Private 4 Hour Inshore Fishing Adventure in New Smyrna
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fourhour inshore fishing adventure in legendary Mosquito Lagoon watersTarget Tarpon, Redfish, Snook, and Snapper with expert guidanceFamilyfriendly trip accommodates all skill levels with flexible departure
Looking for a fishing adventure that works for everyone in your group? This private 4-hour inshore trip out of New Smyrna Beach delivers exactly what you're after. Whether you're bringing the kids for their first time holding a rod or you're a weekend warrior wanting to chase some quality fish, this charter hits all the right spots. You'll explore the famous Mosquito Lagoon and cruise the productive waters around New Smyrna Beach, where the fishing stays hot year-round and the scenery never gets old.
Your captain knows these backwaters like the back of their hand, and they'll put you on fish whether you've been doing this for decades or you're still figuring out which end of the rod to hold. The beauty of inshore fishing here is the protected waters – no seasickness worries, just calm conditions perfect for casting lines and enjoying the day. Mosquito Lagoon is legendary among Florida anglers for good reason. The grass flats, mangrove shorelines, and deeper channels create the perfect storm for holding fish. During your trip, you might work the shallow flats early in the morning when the reds are tailing, then move to deeper structure when the sun gets high and the fish seek cover. Your captain reads the water conditions, tide, and weather to put together the best game plan for your specific day.
All your tackle comes included, so you can travel light and focus on the fun part. Expect to use medium-action spinning rods paired with reels loaded with braided line – the standard setup for inshore work around here. Live bait fishing is the bread and butter, with shrimp, pinfish, and mullet being top producers depending on what's biting. You'll also throw some artificials when the conditions are right – soft plastics work magic on the grass flats, while topwater plugs can create explosive action during dawn and dusk periods. The captain will teach you how to read the water, spot fish movement, and adjust your presentation based on what the fish are telling you. If you're new to sight fishing, this is your chance to learn from someone who does it every day.
Snook are the crown jewel of these waters, and New Smyrna Beach consistently produces some of Florida's best snook fishing. These ambush predators love to hang around docks, mangrove overhangs, and bridge pilings where they can dart out to grab an easy meal. Peak season runs from late spring through early fall, when water temperatures climb and snook become more active. What makes them special is their explosive strike and acrobatic fight – they'll jump, gill-rattle, and make powerful runs toward structure. Landing a slot snook feels like winning the lottery, and the photo opportunities are endless.
Black drum might not be the prettiest fish in the lagoon, but they make up for it with pure pulling power. These bottom-dwellers cruise the oyster bars and deeper holes, using their pharyngeal teeth to crush crabs and shellfish. Spring brings the spawning run when big drum move shallow, giving you a shot at fish pushing 20-30 pounds. They fight like freight trains, making long, sustained runs that test your tackle and your patience. Kids especially love drum fishing because the bites are obvious and the fish are cooperative once hooked.
Tarpon season transforms the entire area into a silver circus from May through September. These prehistoric fish roll and jump throughout the lagoon system, creating heart-stopping visual fishing opportunities. Juvenile tarpon in the 20-50 pound range are common, while larger fish cruise the inlet and nearshore waters. Hook a tarpon and you're in for the fight of your life – they'll jump repeatedly, shake their heads violently, and make blistering runs that peel line off your reel. Even experienced anglers get shaky hands when a hundred-pound tarpon comes up behind their bait.
Redfish are the workhorses of the flats, and Mosquito Lagoon grows some true giants. These copper-colored bruisers patrol the shallow grass beds, often giving themselves away with their tails sticking out of the water while they root for crabs. Fall brings the best red fishing when cooler water temperatures trigger aggressive feeding behavior. Bull reds over 27 inches provide incredible fights in shallow water, often making multiple runs toward deep water while showing off their trademark red and black spotted tails. The shallow water sight fishing for reds is what gets most people hooked on inshore fishing.
Crevalle jack are the pit bulls of the lagoon system, and they'll eat just about anything that moves. These schooling fish show up year-round but really turn on during the warmer months when baitfish are abundant. When you find a school of jacks, the action gets crazy fast – they'll compete with each other to hit your baits, often resulting in multiple hookups. Pound for pound, jacks might be the strongest fish swimming in these waters. They'll test your drag system and leave your arms burning, but the constant action makes them a favorite among families with young anglers.
This private charter gives you the flexibility to fish your way, on your schedule. With only two anglers maximum, you get personalized attention and can spend your time targeting the species you're most excited about. The calm inshore waters, diverse fish population, and knowledgeable local captain create the perfect recipe for a memorable day on the water. Whether you're looking to introduce someone to fishing or want to challenge yourself against some of Florida's best inshore species, this trip delivers the goods. Don't wait on this one – the best fishing days book up fast, especially during peak seasons.
