5.0(3 Reviews)Guided Fishing Trip In Naples - Six Hours
5.0(3 reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Six-hour inshore charter targeting Snook, Redfish, and TroutSmall group experience accommodating up to three guests maximumProfessional guide service through Naples backwater fishing spots
Looking for a fishing charter that gives you enough time to really get into the groove? This six-hour guided trip out of Naples puts you right in the heart of Southwest Florida's best backwater action. You'll work the flats, mangrove shorelines, and structure where the big fish hang out, with Captain Josh showing you spots that most folks never see. With room for up to three anglers, this is your chance to target some serious gamefish while soaking up the natural beauty of the Ten Thousand Islands and surrounding waters.
Six hours gives us plenty of runway to hit multiple spots and adapt to what the fish are doing. We'll start early to beat the boat traffic and work the best tides, moving between productive areas as conditions change throughout the day. The boat comes equipped with top-shelf tackle, fresh bait, and everything you need to land whatever we hook up with. Captain Josh knows these waters like his backyard - he'll put you on fish while sharing local knowledge about the ecosystem and techniques that work best in these specific areas. The extra time means we can be patient, try different approaches, and really maximize your shots at quality fish.
We'll be fishing light to medium tackle with live bait, artificials, and whatever the fish are demanding that day. Expect to work with everything from topwater plugs at dawn to live shrimp under the mangroves when things get tough. The boat carries custom rods matched to the target species, plus a good selection of lures that have proven themselves in these waters. You'll learn proper presentation techniques for different structures - whether that's working a jig along an oyster bar or free-lining bait to cruising fish on the flats. Fresh bait makes all the difference here, and Captain Josh puts in the work to net quality pilchards, pinfish, and other local favorites that these gamefish can't resist.
"Josh was able to accommodate my last minute decision to fish. Suggested an early start to beat the wind and boats. 100% worked out. First cast landed fish. Great knowledge of key spots was clear. Boat was perfect and gear top notch. Really enjoyed his company and enthusiasm. The giant Snook hook up was a thrill….Brought home dinner - sheepshead. Super trip, great guide and really solid dude. Highly recommended." - Iain
"My girls and I had a blast today fishing with Capt Josh He was very knowledgeable and took very good care of us the whole trip, He had us on a wide variety of fish in different areas in the Islands. Will definitely use him again!" - Shawn
"If you're looking for a great backcountry fishing trip while visiting the Marco Island Area a day on the water with Captain Josh is exactly what you want! He is a young aggressive local born and raised Captain who knows the waters like the back of his hand. Our trip was booked for Monday morning and he called us on Saturday afternoon and asked if we wanted to switch to Sunday afternoon because bad weather was forecast for Monday. We said yes and met him at noon at the Goodland Marina Park. He had tons of fresh caught bait (no purchased shrimp here) and top notch custom rods and reels. The boat was spotless and in great condition! I had my wife with me and she loved Josh! Oh yeah by the way we caught 25 Snook a Mangrove Snapper and a Jack. The most fun and best day ever fishing in SW Florida." - Tim
Snook are the crown jewel of Southwest Florida fishing, and for good reason. These ambush predators love structure - docks, mangrove overhangs, and oyster bars where they can pin baitfish. They're most active during moving water, especially around dawn and dusk. A good snook will give you multiple runs and aerial shows, using their razor-sharp gill plates to try and cut your line. Peak season runs from spring through fall, with the biggest fish often hanging in deeper passes during summer heat. Landing a slot snook is something every angler remembers.
Grey Snapper, or mangrove snapper as locals call them, are scrappy fighters that test your finesse skills. These fish are extremely structure-oriented and spook easily, so proper presentation is key. They'll hit live shrimp, small crabs, or well-placed artificials, but they're notorious for stealing bait. The good news is they're year-round residents, and once you find a productive ledge or dock, you can often catch several. They're excellent table fare and perfect for anglers who enjoy the challenge of outsmarting a smart fish.
Tarpon are the ultimate gamefish experience - pure adrenaline on steroids. When a tarpon eats your bait, you'll know it immediately. These silver kings can reach over 100 pounds and jump repeatedly when hooked, shaking their heads violently to throw the hook. Peak tarpon season in Naples runs from April through August, with the biggest concentrations during the summer months. Even a smaller tarpon in the 30-50 pound range will test your tackle and technique. Most anglers practice catch and release with these magnificent fish.
