Palm Coast Inshore Fishing Adventures
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Halfday inshore fishing charters targeting redfish and snookExpert Captain Caleb guides trips through Palm Coast backwatersSmall groups of 3 guests fish flats near Flagler Beach
Captain Caleb knows these waters like the back of his hand, and he's ready to put you on fish in some of Florida's most productive inshore grounds. When you step aboard for your Palm Coast fishing charter, you're getting access to the kind of local knowledge that only comes from years of reading tides, structure, and seasonal patterns. Whether you're after your first redfish or looking to add a trophy snook to your collection, these backwater flats and creek systems around Palm Coast, Flagler Beach, and St. Augustine offer some of the most consistent action on the East Coast. Captain Caleb runs a top-rated operation that focuses on putting his guests on quality fish while teaching the techniques that make inshore fishing so addictive.
Your day starts early with Captain Caleb, who'll have the boat rigged and ready at your chosen departure time. This isn't your typical head boat experience – with just three anglers max, you get personalized attention and plenty of room to fish comfortably. The backwater flats around Palm Coast are a maze of oyster bars, grass beds, and creek mouths that hold fish year-round, and Captain Caleb knows exactly where to find them based on tide, weather, and season. You'll be working shallow water structure where sight fishing opportunities are common, especially for redfish cruising the flats. The boat stays in protected waters, so even when it's breezy outside, you'll find fishable conditions in the creeks and cuts that feed these productive estuaries. Expect to cover water efficiently while learning to read the signs that indicate where fish are feeding.
Captain Caleb provides all the gear you'll need, from spinning rods matched to the target species to a tackle box full of proven baits for these waters. You'll primarily fish with live bait – shrimp, finger mullet, and mud minnows are staples that produce consistently in these grass flats and oyster bars. Artificial lures play a big role too, especially soft plastics on jig heads for working structure, and topwater plugs during those magic hours when snook and trout are feeding aggressively on the surface. The captain will teach you how to read water depth and structure using electronics, but more importantly, you'll learn to spot the visual cues that indicate feeding fish – nervous bait, swirls, and the telltale signs of predators working shallow water. Light tackle is the name of the game here, typically 15-20 pound test that gives you the sensitivity to feel light bites while still having enough backbone to turn fish away from structure.
Sea trout are the bread and butter of these grass flats, and for good reason. These spotted beauties average 14-18 inches and fight like fish twice their size on light tackle. They're most active during moving tides, especially around dawn and dusk when they feed heavily on shrimp and small baitfish. What makes trout so special here is their willingness to hit both live bait and artificials, making them perfect for anglers who want to learn different techniques. The best action typically happens from spring through fall, with the larger "gator trout" showing up during cooler months when they move into deeper creek channels.
Crevalle jacks are the bulldozers of the flats, and when you hook one, you'll know it immediately. These powerful fish average 5-15 pounds and make screaming runs that test your drag and your arms. They're opportunistic feeders that show up year-round, often following schools of bait or working around structure where smaller fish congregate. Jacks are notorious for their aerial displays and never-give-up attitude, making them a customer favorite despite not being table fare. They're perfect for anglers who want to experience what real fish power feels like.
Bluefish bring the aggression that gets hearts pumping. These toothy predators travel in schools and when you find them, fast action is almost guaranteed. They average 2-8 pounds in these waters and are most abundant during spring and fall migrations. Blues hit hard and fight dirty, making long runs and jumping frequently. They're excellent on both live bait and artificials, particularly silver spoons and cut bait. The key with blues is being ready when the school moves through – the bite can be red hot for 20 minutes then disappear just as quickly.
Snook are the prize that brings many anglers back trip after trip. These ambush predators love structure and are masters at using oyster bars, downed trees, and dock pilings to their advantage. They're most active during warmer months and are notorious for their explosive strikes and acrobatic fights. A typical snook here runs 18-28 inches, with the occasional slot fish or over-slot trophy keeping things interesting. They're primarily caught on live bait around structure, but skilled anglers can tempt them with well-placed artificials during active feeding periods.
Black drum are the heavyweights of the flats, with fish ranging from puppy drum at 2-5 pounds to bull drum exceeding 20 pounds. These bottom feeders are found around oyster bars and shell beds where they crush crabs and shrimp with their powerful jaws. They're available year-round but are most active during spring spawning runs and fall feeding periods. What makes drum special is their dogged, determined fight – they don't jump, but they use their broad sides and strong bodies to make powerful runs toward structure. They're excellent table fare in smaller sizes and provide trophy potential for anglers targeting larger specimens.
