. They feed year-round and are relatively easy to spot when they're tailing in shallow water. What's special about reds is that they're both beautiful and great fighters – they'll make long runs and use their broad sides to leverage against your line. Crevalle jacks might not be the prettiest fish in the ocean, but they fight like they're twice their size. These aggressive predators will absolutely hammer topwater lures and provide nonstop action when you find a school.
This private 4-hour charter gives you everything you need for a memorable day on the water without breaking the bank or eating up your entire vacation. You'll fish some of Florida's most productive inshore waters, learn techniques that work in similar environments across the Gulf Coast, and hopefully land some fish that'll make for great photos and better stories. The intimate setting means you'll get personalized instruction and the flexibility to fish your way. Whether you're a local looking to explore new water or a visitor wanting to experience what New Smyrna Beach fishing is all about, this trip delivers consistent action in a beautiful setting. Don't wait too long to book – the best fishing days fill up fast, especially during peak season when the bite is hot and weather conditions are perfect.
This 18-foot 2015 Beavertail flats boat got a complete makeover in 2024 and she's ready to get you on the fish. The 90HP Suzuki pushes her to 50 knots when you need to cover water fast, but the wireless trolling motor keeps things whisper-quiet when you're stalking redfish in skinny water. Built for up to three anglers, this skiff handles the shallow flats around Mosquito Lagoon like she was born there. The fish finder will show you what's swimming below while the GPS keeps you on the productive spots. Stay connected with the VHF radio and never worry about weather with radar onboard. Pack your lunch in the icebox and crank up the sound system between fishing spots. Whether you're sight-fishing the grass flats or working structure for snook and tarpon, this boat puts you exactly where you need to be.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the heavyweights of our inshore waters, commonly weighing 15-40 pounds with some pushing 60+. These dark, barrel-shaped fish cruise shallow oyster bars and grass flats, using their pharyngeal teeth to crush crabs and shellfish. Spring brings the best fishing when they school up for spawning - you'll hear them drumming underwater during mating season. They prefer muddy bottoms in 2-8 feet of water but will move deeper in winter. What guests love about drum fishing is the steady, powerful fight - no flashy jumps, just pure muscle. Smaller ones under 15 pounds are great eating with firm, mild meat. The bigger bulls are best released since the meat gets tough. Pro tip: use fresh blue crab or cut mullet on a Carolina rig, and keep your bait right on the bottom - drum rarely chase baits up in the water column.
Caranx HipposCrevalle jacks are the bulldozers of our inshore waters - powerful, aggressive fish that'll test your tackle and your arms. These brassy-green bruisers typically weigh 3-8 pounds but can push 20+ pounds. They travel in schools around grass flats, inlet mouths, and anywhere baitfish gather. Watch for diving birds - that's your best indicator of feeding jacks pushing bait to the surface. They're year-round residents but really turn on during warmer months when bait is thick. Jacks aren't great eating, but they make up for it with pure fighting power - they'll bend your rod and burn drag like few other fish. Kids especially love the nonstop action when you find a school. Here's the key: cast beyond the school and retrieve fast with silver spoons or white jigs. Jacks love the chase, so don't be subtle - the faster and more aggressive your retrieve, the better your chances.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish, or red drum, are the bread and butter of our inshore fishing here. These copper-colored beauties with distinctive black spots near their tails typically run 20-30 inches in our waters. They're shallow water specialists, cruising grass flats and oyster bars in just 1-4 feet of water - sometimes so shallow their backs show above the surface. Year-round fishing is solid, but fall and spring offer peak action when they school up. What makes reds special is their willingness to eat almost anything and their dogged fight once hooked. The smaller slot fish make excellent table fare with sweet, flaky meat. You can sight-fish them on the flats or blind cast around structure. My go-to technique: use a gold spoon or soft plastic shrimp imitation, and work it slowly along the bottom. Reds have their heads down feeding most of the time, so keep your bait in the strike zone.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are one of our most prized inshore targets around New Smyrna Beach. These sleek, silver fish with that distinct black lateral line typically run 18-30 inches, though bigger ones lurk in deeper waters. You'll find them hanging around mangroves, docks, and creek mouths where they ambush baitfish. They love structure - any bridge piling or oyster bar is worth a cast. Spring through fall offers the best action, especially around dawn and dusk when they're actively feeding. What makes snook special is their explosive strike and bulldogging fight - they'll make several hard runs before giving up. The meat is excellent too, white and flaky when cooked right. Here's a local tip: when fishing around structure, cast past where you think they are and work your bait back through - snook often sit just outside cover waiting to pounce.
Megalops AtlanticusTarpon are the ultimate bucket-list fish for our area - silver kings that can stretch 4-6 feet and jump completely out of the water when hooked. These prehistoric giants cruise our beaches and inlet waters from late spring through early fall, following baitfish migrations. Look for them rolling on the surface in 10-30 feet of water, often in long strings during their migration. The thrill isn't about eating them - tarpon meat is bony and not great table fare. It's all about that first jump and the fight that follows. They're incredibly strong and can battle for over an hour. The spawning season from May through September offers peak action, especially around new and full moons. Here's what I tell first-timers: when that tarpon jumps, bow to the king - drop your rod tip toward the fish to give slack, or they'll throw the hook on you every time.
Daytona Beach, FL