5.0(4 Reviews)Inshore Fishing Charter in Bokeelia, FL
5.0(4 reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
4hour inshore fishing adventure with Captain Brandon in BokeeliaTarget Snook, Redfish, and Snapper in Pine Island watersAccommodates up to 3 guests with expert guidance provided
Pine Island's backwaters have been serving up some of the best inshore action in Southwest Florida, and Captain Brandon knows every oyster bar, mangrove cut, and grass flat like they're his backyard. This 4-hour charter puts you right in the heart of Bokeelia's legendary fishing grounds, where snook prowl the shadows and redfish cruise the shallows. Whether you're a weekend warrior or just picked up your first rod, Captain Brandon's got the patience and know-how to put you on fish. The waters around Pine Island offer year-round opportunities, but each season brings its own rhythm - spring means aggressive snook, summer delivers consistent snapper action, and fall kicks off some of the best redfish hunting you'll find anywhere on the Gulf Coast.
Your morning starts at the Bokeelia boat ramp, just a quick drive from Cape Coral, where Captain Brandon runs through the game plan based on conditions and what's been biting. This isn't a cattle boat operation - with just three anglers max, everyone gets personalized attention and prime fishing spots. The boat stays comfortable while covering serious ground, from the protected backcountry creeks where snook ambush baitfish to the deeper holes where snapper stack up. Captain Brandon reads the water like a book, adjusting tactics as conditions change throughout the day. One minute you might be sight-casting to tailing redfish, the next you're working live bait around structure for that trophy snook. The beauty of Pine Island's fishery is its diversity - if one bite shuts down, there's always another species ready to play. Weather rarely cancels trips here thanks to the protected waters, though Captain Brandon keeps safety first and knows when to call it if conditions get sketchy.
Captain Brandon runs a fully rigged operation with quality spinning gear matched to the target species and conditions. Live bait fishing dominates the approach here - nothing beats a frisky pinfish or pilchard when snook are finicky, and fresh-cut mullet drives redfish crazy during their feeding times. Artificial lures get plenty of work too, especially when fish are actively feeding on top. Soft plastics rigged weedless work magic in the grass flats, while topwater plugs create explosive strikes during dawn and dusk periods. The boat stays positioned using a combination of Power Pole anchoring and strategic drifting to keep baits in the strike zone without spooking fish. Captain Brandon handles all the rigging and re-baiting, so you focus on feeling that bite and setting the hook. Circle hooks are standard for live bait presentations - they reduce gut-hooking and make releasing fish cleaner. When targeting snapper around structure, the setup switches to heavier tackle and faster retrieves to keep fish from diving back into cover.
"Captain Brandon communicated excellent prior to the trip. He is a third generation captian who knows the waters and the area history like the back of his hand. My wife and I didn't have specific goals so he just put us on some fish quickly and kept us moving. We caught redfish, sheepshead, mangrove snapper and snook - my first snook! I would highly recommend Floridaze." - Jon
"Had a great time on the water and the Captain worked hard to find fish for us!" - Michael
"Coldest day of the season and Captain Brandon found us fish. Great time!" - Timothy
"Captain Brandon took good care of us on our recent fishing trip. We had a windy day which made for tough fishing but he moved us around and helped us find the fish. We ended up having a very good day. Captain Brandon is knowledgeable, friendly and easy going. Great charter captain! We will most definitely have him take us out again soon!" - Charles
Red Snapper around Pine Island are bucket-list fish that fight like they're twice their size. These bottom dwellers stack up around hard structure and ledges in 20-40 feet of water, hitting fresh cut bait with authority. Summer months offer the best opportunities when federal seasons open, though state waters sometimes provide year-round action. Red snapper average 3-8 pounds in these waters, but double-digit fish show up regularly. Their crimson coloration and aggressive feeding make them a favorite target, plus they're outstanding table fare when regulations allow harvest.
Snook are the crown jewel of Southwest Florida inshore fishing, and Pine Island's mangrove shorelines provide perfect ambush points for these line-siders. They're structure-oriented predators that love to lurk under docks, around oyster bars, and in creek mouths where baitfish funnel through. Spring and fall offer peak action when snook feed aggressively before and after spawning season. These fish jump, run, and use every trick in the book to throw your hook. Slot-size snook range from 28-32 inches, though plenty of oversized fish call these waters home. Their silver sides and distinctive black lateral line make them instantly recognizable.
Grey Snapper, better known as mangrove snapper, are year-round residents that provide consistent action when other species get finicky. These crafty fish suspend around any available cover - mangrove roots, dock pilings, rocky bottom, even floating debris. They're notorious bait stealers with soft mouths that require quick hook-sets. Mangrove snapper average 12-16 inches but fight harder than their size suggests. They're also excellent eating, making them a popular target for anglers looking to fill the cooler.
