Full Day Inshore – Tarpon, Snook & Redfish
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Full day targeting tarpon, snook, redfish in South Florida watersEight hours aboard 24ft Pathfinder with complete gear providedAccommodates four anglers with experienced Captain Josh guidance
South Florida's flats and mangroves offer some of the best inshore fishing on the planet, and this full-day charter with Grand Slam Charters puts you right in the heart of it all. Captain Josh knows these waters like the back of his hand, and with 8 hours on the water, you'll have plenty of time to work multiple spots and dial in on whatever's biting. The 24-foot Pathfinder is perfectly rigged for backcountry action – shallow draft, quiet, and loaded with everything you need to make the most of your day. Whether you're after that bucket-list tarpon or looking to put together a South Florida slam, this trip delivers the variety and fish-finding time that separates good days from great ones.
Your day starts early, which is exactly how you want it in South Florida. Captain Josh will have you on productive water while the fish are still active and before the afternoon heat really kicks in. The beauty of an 8-hour trip is the flexibility – if the tarpon are rolling in one area, you can spend quality time working them. If the bite slows down, there's plenty of time to relocate and try different techniques on different species. The flats fishing here is visual and exciting, with crystal-clear water letting you see fish before you cast to them. In the mangroves, it's more about reading structure and working your bait into the shadows where snook and redfish like to ambush prey. Captain Josh provides all the gear, tackle, and bait, so you just need to bring your fishing license, sun protection, and maybe some snacks and drinks for the long day. The Pathfinder's layout gives everyone plenty of room to fish comfortably, whether you're sight-casting on the bow or working the corners near mangrove cuts.
Inshore fishing in South Florida is all about adapting to conditions and matching your approach to the target species. On the flats, you'll primarily sight-fish with live bait like pilchards, pinfish, or shrimp, along with artificial lures when fish are aggressive. Captain Josh runs quality spinning tackle that can handle everything from spooky bonefish to powerful tarpon. In the mangroves, the game changes completely – you're pitching baits and lures tight to structure, often working in just a few feet of water. Jigs tipped with shrimp work great for redfish, while live bait freelined near docks and bridges can produce solid snook. The key is staying quiet and making accurate casts, since these fish see a lot of pressure and can be line-shy. When tarpon show up, you might switch to heavier tackle and live crabs or larger baits. Captain Josh reads the water constantly, adjusting locations and techniques based on tides, wind, and fish behavior. The extended time on the water means you can really learn these techniques instead of just going through the motions.
Redfish are the bread and butter of South Florida inshore fishing, and for good reason. These copper-colored fighters typically run 20 to 35 inches in these waters, with some real bulls pushing the 40-inch mark. They're most active during moving tides, especially around oyster bars, mangrove points, and shallow flats. What makes redfish so popular is their willingness to eat – they'll hit live shrimp, cut bait, jigs, and topwater plugs with equal enthusiasm. The fight is steady and powerful, with multiple runs that'll test your drag system. Fall and spring offer the most consistent action, but South Florida's year-round fishery means you can target them any month.
Permit are the holy grail for many flats anglers, and South Florida offers some of the best permit fishing in the world. These disc-shaped fighters average 15 to 25 pounds but can top 40 pounds in these waters. They're notoriously finicky, often requiring perfect presentations with live crabs or small jigs. Permit frequent the edges of flats, especially around coral heads, wrecks, and channel edges. When you hook one, get ready for blistering runs and aerial displays that'll have your arms burning. The window for permit is typically spring through fall, with summer months offering the most consistent opportunities. Landing a permit on light tackle is a career milestone for most anglers.
Crevalle Jack might not win beauty contests, but they make up for it with raw power and aggressive strikes. These silver torpedoes range from 10 to 30 pounds in these waters, with some true monsters exceeding 40 pounds. They travel in schools and aren't picky about baits – live bait, artificials, even topwater plugs will trigger explosive strikes. Jacks are perfect for kids or new anglers since they bite readily and fight hard without being overly technical to catch. They're most active during warmer months and can be found around structure, bait schools, and deeper flats edges.
Bonefish are the ghosts of the flats – silver shadows that can disappear at the slightest disturbance. South Florida bones typically run 3 to 8 pounds, with occasional fish pushing double digits. They're primarily sight-fished on shallow flats using live shrimp, small crabs, or specialized flies. The challenge with bonefish is getting close enough for a good cast without spooking them, then making a perfect presentation. When hooked, they make scorching runs that can empty a reel in seconds. Peak bonefish season runs from late fall through spring when water temperatures cool slightly.
