4 Hour Basic Inshore Fishing - Florida Waters
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fourhour inshore fishing adventure targeting snook, redfish, and troutExpert captain provides guidance through Florida's productive coastal watersSmall group experience with maximum two guests per charter
Looking to spend a solid half-day on some of Florida's best inshore waters? This 4-hour basic inshore trip with JC Fishin Charters puts you right where the action happens. We're talking about productive flats, grass beds, and structure where Florida's most sought-after inshore species like to hang out. Perfect for up to 2 anglers, this trip gives you plenty of time to work different spots without feeling rushed. Whether you've been fishing these waters for years or you're just getting your feet wet with inshore angling, we'll make sure you're set up for success from the first cast to the last.
Your day starts early when the fish are most active and the Florida sun isn't beating down on you yet. We'll cruise out to prime inshore spots where the water's just right - usually anywhere from 2 to 8 feet deep over grass flats, around docks, or near mangrove shorelines. The beauty of inshore fishing here is the variety. One minute you're sight-casting to tailing redfish in skinny water, the next you're working a jig around structure hoping for a big trout or sheepshead. The scenery's pretty sweet too - crystal clear water, endless flats stretching to the horizon, and plenty of birds working bait that'll tip you off to where the fish are feeding. Four hours gives us enough time to hit 3-4 different spots, so if one area's slow, we've got backup plans. You'll spend most of your time actively fishing, not just riding around looking for fish.
We keep it simple but effective out here. Most of the day you'll be throwing light tackle - 7-foot medium action rods spooled with 15-20lb braid and a fluorocarbon leader. Depending on what we're targeting and where we find them, we'll switch between live bait like shrimp or pinfish and artificials. Soft plastics are huge producers - gulp shrimp on jig heads, paddle tails, and DOA lures all get plenty of action. When we're sight-fishing for reds, we might go with topwater plugs or spoons that'll get their attention. The key is staying quiet and making accurate casts. Inshore fishing is all about presentation - you've got to put your bait right where the fish are without spooking them. We'll spend time working structure like docks and mangroves where fish ambush prey, and also cover open flats where you can see fish cruising or tailing. It's active fishing that keeps you engaged the whole time.
Sheepshead are one of the smartest fish swimming these waters, and that's exactly why landing one feels so good. These black and white striped convict fish love hanging around structure - docks, bridges, rock piles - where they can pick off barnacles and crabs. They've got serious chompers that can crush shellfish, so they're notorious bait stealers. You'll know you're dealing with sheepshead when your bait keeps disappearing without a proper hookset. Best action usually happens during cooler months from November through March when they're staging for their spawn. What makes them fun is the challenge - you need perfect timing and a sensitive touch to hook these guys before they steal your shrimp and swim away laughing.
Redfish are the poster child of Florida inshore fishing, and for good reason. These copper-colored bulldogs fight hard and they're around year-round. You'll find them cruising grass flats, tailing in shallow water, or posted up around oyster bars waiting to ambush bait. Reds are aggressive feeders but they're also smart - spook one and he'll clear out along with every other fish in the area. The sight-fishing opportunities are what really get people hooked. Watching a 25-inch red slowly cruise toward your perfectly placed soft plastic, then explode on it in 3 feet of clear water - that's what inshore fishing dreams are made of. They pull hard and use their broad sides to fight you all the way to the boat.
Spanish mackerel bring the speed and aerial show to your day. These silver rockets are built for one thing - chasing down bait fish at ridiculous speeds. When they're around, you'll see them busting bait on the surface, sometimes jumping clear out of the water. They're not picky eaters, but they want their meal moving fast. Small spoons, gotcha plugs, and fast-retrieved jigs trigger aggressive strikes. Spanish macs are typically more active during warmer months and they'll hit so hard your rod tip nearly gets pulled out of your hands. They're also excellent table fare - their meat is rich and perfect for smoking or grilling fresh.
Southern flounder are the masters of disguise lying flat on sandy or muddy bottoms waiting for an easy meal to swim by. These ambush predators can change their coloration to match their surroundings perfectly. Flounder fishing requires a different approach - slow presentations along the bottom with live bait or soft plastics. The bite feels like you've snagged bottom until that "bottom" starts swimming away. Fall months are prime time when flounder are moving toward deeper water, and that's when you'll find the biggest doormat-sized fish. They're prized for their delicate, flaky white meat that's considered some of the best eating in these waters.
