Orlando Inshore Fishing with Go Castaway
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
23 hour inshore fishing trips for small groupsFamilyfriendly charter exploring historic Central Florida waterwaysIntimate fishing experience with maximum 2 guests
Looking for a top-rated fishing adventure without committing your entire day? Go Castaway Fishing Charters has you covered with their flexible 2-3 hour inshore trips around Orlando's historic waterways. Whether you're a busy parent trying to squeeze in some fishing time or planning a quick getaway with a friend, these shorter trips pack all the action of a full day into a perfect bite-sized adventure. Captain and crew know these Central Florida waters like the back of their hand, and they'll put you on fish while sharing stories about the area's rich fishing heritage. With space for just two anglers, you get that personal touch that makes all the difference between a good day and a great day on the water.
Your Orlando fishing charter starts in the heart of Central Florida's most productive inshore waters, where grass flats meet deeper channels and structure holds hungry fish year-round. The 2-hour option is perfect for families with kids or anyone wanting a taste of what these waters offer – you'll hit the hottest spots and target whatever's biting best that day. If you've got the time, bump up to the 3-hour trip and really get into the rhythm of inshore fishing. The extra hour makes a huge difference when fish are finicky or you want to try multiple techniques. You'll cruise through scenic backwaters where cypress trees hang over the banks and wildlife is just as much of the show as the fishing. The intimate 2-person capacity means no crowded boat, no rushing, and plenty of one-on-one instruction if you need it. Your captain will read the conditions and adjust the game plan – maybe we're sight fishing in shallow water when it's calm, or working deeper edges when the wind picks up.
Inshore fishing around Orlando is all about versatility, and your captain comes prepared with the right gear for whatever Mother Nature throws at you. Live bait is king here – fresh shrimp and small baitfish like pilchards work magic on everything from redfish cruising the flats to black drum hanging around structure. When the fish are aggressive, artificial lures shine – soft plastics bounced along the bottom, spoons flashed through the water column, and topwater plugs that create explosive strikes you'll never forget. The boat carries light to medium spinning tackle that's perfect for the inshore game – sensitive enough to feel a subtle bite but with enough backbone to turn a bull red away from the mangroves. Your guide will match the technique to the conditions and target species. Shallow water calls for stealthy presentations with weedless rigs, while deeper channels might mean dropping jigs or working live bait on the bottom. No worries if you're new to this style of fishing – your captain will get you dialed in quickly and explain why certain techniques work better in different situations.
Redfish are the crown jewel of Orlando's inshore scene and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers cruise the grass flats in schools, tailing in inches of water or posted up around oyster bars and dock pilings. Spring through fall offers the most consistent action, though Central Florida's mild winters keep some fish active year-round. What makes reds so special is their fight – they'll make blistering runs and use their broad sides to bulldoze through the water. Most fish you'll encounter run 18-30 inches, perfect eating size with firm white meat that's hard to beat.
Crevalle Jack might not win beauty contests, but they'll test your tackle and your endurance like few other fish. These silver torpedoes travel in schools and when you find them, get ready for non-stop action. They're opportunistic feeders that'll crush live bait, artificials, or anything else that moves. Jacks are strongest pound-for-pound fighters in these waters – a 10-pound jack will pull harder than most 20-pound fish of other species. Peak season runs late spring through early fall when baitfish concentrations draw them into the shallows. Fair warning: your arms will be sore the next day, but you'll be grinning about it.
Southern Flounder are the masters of disguise, lying buried in sand waiting to ambush unsuspecting prey. These flatfish prefer transitional areas where deeper water meets shallow flats, especially around creek mouths and channel edges. Fall and winter are prime time when cooling water temperatures trigger their feeding response before the spawn. Flounder fishing requires patience and finesse – slow presentations with live bait or soft plastics work best. They're excellent table fare with delicate, flaky white meat that's perfect for a fish fry. The thrill comes from the unexpected – you never know when that "snag" on the bottom will suddenly come alive.
Crappie add freshwater variety to your Orlando fishing adventure, especially in the area's connected lake systems. These speckled beauties are structure-oriented fish that love brush piles, fallen trees, and dock pilings. Spring spawning season offers the most predictable fishing when they move shallow and become aggressive. Crappie are light biters that require sensitive tackle and a gentle touch – miss the subtle tap and you'll wonder why the bait's gone. They make up for their gentle nature by schooling heavily, so finding one often means finding many. Their sweet, mild flavor makes them a favorite for the dinner table.
