5.0(4 Reviews)Full Day Fishing Trip In Hudson, Florida
5.0(4 reviews)
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Eighthour inshore and offshore fishing adventure in Hudson watersTarget pompano, grouper, and trophy fish with experienced crewSmall group experience limited to two guests maximum
When you're looking for serious fishing action on Florida's Gulf Coast, Hudson delivers the goods. This 8-hour inshore and offshore combo trip gives you the best of both worlds - shallow water sight fishing and deep water trophy hunting. You'll have plenty of time to work different spots, adjust your tactics, and really dial in on what's biting. With our experienced captain reading the water and putting you on fish, this full-day adventure is built for anglers who want to maximize their time on the water and come home with stories worth telling.
Your day starts early with a full tank of gas and a game plan that adapts to conditions. We'll hit the inshore flats first, working the grass beds and structure where pompano and tripletail love to hang out. As the day progresses, we'll make our way offshore to target the bigger players - grouper, tarpon, and barracuda that patrol the deeper waters. The beauty of an 8-hour trip is flexibility. If the inshore bite is hot, we can stay and work it. If the offshore action is calling, we've got time to make moves and chase the fish. You're fishing with top-shelf tackle and a captain who knows these waters like his backyard. We provide all the gear, bait, and local knowledge - you bring the cooler and the appetite for some serious fishing.
This trip covers a lot of water, so we're switching up techniques throughout the day. Inshore, we're sight fishing with live bait and artificials, working the edges of grass beds and around structure where pompano cruise for crabs and small baitfish. We'll also drift fish over shell bars and target tripletail around floating debris and channel markers. When we head offshore, it's time for bottom fishing with heavy tackle for grouper, and we'll have live bait ready for any tarpon that show up. The barracuda fishing is pure excitement - fast trolling and casting to these silver bullets that hit like freight trains. All rods, reels, and terminal tackle are provided, along with a variety of live and cut baits to match whatever we're targeting. The boat is rigged with quality fish finders and GPS to locate structure and baitfish, plus all safety gear is on board.
"Great captain! Put us on some great fish and would highly recommend. -" - Dewey. "Fishing was slow for the first half of our charter but has any good Captain knows you have to find the fish which he did and work very hard at finding them and in the end we got a great catch and had a good time. We'll be back!" - Garry. "We had a 3 generation day on the water and William had us on fish the entire time. My 10yo son was reeling in fish all day and it was exactly what we wanted to get out of our day. Couldn't have asked for a better chartered experience!" - Ron.
Florida Pompano are the crown jewel of inshore fishing around Hudson. These silver beauties typically run 2-4 pounds and are absolute rockets when hooked. Spring and fall are prime time, when they're cruising the shallow flats feeding on sand fleas and small crabs. What makes pompano so special isn't just the fight - they're considered some of the best eating fish in Florida waters. They're also tricky to target consistently, which makes landing one feel like you've really accomplished something. We'll work the grass edges and sandy potholes where they love to root around for food.
Goliath Grouper are the true giants of these waters, and while they're catch-and-release only, hooking into one is a bucket list experience. These monsters can exceed 400 pounds and will test your tackle and your arms. They hang around structure in 20-60 feet of water, and when one grabs your bait, you'll know it immediately. The fight is more about leverage than speed - they'll try to get back to their hole and break you off. Summer months are best for targeting goliath grouper, and landing one (even for photos before release) is something you'll remember forever.
Tarpon fishing around Hudson is world-class, especially during the summer migration when these silver kings move through in impressive numbers. Adults typically range from 80-150 pounds, though bigger fish are always possible. They're famous for their aerial displays when hooked, launching themselves completely out of the water in spectacular fashion. Live bait fishing around structure and bridges is the most productive method. The fight can last 30 minutes or more, and it's as much mental as physical - these fish will test your patience and your tackle to the limit.
Great Barracuda provide some of the most explosive action you'll find offshore. These torpedo-shaped predators can reach 30+ pounds and hit baits with incredible speed and aggression. They're sight feeders with excellent vision, so bright lures and shiny spoons work well when trolling. Once hooked, they'll make blistering runs and often jump repeatedly. Barracuda are year-round residents in deeper waters around Hudson, though they're most active during warmer months. Their razor-sharp teeth and aggressive nature make them a favorite among anglers who love fast-paced action.
Tripletail are one of the more unique species we target, known for their habit of floating on their side near the surface, often around floating debris, markers, or channel signs. They typically run 5-15 pounds and are excellent table fare. What makes tripletail fishing special is the sight fishing aspect - you'll actually see the fish before casting to them. They're spooky though, so accurate casts and proper presentation are crucial. Spring through fall offers the best tripletail action, and once you hook one, they'll put up a strong fight with several jumps and powerful runs.
