Half Day Charter Trip (24' Boat)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Halfday inshore fishing targeting bonefish, snook, redfish, and tarponLight tackle sight casting in South Florida flats and backcountryProfessional captain provides gear, bait, and local fishing expertise
Nothing beats starting your morning with some quality time on South Florida's inshore waters, and Captain Josh's half-day charter delivers exactly what local anglers and visitors are looking for. You'll be fishing aboard a comfortable 24-foot Pathfinder that's built for these shallow waters, with room for up to four anglers who want to experience some of the best light tackle fishing in the country. This isn't some rushed tourist trip – it's a proper fishing charter where you'll learn the waters, work the flats, and have real shots at some trophy-caliber fish.
Your morning kicks off early when the conditions are prime and the fish are most active. Captain Josh knows these South Florida flats and backcountry waters like the back of his hand, and he'll put you on fish whether you're a seasoned angler or picking up a rod for the first time. The 24-foot Pathfinder is the perfect platform for this kind of fishing – shallow draft gets you into skinny water where the big fish feed, but stable enough to cast comfortably. You'll be targeting some of Florida's most sought-after inshore species including bonefish, snook, redfish, tarpon, mangrove snapper, and permit. Captain Josh provides all the quality tackle, fresh bait, and local knowledge you need, so you can focus on what matters – putting fish in the boat. The morning hours typically offer calmer winds and more cooperative fish, making this a top-rated choice for anglers who want to maximize their time on the water.
This is where South Florida inshore fishing really shines. You'll be working with light tackle that lets you feel every run, every jump, and every head shake these fish throw at you. Captain Josh sets you up with the right gear for the conditions and target species – whether that's spinning tackle for redfish cruising the mangroves or fly gear if you want to try your hand at some of the most challenging gamefish in the flats. Sight casting is a huge part of what makes this trip special. Instead of blindly throwing bait and hoping, you'll actually see fish moving through the shallows and make precise casts to feeding or cruising fish. It takes some practice, but there's nothing like watching a redfish turn on your bait in two feet of crystal-clear water. The backcountry areas hold different opportunities – deeper pockets where snook ambush baitfish, mangrove shorelines where anything from baby tarpon to crevalle jacks might be lurking, and grass flats where permit and bonefish cruise looking for crabs and shrimp.
Redfish are the bread and butter of South Florida inshore fishing, and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers range from schooling "rat reds" around 16-20 inches up to bull reds that can push 40 inches and give you a fight you won't forget. They're year-round residents, but fall and winter months often produce the largest fish as they move to spawn. Redfish are aggressive feeders and will hit live shrimp, cut bait, or artificials worked along mangrove edges and grass flats. What makes them special is their willingness to eat and their bulldogging fights – they don't jump much, but they'll make long, powerful runs that test your drag and your patience.
Permit are considered the holy grail of flats fishing, and South Florida offers some of the most consistent permit fishing in the world. These silver, disc-shaped fish are incredibly spooky and selective, making them a true test of an angler's skill. Most permit caught here run 8-15 pounds, but fish over 20 pounds cruise these waters. They're year-round residents, with peak action typically in spring and fall when water temperatures are moderate. Permit primarily feed on crabs, so live crabs or crab-pattern flies are your best bet. Landing a permit on light tackle is a career fish for many anglers – they make blistering runs and have the endurance to fight for 20 minutes or more.
Crevalle jacks might not win beauty contests, but they'll give you some of the most powerful fights pound-for-pound of any inshore species. These golden, broad-shouldered fish travel in schools and can appear anywhere from shallow flats to deeper channels. They're opportunistic feeders that will crush just about any bait or lure you throw at them. Jacks are year-round residents, but summer months often produce the largest schools. What makes them exciting is their raw power – a 10-pound jack fights like a 20-pound fish of most other species, and they have the stamina to make multiple long runs.
Bonefish are the ghosts of the flats – silver torpedoes that can disappear in inches of water and make runs that will drain your reel in seconds. South Florida bonefish typically range from 3-8 pounds, with the occasional fish pushing double digits. They're primarily spring and summer fish here, though you can find them year-round in the right conditions. Bonefish feed almost exclusively on the bottom, rooting for crabs, shrimp, and worms in the sand and grass. They're extremely spooky and require precise casts and quiet approaches. The reward is one of the fastest, most exciting fights in shallow water fishing – bonefish make screaming runs that can take them hundreds of yards across the flats.
