Private 8 Hour Port Orange Fishing Trips
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Eighthour private inshore fishing charter accommodates four guests maximumExplore Intracoastal Waterway, inlets, and local ponds near bridgesFamily Custom Charters promotes catch and release conservation practices
Port Orange offers some of the finest inshore fishing along Florida's Central Coast, and Family Custom Fishing Charters knows exactly where the fish are biting. Our private 8-hour charters take you and up to three friends or family members through the productive waters of the Intracoastal Waterway, scenic inlets, and hidden local ponds that hold serious fish. This isn't your typical crowded party boat experience – it's a personalized fishing adventure where every cast counts and every angler gets the attention they deserve.
Your day starts early with our experienced captain who's been working these waters for years. We'll cruise through the Intracoastal Waterway, hitting productive structure around bridges where tarpon roll and snook ambush baitfish in the shadows. The beauty of an 8-hour charter is we've got time to move around and find the action – whether that means working the moving water at Ponce Inlet when the tide's right, or slipping into those back-country ponds where big fish hide when the pressure gets heavy on the main waterway. The peaceful setting makes this perfect for families, but don't let that fool you – we're serious about putting fish in the boat. We practice catch and release to keep these fisheries healthy, so your kids and grandkids can enjoy the same quality fishing we're experiencing today.
We'll match our approach to what the fish are doing and where we find them. In the Intracoastal, we might troll live baits or work structure with jigs and soft plastics. Under the bridges, we'll often pitch live shrimp or small crabs to cruising tarpon and snook. When we hit the inlets, it's game on with bigger baits for king mackerel and whatever pelagics are pushing bait close to shore. The back ponds call for finesse – light tackle with live or cut bait, working the edges and drop-offs where big fish cruise looking for an easy meal. We provide all the gear, but if you've got favorite rods or reels, bring them along. Our tackle selection runs from light spinning gear for smaller species up to conventional reels that can handle whatever Port Orange waters throw at us. Live bait is always our first choice when available, but we'll switch to artificials when the fish tell us to.
Tarpon: The silver king is what dreams are made of, and Port Orange's bridges and inlet areas hold some beautiful fish from May through September. These prehistoric giants average 80-150 pounds in our local waters, with some real monsters pushing 200 plus. Tarpon are sight feeders that love live crabs, pilchards, and threadfins. Early morning and evening bites are prime time, especially around the bridges when they're rolling and feeding. The fight is pure magic – these fish go airborne multiple times, testing your tackle and your nerves. Landing one is a lifetime memory, and we release every single tarpon to fight another day.
King Mackerel: Kings are the speed demons of the inshore scene, and they show up around Port Orange's inlet areas and nearshore structure from spring through fall. These toothy predators average 15-30 pounds, with larger fish possible during peak season. They're suckers for fast-trolled live baits, especially blue runners and threadfins, but they'll also crush spoons and diving plugs. Kings make blistering runs and have razor-sharp teeth, so we use wire leaders and keep our drag settings dialed in. The meat is fantastic when handled properly, making kings a great choice for anglers who want to take a few fish home for dinner.
Mahi Mahi: Dolphin fish are the most colorful fighters you'll find in Port Orange waters, especially during summer months when they follow the weed lines and current breaks near the inlet. These brilliant green and gold speedsters typically run 10-25 pounds in our area, though larger bulls occasionally show up. Mahi love live baits under floating debris, but they'll also hit trolled ballyhoo and small lures worked at decent speed. They're incredible jumpers with serious stamina, and their electric colors make every fight a photo opportunity. The meat is top-shelf table fare, firm and mild with no fishy taste.
Great Barracuda: Cuda are the wolves of the flats, and Port Orange's shallow areas hold some real giants. These ambush predators can reach 40+ inches and pack serious attitude. They're sight feeders that respond to fast-moving lures, especially tube lures and spoons worked over grass beds and around structure. Barracuda strike like lightning and make incredible runs, often jumping clear of the water. They're catch-and-release fish for us due to potential ciguatera, but the fight alone makes them worth targeting. Just watch those teeth – they're sharp as razors and designed for cutting.
Broomtail Grouper: These bottom dwellers are the bulldogs of Port Orange's deeper structure, especially around inlet areas and artificial reefs. Broomtails typically run 5-15 pounds and are excellent table fare with sweet, flaky meat. They're structure-oriented fish that respond to live or cut baits fished tight to the bottom around rocks, wrecks, and hard bottom areas. The fight is all about power – grouper immediately head for the rocks when hooked, so you need stout tackle and quick reflexes to turn them. They're open season year-round in our area, making them a reliable target when other species are off limits or not cooperating.
