5.0(5 Reviews)Half Day Guided Fishing Trip In Boca Grande
5.0(5 reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Top Rated
Target King Mackerel, Red Snapper, and Gulf Coast speciesAll gear, tackle, and fishing licenses included onboardAccommodates up to 6 guests with convenient launch locations
Captain Will and his crew at Family Traditions Charter Co. know where the fish are hiding in Boca Grande's legendary waters. This isn't your typical tourist fishing trip — it's 4 to 6 hours of serious angling targeting some of the Gulf Coast's most sought-after species. From the moment you step aboard, you'll be fishing waters that have made Boca Grande famous among anglers worldwide. Your captain picks launch spots based on current conditions, tides, and where the action is hottest that day. All your gear, tackle, and licenses are handled, so you can focus on what matters most — getting fish in the boat.
This half-day charter is built around putting you on fish fast and keeping you there. Captain Will and his team scout conditions daily, so you're hitting productive water from the first cast. The boat handles up to 6 anglers comfortably, making it perfect for family groups or a crew of buddies looking to fill the cooler. You'll spend quality time trolling for pelagic species like King Mackerel while also working structure for bottom dwellers. The captains adjust techniques throughout the trip based on what's biting — one minute you might be working live bait for Tarpon, the next you're dropping jigs for Grouper. Pack your own snacks and drinks, but everything else is ready to go. Whether you're a seasoned angler or learning the ropes, the crew makes sure everyone gets shots at quality fish.
The beauty of Boca Grande fishing lies in the variety of techniques that produce results in these waters. Your captain starts by reading conditions — water temperature, bait movement, and structure — then selects the right approach for the day. Trolling accounts for much of the action, pulling spoons, plugs, and live bait rigs at different depths to locate schools of King Mackerel and other pelagics. When working structure for Grouper and Snapper, you'll switch to bottom fishing with circle hooks and heavy tackle to pull fish away from rocky cover. Live bait presentations shine for Tarpon and Redfish around grass flats and deeper channels. The crew handles all rigging and re-baiting, keeping multiple lines working efficiently. GPS and fish finder technology pinpoint productive spots, but local knowledge puts you on the honey holes that consistently hold fish.
"Our family went fishing with Captain Will over Spring Break. We had such a wonderful trip! Our oldest hooked a once in a lifetime Tarpon and got to fight him to the side of the boat. Captain Will was great with all the boys and made sure everyone had a chance to get in on the fun! We can't wait to come back again next year!" - Melissa K. "Our family went inshore fishing with captain Will and Clayton on Dec 27 as a Christmas adventure. We had a fantastic day! These guys were great! We weren't sure what to expect as far as catching because of coming out of a cold snap but we had a nice haul of sheepshead and a great day of memory making! I would definitely recommend Family Traditions!!" - Amanda "Great Charter! Totally reccomend for couples, familes or friends. Capt. Will and his son were amazing. They were super attentive and involved. You can tell they are passionate about what they do. This was my girlfriend's favorite charter in SouthWest Florida. Its always fun to go fishing, but to have the opportunity to catch such respectful fish was priceless. We were blessed by the fishing gods and got a double slam!!! Thanks guys!" - Ryan
Gag Grouper are the bread and butter of Boca Grande's bottom fishing scene. These hard-fighting fish average 15 to 25 pounds and inhabit rocky ledges and structure in 30 to 80 feet of water. They hit live pinfish, grunts, and large jigs worked near the bottom. Gags make powerful runs toward cover when hooked, testing your drag and the captain's boat handling skills. Peak season runs from October through March when cooler water brings them shallow. Their excellent table fare and challenging fight make them a customer favorite on every trip.
Tarpon fishing around Boca Grande is world-class, with the famous Tarpon Capital of the World living up to its reputation. These silver kings range from juvenile fish in the 20 to 40-pound class up to monsters exceeding 150 pounds. Peak tarpon season hits from April through July, though fish are present year-round in varying numbers. They strike live crabs, pinfish, and artificial lures worked around deep holes and channel edges. The initial jump and subsequent aerial display makes every tarpon hookup a memory that lasts forever. Most fish are released after a quick photo to preserve this incredible fishery.
King Mackerel patrol Boca Grande's waters from spring through fall, with fish ranging from schoolie-sized "smokers" up to trophy kings pushing 40 pounds or more. These speed demons hit trolled baits like live sardines, spoons, and diving plugs pulled at 6 to 8 knots. Kings have razor-sharp teeth and make blistering runs when hooked, often jumping clear of the water. They're excellent eating when properly handled and bled, making them popular with anglers looking to fill the cooler. Best action typically occurs from May through October in 20 to 60 feet of water.
