Full Day New Smyrna Beach Inshore Fishing
Private Trip
Backcountry Fishing
8-hour inshore charter targeting redfish, snook, and troutAll gear, bait, license, and fish cleaning includedAccommodates up to 4 guests with professional guide
If you're looking to spend a serious day on the water chasing some of Florida's most prized inshore species, this full-day charter out of New Smyrna Beach is exactly what you need. We're talking 8 solid hours of fishing time, starting at 7 AM when the fish are most active and the water's still cool. This isn't your typical half-day rush job – we've got the time to really work the best spots and put you on fish. Whether you're a seasoned angler or picking up a rod for the first time, our experienced guides know these waters like the back of their hand and will have you hooked up in no time.
This top-rated charter takes you through the prime inshore waters around New Smyrna Beach, including the river systems, grass flats, and mangrove shorelines where the big fish like to hang out. We'll cover a lot of ground in 8 hours, hitting multiple spots based on tides, weather, and what's biting that day. The boat accommodates up to 4 anglers comfortably, so you're not elbow-to-elbow with a crowd. Everything's included – rods, reels, tackle, bait, your fishing license, ice, and bottled water. We'll even clean your catch at the end of the day so you can head straight home with dinner ready to cook. The early 7 AM start means we're on the water when conditions are optimal and before the afternoon boat traffic picks up.
We fish these inshore waters using a variety of proven techniques depending on conditions and target species. Light to medium spinning tackle is the go-to setup for most situations – sensitive enough to feel those subtle redfish bites but with enough backbone to handle a big snook or tarpon. We'll be throwing live bait like shrimp and pilchards around structure, working soft plastics through the grass flats, and sight-fishing in the shallows when the water's clear. The guides carry an arsenal of lures including gold spoons, topwater plugs, and jigs that have been putting fish in the boat for years. Don't worry if you've never fished these techniques before – our guides are excellent teachers and will have you casting like a pro by the end of the day. We use circle hooks for live bait fishing to ensure healthy catch and release, and all tackle is regularly maintained and tournament-quality.
Southern flounder are one of the most underrated fish in these waters, and they're absolute table fare champions. These flatfish typically range from 14 to 20 inches, with the occasional doormat pushing 5-6 pounds. Fall and winter months are prime time for flounder, when they're staging near inlets before their offshore spawn. You'll find them buried in sandy bottoms near grass edges and oyster bars. What makes flounder fishing so addictive is the sneaky way they hit – often just a subtle weight on your line before they try to bury back into the sand.
Snook are the crown jewel of Florida inshore fishing, and New Smyrna Beach has some world-class populations. These ambush predators love structure – docks, mangroves, bridge pilings – anywhere they can hide and attack baitfish. Snook are highly regulated with specific slot limits and closed seasons, making a legal keeper that much more rewarding. They're notorious for their gill-rattling jumps and powerful runs toward cover. Summer months provide the best action, especially around dawn and dusk when they're actively feeding in the shallows.
Black drum don't get the glamour of redfish, but they're phenomenal fighters and excellent eating in the smaller sizes. These bottom-dwellers can range from 2-pound juveniles to massive 30-pound bulls that will test your tackle and patience. They're most active during cooler months and love oyster bars where they crush crabs and shellfish. The bite is often subtle – just a steady pressure rather than a hard strike – but once hooked, they put up a bulldogging fight that keeps your drag screaming.
Tarpon are the ultimate game fish, and while you might not boat many on light tackle, the experience of hooking into a "silver king" is pure adrenaline. These prehistoric fish can exceed 100 pounds and are famous for their spectacular jumps when hooked. Summer months bring migrating tarpon through the area, and even a 20-30 pound juvenile will give you the fight of your life. Most tarpon are catch and release, but the photos and memories last forever.
Redfish are the bread and butter of inshore fishing here, and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers are year-round residents that can be caught in everything from 6 inches to 6 feet of water. Slot-size reds between 18-27 inches are perfect for the dinner table, while the oversized bulls provide heart-stopping runs in shallow water. Redfish are sight-fishing favorites – watching a big red tail in skinny water and making the perfect cast never gets old. They're also one of the most reliable species, feeding actively throughout the day in various conditions.