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Our 20' Florida Fisher flats boat is your ticket to Hudson's best fishing grounds. This 2010 vessel packs a reliable 115HP Yamaha 4-stroke that'll get you to the productive waters quietly and efficiently. With room for 2 anglers, you'll have plenty of space to work the rods without bumping elbows. The shallow draft design lets us slip into those skinny water spots where pompano and other inshore species love to hang out, while still being seaworthy enough for offshore grouper runs. The onboard icebox keeps your catch fresh and drinks cold during the 8-hour adventure. GPS navigation ensures we hit all the hotspots, and the wireless trolling motor lets us position perfectly over structure without spooking fish. Whether we're working the flats for pompano or heading out to deeper water for grouper, this boat handles Florida's Gulf Coast waters like a champ.
Trachinotus CarolinusFlorida Pompano are one of the most sought-after fish along our coast, and for good reason. These silvery beauties typically run 1-3 pounds, though we occasionally see monsters up to 8 pounds. They're built flat and tall with that distinctive forked tail and bright yellow fins. You'll find them cruising the Gulf beaches and shallow bays, feeding on shrimp and crabs in the sand. Summer and fall are prime time when they're active in warmer water. What makes them special? They fight hard for their size and the meat is absolutely fantastic - buttery and sweet. Here's a local tip: use small hooks with live shrimp or sand fleas, and look for them around structure where the current stirs up the bottom. Their small mouths mean finesse pays off.
Epinephelus ItajaraThese are the giants of the reef - true monsters that can reach 8 feet and 800 pounds, though most run smaller. Goliath Grouper live around shallow reefs, wrecks, and structure in 20-150 feet of water. They're curious fish that aren't afraid to investigate, but they're protected so it's strictly catch and release. The thrill is in the battle - that first pull will test your gear and your grip on the rod. They fight hard but usually tire quickly. Spring through fall are best when they're most active around our local spots. What guests love is the sheer size and power of these prehistoric fish. My tip: anchor close enough to the structure to get their attention, but far enough away that you can pull them off before they break you off in the rocks. Heavy tackle is a must.
Sphyraena BarracudaThese are the speed demons of the flats - sleek predators that can hit 35 mph in short bursts. Most barracuda we see run 2-4 feet, but the big ones can reach 6 feet and over 100 pounds. They patrol shallow reefs, grass flats, and mangroves, usually near the surface where they ambush prey. Year-round fishing is good, but spring and summer are peak times. What draws anglers is their aggressive strikes and powerful runs, though they tire quickly. They're curious fish that will follow lures and check out anything shiny. The meat's decent but can have ciguatera, so most folks release them. Pro tip: use a wire leader - their razor teeth will cut through mono instantly. Cast past them and work the lure back through their strike zone.
Megalops AtlanticusThe "silver king" is what most anglers dream about - massive fish that can jump 10 feet out of the water and run up to 35 mph. These giants average 80-100 pounds but can hit 280. They cruise shallow flats, deeper channels, and around bridges in both salt and brackish water. Late spring through summer is prime season when they migrate through our area. What makes them special isn't the meat - they're bony and rarely eaten - it's the spectacular fight and aerial show they put on. They can live 50+ years, so we practice catch and release. Here's what works: live bait like mullet or pinfish on a 6000-size reel with smooth drag. When they jump, bow to the fish to keep tension off and prevent them from throwing the hook.
Lobotes SurinamensisTripletail are one of our most unique catches - odd-looking fish that float on their sides mimicking debris. They typically run 2-13 pounds but can reach 40. These guys are surface dwellers, hanging around weed lines, crab trap floats, and any floating structure in 10-50 feet of water. Summer through fall is prime time when they're most active in warmer water. What makes them special is their fight - surprisingly acrobatic for such a chunky fish - plus they're excellent eating, tasting like snapper or grouper. They're getting popular with fly fishers too. Here's the key: approach quietly and cast well past them, then work your bait toward the fish. They spook easily but once they commit, they hit hard. Live shrimp or small crabs work best.
5.0 out of 5.0Great captain! Put us on some great fish and would highly recommend. -
Fishing was slow for the first half of our charter but has any good Captain knows you have to find the fish which he did and work ...
Great captian! Very cold and windy day. He kept us out of the wind and knew where to find the fish. We caught a lot and had a grea...
We had a 3 generation day on the water and William had us on fish the entire time. My 10yo son was reeling in fish all day and it ...
Hudson