3/4 Day Inshore Fishing with Grand Slam Charters
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Extended 3/4 day charter targets tarpon, snook, redfish, and permit24ft Pathfinder accommodates up to 4 anglers with provided gearLight tackle fishing across South Florida flats and backcountry
Looking for more than just a quick morning bite? This 3/4 day inshore charter gives you the time you need to really dial into South Florida's legendary flats fishing. Captain Josh knows these waters like the back of his hand, and with six solid hours on his 24-foot Pathfinder, you're going to hit spots that shorter trips just can't reach. Whether you're chasing your first tarpon or trying to complete the inshore slam, this trip puts you in prime position to tangle with some of the most sought-after game fish swimming our backcountry waters.
You'll launch early and spend your day working the diverse flats, channels, and mangrove edges that make South Florida inshore fishing world-class. The extended trip length means Captain Josh can adjust the game plan based on conditions, tides, and what's biting. Maybe you start the morning sight-fishing for tailing redfish on the shallow flats, then move to deeper channels when the tarpon start rolling in the afternoon heat. The 24-foot Pathfinder is built for this kind of fishing – shallow draft gets you into skinny water where the big fish feel safe, while the spacious deck gives all four anglers room to work without getting tangled up. All gear, bait, and tackle are provided, so you can focus on the fishing instead of worrying about rigging up. Captain Josh will have you covered whether you're throwing live bait under the mangroves or sight-casting to cruising fish on the flats.
This is light tackle fishing at its finest – we're talking spinning gear in the 2500-4000 size range spooled with 10-20 pound braid. The shallow water and clear conditions mean finesse is key, and there's nothing quite like watching a 100-pound tarpon absolutely demolish your drag on 15-pound test. You'll be casting everything from live pilchards and pinfish to artificial lures like DOA shrimp, spoons, and topwater plugs. The technique varies with the target – maybe you're making long, accurate casts to laid-up tarpon, or working a jig through a redfish hole, or pitching live bait tight to mangrove roots where snook love to ambush their next meal. The flats fishing here is visual – you'll often see your target before you cast, which adds a whole different level of excitement to the game. Captain Josh will position the boat perfectly and coach you through each presentation, whether you're a seasoned angler or picking up a rod for the first time.
Snook are the kings of structure fishing down here, and for good reason. These ambush predators love to tuck up under mangrove overhangs, docks, and bridge pilings where they can dart out to grab an easy meal. They're notorious for their gill-rattling jumps and their ability to cut you off on structure if you're not careful. Peak snook action happens during the warmer months, and they're most active during moving water – incoming and outgoing tides get them fired up and feeding aggressively. What makes them so special is their attitude – they hit hard, fight harder, and always keep you on your toes.
Tarpon fishing in South Florida is legendary, and these silver kings live up to every bit of hype. Ranging from juvenile fish in the 20-40 pound class up to giants pushing 150 pounds, tarpon offer some of the most spectacular fishing you'll find anywhere. They're most active during the warmer months, typically May through September, when they migrate through our waters in big numbers. What gets anglers hooked on tarpon is the visual aspect – you'll often see them rolling on the surface or laid up in shallow water, and the anticipation of the hookset is almost too much to handle. When one eats, get ready for a battle that combines raw power with acrobatic jumps that'll have you shaking with adrenaline.
Redfish are the bread and butter of inshore fishing, and South Florida's population is as healthy as it gets. These copper-colored bruisers love shallow flats, oyster bars, and mangrove shorelines where they root around for crabs and baitfish. They're year-round residents, but fall and winter often produce the biggest fish as they school up for spawning. Redfish are famous for their bulldogging fights – they don't jump like tarpon or run like snook, but they'll put a serious bend in your rod and test your drag system. Plus, they're one of the best eating fish in the water if you decide to keep a slot fish for dinner.
Permit are the holy grail of flats fishing – spooky, selective, and absolutely maddening until you finally get one to eat. These disc-shaped fish cruise the flats looking for crabs and small baitfish, but they're notorious for refusing perfectly presented baits for no apparent reason. They're around year-round but seem most cooperative in the spring and fall months. What makes permit so special isn't just their difficulty – it's their fight. Once hooked, they make blistering runs that'll smoke your drag, and landing one is a badge of honor among serious flats anglers.
