5.0(2 Reviews)Half Day Fishing Trip In Sarasota, Florida
5.0(2 reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Half day inshore fishing charter targeting cobia and grouperExpert captain with years of local Sarasota Bay experienceSmall group charter accommodating up to four guests maximum
Looking for some solid inshore action without burning a whole day? Captain Billy and the Fish Moore Charters crew have dialed in the perfect half-day experience right here in Sarasota waters. We're talking about prime fishing grounds where cobia cruise the flats, grouper stack up on structure, and redfish patrol the mangrove shorelines. This isn't some cookie-cutter charter operation – we've spent years learning every creek, flat, and nearshore ledge around Sarasota Bay. Whether you're bringing the family for their first taste of Florida fishing or you're a weekend warrior looking to bend some rods, we'll put you on fish. Our 4-person capacity keeps things intimate and gives everyone plenty of room to fight fish without getting tangled up.
We launch from Sarasota and immediately start reading conditions – wind, tide, bait movement, and water clarity all factor into our game plan. Some days we're working the grass flats with live shrimp under popping corks, other days we're drifting the nearshore structure with cut bait for grouper and cobia. The beauty of our half-day trips is the flexibility to adapt. If the snook are fired up in the backcountry, we can slip into the mangroves and work the ambush points. When conditions are right offshore, we'll run out to the ledges where king mackerel patrol and cobia cruise in loose schools. Captain Billy reads these waters like a book – he knows which spots produce when the tide's right and where to find clean water after a blow. You're not just getting a boat ride here, you're getting local knowledge that takes decades to develop.
We fish smart, not hard. Our tackle selection covers everything from light spinning gear for snook in tight quarters to medium-heavy conventional setups for pulling grouper off structure. Live bait is king in these waters – we'll have fresh shrimp, pilchards, and pinfish depending on what's available and what the fish are eating. For cobia, we love sight fishing with live crabs or free-lining pinfish when we spot them cruising. Grouper fishing means getting baits down to the bottom quickly and keeping them there – we use enough weight to stay in contact but light enough to feel the bite. When we're targeting redfish in skinny water, we'll switch to lighter leaders and smaller hooks to fool these spooky fish. The key is matching your presentation to conditions, and that's where our experience really shows. We've got backup plans for backup plans, because successful charter captains always have multiple tricks in the tackle box.
"Billy gave us a great big welcome and made us feel right at home. He and his crew had a plan but conveyed they were flexible to our interests. They were extremely competent and were a lot of fun. I'd recommend them to anyone!" - Jeff
"Had a nice time out on Captain Bill's boat. They were very helpful and ensured we enjoyed our time out on the boat. Fishing conditions could have been better, but, that's how fishing goes!" - Doug
Gag Grouper are the bread and butter of our nearshore game. These bottom huggers love structure – rocks, ledges, and artificial reefs where they can ambush baitfish. Gags typically run 15-25 pounds in our area, with bigger fish possible during cooler months. They hit hard and immediately try to get back to their holes, so you need to turn them quick or risk getting cut off. What makes grouper fishing exciting is the surprise factor – you never know if that thump on the bottom is a keeper gag, a red grouper, or maybe even a monster goliath that'll test your drag system. Peak season runs from late fall through early spring when they're most active in shallower water.
Snook fishing around Sarasota is legendary, and for good reason. These silver-sided beauties are structure-oriented predators that love mangrove shorelines, docks, and bridge pilings. They're extremely temperature sensitive, preferring water temps above 65 degrees, which makes our fishing season extend most of the year. A typical Sarasota snook runs 24-32 inches, and they fight like fish twice their size – bulldogging runs followed by spectacular jumps. The key to consistent snook fishing is understanding their feeding patterns around tidal movement. They position themselves in ambush spots where current brings baitfish to them. Live shrimp and pilchards are proven producers, but artificial lures work great for aggressive fish.
King Mackerel show up in our nearshore waters when baitfish are thick, typically spring through fall. These speed demons can reach 40+ mph and will test your drag system like few other fish. Kings average 15-30 pounds around Sarasota, with occasional smokers pushing 40-50 pounds during peak season. They're sight feeders that follow bait schools, so finding birds working or surface activity is key. Once hooked, kings make blistering runs and spectacular jumps – it's pure adrenaline fishing. We typically target them with live bait or fast-moving lures around structure or temperature breaks where they concentrate to feed.
