Six-Hour Sebastian Inlet Fishing Adventure
Private Trip
Extended sixhour morning charter targeting snook, trout, and bassAccommodates up to three guests with all Shimano gear providedMultiple productive locations from coastal flats to inland lakes
When you're serious about putting fish in the boat, this extended six-hour charter with Don Nicely gives you the time you need to really dial in the bite. Starting at first light at 7:00 AM, you'll have the luxury of hitting multiple spots around Sebastian Inlet without feeling rushed. Whether the fish are stacked up on the flats or hiding in the grass lines, we've got the time to hunt them down and figure out what they want.
This top-rated morning charter is designed for anglers who understand that good fishing takes patience and persistence. We'll start by reading the conditions – tide, wind, water clarity – then make our game plan. Some days the snook are crushing topwater baits right at sunrise along the mangrove shorelines. Other mornings, we might need to work deeper grass flats for trout or head to structure for sheepshead. The beauty of a six-hour trip is we can adapt and move until we find active fish. You'll fish from a well-equipped boat with all the Shimano Baitrunner setups you need, so your only job is to cast and hook up. This charter accommodates up to three anglers, making it perfect for a couple wanting a personalized experience or a small group of fishing buddies.
Sebastian Inlet fishing requires versatility, and that's exactly what this charter delivers. We'll rig multiple rods with different presentations – live bait on circle hooks for the big snook, soft plastics on jig heads for trout, and cut bait for the sheepshead around structure. The Shimano Baitrunner reels are perfect for live bait fishing since they allow fish to take line without feeling resistance, then engage instantly when you flip the bail. Depending on conditions, we might work shallow grass flats with topwater plugs, drift live shrimp under popping corks, or anchor up and fish structure with heavier tackle. The extended time frame means we can try multiple techniques and really fine-tune your casting and presentation skills. Whether you're working on your accuracy with artificial lures or learning to read fish behavior with live bait, six hours gives us plenty of opportunities to put it all together.
Spanish Mackerel are speed demons that'll test your reflexes and drag system. These chrome rockets typically show up in schools, slashing through bait pods with reckless abandon. Spring through fall is prime time, especially when the water temperature hits that sweet spot above 70 degrees. They'll absolutely crush small spoons, jigs, and live shrimp. What makes them exciting is the initial run – pure acceleration that'll have your drag screaming. Plus, they're excellent table fare when handled properly.
Largemouth Bass in the Sebastian area offer a different kind of challenge. These ambush predators love structure and cover, whether it's submerged grass, fallen timber, or rock piles. They're most active during low-light periods and when water temperatures are stable. A quality bass will give you that classic head-shaking fight, trying to wrap you around whatever cover they can find. The satisfaction of pulling a chunky largemouth from heavy cover never gets old, and the Sebastian waters consistently produce fish in the 3-6 pound range.
Snook are the crown jewel of inshore fishing here, and Sebastian Inlet is renowned for producing quality fish year-round. These line-siders are incredibly structure-oriented, hanging around docks, mangroves, and inlet walls where they can ambush prey. They're famous for their gill-rattling jumps and powerful runs toward cover. Peak season runs from spring through early fall, but winter can produce some of the biggest fish when they stack up in deeper holes. What makes snook special is their intelligence – they'll test every aspect of your tackle and technique.
Sheepshead around Sebastian Inlet are the ultimate test of your bait presentation skills. These black-and-white striped convict fish have small mouths but incredibly strong jaws, perfect for crushing barnacles and crabs around pilings and rock structure. They're year-round residents but most cooperative during cooler months. The challenge with sheepshead is detecting their subtle bite – they're notorious bait stealers who can clean a hook without you feeling a thing. When you do connect, they use their flat profile to their advantage, turning sideways and pulling hard toward structure.
Redfish are the bulldogs of the flats, using their broad tails and muscular bodies to make sustained, powerful runs. Sebastian's grass flats and mangrove shorelines provide perfect redfish habitat, especially during high tide periods when they push shallow to feed. These copper-colored fighters are most active during moving water and can be targeted year-round, though fall typically produces the largest schools. What makes reds special is their willingness to eat both live and artificial baits, plus their habit of feeding in very shallow water where you can sight-cast to individual fish.
