Full Day Fishing Trip in New Port Richey
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Sevenhour private inshore fishing trip for up to three guestsTarget Redfish, Snook, Tarpon, Sea Trout, and Cobia with Captain GeneAll rods, reels, and tackle provided for complete fishing experience
There's something special about having seven solid hours on the water with Captain Gene in New Port Richey. This isn't your typical half-day rush job where you're watching the clock - it's a real fishing trip where you can settle in, learn the waters, and actually dial in on what's biting. The Gulf Coast waters around New Port Richey offer some of Florida's most consistent inshore action, and with a full day charter, you're getting the best shot at connecting with multiple species while Captain Gene works his magic on the flats and nearshore structure.
Captain Gene keeps his trips intimate with just three anglers max, which means you're getting personalized attention and plenty of elbow room. The boat launches early to beat the crowds and take advantage of those prime morning feeding windows when fish are most active. You'll start working the shallow flats where redfish cruise the grass beds, then move to deeper structure for cobia and tarpon depending on what's showing up on the fish finder. The beauty of a seven-hour trip is the flexibility - if the bite slows in one area, there's plenty of time to relocate and try different techniques. Captain Gene reads the water conditions and adjusts the game plan throughout the day, whether that means switching from live bait to artificials or moving from the flats to nearshore structure.
Captain Gene specializes in light tackle fishing, which puts you right in the fight with every fish you hook. We're talking spinning reels loaded with 15-20 pound test, paired with medium action rods that let you feel every head shake and run. The tackle box stays stocked with everything from live shrimp and pinfish to soft plastics and topwater plugs. Depending on conditions, you might be sight fishing to tailing redfish with gold spoons, working DOA shrimp under popping corks for sea trout, or throwing live bait at rolling tarpon. The light tackle approach means longer fights and more exciting battles, but it also requires some finesse - Captain Gene works with anglers of all skill levels to master the drag settings and fighting techniques that land fish consistently. All gear is provided and rigged fresh each morning, so you can focus on fishing instead of tackle management.
Redfish are the bread and butter of New Port Richey's inshore scene, and these copper-colored bruisers provide some of the most consistent action year-round. They cruise the shallow grass flats in schools, often with their backs out of water as they root around for crabs and shrimp. Spring through fall offers the best numbers, with fish ranging from schoolie reds around 20 inches up to bull reds pushing 30-plus pounds. What makes redfish so popular is their willingness to eat artificials and their bulldogging fights that test your tackle and technique.
Snook fishing peaks during the warmer months when these ambush predators stack up around structure and mangrove shorelines. These fish are notorious for their explosive strikes and acrobatic fights, often jumping multiple times before you get them to the boat. The slot-size snook around New Port Richey typically run 24 to 34 inches, and they're absolute tackle busters if you're not careful around the structure they love to call home. Early morning and evening provide the best snook action, which fits perfectly into a full-day charter schedule.
Tarpon season brings the most excitement to these waters, typically running strong from April through July. These silver kings roll through in pods, and when you hook one on light tackle, you're in for a fight that can last 20 minutes or more. New Port Richey's tarpon range from juvenile fish around 30-40 pounds up to mature adults exceeding 100 pounds. The sight of a tarpon cartwheeling out of the water is something that gets anglers hooked on this fishery for life.
Sea trout provide steady action throughout the cooler months when they school up over grass beds and sandy potholes. These spotted beauties are excellent table fare and willing biters on both live bait and artificials. The better trout fishing happens in fall and winter when the fish are fat and aggressive, making them perfect targets for a full-day trip when other species might be slower.
Cobia show up as bonus fish throughout the warmer months, often cruising near rays and structure. These brown sharks look-alikes are powerful fighters and excellent eating, typically running 20-40 pounds in these waters. Sight fishing for cobia adds an element of hunting to the trip, as you're scanning the water for their distinctive shape and following rays that often have cobia in tow.
A seven-hour charter with Captain Gene gives you the real New Port Richey fishing experience without the rush. You're getting access to years of local knowledge, top-notch light tackle gear, and enough time on the water to really make it count. Whether you're looking to check multiple species off your list or focus on perfecting your technique on one particular fish, this trip delivers the flexibility and expertise that separates a good day from a great one. The calendar fills up fast during peak seasons, so if you're serious about getting on some of Florida's best inshore fishing, it's time to lock in your dates and get ready for a day that'll have you planning your next trip before you even hit the dock.
