Full Day Guided Fishing Trip In Fort Myers
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fullday inshore fishing targeting Snook, Redfish, Trout, and MackerelCaptain provides all gear, bait, and fishing licenses includedWildlife viewing opportunities with dolphins, manatees, and seabirds
Looking for a top-rated fishing adventure that delivers on all fronts? Captain Dalton Rybka and Fish Tank Charters have you covered for a full day of world-class inshore fishing in Fort Myers. This isn't your typical charter - we're talking about hitting prime fishing spots where snook, redfish, trout, mackerel, and even tarpon cruise the flats and backcountry waters. You'll get all the gear, bait, and licenses handled for you, so all you need to do is show up ready to fish. Whether you're bringing the family, a group of buddies, or flying solo, this trip accommodates up to four anglers and caters to everyone from first-timers to seasoned pros.
Fort Myers offers some of Florida's best inshore fishing, and Captain Dalton knows these waters like the back of his hand. You'll be working the grass flats, mangrove shorelines, and deeper channels where game fish love to hunt. The beauty of a full-day trip is having time to really dial in on what's biting - if the snook are being finicky in the morning, we can switch gears and target redfish or trout in different spots. The scenery alone is worth the trip, with crystal-clear water, pristine mangrove islands, and wildlife everywhere you look. Don't be surprised if dolphins start following the boat or a manatee pops up to say hello. The fishing here is as much about the experience as it is about what you put in the cooler.
Captain Dalton comes equipped with quality spinning gear perfectly matched to the species we're targeting. For snook and redfish, we'll be throwing live bait like pinfish and shrimp around structure, or working soft plastics and topwater plugs when they're feeding aggressively. Trout fishing means lighter tackle and more finesse - think DOA shrimp or gulp baits worked slowly over grass beds. When mackerel are schooling, we'll switch to faster presentations with spoons or small jigs. If we get lucky and find tarpon rolling, that's when the real fun begins with heavier gear and live bait. The captain handles all the rigging and re-rigging, plus he'll coach you on technique so you're landing fish like a pro by the end of the day. All rods, reels, tackle, bait, and even your fishing license are included in the price.
Spanish Mackerel are absolute blast to catch and one of the most reliable species in these waters year-round. These silver rockets typically run 1-3 pounds and hit lures with lightning speed, making screaming runs that'll test your drag. They school up heavily in fall and winter, often feeding so aggressively you can see the water boiling from their feeding frenzies. What makes them special is their willingness to bite - even kids can load up on mackerel when they're schooled up thick.
Snook are the crown jewel of Southwest Florida fishing and the reason many anglers become obsessed with these waters. These ambush predators love hanging around mangroves, docks, and bridge pilings, growing anywhere from slot size at 28 inches up to real bruisers over 40 inches. They're most active during warmer months but can be caught year-round with the right approach. Landing a big snook on light tackle is a bucket-list experience - they jump, they bulldoze, and they'll test every knot you've got.
Tarpon are simply legendary, and Fort Myers sits right in their migration path. These silver kings can range from juvenile fish around 20-40 pounds up to giants over 100 pounds. Peak season runs from late spring through summer, but smaller tarpon hang around all year. When you hook into one of these fish, everything else stops - they jump higher than you'd think possible and fight harder than anything else that swims in shallow water. Even a 30-pound tarpon will give you a fight you'll remember forever.
Redfish, or red drum, are another customer favorite that perfectly embodies inshore fishing. These copper-colored fighters love shallow flats and can often be sight-fished in just a few feet of water. They average 20-30 inches in our area and fight with pure power - no jumping, just bulldogging runs that'll make your arms burn. Fall and winter are prime time when they school up in big numbers, but individual fish can be caught throughout the year.
Ladyfish might not win any beauty contests, but they're incredibly fun on light tackle and often save the day when other species aren't cooperating. These acrobatic fighters jump repeatedly and provide non-stop action, especially for younger anglers. They're most abundant during warmer months and often travel in large schools, making for fast-paced fishing when you find them.
This full-day fishing adventure with Fish Tank Charters delivers everything you want from a Fort Myers fishing trip - variety, action, scenery, and memories that'll last a lifetime. Captain Dalton's local knowledge combined with quality gear and a customer-first attitude makes this a best trip choice for anyone serious about catching fish. The boat handles four anglers comfortably, making it perfect for families or small groups who want a personalized experience. Keep in mind that deposits are non-refundable, so make sure your dates work before booking. But trust us - once you experience the fishing Fort Myers has to offer, you'll be planning your next trip before this one's even over.