Captain Caleb's Palm Coast fishing charters consistently deliver the kind of action that keeps anglers coming back season after season. With flexible 4 to 8-hour options, you can choose the trip length that fits your schedule and fishing goals. The combination of diverse species, productive waters, and expert local knowledge creates the perfect recipe for a world-class in
This restored 2003 Hell's Bay 18-footer is built for serious anglers who want to get into those skinny backwaters where the big reds and snook hide. At just 18 feet, she'll slip through creeks and flats that bigger boats can't touch, getting you right where the fish are feeding. The Mercury 60HP pushes her along at a smooth 38 knots when you need to cover water fast between spots. What makes this skiff perfect for Palm Coast's inshore waters is the wireless trolling motor – lets you ghost up on spooky fish without spooking them with engine noise. The GPS keeps you on track through the maze of creeks around Flagler Beach, while the fish finder shows you exactly what's down below. With room for three anglers, there's plenty of space to work your lines without getting tangled up. Whether you're sight-casting to tailing reds in two feet of water or working the deeper creek bends for black drum, this boat puts you in prime position to make it happen.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the bulldogs of the flats, averaging 5-30 pounds with some bruisers pushing 50+. These bottom-feeders cruise oyster bars, muddy flats, and creek mouths using their powerful jaws to crush crabs and shellfish. Spring spawning season brings the best fishing when they school up in shallow water. You'll hear them "drumming" - a distinctive sound they make during spawning that's pretty cool to experience. While bigger drum get tough and stringy, smaller ones under 15 pounds are excellent eating. The key is getting your bait on the bottom where they feed. Fresh crab works best since it won't get picked off by catfish like shrimp will. Use enough weight to stay down and watch for that steady, heavy pull when they find your bait.
Pomatomus SaltatrixBluefish are serious fighters that show up in good numbers during our cooler months, typically running 3-10 pounds with razor-sharp teeth that demand respect. These aggressive predators patrol surf zones, inlet mouths, and deeper channels where they hunt in schools. Fall and winter offer the best shots when they're feeding heavily on baitfish. What makes blues special is their willingness to attack almost anything - cut bait, spoons, or live mullet all work well. They're good eating when fresh, especially smaller fish, though they need to be iced quickly. Fair warning: always use wire leaders and watch your fingers - their teeth will slice through mono and skin alike. When you find a school feeding, the action can be non-stop with multiple hookups.
Caranx HipposCrevalle jacks are pure adrenaline on a fishing rod. These brassy, powerful fish average 12-24 inches but can push 40+ pounds, and they'll test your drag like few others. Look for them busting baitfish on the surface - birds diving overhead are your best indicator. They roam everything from shallow flats to deeper channels, often in aggressive schools that create feeding frenzies. Spring and summer bring the best action when they're chasing mullet and sardines near the surface. Jacks aren't great eating, but the fight is what brings people back. They'll hit fast-moving lures hard and run strong. Here's the key: when you see a school feeding, cast past them and reel fast - they love the chase and won't hesitate to hammer a moving target.
Salmo TruttaSpotted sea trout are one of our most consistent inshore targets, running 14-24 inches and fighting harder than their size suggests. You'll find them in grass flats and shallow creeks, especially around oyster bars where they ambush shrimp and small baitfish. Best action happens during moving tides at dawn or dusk when they're actively feeding. Spring through fall offers the most reliable fishing, though winter can produce some bigger fish in deeper holes. What makes trout special is their willingness to hit both live bait and artificials - plus they're excellent table fare with sweet, flaky white meat. Pro tip: when working grass flats, keep your lure just above the bottom to avoid snags while staying in the strike zone.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are Florida's premier inshore gamefish, and for good reason. These sleek predators with the distinctive black lateral line average 18-28 inches and put up spectacular fights with powerful runs and acrobatic jumps. They love structure - mangrove shorelines, docks, bridges, and creek mouths where they ambush prey. Warmer months bring peak action, especially around new and full moons when they spawn near inlets. What makes snook fishing addictive is their finicky nature and explosive strikes. They're excellent table fare too, with firm white meat that's hard to beat. The trick with snook is presentation - they're ambush predators, so work your bait slowly along structure edges and be ready for a violent strike when they decide to eat.
St. Augustine