Cedar Key Fishing Charter
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Half to fullday inshore fishing with gear and licenses includedCaptain provides drinks, cleaning, and filleting of catchTrip includes visit to secluded island for lunch break
Looking for some serious time on the water where Cedar Key's grass flats meet crystal-clear Gulf waters? This inshore fishing charter puts you right in the heart of Florida's Nature Coast, where the fishing is as good as it gets. We're talking half to full-day trips that let you really dial in on the bite, with everything you need taken care of so you can focus on what matters – putting fish in the boat. Your captain knows these waters like the back of his hand, and trust me, that local knowledge makes all the difference when you're hunting redfish in skinny water or working a grass flat for trout.
This isn't your typical hurried fishing trip. We give you the time you need to really work the spots that are producing. Your captain handles all the details – gear, licenses, even cleaning and filleting your catch at the end of the day. You just need to bring yourself and maybe a cooler for those keeper fish. We keep drinks on board because staying hydrated in Florida sun is no joke, especially when you're focused on sight-casting to cruising reds. But here's the kicker – we're not all business out there. When the bite slows or you need a break, we'll run you over to one of those pristine barrier islands where you can stretch your legs, grab some lunch, and maybe spot some dolphins playing in the surf. It's the perfect way to recharge before hitting another productive flat.
Cedar Key's inshore fishing is all about reading the water and adapting your approach. We're working everything from shallow grass flats to deeper channels, depending on the tide and what's biting. Your captain brings the right gear for each situation – lighter tackle for trout and Spanish mackerel, heavier setups when we're targeting bull reds or big black drum. Live bait works magic out here, especially when we're working structure for snook or drifting cut bait for drum. But don't sleep on the artificial action either – top water plugs at dawn can absolutely explode when trout are feeding, and soft plastics bounced along grass edges will fool plenty of reds. The beauty of these waters is the variety. One minute you're sight-fishing in two feet of water, the next you're working a channel drop-off in twelve feet. Your captain reads the conditions and puts you on the fish using whatever technique is working that day.
Spanish Mackerel are pure adrenaline on light tackle. These silver rockets show up in good numbers from spring through fall, especially around bait schools near the grass line edges. They'll absolutely hammer a fast-retrieved spoon or live shrimp, and their initial run will test your drag. Most run 1-3 pounds, but they fight like fish twice their size. What makes them special here is how they school up – when you find one, you've usually found a dozen.
Snook are the Holy Grail of Cedar Key inshore fishing. These ambush predators love the structure around docks, mangrove shorelines, and creek mouths. They're moody fish that can be tough to pattern, but when you hook into a slot snook in shallow water, you'll understand why anglers get obsessed. They jump, they run for cover, and they know every piece of structure in their territory. Best action typically happens around dawn and dusk, especially during warmer months.
Black Drum are the bulldogs of these flats. You'll find them rooting around oyster bars and grass edges, often giving their location away by mudding up the water as they feed. These bronze fighters can range from schooling puppy drum to massive bull drum pushing 30+ pounds. They don't jump, but they'll pull steady and hard, testing both your gear and your back. Peak season runs fall through early spring when they stack up in deeper holes.
Sea Trout are the bread and butter of Cedar Key fishing. These spotted beauties roam the grass flats in good numbers year-round, though they really turn on during cooler months. They're great eating and cooperative biters that make for perfect action when you want consistent fishing. Look for them anywhere there's grass and bait, especially near drop-offs and potholes. A 15-18 inch trout on light tackle is pure fun, and the bigger gator trout that patrol these waters can surprise you.
Redfish are what put Cedar Key on the map for serious inshore anglers. These copper-colored fighters cruise the shallow flats in singles, pairs, and schools, often with their backs out of the water. Sight-fishing for reds in skinny water is as good as it gets – watching a red track your bait and commit is fishing at its finest. They pull hard and long, using their broad sides to fight in the shallow water. Year-round residents that peak in fall when they school up for their spawning runs.
Cedar Key's inshore waters deliver the kind of fishing that keeps anglers coming back year after year. Between the variety of species, the scenic beauty of Florida's Nature Coast, and having a local captain who knows exactly where to find the bite, this charter offers everything you need for a top-notch day on the water. Whether you're after your first redfish or you're a seasoned angler looking to explore new water, these trips deliver. The fish are here, the captain knows where to find them, and all you need to do is show up ready to fish. Don't wait – the best dates fill up fast, especially during peak season.
