2 Hour PM Basic Inshore Fishing Trip
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Target snook, redfish, trout, and sheepshead in Florida watersExpert guides provide local knowledge for prime fishing spotsTwoperson capacity ensures personalized inshore fishing experience
Looking for a solid afternoon on the water without breaking the bank? This 2-hour PM trip with JC Fishin Charters is your ticket to some serious inshore action along Florida's productive coastline. We're talking about fishing during prime feeding hours when the afternoon sun starts to soften and fish get active. You'll be targeting some of the Gulf Coast's most sought-after species in waters that have been producing consistent catches for decades. This isn't some cookie-cutter tourist trip – it's real fishing with guides who know these flats, grass beds, and structure like the back of their hands.
Your afternoon starts at the dock where you'll meet your captain and get a quick rundown of the game plan. We're fishing the prime PM hours when many species start their evening feed, which means you're hitting the water at exactly the right time. The boat heads out to proven inshore spots – shallow grass flats, oyster bars, dock pilings, and mangrove shorelines where fish love to hang out. This is sight fishing and structure fishing at its best, with water depths typically ranging from 2 to 15 feet. You'll be casting to visible fish, working live bait around structure, and learning to read the water like a pro. The intimate 2-guest capacity means you get personal attention and plenty of rod time without fighting crowds for the best spots on the boat.
We're running light to medium spinning tackle perfectly suited for inshore work – think 7-foot rods with smooth drag systems that can handle anything from scrappy trout to bulldogging redfish. Your captain provides all the gear, including a variety of live and artificial baits. Live shrimp are the go-to bait for most situations, but don't be surprised to throw live pinfish, pilchards, or greenbacks depending on what's working. On the artificial side, we're talking soft plastics on jig heads, topwater plugs for those heart-stopping surface strikes, and suspending baits for working around docks and structure. You'll learn proper casting techniques, how to work different lures, and most importantly, how to fight fish without losing them at the boat. The beauty of inshore fishing is the variety – one cast might produce a hard-fighting red drum, the next could be a lightning-fast Spanish mackerel.
Redfish are the backbone of Florida inshore fishing, and these copper-colored bruisers are exactly why anglers become obsessed with shallow water fishing. They're available year-round, though fall and spring offer the most consistent action. Reds typically range from 18 to 30 inches in these waters, with the occasional oversized bull mixed in. What makes them special is their willingness to eat and their incredible fighting ability – they'll make long runs and use their broad sides to fight you all the way to the net. Look for them tailing in shallow water during low light periods, cruising grass flats, and ambushing bait around oyster bars.
Spanish Mackerel bring speed and excitement to every trip, especially during their peak season from spring through fall. These silver bullets typically run 12 to 20 inches and hit baits with aggressive strikes that'll wake you up fast. They're schooling fish, so when you find one, there's usually more around. Spoons, small jigs, and live bait work great, but be ready for their razor-sharp teeth. Spanish mackerel are excellent eating and provide non-stop action when they're around – perfect for keeping kids and new anglers engaged.
Snook are Florida's signature gamefish and the reason many anglers fall in love with inshore fishing. These ambush predators love structure – docks, mangroves, bridges, and any place they can hide and attack passing bait. They're incredibly aggressive but also incredibly smart, making them a fun challenge for experienced anglers. Most snook in these waters run 20 to 30 inches, and they're known for their acrobatic jumps and powerful runs toward structure. Summer months offer the best action, but they're catchable year-round with the right approach.
Grey Snapper, or mangrove snapper as locals call them, are the perfect combination of good eating and good fighting. These bottom dwellers love structure and are notorious bait stealers with their quick, subtle bites. They typically range from 10 to 16 inches around here, though bigger ones are always possible. What makes them exciting is their wariness – you need to be on your game with light tackle and fresh bait. They're most active during moving tides and low light conditions, making this PM trip timing perfect for targeting them around docks and rocky areas.
Black Drum are the sleeper species that many anglers overlook, but they're incredible fighters that will surprise you with their power. These bottom feeders love crabs, shrimp, and cut bait, and they're most active during cooler months. You'll find them around oyster bars, deeper grass flats, and structure in 4 to 12 feet of water. Black drum typically run 14 to 25 inches in these waters, and their fighting style is all about using their weight and stubbornness. They're excellent table fare when prepared correctly and provide a nice change of pace from the faster gamefish species.
