Top-Rated 8-Hour Inshore Fort Myers Adventure
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Full 8hour inshore fishing adventure in Fort Myers watersTarget snook, redfish, and mangrove snapper with expert guidesSmall group experience accommodating up to 3 guests maximum
Looking for the real deal when it comes to Fort Myers inshore fishing? Captain Mojo and his crew know these waters like the back of their hands, and this 8-hour trip gives you the best shot at hooking into some serious fish. We're talking about a full day on the water where you'll target snook, redfish, sea trout, and mahogany snapper in some of the most productive backwaters Southwest Florida has to offer. With just three anglers max, you get the personal attention that makes all the difference between a good day and an epic one. Pack your sunscreen and bring your appetite for action – we're going fishing.
Eight hours gives us the luxury of really working the water properly. We'll start early, hitting different spots as the tides and conditions change throughout the day. Fort Myers' backwater system is a maze of mangrove creeks, oyster bars, and grass flats that hold different species at different times. Your captain will read the water, watching for bait schools, working birds, and subtle current changes that signal where the fish are feeding. The small group size means everyone gets quality time at the rod, and we can move quickly between spots when the bite slows down. You'll fish everything from shallow flats where redfish cruise in skinny water to deeper creek mouths where snook ambush prey. The variety keeps things interesting all day long.
We fish light tackle here – mostly spinning gear in the 15-20 pound class that gives you the sensitivity to feel those subtle bites but enough backbone to turn a big snook away from the mangroves. Live bait is king in these waters, and we'll have a livewell full of pilchards, pinfish, and shrimp depending on what's available and what the fish are eating. You'll learn to work topwater plugs at first light, bounce jigs along oyster bars, and drift live bait through creek mouths. Each technique has its place, and part of the fun is figuring out what's working on any given day. The captain handles all the gear, but feel free to bring your favorite rod if you've got one – just make sure it's appropriate for inshore work.
Snook are the crown jewel of Southwest Florida inshore fishing, and for good reason. These ambush predators hang around structure like dock pilings, mangrove roots, and creek bends, waiting to inhale anything that swims by. Spring through fall is prime time, with the best action happening around moving water during tide changes. A good snook will strip line off your reel in powerful runs, and they're notorious for jumping and gill-rattling when hooked. The slot size runs from 28 to 33 inches, but plenty of fish over and under that range keep things exciting. What makes snook special is their attitude – they hit hard and fight dirty, using every trick to throw the hook.
Redfish are the workhorses of the flats, and Fort Myers has some of the most consistent red fishing in Florida. These copper-colored bruisers cruise the shallow grass beds and oyster bars, often with their backs out of water as they root around for crabs and shrimp. Fall and winter months are peak season when the reds school up in big numbers, but you can find them year-round if you know where to look. They're not as flashy as snook, but they make up for it with pure pulling power. A slot red will put a serious bend in your rod and test your drag system. Watch for their tails waving in the shallows – sight fishing for reds is about as good as it gets.
Sea trout might not get the same respect as snook and reds, but they're a blast on light tackle and great eating too. These spotted beauties love grass flats and sandy potholes, especially during cooler months when they school up in deeper water. They hit everything from live shrimp to soft plastics, and their delicate mouths mean you need to keep steady pressure without horsing them. The gator trout – those over 20 inches – are getting harder to find, but when you connect with one, you'll understand why old-timers get so excited about them. They're perfect for anglers who want steady action and a few fillets for dinner.
Mahogany snapper add some variety to the mix, hanging around structure in slightly deeper water than the other species. These little fighters are beautiful fish with their reddish-brown coloration and yellow fins, and they're absolutely delicious on the table. They're not huge – most run 12 to 16 inches – but they fight harder than their size suggests and they school up, so where you catch one, you'll usually find more. Summer months are best for mahogany snapper, and they love live bait fished around docks, bridges, and rocky bottom. They're a great confidence builder for newer anglers since they bite readily and give everyone something to catch.
This 8-hour adventure with Feelin' the Mojo Fishing Charters gives you the full Fort Myers inshore experience without rushing through it. You'll have time to learn new techniques, target multiple species, and really get a feel for how this fishery works. The small group size ensures personal attention, and the captain's local knowledge puts you on fish consistently. Whether you're looking to check Southwest Florida fishing off your bucket list or you're a serious angler wanting to dial in your inshore game, this trip delivers. Book early, especially during peak season – word gets around about the good boats, and Captain Mojo's calendar fills up fast with repeat customers who know what they're getting.
Get ready to hit Fort Myers' prime fishing waters aboard our 175hp motorboat that'll cruise you to the hotspots at 50 knots. This fishing machine comes loaded with everything you need for a successful day on the water – wireless trolling motor for sneaking up on those spooky redfish, GPS to navigate the flats, and a fish finder to locate where the snook are holding. The onboard icebox keeps your catch fresh and drinks cold during those long Florida days. Perfect for up to 3 anglers, this boat handles the shallow backcountry and deeper channels with ease, getting you to productive waters fast so you can spend more time with lines in the water chasing snook, redfish, and mangrove snapper around Fort Myers' endless fishing grounds.
Lutjanus MahogoniMahogany snappers are scrappy little fighters that pack more punch than their 15-19 inch size suggests. These colorful reef fish sport silver bodies with reddish tints and a distinctive black spot behind their head. You'll find them around structure - docks, rock piles, and artificial reefs in 20-100 feet of water. They're not the biggest snapper species, but they make up for it with aggressive strikes and solid fights on light tackle. Spring through summer offers the best action when they're most active. While they're good eating, some folks worry about ciguatera in larger specimens. My advice: use light gear with 1/0 circle hooks and live shrimp or small crabs. Fish near any kind of bottom structure and you'll usually find them schooled up.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the bulldogs of the flats - pure power wrapped in copper-colored scales. These fish average 20-30 inches but can grow massive, and that distinctive black spot near their tail makes them unmistakable. They cruise super shallow water, sometimes with their backs showing, around oyster bars and mangrove shorelines. What makes reds special is their year-round presence and incredible fight - they'll peel drag and never give up. Plus, they're excellent eating with sweet, firm meat. The magic happens in 1-4 feet of water, especially on incoming tides. My go-to trick is to look for their tails or backs in skinny water during calm mornings. Once you spot them, a well-placed live shrimp or gold spoon usually seals the deal.
Salmo TruttaSpotted seatrout, or "specks" as we call them, are one of the most reliable fish in our waters. These silver beauties with black spots usually run 14-20 inches and love shallow grass flats in 2-6 feet of water. They're active year-round but really turn on during cooler months when they school up in deeper holes. What guests love about trout is their willingness to bite and their delicate, flaky meat - perfect for the dinner table. They'll hit live shrimp, soft plastics, and topwater plugs with equal enthusiasm. The key to consistent trout fishing is finding the grass beds with good water movement. Look for nervous water or birds working - that's usually where the baitfish are, and the trout won't be far behind.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are the holy grail of Fort Myers inshore fishing. These sleek, golden fish with their distinctive black lateral line typically run 18-30 inches, though trophy fish can hit 40+ inches. They're ambush predators that love hanging around mangroves, docks, and oyster bars in 2-10 feet of water. What makes them special is their explosive strike and powerful runs - they'll test your drag and jump clear out of the water. Best action happens during warmer months, especially around dawn and dusk. They're fantastic table fare with firm, white meat. Here's a pro tip: when fishing around structure, cast your lure past the cover and work it back slowly - snook hate being spooked and will often nail it on the retrieve.
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