Your fishing adventure starts aboard our freshly restored 2015 Beavertail flats boat – an 18-footer built specifically for shallow-water action around New Smyrna Beach and Mosquito Lagoon. This nimble skiff cuts through the flats with its 90HP Suzuki, hitting speeds up to 50 knots when you need to chase the bite. The wireless trolling motor keeps things whisper-quiet when stalking redfish and snook in skinny water. You'll have everything needed for a successful day: fish finder to locate schools, GPS for navigation, and an icebox to keep your drinks cold. The multimedia system adds some tunes between catches, while VHF radio and radar keep you connected and safe. Perfect for two anglers who want to get into the backcountry spots where the big tarpon and snapper hide. This boat handles like a dream whether you're poling the shallows or running to deeper structure.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the heavyweights of our inshore waters, and they put up one heck of a scrap. These chunky, dark-colored fighters typically weigh 5-20 pounds, though we hook 30-pounders regularly. You'll find them cruising oyster bars, muddy flats, and around creek mouths in 2-10 feet of water. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning, making them easier to target in good numbers. What guests love about drum fishing is the power - these fish use that broad tail and stocky build to make long, bulldogging runs that'll make your arms burn. The smaller ones under 15 pounds make great table fare too. Here's my go-to technique: use fresh blue crab or cut mullet on a Carolina rig, and fish it right on the bottom. When you feel that steady thump-thump-thump, that's a drum rooting around - set the hook hard and hang on tight.
Caranx HipposCrevalle jacks are the bulldogs of our inshore waters - aggressive, powerful, and always ready to rumble. These brassy-colored fighters average 12-24 inches and 3-8 pounds, but don't let their size fool you. They'll fight like fish twice their weight. You'll find them schooling in open water, around structure, and pushing baitfish up on the flats year-round, though summer brings the biggest schools. What guests love about jacks is the nonstop action - when you find a school, it's game on with fish after fish. They hit hard and make screaming runs that'll test your drag. While they're not great table fare, the fight more than makes up for it. Look for diving birds - that's your best indicator of feeding jacks below. Here's my trick: cast a silver spoon or white bucktail past the school and reel it back fast. Jacks love the chase, so don't be afraid to burn that lure through the water.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the bread and butter of our inshore fishing here in New Smyrna Beach. These copper-colored beauties with their signature black spots typically run 20-30 inches and fight way above their weight class. You'll find them tailing in 1-3 feet of water across grass flats, around oyster bars, and cruising mangrove shorelines. Fall and winter are prime seasons when they school up in big numbers. What makes reds so popular is their willingness to eat almost anything - topwater plugs, spoons, live shrimp, you name it. They make strong, determined runs and taste fantastic on the table with that mild, sweet flavor. The sight fishing is addictive too - watching a red's back fin cut through shallow water gets your heart pumping. Here's a local secret: look for them around mullet schools on the flats. Cast your bait past the fish and work it slowly back - reds can spook easily in skinny water.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are one of our most prized catches here in New Smyrna Beach. These sleek, golden fish with that distinctive black lateral line typically run 18-30 inches, though we occasionally hook monsters pushing 40 inches. They love hanging around mangroves, docks, and oyster bars in 2-6 feet of water, especially where current flows through passes and creeks. Spring through fall offers the best action when water temps stay above 70 degrees. What makes snook special is their explosive strike and acrobatic fight - they'll jump and make blistering runs that test your drag. Plus, they're excellent table fare with firm, white meat. Here's a local tip: when fishing around structure, cast your live shrimp or pinfish upcurrent and let it drift naturally to the ambush zone. Snook are ambush predators, so that natural presentation often triggers the most aggressive strikes.
Megalops AtlanticusTarpon are the silver kings of our waters - pure magic when they launch themselves skyward in a shower of spray. These prehistoric giants average 4-6 feet and 80-150 pounds around here, with some real monsters pushing 200. They move through our passes, beaches, and deeper lagoon holes from late spring through early fall, following baitfish migrations. What makes tarpon fishing so special isn't just the aerial show, but the marathon fight that can last an hour or more. They're strictly catch-and-release due to their bony meat, but landing one is a bucket-list experience. The key to success is patience and proper tackle - use a 7000-size reel with at least 30-pound braid. My local trick: when that tarpon jumps, bow to the fish by dropping your rod tip toward the water. This gives slack and prevents the hook from pulling free during those spectacular leaps.
Daytona Beach, FL