Charter Fishing Cedar Key Florida
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Four-hour inshore fishing charter accommodates up to six guestsBeach relaxation included on beautiful island after fishingCaptain Jayson provides family-friendly Cedar Key experience
Cedar Key's inshore waters offer some of the most consistent fishing action on Florida's west coast, and Captain Jayson knows these grass flats and oyster bars like the back of his hand. This isn't just another fishing trip – it's a full-day family adventure that combines 4-5 hours of serious angling with 1-2 hours of beach time on a pristine island. Whether you're teaching the kids how to cast or trying to land your personal best redfish, this charter delivers the perfect blend of fishing action and family fun that keeps guests coming back season after season.
Your day starts early with Captain Jayson and his crew prepping the boat while you grab your coffee and get the family ready. Cedar Key's shallow inshore waters are perfect for anglers of all skill levels – the kids can sight-fish for sheepshead around the docks while dad works the grass edges for snook. The boat accommodates up to 6 people comfortably, so there's plenty of room for everyone to spread out and fish without tangling lines. After hours of steady action targeting multiple species, you'll head to one of the area's beautiful barrier islands for some beach time. The kids can hunt for shells and build sandcastles while the adults relax and recap the day's catches. This combination of productive fishing and family downtime makes it a customer favorite that works for everyone from grandparents to grandkids.
Cedar Key's inshore fishing relies heavily on light tackle techniques that let you feel every bump and run. Captain Jayson typically runs spinning reels spooled with 15-20 pound braid, perfect for the structure-heavy environment where these fish live. Live shrimp and cut bait are the go-to options here – the local shrimp beds produce some of the best bait on the coast, and the fish know it. You'll spend time working the oyster bars with jigs and soft plastics, letting the current carry your bait into the strike zone where redfish and sheepshead hang out. The grass flats get worked differently – long casts with topwater plugs early in the morning, then switching to suspending twitch baits as the sun gets higher. Don't worry if you're new to these techniques – Captain Jayson and his team will have you fishing like a local within the first hour. All tackle and bait are included, so you just need to bring your fishing license and get ready to learn some new tricks.
Black Sea Bass have been the most consistent performers around Cedar Key's inshore structure. These chunky fighters typically run 12-16 inches and love hanging around the deeper oyster bars and rock piles. They're not picky eaters – live shrimp, cut squid, or small jigs will get their attention quickly. What makes them special is their willingness to bite year-round and their excellent table fare. Kids love catching sea bass because they fight hard for their size and you can usually count on multiple hookups.
Snook are the glamour fish of Cedar Key's inshore waters, and for good reason. These silver-sided predators can stretch over 30 inches and provide some of the most explosive strikes you'll experience. They're most active during the warmer months, typically May through September, when they move into the shallow grass flats to feed. Snook are ambush predators that love to hide under mangrove overhangs and around dock pilings, making every cast an adventure. The slot limit keeps things interesting – you need fish between 28-33 inches to keep them, so there's always that moment of anticipation when Captain Jayson breaks out the measuring board.
Sheepshead might look funny with their human-like teeth, but they're serious fighters that test your angling skills. These black-and-white striped fish are structure junkies that live around oyster bars, bridge pilings, and rock piles. They're notorious bait thieves with a light bite that requires patience and sensitivity to detect. Winter months are prime time for sheepshead, when they school up in large numbers around structure. Landing a 3-4 pound sheepshead on light tackle is a real accomplishment, and they're outstanding eating if you can get past their unusual appearance.
Redfish are the bread and butter of Cedar Key inshore fishing – copper-colored bulldogs that never give up without a fight. These drum species love the shallow grass flats and oyster bars, often feeding in water so shallow their backs stick out. Slot-sized reds typically run 18-27 inches and provide long, powerful runs that test your drag system. They're year-round residents that adapt their feeding patterns to the seasons, making them reliable targets no matter when you visit. The sight of a red's tail breaking the surface as it roots around in the grass is something every angler should experience at least once.
Crevalle Jack bring the muscle to every fishing trip around Cedar Key. These silver torpedoes travel in schools and fight like fish twice their size, making screaming runs that will test your tackle and your arms. Jack crevalle aren't particular about bait – they'll hit live shrimp, cut bait, or lures with equal enthusiasm. While they're not great table fare, they're perfect for catch-and-release action that gets everyone excited. When you hook into a school of jacks, be ready for non-stop action that will have the whole family whooping and hollering.