Redfish cruise the flats and shorelines in small schools, often with their backs or tails visible in shallow water. They're aggressive feeders that will hit both live bait and lures, making them perfect for anglers of all skill levels. Reds fight hard and dirty, using their broad tails to make powerful runs toward structure. The slot-sized fish (18-27 inches) are the most fun to catch and excellent eating. Fall and winter are prime redfish seasons in Naples, when cooler water brings them into the shallows to feed heavily.
Permit are the holy grail for many flats anglers - notoriously difficult to hook but absolutely worth the effort. These disc-
Your fishing adventure begins aboard our reliable 22-foot Skeeter bay boat, built in 2019 and powered by a robust 150HP Yamaha engine. This versatile fishing machine cuts through Naples' inshore waters at speeds up to 35 knots, getting you to the prime snapper and tarpon spots quickly. The spacious design comfortably handles up to 3 anglers, giving everyone plenty of room to cast and fight fish without bumping elbows. Essential fishing features include an onboard fish finder to locate schools and structure, GPS navigation to mark productive spots, and a large icebox to keep your catch fresh and drinks cold during the six-hour charter. Whether you're targeting redfish in the shallow grass flats, working snook around mangrove shorelines, or battling tarpon in deeper channels, this well-equipped bay boat handles Naples' diverse fishing environments with ease.
Lutjanus GriseusGrey Snappers, or Mangroves as locals call them, are smart fish that make every angler work for it. They typically run 12-16 inches inshore, but the bigger ones offshore can hit 4-5 pounds. These copper-colored fish with the dark eye stripe are nocturnal feeders, so dawn and dusk fishing produces best results. They love structure - docks, mangroves, wrecks, and grass flats where they can ambush prey. What guests love is the challenge and the reward - they're incredibly wary but fight well, and the white flaky meat is some of the best eating around. My tip: use live shrimp hooked through the tail, let it sink to bottom, then lift it just off the structure. Patience wins with these fish.
Trachinotus FalcatusPermit are the holy grail of flats fishing - beautiful, spooky, and smart as they come. These disc-shaped silver fish average 10-20 pounds but can reach 30+ pounds, with tall bodies and deeply forked tails. They cruise sandy flats and grass beds in 2-6 feet of water, using those golf ball-sized eyes that rotate nearly 360 degrees to spot danger. April through October is prime time when they're spawning and more active. What makes them special is the challenge - they're harder to fool than tarpon or bonefish, but the fight is powerful and sustained. Plus, they're fantastic table fare. The secret is live blue crabs hooked lightly in the corner, presented perfectly without spooking them. One wrong move and they're gone.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the bulldogs of the flats, easily spotted by that distinctive black eyespot near their tail and copper-bronze coloring. Most fish we catch run 18-27 inches, perfect slot size, though the big bulls offshore can hit 40+ pounds. They love super shallow water - sometimes so shallow their backs show above the surface. Look for them on grass flats, oyster bars, and mangrove shorelines, especially during moving tides. Guests love them because they're aggressive feeders that put up a strong, steady fight, and the meat is excellent eating with a mild, sweet flavor. Best months are fall through spring when they school up. Pro tip: watch for "tailing" fish feeding head-down in the shallows - cast past them and work your bait back slowly.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are one of Naples' most prized catches, running 18-28 inches on average with that distinctive black lateral stripe and golden color. These ambush predators love structure - mangroves, docks, bridges, and creek mouths where they can dart out with lightning speed. They're temperature sensitive, so best fishing happens when water temps stay above 70°F, typically May through October. What makes them special is that explosive strike and acrobatic fight, plus they change from male to female as they mature. The meat is fantastic - white, flaky, and sweet. Here's the key: work your bait slow around cover and be ready for that sudden hit. During spawning season, look for their fins to turn bright yellow around the new moon.
Megalops AtlanticusTarpon are the silver kings that make grown anglers shake with excitement. These prehistoric giants average 80-120 pounds around Naples, but can reach 200+ pounds and over 6 feet long. They cruise shallow flats, channels, and bridges, often rolling on the surface to gulp air. Peak season runs May through July when they migrate through our waters. What makes them legendary is those aerial acrobatics - they'll jump 8 feet out of the water trying to throw your hook. It's purely catch and release since the meat isn't great, but landing one is a lifetime achievement. The key is keeping steady pressure without overplaying them. When they jump, bow to the fish - lower your rod tip to give slack so they can't use their weight against the hook.
5.0 out of 5.0Josh was able to accommodate my last minute decision to fish. Suggested an early start to beat the wind and boats. 100% worked out...
My girls and I had a blast today fishing with Capt Josh He was very knowledgeable and took very good care of us the whole trip, He...
If you’re looking for a great backcountry fishing trip while visiting the Marco Island Area a day on the water with Captain Josh i...
Naples