Private 5 Hour Inshore Fishing In New Smyrna Beach
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Five-hour inshore fishing trip targeting Tarpon, Flounder, Snook, and RedfishPrivate charter for two guests exploring famous Mosquito Lagoon watersCalm scenic waters suitable for seasoned anglers and fishing newcomers
Looking to get serious about your inshore fishing game? This private 5-hour charter with Daytona Beach Fishing Charter takes you deep into the legendary Mosquito Lagoon system, where some of Florida's most prized game fish call home. You'll be fishing the shallow flats and backcountry waters that have made New Smyrna Beach a top-rated destination for anglers chasing trophy redfish, snook, tarpon, and flounder. With just you and one buddy on board, you've got the captain's full attention and plenty of room to work your lines without bumping elbows with other anglers.
This isn't your typical half-day trip where you're rushed from spot to spot. Five hours gives you real time to work the water properly and dial in on what the fish are doing. Your captain will take you south into the heart of Mosquito Lagoon, famous for its gin-clear water and world-class sight fishing opportunities. The lagoon's shallow grass flats, oyster bars, and mangrove shorelines create the perfect storm for inshore species. You'll be working everything from three-foot skinny water to deeper cuts and channels where bigger fish patrol. The scenery alone is worth the trip - miles of untouched coastline with dolphins, manatees, and birds everywhere you look. Don't forget those polarized sunglasses because you'll be sight fishing most of the day, spotting fish before you cast to them. Whether you're a seasoned stick who knows how to work a DOA shrimp or someone who's still figuring out the difference between a spinning reel and a baitcaster, this trip delivers the goods.
Inshore fishing in the lagoon is all about finesse and reading the water. Your captain comes equipped with everything you need - quality spinning gear spooled with 10-15 pound braid, a selection of artificial lures, and live bait when the bite calls for it. You'll be throwing everything from topwater plugs at first light to soft plastics bounced along the bottom. Sight fishing is the name of the game here, so expect to spend time poling the flats and looking for nervous water, tailing fish, or that telltale wake cutting through the shallows. The lagoon's crystal-clear water means you can often see fish from 50 feet away, but it also means they can see you. Stealthy approaches and accurate casts make all the difference. Live shrimp under a popping cork is always a go-to when the artificial bite slows down, and don't be surprised if your captain breaks out the fly rod if conditions are right. The shallow water means you're always just one cast away from hooking into something that'll make your drag sing.
Snook are the bread and butter of Mosquito Lagoon fishing, and for good reason. These ambush predators love hanging around dock pilings, mangrove overhangs, and creek mouths where they can surprise baitfish. Snook are notorious for their gill-rattling jumps and bulldogging runs that'll test your drag system. They're most active during the warmer months from April through October, though you can find them year-round if you know where to look. What makes snook so addictive is their attitude - they hit hard, fight dirty, and always keep you guessing. Plus, they're excellent table fare if you decide to keep one within the slot limits.
Tarpon fishing in the lagoon is something special, especially during the summer months when juvenile tarpon between 10-40 pounds move into the back country. These silver kings are pure adrenaline on a rod, known for their acrobatic displays that can launch them six feet out of the water. June through September is prime time, though resident fish can be caught year-round. What gets anglers hooked on tarpon fishing isn't just the fight - it's the visual aspect. You'll often see them rolling on the surface or crashing bait before you even make a cast. Landing a tarpon, even a smaller one, is a bucket-list experience that separates casual anglers from serious fishermen.
Redfish are the lagoon's most reliable residents and a customer favorite for their consistent bite and hard-pulling fights. These copper-colored bruisers patrol the flats in schools, especially during the fall months when they're actively feeding before winter. Reds are perfect for sight fishing because they'll push water when they're feeding and their tails will break the surface when they're rooting around in shallow water. They're built like underwater bulldozers and will use every oyster bar and grass bed to try to break you off. What makes redfish special is their year-round availability and willingness to eat both live bait and artificials.
Summer flounder add a different dimension to your lagoon fishing experience. These flatfish are masters of camouflage, burying themselves in sandy bottoms near creek mouths and deeper holes. They're most active from late spring through early fall, and catching them requires a completely different approach than the other species. Flounder fishing is all about keeping your bait on the bottom and feeling for that subtle tap-tap-tap before they fully commit to the bite. They might not jump like a tarpon or run like a redfish, but a quality flounder is prized table fare and provides a nice change of pace during the trip.
