3.0(1 Reviews)Fishing Charters Goodland FL
3.0(1 reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Inshore fishing charters target Goliath Grouper, Tarpon, and SnookSix and eighthour trips explore Florida's 10,000 Islands backwatersProfessional crew guides groups up to five anglers daily
When you're looking for some serious inshore action in Southwest Florida, you've found the right crew. Fishing Freak Charters LLC operates right out of Goodland, putting you within minutes of some of the most productive fishing waters in the state. The 10,000 Islands backwater system is our playground, and we know every creek, oyster bar, and mangrove shoreline where the fish like to hang out. You'll fish for 6 or 8 hours with up to 5 anglers aboard, targeting the species that make this area legendary among saltwater fishermen.
Your day starts early when the fish are most active and the water's still calm. We'll head out into the maze of islands and channels that make up this incredible ecosystem, where crystal-clear water meets pristine mangrove coastlines. The beauty of inshore fishing here is the variety - one minute you're sight-casting to tailing redfish on shallow flats, the next you're working structure for snook or making long runs to tarpon grounds. Our experienced captain reads the water like a book, adjusting tactics based on tides, weather, and what the fish are doing that day. You'll cover different zones throughout your trip, from skinny water flats where you can see bottom at two feet to deeper passes where big fish move with the tide. The scenery alone is worth the trip, but when you add world-class fishing to the mix, you've got something special.
We fish light tackle here because that's what makes these species so much fun to catch. Spinning gear in the 3000-4000 range paired with 15-20lb braid gets the job done for most situations, though we'll bump up to heavier tackle when we're targeting tarpon or big snook around structure. Live bait is king in these waters - we'll have pilchards, pinfish, and shrimp when available, plus we know where to throw the net for fresh bait during your trip. Artificial lures work great too, especially soft plastics on jig heads, topwater plugs during low light periods, and suspending baits around docks and mangroves. The fishing style changes throughout the day - early morning might find us sight-fishing with live bait on the flats, midday could be working shaded docks with artificials, and afternoon might mean hitting deeper water for different species. We'll teach you the local techniques that work best here, whether you're a seasoned angler or picking up a rod for the first time.
"Great time - especially for this time of year." - Thomas
Snook are the crown jewel of inshore fishing here, and for good reason. These ambush predators love structure - docks, mangrove overhangs, oyster bars, and creek mouths where they can pin baitfish against cover. They're most active during spring through fall, with the best action often happening around dawn and dusk. A good snook will pull drag and make multiple runs, using their sharp gill plates and acrobatic jumps to try shaking the hook. What makes them so special is their wariness - they're smart fish that require skill and patience to catch consistently. When you land a quality snook in these waters, you've earned it.
Tarpon fishing here is something every angler should experience at least once. These silver giants show up in good numbers during their annual migrations, typically from April through July. Rolling tarpon are one of the most exciting sights in saltwater fishing - you'll see them coming to the surface to gulp air, their massive silver sides flashing in the sun. When hooked, tarpon put on an aerial display that's hard to match, jumping repeatedly and bulldogging toward deeper water. They can range from 20-pound juveniles to fish over 100 pounds, and even the smaller ones will test your tackle and endurance. The key is keeping steady pressure while giving them room to jump.
Sea trout, or spotted seatrout as they're properly called, are reliable producers year-round and perfect for anglers who want consistent action. They school up over grass flats and around structure, often in water 3-8 feet deep. Spring and fall offer the best fishing as water temperatures moderate, but you can catch them any month here. They're excellent table fare and fight well for their size, making long runs when hooked. What's great about trout fishing is the variety of techniques that work - live shrimp under a popping cork, soft plastics bounced along the bottom, or topwater lures during low light periods.
Redfish are probably the most popular inshore species, and it's easy to see why. They're aggressive, they fight hard, and they're often found in shallow water where you can sight-cast to them. Reds here run from schooling fish in the slot limit up to oversized bulls that can exceed 30 inches. They love oyster bars, mangrove shorelines, and shallow flats where they root for crabs and small fish. Fall and winter are prime time as cooler water concentrates baitfish and makes reds more active during daylight hours. There's nothing quite like watching a big red crush a topwater lure in two feet of clear water.
Permit are the holy grail for many inshore anglers - they're incredibly spooky, selective feeders that will test every bit of your skill. These disc-shaped fighters prefer clean sand and grass flats where they hunt for crabs and other bottom dwellers. Permit fishing is largely sight-based, requiring stealth, accurate casting, and the right presentation. They're most catchable during warmer months when they're more active on the flats. When you hook one, be ready for a sustained fight - permit have incredible stamina and will use every trick to throw the hook. Landing a permit on light tackle is an achievement that puts you in select company among inshore anglers.
