Half Day Daytona Beach Inshore Fishing Charter
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fourhour inshore fishing adventure targeting sharks and mackerelSmall group experience with maximum four guests per charterProfessional guided trip departing from scenic Ponce Inlet area
Looking for some serious action on the water without burning your whole day? This 4-hour inshore and nearshore fishing trip out of Ponce Inlet delivers exactly what you're after. We're talking about prime fishing grounds where the Halifax River meets the Atlantic, creating perfect conditions for everything from feisty jacks to impressive sharks. Go Fish Sportfishing knows these waters like the back of their hand, and they'll put you on fish whether you're a weekend warrior or someone who lives for the bite. With room for up to 4 anglers, this trip hits that sweet spot between intimate fishing and having enough crew to handle the big ones when they show up.
Your captain will pick the spots based on what's biting, current conditions, and what gets your group most fired up. Some days we're working the inlet structure for kings and bonito, other trips we're heading out to the nearshore reefs where the sharks patrol. The beauty of this fishery is the variety – you never know if you're going to hook into a screaming king mackerel or find yourself in a tug-of-war with a bull shark. Ponce Inlet gives us access to both protected inshore waters and the open Atlantic, so your captain can adjust the game plan if the weather gets sketchy or if the fish are being picky. The boat's equipped with everything you need, from quality rods and reels to a full tackle selection that's matched to what we're targeting. Just bring your Florida fishing license, some snacks if you want them, and get ready to put some bend in those rods.
We're running a mix of techniques depending on what's working and what species we're after. For the kings and bonito, expect to see some serious trolling action with spoons, feathers, and live bait when we can get it. The captain will set up a spread that covers different depths and speeds, maximizing your chances of finding the fish. When we're targeting sharks, we're talking about chunk baits, cut bait, and sometimes live offerings that get those predators fired up. The tackle is stepped up accordingly – we're not messing around with light gear when there's a chance of hooking a bull shark that could go 6 feet or better. For the jacks and other inshore species, we might switch to lighter spinning gear and work structure with jigs or live shrimp. Your guide will handle all the rigging and re-rigging, but don't be shy about asking questions – most of these guys love talking technique and will share tips that'll make you a better angler back home.
King mackerel are the bread and butter of this fishery, especially during the warmer months when they're thick along the coast. These fish are pure adrenaline – they'll scream line off your reel on the initial run, then put up a fight that'll test your drag and your arms. Most kings here run 15 to 30 pounds, with the occasional smoker pushing 40 or better. They're perfect eating too, especially when the captain knows how to bleed and ice them properly. Atlantic bonito show up in schools and when you find them, it's game on. These smaller cousins to the tuna family are lightning fast and will give you a workout on medium tackle. They make excellent bait for the bigger predators, but they're also fantastic on the dinner table when prepared right.
The shark fishing around Daytona Beach is world-class, and both blacknose and bull sharks call these waters home. Blacknose sharks are perfect for anglers who want the shark experience without the absolute chaos – they typically run 2 to 4 feet and put up a respectable fight without requiring heavy tackle. Bull sharks are a completely different animal. These apex predators can show up anywhere from 3 to 8 feet, and when you hook a big female, you better hang on. They're incredibly strong, surprisingly fast, and have an attitude that matches their reputation. The thrill of seeing a bull shark surface next to the boat is something that stays with you long after the trip ends.
Crevalle jacks round out the regular cast of characters, and while some anglers overlook them, they're actually incredible game fish. Jacks are basically underwater bulldogs – they'll bend your rod in half and test every knot in your tackle box. They're particularly fun on lighter gear, and when they're schooled up, you can catch them one after another. The bigger jacks, sometimes called horse-eye jacks, can push 20 pounds and will give you a fight that rivals much more expensive game fish. They're not great table fare, but as pure sport fishing goes, jacks are hard to beat for consistent action and serious pulling power.
This half-day trip is perfect for families, couples, or small groups who want to experience some of Florida's best inshore fishing without the commitment of a full-day charter. The 4-hour window gives you plenty of time to get into fish while leaving the rest of your day free for other Daytona Beach activities. Go Fish Sportfishing has built their reputation on putting clients on fish and making sure everyone has a great time on the water, whether you're a seasoned angler or picking up a rod for the first time. The combination of diverse species, proven techniques, and prime fishing grounds makes this trip a standout choice for anyone looking to experience what Daytona Beach fishing is all about. Don't wait until your vacation to book – the best days fill up fast, especially during peak season. Reserve your spot now and get ready for some serious Florida fishing action that'll have you planning your next trip before this one's even over.
