5.0(3 Reviews)New Smyrna Beach Fishing Charter | 3 Hours
5.0(3 reviews)
Private Trip
River Fishing
3-hour guided fishing adventure in Indian River watersTarget Redfish and Black Drum with provided equipmentSmall group experience for maximum 2 guests
Looking for some serious fishing action? New Smyrna Beach delivers year-round, and Captain Neal knows exactly where the fish are biting. This 3-hour charter takes you into the heart of the Indian River and Mosquito Lagoon system, where shallow water fishing meets big fish potential. You'll be targeting some of Florida's most prized inshore species in waters that have been producing trophy catches for decades. With all gear provided and a captain who's been working these waters his whole life, you can focus on what matters most – putting fish in the boat.
Your morning starts early, meeting Captain Neal at the dock as the sun comes up over the lagoon. The Indian River system here is a maze of shallow flats, oyster bars, and deeper channels – perfect habitat for the species you'll be chasing. This isn't deep sea fishing; you'll be working the skinny water where sight fishing becomes an art form. Captain Neal runs a clean, well-maintained boat that's designed for these shallow waters, allowing access to spots bigger boats can't reach. The scenery alone is worth the trip – pristine Florida backcountry with mangrove shorelines and crystal clear water. Don't be surprised if you spot manatees, dolphins, or even the occasional sea turtle during your time on the water. The 3-hour timeframe gives you plenty of opportunity to work different areas and adapt to changing conditions without wearing out the kids or beginners in your group.
All your gear is provided, from spinning rods and reels to tackle boxes stocked with everything you need for inshore success. You'll be using live bait most of the time – shrimp, pinfish, and mullet are the local favorites that these fish can't resist. Captain Neal also keeps a selection of artificial lures on board for when the fish want something moving fast. Techniques vary based on what's biting, but expect to do everything from drift fishing over grass flats to sight casting to tailing redfish in inches of water. The water clarity in Mosquito Lagoon is legendary, often allowing you to see fish before they know you're there. Circle hooks are standard here to ensure healthy releases, and Captain Neal will walk you through proper fish handling whether you're keeping dinner or letting them go. If you've got your own lucky rod or favorite reel, feel free to bring it along – just make sure it's suitable for 10-20 pound fish in shallow water.
"We booked our trip with less than two days' notice, and Captain Neal got in touch within the hour to confirm everything. From start to finish, the entire process was seamless. We wanted to target trout, and he brought us to the right spots—we managed to reel in a few! The kids had a blast, and the morning couldn't have gone any better. Overall, it was a great experience." - Antti
"We went out with Captain Neal for a trip with our two boys, ages 11 and 4, and he was absolutely fantastic. He showed patience with our chatty kids, happily answering every question they had—and ours too! He was hands-on the entire time, helping with bait, hooks, and landing fish. We caught plenty, including three keepers, and our 11-year-old said it was a day he'll always remember. We had such a fun, memorable time and even spotted manatees and dolphins along the way. The Indian River was beautiful, and we're so thankful to Captain Neal for such a great experience!" - Kari
"I highly recommend fishing with Captain Neal. Having grown up in Oak Hill, he knows Mosquito Lagoon like the back of his hand. His local knowledge really shines through, and he's an absolute pleasure to spend the day with on the water." - James
Snook are the crown jewel of Florida inshore fishing, and the Indian River system around New Smyrna Beach holds some monsters. These ambush predators love structure – docks, mangrove overhangs, and oyster bars where they can hide and strike fast. Snook are incredibly line-shy and fight like demons once hooked, often jumping clear out of the water multiple times. They're most active during moving tides, especially around dawn and dusk. Spring through fall offers the best action, though you can find them year-round in the deeper channels during winter. What makes catching snook so addictive is their explosive strike and the way they use every trick in the book to throw your hook. Captain Neal knows exactly which mangrove points and dock lines hold the biggest fish.
Black Drum might not be the prettiest fish in the lagoon, but they're absolute bulldogs that will test your tackle and your patience. These bottom feeders can grow massive – 40 and 50 pounders aren't uncommon in Mosquito Lagoon. They feed primarily on crabs and shrimp, so you'll often find them rooting around oyster bars and shallow flats where the bottom is soft. Black drum are year-round residents, but spring brings the big spawning fish into shallow water where they're more accessible to anglers. When a big drum takes your bait, there's no mistaking it – they pull steady and strong, using their broad sides and powerful tails to fight you every inch of the way. The smaller ones make excellent table fare, while the big breeders should always go back to ensure future generations.
