5.0(2 Reviews)New Smyrna Beach Fishing Charter
5.0(2 reviews)
Private Trip
River Fishing
Two-hour fishing charter explores Indian River and Mosquito Lagoon watersTarget Black Drum, Redfish, Snook, and Tarpon with provided gearSmall group experience accommodates maximum two guests per trip
Looking for some solid action on the water? This 2-hour fishing charter out of New Smyrna Beach puts you right where the fish are biting. Captain Neal knows these waters like the back of his hand, and he's not afraid to move around until you're hooked up. Whether you're bringing the kids for their first fishing adventure or you're a seasoned angler wanting to test these famous Florida waters, this trip delivers. The Indian River and Mosquito Lagoon are both on the menu, depending on conditions and what's running hot that day.
This isn't your typical sit-and-wait kind of fishing. Captain Neal runs a tight ship and knows that two hours means making every cast count. You'll hit multiple spots during your charter – sometimes close to a dozen – because he's committed to putting you on fish. The boat stays comfortable for just two anglers, so you're not fighting for rod space or waiting your turn. All your tackle is handled, from rods and reels to bait and terminal gear. You just show up ready to fish. The Indian River system offers protected waters with grass flats, oyster bars, and deeper channels that hold different species throughout the day. Mosquito Lagoon brings its own flavor with crystal-clear water and sight fishing opportunities that'll get your heart pumping when you spot a red cruising the shallows.
Captain Neal runs all the standard inshore setups you'd expect – medium to medium-heavy spinning gear that can handle everything from trout to tarpon. He's got the drag systems dialed in and the leaders tied right. Live bait is the name of the game here, with shrimp, pilchards, and finger mullet making up the primary arsenal. When conditions are right, you might throw some artificials – soft plastics, spoons, and topwater plugs that'll make you a believer in the morning bite. The captain handles all the rigging, so whether you're fishing under a popping cork in the grass or dropping live bait near structure, your presentation is going to be on point. He's even willing to cast your line if you need it – no shame in letting the pro put your bait exactly where it needs to be.
"My 16-year-old son and I were visiting Florida from New York, and fishing with Captain Neal was a highlight of our trip. He went above and beyond, taking us to nearly a dozen spots to make sure we got on the fish. Throughout the charter, he shared great info about the area and patiently answered all of our questions. He even cast my line for me every time—truly top-notch service. It was an awesome experience, and I highly recommend him!" - Krystel
"We took our 6- and 8-year-old boys out fishing with Captain Neal, and it was an incredible experience from start to finish. He was patient, kind, and so helpful with the kids, making sure they were involved and having fun the whole time. They reeled in all kinds of fish—catfish, lots of pufferfish, a few trout, and even a blue crab! A manatee and dolphin swam right up to the boat, which made the day even more magical. Truly a core memory for our family. Huge thanks to Captain Neal for such an unforgettable trip!" - Patti
Snook are the crown jewel of this fishery, and New Smyrna Beach serves up some beautiful specimens. These ambush predators love hanging around docks, mangrove edges, and any structure that gives them an advantage. They're notorious for their gill-rattling jumps and bulldogging runs that'll test your drag. Fall through early winter brings the best snook action as water temps start to drop and these fish feed heavily before heading to their winter haunts. The slot limit keeps things interesting – you're looking for that perfect 28 to 32-inch fish that fights like it's twice that size. When you hook a good snook, you'll know it immediately from that head shake and the way they try to wrap you around the nearest piling.
Black Drum are the bulldozers of the Indian River system, and they show up in surprising numbers around New Smyrna. These bottom feeders cruise the oyster bars and sandy flats looking for crabs and shrimp, making them perfect targets for live or fresh dead bait. The smaller drum, called "puppy drum," fight way above their weight class and make great table fare. But it's the big drum – sometimes pushing 30 pounds or more – that really get anglers talking. They don't jump, but they'll pull drag for what feels like forever, testing your patience and your tackle. Spring months bring the best drum fishing as they move into shallower water for their spawning runs.
Tarpon bring the fireworks to any fishing trip, even the smaller ones you'll find in these waters. The "baby" tarpon here might run 10 to 40 pounds, but they'll still put on an aerial show that'll have you scrambling for your phone camera. These silver bullets love the deeper channels and bridge areas, especially during warmer months. They're incredibly spooky, so presentation has to be perfect. When you do hook up, get ready for multiple jumps and long runs that'll have your drag singing. Even though you'll release them, landing a tarpon is a badge of honor that every angler remembers. The key is keeping steady pressure while giving them room to jump – try to horse them in and they'll throw the hook every time.