This world-class six-hour charter represents serious value for dedicated anglers who want more than just a quick fishing trip. At $550 for two guests (plus $50 for a third), you're getting a full morning of guided fishing with all gear included, plus the expertise of a captain who knows Sebastian Inlet's productive waters inside and out. The extended timeframe means better odds of finding cooperative fish, more opportunities to try different techniques, and the chance to really improve your fishing skills. Whether you're a novice angler wanting to build confidence or an experienced fisherman looking to dial in new techniques, this customer favorite charter delivers the time and instruction you need. Don't wait – the best fishing days fill up fast, and prime tide windows book weeks in advance.
Our 2019 18-foot Carolina Skiff flats boat puts you right where the fish are feeding along Sebastian Inlet's productive shallows. This nimble skiff draws just inches of water, letting us slip into backcountry spots where snook and trout hide in the grass flats. The 70HP Yamaha gets us between fishing zones quickly while staying quiet enough not to spook wary fish. With Garmin fishfinder and GPS onboard, we can mark productive structure and navigate the maze of shallow cuts and oyster bars that hold the best fish. The live bait well keeps your shiners frisky, and there's plenty of deck space for up to 3 anglers to work lures around downed trees and mangrove edges where largemouth bass ambush prey.
Micropterus SalmoidesLargemouth bass in our area typically range 2-5 pounds with some pushing double digits in the better lakes. These ambush predators love thick cover - fallen trees, weed beds, and dock pilings where they can surprise prey. Spring spawning season and early morning summer feeds produce the hottest action. Bass are scrappy fighters that'll jump and bulldoze toward cover once hooked. They're fun for all skill levels since they're not line-shy and will hit various lures. The cooler months bring them into shallower water where topwater plugs create explosive strikes. While catch-and-release is popular, smaller ones make decent table fare. Here's the trick: work your bait slow around structure and be ready to set the hook hard when you feel that telltale thump - they'll spit a lure as fast as they grabbed it.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the perfect sight-fishing target on our shallow flats - bronze-colored bruisers with distinctive black spots near their tails. They range from 18-27 inches in the slot, with some bull reds pushing 40+ pounds offshore. Look for them in 1-4 feet of water around oyster bars, grass flats, and mangrove shorelines. Fall and spring provide the most consistent action as they move into the shallows to feed. What makes reds special is their willingness to eat topwater lures in skinny water - watching one blow up on a plug never gets old. They're strong fighters that'll make long runs and their mild, sweet meat is hard to beat. The best approach is staying quiet, making long casts to cruising or tailing fish, and using gold spoons or soft plastics. Watch for nervous water or mud clouds - that's usually redfish stirring up crabs and shrimp.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the "convict fish" with their black and white stripes and human-like teeth - odd looking but fantastic eating. They average 2-4 pounds around docks, bridges, and any barnacle-covered structure. These fish are year-round residents, but winter months bring the biggest ones as they stage for spring spawning. What makes them challenging is their light bite - they're notorious bait thieves that'll clean your hook without you knowing. The reward is some of the best-tasting fish in our waters with sweet, white meat. They feed on crabs, shrimp, and barnacles, so fresh bait works best. Here's the key: use small hooks, keep your bait tight to structure, and when you feel that subtle tapping, set the hook immediately. Most anglers wait too long and wonder where their bait went.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are the crown jewel around Sebastian Inlet - sleek, golden fish with that signature black lateral line. Most run 18-28 inches, but slot-sized fish put up fights that rival much larger species. They lurk around mangroves, docks, and bridge pilings in both salt and brackish water, typically in 2-8 feet. Summer months bring the best action when they're feeding heavily before spawning season. Anglers love snook for their acrobatic jumps and powerful runs toward structure. They're temperature sensitive, so cooler winter months slow things down. The white, flaky meat is outstanding table fare when they're in season. My go-to method is live shrimp or pilchards near cover during moving water - incoming tide is prime time. Keep your drag snug but not tight; they'll wrap you around the nearest piling if given slack.
Scomberomorus MaculatusSpanish mackerel are speedy, aggressive fish that typically run 1-3 pounds around Sebastian Inlet, though bigger ones show up offshore. You'll spot their silvery bodies with yellow spots as they cruise in schools near the surface, especially around structure and baitfish. They hit hard and make blistering runs that'll test your drag. Spring through fall offers the best action when water temps warm up. These fish aren't picky eaters - they'll smash spoons, jigs, or live bait like sardines and shrimp. The meat is excellent grilled or smoked with a mild, flaky texture. Pro tip: when you see diving birds or surface activity, get there fast and cast small silver spoons through the school. Keep your drag loose - they'll snap light line on that first screaming run.
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