This customer favorite charter books up quickly, especially during peak fishing seasons and weekends. The combination of experienced guides, prime fishing grounds, and all-inclusive service makes this one of the best trips available in the New Smyrna Beach area. Eight hours gives you the time to really learn the waters, try different techniques, and put together a mixed bag of quality fish. Whether you're planning a guys' trip, family outing, or solo adventure, this charter delivers the complete Florida inshore fishing experience. The early start time and full-day format maximize your chances of success while avoiding the afternoon crowds. Don't miss out on what could be your best day of fishing this year – book your spot today and get ready to experience
This fully restored 2002 Sea Pro 21' center console is your ticket to productive inshore waters around New Smyrna Beach. The 150HP Yamaha gets you to the fish quickly, hitting speeds up to 40 knots when you need to cover water or beat other boats to the hot spots. Perfect for chasing redfish on the flats, working the mangroves for snook, or drifting grass beds for trout. The wireless trolling motor lets you sneak up on spooky fish without spooking them with engine noise. GPS keeps you on productive structure while the fish finder shows what's below. An onboard icebox keeps your catch fresh and drinks cold during those long summer days on the water. With room for 4 anglers, there's plenty of space to cast without tangling lines or fighting for elbow room at the rail.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the bulldogs of the flats - powerful, gray-black fish with barbels under their chins that help them root around for food. They range from schoolie-size 5-pounders up to tackle-busting 40+ pound bulls. You'll find them on shallow oyster bars, mud flats, and around structure where they crush crabs and shellfish with those strong jaws. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning - that's when we see the best numbers and biggest fish. They're not the prettiest fighters, but they'll test your arms with steady, powerful runs. Smaller ones under 15 pounds make great table fare, but the big breeding females should go back. The unique thing about drum fishing is hearing them "drum" - they actually make croaking sounds you can hear underwater. Local secret: fresh blue crab is the ultimate bait. Cut it in half, hook it through the shell, and fish it right on the bottom around oyster bars during moving water.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are our bread-and-butter inshore species - copper-colored fish with distinctive black spots near their tails that fool predators into striking the wrong end. They typically run 20-32 inches in our shallow waters, feeding in just 1-4 feet around oyster bars, grass flats, and mangrove shorelines. Year-round fishing is good, but fall and winter are outstanding when they school up in big numbers. What makes reds special is their willingness to eat almost anything and their powerful, bulldogging fight in shallow water. Plus, they're excellent table fare with sweet, flaky meat. You'll often see their backs or tails breaking the surface while feeding - we call it "tailing." The key to catching them consistently is staying quiet and making long, accurate casts to feeding fish. Here's a local tip: when you see tailing reds, lead them by about 3 feet with your cast and let the bait settle naturally - they spook easily in skinny water.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are the kings of our mangrove shorelines - sleek silver fish with that unmistakable black lateral stripe and jutting lower jaw. They typically run 18-28 inches in our waters, though we see some real giants over 35 inches during spawning season. These fish love structure - mangrove roots, docks, jetties, and creek mouths where current brings food. They move between salt and fresh water easily, so we target them in the backcountry creeks and around the inlet. Spring through fall offers the best action, especially around the new and full moons when they spawn. What makes them special is their explosive strike and acrobatic fight - they'll jump and make powerful runs that test your drag. Plus, they're catch-and-release only, so every fish goes back to fight another day. Pro tip: cast your bait or lure past the structure and work it back alongside the cover - snook almost always ambush from the shadows, not out in the open.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern flounder are masters of disguise - flat, oval-shaped fish that bury themselves in sandy and muddy bottoms with both eyes on their left side. They're ambush predators that can change color to match their surroundings perfectly. Most run 15-18 inches around here, but we catch some nice ones pushing 25+ inches. You'll find them on shallow flats, around oyster bars, and in deeper channels - they love structure where baitfish gather. Fall and winter are prime time when they're fattening up before their offshore spawning runs. They make excellent table fare with sweet, flaky meat. Here's a local trick: when drift fishing, use a light jig head with live shrimp or finger mullet and keep it bouncing along the bottom. The key is feeling that subtle "tap-tap" - they don't slam baits like other species, so stay alert and set the hook on any unusual weight.
Megalops AtlanticusTarpon are the silver kings - massive, prehistoric fish that can grow over 6 feet and 150+ pounds in our waters. These giants migrate through from late spring into summer, rolling and gulping air in our deeper channels and around the inlet. They're found in 10-30 feet of water, often near structure or current breaks. Peak season runs May through August when they're most active and feeding heavily on baitfish. What makes tarpon fishing special isn't the eating - they're catch and release only - but the pure adrenaline rush. When hooked, they explode from the water in spectacular jumps that'll leave you shaking. It's considered one of fishing's greatest challenges. These fish can live 50+ years, so every one is precious. Here's the key: when they jump, bow to the fish - drop your rod tip toward them to give slack, or they'll throw the hook. And be patient - the average fight lasts 45 minutes to over an hour.
New Smyrna Beach