Sea Trout patrol the grass flats around Pine Island in schools, making them perfect targets for light tackle action. These spotted beauties respond well to both live bait and artificial lures, especially during dawn and dusk feeding periods. Winter months concentrate trout in deeper holes and channels, while warmer weather spreads them across the flats.
Captain Brandon's 22-foot Pathfinder Tournament is built for serious inshore fishing around Pine Island's productive waters. This proven fishing platform handles up to 6 anglers comfortably while you target snook, redfish, and snapper in the shallows and grass flats. The wireless trolling motor lets you slip into tight spots without spooking fish, while the GPS keeps you on the most productive structure and ledges. An onboard ice box ensures your catch stays fresh throughout your 4-hour adventure. The boat's shallow draft design is perfect for accessing the backcountry mangroves and oyster bars where big fish like to hide. Whether you're sight-fishing the flats or working the deeper channels, this Pathfinder gives you the stability and range to fish Southwest Florida's best inshore waters effectively.
Lutjanus GriseusGrey Snapper, or Mangrove Snapper as locals call them, are scrappy 1-4 pound fighters that love our shallow structure. You'll find them around docks, mangroves, and grass flats in 2-20 feet of water year-round. They're opportunistic feeders, so they bite consistently, making them perfect for families and beginners. What makes them fun? They're smart, finicky biters that'll test your skills, but once hooked they fight hard for their size. The payoff is sweet white meat that's table fare gold. Summer and fall are peak season when they school up heavy. Local secret: use a light leader and let your live shrimp drift naturally to the bottom near structure, then lift it up just a foot or two. They hate obvious presentations, so patience pays off big time.
Lutjanus CampechanusRed Snapper are the heavyweight champions of our deeper waters, typically running 2-10 pounds with trophy fish pushing 20+ pounds. These crimson beauties live around structure in 30-100+ feet - think ledges, wrecks, and rocky bottom. They're year-round targets here, but summer and fall fishing really heats up when they're most active. What makes them special? That bulldog fight when hooked, plus some of the best eating fish in the Gulf. Their white, flaky meat is restaurant-quality every time. Pro tip: when you hook one, keep steady pressure and reel fast - they'll try to cut your line on structure every chance they get. Fresh squid or cigar minnows work great, but don't hesitate when they bite.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the ultimate sight-fishing target around our shallow flats and mangroves, typically running 18-32 inches with that famous black spot near the tail. These copper-colored bruisers love 1-4 feet of water around oyster bars, grass flats, and creek mouths. They're year-round residents, but fall and winter bring the best action when they school up heavy. What makes them special? Pure power - they'll peel drag and never give up. Plus, they're beautiful fish with great table fare when kept in slot. The real thrill is watching their backs push water in skinny flats. Local tip: when you spot tailing reds, cast your bait 5 feet past them and work it back slowly - drop it right on their head and they'll spook every time. Live shrimp and gold spoons are deadly.
Salmo TruttaSpotted Sea Trout, or "Specks," are the bread and butter of our grass flats, running 12-20 inches with occasional gators over 24 inches. These silvery beauties with dark spots live in 2-8 feet over seagrass beds and sandy potholes. Best action happens spring through fall, especially during moving tides at dawn and dusk. They're perfect for light tackle fishing - that soft mouth means gentle pressure or they'll throw the hook. The reward? Delicate white meat that's hard to beat on the table. What really gets people excited is their willingness to hit topwater plugs, creating explosive surface strikes. Pro tip: when the bite gets tough, downsize to a 1/8 oz jig with a shrimp tail and work it slow over the grass - they can't resist that subtle action.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are Florida's signature inshore game fish, and around Pine Island they average 18-28 inches with plenty of slot fish in the mix. These ambush predators love structure - mangroves, docks, bridges, and creek mouths where they can hide and strike. Spring through fall are prime time, especially around new and full moons when they're most active. What gets anglers hooked? That explosive topwater strike and bulldogging fight that'll test your drag. They're catch-and-release only, making each one special. Their golden flanks and distinct black lateral line make them easy to spot. Here's a local trick: work your lure slowly past structure, then pause it right at the edge - that's when they'll crush it. Live shrimp and soft plastics are money baits.
5.0 out of 5.0Captain Brandon communicated excellent prior to the trip. He is a third generation captian who knows the waters and the area hist...
Had a great time on the water and the Captain worked hard to find fish for us!
Coldest day of the season and Captain Brandon found us fish. Great time!
Captain Brandon took good care of us on our recent fishing trip. We had a windy day which made for tough fishing but he moved us a...
Thank you for the glowing review Chuck, I thoroughly enjoyed having you guys out and hope to get ya'...
Cape Coral