Bonefish are the ghosts of the flats – silver, spooky, and built for speed. South Florida's bones typically run smaller than their Bahamas cousins, usually in the 3-8 pound range, but they make up for size with sheer numbers and their legendary wariness. They're most active during moving tides when they push up on the flats to feed, and spotting them requires sharp eyes and polarized sunglasses. Bonefish are all about the hunt – finding them, getting within casting range without spooking them, and making that perfect presentation. When you hook up, get ready for a run that'll strip line off your reel faster
Hit the South Florida flats aboard our 24ft Pathfinder Tournament—a serious fishing machine built for the backcountry. This beauty runs on a 300hp Yamaha that'll get you to the honey holes fast, then the wireless trolling motor takes over for silent stalking when you spot that tailing redfish. Power Poles drop instantly to lock you in position, while the elevated platform gives you the perfect vantage point to sight-cast to snook and tarpon cruising the shallows. GPS and fish finder keep you on the productive water, and with room for up to 4 anglers, there's plenty of space to work without bumping elbows. Captain Josh knows these waters like the back of his hand and provides all the gear and local knowledge you need. Whether you're sight-fishing the grass flats or working structure for trout, this boat handles it all with the stability and comfort that makes those 6-hour days feel like a breeze.
Albula VulpesBonefish are the "gray ghosts" of the flats, perfectly camouflaged with silver sides and greenish backs. These torpedo-shaped fish average 3-6 pounds and 18-24 inches, cruising grass flats and sandy bottoms in 6 inches to 3 feet of water. They're here year-round, but cooler months often concentrate them in warmer, deeper pockets. What makes bones addictive is the sight-fishing challenge - spotting them requires skill, and they spook at the slightest disturbance. Once hooked, they make blistering 100+ yard runs at 30 mph that'll test your drag and nerves. They're not good eating due to countless small bones, so it's all about the sport and the adrenaline rush. Watch for "tailing" fish feeding head-down with their tails breaking the surface. Cast a small shrimp or crab pattern well ahead of moving fish and strip it slowly across their path.
Trachinotus FalcatusPermit are the holy grail of flats fishing - challenging, smart, and absolutely gorgeous with their tall, silver bodies and deeply forked tails. Most run 15-25 pounds and cruise shallow grass flats in 2-6 feet of water. They're year-round residents but spring through fall gives you the best shots when they're more active. What makes permit special is their difficulty - they have keen eyesight, spook easily, and are notoriously picky eaters. Landing one is a real accomplishment that separates novice from experienced anglers. They fight with surprising strength, making long runs and using their flat profile to leverage against you. Live blue crabs are the gold standard bait, but soft plastic crab imitations work too. The secret is patience and stealth - approach slowly, make long, accurate casts, and let the bait settle naturally. Don't rush the retrieve.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are South Florida's most reliable inshore target, running 20-35 inches and 5-15 pounds in our shallow waters. Look for that copper-bronze back and distinctive black spot near the tail. They love grass flats, oyster bars, and mangrove shorelines in 1-4 feet of water - sometimes so shallow their backs show above the surface. Year-round fishing is solid, but fall and winter months are prime when they school up. What guests love is their aggressive strikes on topwater plugs and steady, bulldogging fights. They're also excellent eating with sweet, mild flesh that grills perfectly. Unlike some gamefish, reds aren't overly spooky, making them great for beginners. My go-to trick: look for "muds" where feeding reds stir up the bottom. Cast a gold spoon or soft plastic shrimp to the edge of the muddy water and work it slowly.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are one of South Florida's most prized gamefish, averaging 18-30 inches with that distinctive black lateral line and golden coloring. You'll find them around mangroves, docks, and creek mouths in 2-8 feet of water, especially where structure meets current. They're ambush predators that hit hard and fight dirty with powerful runs and gill-rattling jumps. Spring through fall offers the best action when they're most active feeding. What makes snook special is their finicky nature - they can be picky eaters one day and aggressive the next, making each hookup feel earned. They're excellent table fare with white, flaky meat. Pro tip: cast your live shrimp or soft plastic just upcurrent of structure and let it drift naturally into the strike zone. Snook often hit as the bait falls or changes direction.
Megalops AtlanticusTarpon are the ultimate South Florida gamefish experience. These silver giants typically run 80-150 pounds here, though we see some pushing 200. They cruise shallow flats, channels, and bridges in 3-15 feet of water, often rolling on the surface to gulp air. Peak season runs May through August when they're most active, especially around new and full moons. What hooks anglers is their explosive jumps - a hooked tarpon can launch 8 feet out of the water multiple times. They're pure adrenaline with runs that'll scream drag for 100+ yards. Most folks release them since they're not great eating due to their bony meat. The fight is the reward. Here's the key: when they jump, bow to the fish by pointing your rod tip toward them. This keeps tension off the line and prevents them from throwing the hook during their aerial show.
Key Largo