4 Hour Inshore Fishing - Islamorada, FL
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fourhour inshore fishing adventure in pristine Islamorada watersTarget mangrove snapper, grouper, barracuda and jack crevalleIntimate twoguest capacity ensures personalized fishing experience
Looking for a solid half-day on the water that'll put some quality fish in the boat? This 4-hour inshore trip with J&F eXcursions hits all the right spots around Islamorada. We're talking about fishing the kind of water that made the Florida Keys famous – grass flats where snapper cruise the edges, bridge pilings that hold big barracuda, and channels where anything can swim by. With just 2 anglers max, you'll get the personal attention that makes the difference between a good day and a great one. Captain knows these waters like his backyard and isn't shy about sharing the spots that consistently produce fish.
This isn't your typical party boat scene. With only 2 guests, you'll have plenty of elbow room and direct access to the captain's local knowledge. We'll start the morning by running to productive grass flats where the water's clear enough to sight-fish cruising snapper. The beauty of Islamorada's inshore fishing is the variety – one minute you're working a bridge for barracuda, the next you're drifting a channel edge hoping for that monster grouper. The flats here are legendary, and for good reason. Turtle grass beds stretch for miles, creating perfect habitat for baitfish, which means predators are never far behind. Don't worry about bringing tackle – everything's provided, from light spinning gear for finicky snapper to heavier rods when we're targeting bigger fish around structure.
The captain runs a mix of techniques depending on what the fish are telling us. On the grass flats, we'll anchor up and fish with live shrimp or small crabs, letting the bait work naturally in the current. When we hit the bridges, it's all about vertical jigging and working bucktails around the pilings where barracuda and jacks love to ambush prey. Channel edges call for drift fishing with cut bait, especially when we're after those bigger grouper that cruise the drop-offs. The key spots include the famous Long Key Bridge, the productive flats around Lignumvitae Key, and the deeper channels that connect the bay to the Atlantic. Water depth varies from 3 feet on the flats to 15-20 feet in the channels, giving us options no matter what the conditions throw at us. Live bait wells keep our shrimp and pilchards lively, which makes all the difference when snapper are being picky.
Great Barracuda are the showstoppers here, and Islamorada's bridges and channel edges are barracuda magnets. These silver bullets can stretch 3-4 feet and fight like they're twice that size. They're most active early morning and late afternoon, cruising just under the surface looking for easy meals. What makes them special is that explosive first run – when a big barracuda takes off, it'll strip line faster than almost any inshore fish. Plus, they're not shy about hitting topwater plugs, which makes for some visual action you won't forget.
Crevalle Jack might not win beauty contests, but they'll test your tackle and your arms. These bruisers roam the flats in schools, and when you find them, the action can be non-stop. They average 5-10 pounds but can push 20 or more. Spring and fall see the biggest concentrations, though you can find them year-round. Jacks fight dirty – they'll bull-dog straight down and use every trick to break you off. Many anglers consider them pound-for-pound the strongest fish in the shallows.
Mutton Snapper are the prize fish on these flats, known for their wariness and excellent table fare. They typically run 2-5 pounds, with occasional fish pushing double digits. Summer months are prime time when they're most active on the grass beds. What makes mutton snapper special is their intelligence – they'll inspect your bait, test your drag, and require perfect presentations. When you do hook one, that initial run is pure excitement, and they taste as good as they fight.
Grey Snapper, also called mangrove snapper, are year-round residents that provide consistent action. They're smaller than muttons but make up for size with attitude. These guys are structure-oriented, so we'll find them around bridge pilings, docks, and channel edges. They're perfect for anglers who want steady action, and a cooler full of keeper-sized grey snapper means some excellent eating back at the dock.
Goliath Grouper represent the ultimate inshore challenge. These giants can weigh hundreds of pounds and are strictly catch-and-release due to conservation efforts. Finding one is special – they're curious fish that will often approach the boat, giving everyone a chance to see these prehistoric-looking creatures up close. Hooking a goliath is like being connected to a Volkswagen that doesn't want to come up. The fight might only last a few minutes, but it's a few minutes you'll talk about for years.
Four hours gives you enough time to hit multiple spots without feeling rushed, and the 2-person limit means you're getting a premium experience at a fair price. The captain's local knowledge combined with Islamorada's world-class fishery makes this trip a smart choice for anyone serious about putting quality fish in the boat. Whether you're after that wall-hanger barracuda photo or just want to bend some rods in beautiful water, this trip delivers. The flats around Islamorada have been producing fish for decades, and they're not slowing down anytime soon. Don't wait – the best dates fill up fast, especially during peak season.
