3 Hour Inshore Only - Port Orange & New Smyrna
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Target redfish, snook, and black drum in Halifax River backcountry waters.Three-hour inshore trip accommodates up to four passengers with equipment included.Professional guide provides tackle, licenses, fish cleaning, and boat transportation.
Get ready to fish some of Florida's most productive backcountry waters with Jettie Rocks Fishing Charters. This 3-hour inshore trip puts you right in the heart of the Halifax and Indian River systems, where shallow water fishing meets year-round action. We're talking about waters that hold serious fish - Redfish cruising the grass flats, Black Drum tailing in skinny water, Snook hiding under docks, and Sheepshead picking around structure. Whether you're new to saltwater fishing or you've been working these flats for years, this trip delivers the kind of light-tackle action that keeps anglers coming back. You'll fish from our 2023 23' C-Hawk with everything included - rods, reels, bait, tackle, and your Florida license. We handle the fish cleaning too, so you can focus on what matters: putting fish in the boat.
This isn't your typical offshore grind - we're working the backcountry where fishing is intimate and tactical. The Halifax and Indian River systems around Port Orange and New Smyrna Beach offer some of the most diverse inshore fishing on Florida's east coast. You'll be poling through grass flats, casting to mangrove shorelines, and working oyster bars where fish love to feed. The beauty of a 3-hour trip is we can hit multiple spots without burning half the day getting there. Morning trips at 7am catch the tail end of the dawn bite when fish are still actively feeding, while 1pm departures let you sleep in and still catch the afternoon action. We keep groups small at 4 anglers max, so everyone gets plenty of rod time and personalized instruction. The 23' C-Hawk is perfect for these waters - shallow draft for getting into skinny spots but stable enough to fish comfortably. Both departures leave from 81 Dunlawton Ave, and remember to pack your own snacks and drinks since we're focused on fishing, not catering.
Inshore fishing is all about finesse and reading the water. We're using light spinning tackle that lets you feel every bump and tap - crucial when you're dealing with subtle bites from drum or sheepshead. The gear we provide includes medium-light spinning rods paired with quality reels spooled with braided line for sensitivity and casting distance. Bait selection changes with conditions and target species, but expect to fish everything from live shrimp and finger mullet to cut bait and artificial lures. The technique varies depending on what we're targeting - sight fishing for reds in shallow water requires different presentations than bouncing bait for black drum in deeper holes. Structure fishing around docks and bridges calls for precise casts and quick hook sets to keep fish from wrapping you up. The Indian River system has incredible grass flats that hold baitfish, which means predators are never far away. We'll teach you to read the water - looking for wakes, nervous baitfish, and subtle signs that fish are in the area. The shallow draft of our boat means we can get you into places larger vessels can't reach, giving you access to less pressured fish.
Redfish are the kings of these flats and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers cruise the shallows year-round, often in schools that'll get your heart pumping. Slot-size reds (18-27 inches) are common, and they fight like they're twice their size once hooked. Best times are early morning and late afternoon when they're actively feeding on the flats. What makes reds special is their willingness to eat - they'll take live bait, cut bait, and artificials with equal enthusiasm. Watch for their backs and tails breaking the surface in skinny water, or look for the telltale mud trails they kick up while feeding.
Black Drum might not win beauty contests, but they're absolute powerhouses that test your drag and patience. These fish can range from smaller "puppy" drum around 2-3 pounds up to heavyweight bulls pushing 20+ pounds. They're bottom feeders that love to pick around oyster bars and structure, making them perfect targets for patient anglers. Spring and fall see the best drum fishing, though they're catchable year-round. What anglers love about drum is their dogged fight - they don't jump or make long runs, but they'll pull steady and hard, testing every knot and connection.
Snook are the glamour fish of inshore waters, and the Indian River system holds some beautiful ones. These ambush predators love structure - docks, bridges, mangrove overhangs - anywhere they can hide and attack unsuspecting baitfish. Slot snook (28-33 inches) are common, and they're notorious for their explosive strikes and aerial displays. Warmer months see the best action, though these fish can be caught year-round in Florida. Snook are what keep guides and anglers coming back - their aggressive nature and spectacular jumps make every hookup memorable. They're also notoriously good at throwing hooks, so keeping tension and playing them right is crucial.