Grey Snapper, often called mangrove snapper, are excellent table fare and provide consistent action throughout the year. They range from keeper-sized fish around 12 inches to hefty 5-pounders that require finesse to land. These smart fish hang around structure – docks, bridges, mangrove edges, and rock piles.
Our 24ft Pathfinder Tournament is built for serious flats fishing in South Florida's backcountry. This shallow-water machine runs on a powerful 300hp Yamaha that'll get you to the fish fast, then lets you work the skinny water with whisper-quiet precision thanks to the wireless trolling motor. The elevated casting platform gives you perfect sight lines for spotting cruising tarpon and tailing redfish, while Power Poles keep you locked down when you hook up. GPS and fish finder help locate structure and baitfish where snook love to ambush prey. With room for 4 anglers, there's plenty of space to move around during the fight without getting tangled up. The shallow draft design lets us slip into mangrove creeks and grass flats that bigger boats can't reach – that's where the big fish hang out. Whether you're sight-casting to rolling tarpon or working the edges for slot reds, this boat handles South Florida's challenging inshore waters like a dream.
Albula VulpesBonefish are the "grey ghosts" of the flats, perfectly camouflaged with their silver sides and greenish backs. Most run 16-24 inches and 4-6 pounds, but they're built for speed - hitting 30 mph when spooked. They feed in water so shallow you can see their tails sticking up as they root around for crabs and shrimp. The thrill is sight-fishing these smart, spooky fish on the clear flats. When hooked, they make screaming 100-yard runs that'll empty your reel fast. Most folks release them since they're pretty bony to eat. Best fishing is on incoming tides when they move up to feed. The key is staying quiet and making accurate casts well ahead of cruising fish. Once you spook them, game over - they'll be halfway to Cuba before you know it.
Caranx HipposJacks are the bulldogs of the flats - stocky, aggressive fish that average 3-5 pounds but can hit 20+ pounds. They roam both shallow grass beds and deeper channels, often in schools that create quite a commotion when feeding. You'll know they're around when birds start diving - jacks push baitfish to the surface where the action gets wild. They hit hard and fight dirty with powerful, bulldogging runs that'll test your drag. Guests love them because they're always willing to eat and provide non-stop action. While not the best table fare, they're pure fun on light tackle. Year-round fishing, but spring and fall are prime time. My go-to trick: cast a silver spoon past the school and burn it back fast - jacks can't resist the chase.
Lutjanus GriseusMangrove snapper are sneaky little ambush predators that hang around any structure they can find - docks, mangrove roots, rock piles, you name it. Most run 10-14 inches and 1-2 pounds inshore, but they're scrappy fighters that punch above their weight. They're nocturnal hunters, so early morning and evening bites are best, though they'll feed during the day too. What guests love is the excellent white, flaky meat that makes for great table fare. They're also pretty reliable biters year-round in our warm waters. The trick is patience - they're opportunistic but cautious. Drop a live shrimp to the bottom near structure and barely move it. When you feel that subtle tap, don't jerk - let them take it and slowly lift the rod. They've got sharp eyes and will drop suspicious baits in a heartbeat.
Trachinotus FalcatusPermit are the holy grail of flats fishing - a tall, silvery fish that can reach 30+ pounds but will test your patience like no other species. They cruise grass flats and sandy areas in surprisingly shallow water, sometimes just 2 feet deep. Those golf-ball sized eyes rotate almost 360 degrees, making them incredibly spooky. Spring through fall gives you the best shot, especially during their spawn season. Guests love the challenge because landing one is a true accomplishment that many anglers never achieve. They're strong fighters that make blistering runs. While edible, most folks release these beauties. Your best bet is a live blue crab presented perfectly - no splashy casts allowed. Keep movements slow and deliberate, because one wrong move and they're gone.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are one of our most reliable inshore targets, averaging 20-30 inches with that signature copper-red back and black eyespot near the tail. They cruise the shallow flats and mangrove edges in 1-4 feet of water, often with their backs barely submerged. These fish hit hard and make strong runs when hooked. What makes them great for guests is they're not too finicky - they'll take live shrimp, topwater plugs, or soft plastics with equal enthusiasm. The meat is excellent eating with a mild, sweet flavor. Best fishing is during moving tides when they're actively hunting. Pro tip: when you spot one tailing in skinny water, cast your bait about 3 feet ahead of where it's heading and let it sink naturally to the bottom.
Key Largo