Full Day Inshore Fishing with Grand Slam Charters
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Full day inshore fishing targeting multiple South Florida speciesProfessional captain provides all tackle, bait, and local expertise24ft Pathfinder boat accommodates up to 4 anglers comfortably
When you want to really dig into South Florida's legendary inshore fishery, Captain Josh knows exactly where to take you. This isn't some rushed half-day trip where you're heading back to the dock just as the fish start biting. With eight full hours on the water, you've got time to work the flats, probe the mangrove edges, and hit those honey holes that separate the tourists from the trophy hunters. Whether you're chasing your first grand slam or looking to put a monster tarpon on the leader, this top-rated charter gives you the flexibility to fish your way.
Captain Josh runs a 24-foot Pathfinder that's built specifically for South Florida's shallow water game. This isn't some deep-sea boat trying to work the skinny water – it's a purpose-built flats machine that can slip into places where the big fish hide. You'll start your day exploring the winding backcountry channels where snook ambush baitfish in the shadows, then work your way across the flats where permit tail in knee-deep water. The beauty of an eight-hour trip is that you're not watching the clock. If the redfish are schooled up and feeding, you can stay on them. If the tarpon show up rolling in the afternoon light, you've got time to make it count. Captain Josh provides all the tackle, bait, and gear, so you can focus on what matters – putting fish in the boat. The Pathfinder handles up to four anglers comfortably, giving everyone room to work without tangling lines or stepping on each other's casts.
Inshore fishing in South Florida is all about reading the water and adapting your approach. You'll be sight fishing on the flats, working topwater plugs over grass beds, and pitching live bait under mangrove overhangs. Captain Josh switches up techniques based on conditions – maybe starting with live shrimp on the flats at first light, then moving to artificial lures as the sun gets higher and the fish get spookier. The shallow water game requires finesse gear that can handle anything from a scrappy trout to a hundred-pound tarpon. You'll be throwing light spinning tackle for most species, but when the silver kings show up, it's time for heavier baitcasting gear with serious drag. The key to success out here is staying quiet and making accurate casts – these fish have seen every lure in the tackle box, so presentation matters. Captain Josh knows how to position the boat for the best angles and will coach you through each cast when you're stalking fish in skinny water.
Redfish are the bread and butter of South Florida inshore fishing, and these copper-colored bruisers never disappoint. You'll find them cruising the grass flats in schools during cooler months, tailing in shallow water as they root around for crabs and shrimp. A good red will pull drag and make multiple runs, especially the bigger bulls that push 30 inches. They're most active during the cooler months from November through March, but you can find them year-round if you know where to look. What makes redfish special is their willingness to eat – they'll hit everything from live bait to topwater plugs, making them perfect for anglers of all skill levels.
Permit are the holy grail of flats fishing, and South Florida offers some of the best permit fishing in the world. These silver ghosts are notoriously picky eaters, often following a bait for hundreds of yards before deciding whether to commit. Most permit range from 15 to 25 pounds, but the giants can push 40 pounds and will test every knot on your leader. Spring and fall offer the best permit action when they move onto the flats in greater numbers. Landing a permit on artificial bait is considered one of the toughest challenges in saltwater fishing – they're smart, spooky, and have a knack for finding the weakest link in your tackle.
Crevalle jacks might not win any beauty contests, but they'll give you an arm workout you won't forget. These yellow-tinged fighters are pure muscle and attitude, often hunting in packs and creating feeding frenzies that attract birds from miles away. Jack crevalle are most active during the warmer months and can be found year-round in South Florida waters. They'll eat almost anything you throw at them and fight like fish twice their size. A 20-pound jack will make runs that peel line off your reel and test your equipment to its limits.
Bonefish are the ultimate sight-fishing challenge on the flats. These silver bullets are incredibly spooky and require perfect presentations in clear, shallow water. Most bones in South Florida run 3 to 6 pounds, but their speed and wariness make them one of the most challenging species to hook. They're most active during the warmer months when they move onto the flats to feed on shrimp and crabs. The thrill of stalking a tailing bonefish in crystal-clear water, making the perfect cast, and watching the fish eat is what flats fishing is all about.
Snook are Florida's signature gamefish, and the backcountry waters around South Florida hold some real slobs. These ambush predators love structure – mangrove shorelines, dock pilings, and creek mouths where they can pin baitfish against cover. Snook are most active during the warmer months, and the bigger fish often feed at night or during low-light periods. They're known for their gill-rattling jumps and powerful runs toward cover. A slot-sized snook will give you everything you can handle on light tackle, and the breeding-sized fish that patrol the backcountry will humble even experienced anglers.
