Premium Private Inshore Fishing Adventure Awaits
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fourhour calm inshore fishing trip for families with childrenExperienced captain guides guests to premier local fishing spotsAccommodates up to four guests with focus on safety
Looking for a fishing trip that won't leave the kids green around the gills? This 4-hour inshore adventure in New Smyrna Beach is your answer. We're talking calm, protected waters where the whole family can actually enjoy themselves without worrying about choppy seas or seasickness. Your experienced captain knows exactly where to find the fish in these productive backwaters, and with a maximum of 4 guests, you'll get the personal attention that makes all the difference. Whether you're introducing the little ones to their first fishing rod or just want a relaxing day without the hassle of rough water, this top-rated charter delivers exactly what you're looking for.
This isn't your typical offshore grind – we're staying in the skinny water where the action is steady and the ride is smooth. You'll be fishing the flats, mangrove shorelines, and grass beds that make New Smyrna Beach famous among inshore anglers. The beauty of this trip is how accessible it is for everyone. Kids can handle the lighter tackle, first-timers won't feel overwhelmed, and experienced anglers still get plenty of shots at quality fish. Your captain will have you rigged up with appropriate gear for the conditions and target species, adjusting everything from bait selection to fishing techniques based on what's biting that day. The protected nature of these waters means we can fish comfortably even when it's blowing outside, making this a reliable choice year-round.
Inshore fishing here is all about reading the water and adapting your approach. We'll be using a mix of live bait and artificial lures depending on conditions and target species. Expect to do some sight fishing when the water's clear – there's nothing quite like watching a redfish cruise up to your bait. We'll also work structure like oyster bars, docks, and mangrove edges where fish love to ambush prey. The tackle is perfectly sized for the species we're targeting – not so heavy that kids can't handle it, but with enough backbone to handle a solid fish. Your captain will show you the differences between fishing grass flats versus structure, how to present baits in shallow water, and the subtle techniques that make the difference between a slow day and a fish-filled cooler. Circle hooks are the standard here for better fish survival, and we'll teach proper catch-and-release techniques for anything you're not taking home.
Redfish are the bread and butter of New Smyrna Beach inshore fishing, and for good reason. These copper-colored fighters typically run 18 to 27 inches in these waters, with some real bruisers pushing the 30-inch mark. They're most active during moving tides, especially around oyster bars and grass edges. What makes reds so special is their willingness to eat and their never-give-up fight – perfect for keeping kids engaged. Fall and winter months are prime time, but you'll find them year-round if you know where to look.
Permit might be the most finicky fish on this list, but when you connect with one, you'll understand why anglers get obsessed. These disc-shaped silver bullets are incredibly spooky and require perfect bait presentation. They love crab flats and sandy areas near structure, typically showing up in warmer months. Landing a permit on light tackle is something most anglers remember for years – they're fast, smart, and absolutely beautiful fish.
Crevalle Jack are the muscle cars of the inshore world. These aggressive predators will slam just about any moving bait and fight way above their weight class. They school up around structure and baitfish, making for explosive action when you find them. Kids love jacks because they hit hard and never quit fighting. They're most abundant in spring and summer, but you'll encounter them throughout the year.
Bluefish bring the attitude and the bite. These toothy predators are aggressive feeders that will attack schools of baitfish with reckless abandon. They're perfect for teaching kids about different fishing techniques since they'll hit both live bait and artificials with equal enthusiasm. Peak season runs from late spring through fall, and when they're feeding, the action can be non-stop.
Black Drum are the gentle giants of the flats, often growing quite large and providing a completely different fishing experience. They're bottom feeders that love crabs and shrimp around oyster bars and bridge pilings. What's great about drum fishing is the steady, methodical fight they provide – not flashy, but solid and dependable. Cooler months tend to produce the biggest fish, and they're excellent table fare when kept within legal limits.
This customer-favorite inshore trip delivers exactly what it promises – a relaxed, family-friendly fishing experience that actually produces fish. Your kids won't spend the day feeling sick, first-time anglers won't feel out of their depth, and everyone goes home with stories to tell. The combination of calm water, productive fishing spots, and an experienced captain who knows how to work with families makes this a world-class choice for your New Smyrna Beach fishing adventure. Don't wait for the perfect day that might never come – book this best trip option and let Daytona Beach Fishing Charter show you why inshore fishing keeps families coming back year after year. The fish are biting, the water's calling, and your 4-hour adventure is just a phone call away.