Redfish are the bread and butter of inshore fishing around here, and they're absolutely perfect for anglers of all skill levels. These copper-colored bruisers cruise the grass flats and oyster beds, often in schools that'll make your day when you find them. Reds eat just about anything you throw at them – live shrimp, cut b
Meet your fishing platform for the day - a restored 19' Polar flats boat that's built for the shallow waters where the big fish hide. This 1996 hull got a complete makeover in 2015, paired with a reliable 90HP Suzuki that'll get you to the hotspots without burning all day getting there. The shallow draft design lets us slip into those skinny water areas of the Indian River and Mosquito Lagoon where redfish cruise the grass flats and snook ambush baitfish along the mangrove edges. At 30 knots max speed, we can cover water quickly when the bite moves, but she's stable enough for sight fishing when we need to stay put and work a productive area. Perfect setup for targeting black drum around oyster bars, sight-casting to tailing reds in knee-deep water, or working the deeper channels for tarpon. The open layout gives you plenty of room to fight fish and move around the boat. All your tackle is sorted, so just bring yourself and get ready to put some bends in the rods.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the bulldogs of our local waters - powerful, stubborn fighters that'll give you a real workout. These chunky, grey-black fish average 10-20 pounds but can push 50+ pounds in deeper water. You'll find them around oyster beds, shallow flats, and creek mouths where they root around the bottom crushing crabs and shellfish. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning, making them easier to target. What guests love about drum fishing is the solid, heavy pull - no fancy jumps, just pure power that'll bend your rod in half. Smaller ones (under 15 pounds) make great eating with mild, flaky meat. Pro tip: use fresh blue crab or cut mullet on the bottom with enough weight to stay put. When you feel that steady thump-thump, don't set the hook hard - just lift and let the fish hook itself.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the bread and butter of our shallow water fishing - bronze-backed beauties with distinctive black spots near their tails. Most run 18-28 inches and fight like they're twice that size. These fish love super shallow water, often so skinny their backs show above the surface around grass flats, oyster bars, and mangrove shorelines. They're year-round residents, but fall and winter offer the most consistent action when they school up. What makes reds special is their versatility - they'll crush topwater plugs, soft plastics, or live shrimp with equal enthusiasm. Plus, they're outstanding table fare with sweet, firm meat. The key to consistent success is staying quiet and making long, accurate casts to avoid spoking them. When you see tailing fish, lead them by a few feet and work your bait slowly past their nose.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are one of our most popular targets in the Indian River and Mosquito Lagoon. These sleek, golden fish with that distinctive black lateral line typically run 1-3 feet long, though bigger ones lurk around deeper structure. They love hanging around mangroves, docks, and oyster bars in 2-6 feet of water. Spring through fall gives you the best shots, especially around dawn and dusk when they're actively feeding. What makes snook special is their explosive strike and acrobatic fight - they'll jump and make powerful runs that'll test your drag. Plus, they're excellent table fare with firm, white meat. Here's a local tip: cast soft plastics or topwater plugs tight to structure and be ready for that lightning-fast hit. They're ambush predators, so accuracy beats distance every time.
Megalops AtlanticusTarpon are the ultimate bucket-list fish - pure silver dynamite that can reach 100+ pounds and jump 10 feet out of the water. These prehistoric giants cruise our flats and channels in 3-15 feet of water, especially around deeper holes and current edges. Late spring through early fall brings the best action when they're moving through our area. What makes tarpon fishing special isn't the eating (they're mostly bones anyway) - it's watching a 6-foot fish launch itself skyward and put on an aerial show that'll get your heart pumping. They're strictly catch-and-release, so it's all about the experience. My advice: when you hook one, bow to the fish during those jumps to keep slack in the line. Too much tension and they'll throw the hook every time. Live mullet or large swimbaits work best.
5.0 out of 5.0My 16-year-old son and I were visiting Florida from New York, and fishing with Captain Neal was a highlight of our trip. He went a...
We took our 6- and 8-year-old boys out fishing with Captain Neal, and it was an incredible experience from start to finish. He was...
New Smyrna Beach