2hr Inshore Fishing Trip with FishNSea Charters
Private Trip
Fishing
Expert captain provides guidance for all skill levelsTwo-hour inshore trip accommodates up to two guestsLive, dead, and artificial bait options available
Looking for some quality time on the water without burning your whole day? This 2-hour inshore fishing trip is perfect for anglers who want to get their line wet and chase some serious fish without the commitment of a full-day charter. FishNSea Charters keeps things intimate with just 2 guests max, so you're getting personalized attention from start to finish. Whether you're trying to get your buddy hooked on fishing or want to squeeze in some action before other plans, this top-rated trip delivers the goods in a compact package.
Your captain knows these inshore waters like the back of their hand, and they're not just along for the ride—they're your fishing coach, spotter, and cheerleader all rolled into one. You'll be targeting the productive shallows where gamefish love to hunt, using a mix of live bait, dead bait, and artificials depending on what's working that day. The beauty of inshore fishing is the variety—one cast might bring a feisty jack, the next could have you wrestling with a tarpon that's bigger than you expected. Your guide will read the water, watch the birds, and put you on fish using decades of local knowledge. Don't worry about experience level either; seasoned anglers get to focus on the action while newcomers get the full tutorial on everything from casting technique to fighting fish properly.
You'll be fishing with quality rod and reel setups that can handle everything from schoolie snook to surprising tarpon encounters. Your captain switches between techniques based on conditions—maybe you're throwing live shrimp under docks for snook, pitching jigs around structure for jacks, or working topwater plugs over grass flats when the bite is hot. Live bait fishing lets you present the most natural offering, while artificials give you the chance to cover water and trigger aggressive strikes. The shallow inshore environment means you're often sight-fishing, watching your target before you cast. Your guide handles the boat positioning, bait selection, and spot-to-spot moves while you focus on the fishing. All tackle and bait are included, so you just need to bring yourself and maybe some snacks if you get hungry between fish.
Snook: The premier inshore gamefish that keeps anglers coming back for more. These ambush predators love hanging around docks, mangrove shorelines, and creek mouths where they can surprise passing baitfish. Snook fight dirty—they'll make powerful runs, try to wrap you around structure, and jump when they feel the pressure. Most fish run 18-28 inches, but bigger specimens over 30 inches are always possible. They're most active during warmer months and around moving water during tide changes. The thrill comes from their explosive strike and the fact that they're genuinely challenging to land consistently.
Tarpon: Even juvenile tarpon are pure excitement on the end of your line. These silver bullets can show up anywhere from 10 pounds to over 50 pounds in the inshore zone, and they all have one thing in common—they jump like crazy when hooked. Tarpon are filter feeders that cruise the shallows looking for easy meals, and they're surprisingly spooky despite their size. Summer months bring the best action, especially around dawn and dusk. Landing one is a real accomplishment because they throw hooks with their acrobatic displays, making every hookup a heart-pounding experience until you get them to the boat.
Ladyfish: Don't let anyone tell you ladyfish aren't fun—these chrome rockets are pure action on light tackle. They school up in good numbers and provide non-stop entertainment when you find them. Ladyfish jump repeatedly when hooked, earning them the nickname "poor man's tarpon." They're year-round residents that love artificial lures and live bait equally. While they're not table fare, they're fantastic for keeping your adrenaline up between shots at bigger fish. Kids and new anglers especially love them because they're aggressive biters that put up a memorable fight.
Great Barracuda: The inshore barracuda brings serious attitude to your fishing trip. These toothy predators are built for speed and have no problem showing it when hooked. They make blistering runs and can clear the water completely during their initial panic. Barracuda are visual hunters that often follow your lure right to the boat before deciding to strike, giving you a front-row seat to the action. They're around year-round but more active in warmer water. The excitement factor comes from their explosive power and the fact that you never know when one might show up—they're opportunistic and always ready to ambush an easy meal.
Crevalle Jack: Pound for pound, crevalle jacks might be the strongest fish swimming in these waters. They're built like bulldogs and fight like they're twice their size, making long, powerful runs that test your drag system and arm strength. Jacks travel in schools and compete aggressively for food, so when you find them, you often find fast action. They're particularly active around structure like bridges, docks, and channel edges. These fish are pure muscle—a 15-pound jack will give you a workout that you'll remember. They're not the prettiest fish, but they're honest fighters that earn respect from every angler who tangles with them.