This reliable 24-foot fishing boat is your ticket to productive waters around Islamorada's legendary flats and channels. Built for serious anglers, she comfortably handles up to four guests while you target mangrove snapper hiding under bridges, grouper along the drop-offs, and aggressive barracuda cruising the grass flats. The wireless trolling motor keeps things quiet when you're stalking spooky fish in shallow water, while the fish finder helps locate structure and bait schools. An onboard icebox keeps your catch fresh and drinks cold during those hot Florida afternoons. GPS navigation ensures you'll hit all the productive spots, and the multimedia system adds entertainment between fishing holes. With a toilet onboard, you can focus on fishing instead of heading back to shore. Perfect for exploring Islamorada's renowned inshore waters where jack crevalle and other gamefish patrol the shallows.
Caranx HipposJack crevalle are the bulldogs of our flats - pure muscle and attitude packed into 12-24 inches of fighting fury. Most run 3-5 pounds, but the big girls can hit 20+ pounds and will absolutely smoke your drag. You'll find them cruising grass flats, around bridge pilings, and in sandy bays where they gang up to hunt baitfish. They're here year-round, but spring and summer offer the hottest action when they're feeding aggressively. What guests love is the non-stop fight - these fish just don't quit. They'll make multiple runs and test every knot you've tied. The meat's not great, so it's all about the sport. Look for diving birds to locate schools pushing bait to the surface. My go-to trick: cast past the school and retrieve your lure fast through the edge - they can't resist chasing down a fleeing baitfish.
Epinephelus ItajaraGoliath grouper are living legends - the giants of our reefs that can reach 6-8 feet and several hundred pounds. These prehistoric-looking fish hang around bridges, wrecks, and coral heads in 20-100 feet of water, often becoming permanent residents of specific structures. Summer months bring the best opportunities when they're most active and feeding. Remember, these are protected fish - strictly catch, photo, and release. What makes them special is the sheer power and the once-in-a-lifetime experience of hooking something this massive. That first pull will test your equipment and your grip on the rod. They're curious and will often approach divers, showing no fear. The key to landing one safely is heavy tackle - 80-pound class gear minimum - and staying close enough to structure to draw them out but far enough to keep them from breaking you off in the rocks.
Sphyraena BarracudaThese silver bullets are some of the most exciting fish you'll hook in our waters. Great barracuda typically run 2-4 feet long around here, though we see some monsters pushing 5-6 feet. They cruise the grass flats, channels, and reef edges in 5-30 feet of water, using their speed to ambush prey. Spring through fall gives us the best action when they're actively feeding. What makes them special is that explosive first run - they'll hit 35 mph and test your drag system instantly. The fight is intense but short-lived, and they're known to jump and thrash at the boat. They're curious fish that hunt by sight, so they'll often follow lures before striking. Pro tip: use a wire leader and keep your bait moving fast - barracuda love the chase and won't hesitate to hit a rapidly retrieved lure.
Lutjanus GriseusMangrove snapper are bread-and-butter fish that keep trips productive and dinner plates full. These copper-colored snappers typically run 10-14 inches inshore, though we occasionally see 3-4 pounders around deeper structure. They love mangrove shorelines, dock pilings, channel edges, and grass flats in 5-40 feet of water. Available year-round, but they're most active during warmer months when they feed heavily at dawn and dusk. What guests appreciate is their reliable bite and excellent table fare - sweet, flaky white meat that's hard to beat. They're opportunistic feeders but can be finicky, requiring a subtle approach. These nocturnal hunters are more active in low light conditions. Here's the trick: use live shrimp hooked through the tail, let it sink to the bottom, then lift it just off the structure. When you feel the bite, don't jerk - let them take it and set the hook smoothly.
Lutjanus AnalisMutton snapper are the crown jewel of our reef fishing - beautiful pink fish that typically run 15-20 inches and 3-8 pounds around our local spots. You'll find them on coral heads, around channel edges, and near structure in 20-80 feet of water. They love areas where current brings food, especially around the bridges and reef patches. Spring and summer are prime time when they move shallow to feed and spawn. What makes them special is they're excellent eating with sweet, white meat, plus they put up a solid scrap on light tackle. Adults tend to be loners or in small groups, so when you find one, work the area thoroughly. They're spooky and require finesse - my secret is using the lightest weight possible and letting fresh bait drift naturally in the current. Once hooked, they'll try to run straight to the bottom or back into structure.
Islamorada, FL