This private 5-hour charter gives you the time and space to really experience what Mosquito Lagoon fishing is all about. With a maximum of just two anglers, you're getting personalized attention and the flexibility to focus on whatever type of fishing gets you most fired up. Whether you want to spend the day sight fishing for tailing redfish, throwing topwater for explosive snook strikes, or working the deeper water for tarpon, your captain will put you on fish. The
Hit the shallows of New Smyrna Beach aboard this pristine 18-foot Beavertail flats boat, fresh from a complete 2024 restoration. With its 90HP Suzuki pushing you to 50 knots, you'll cover serious water chasing Tarpon, Snook, Redfish, and Flounder through the legendary Mosquito Lagoon. The shallow-draft design gets you into those skinny spots where big fish hide, while the wireless trolling motor keeps things whisper-quiet when you're stalking spooky targets. Stay cool with the onboard icebox, dial in your spots with GPS and fish finder tech, and stay connected with VHF radio. Built for three anglers max, this stable platform gives you the room to work without getting tangled up. Whether you're sight-casting to tailing reds or working structure for snook, this rig handles it all with the speed and stealth that separates good days from epic ones.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are our bread-and-butter species - aggressive, beautiful fish that make every trip exciting. Most range 20-28 inches and fight way above their weight class with powerful runs and head shakes. Look for that distinctive black spot near the tail and copper-red coloring. They love super shallow water from 1-4 feet around oyster bars, grass flats, and mangrove shorelines - sometimes so shallow their backs show above water. Year-round fishing is good, but spring and fall offer the most consistent action when they school up. Guests love redfish because they eat almost anything, fight hard, and taste great with sweet, firm meat. They're also perfect for sight fishing when conditions are right. Local secret: on calm mornings, look for nervous water or small wakes in the shallows - that's usually redfish tailing and rooting for crabs. Cast beyond the disturbance and work your lure back slowly through the area.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are one of our most popular targets here in the lagoon. These sleek fighters average 18-24 inches but can push 4 feet and 20+ pounds. You'll spot them by that signature black lateral line and golden color. They love hanging around mangroves, docks, and oyster bars in 2-6 feet of water. Best fishing happens during warmer months from spring through fall, especially around dawn and dusk when they're actively feeding. What makes snook special is their explosive strike and bulldogging fight - they'll run hard and try to wrap you around structure. Plus, they're excellent table fare with firm, white meat. Here's a local tip: when you see snook cruising the flats, cast your lure well ahead of them and let it sink - they spook easily but can't resist a slow-rolling soft plastic that looks wounded.
Paralichthys DentatusSummer flounder are the chameleons of our local waters, perfectly camouflaged against sandy and muddy bottoms. These flatfish typically run 15-20 inches and make excellent table fare with their mild, flaky white meat. You'll find them lying in 8-25 feet of water around structure, drop-offs, and channel edges where they ambush passing baitfish. Fall months from September through November offer the best action when they're feeding heavily before their offshore migration. What guests love is the steady action - flounder bite consistently once you locate them, and they're perfect for beginners learning bottom fishing techniques. They're also one of the best eating fish we target. Here's the key to success: use a slow drift with live minnows or strips of cut bait, and when you feel that subtle tap-tap bite, wait a few seconds before setting the hook - flounder need time to turn the bait and swallow it properly.
Megalops AtlanticusTarpon are the ultimate bucket-list fish - pure silver rockets that'll test your skills and tackle. Most fish we see run 50-100 pounds and 4-5 feet, though giants over 150 pounds cruise these waters. They prefer deeper channels and basin areas around 6-15 feet, often rolling on the surface to gulp air. Peak season runs May through August when they're most active and feeding heavy. What gets anglers hooked is their aerial show - these fish can jump 8 feet out of the water multiple times per fight. The battles can last an hour or more, making every tarpon a true trophy. They're almost always released since the meat is bony and tough. Pro tip: when a tarpon jumps, bow to the fish by dropping your rod tip toward the water - it keeps slack in the line and prevents them from throwing the hook during their acrobatic display.
Daytona Beach, FL