Full Day Naples & Marco Island Fishing Adventure
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Full-day inshore fishing targeting trout, tarpon, redfish, and snookPrivate 8-hour charter accommodates up to 2 guests with Captain TimAll equipment, licenses, and live bait included on equipped Pathfinder skiff
Picture yourself casting lines in some of Southwest Florida's most productive inshore waters, where crystal-clear flats meet winding mangrove creeks and trophy fish lurk in every shadow. Captain Tim's full-day fishing charter takes you deep into the backwater paradise around Naples and Marco Island, where eight hours on the water means serious fishing time and plenty of shots at multiple species. This isn't your typical half-day rush job – we're talking about a proper fishing trip that lets you settle into the rhythm of the water and really dial in on what's biting.
Your day starts early when you meet Captain Tim at the dock, where his fully rigged Pathfinder skiff sits ready to roll. This boat was built for Southwest Florida's inshore waters – shallow draft, quiet poling platform, and enough deck space for two anglers to fish comfortably without getting tangled up. We'll head out into the maze of mangrove islands, grass flats, and oyster bars that make this area legendary among serious inshore anglers. The beauty of an eight-hour trip is we can cover serious water and adapt to whatever conditions Mother Nature throws at us. Morning bite slow? No worries – we'll move to different structure or switch up our approach. Wind blowing the flats out? Perfect time to tuck into protected creeks where snook love to ambush bait. Captain Tim knows these waters like his own backyard, and he's constantly reading tide, wind, and bait movement to keep you on fish throughout the day. You'll experience everything from sight fishing on shallow flats where you can watch redfish tailing in two feet of water to working deeper channels where tarpon roll and crevalle jacks hunt in packs.
Captain Tim runs top-shelf tackle that's perfectly matched to Southwest Florida's inshore fishery. We're talking quality spinning reels spooled with braided line, medium-action rods that have the backbone for bigger fish but still let you feel every nibble from spooky trout. Live bait is the name of the game here – fresh shrimp, pinfish, and whatever baitfish we can catch or net during the trip. There's something magical about watching a redfish inhale a perfectly presented shrimp on a shallow flat, and live bait gives you that edge over artificial lures when fish are being picky. That said, we always have a selection of soft plastics, topwater plugs, and jigs ready to go when the bite calls for it. The boat's equipped with a live well system that keeps bait frisky all day, plus all the terminal tackle you'll need – hooks, weights, leaders, and swivels. Captain Tim handles all the rigging, so you can focus on fishing instead of fumbling with knots. Whether you're a seasoned angler who wants to learn new techniques or a beginner who needs help with everything from casting to hook sets, this trip is designed to meet you where you are and push your skills forward.
Sea trout are the bread and butter of Southwest Florida inshore fishing, and for good reason. These spotted beauties school up over grass flats and around structure, especially during cooler months when they move into deeper holes and channels. Trout average 14-18 inches in these waters, but don't be surprised to hook into a "gator" trout pushing 20-plus inches that'll test your drag and make your heart race. They're aggressive feeders that respond well to both live shrimp fished under popping corks and artificial lures worked slowly over the grass. What makes trout special is their willingness to bite throughout the day, making them perfect targets when other species are being moody.
Redfish are the crown jewel of inshore fishing, and Southwest Florida's population is absolutely world-class. These copper-colored bruisers cruise shallow flats in small schools, often with their backs and tails visible above the surface as they root for crabs and shrimp. Sight fishing for reds is pure adrenaline – watching a 25-inch fish track your bait before committing to the bite never gets old. They're strongest in fall and winter when cooler water brings them up shallow, but you can find them year-round if you know where to look. Redfish fight with incredible power for their size, making long runs and using their broad tails to shake hooks.
Snook are the ultimate ambush predator, lurking under mangrove overhangs and around structure waiting for bait to swim by. These fish are extremely temperature sensitive, so timing and location are everything. Summer finds them scattered across flats and around inlets, while winter pushes them into deeper creeks and canals. A 28-inch snook is a fish of a lifetime, but even slot-sized fish in the 18-24 inch range provide heart-stopping action. They're notorious for their gill-rattling jumps and their ability to cut you off in structure, which is why Captain Tim uses heavy fluorocarbon leaders and keeps the boat positioned for quick hook sets.
Tarpon fishing around Naples and Marco Island is seasonal but absolutely epic when conditions align. These silver kings show up in spring and summer, rolling in channels and hunting over flats during moving tides. Even juvenile tarpon in the 20-40 pound range are absolute lightning bolts that'll take you into your backing faster than you can blink. What makes tarpon special isn't just their size and acrobatic ability – it's the fact that you're hooking into a fish that could live over 50 years and has been perfecting its escape techniques for decades.