This 25-foot 2012 Dorado center console is your ticket to productive inshore waters around New Smyrna Beach. Built tough with a custom design, she's powered by a reliable 300HP Suzuki 4-stroke that'll get you to the fishing grounds quickly and quietly. The wireless trolling motor lets you sneak up on redfish and trout without spooking them, while the fish finder shows you exactly what's swimming below. Stay comfortable with the onboard icebox for cold drinks and fresh bait, plus a multimedia system for tunes between bites. The GPS and radar keep you safe and on course, even when afternoon storms roll in. With space for up to four anglers, there's plenty of room to cast without tangling lines. The flybridge gives your captain a perfect view of the flats and channels where the fish like to hang out. This boat handles the shallow inshore waters like a dream, making it perfect for families wanting a calm day of fishing without the big waves and seasickness that come with offshore trips.
Pogonias CromisBlack drums are the gentle giants of our shallow waters, ranging from schoolie-size 5-pounders to shoulder-wrenching 40+ pound brutes. These bottom-feeders cruise oyster beds, muddy flats, and creek mouths in 2-15 feet of water, using their powerful jaws to crush crabs and shellfish. Spring spawning season is prime time when they school up and become easier targets, but we catch them year-round. What makes drums special is their surprising fight for such a chunky fish - they use that broad body to pull hard and steady. Smaller ones under 15 pounds are great eating, but the big ones get tough and stringy. Fresh blue crab or cut shrimp on the bottom is your best bet. Local tip: listen for their drumming sounds underwater during spawning season - that croaking noise means you're in the right spot.
Pomatomus SaltatrixBluefish are seasonal visitors that bring serious excitement to our waters from late spring through fall. These toothy predators typically run 2-10 pounds and have razor-sharp teeth that can slice through leaders and fingers alike. They patrol surf zones, inlets, and deeper flats, often in aggressive schools that create feeding frenzies. Summer and early fall are prime time when they're chasing bait schools close to shore. Guests love the fast action - when you find a school, everyone catches fish. They're excellent eating when smaller, with flaky white meat, though larger ones can be a bit strong. The key is using wire leaders because those teeth will cut through mono in a heartbeat. Watch for bird activity and surface commotion - that's usually blues tearing into baitfish below.
Caranx HipposCrevalle jacks are the bullies of our inshore waters, and that's exactly why anglers love them. These bronze-backed bruisers average 3-8 pounds but can hit 20+ pounds, and they'll bend your rod from the first second. Look for diving birds - that's your best sign of jacks pushing baitfish to the surface. They roam everything from shallow flats to deeper channels, but the real action happens when they're busting bait on top. Spring through fall brings the most consistent action, though we catch them year-round. What guests love is the pure aggression - these fish hit hard and fight harder, perfect for getting kids excited about fishing. They're not great table fare, but the fight makes up for it. Pro tip: when you see them feeding on top, cast past the school and retrieve fast - they can't resist chasing down fleeing baitfish.
Trachinotus FalcatusPermit are the ghosts of the flats - silver, disk-shaped fish that'll test your patience and skill. Around New Smyrna, we typically see them 20-40 pounds, cruising sandy areas and grass beds in 2-6 feet of water. Their tall profile and massive eyes make them incredibly spooky, so stealth is everything. Spring through fall gives you the best shot when they're more active, but they're here year-round. What makes permit special is the challenge - they're arguably the trickiest fish on the flats to fool. When you do hook one, that initial run will test your drag and your nerves. Fresh blue crab is the gold standard for bait, but here's a local tip: if you see one tailing, get your crab 10 feet in front of where they're headed, not where they are. Patience pays off with these beauties.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the bread and butter of our inshore waters around New Smyrna Beach. These copper-colored beauties typically run 18-28 inches and love hanging out in 1-4 feet of water around oyster bars, grass flats, and dock pilings. You'll spot them by their distinctive black eyespots near the tail - nature's way of confusing predators. They bite year-round here, but fall and spring offer the best action when they school up in the shallows. Kids love them because they fight hard but aren't too difficult to land, plus they make excellent table fare with mild, flaky meat. The key to consistent redfish success is working your bait slow along the bottom - they're not speed demons like jacks, so let that shrimp or soft plastic crawl through their territory.
Daytona Beach, FL