Stuart Inshore Fishing with Captain Jeremy
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Private inshore fishing trips with experienced Captain Jeremy Neff18' Dolphin Skiff provides access to shallow St. Lucie watersAll fishing gear included for live bait and fly fishing
Get ready to hit the flats and backwaters around Stuart with one of the area's most experienced guides. Captain Jeremy Neff has been working these waters for over ten years, and he knows exactly where the fish are hiding. His 18' Dolphin Skiff is perfect for getting into those skinny water spots where the big redfish cruise and snook ambush baitfish. Whether you're a seasoned angler or just getting your feet wet, this top-rated charter delivers the goods. You'll be fishing the legendary St. Lucie and Indian River Lagoon systems – some of Florida's most productive inshore waters.
This isn't your typical party boat trip. With Captain Jeremy, you're getting a personalized fishing experience tailored to what's biting and what you want to target. The 18' Dolphin Skiff draws just inches of water, which means you can slide right up to oyster bars, mangrove shorelines, and grass flats where the fish actually live. Morning trips usually start before sunrise to catch the bite during those magic hours when predators are actively feeding. The boat's shallow draft lets you fish spots that bigger vessels can't touch – we're talking about getting into water so shallow you can see the fish's backs breaking the surface. Captain Jeremy runs both live bait and fly fishing trips, so whether you want to sight-fish with artificials or let a live shrimp do the work, he's got you covered. All your tackle, bait, and gear comes included, so you just need to bring yourself and maybe some snacks for longer trips.
The beauty of inshore fishing around Stuart is the variety of techniques that work. Captain Jeremy switches between live bait fishing and artificial presentations depending on conditions and what the fish want that day. For live bait, he'll have you drifting shrimp under popping corks around structure, or free-lining pinfish near mangrove edges where snook lurk in the shadows. When the water's clear and fish are spooky, he'll put you on spinning gear with soft plastics or topwater plugs – nothing beats watching a redfish blow up on a surface lure in two feet of water. The fly fishing here is world-class too, especially for sight-fishing reds on the flats. Captain Jeremy provides quality spinning and fly rods matched to the conditions, along with a tackle box full of proven local patterns. Circle hooks are standard for catch-and-release fishing, and he'll have you using leaders heavy enough to turn fish away from structure but light enough not to spook them in clear water.
Redfish are the bread and butter of Stuart's inshore scene, and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers cruise the flats year-round, with fish ranging from schoolie slot reds around 18-27 inches up to oversized bulls pushing 40+ inches. Spring and fall see the biggest concentrations, when they school up in massive numbers that'll make your arms sore. Reds are sight-fishing dreams – you can watch them tailing in skinny water, then make the perfect cast to intercept their path. They fight like freight trains too, making long runs and using their broad sides to pull hard against the drag.
Snook are the glamour fish of the Indian River Lagoon, and Stuart sits right in prime snook country. These ambush predators hang around docks, bridges, and mangrove overhangs, waiting to smoke whatever swims by. Summer months are peak season when they're most active, though you can catch them year-round if you know where to look. Captain Jeremy targets them with live pilchards around structure or works the mangrove edges with plugs and soft plastics. Snook are notorious for their gill-rattling jumps and their ability to cut you off on barnacle-crusted pilings, which makes landing a good one feel like a real accomplishment.
Crevalle Jacks might not win beauty contests, but they'll give you the fight of your life. These silver bullets show up in schools and attack lures with reckless abandon. When you hook into a jack, get ready for a battle – they're pure muscle and stubbornness wrapped in scales. They're especially fun on lighter tackle, where a 15-pound jack will test your drag and your patience. Jacks are around most of the year, but summer brings the biggest schools cruising the flats and inlet areas.
Mutton Snapper add some variety to the inshore mix, especially around deeper holes and channel edges. These pink-tinged fighters are excellent table fare and put up a respectable scrap when hooked. Captain Jeremy targets them with live and cut bait around structure, and they're particularly active during warmer months. Muttons are smart fish that require finesse – light leaders and natural presentations work best when they're being picky.