Crevalle jacks might not win any beauty contests, but they're pure muscle wrapped in silver skin. These fish hunt in aggressive schools, often pushing bait to the surface in feeding frenzies that attract diving birds and create some of the most exciting topwater action you'll ever experience. Jacks average 5-15 pounds in these waters but fight like fish twice their size, making scre
Hit the waters around Naples and Marco Island aboard this well-rigged 22-foot Pathfinder that's built for serious inshore fishing. With a reliable 200 HP Yamaha pushing you to 32 mph, you'll cover plenty of water chasing trout, redfish, snook, and tarpon through the mangrove backcountry and grass flats. The wireless trolling motor keeps things quiet when you're sneaking up on spooky fish in shallow water, while the GPS helps navigate those twisty channels. A proper livewell keeps your bait frisky, and the fighting chair gives you leverage when battling bigger fish like tarpon. Captain Tim knows these waters inside and out, so you'll hit the productive spots where the fish are holding. The boat handles two anglers comfortably with room to move around when the action heats up. All the tackle and licenses are covered, plus there's even snorkeling gear if you want to cool off between fishing spots. Whether you're after your first redfish or looking to tangle with a silver king, this setup delivers the goods in Southwest Florida's prime fishing grounds.
Caranx HipposCrevalle jacks are the ocean's bullies - thick-bodied, golden-sided fighters that average 3-8 pounds but can hit 20-plus. You'll find schools around structure, grass flats, and anywhere baitfish congregate. They're year-round residents but really fire up during warmer months when bait is thick. Jacks aren't great eating, but they make up for it with raw power and aggression that'll surprise you. They hit hard and pull even harder, making multiple runs that'll smoke your drag. The fun part is finding them - watch for diving birds working over schools of jacks blasting baitfish on the surface. When you spot the commotion, get there fast with topwater plugs or silver spoons. They're not picky but love fast-moving baits. Once hooked, be ready for a workout - these fish don't quit. Perfect for when you want to feel your rod bend and test your gear.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish, or red drum, are the copper-colored bulldogs of the flats. Most fish we catch run 18-27 inches with that signature black spot near the tail. They cruise super shallow water - sometimes with their backs showing - around oyster bars, mangrove shorelines, and grass flats. Year-round fishing is solid, but fall and spring offer the most consistent action when they school up. Reds are a favorite because they're strong fighters, readily take both live and artificial baits, and the smaller "slot" fish make excellent eating with firm, mild meat. The bigger "bull" reds over 27 inches are pure muscle and will test your equipment. Look for "tailing" fish with their tails sticking up while they root for crabs. My go-to technique is sight fishing with gold spoons or live shrimp. Approach quietly and cast ahead of cruising fish - they spook easily in skinny water.
Salmo TruttaSpotted sea trout, or "specks," are our bread-and-butter fish around Naples and Marco Island. Most run 12-20 inches with beautiful spotted flanks and soft mouths that require a gentle touch. They school up over grass flats, especially in 2-6 feet of water where they feed on shrimp and small baitfish. Cool weather from November through March concentrates them in deeper holes and channels. Trout are popular because they bite consistently, fight well for their size, and make excellent table fare with sweet, flaky meat. They're also great for beginners since they're forgiving and abundant. The trick with trout is fishing early morning or late afternoon when they're most active. I like to drift the grass flats with live shrimp under popping corks or work soft plastics slowly along the bottom. Set the hook gently - their mouths tear easily.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are one of Southwest Florida's premier inshore targets, running 18-36 inches on average with that distinctive black lateral line. They love structure - mangroves, docks, bridges, and oyster bars where they ambush baitfish. These fish are temperature sensitive, so warmer months from April through October give you the best action. They're incredible fighters with explosive strikes and powerful runs that'll test your drag. The meat is fantastic - flaky white fillets that taste even better when you've earned them. During spawning season, their fins turn bright yellow, making them easier to spot. My top tip: fish the shadow lines along mangroves during moving water. Snook position themselves right on the edge where they can dart out to grab shrimp or baitfish. Use live pilchards or soft plastics, but keep your retrieve steady - they don't like hesitation.
Megalops AtlanticusTarpon are the silver kings of our waters, ranging from juvenile "baby tarpon" around 10-20 pounds up to giants over 100 pounds. These prehistoric fish love deeper channels, bridges, and passes where they roll and gulp air at the surface. Peak season runs May through July when they migrate through our area, though we see them year-round. What makes tarpon special is their aerial show - they'll jump 6 feet out of the water trying to throw your hook. It's pure adrenaline when one goes airborne. Most anglers practice catch and release since the meat isn't great, but the fight is legendary. We typically find them in 8-15 feet of water near structure or current breaks. The key is using circle hooks and keeping steady pressure - don't jerk when they jump or you'll pull the hook right out of their bony mouth. Live crabs and pinfish work best.
Naples, FL