Orlando Inshore Fishing Adventure
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
2-3 hour inshore fishing trips for small groupsFamily-friendly charters through historic Central Florida waterwaysRelaxing fishing experience with professional charter company
Looking for a quick getaway that doesn't eat up your whole day? Go Castaway Fishing Charters has you covered with our flexible 2-3 hour inshore fishing trips right here in Orlando. Whether you're a local trying to sneak in some fishing between errands or visiting family looking for something fun to do together, this trip hits the sweet spot. We keep it intimate with just 2 anglers max, so you're not fighting for rod space or competing with a crowd. Central Florida's historic waterways are loaded with hungry fish year-round, and our shorter format means you can squeeze in some serious angling without blowing your entire schedule.
We're talking real inshore fishing here – the kind where you're working shallow flats, grass beds, and structure that holds fish. This isn't some tourist boat ride where you drop a line and hope for the best. Our 2-hour option is perfect if you're testing the waters or have limited time, while the 3-hour trip lets us really explore Central Florida's productive spots. You'll be sight fishing in gin-clear shallows one minute, then working deeper channels the next. The beauty of Orlando's inshore scene is the variety – we've got everything from oyster bars to mangrove shorelines, and each spot fishes differently depending on the tide and season. Don't worry about bringing anything except your fishing license and some snacks if you want them. We supply all the tackle, bait, and local knowledge you need to put fish in the boat.
We fish light to medium tackle here – think 15-20 pound test on spinning reels that can handle anything from feisty jacks to big drum. Live bait is king in these waters, so expect to see live shrimp, pilchards, and sometimes pinfish on the menu. We'll also throw artificials when the fish are active – soft plastics work magic on the grass flats, while topwater plugs can create some heart-stopping strikes during the right conditions. The technique changes with what we're targeting and where we find them. Redfish might have us poling through skinny water making precision casts to tailing fish, while drum fishing could mean anchoring up and waiting for that telltale thump on the bottom. Your captain reads the water and adjusts tactics on the fly – that's what separates a good day from a great one out here.
Redfish are the bread and butter of Central Florida inshore fishing, and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers average 18-27 inches in our waters and fight like they're twice that size. Spring and fall are prime time when they school up in the shallows, but honestly, we catch them year-round. What makes reds so special is how they feed – you'll see them with their tails sticking out of the water as they root around oyster bars and grass beds. When you hook one, get ready for that classic redfish run that'll test your drag and your nerves.
Crevalle Jack might not win any beauty contests, but they'll give you an arm workout you won't forget. These silver bulldogs range from 2-8 pounds in our area and hit baits like freight trains. They're most active during warmer months and love to cruise the deeper edges of flats. Jacks are perfect for kids or anyone who wants to feel their rod bend – they fight dirty with lots of head shaking and powerful runs. Fair warning though, they're notorious bait stealers, so don't be surprised if you lose a few rigs to their crushing jaws.
Southern Flounder are the ninjas of the flats – perfectly camouflaged flatfish that ambush prey from sandy bottoms and grass edges. They typically run 12-18 inches here, with the occasional doormat pushing 20-plus. Fall and winter are money months for flounder fishing when they're staging for their offshore spawning runs. What's cool about catching flounder is the technique – you've got to work baits slow and steady along the bottom, feeling for that subtle pickup that signals a flounder just inhaled your offering.
Crappie fishing adds a freshwater element to our inshore mix, especially around the many lakes and canal systems connecting to our fishing areas. These speckled panfish are excellent table fare and provide steady action when they're schooled up. Winter and early spring are peak times, and they love structure like submerged trees and docks. Crappie fishing is perfect for teaching kids proper technique since it requires finesse and patience – plus they're delicious in the pan.
Black Drum are the heavyweights of our inshore scene, with mature fish reaching 20-40 pounds or more. These bottom-dwellers are most active in cooler months and have a reputation for long, powerful fights that'll leave you wondering what you hooked into. Young drum, called puppy drum, are fantastic eating and easier to handle. The big ones are usually catch-and-release, but just having one on the line is a memory that'll stick with you. They're suckers for fresh crab and cut bait worked right on the bottom.