Stuart's inshore fishing scene is as good as it gets, and Captain Jeremy's decade-plus of local knowledge puts you on fish while other boats are still looking. The St. Lucie and Indian River systems fish well year-round, with different species taking center stage as seasons change. His 18' Dolphin Skiff opens up fishing opportunities that bigger boats simply can't access, and the personal attention you get with a small-capacity charter means more fish and better instruction. Whether you want a quick morning trip to bend some rods or a full-day adventure exploring different areas, this customer-favorite charter delivers. Don't wait around – the best fishing days book up fast, especially during peak seasons. Get your spot locked in and get ready to see why Stuart's inshore waters have such a legendary reputation among serious anglers.
Captain Jeremy's 18' Dolphin Skiff is built for serious fishing action in Stuart's shallow inshore waters. This nimble motorboat handles the St. Lucie and Indian River Lagoon like a dream, getting you into those hard-to-reach spots where the fish are biting. With a 700-pound capacity for up to 2 anglers, she's loaded with everything you need - fish finder to locate your targets, GPS for pinpoint navigation, wireless trolling motor for stealthy approaches, and an icebox to keep your catch fresh and drinks cold. The shallow draft design lets you slip into skinny water where bigger boats can't go, perfect for chasing redfish, snook, and trout. Captain Jeremy brings over 10 years of local knowledge and provides all the gear, whether you want to throw live bait or try your hand at fly fishing. This versatile setup handles both day and night trips, giving you flexibility to fish when the action is hottest.
Caranx HipposCrevalle Jacks are the bulldogs of our local waters - pure muscle wrapped in gold and green. These aggressive fighters typically run 3-5 pounds but can hit 20+ pounds when you find the big schools. They roam grass flats, hang around structure, and love to bust bait on the surface. Watch for diving birds - that's your cue they're pushing mullet and sardines topside. They're year-round residents but really turn on during summer months. Guests love them because they hit hard, fight dirty, and never give up. Fair warning: they're not great eating but man do they pull. Here's a local tip - when you see them schooled up, cast silver spoons or topwater plugs past the school and rip it back fast. They can't resist the chase, and that first strike will rattle your teeth.
Lutjanus AnalisMutton Snapper are one of our premium table fish with that distinctive pinkish color and blue facial markings. Most run 15-20 inches, but the big girls can hit 30+ inches and really test your drag. Around Stuart, we find them near inlets with good tidal flow, sandy bottom areas adjacent to reefs, and along mangrove edges in 20-80 feet of water. They're most active during warmer months and feed both day and night. What guests love: they fight smart, diving for structure, and the fillets are absolutely phenomenal - sweet, firm white meat that's hard to beat. These fish are picky eaters, so presentation matters. Use the freshest bait you can find - pilchards or shrimp work best. Keep your weight light and let that bait drift naturally in the current. When you see that pink flash coming up, that's your money shot.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are one of our most reliable targets in the St. Lucie and Indian River systems. These copper-colored beauties average 20-28 inches and love super shallow water - sometimes so skinny their backs stick out. You'll spot that telltale black eyespot near the tail. They cruise oyster bars, grass flats, and mangrove shorelines looking for shrimp and crabs. Best fishing happens on moving tides, especially early morning and late afternoon. What makes them special? They fight hard with those broad shoulders and make excellent table fare with that sweet, flaky meat. My go-to trick: when you see one tailing in inches of water, cast your shrimp or gold spoon well ahead and let it sink to the bottom before starting a slow retrieve. They spook easy but the reward is worth it.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are Florida's signature inshore gamefish and for good reason. These ambush predators average 24-30 inches with that unmistakable black lateral line and golden color. They're structure junkies - find mangroves, docks, bridges, or oyster bars and you'll find snook. They handle both salt and fresh water, moving with the tides and seasons. Prime time is May through September when they're most active, especially around new and full moons. What makes them special? They hit like freight trains, jump like tarpon, and put up a world-class fight in shallow water. Plus they're excellent eating when in season. The key to success: snook are lazy - they want an easy meal. Cast your live shrimp or soft plastic right to the structure and work it slow. Don't horse them; their mouths are bony and they'll throw the hook if you rush the fight.
Stuart, FL