Redfish are the ultimate inshore gamefish – they eat aggressively, fight hard, and look beautiful in photos. Sarasota Bay's grass flats and mangrove edges provide perfect redfish habitat. These copper-colored bruisers average 20-28 inches in our waters, with occasional oversized "bull" reds that can exceed 30 pounds. They're year-round residents but fishing peaks during fall when they school up for their spawning runs. Redfish are opportunistic feeders that will eat everything from live shrimp to cut bait to artificial lures. What makes them special is their willingness to eat in shallow water where you can sight fish them –
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are the gentle giants you'll spot cruising just under the surface around buoys, wrecks, and crab traps. These brown sharks-lookalikes average 30-50 pounds and 4-5 feet, but can push 80+ pounds. Spring through fall is prime time when they're moving through our waters, especially during spawning season. What makes them special is they're curious fish that often come right up to the boat for a look. Plus, they're some of the best eating in the Gulf - firm, white meat that tastes amazing. They're mostly loners, so it's usually one-and-done when you find them. The trick is sight-fishing with bucktail jigs or live crabs. When you spot one, get ahead of where it's swimming and drop your bait right in its path - they rarely refuse a meal.
Mycteroperca MicrolepisGag grouper are solid fighters that love rocky structure and offshore reefs around 40-100 feet deep. These guys average 20 inches but can hit 50+ inches and 80 pounds - the big ones are usually males with darker coloring. They're ambush predators that feed on crabs, shrimp, and smaller fish. Spring through fall gives you the best action when water temps are right. What makes them special is their stubborn fight - once hooked, they'll try every trick to get back to their hole in the rocks. Great eating too, with firm white meat. Pro tip: keep your drag locked tight and don't give them an inch, or they'll wrap you around the nearest structure and cut you off. Use circle hooks with live pinfish or cut bait near any hard bottom.
Scomberomorus CavallaKing mackerel are pure speed demons that'll test your drag system in a hurry. These silver bullets typically run 15-30 pounds but can hit 50+ pounds, with the females growing much larger. You'll find them in 40-150 feet of water, often following bait schools or working temperature breaks. Spring and fall migrations offer the hottest action when they're moving through our waters. What makes them special is that blazing initial run - they're one of the fastest fish in the Gulf. Plus, they're excellent eating with rich, flaky meat. The key is using a wire leader and dual-hook rigs since they love to bite bait in half with those razor-sharp teeth. Slow-trolling live blue runners or Spanish sardines works best, but be ready for that screaming reel when one hits.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the perfect sight-fishing target in our shallow grass flats and oyster bars, often feeding in just 1-3 feet of water. They average 24-32 inches and 5-15 pounds, with that classic copper color and black spot near the tail. Year-round fishing is solid, but fall brings the best action when they school up. What guests love is watching them cruise the flats with their backs out of water - it's like hunting. They're also fantastic table fare with sweet, flaky meat. These fish are bulldogs that make long, steady runs rather than jumping. My local trick is looking for nervous water or mud puffs where they're rooting around for crabs and shrimp. Topwater plugs early morning or live shrimp under a popping cork work great.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are the ultimate sight-fishing target around mangroves, docks, and bridge pilings in 2-10 feet of water. They average 24-28 inches but can push 4 feet and 30+ pounds. These fish are pure ambush predators with that distinctive black lateral line and golden sides. Best fishing is spring through fall when water stays above 70 degrees - they're very temperature sensitive. What guests love is their explosive strike and acrobatic fight, plus they're fantastic table fare when in season. They change from male to female as they grow, so the big ones are usually girls. My go-to trick is working the shadow lines around structure with live pilchards or soft plastics. Cast past the cover and work your bait back through the strike zone slowly.
5.0 out of 5.0Billy gave us a great big welcome and made us feel right at home. He and his crew had a plan but conveyed they were flexible to o...
Had a nice time out on Captain Bill’s boat. They were very helpful and ensured we enjoyed our time out on the boat. Fishing condi...
Sarasota