Tarpon are the ultimate game fish – the "silver king" that every angler dreams about hooking. Mosquito Lagoon sees resident juvenile tarpon year-round, with fish ranging from 10 to 80 pounds. The real excitement comes during summer months when schools of these silver rockets move through the area. Tarpon are famous for their acrobatic fights, often jumping six feet or more out of the water when hooked. They're also notoriously difficult to land due to
Your fishing adventure awaits aboard our reliable 19' Polar flats boat, perfectly designed for navigating the shallow waters of New Smyrna Beach's Indian River and Mosquito Lagoon. This restored 1996 vessel runs smooth and quiet with its 90HP Suzuki engine, letting you slip into those prime fishing spots where redfish and black drum love to feed without spooking the fish. The shallow draft design gets you into backcountry waters that bigger boats can't reach, opening up productive flats and grass beds where the action happens. With room for up to two anglers plus your guide, you'll have plenty of space to cast and fight fish without getting tangled up. The boat's stable platform makes it easy to sight-fish in clear water or work the mangrove shorelines where trophy fish hide. Whether you're targeting tailing redfish on the flats or drifting over oyster bars for black drum, this boat puts you right where you need to be for a successful day on the water.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the heavyweights of our local waters, and they'll give you a serious workout. Most run 5-30 pounds, but we've seen monsters pushing 50+ pounds in these waters. You'll find them around oyster beds, mud flats, and creek mouths in the Indian River - anywhere there's good bottom structure and plenty of crabs and shellfish to munch on. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning, making them easier to target. What guests love about drum fishing is the power - these fish are pure muscle and will test your drag system. The smaller ones under 15 pounds make excellent table fare too. Pro tip from years of guiding here: use fresh cut crab or shrimp on a Carolina rig, keep your bait on the bottom, and be patient - drum take their time inspecting a meal before committing.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the bread and butter of our shallow water fishing here in New Smyrna. These copper-colored beauties with distinctive black spots near their tails typically run 18-30 inches in our waters. They love cruising the grass flats, oyster bars, and mangrove shorelines in just 1-4 feet of water - sometimes so shallow their backs show above the surface. Fall and spring offer the best action, but they bite year-round here. What makes reds so popular is their willingness to eat almost anything and their bulldogging fight once hooked. Plus, they're excellent on the table with sweet, flaky white meat. The sight-fishing opportunities are amazing when you spot them tailing in skinny water. My go-to trick: cast a gold spoon or soft plastic shrimp just ahead of cruising fish and work it slowly - reds can't resist that wounded baitfish action.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are one of our most prized catches here in New Smyrna's waters. These sleek silver fish with that distinctive black lateral line typically run 1-3 feet, though you might hook into a real trophy pushing 4 feet. They love hanging around mangroves, docks, and structure in the Indian River and Mosquito Lagoon, usually in 2-8 feet of water. Spring through fall gives you the best action, especially around dawn and dusk when they're actively feeding. What makes snook special is their explosive strike and acrobatic fight - they'll make blistering runs and try to wrap you around anything nearby. The meat is fantastic too, white and flaky with a mild taste. Here's a local trick: cast your bait just past the structure and work it back slowly - snook are ambush predators and love to strike from cover.
Megalops AtlanticusTarpon are the ultimate bucket list fish - pure silver lightning that can jump 8 feet out of the water when hooked. Around New Smyrna, we typically see fish ranging from 30-150 pounds, with some real giants mixed in. They patrol our inlets, bridges, and deeper channels, especially during their migration from May through September. What draws anglers from around the world is the spectacular aerial show - once hooked, they'll grenade out of the water multiple times trying to throw the hook. While the meat isn't great eating, catching one is a lifetime memory. The fight can last an hour or more on heavy fish. Here's something I've learned after years of tarpon fishing: when they jump, bow to the fish by pointing your rod tip at them - it gives slack and prevents them from using their weight against the line to break off.
5.0 out of 5.0We booked our trip with less than two days' notice, and Captain Neal got in touch within the hour to confirm everything. From star...
We went out with Captain Neal for a trip with our two boys, ages 11 and 4, and he was absolutely fantastic. He showed incredible p...
I highly recommend fishing with Captain Neal. Having grown up in Oak Hill, he knows Mosquito Lagoon like the back of his hand. His...
New Smyrna Beach