Florida pompano might be the most underrated fighter in the inshore game. These silver, disc-shaped fish are built like little torpedoes and they use every inch of their body to fight. You'll typically find them cruising sandy areas and grass edges where they root around for crabs and shrimp. Pompano can be finicky - some days they'll eat anything you throw, other days they want a very specific presentation. Jigs tipped with shrimp or small crabs work well, and they often travel in small schools so
This 18-foot Sterling Skiff is your ticket to Florida's best inshore fishing spots. Built in 2004 with solid construction, she's powered by a dependable 115HP Yamaha that'll cruise at 26 knots to get you on the fish fast. Perfect for up to 2 anglers who want room to cast without bumping elbows. The onboard fish finder takes the guesswork out of locating schools of snook, redfish, and trout in the shallows, while the wireless trolling motor lets you sneak up on spooky fish without spooking them. GPS keeps you on productive waters, and the icebox ensures your catch stays fresh and your drinks stay cold during those hot Florida afternoons. Whether you're working the grass flats or drifting oyster bars, this skiff handles the skinny water like a dream and gives you the platform you need to land that keeper.
Trachinotus CarolinusFlorida pompano are the gold standard of inshore table fare - this silvery, deep-bodied fish with yellow fins commands premium prices in restaurants for good reason. They average 12-16 inches and 1-3 pounds, but don't let the size fool you. As members of the jack family, they fight way above their weight class with blistering runs and stubborn pulls. We target them along sandy beaches, around inlets, and on shallow flats where they cruise in small schools hunting crabs and mollusks. Summer and fall offer the best action when they're feeding actively in warmer water. The buttery, rich meat makes every pompano a keeper-sized prize. Success comes down to small hooks and fresh bait - they have tiny mouths but big appetites for sand fleas, shrimp, and small jigs. Fish right on the bottom and be ready for quick, subtle bites that turn into arm-burning battles.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the kings of shallow water fishing here in Florida. These copper-colored beauties with the signature black spot near their tail typically run 18-27 inches and put up a serious fight in just 1-4 feet of water. You'll spot them tailing on grass flats, cruising oyster bars, and hanging around mangrove shorelines, especially during moving tides. Spring through fall gives us the best action, but they bite year-round when conditions are right. What guests love most is watching their backs break the surface as they feed - it's pure sight fishing at its best. The bonus is excellent table fare with mild, flaky meat. Pro tip: when you see a red cruising the shallows, lead them by a few feet with your cast and let your bait settle naturally. They spook easily, so keep noise to a minimum and avoid casting shadows over the fish.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are some of the smartest fish we target - they've got human-like teeth and use them to crunch barnacles off dock pilings and bridges. Most run 1-3 pounds, but we occasionally hook into 8-pounders that'll test your patience. You'll find them hugging any structure in 2-20 feet of water year-round, though they're most active in cooler months when they school up. What makes them frustrating and fun is they're notorious bait thieves - they'll nibble your shrimp or fiddler crab clean off the hook if you're not paying attention. The payoff is some of the best eating fish in Florida waters with sweet, flaky white meat. My tip: use the smallest hook you can get away with and set it hard the moment you feel weight - they've got tough mouths but they're quick to spit the bait.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern flounder are the masters of disguise lying flat on sandy and muddy bottoms in 2-15 feet of water. These pancake-shaped fish with both eyes on one side typically run 15-18 inches, though we catch some nice 3-5 pounders that make excellent dinner. Fall and winter are prime time when they move toward passes and inlets to spawn. What makes them special is the challenge - they're ambush predators that bury themselves and strike fast when prey passes overhead. The meat is some of the finest you'll find, sweet and flaky white fillets that fry up perfectly. They're not flashy fighters, but that subtle thump followed by dead weight tells you you've got one hooked. Best technique is drifting live mud minnows or shrimp right on the bottom near structure transitions. Keep your bait moving slowly - a motionless offering won't trigger strikes from these bottom dwellers.
Scomberomorus MaculatusSpanish mackerel are speed demons that show up in schools and turn our trips into non-stop action. These silver torpedoes with yellow spots typically run 1-3 pounds and 14-20 inches, but their lightning-fast runs will have your drag screaming. We find them throughout the water column around structure, grass flats, and open water from spring through fall. When water temps hit the 70s, they move in close to shore and feed aggressively on baitfish. Guests love the constant action - when you find one school, you've usually found dozens of fish. Plus, they're excellent eating with mild, white meat that's perfect for the grill. The key is keeping your lures moving fast - these fish won't chase slow presentations. Small spoons, jigs, or live shrimp work great, but speed is everything. Once you hook up, keep that line tight because they're masters at throwing hooks.
New Port Richey, FL