Our brand-new 2024 center console is built for serious fishing around Daytona Beach waters. Twin 150HP Yamaha engines push this 26-footer to 30 knots, getting you to the hotspots fast whether we're chasing mackerel nearshore or targeting sharks around Ponce Inlet. The spacious deck gives all 4 anglers plenty of room to fight fish without tangling lines. We've got everything covered with a fish finder to locate schools, GPS to hit productive spots, and an icebox to keep your catch fresh. VHF radio keeps us connected to other boats for bite reports, plus there's a head onboard for convenience during our 4-hour trips. This boat handles Daytona's inshore waters like a dream, staying stable when you're battling that shark or reeling in a cooler full of mackerel.
Sarda SardaAtlantic bonito are the speed merchants of our nearshore waters, hitting 40 mph when they're fired up. These silver bullets with dark stripes typically run 3-8 pounds and travel in large schools that feed aggressively on the surface. You'll find them in 20-80 feet of water from spring through fall, especially when the water temps hit the 60s and 70s. What guests love about bonito is the non-stop action - once you find a school, they'll hit almost anything you throw. They're pure adrenaline on light tackle. Look for diving birds to locate feeding schools. Pro tip: when you spot them busting bait on top, throw small metal jigs or spoons right into the commotion and retrieve fast. They won't hesitate to strike. While they're oily and not great table fare here, the fight more than makes up for it.
Carcharhinus AcronotusBlacknose sharks are perfect for anglers wanting shark action without the massive size. These smaller sharks typically run 2-4 feet and 15-25 pounds, making them manageable on medium tackle while still giving a solid fight. You'll find them in 15-60 feet around Ponce Inlet, especially over sandy bottom and near structure. Spring through fall brings the best numbers when water temps climb. The distinctive black spot on their nose makes them easy to identify, though it fades as they get older. Guests appreciate their scrappy nature and the fact they're not intimidating to handle. Here's what works: chum with cut bait to draw them in, then fish chunks of fresh mackerel or bluefish on circle hooks. Give them a few seconds to take the bait before setting the hook - they like to grab and run with it first.
Carcharhinus LeucasBull sharks are the ultimate nearshore predator - thick, powerful, and aggressive. These bruisers typically run 6-10 feet and 200+ pounds in our waters, making them serious business on heavy tackle. You'll find them from shallow flats to 100+ feet, but they love cruising inlets and sandy areas where they ambush prey. Summer brings the best action when they move into warmer coastal waters to feed and breed. What draws anglers is the sheer power and unpredictability - bulls fight dirty with long runs and sudden direction changes. Their ability to handle both salt and brackish water makes them unique among sharks. For bait, nothing beats fresh eel or large chunks of oily fish like mackerel. Here's the secret: chum heavy to get them interested, then fish your bait just off bottom. When they hit, let them run before setting the circle hook.
Caranx HipposCrevalle jack are the bulldogs of our inshore waters - pure muscle that'll test your drag and your arms. These brassy-colored fighters typically run 3-15 pounds around Ponce Inlet, cruising grass flats, sandy bays, and around structure. They're here year-round but really fire up in warmer months when baitfish are thick. What makes jacks special is their raw power and willingness to eat almost anything. They school up and push bait to the surface, creating feeding frenzies that are a blast to fish. The meat's okay but most folks release them to fight another day. Watch for diving birds - that's your cue that jacks are busting bait below. Cast silver spoons or topwater plugs right into the commotion and hang on tight. Quick tip: retrieve fast and erratically - these bullies love the chase and aggressive movement triggers strikes.
Scomberomorus CavallaKing mackerel are some of the fastest fish you'll encounter off Daytona, typically running 15-30 pounds with occasional giants pushing 50+. These speed demons cruise nearshore waters from 40-150 feet, especially around structure and temperature breaks. Spring through fall offers the best action when they migrate along our coast chasing baitfish. What makes kings so popular is their blistering runs - they'll strip line like crazy and jump when hooked. The meat's decent eating too, though watch the mercury if you're keeping smaller ones. Here's a local trick: when using live bait, rig two hooks on a wire leader - one through the nose, another free-swinging near the tail. Kings often attack from behind, so that trailing hook saves you from a lot of missed fish. Troll fast with spoons or dead bait for consistent results.
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