Half Day Beginner Fishing Trip - Daytona Beach
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Halfday inshore fishing trip targeting redfish, trout, and snapperBeginnerfriendly charter with all equipment and instruction includedSmall group experience accommodating up to 4 guests maximum
Looking to get your feet wet with some serious fishing action? This 4-hour inshore and nearshore charter out of Daytona Beach is exactly what you need. We're talking about a laid-back trip that's perfect for folks who are new to the game but want to experience what makes Florida fishing so addictive. You'll be fishing the productive waters around Ponce Inlet with a captain who actually enjoys teaching and won't make you feel like a rookie. With space for up to 4 anglers, this trip strikes the perfect balance between learning the ropes and actually catching fish worth bragging about.
Your day starts at the renowned Ponce Inlet, where we'll head out into some of the most consistent fishing waters on the Atlantic coast. The beauty of this trip is that we cover both inshore and nearshore zones, so you get a taste of different fishing styles in one outing. The inshore bite around the inlet and backwaters is fantastic for redfish, trout, and snapper - species that are forgiving for beginners but still put up a solid fight. When conditions are right, we'll push out to the nearshore waters where the real excitement happens with shark fishing. Don't worry about bringing anything except yourself and maybe some snacks - all the rods, reels, bait, and tackle are provided. The captain knows these waters like the back of his hand and will put you on fish while teaching you the fundamentals that'll make you a better angler for life.
We keep things simple but effective on this charter. For the inshore action, you'll be using medium-action spinning rods with live bait like shrimp and small fish - perfect for learning proper bait presentation and hook-setting techniques. The captain will show you how to read the water, spot structure, and feel the difference between a bite and bottom contact. When we target sharks nearshore, we'll bump up to heavier tackle with circle hooks and chunk bait. It's a completely different game that teaches patience and proper fish-handling skills. The boat is equipped with quality gear that's maintained specifically for teaching trips, so everything works smoothly and won't frustrate you while you're learning. You'll get hands-on experience with different rigging techniques, from basic bottom rigs to more advanced presentations depending on what the fish are telling us that day.
King Mackerel are the crown jewel of nearshore fishing around Daytona Beach, and these speedsters will test every bit of skill you've got. They typically run between 10-30 pounds in our waters, with the occasional bruiser pushing 40+. Spring through fall offers the best action, especially when baitfish are thick along the beach. What makes kings so exciting is their initial run - they'll scream line off your reel like nothing you've experienced. Atlantic Bonito might be smaller cousins to the tuna family, but they punch way above their weight class. These 3-8 pound fighters are pure muscle and speed, perfect for beginners who want to experience what a legitimate gamefish feels like. They show up in cooler months and are absolutely relentless once hooked. Blacknose Sharks are fantastic starter sharks for folks new to shark fishing. Running 2-4 feet on average, they're manageable but still give you that authentic shark experience with their bulldogging runs and aerial displays. Bull Sharks are the heavyweight champions of our nearshore waters, capable of reaching 200+ pounds. These apex predators demand respect and proper technique - there's nothing quite like the feeling of a bull shark on the other end of your line. Crevalle Jack round out our target list as the ultimate fun fish. These aggressive feeders will hit almost anything and fight like they're twice their size, making them perfect confidence-builders for new anglers.
This half-day trip delivers exactly what it promises - a genuine taste of what makes Florida fishing world-class, wrapped up in a beginner-friendly package that won't overwhelm you. You'll leave with new skills, hopefully some fish stories, and definitely a better understanding of why so many people get hooked on this sport. The 4-hour timeframe is perfect for testing your interest without committing to a full day, and the small group size means plenty of personal attention from your captain. Whether you're looking to try something new, bond with family, or just escape the usual tourist activities, this trip hits the mark. Keep in mind that deposits are non-refundable, so make sure your dates work before booking. Ready to see what all the fuss is about? Give Go Fish Sportfishing a call and get your spot locked in - the fish are biting, and there's no better time than now to join the action.
Hit the productive waters around Ponce Inlet aboard this brand-new 26' center console, powered by twin 150HP Yamaha engines that'll get you to the fishing grounds fast at 30 knots. Perfect for up to 4 anglers, this 2024 boat comes equipped with everything you need for a successful day targeting redfish, trout, snapper, and sharks. The fish finder helps locate schools while the GPS keeps you on productive spots. Stay comfortable with an onboard toilet and icebox for your catch and drinks. VHF radio ensures safe communication on the water. Whether you're casting inshore for reds or heading nearshore for some shark action, this setup handles Daytona's waters with ease while you learn the ropes from an experienced captain.
Sarda SardaAtlantic Bonito are like small tuna with attitude - silver bodies with dark stripes and built for speed at up to 40 mph. Most run 3-8 pounds but they school in huge numbers, making for fast action when you find them. Look for birds diving on baitfish in 20-60 feet of water from spring through fall when temps stay in the 60s and 70s. They're fantastic for beginners since they hit almost anything once feeding - small spoons, jigs, or live bait work great. Not great table fare but the fight is pure fun. Pro tip: watch for their dorsal fins cutting the surface like mini sharks - that's your cue to cast fast-moving lures right into the school.
Carcharhinus AcronotusBlacknose Sharks are perfect for first-time shark fishing - smaller at 3-5 feet and 15-25 pounds, but still give you that classic shark fight. You can spot them by the black tip on their snout, though it fades as they get older. They hang out in shallow nearshore waters, usually 10-60 feet around sandy bottoms and structure. Summer is peak season when they're most active in our warmer waters. Great for kids since they're not intimidating but still provide real excitement. Fresh cut bait like mackerel or bluefish works best. My go-to trick is chumming with bloody fish scraps - gets them fired up and coming to the boat within minutes.
Carcharhinus LeucasBull Sharks are the heavyweights around Ponce Inlet - thick, powerful fish running 6-10 feet and 200-400 pounds. They love shallow, murky water near inlets and river mouths where fresh and salt water mix. Summer months are prime when they move inshore to feed and breed. These are serious fish that provide the ultimate shark experience - long fights that'll test your tackle and stamina. We use heavy gear with fresh cut bait like mackerel or whole mullet. The secret weapon is fresh eel - its oil content drives them crazy and the tough skin stays on the hook. Always keep some chum going to draw them in from deeper water.
Caranx HipposCrevalle Jack are the bullies of our nearshore waters - thick, powerful fish that average 3-8 pounds but can hit 20+ pounds. They school up on grass flats, around structure, and in 10-40 feet of water year-round, though spring and summer are hottest. These guys fight way above their weight class with bulldogging runs that'll surprise you. Look for diving birds - jacks push baitfish to the surface creating feeding frenzies. They'll hit anything that moves fast: spoons, jigs, topwater plugs. Some anglers swear they smell like watermelon when schools are feeding. Cast past the school and reel back fast - they love the chase and rarely refuse a well-presented lure.
Scomberomorus CavallaKing Mackerel are some of the fastest fish you'll find off Daytona, running 15-40 pounds on average with bigger females pushing 50+ pounds. They cruise our nearshore waters in 40-150 feet, especially around structure and temperature breaks. Spring through fall is prime time when water temps hit the upper 60s and 70s. These speedsters put up a serious fight - long runs and jumps that'll test your drag. We typically troll spoons or live bait like blue runners. The key trick is using a wire leader with two hooks - one in the bait's nose, another trailing behind since kings love to bite the tail section first.
Daytona Beach