This 2-hour PM basic inshore trip delivers serious fishing value without the full-day commitment. You're getting prime afternoon fishing hours, expert local knowledge, and the chance to target multiple species in Florida's most productive inshore waters. The small group size means personalized instruction and maximum fishing time for everyone on board. Whether you're a first-timer looking to learn the ropes or an experienced angler wanting to explore new waters, this trip provides the perfect introduction to what makes Florida inshore fishing legendary. Don't wait – these afternoon slots fill up fast, especially during peak fishing seasons. Book your
This 18' Sterling Skiff is your ticket to Florida's best inshore fishing action. Built in 2004 with a reliable 115HP Yamaha outboard, she'll cruise at 26 knots to get you on the fish fast. Perfect for up to 2 anglers who want to target snook, redfish, and trout in the shallows. The wireless trolling motor lets you sneak up on spooky fish without spooking them, while the fish finder helps locate those productive spots where the action heats up. An onboard icebox keeps your catch fresh and drinks cold during those hot Florida afternoons. With GPS navigation, your captain can hit all the sweet spots along the coastline where these species love to hang out. This nimble skiff handles the skinny water like a dream, getting you into those back-country areas where the big fish hide. Whether you're casting around mangroves for snook or working the grass flats for redfish, this boat puts you right where you need to be for a productive day on the water.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the bulldogs of inshore fishing - not pretty, but they'll test your tackle with brute strength. These chunky fighters typically weigh 5-30 pounds, with some monsters pushing 50-plus. They cruise shallow muddy flats, oyster beds, and creek mouths, using those barbels under their chin to root around for crabs and shellfish. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning, making them easier to target. What guests love is the raw power - they make that distinctive drumming sound and pull like freight trains. Stick to smaller fish under 15 pounds for eating; the big ones are tough and better released. Fresh blue crab or cut mullet on the bottom is deadly. Pro tip: use just enough weight to hold bottom and keep your bait still. These fish are spooky - too much movement and they're gone.
Lutjanus GriseusGrey snapper, or mangrove snapper as locals call them, are some of the smartest fish you'll target. These copper-colored fighters typically run 10-14 inches inshore, though bigger ones lurk in deeper water. They love hanging around any structure - docks, mangroves, rocks, even old debris piles where they ambush prey. Spring and summer are peak times, especially around full moons when they're more active. What makes them fun is they're challenging - they'll inspect your bait like detectives before committing. The payoff is some of the best eating fish in Florida waters with sweet, white meat. Being nocturnal, they feed more aggressively in low light. Here's the trick: use live shrimp hooked through the tail, let it sink to the bottom, then barely lift it off. Keep it still - too much movement spooks these wary fish. Patience wins with mangrove snapper.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are one of Florida's most sought-after inshore targets, running 20-35 inches on average with that distinctive black spot near their tail. You'll find them cruising super shallow flats in 1-4 feet of water, often with their backs showing above the surface around oyster bars, mangroves, and grass beds. They love muddy bottoms and structure like old docks. Spring through fall offers the best action, especially during moving tides. What makes them special is that explosive strike when they hit topwater lures - it's pure adrenaline. Plus, they're fantastic eating with mild, flaky white meat. Here's a local trick: when you spot one tailing in shallow water, cast your bait well ahead of where they're heading, not right at them. They spook easily but once hooked, they'll give you a serious fight.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are Florida's premium inshore gamefish, and for good reason. These sleek predators with that bold black lateral line average 18-30 inches and pack serious attitude. They're structure junkies, hanging tight to mangroves, docks, and creek mouths in both salt and fresh water. May through September is prime time when they spawn around inlets and passes during new and full moons. What makes them special is their explosive strike and bulldogging fight - they'll dive straight for cover when hooked. The meat is top-shelf too, white and flaky. These fish are smart and spooky, so stealth is key. My go-to trick is working soft plastic baits slowly along structure edges, especially early morning or late evening when they're most active. Keep your drag loose initially - they'll take off like a rocket and snap light line if you're not ready.
Scomberomorus MaculatusSpanish mackerel are speed demons that'll test your reflexes with lightning-fast runs. These silvery rockets average 1-2 feet and 8-11 pounds, covered in distinctive yellow spots along their sides. They travel in massive schools near the surface, especially around structure in 10-30 feet of water. Warmer months bring them closer to shore where you can catch them from piers and jetties. What guests love is the non-stop action - when you find a school, it's game on. They're also excellent table fare with mild, flaky meat that grills perfectly. The key to landing them is using light tackle with shiny spoons or small jigs trolled at moderate speed. Here's the trick: when you hook up, keep steady pressure but don't horse them in - their mouths are soft and they'll throw the hook if you're too aggressive.
New Port Richey, FL