River Fishing Charters for Premium Catches
Private Trip
River Fishing
Target Trout, Redfish, Snapper, Grouper, and Snook speciesQuality fishing equipment provided for all guestsSmall group river fishing accommodates up to 5 people
There's nothing quite like working the river systems where saltwater mingles with fresh, creating the perfect hunting grounds for some of the most sought-after gamefish in coastal waters. With Finntastick Charters, you're getting access to prime fishing spots that consistently produce trophy catches. Our top-rated river tours put you right in the action, whether you're chasing aggressive redfish in the shallows or dropping lines for hefty snapper in deeper channels. We keep our trips intimate with just 5 anglers max, so everyone gets plenty of rod time and personalized attention from your captain.
Your day starts early when the fish are most active and the river traffic is light. We'll cruise to productive spots where structure meets current – that's where the magic happens. The beauty of river fishing is the variety; one minute you're sight-casting to tailing redfish in three feet of water, the next you're working jigs around bridge pilings for snook. The scenery changes as we move between spots, from mangrove-lined banks to open river mouths where the current stirs up baitfish. You'll feel the excitement build as we mark fish on the sonar or spot nervous water indicating feeding activity. Every cast has potential, and that anticipation keeps even veteran anglers on edge throughout the trip.
We supply all the gear you need – quality rods, reels, and a full tackle selection that matches the conditions and target species. Depending on what's biting, we'll have you throwing everything from topwater plugs at dawn to soft plastics worked slow along the bottom. Live bait is often the ticket for bigger fish, so we'll have a livewell stocked with pinfish, pilchards, or shrimp. For the structure fishing, we use medium-heavy spinning gear that can handle the pull of a big snapper or grouper trying to get back to cover. When we're sight-fishing the flats, we switch to lighter tackle for better presentation and more sport. Your captain will coach you through the techniques, whether it's learning to read the water for redfish or feeling the subtle bite of a sheepshead picking at a fiddler crab.
Grey snapper are the bread and butter of river fishing, especially around structure like docks, bridges, and rocky outcrops. These smart fish require patience and finesse – they'll inspect your bait thoroughly before committing. The good news is they're abundant year-round, with the larger specimens moving in during warmer months. A 3-4 pound snapper puts up a solid fight and makes excellent table fare. What makes them exciting is their unpredictability; sometimes they're aggressive and hit hard, other times you need to downsize your hook and use the lightest possible sinker.
Snook are the glamour species that every angler wants to tangle with. These ambush predators love structure and current breaks, making river mouths and bridge areas prime territory. They're most active during dawn and dusk, exploding on topwater lures with gill-rattling strikes. Summer months bring the best action when they're feeding heavily. A slot-sized snook will test your drag system and your skills – they're notorious for jumping and making powerful runs toward cover. The silver king's attitude and acrobatics make every hookup memorable, even if you're practicing catch and release.
Sheepshead might look odd with their human-like teeth, but they're challenging and rewarding to catch. These convict-striped fish are the pickpockets of the fishing world, stealing bait with surgical precision around barnacle-covered pilings and rocky structure. Spring brings the best bite when they move into rivers to spawn. Fiddler crabs and barnacles are their favorite meals, and it takes a sharp hook-set to connect with their bony mouths. Once hooked, they use their broad sides to fight in the current. Many anglers underestimate sheepshead until they feel that stubborn, head-shaking battle.
Redfish are the crowd favorites for good reason – they're aggressive, beautiful, and fight like fish twice their size. These copper-colored bruisers cruise shallow waters year-round, though fall brings the best action when they school up. You'll often see them tailing in skinny water or creating wakes as they patrol the flats. They're not picky eaters, crushing everything from cut bait to artificial lures. What makes reds special is their power; a 25-inch redfish will strip line and test your equipment. The sight of that bronze back and spotted tail breaking the surface never gets old.