Black Drum are the gentle giants of the inshore world, growing larger than any other species you'll target on these trips. These bottom-dwellers have powerful pharyngeal teeth designed for crushing oysters, crabs, and other shellfish. Cooler months bring the best drum fishing as they congregate around structure and deeper holes. What drum lack in speed they make up for in pure power – they'll use their bulk and broad tail to wage a tug-of-war that tests your patience and tackle. Smaller drum under 16 inches make excellent eating, while the big breeding females over 24 inches should be released to keep the population healthy.
Your fishing adventure starts aboard our nimble 18' East Cape flats boat, perfectly suited for exploring Orlando's productive inshore waters. Powered by a reliable 60HP Mercury engine, this shallow-draft vessel cruises at speeds up to 34 knots, getting you to the best fishing spots quickly and efficiently. The boat's specialized design excels in skinny water where trophy fish like redfish and snook love to hide. Built for serious anglers, the boat features a wireless trolling motor that lets us approach fish silently without spooking them. Our fish finder pinpoints schools below while GPS navigation ensures we hit all the productive honey holes. An onboard icebox keeps your catch fresh and drinks cold during the Florida heat. With radar for those occasional low-visibility moments and space for up to 3 guests, this boat delivers everything needed for a successful day on Central Florida's historic waterways.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the heavy hitters of our shallow water fishing, with most running 5-30 pounds and capable of much more. These gray-black bruisers have powerful jaws built for crushing oysters and crabs, making them tough fighters that test your drag. Find them around oyster beds, creek mouths, and muddy flats in brackish water where they root for food. Spring is prime time during spawning season when they school up and make that distinctive drumming sound. Guests enjoy the challenge of landing a big drum - they pull hard and don't give up easy. Smaller ones under 15 pounds make good eating, but the big ones are better released. Here's what works best in our waters: fresh blue crab or cut mullet fished right on bottom with enough weight to stay put. Be patient - they mouth the bait before committing to the bite.
Pomoxis NigromaculatusCrappie are some of the best-eating fish swimming in Central Florida's lakes and rivers. These speckled panfish typically run 7-12 inches and travel in schools around submerged brush, fallen trees, and docks. You'll catch both black and white crappie here, with blacks preferring clearer water. Spring spawning season is absolute gold when water temps hit the low 60s, but they bite year-round if you know where to look. What makes them special is that sweet, white meat - hard to beat on the dinner table. They're also perfect for families since kids can handle the light tackle and steady action. Here's a local trick: use small jigs tipped with live minnows and fish them slow around structure in 8-15 feet of water. They're most active at dawn and dusk, so time your trips accordingly for the best results.
Caranx HipposCrevalle Jacks are the bullies of our inshore waters, and they put up one heck of a scrap. These brassy, golden-sided fighters typically range 12-24 inches and 3-5 pounds, though bigger ones show up regularly. They roam both shallow flats and deeper channels, often in aggressive schools that push baitfish to the surface. Spring through summer is prime time when they're most active and feeding heavily. What guests love most is their raw power - pound for pound, few fish pull harder or fight longer. They're not great table fare, but the action more than makes up for it. Here's the key to success: look for diving birds, then cast silver spoons or fast-moving plugs past the school and retrieve quickly. These fish love the chase, so keep that bait moving fast and aggressive.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are a favorite around Central Florida's shallow waters. These copper-colored beauties typically run 20-30 inches and sport distinctive black spots near their tails - nature's way of confusing predators. You'll find them cruising grass flats, oyster bars, and mangrove shorelines in just 1-4 feet of water, sometimes with their backs showing above the surface. Spring through fall offers the best action when they're actively feeding. What makes them special? They fight hard, taste great with that mild, sweet flavor, and give you that classic sight-fishing thrill. Here's a tip that works well in our local waters: when you spot tailing reds, cast your bait about 10 feet ahead of where they're headed and let it sit still. They'll cruise right to it, and that's when the fun starts.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern flounder are masters of disguise that lie buried in sand and mud bottoms, waiting to ambush prey. These flat, oval-shaped fish typically measure 15-18 inches, with both eyes on their left side. You'll find them in shallow bays, creeks, and grass flats where they can camouflage perfectly against sandy or muddy bottoms. Fall and winter months are prime time as they move through our area heading to deeper waters. Guests love targeting them because they're excellent eating - sweet, flaky white meat that's hard to beat. Plus, there's something satisfying about outsmarting a fish that's practically invisible. My go-to method is drifting with live mud minnows or shrimp on a light jig head, keeping it right on bottom. Move slowly and feel for that subtle tap - they don't hammer baits like other species.
Fort Pierce