Port Orange's inshore waters offer world-class fishing variety that keeps even seasoned anglers coming back for more. Our 8-hour private charters give you the time and flexibility to really explore what these waters have
Get ready to fish the waters around Port Orange aboard our reliable 2006 Cobia 22 center console! This 22-footer is powered by a dependable 150HP Yamaha 4-stroke that'll cruise at 35 knots, getting you to those prime fishing spots along the Intracoastal Waterway and local inlets without burning through fuel. The boat's center console design gives you plenty of room to move around while fighting fish, and with space for up to 4 anglers, it's perfect for family fishing trips or small groups. You'll love the onboard fish finder that helps locate schools beneath those scenic bridges we fish around. The GPS keeps us on track to the hottest spots, while the icebox ensures your catch stays fresh and your drinks stay cold during our 8-hour adventures. Whether we're targeting redfish in the shallows or exploring peaceful ponds for bass, this boat handles both open water and tight spaces with ease. The stable platform makes it great for all skill levels, from first-time anglers to seasoned pros looking to land their next big one.
Mycteroperca XenarchaBroomtail grouper are the rare prize of our deeper waters, named for their distinctive fan-shaped tail that sets them apart from other groupers. These robust fish typically run 30-60 pounds and can stretch 2-4 feet long. You'll find them around rocky bottom and structure in 60-200 feet of water, with adults preferring the deeper end of that range. While uncommon in our area, when we do connect with one, it's usually during cooler months when they move into our waters. What makes them special is their powerful fight - they'll try to drag you straight into the rocks the moment they're hooked. The meat is excellent with a soft texture that's perfect for grilling. Since these fish are rare and vulnerable to overfishing, we practice catch-and-release. My advice: use heavy tackle with braided line and a quality drag system - once hooked, get them up quickly before they reach cover.
Sphyraena BarracudaBarracuda are the ocean's torpedoes - built for speed with that streamlined body and razor-sharp teeth. Around Port Orange, most run 2-4 feet long, though we see some real monsters pushing 5-6 feet. These ambush predators patrol shallow reefs, grass flats, and structure from the surface down to about 30 feet. They're active year-round in our waters but really turn on during warmer months. What guests love is their explosive strikes and blistering runs - they can hit 35 mph in short bursts. While they're not the best eating due to potential ciguatera, the fight is what it's all about. Barracuda hunt by sight and are drawn to shiny, fast-moving objects. My tip: use wire leaders and keep your lures moving fast. Silver spoons and tube lures work great, but don't hesitate to rip them through the water - cuda love the chase.
Scomberomorus CavallaKings are speed demons that'll test your tackle and your reflexes. These sleek predators typically run 20-40 pounds around Port Orange, though we see some real bulls pushing 50+ pounds. They cruise our nearshore waters from 40-150 feet deep, especially around structure and temperature breaks. Best fishing is spring through fall when water temps hit that 68-84°F sweet spot. What guests love about kings is their blistering runs and aerial displays - they'll peel line like crazy then jump clear of the water. Plus, they're excellent eating with firm white meat that's perfect on the grill. Kings have razor-sharp teeth, so wire leaders are a must. Here's a local trick: troll with a slow-trolled live bait rig using two hooks - one in the nose, one trailing back. When a king hits, it usually grabs the tail end first.
Coryphaena HippurusMahi are the rainbow fighters of the sea, flashing brilliant gold, blue, and green when they're fired up. Most run 15-30 pounds around Port Orange waters, though we occasionally hook into real bulls. These surface dwellers love floating debris, weed lines, and current edges in our offshore waters. Spring through fall gives us the best shots at them. What makes mahi special is their aggressive nature - they'll slam lures hard and put on aerial shows with multiple jumps. They're also fantastic table fare with firm, mild white meat. Mahi often travel in schools, so where there's one, there's usually more. My go-to technique is trolling skirted lures or rigged ballyhoo near any floating structure. Once you hook one, keep a second bait ready - the commotion often brings the rest of the school up looking for an easy meal.
Megalops AtlanticusThese silver kings are absolute giants - we're talking 4-6 feet long and 80-100 pounds on average. What makes tarpon special is their acrobatic jumps when hooked, leaping up to 10 feet out of the water. Around Port Orange, you'll find them in our brackish rivers and shallow coastal waters, especially during warmer months from late spring through early fall. They love hanging around bridges and inlet mouths where baitfish gather. Most anglers fish catch-and-release since tarpon meat isn't great eating - it's all about the fight. These prehistoric fish can live 50+ years, so that 100-pounder you're battling could be 15 years old. My tip: use live mullet or pinfish on a circle hook, and when one jumps, bow to the king - drop your rod tip to keep tension loose or they'll throw the hook.
Port Orange