Two hours on the water flies by faster than you think, especially when the fish are cooperating. This trip gives you a perfect taste of what inshore fishing is all about—variety, action, and the kind of personalized attention you can't get on bigger boats. Your captain's local expertise means you're fishing the right spots at the right time with the right techniques, maximizing your chances of success in a short window. Whether you're looking to
This freshly restored 22-foot Boston Whaler is your ticket to productive inshore waters. The center console design gives you 360-degree fishing access while the powerful 250HP Evinrude gets you to the hot spots fast, cruising up to 50 knots when needed. Built for serious anglers, she's loaded with everything you need - fish finder to locate structure and baitfish, GPS navigation to mark your productive spots, and VHF radio for safety. The wireless trolling motor lets you silently approach shallow flats without spooking fish, while the onboard icebox keeps your catch fresh and drinks cold. With room for up to 6 people but capped at 2 guests for this trip, you'll have plenty of space to work your lines and land fish. Whether you're targeting redfish in skinny water or chasing trout around grass beds, this bay boat handles it all with the reliability Boston Whaler is known for.
Caranx HipposCrevalle Jacks are the bulldogs of inshore fishing - thick-bodied fighters that average 3-5 pounds but can reach 60 pounds. Look for them in shallow bays, around grass flats, and near structure, though bigger fish prefer deeper water. They school up and push baitfish to the surface, so watch for diving birds - that's your best sign. These fish are available year-round but really turn on in warmer months when they're actively feeding. What guests love is their raw power and stubborn fight that'll test your drag system. They're not great table fare, but the battle more than makes up for it. You'll sometimes smell something like watermelon when approaching feeding schools - weird but true. Here's my go-to technique: cast silver spoons or fast-moving lures past the school and retrieve aggressively. They love the chase, so keep that bait moving quick and erratic.
Sphyraena BarracudaBarracuda are the speed demons of the flats - these silvery missiles can hit 35 mph and grow up to 6 feet, though most we catch run 2-4 feet. You'll find them around coral reefs, grass beds, and mangroves, usually near the surface hunting for baitfish. They're curious fish that hunt by sight, so they're often attracted to shiny lures and will follow them right to the boat. Spring through fall gives you the best action when they're most active. What makes them exciting is their explosive strikes and strong initial runs, though they tire quickly. The fight's the main draw since the meat can be risky to eat due to ciguatoxin. Here's the key to landing them: use a wire leader because those razor-sharp teeth will cut through mono like butter, and work your lures fast - these predators love the chase and respond to aggressive retrieves.
Elops SaurusLadyfish might get called "poor man's tarpon," but don't let that fool you - these scrappy silver torpedoes put up a real fight on light tackle. Most run 1-2 feet long, and you'll find them in shallow bays, estuaries, and along beaches year-round at any tide. They're not picky about salinity, so they show up in both salt and brackish water around mangroves and grass flats. What makes them fun is they're aggressive biters that will jump and skip across the surface when hooked, just like their tarpon cousins. They're great for beginners and kids since they're plentiful and always hungry. The meat's decent but bony, so most folks use them as bait for bigger fish like snook. Pro tip: use a heavy mono leader because these fish have small but sharp teeth, and they'll thrash around trying to cut your line.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are one of our most popular inshore targets, typically running 1-3 feet long with that distinctive black lateral line and golden coloring. They love hanging around mangroves, docks, and structure in shallow water, usually within 60 feet depth. These fish can handle both salt and fresh water, so you'll find them in estuaries and even creeks. Best fishing happens during warmer months when they're more active, especially around new and full moons from May through September. What makes snook so fun is their explosive strikes and strong runs - they'll use that wide tail for serious bursts of speed. The meat is excellent eating too, white and flaky. Here's a tip: when fishing around structure, cast your bait past the cover and work it back slowly - snook are ambush predators that like to wait in the shadows before striking.
Megalops AtlanticusTarpon are the kings of inshore fishing - these silver giants commonly run 4-6 feet and 80-100 pounds, though they can hit 8 feet and 280 pounds. You'll find them in shallow coastal waters, estuaries, and around structure, often rolling on the surface. They move through our waters seasonally, with late spring through summer being prime time when they spawn during full and new moons. What draws anglers back is their famous acrobatics - when hooked, they'll leap 10 feet out of the water and make blistering runs up to 35 mph. Most folks release them since the meat is bony and not great eating, but the fight is pure adrenaline. Here's something most people don't know: when you see a tarpon jump, bow to the fish by dropping your rod tip - it gives them slack and prevents them from throwing the hook on those aerial shows.
San Juan