Redfish are year-round residents that offer consistent action for anglers of all skill levels. These copper-colored bruisers average 18 to 27 inches in Boca Grande waters and hit everything from live shrimp to topwater plugs. They inhabit grass flats, mangrove shorelines, and deeper channels depending on tides and season. Reds fight with bulldogging power, making long runs and digging deep when hooked. Their willingness to eat
Your fishing platform for this Boca Grande adventure is a solid 23' Hanson center console that knows these Gulf waters well. Built in 2017 and powered by a reliable 150HP Suzuki outboard, this boat cuts through the waves at a comfortable 25 knots to get you to the best fishing spots without burning half your trip getting there. The center console design gives everyone room to cast and fight fish without getting tangled up with your buddies. When you hook into a big king mackerel or red snapper, you'll have space to work. The wireless trolling motor lets your captain position the boat quietly over structure where the fish are holding, while the fish finder shows what's swimming below. GPS keeps you on productive spots, and the VHF radio ensures safe communication on the water. With seating for up to 6 anglers and even a head onboard for longer trips, this boat is set up for serious Gulf Coast fishing action.
Mycteroperca MicrolepisGag grouper are solid fighters that hang around offshore reefs, wrecks, and rocky structure in 40-150 feet of water. Most run 20-30 inches and 5-15 pounds, though bigger ones push 50+ pounds. They love live pinfish, mullet, and cut bait like squid or crab. Spring through fall offers the best action when they're feeding heavy. What makes them fun is the initial strike - they hit hard then immediately try to drag your bait back into the rocks. The meat is fantastic, firm white fillets that grill up perfect. Here's the key: once you hook one, lock that drag down tight and keep steady pressure. Don't give them an inch or they'll wrap you around structure and break you off. Circle hooks work great and help with the fight.
Scomberomorus CavallaKing mackerel are speed demons that cruise the Gulf in 40-100 feet of water, usually running 10-30 pounds with occasional fish pushing 50+. They're here spring through fall, with summer being prime time when baitfish are thick. These fish make smoking runs that'll burn drag and test your gear. They're also excellent table fare - firm, flaky meat that's perfect for the grill or smoker. We typically troll spoons, live bait, or dive baits to find schools. Once you hook one, expect long runs and jumps. The trick is using a wire leader since their teeth will cut through mono in a heartbeat. Also, watch for birds working - where you see diving pelicans, you'll often find kings feeding underneath.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are shallow water bullies that love grass flats, oyster bars, and mangrove shorelines in 1-4 feet of water. They run 18-28 inches mostly, with slot fish around 20-27 inches being perfect for the cooler. Spring and fall are prime, but they bite year-round in our waters. What's fun is sight fishing - watching their copper backs cruise the shallows with that distinctive black spot near the tail. They eat everything from live shrimp to topwater plugs and put up a solid fight with strong runs. The meat is sweet and flaky, great blackened or grilled. Best tip: when you spot one, cast well past it and work your bait back - they spook easy if you land right on top of them. Look for muddy water where they're rooting around feeding.
Megalops AtlanticusTarpon are the kings of jumping fish around Boca Grande - these silver giants average 80-150 pounds and can hit 200+ pounds during peak season. They cruise shallow flats, deep channels, and around structure from May through August when the migration is strongest. What gets people hooked is watching a 6-foot fish launch 10 feet out of the water, throwing hooks and putting on a show. They're purely catch-and-release since the meat isn't great, but the fight is worth the trip. Live bait like crabs, pinfish, and mullet work best. Pro tip: when they jump, bow to the fish - drop your rod tip toward them to keep tension off the line. Most hooks get thrown during those aerial displays, so staying connected is half the battle.
Lobotes SurinamensisTripletail are one of the cooler sight fishing targets we have - they float on their sides near the surface, looking like floating debris until you get close. Most run 2-8 pounds and 18 inches, but bigger ones reach 15+ pounds. They're around year-round but summer is best when they're shallow. These fish are surprisingly acrobatic for their chunky build and the meat rivals grouper or snapper - really firm and tasty. They hang around weed lines, crab trap buoys, and floating structure. Live shrimp or small jigs work great. The key is being sneaky - cast well away from them and drag your bait past their nose. They spook easily but once hooked, they'll jump and make solid runs. Watch for that mottled brown coloration floating sideways.
5.0 out of 5.0Our family went fishing with Captain Will over Spring Break. We had such a wonderful trip! Our oldest hooked a once in a lifetime ...
Our family went inshore fishing with captain Will and Clayton on Dec 27 as a Christmas adventure. We had a fantastic day! These g...
Great Charter! Totally reccomend for couples, familes or friends. Capt. Will and his son were amazing. They were super attentive a...
Captain Will was great. We brought our granddaughter and her boyfriend fishing and he was wonderful, knowledgeable and helpful. ...
Awesome day of fishing today with Capt Darryl and Kaylie! Had a crew of 6 with teenage boys that caught quite a few fish. Thanks...
Boca Grande