Cedar Key's inshore fishing scene delivers consistent action, family-friendly atmosphere, and the kind of memories that last a lifetime. Captain Jayson's combination of local knowledge, quality equipment, and genuine passion for putting families on fish makes this charter a top-rated choice for visitors and locals alike. The addition of beach time turns a great fishing trip into a perfect day on the water that satisfies everyone in the group. Whether you're looking to introduce the kids to saltwater fishing or trying to check some new species off
Our 24-foot Carolina Skiff is built for serious fishing action in Cedar Key's productive inshore waters. This 2012 bay boat runs on a dependable 150HP Yamaha that'll get you to the fish fast, cruising at 30 knots to maximize your fishing time. Captain Jayson knows exactly where the redfish, trout, and snook are biting, and with our GPS and fish finder, we'll put you right on top of them. The spacious deck gives all 6 anglers plenty of room to cast and fight fish without tangling lines. Keep your catch fresh in the onboard icebox while you work the grass flats and oyster bars that make Cedar Key famous. After hauling in your limit, we'll beach the boat on a secluded island where the family can relax and let the kids explore. This isn't just another fishing trip - it's quality time on the water doing what Florida fishing is all about.
Centropristis StriataBlack Sea Bass are chunky fighters that usually run 1-4 pounds, though you might hook into one pushing 8 pounds around deeper structure. These gray to black fish hang out near rocky bottoms, wrecks, and jetties in 20-120 feet of water. Late spring through summer is prime time when they move closer to shore. What makes them special is that unique biology - they start as females and change to males as they grow, which always gets guests talking. They put up a solid scrap until they break the surface, then give up quick. The meat is excellent eating with firm white flesh. My go-to tip: use a two-hook bottom rig with squid strips and keep it right on the structure. They're bottom huggers, so don't let your bait drift away from the rocks or wreck.
Caranx HipposCrevalle Jack are the bulldogs of our inshore waters, built like muscle cars with bright yellow fins and serious attitude. They typically run 3-8 pounds but can hit 20-plus when the big schools move through. These guys roam everywhere from shallow flats to deeper channels, but you'll spot them easiest when birds are diving on baitfish. They're most active in warmer months and hunt in aggressive packs. Kids love the visual excitement when jacks blow up on topwater baits, and the fight is pure power - they'll test your drag system for sure. Not the best eating, but the action more than makes up for it. Here's the key: watch for diving birds, then cast silver spoons or large topwater plugs past the school and burn them back fast. Jacks love the chase, so the faster you retrieve, the more strikes you'll get.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are our bread and butter inshore species, copper-colored bruisers with distinctive black spots near their tails that average 18-28 inches. They cruise super shallow flats in 1-4 feet of water, often with their backs showing. Look for them around oyster bars, grass beds, and mangrove shorelines. Year-round fishing is good here, but fall and spring offer the most consistent action. Families love them because they eat almost anything and fight like bulldogs with long, powerful runs. The sight fishing is addictive when you can see their backs cruising the shallows. They're also great table fare with firm, mild meat. My best advice: use gold spoons or topwater plugs and cast ahead of cruising fish, then work it back slowly. If you spook them on the flats, they'll leave a wake like a small boat.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the pickpockets of the fish world, famous for their human-like teeth and those black prison stripes that earned them the nickname "convict fish." Most run 1-4 pounds and 14-18 inches, but we occasionally see 8-pounders around deeper structure. They stick tight to any kind of cover - docks, bridges, oyster bars, and rock piles where they munch on barnacles and crabs. Winter through early spring is peak season when they gather for spawning. Guests get a kick out of their weird teeth and they're phenomenal eating with sweet, white meat that rivals snapper. The challenge is their notorious bait-stealing habits. Pro tip: use small hooks with fresh shrimp or fiddler crabs, keep your bait pinned tight to the structure, and set the hook hard the second you feel weight. They'll clean your hook otherwise.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are the kings of our shallow water flats, averaging 18 inches but growing up to 4 feet in the right conditions. They love hanging around mangroves, docks, and creek mouths where fresh and salt water mix. These golden beauties with that signature black lateral line are ambush predators that'll explode on topwater lures. Spring through fall gives you the best action, especially around new and full moons when they spawn. Families love targeting them because they're aggressive strikers and put on quite a show when hooked. The fight is pure power with those wide tails giving them serious speed. They're also excellent table fare with sweet, flaky meat. Here's my local secret: work your lure fast and erratic near structure. Snook are like bass on steroids - they want that chase, so don't slow down your retrieve.
Cedar Key, FL