New Smyrna Beach Inshore Fishing for Family
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fivehour family inshore charter targeting redfish and sea troutAll equipment, bait, and fishing licenses included with tripPatient instruction provided for beginners and all skill levels
Looking for a fishing adventure that's perfect for the whole family? This 5-hour inshore charter out of New Smyrna Beach puts you right in the heart of some of Florida's best shallow water fishing grounds. We'll be working the protected waters of Mosquito Lagoon, where calm conditions and consistent action make it ideal for kids and adults who want to get their hands dirty without dealing with rough seas. Your captain knows these flats like the back of their hand and will have you targeting redfish, sea trout, snook, and other local favorites that call these waters home. Everything you need is included – rods, reels, bait, and fishing licenses – so just show up ready to have some fun on the water.
This trip is all about taking it easy and letting everyone in the family get involved. Your captain runs a laid-back operation that's perfect for beginners and casual anglers who want to learn the ropes without any pressure. The shallow waters of Mosquito Lagoon stay relatively calm year-round, which means less seasickness and more time with lines in the water. You'll be sight fishing and casting to structure, working grass flats, and maybe even getting into some topwater action if conditions are right. The captain adjusts the approach based on who's on board – if you've got young kids, they'll focus on easier techniques and shorter fights, while more experienced anglers can work on perfecting their casting accuracy and reading the water.
Inshore fishing here is all about reading the water and understanding how these fish move through their environment. Your captain will have you working with live bait like shrimp and finger mullet, as well as artificial lures that mimic the baitfish these predators are hunting. You'll learn to cast to oyster bars, mangrove shorelines, and grass beds where these fish like to ambush their prey. The water is shallow enough that you can often see the fish before you cast, which adds a whole different level of excitement to the experience. Techniques range from popping cork rigs that keep your bait in the strike zone to soft plastics worked along the bottom. The captain will teach you how to feel the bite, set the hook properly, and fight the fish without losing it at the boat.
Redfish are the bread and butter of these waters, and for good reason. These copper-colored fighters typically run 18-27 inches in Mosquito Lagoon and are known for their bulldogging runs that'll test your drag system. They're most active during moving tides and can be found cruising the flats in schools or tailing in shallow water. What makes reds so special is their willingness to eat just about anything you throw at them, making them perfect for kids and beginners who need that confidence boost.
Sea trout are another customer favorite that patrol these grass flats year-round. These speckled beauties average 14-20 inches and have a softer mouth, so the fight is more about finesse than raw power. They're particularly active during cooler months and love to hit topwater plugs early in the morning. Trout are perfect for teaching proper hook-setting technique since their delicate mouths require a gentle touch throughout the fight.
Snook are the prize catch that keeps anglers coming back for more. These ambush predators love structure and can grow well over 30 inches in these waters. They're most active during warmer months and are known for their explosive strikes and acrobatic jumps. Landing a slot-sized snook is something the whole family will remember, especially when they watch it leap clear out of the water trying to throw the hook.
Tarpon show up seasonally and provide some of the most exciting action you'll find in shallow water. Even the smaller tarpon in the 20-40 pound range will give you a fight you won't forget, with multiple jumps and long runs that test both angler and equipment. They're most common during spring and early summer months when bait is abundant in the lagoon.
Ladyfish might be considered a "fun fish" by some, but they're perfect for keeping kids engaged when the action slows down. These silver rockets are willing biters that put up a spirited fight with lots of jumps and runs. They're great for practicing technique and building confidence before moving on to bigger targets.
This family-friendly inshore charter delivers exactly what you're looking for – quality time on the water with fish that actually bite and a captain who knows how to make sure everyone has a good time. The protected waters of Mosquito Lagoon provide consistent fishing year-round, while the hands-on instruction ensures that everyone from first-timers to experienced anglers will learn something new. With all gear and licenses included, it's an easy decision that takes the guesswork out of planning your fishing trip. Keep in mind that deposits are non-refundable, so make sure your dates work before booking. These top-rated charters fill up quickly, especially during peak season, so don't wait too long to secure your spot on what's sure to be a memorable day on the water.