Sheepshead are the thieves of the inshore world, famous for stealing bait with surgical precision. These black-and-white striped convicts hang around any structure they can find - docks, bridges, rocks - picking off crabs and barnacles with their human-like teeth. They're year-round residents but really turn on during cooler months. What makes sheepshead fishing addictive is the challenge - they require perfect bait presentation and lightning-fast hook sets. Miss the bite window by a split second, and they'll clean your hook without you feeling a thing. When you do connect, they're surprisingly strong fighters that use their broad sides to their advantage in the current.
This 3-hour inshore trip with Jettie Rocks
Hit the productive backcountry waters around Port Orange and New Smyrna Beach aboard our rock-solid 2023 23' C-Hawk. This beauty runs smooth with a reliable 150hp Suzuki and handles the Halifax River flats like a dream. Built for serious fishing, she's got the stability you need when you're working the shallows for redfish or targeting black drum in deeper pockets. The spacious deck gives all 4 anglers room to cast without tangling lines, while top-notch electronics help us stay on the fish. Whether you're a weekend warrior or seasoned angler, this boat delivers the goods. We've got you covered with quality rods, fresh bait, and all the tackle needed to put meat in the cooler. The ride's comfortable enough for a full morning or afternoon of serious fishing action.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the heavyweights of our inshore waters, commonly running 5-15 pounds with some pushing 30-plus. These dark, powerful fish love our oyster bars and muddy flats in the Halifax and Indian Rivers. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning - you'll hear them "drumming" underwater, which is pretty wild. They're bottom feeders with crusher jaws built for crabs and shellfish. What guests love about drum fishing is the steady, strong pull - no flashy jumps, just pure muscle. Smaller ones make great table fare, while the big girls are better released. The key here is fresh crab bait fished right on the bottom near structure. Don't set the hook on the first tap - drum like to mouth the bait and move off before committing. Wait for that steady pull, then drive the hook home.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the bread and butter of our inshore fishing, running 20-32 inches on average with those classic copper sides and black spots near the tail. They cruise our shallow flats and oyster bars in 1-4 feet of water, sometimes so shallow their backs show. These fish are active year-round but really turn on during the cooler months when they school up. What guests love is the visual fishing - seeing that red back cruising the shallows before making your cast. They fight hard with long runs and are great eating too. The cool thing about reds is they'll eat almost anything when feeding - live shrimp, cut bait, or artificials all work. My go-to tip: when you spot a tailing red, cast well ahead and let your bait settle. These fish spook easily in skinny water, so patience and quiet approaches pay off big time.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the convict fish of our waters - those black and white stripes make them unmistakable. They're usually 1-3 pounds around here, though 5-pounders show up regularly near the bridges and docks. These guys live around any hard structure where barnacles and crabs hang out. Winter and spring are best when they're more aggressive, especially around the spawning months of February through April. What makes sheepshead fun is they're notorious bait thieves with human-like teeth that can crush a fiddler crab in seconds. They're also some of the best eating fish in these waters - sweet, white meat that's hard to beat. The trick with sheepshead is keeping your bait pinned tight to structure and setting the hook at the first sign of weight. Use small hooks and fresh shrimp or crab, and don't give them time to strip your bait clean.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are one of Florida's premier inshore game fish, and the Halifax and Indian Rivers hold good numbers year-round. These sleek, golden fish with that distinctive black lateral line typically run 18-28 inches in our waters, though bigger ones lurk around the deeper bends. You'll find them hugging mangrove shorelines, docks, and bridge pilings where they ambush baitfish. Spring through fall offers the best action when water temps stay above 70 degrees - they're sensitive to cold snaps. What makes snook special is their explosive strike and bulldogging fight in shallow water. They're also excellent table fare with firm, white meat. Here's a local trick: work your lure or bait right along the edge of structure, not away from it. Snook rarely chase far from cover, so get that presentation tight to the mangroves or pilings where they're waiting.
Port Orange, FL