Your fishing adventure starts aboard our reliable 22' Sea Chaser bay boat, perfectly designed for navigating Fort Myers' productive inshore waters. This well-maintained vessel runs on a solid 200HP Yamaha engine that'll get you to the hot spots where snook, redfish, trout, and mackerel are biting. The boat comfortably handles up to 4 anglers, giving everyone plenty of room to cast and fight fish without getting tangled up. What really sets this boat apart is the wireless trolling motor – it lets us move quietly through shallow flats and around structure where the big fish like to hide. The GPS keeps us on track to productive spots, while the fish finder shows exactly what's swimming below. Whether we're working the mangroves for snook or heading to deeper channels for mackerel runs, this bay boat handles Fort Myers' varied fishing conditions with ease. You'll have everything you need for a successful day chasing whatever's feeding.
Elops SaurusLadyfish, also called "poor man's tarpon," are scrappy silver fish that average 12-24 inches and put up a fight way above their weight class. These relatives of tarpon love shallow bays, canals, and around bridges where they school up and feed aggressively. You can catch them year-round in Fort Myers, but they're most active during warmer months. When hooked, they'll jump and thrash like crazy, making them perfect for light tackle fun, especially with kids or beginners. While they're not the best eating due to their bony structure, they make excellent cut bait for bigger fish like snook. They'll hit just about anything - shrimp, jigs, small spoons. Here's the thing: when you find a school, work it fast because they'll bite non-stop until they move on, giving everyone on board plenty of action.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish, or red drum, are Fort Myers favorites that typically run 20-35 inches with that signature black spot near their tail. These copper-colored fighters love super shallow water - we're talking 1-4 feet around oyster bars, grass flats, and mangrove shorelines. They're year-round residents but fish best during cooler months when they're more aggressive. What makes them special is their willingness to eat topwater lures in skinny water, creating explosive surface strikes. The meat is outstanding - mild, flaky, and perfect for blackening. They're not spooky like some inshore fish, so they're great for beginners. My go-to trick: look for their backs sticking out of the water or tailing in shallow areas during low tide. Cast ahead of their direction and work your bait slowly - they'll usually crush it.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are one of our premier inshore targets here in Fort Myers, typically running 18-30 inches with that unmistakable black lateral line and sloped forehead. These ambush predators love hanging around mangroves, docks, and oyster bars in 2-10 feet of water where they can surprise their prey. Best fishing happens during warmer months, especially around dawn and dusk when they're most active. What gets anglers hooked is their explosive strike and acrobatic fight - they'll jump and run hard once hooked. The meat is excellent too, flaky white fillets that taste amazing. Here's a local trick: during spawning season (May-September), their fins turn bright yellow and they gather near passes and inlets with moving water. Work your bait slow around structure and be ready for that lightning-fast strike.
Scomberomorus MaculatusSpanish mackerel are fast, aggressive fish that run 1-2 feet long and pack a serious punch on light tackle. These silver speedsters with their distinctive yellow spots love to school up near the surface, making them perfect targets when you spot diving birds. You'll find them around structure in 10-40 feet of water, especially during warmer months from spring through fall. They hit spoons, jigs, and live bait hard - their razor-sharp teeth mean you'll want a wire leader. What makes them special is that explosive strike and blistering run when hooked. Plus, they're fantastic eating - firm, white meat that grills up perfectly. My tip: when you find one, work the area fast because where there's one Spanish mackerel, there's usually a whole school ready to bite.
Megalops AtlanticusTarpon are the silver kings of Fort Myers waters, averaging 4-6 feet and 80-100 pounds of pure muscle and attitude. These prehistoric giants migrate through our area from spring through summer, hanging around bridges, channels, and deeper holes in 15-50 feet. When hooked, they'll launch themselves 10 feet in the air repeatedly - it's a sight that'll get your heart pumping. While they're not great eating due to their bony structure, the fight is what brings people from around the world. Best action happens on moving tides during warmer months, especially early morning and late evening. They can live 50+ years, so we practice catch and release. Pro tip: when a tarpon jumps, bow to the fish by dropping your rod tip toward them - it keeps tension off the line and prevents break-offs during their aerial show.
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