Captain Gene's 21-foot Hewes bay boat is your ticket to productive inshore waters around New Port Richey. This shallow-draft fishing machine cuts through the flats with ease, powered by a reliable Yamaha 225 HP that gets you to the fish fast and quiet. Built specifically for targeting redfish, snook, and sea trout in skinny water, the Hewes handles like a dream whether you're poling the grass flats or running the backcountry. The boat's equipped with GPS and fish finder to locate structure and baitfish, plus plenty of deck space for three anglers to work comfortably. With seven hours on the water, you'll have time to hit multiple spots as conditions change throughout the day. The shallow draft design lets Captain Gene access those hard-to-reach areas where the big fish hide, while the stable platform gives you confidence when fighting tarpon or working topwater lures along the mangrove shorelines.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are brown, shark-looking fish that average 20-40 pounds and fight like freight trains. You'll typically find them around structure like buoys, wrecks, or crab traps in 15-50 feet of water. Spring through early summer is peak season when they migrate through our area. What makes them exciting is their curious nature - they'll often swim right up to the boat to investigate, giving you a perfect sight-fishing opportunity. The bonus is they're some of the best eating fish in the Gulf, with firm white meat that tastes like a cross between mahi and grouper. Since they're usually alone rather than schooling, each fish is a trophy. Here's the trick: when you spot one, cast a bucktail jig or live crab well ahead of where they're swimming and work it slowly along the bottom. They can't resist it.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are tough, copper-colored fighters that typically run 18-30 inches in our shallow waters. Look for that distinctive black spot near their tail - it's their trademark. These fish love super shallow flats, oyster bars, and mangrove shorelines, often in water so thin their backs show. They feed year-round but fall and winter bring the best action when they school up. What makes them special is their bulldogging fight and willingness to eat almost anything. Plus, they're outstanding table fare with mild, sweet meat. The real fun is sight fishing - watching them cruise the shallows with their tails up, then making the perfect cast. My go-to trick is using a gold spoon or soft plastic shrimp worked slowly along the bottom. They're not spooky like some fish, but don't splash your lure right on their heads.
Salmo TruttaSpotted sea trout, or "specks" as we call them, are bread-and-butter fish that most trips produce. They run 12-20 inches typically, with some keeper-sized fish hitting 2-3 pounds. You'll find them over grass flats in 2-8 feet of water, especially near drop-offs and sandy potholes. They bite year-round but really turn on during cooler months when they school up. What guests love is their willingness to bite and the sweet, flaky white meat that's perfect for dinner. They're not the strongest fighters, but they make up for it in numbers and taste. The key is using a popping cork with live shrimp about 18 inches below it. Work it slow over the grass beds, and when that cork disappears, set the hook gently - their mouths are soft.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are one of Florida's premier inshore game fish, averaging 1-3 feet with that distinctive black lateral line running down their golden sides. They love hanging around mangroves, docks, and creek mouths in shallow water where they ambush baitfish. Spring through fall gives you the best action, especially around new and full moons when they spawn. What makes them special is their explosive strike and tough fight - they'll jump and make powerful runs that test your drag. The meat is excellent too, white and flaky when cooked right. Here's a local trick: cast your live shrimp or snook plug right into the mangrove roots and work it slow. They sit tight to cover, so don't be afraid to get close to the structure where most guys won't throw.
Megalops AtlanticusTarpon are the silver kings of inshore fishing, typically running 80-150 pounds around here with some giants pushing 200. These prehistoric fish cruise shallow flats, bridges, and deeper channels, often rolling on the surface where you can spot them. Late spring through summer is prime time, especially May through August when they migrate through our waters. What hooks anglers is their aerial show - they'll jump 6-8 feet out of the water multiple times, shaking their heads to throw the hook. It's pure adrenaline on light tackle. We release them all since the meat isn't great anyway. Pro tip: when you hook one, bow to the fish during those jumps by pointing your rod tip toward them. It keeps tension off the line and prevents them from throwing the hook on those spectacular leaps.
New Port Richey