Our 2012 Carolina Skiff is the perfect fishing platform for exploring Cedar Key's productive inshore waters. This 24-foot bay boat runs on a reliable 150HP Yamaha that'll get you to the fish quickly, hitting speeds up to 30 knots when conditions are right. Built to handle the shallows where redfish and trout love to feed, she's equipped with everything you need for a successful day on the water. The fish finder helps locate schools and structure, while GPS keeps you on productive spots. An icebox keeps your catch fresh and drinks cold throughout the trip. With room for up to 6 anglers, there's plenty of space to work the flats or drift the grass beds. Whether you're targeting speckled trout in the morning or chasing redfish on the afternoon tide, this skiff handles it all with ease.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the heavyweights of the drum family, and you'll know one's on when your rod doubles over. These bruisers typically range 5-30 pounds, though monsters over 50 pounds cruise our waters. They're bottom feeders that love oyster bars, mudflats, and shallow grass beds where they crush crabs and shellfish with powerful jaws. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning - that's when you hear their drumming sounds underwater. Black drum are pure power fighters that make long, steady runs. The smaller ones (under 15 pounds) are excellent table fare, but the big ones get tough and stringy. Best bet is fresh crab or cut bait fished right on the bottom. Local tip: when you find an oyster bar in 3-6 feet of water, anchor upwind and let your bait drift down to them naturally.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the kings of shallow water fishing, instantly recognizable by their copper-bronze color and signature black spot near the tail. These fish average 20-30 inches in our waters, with bigger bulls pushing 40+ inches found in deeper channels. They live in skinny water - oyster bars, grass flats, and mangrove shorelines in 1-4 feet, sometimes so shallow their backs show above water. Year-round fishing is good, but fall and spring are peak times when they school up and feed heavily. Reds are bulldogs that make powerful runs and never give up easy. Plus, they're excellent eating when within slot limits. They'll eat everything from live shrimp to topwater plugs. My go-to tip: look for "nervous water" on calm days - that rippling surface usually means reds are feeding below.
Salmo TruttaSpotted sea trout, or "specks," are a staple of Cedar Key fishing with their silver sides covered in distinctive black spots. Most fish run 14-24 inches and 1-3 pounds, though 5-pounders show up regularly. They prefer grass flats, sandy bottoms, and drop-offs in 2-8 feet of water, moving deeper in winter. These fish are most active in spring and fall, but bite year-round if you know where to look. Trout have soft mouths and make short, quick runs - not the strongest fighters but they're plentiful and taste fantastic. The white, flaky meat is perfect for the dinner table. They'll hit live shrimp, soft plastics, and topwater plugs. Here's the key: fish the grass edges at dawn and dusk, and use a popping cork to keep your bait just above the grass where they cruise looking for food.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are the ultimate inshore game fish, easily recognized by that bold black lateral line and golden color. Most run 18-30 inches, but the big females can push 40+ inches and really test your drag. They love structure - mangroves, docks, bridges, creek mouths - anywhere they can ambush bait in 2-10 feet of water. Spring through fall is prime time, especially around new and full moons when they spawn and get aggressive. What makes snook special is their explosive strike and bulldog fight, plus they're catch-and-release only, so every fish counts. The meat is white and flaky when you can keep one during open season. Pro tip: work your lure or bait right along the mangrove edge where the shade meets sunlight - that's where they wait to ambush prey.
Scomberomorus MaculatusSpanish mackerel are built for speed with their sleek, silvery bodies and scattered yellow spots. These fish typically run 1-2 feet long and weigh 8-11 pounds, traveling in schools near the surface. Around Cedar Key, you'll find them over grass flats and around structure in spring through fall when the water warms up. They're fantastic fighters that make blistering runs once hooked, and the meat is excellent eating - mild flavor that grills perfectly. These fish hit fast-moving lures like spoons and jigs, but here's a local trick: when you see birds diving, get there quick and cast small silver spoons into the feeding frenzy. Spanish mackerel feed aggressively in these schools, so you can often catch several before they move on.
Cedar Key, FL