Sea trout, or speckled trout, are abundant in grass flats and deeper river channels. These spotted beauties are most active during cooler months, with winter producing some true giants. They're excellent light-tackle fish, often hitting soft plastics and live shrimp with aggressive strikes. Trout are perfect for building confidence – they're willing biters that provide steady action when other species are finicky. The bigger gator trout are different animals entirely, requiring more skill and heavier tackle. Their weak mouths mean you need to play them carefully, but that just adds to the challenge.
River fishing delivers variety and action that keeps every trip interesting. With Finntastick Charters, you're getting local knowledge, quality equipment, and access to productive waters that many anglers never find on their own. Whether you're a seasoned angler looking for your next trophy or someone new to the sport, our captains will put you on fish and make sure you have the skills to land them. The river systems we fish are world-class fisheries that produce year-round, so there's never a bad time to get out there. Pack your snacks and drinks, and let us handle everything else – your next great fishing story is waiting.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are the kings of structure fishing, typically running 18-24 inches with that signature black lateral line and golden color. They hang tight to mangroves, docks, and creek mouths where they can ambush baitfish. These fish are temperature sensitive - they shut down when water drops below 60 degrees but go crazy during summer months. What makes them special is that explosive strike and bulldogging fight once hooked. Plus, they're excellent table fare with firm white meat. Spring through fall gives you the best action, especially around moving water during tide changes. They're super cover-oriented, so get your bait right up against structure. Here's the trick: use the same lures you'd throw for bass - soft plastics and topwater plugs work great.
Lutjanus GriseusGrey Snapper, also called Mangrove Snapper, are smart fish that'll test your patience. They run 1-2 pounds inshore, but can hit 20 pounds in deeper water. Look for them around docks, bridges, and any structure with good cover - they love ambushing prey from the shadows. Best fishing happens at night when they're most active, especially around new and full moons. These copper-red beauties are notorious bait thieves, so keep your shrimp hooked through the tail and let it sit still on bottom. Don't jerk when you feel that first nibble - they'll strip your bait clean. The meat is excellent - white, flaky, and mild. Pro tip: once your bait hits bottom, reel up just a foot to avoid snags, then wait them out.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled Trout are grass flat specialists, running 14-18 inches with those distinctive black spots covering their silver sides. They love shallow bays and estuaries, especially around seagrass beds where shrimp and small baitfish hang out. Night fishing and low-light periods are prime time - they feed heavily after dark. These fish are fun because they'll hit both live bait and artificials, and that first jump always surprises folks. The soft, white meat is excellent but cooks fast. Spring and fall give you the most consistent action when water temps are comfortable. Winter months they group up in deeper channels. Soft plastics like DOA shrimp and topwater plugs work great. Here's my trick: fish them slow and low - they have soft mouths, so don't horse them in or you'll pull the hook.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the perfect sight-fishing target with that copper body and distinctive black spot near the tail. They cruise grass flats and oyster bars in water so shallow their backs stick out. Most run 20-30 inches and put up a serious fight - strong, steady pulls that'll test your drag. Fall and spring are money times when they school up in the shallows. What makes them special is you can actually see them tailing and cruising before you cast. The meat has a mild, sweet flavor that grills beautifully. Look for them on incoming tides when they push onto the flats to feed. Topwater plugs create explosive strikes, but don't overlook live shrimp under a popping cork. Pro tip: when you spot a red, lead them by a few feet and let your bait settle - they spook easy in skinny water.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the "convict fish" with those black and white stripes, and they're famous for two things - human-like teeth and being master bait thieves. Most run 1-3 pounds, but you can find 8-pounders around deeper structure. They live around barnacle-covered pilings, bridges, and oyster bars where they scrape off crustaceans with those weird teeth. Spring months are prime time when they move shallow to spawn. Guests love the challenge - these fish will clean your hook without you feeling a thing. The white, flaky meat is top-notch eating too. Get your bait tight to structure and keep that hook sharp. My tip: when you feel them nibbling, don't wait - set the hook hard immediately. Use fiddler crabs or live shrimp, and keep it pinned right to the bottom.
Homosassa, FL