This 22-foot Pathfinder bay boat is your ticket to Goodland's prime fishing grounds. Built in 2004 and powered by a reliable 300HP Yamaha, she'll cruise at 45 knots to get you on the fish fast. The shallow draft design lets you slip into those backcountry honey holes where the big snook and redfish hang out. Stay comfortable with the onboard icebox keeping your drinks cold and catch fresh. The wireless trolling motor keeps things quiet when you're stalking tailing reds in skinny water, while the fish finder helps locate schools of trout and tarpon. Radar keeps you safe during those early morning runs or when afternoon storms roll in. With room for up to 5 anglers, there's plenty of space to work the flats or target goliath grouper around structure. Perfect for exploring Florida's 10,000 islands maze.
Trachinotus FalcatusPermit are the holy grail of flats fishing - the fish that humbles even experienced anglers. These disc-shaped silver ghosts average 15-25 pounds but can hit 40+ pounds. With their sickle-shaped fins and compressed bodies, they cruise grass flats and sandy areas in 2-8 feet looking for crabs. April through October is your best shot during their spawning season. What makes permit special is their wariness - they have incredible eyesight and spook easily, making them one of the toughest fish to fool. When you do hook one, they make blistering runs that'll test your equipment and skills. They're decent eating but most anglers release them due to their challenge factor. The secret weapon: live blue crabs rigged on a circle hook. Present it well ahead of cruising permit and let it settle naturally to the bottom - permit can't resist a good crab.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the workhorses of our flats - bronze beauties with distinctive black spots near their tails. Most range 18-30 inches and 3-10 pounds, perfect for exciting fights on medium tackle. These copper-colored fighters love super shallow water, often cruising flats so skinny their backs show above the surface. Look for them around oyster bars, mangrove edges, and grass flats in 1-4 feet of water. They're year-round residents, but fall and winter bring the best action when they school up. Redfish are famous for their bulldogging fights and that satisfying thump when they eat your bait. They're also excellent table fare with mild, sweet meat. Here's what works: when sight-fishing, lead them by a few feet and let your bait sink naturally. Redfish are curious and will often circle back to investigate, so patience pays off when you see one nearby.
Salmo TruttaSpotted seatrout, or "specks" as we call them, are perfect for anglers wanting steady action and great table fare. Most run 12-20 inches and 1-3 pounds, with some nice gator trout hitting 4-6 pounds. They love grass flats, sandy bottoms, and drop-offs in 3-12 feet of water throughout our backwater areas. Fall and winter are prime time when they school up, but you can catch them year-round. Trout have a delicate mouth, so they're fun on light tackle. Their white, flaky meat is some of the best eating around - mild and sweet when fresh. They feed heavily on shrimp and small baitfish, making them fairly predictable. Local secret: fish the edges of grass beds with a popping cork and live shrimp about 18 inches below. The noise draws them in, and that natural presentation is hard for them to resist.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are one of our most popular targets here in the 10,000 islands. These golden, sleek fish with their signature black lateral line typically run 18-30 inches, though we see some real bruisers pushing 40+ inches. They love hanging around mangrove shorelines, docks, and creek mouths where they ambush baitfish. You'll find them in both salt and brackish water, usually in 2-8 feet deep. Spring through fall gives you the best action, especially around dawn and dusk. What makes snook special is their explosive strike and powerful runs - they'll test your drag for sure. Plus, they're fantastic table fare with firm, white meat. Here's a local tip: when working mangroves, cast tight to the roots and let your lure fall naturally. Snook are notorious for following baits, so don't give up on that retrieve until it's right at the boat.
Megalops AtlanticusThe silver king is what fishing dreams are made of. These prehistoric giants average 4-6 feet and 80-150 pounds, but we've seen them push 200+ pounds in these waters. Tarpon roam our channels, flats, and around structure in 6-30 feet of water. May through September is prime time when they're spawning and most active. What sets tarpon apart is their aerial show - they'll launch 6-8 feet out of the water and put on a fight you'll never forget. Most folks practice catch and release since they're bony and not great eating, but the battle is worth every minute. These fish can live 50+ years, so that big girl you're fighting might be older than you are. Pro tip: when that tarpon jumps, bow to the king - drop your rod tip toward the fish to keep slack in the line and prevent them from throwing the hook on those spectacular leaps.
3.0 out of 5.0Great time - especially for this time of year.
Goodland, FL, United States