Grey snapper, or mangrove snapper as they're commonly called, are the perfect species for anglers who want consistent action and excellent table fare. These copper-colored snappers hang around structure – docks, mangrove roots, rock piles, and channel edges. They're year-round residents, with summer months typically producing the largest fish. Mangrove snapper are bottom feeders that respond well to live or dead shrimp, small crabs, and cut baitfish. They're smart fish that can be
Get ready to fish South Florida's legendary flats aboard our 24ft Pathfinder Tournament boat! This beast cuts through the shallows with a powerful 300hp Yamaha while the wireless trolling motor keeps things whisper-quiet when you're sneaking up on tailing redfish. The elevated platform gives you the perfect vantage point to spot snook lurking in the mangroves or tarpon rolling in the distance. Power Poles anchor you instantly in the perfect casting position, while our GPS and fish finder help locate the hottest spots. Built tough for the backcountry but comfortable enough for all-day fishing, this rig handles everything from bonefish flats to deeper channels where permit cruise. With room for 4 anglers, there's plenty of space to work without tangling lines, making it ideal for sight casting adventures in Florida's most productive inshore waters.
Albula VulpesBonefish are called "gray ghosts" for good reason - they're masters of camouflage on the flats. These silvery torpedoes typically run 16-30 inches and 3-8 pounds, built for speed with their streamlined bodies and forked tails. They live in the shallows, sometimes in just inches of water, feeding on crabs and shrimp around grass beds and sand flats. Cooler months from November through April offer prime bonefishing here. What hooks anglers is the challenge - they spook easily and make 100-yard runs when hooked. Most get released since they're bony and not great eating. The thrill is in the hunt, stalking them visually on clear flats. When you see them "tailing" - digging with their tails up - cast your shrimp or crab pattern well ahead of their path and let it settle naturally.
Caranx HipposCrevalle Jacks are the bulldogs of the flats - pure muscle wrapped in silver and gold. These aggressive fish average 3-8 pounds but can push 20+ pounds when you find the big ones. They roam both shallow flats and deeper water, often in schools that create feeding frenzies. You'll find them year-round in South Florida, but warmer months bring the best action. What guests love about jacks is their raw power - they'll bend your rod and test your drag immediately. They're not prized for eating, but the fight more than makes up for it. Watch for diving birds - that's your cue that jacks are pushing bait to the surface. When you find a school, cast fast-moving lures like spoons or swimbaits. Keep your retrieve quick and aggressive - these fish love the chase.
Lutjanus GriseusGrey snapper, or mangrove snapper as most locals call them, are smart, structure-loving fish that make great targets for light tackle fishing. They typically run 10-16 inches and 1-3 pounds inshore, with their copper-red coloration and distinctive dark eye stripe. You'll find them around docks, mangroves, bridges, and any hard structure in 5-20 feet of water. They bite year-round but are most active during warmer months and around full moons when they spawn. What makes them popular is their excellent table fare - sweet, white, flaky meat that's perfect for the dinner table. They're also scrappy fighters for their size. These fish are opportunistic but cautious, so live shrimp fished near the bottom works best. Keep your movements quiet and let the bait sit still - they like to study their prey before striking.
Trachinotus FalcatusPermit are the holy grail of flats fishing - even seasoned anglers get humbled by these fish. They're tall, silver, and built like dinner plates, averaging 15-25 pounds but capable of hitting 40+. You'll find them on sandy flats and around structure in 2-8 feet, often solo or in small groups. Spring through fall gives you the best shot, especially around the spawn from April to October. What draws people to permit fishing is the challenge - they've got incredible eyesight and spook at the slightest mistake. When hooked, they make blistering runs that'll test your drag. They're not great eating due to strong flavor, so most get released. Here's the key: use live crabs when possible, and make your presentation perfect the first time. You rarely get a second chance with permit.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are one of our most reliable targets here in South Florida. These copper-colored fish with distinctive black spots near their tails typically run 20-30 inches and 5-15 pounds, though we see some real bulls pushing 40+ inches. They love super shallow water - sometimes their backs are showing above the surface. Look for them around oyster bars, grass flats, and mangrove shorelines in 1-4 feet of water. They feed year-round but spring through fall offers the best action. What makes reds special is their powerful runs and how they'll eat just about anything - live shrimp, topwater plugs, or spoons. They're also excellent table fare with sweet, flaky meat. Pro tip: when you spot one tailing or cruising, cast well ahead of where they're going, not where they are right now.
Key Largo