8 Hour Inshore Fishing Trip in Florida
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fullday inshore fishing targeting Snook, Redfish, and TroutExpert local guides provide knowledge and sport fishing expertiseEight hours exploring Florida's crystalclear coastal waters
Picture this: eight solid hours on Florida's legendary inshore waters with nothing but your rod, the sound of gulls overhead, and some of the best fishing the Sunshine State has to offer. This isn't your typical half-day rush job – we're talking about a full commitment to getting you on fish. Whether you're chasing that first keeper redfish or adding another snook to your lifetime count, JC Fishin Charters knows exactly where these fish like to hang out. We keep our trips intimate with just two anglers max, so you get the personal attention that makes all the difference between stories about "the one that got away" and photos of dinner.
Your day starts early when the fish are most active and the water's still cool from the night before. We'll be working Florida's productive inshore flats, grass beds, and structure where gamefish love to ambush their next meal. The beauty of an 8-hour trip is we're not watching the clock – if the fish are biting in one spot, we stay put. If they're not cooperating, we move until we find them. You'll experience different techniques throughout the day as conditions change: maybe we start with topwater action at dawn, switch to live bait around structure during midday, and finish with some sight fishing as the sun gets lower. This isn't a cattle boat operation where you're elbow-to-elbow with strangers. With only two spots available, you get plenty of casting room and one-on-one coaching when you need it.
We fish smart, not just hard. Depending on what's running and where we find them, you'll get hands-on experience with multiple approaches that work best in Florida's inshore waters. Light tackle spinning gear is our bread and butter – it gives you the fight you want without overpowering these fish. We'll rig you up with everything from live shrimp under popping corks to artificial lures that mimic the baitfish these predators can't resist. When we're working the grass flats for redfish, we might use gold spoons or soft plastics that won't hang up in the vegetation. For snook around docks and mangroves, live pilchards or well-placed jigs often do the trick. The key is reading the water and matching your presentation to what the fish want that day. Our guides have been working these waters long enough to know when to switch things up, and they'll teach you to recognize those subtle signs that separate good anglers from great ones.
Redfish are the bread and butter of Florida inshore fishing, and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers average 20-27 inches in our waters and fight like they're twice that size. They're most active during the cooler months from October through March, but you can find them year-round if you know where to look. What makes reds so special is how they feed – they'll cruise the flats with their backs almost out of the water, rooting around for crabs and shrimp. When you see that distinctive black spot near their tail fin cutting through shallow water, your heart rate jumps. They're not the smartest fish in the bay, but they make up for it with pure muscle and determination.
Spanish Mackerel bring the speed and acrobatics that keep things exciting when the bottom fish slow down. These silver torpedoes typically run 12-20 inches and show up in big numbers during their spring and fall migrations. They're absolute suckers for small spoons and jigs worked fast through the water column. What's fun about Spanish is they often travel in schools, so when you find one, you usually find a bunch. They're also fantastic eating – firm, white meat that's perfect for the grill. Don't let their size fool you; pound for pound, few fish fight harder or jump higher when hooked.
Snook are the prize every Florida angler wants on their wall, and our waters hold some real trophies. These ambush predators love structure – docks, mangrove edges, bridge pilings – anywhere they can hide and surprise their next meal. They're most active during warmer months and around the full and new moons when tidal flow is strongest. A good snook will run 24-32 inches with that distinctive black lateral line and oversized mouth that can inhale a baitfish in the blink of an eye. They're notorious for their gill-rattling jumps and powerful runs toward whatever structure they can find to break you off. It's this combination of size, fight, and intelligence that makes landing a keeper snook such a satisfying achievement.
Grey Snapper might not win any beauty contests, but they're scrappy fighters and excellent table fare. These bottom dwellers typically run 10-16 inches in our area and can be found around any hard structure or artificial reef. They're year-round residents, though they bite best during warmer months when they're more active. What makes snapper fishing fun is they often bite in numbers – get into a school and you can fill your cooler in a hurry. They're also one of the better eating fish you'll encounter, with firm white meat that's hard to beat fried or grilled.
Black Drum are the heavyweights of our inshore waters, with mature fish regularly pushing 20-40 pounds. These bottom feeders are most active during cooler months and are absolute suckers for fresh shrimp or cut crab fished on the bottom near structure. They don't jump or make long runs, but they use their broad sides and powerful tails to wage a bulldozer-style battle that will test your tackle and your patience. Younger drum (called "puppy drum") in the 14-20 inch range are excellent eating, while the big breeders are best released to keep the population healthy. There's something deeply satisfying about the slow, powerful pull of a big drum that reminds you why heavy tackle exists.