This world-class inshore fishing experience books up fast, especially during peak season when the fishing is re
Hit the shallow waters of South Florida aboard our 24ft Pathfinder Tournament—a serious fishing machine built for the flats. This rig comes packed with a 300hp Yamaha that'll get you to the fish fast, plus Power Poles to lock you down silently when you spot that tailing redfish. The elevated platform gives you the perfect vantage point for sight fishing, while the wireless trolling motor keeps things quiet as you stalk snook through the mangroves. GPS and fish finder help locate the productive spots Captain Josh knows like the back of his hand. With room for 4 anglers and 8 full hours on the water, you'll have plenty of time to work the backcountry channels and grass flats where the big tarpon roll and permit cruise. Whether you're casting to laid-up fish in skinny water or working structure for trout, this boat handles it all with the shallow draft and stability you need for serious inshore action.
Albula VulpesBonefish are the "grey ghosts" of the flats - silver torpedoes averaging 3-6 pounds that'll humble even experienced anglers. They cruise turtle grass and sand flats in 6 inches to 3 feet of water, often showing their tails while rooting for crabs and shrimp. Winter through spring offers the most consistent action here in South Florida. What makes them legendary is that initial run - once hooked, they'll scream off 100+ yards in seconds. The challenge is the approach: they spook easily, so stealth and accurate casting are everything. Live shrimp or small crab patterns work best. They're catch-and-release fish due to all the small bones. Watch for "muds" - cloudy water where they're feeding - and look for tailing fish on low tide. Key tip: cast well ahead of cruising fish and let your bait settle before they arrive.
Caranx HipposCrevalle Jacks are the bulldozers of the flats - bronze and silver torpedoes that average 3-8 pounds but can hit 20-plus. You'll find them in schools around grass beds, channels, and structure from shallow water to 30 feet deep. They're year-round residents here, but summer months bring the biggest numbers. Watch for diving birds - that's your best sign of jacks pushing baitfish to the surface. These fish are pure aggression and will hit fast-moving lures like spoons, swimbaits, and topwater plugs with authority. The fight is what hooks people - they pull hard and don't quit easily. Not great table fare, but perfect for catch-and-release fun. My go-to move: cast a silver spoon past the school and burn it back through the chaos. The faster you retrieve, the more likely you'll get hammered.
Trachinotus FalcatusPermit are the holy grail for many flats anglers - a silver, disc-shaped fish that'll test your skills and patience. Most run 10-20 pounds with that classic tall, compressed body and deeply forked tail. They cruise sandy flats and turtle grass beds in 2-6 feet of water, often in small groups. Those golf ball-sized eyes that rotate nearly 360 degrees make them incredibly spooky. Spring through fall gives you the best shots, especially during spawning season from April to October. What draws people back is the challenge - they're notoriously difficult to hook and make blistering runs when they do bite. Fresh blue crab is the gold standard bait, though crab-pattern flies work for the fly crowd. Key trick: lead them by at least 10 feet and let your crab sink naturally - no sudden movements.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are one of the most reliable targets in South Florida's shallow waters. These copper-colored fish with distinctive black spots near their tails typically run 18-32 inches and love cruising oyster bars, grass flats, and mangrove shorelines in 1-4 feet of water. They're not picky eaters - live shrimp, cut bait, or gold spoons all work well. What makes them special is their strong, bulldogging fight and excellent table fare with that mild, sweet flavor. Year-round fishing is solid here, but fall and spring offer the best action when they school up. Pro tip: when you see them tailing in super shallow water with their backs exposed, approach quietly from downwind and cast past them, then work your bait slowly into their feeding zone.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are Florida's signature inshore gamefish - sleek, golden fish with that unmistakable black lateral line running down their sides. They average 18-28 inches but can push 40-plus inches in the right spots. You'll find them around mangrove shorelines, docks, bridges, and creek mouths where they ambush baitfish. Summer brings peak action during their spawning season, but they bite year-round in our warm waters. What makes them special is their explosive strike and acrobatic fight, plus they're outstanding table fare with firm, white meat. They're structure-oriented like bass, so focus on cover - overhanging mangroves, pilings, and oyster bars. Live pilchards or pinfish work great, as do soft plastic swimbaits. Pro tip: fish the moving water during tide changes, especially around pass mouths where they stack up to feed.
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