Extended Half-Day South Florida Inshore Charter
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Six-hour afternoon charter targeting tarpon, snook, and redfishDeparts from Crandon Park on professional Maverick flats boatAll tackle, bait, and water included for two guests
Looking for serious action on the flats? This 6-hour afternoon trip puts you right where the big fish live in South Florida's legendary inshore waters. You'll launch from either Crandon Park or Homestead Bayfront aboard a top-rated Maverick flats boat – the gold standard for shallow water fishing down here. With just two anglers max, you get personalized attention from an experienced guide who knows exactly where tarpon roll, snook ambush prey, and redfish cruise the mangroves. All your bait, tackle, and water are covered, so you can focus on what matters: putting fish in the boat.
This isn't your typical half-day quickie – six hours gives you real time to work different spots and adapt to what the fish are doing. Your guide will read the conditions and move between productive areas, from shallow grass flats where bonefish tail to deeper channels where tarpon stage up. The afternoon timing is money for inshore fishing in South Florida. As the sun gets lower, predators become more active, and you'll often see the best action in those golden hours before sunset. The Maverick flats boat is built for this kind of fishing – it drafts skinny water but handles chop when you need to make longer runs between spots. You'll pole shallow areas for sight fishing opportunities and use the trolling motor to stay quiet around spooky fish. Expect to cover serious ground as your guide puts you on the most productive water based on tides, weather, and recent fish activity.
Your guide comes loaded with everything you need for multiple fishing scenarios. Live bait is king out here – pilchards, pinfish, and shrimp account for most of our best catches. You'll learn to work these baits around structure like docks, mangrove shorelines, and oyster bars where gamefish stage up to feed. Artificial lures play a huge role too, especially when fish are active on top. Topwater plugs create explosive strikes from snook and tarpon, while soft plastics on jig heads are deadly for redfish cruising the flats. The tackle is sized right for each target species – heavy enough to turn a big tarpon away from structure, but light enough to feel every bump when a bonefish picks up your shrimp. Your guide will teach you how to read the water, spot fish movement, and present baits naturally. Sight fishing is a big part of the experience when conditions allow, and there's nothing quite like watching a 100-pound tarpon eat your bait in crystal clear water.
Tarpon are the undisputed kings of South Florida inshore fishing. These silver giants can exceed 150 pounds and are famous for their acrobatic jumps when hooked. Peak season runs May through August, but South Florida's year-round warmth means you can find tarpon almost any time. They feed heavily on large baitfish and crabs, making them perfect targets for live pilchards or artificial plugs. What makes tarpon special isn't just their size – it's their aerial display. A big tarpon will jump repeatedly, shaking its head and gill-rattling to throw the hook. Landing one requires patience, proper technique, and a little luck.
Snook are South Florida's signature inshore gamefish, known for their aggressive strikes and bulldogging fights. They average 5-15 pounds but can push over 30 in prime waters. Snook love structure – docks, bridges, mangrove edges, and inlet mouths are prime spots. They're ambush predators that slam baits with authority, then immediately head for cover. Spring and fall offer the best action as water temperatures hit their comfort zone. What anglers love about snook is their attitude – they hit hard, fight dirty, and always keep you guessing.
Redfish, or red drum, are the workhorses of the flats. These copper-colored fighters average 8-25 pounds and are famous for their powerful runs. They're year-round residents that feed aggressively on crabs, shrimp, and small fish. Redfish often travel in schools, so finding one frequently means finding several. They're sight fishing favorites because they cruise shallow water with their backs and tails visible. The fight is all about power – long, sustained runs that test your drag and stamina.
Bonefish are the ghosts of the flats, prized for their wariness and blazing speed. These silvery fish average 4-8 pounds but make up for size with attitude. They're incredibly spooky, requiring stealthy approaches and precise presentations. When hooked, bonefish make screaming runs that can strip 100 yards of line in seconds. They feed by tailing in shallow water, rooting for crabs and shrimp with their tails breaking the surface. Sight fishing for tailing bonefish is considered one of angling's greatest challenges.
Sea trout and snapper round out the mixed bag you'll encounter. Spotted sea trout are excellent table fare and willing biters, while mangrove snapper provide steady action around structure. Both species are perfect for newer anglers to build confidence while more experienced fishermen target the glamour species. These fish often save the day when conditions make the bigger gamefish tough to pattern.