Ready to chase some Florida inshore action? This nimble 18' Sterling Skiff cuts through shallow waters like butter, powered by a dependable 115HP Yamaha that'll get you to the hot spots at 26 knots. Built tough in 2004, she's perfectly sized for an intimate fishing experience with just you and a buddy. The wireless trolling motor keeps things whisper-quiet when you're stalking those spooky redfish in skinny water, while the fish finder helps locate structure where snook love to ambush baitfish. GPS keeps you on course to productive flats and mangrove edges. Pack your lunch in the icebox and get ready for 8 solid hours of casting at Florida's finest inshore species. This shallow-draft skiff gets you into places bigger boats can't reach, putting you right where the fish live.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the bulldozers of the flats - powerful, stubborn fish that'll give you a workout. These grey-black bruisers typically run 5-30 pounds inshore, with their signature chin whiskers and crushing jaws built for eating oysters and crabs. Look for them on shallow muddy flats, oyster beds, and around creek mouths in 2-15 feet of water. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning and you can actually hear them drumming underwater. Guests love the challenge - they're strong fighters that use their weight and power rather than speed. Smaller ones under 15 pounds eat well, but the big ones are better released. The secret is fresh crab bait fished right on the bottom with just enough weight to hold. Don't set the hook too fast - let them pick it up and move off before you tighten down.
Lutjanus GriseusGrey snapper, or mangrove snapper, are crafty bottom dwellers that'll test your patience and skill. These copper-colored fish with the dark eye stripe usually run 10-14 inches inshore, though bigger ones lurk around deeper structure. They love hanging around docks, bridges, and rocky areas in 5-25 feet of water where they can ambush smaller fish and crustaceans. Year-round fishing is good, but they're most active during warmer months and feed heavily at night. What guests appreciate is their excellent table fare - sweet, white meat that's hard to beat. They're also smart fighters that'll wrap your line around any structure they can find. The trick with these guys is to fish dead still with live shrimp hooked through the tail. Any extra movement spooks them. Once you feel that gentle tap, give them a second to take it before setting the hook firmly.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are one of Florida's most sought-after inshore targets, easily spotted by their copper-red backs and distinctive black eyespots near the tail. Most fish you'll catch run 20-28 inches, but we see plenty of slot-sized fish in the 18-27 inch range that make excellent table fare. They love super shallow water - sometimes so shallow their backs stick out - around oyster bars, grass flats, and mangrove shorelines. Spring through fall offers the best action when they're actively feeding in 1-4 feet of water. What makes them special is their powerful fight and that satisfying tail-slapping when hooked. The meat is mild and flaky, perfect for grilling. Here's a local trick: when sight fishing, cast past the fish and work your bait back slowly - they spook easily if you drop it right on their head.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are Florida's signature inshore game fish, known for their aggressive strikes and powerful runs toward structure. These ambush predators typically range 18-30 inches with that distinctive black lateral line and golden coloring. You'll find them around mangroves, docks, and creek mouths in 2-10 feet of water, especially where current meets structure. Summer months during spawning season offer the hottest action, particularly around new and full moons when they're most active. What makes snook special is their explosive topwater strikes and bulldogging fights - they'll head straight for the nearest piling or mangrove root to break you off. The white, flaky meat is outstanding eating too. Here's the key: work your lures slow and deliberate around cover. Snook are ambush feeders, so let that soft plastic or live shrimp sit in the strike zone longer than feels natural.
Scomberomorus MaculatusSpanish mackerel are speed demons that'll test your reflexes with lightning-fast strikes. These silver bullets with yellow spots typically run 1-2 feet and 2-3 pounds, but their aggressive nature makes them feel much bigger. They school up near the surface around jetties, piers, and nearshore structure, usually in 10-30 feet of water. Summer through early fall is prime time when they're thick along Florida's coast, especially on warm, calm days. Guests love them because they hit hard, fight fast, and make excellent table fare - mild, flaky meat that's perfect smoked or grilled. They're also great for kids since the action stays hot when you find a school. Pro tip: keep your lures moving fast and use a wire leader - their razor teeth will slice through mono in a heartbeat. Silver spoons trolled at 4-6 knots rarely fail.
New Port Richey, FL