Florida 4-Hour Inshore Fishing Trip
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fourhour inshore fishing trip in Florida's intracoastal waterwayTarget multiple inshore species with experienced charter guidesAccommodates up to six guests for small group experience
Looking for a solid half-day fishing trip that'll put you on quality inshore species? Get Schooled Fishing Charters LLC has you covered with our top-rated 4-hour inshore adventure along Florida's productive intracoastal waterway. We keep things simple but effective – staying in the protected waters where the fish are biting and the action stays consistent. With room for up to 6 anglers, this trip is perfect for families, buddy groups, or anyone wanting to experience Florida's renowned inshore fishing without committing to a full day on the water.
We'll spend our time working the intracoastal waterway, which is exactly where you want to be for consistent inshore action. The beauty of fishing these protected waters is the variety – one cast you might be pulling up a chunky redfish from a grass flat, the next you're fighting a stubborn black drum around some structure. The intracoastal gives us access to oyster bars, grass beds, creek mouths, and deeper channels where different species hang out depending on the tide and time of year. You'll get a real taste of what Florida inshore fishing is all about, and we'll move around to find where the fish are most active that day. The atmosphere is relaxed but focused – we're here to catch fish, but we also want everyone to enjoy the experience and learn something along the way.
Inshore fishing is all about reading the water and matching your approach to what the fish want. We'll be using a mix of live bait and artificials depending on what's working best. Shrimp is always a go-to for most inshore species, but we might also use finger mullet, fiddler crabs, or cut bait when targeting specific fish. On the artificial side, soft plastics, spoons, and topwater plugs all have their place depending on the conditions. The tackle stays medium to medium-heavy – strong enough to pull fish out of structure but light enough to feel every tap and run. We'll be casting to visible structure, drifting over grass flats, and working creek mouths where baitfish concentrate. The key is staying mobile and adapting as conditions change throughout the trip.
Black drum are some of the strongest fighters you'll encounter in the intracoastal, and Florida's waters hold some real bruisers. These fish love to hang around oyster bars and bridge pilings where they can crush crabs and shellfish. They're not the prettiest fish in the water, but when a 15-20 pound black drum decides to make a run, you'll know you're connected to something serious. They fight deep and dirty, using their broad sides to pull against you. Spring and fall are prime time for the bigger fish, though you can catch them year-round. What makes black drum so exciting is their sheer power – they might not jump like a tarpon, but they'll test your drag system and your patience.
Summer flounder are the chameleons of the inshore world, and they're as fun to catch as they are good to eat. These flatfish bury themselves in sandy bottoms near structure, waiting to ambush passing baitfish. The trick with flounder is feeling that subtle tap and knowing when to set the hook – they'll often pick up your bait and swim with it before committing. Size-wise, we see everything from keeper-sized fish around 15 inches up to doormat flounder pushing 20-plus inches. Summer months are obviously peak time, but they stick around well into fall. Flounder fishing teaches you patience and finesse, and when you boat a nice one, you've got some of the best table fare Florida waters have to offer.
Sheepshead are the convict-striped specialists that drive anglers both crazy and keep them coming back for more. These fish have some of the sharpest eyes and quickest reflexes in the intracoastal, plus they love to hang around structure where they can easily break you off. Fiddler crabs and barnacles are candy to sheepshead, and they've got the teeth to crush them easily. What's exciting about sheepshead is the challenge – they're smart, spooky, and will steal your bait faster than you can blink. But when you time the hookset right and feel that headshaking fight, it's incredibly satisfying. Winter months are actually peak time for sheepshead, when they school up around bridges and docks in bigger numbers.
Sea trout are the bread and butter of Florida inshore fishing, and for good reason. These spotted beauties are aggressive feeders that will hit both live bait and artificials with enthusiasm. They love grass flats where they can ambush shrimp and small fish, and they're not shy about letting you know when they're around. Sea trout have a soft mouth, so the fight is more about finesse than power, but they'll give you some nice runs and the occasional jump. Size varies from school-sized fish around 12-14 inches up to gator trout pushing 20 inches or better. They're active year-round in Florida, with spring and fall being particularly productive. What makes sea trout special is their willingness to bite – when you find them, you can usually catch several.