Central Florida's inshore fishing scene delivers year-round action, and our flexible trip lengths mean you can fit quality fishing into almost any schedule. Whether you choose 2 hours or stretch it to 3, you're getting real fishing with a captain who knows these waters inside and out. The fish are here, the weather's cooperative most of the year, and we've got the local knowledge to put you on them. Don't let another weekend slip by wondering what you're missing – grab your spot with Go Castaway Fishing Charters and see why Orlando's inshore fishing keeps anglers coming back for more. Book today and get ready to experience some of the best inshore fishing Central Florida has to offer.
Your fishing adventure begins aboard our nimble 18-foot East Cape flats boat, perfectly designed for exploring Orlando's productive inshore waters. This shallow-draft vessel draws just inches of water, letting us slip into those hidden backcountry spots where the big fish hang out. The reliable 60HP Mercury gets us there quickly at 34 knots, so you spend more time with lines in the water instead of just getting there. Built for serious anglers, she's loaded with everything you need for success - advanced fish finder technology to locate the schools, GPS to mark your hot spots, and radar for those early morning runs when visibility gets sketchy. The wireless trolling motor keeps things whisper-quiet when we're stalking redfish in the skinny water or approaching spooky trout on the flats. With space for up to 2 guests plus your captain, everyone gets plenty of room to cast and fight fish without tangling lines. The onboard icebox keeps your catch fresh and your drinks cold during those warm Florida afternoons on the water.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the bruisers of the flats, capable of reaching massive sizes up to 90 pounds, though most we catch run 5-30 pounds. These powerful fish cruise oyster beds, muddy flats, and creek mouths in shallow water, using their crushing jaws to demolish crabs and shellfish. Spring spawning season offers the best action when they school up and make those distinctive drumming sounds you can actually hear underwater. They're strong, stubborn fighters that use their bulk to wear you down. Smaller ones under 15 pounds make good eating, but the big ones are better released. Fresh blue crab is hands down the best bait - cut it in half and fish it right on the bottom. The key is patience; they're methodical feeders that take their time.
Pomoxis NigromaculatusCrappie are perfect for families wanting steady action and great table fare. These schooling panfish average 7-12 inches and love hiding around submerged trees, docks, and vegetation in our freshwater lakes and backwaters. Both black and white crappie call Central Florida home, with blacks preferring clearer water. Spring spawning season brings the hottest bite when water hits the mid-60s, but they're catchable year-round. Dawn and dusk produce best. Guests love them because they're fun to catch, travel in groups, and make outstanding eating with sweet, white meat. Kids especially enjoy the consistent bites. My favorite setup is a small jig under a bobber around structure. Keep it simple - they have paper-thin mouths, so use light tackle and gentle hooksets.
Caranx HipposCrevalle Jack are the bulldogs of our local waters - pure muscle wrapped in bronze and gold. Most run 12-24 inches and 3-5 pounds, but the big boys can hit 60 pounds. They love both shallow grass flats and deeper structure, always traveling in aggressive schools. Year-round fishing is solid, but summer brings the best action when they push baitfish to the surface. Look for diving birds - that's your cue. These fish are all about the fight, not the dinner table, pulling hard with non-stop runs that'll test your gear. They're curious too, often checking out the boat. Pro tip: when you find a school feeding on top, cast silver spoons past them and rip it back fast. They can't resist the chase.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the bread and butter of our shallow water fishing here in Central Florida. These copper-colored beauties average 20-30 inches and love hanging out in 1-4 feet of water around grass flats, oyster bars, and dock pilings. You'll spot them by their distinctive black eyespot near the tail. Spring through fall gives us the most consistent action, especially early morning and late afternoon. What makes them special? They're strong fighters that'll make your drag sing, plus they're absolutely delicious on the table with that mild, sweet flavor. My go-to trick is using topwater plugs in skinny water - watch for that telltale wake as they cruise the flats, then drop your bait about 10 feet ahead of where they're heading.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern Flounder are the ultimate ambush predators, lying flat on sandy and muddy bottoms waiting for an easy meal. These masters of disguise typically run 15-18 inches, though we occasionally see doormat-sized ones pushing 5-6 pounds. They love shallow bays, creek mouths, and drop-offs where current brings food their way. Fall and winter are prime time when they stage near passes heading offshore. What guests love most is the challenge - they're sneaky biters that require patience and finesse. Plus, they're fantastic eating with sweet, flaky white meat. Here's the key: use light tackle with live bull minnows or shrimp, and when you feel that subtle tap, wait a few seconds before setting the hook. They need time to fully grab the bait.
Fort Pierce