This extended half-day trip delivers the best of South Florida inshore fishing without the full-day commitment. Six hours is the sweet spot – enough time to work multiple areas and target different species, but not so long that you're burnt out by the end. The afternoon timing puts you on the water when fish are most active, and you'll finish with some of the most beautiful light South Florida has to offer. With all tackle, bait, and water included, plus expert guidance from a local pro, you're set up for success from the first cast. Book now and get ready to experience why anglers travel from around the world to fish these waters
Your 17-foot Maverick HPXV Carbon Edition flats boat cuts through South Florida's shallow waters like a dream. This 2020 beauty runs on a reliable Yamaha 70HP engine that'll cruise at 40 mph, getting you to the hottest tarpon and snook spots fast. Built specifically for flats fishing, this lightweight carbon hull draws minimal water so you can slide into those skinny backwater areas where the big redfish hang out. The boat's rock-solid stability means accurate casting even in choppy conditions, while the spacious deck gives you plenty of room to fight that silver king. An icebox keeps your drinks cold during the afternoon heat, GPS gets you to productive waters, and VHF radio keeps you connected. Perfect for two anglers ready to target South Florida's legendary inshore species.
Albula VulpesBonefish are the "gray ghosts" of the flats, averaging 3-6 pounds with that distinctive torpedo shape and forked tail. They move onto shallow grass flats with incoming tides to root for shrimp and crabs, sometimes in just inches of water. You'll see them "tailing" when feeding, fins breaking the surface. Year-round fishing here, but calmer days are best for sight fishing. What makes bones special is their blazing speed - they'll peel off 100 yards of line before you know what hit you. They're catch-and-release fish due to all the small bones. The trick is staying quiet and casting well ahead of cruising fish. Small shrimp patterns or live shrimp work great, but presentation is everything with these spooky fish.
Trachinotus FalcatusPermit are the holy grail of flats fishing - tall, silver ghosts that average 15-25 pounds but can hit 40+. They cruise turtle grass flats in 2-6 feet, usually solo or in small groups. Spring through fall is best, especially around the spawn from April to October. These fish have golf ball-sized eyes that see everything, making them notoriously spooky and hard to fool. That's exactly why anglers obsess over them - hooking one is a real accomplishment. They're strong fighters that'll make long runs across the flats. Live blue crabs are the gold standard for bait, but small crab flies work too. Keep your distance when you spot one - they'll bolt at the slightest movement or shadow.
Sciaenops OcellatusReds are the bread and butter of flats fishing, running 24-32 inches on average with that signature black spot near the tail. They love super shallow water - sometimes so skinny their backs stick out while they're "tailing" for crabs and shrimp. You'll find them year-round in grass flats, oyster bars, and mangrove shorelines. They're not picky eaters and fight hard with strong, steady runs that'll test your drag. Great table fare too with sweet, firm meat. What I love about reds is their predictability - they'll cruise the same flats on incoming tides. Watch for nervous water or mudding where they're rooting around. Throw your bait ahead of cruising fish, not right on their heads.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are ambush predators that hang around mangroves, docks, and structure in 1-6 feet of water. Most run 20-30 inches, but the big girls can hit 40+ inches and really pull. They're temperature sensitive, so cooler months slow them down, but May through September is prime time when they're actively feeding and spawning. What makes snook special is their explosive strike and bulldogging fight - they'll try to cut you off in the roots every time. Plus, they're excellent table fare with white, flaky meat. Here's the key: work your bait slow along the edges where current meets structure. Snook are lazy - they want an easy meal drifting right to them.
Megalops AtlanticusThe silver king averages 4-6 feet and 80-100 pounds, though monsters over 200 exist. They cruise shallow flats, channels, and harbor mouths, often rolling on the surface. Late spring through summer is peak season when they migrate through our waters to spawn. What hooks people is their aerial show - these fish will jump 8 feet out of the water and make blistering runs that'll empty your reel in seconds. They're prehistoric fighters with 50+ year lifespans, making each catch special. Most folks release them since they're bony and not great eating. My tip: when they jump, bow to the fish by dropping your rod tip toward them. Keeps tension off and prevents thrown hooks during those wild acrobatics.
Miami, FL, United States