Your fishing adventure starts aboard a well-equipped motorboat designed for navigating New Smyrna Beach's shallow inshore waters. This reliable vessel comes fitted with GPS navigation to pinpoint the best fishing spots and a fish finder that helps locate schools of redfish and sea trout hiding in Mosquito Lagoon's grass flats. The boat's shallow draft allows access to those productive backwater areas where the big fish like to hang out. With plenty of deck space for casting and room to move around safely, it's perfectly sized for a relaxed family fishing trip. The captain knows these waters like the back of his hand and can position the boat in just the right spots where the action happens. Whether you're sight fishing in skinny water or working deeper channels, this boat gets you there comfortably and puts you on the fish.
Elops SaurusLadyfish might get called "poor man's tarpon," but don't let that fool you - these silver torpedoes are pure fun on light tackle. They typically run 12-20 inches and are absolute acrobats when hooked, jumping and thrashing all over the surface. You'll find them in shallow bays, around docks, and near any structure in 3-15 feet of water year-round. While they're not great table fare, they make excellent bait for bigger fish like snook and tarpon. Kids love them because they bite aggressively and put on quite a show. They school up heavily, so when you find one, you'll usually catch several. These fish will hit just about anything - shrimp, small jigs, or flies work great. Pro tip: use a wire leader or heavy fluorocarbon - they have small but sharp teeth that'll cut through light line, and their thrashing will wear through monofilament quickly.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are our bread and butter species - copper-colored bruisers with distinctive black spots near their tails. Most run 20-28 inches, but we get some real bulls over 35 inches that'll test your drag system. These fish love super shallow water, often feeding in just 1-3 feet around oyster bars and grass flats. They're year-round residents, but fall and spring offer the best action when they school up. What makes reds so popular is their aggressive strikes and bulldogging fights - they'll make long runs and use their broad shoulders to fight you. Plus, slot-sized fish (18-27 inches) are fantastic eating with firm, mild flesh. They're also very family-friendly since they're not picky eaters. Local secret: look for "tailing" reds with their backs out of water while feeding - cast past them and work your bait back slowly to avoid spooking them.
Salmo TruttaSpotted sea trout are perfect family fish - they're cooperative biters and make excellent table fare. These silvery fish with black spots typically run 14-20 inches in our area, though we catch some nice "gators" over 24 inches. They love grass flats and sandy bottoms in 2-6 feet of water, especially around creek mouths and drop-offs. Best action happens during cooler months from fall through early spring when they school up. What guests love about trout is their willingness to bite and their delicate, flaky white meat that's hard to beat on the dinner table. They're also great for kids since they don't require heavy tackle. Key tip: fish early morning or late evening when they're most active, and use a light drag - their mouths are soft and tear easily, so let them run a bit before setting the hook hard.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are one of our most prized catches in these waters - sleek, golden fish with that distinctive black lateral line running down their sides. They typically run 18-30 inches around here, though we occasionally see some real bulls pushing 40+ inches. These ambush predators love structure, so we target them around docks, mangroves, and oyster bars in 2-8 feet of water. Best fishing happens during warmer months when water temps stay above 70°F. What makes snook so popular is their explosive strikes and aerial fights - they'll jump and thrash like crazy. They're also excellent table fare with sweet, white meat. Pro tip: use a heavy fluorocarbon leader since they have razor-sharp gill plates that'll cut through regular line in a heartbeat. Work your lures slow around cover and be ready for that sudden strike.
Megalops AtlanticusThe silver king is the ultimate bucket-list fish - these prehistoric giants can reach 6+ feet and over 200 pounds, though most we see run 80-150 pounds. They roll and breathe air at the surface in channels and around bridge pilings, especially during summer months when they migrate through our waters. What makes tarpon fishing so special is their raw power and acrobatics - they'll launch 10 feet out of the water and peel line like nothing else. While they're not great eating due to their bony meat, the fight alone is worth it. We typically find them in 15-40 feet of water near structure during incoming tides. Best months are May through September when they're most active. My advice: keep steady pressure but don't horse them - let them jump and tire themselves out, and always use circle hooks for better hookups and easier releases.
New Smyrna Beach