Redfish are the crown jewel of Florida inshore fishing, and once you hook your first red, you'll understand the obsession. These copper-colored fighters are built for power, with broad tails that can rip line off your reel in seconds. Redfish are incredibly versatile – they'll cruise shallow grass flats in just inches of water, then drop into deeper channels when the tide changes. Slot-sized reds between 18-27 inches are perfect eating, but the over-slot fish provide the real fireworks. Spring through fall offers the most consistent action, but reds are catchable year-round. What gets anglers hooked on redfish is their combination of power, beauty, and fighting ability – they'll make multiple
Our fully-equipped motorboat is built for serious inshore fishing in Florida's productive intracoastal waters. With room for up to 6 anglers, this vessel comes loaded with everything you need for a successful 4-hour fishing trip. The fish finder will help us locate schools of snook, redfish, and trout hiding in the shallow flats and mangrove cuts. Our wireless trolling motor keeps things quiet when we need to sneak up on spooky fish in skinny water. GPS and radar ensure we can navigate safely through the maze of channels and oyster bars, while the VHF radio keeps us connected. The onboard ice box will keep your catch fresh, and there's even a head for comfort during the trip. We'll work the grass flats, dock lights, and structure along the intracoastal, targeting the species that make Florida inshore fishing legendary.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the heavyweight champions of the drum family, typically running 5-30 pounds but can hit 90+ pounds. These dark, powerful fish love oyster beds, muddy flats, and structure throughout our intracoastal waters. They're bottom feeders with crushing jaws perfect for shellfish, so fresh crab and cut bait work best. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning, making them much easier to target. What makes them special is that drumming sound they make - you can actually hear schools underwater. The smaller ones (under 15 pounds) are fantastic eating with sweet, flaky meat. Pro tip: when you feel that subtle tap-tap on your bait, don't hesitate - set the hook hard because they're notorious bait thieves with those powerful mouths.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the stars of our inshore waters - copper-colored beauties with distinctive black spots near their tails. They typically run 20-35 inches around here and are absolute bulldogs when hooked. These fish love super shallow water, often feeding in just 1-4 feet around oyster bars, grass flats, and mangrove shorelines. They're year-round residents but really light up during spring and fall when water temps are perfect. What makes them special is their willingness to eat topwater lures in skinny water - nothing beats watching a big red crush a surface plug in two feet of water. They're also great table fare when kept within slot limits. The sight-fishing opportunities are incredible on calm days when you can spot their backs and tails. Pro tip: approach feeding reds quietly and cast well ahead of where they're moving - they spook easily in shallow water but will absolutely demolish a well-placed lure.
Salmo TruttaSpotted Sea Trout, or "specks," are beautiful silver fish covered in distinct black spots. Most run 14-24 inches and 1-5 pounds, with their soft mouth making them tricky to land once hooked. They love grass flats, shallow bays, and drop-offs throughout the intracoastal, especially at dawn and dusk when they're actively feeding. Night fishing under lights can be phenomenal. What guests enjoy most is their willingness to hit topwater lures and their excellent table fare - white, flaky meat that's perfect for the dinner table. They school up in winter in deeper channels, but spring through fall they spread across the flats chasing shrimp and small baitfish. The key with specks is keeping steady pressure without horsing them - their soft mouths tear easily. Try working topwater plugs or soft plastics over grass beds right at daybreak for the best action.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the "convict fish" with their black and white stripes, but what really gets people's attention are those human-like teeth. Most run 1-8 pounds, though 20-pounders lurk around the bigger structures. They're structure junkies - any dock, bridge piling, or barnacle-covered surface will hold them. Winter and spring are best when they're feeding heavily and spawning around structures. What makes them fun is they're absolute bait thieves with incredible mouth control, so it becomes a game of skill and patience. The meat is outstanding - sweet, white fillets that rival any inshore fish, though those scales are tough to clean. They feed on barnacles, crabs, and shellfish around pilings. My go-to trick: get your bait tight to structure and watch for those subtle nibbles - when you feel them testing the bait, set the hook aggressively because they'll steal it clean otherwise.
Paralichthys DentatusSummer Flounder are masters of disguise - these flatfish lie on sandy bottoms with both eyes on one side, perfectly camouflaged until they ambush prey. Most run 15-20 inches, but the big females can reach 26 pounds and really put up a fight. They're active predators that'll chase down baitfish when they need to, making them more aggressive than most flatfish. Fall months from September through November are peak season when they're feeding heavily before moving offshore. Guests love them because they're both challenging to locate and excellent table fare - sweet, white meat that's hard to beat. They hang around structure, drop-offs, and current edges in our waters. Here's the key: use a circle hook and give them time to fully take the bait before setting - they bite sideways and need that extra second to get it positioned right.
Saint Augustine, FL