Family Fishing Charters New Smyrna Beach
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Sixhour family fishing charter accommodates up to four guestsTargets redfish, snook, sheepshead, and speckled trout inshoreAll tackle, bait, and instruction provided by experienced captain
Looking for a way to get the whole family hooked on fishing? This six-hour family-friendly charter out of New Smyrna Beach is designed with parents and kids in mind. We're talking about calm waters, patient instruction, and some seriously good fishing in the productive backwaters around Mosquito Lagoon. Your captain knows these waters like the back of their hand and comes equipped with all the gear, bait, and teaching skills needed to make this a day your family will be talking about for years. Perfect for up to four guests, this trip focuses on species that are fun to catch and cooperative enough to keep the little ones engaged.
This charter takes place in the sheltered waters around New Smyrna Beach and Mosquito Lagoon, where conditions stay comfortable even when it's blowing outside. The shallow flats and grass beds here are home to some of Florida's best inshore species, and the protected nature of these waters makes them ideal for families with children. Your captain will position the boat in spots where the fish are biting and the conditions are calm. The focus is on light tackle fishing methods that are easy for kids to handle - we're talking about techniques that put fish in the boat without wearing out small arms. Expect to move around to different spots throughout the day as your guide reads the water and follows the fish. The boat stays in areas where everyone can fish comfortably, and there's always a helping hand available for tangled lines or hook-setting assistance.
The beauty of inshore fishing around New Smyrna Beach is that you don't need heavy gear to have a blast. Your captain provides spinning rods matched with reels that kids can handle easily, spooled with line light enough to feel every bump and bite. Live bait is the name of the game here - think live shrimp, finger mullet, and mud minnows that get the attention of hungry redfish, snook, and trout. Artificial lures also come into play, especially soft plastics bounced along the bottom or suspending jigs worked around structure. The techniques are straightforward but effective: drift fishing over grass flats, anchoring up on productive holes, and making strategic casts to visible fish cruising the shallows. Your guide handles the boat positioning and bait selection, leaving families free to focus on the fun part - fighting fish and creating memories.
Redfish are the bread and butter of New Smyrna Beach inshore fishing, and for good reason. These copper-colored fighters are found year-round in the area's grass flats and shallow waters, typically running anywhere from 18 to 30 inches. They're aggressive feeders that hit live bait hard and put up a solid fight that's exciting for kids without being overwhelming. Fall and winter months are prime time for slot-sized reds, and they're often found in schools that can provide non-stop action once you locate them.
Snook are the glamour species of Florida inshore fishing, and the waters around New Smyrna Beach hold some beautiful fish. These ambush predators love structure - docks, mangrove shorelines, and creek mouths where they wait to pounce on unsuspecting baitfish. Snook are most active during warmer months, and they're known for their explosive strikes and acrobatic fights. Landing one is always a celebration, especially for young anglers who get to experience that distinctive snook jump.
Sheepshead might not be the prettiest fish in the lagoon, but they're absolute masters at testing an angler's patience and skill. These black-and-white striped fish are notorious bait thieves with human-like teeth that can strip a hook clean in seconds. They hang around structure like docks and bridge pilings, especially during cooler months. When you do hook one, they fight with surprising strength and make excellent table fare - a bonus that parents appreciate.
Speckled Trout are scattered throughout the grass flats and shallow areas around New Smyrna Beach, providing consistent action for light tackle anglers. These spotted beauties are most active during cooler months and are perfect for teaching kids about different retrieve techniques. They'll hit both live bait and artificials, and their delicate mouths require a gentle touch - a great lesson in finesse fishing.
Black Drum are the bulldogs of the inshore world, using their powerful shoulders to test light tackle to its limits. These bottom dwellers are found around oyster bars and structure, particularly during winter months when they move into shallow water. They're not the most glamorous fighters, but their steady, powerful runs can humble even experienced anglers. The smaller "puppy" drum are perfect for kids, while the occasional oversized fish provides a real challenge.
New Smyrna Beach offers some of the most family-friendly fishing conditions you'll find anywhere along Florida's coast. This charter combines productive fishing with patient instruction in an environment where kids can learn and parents can relax. The six-hour timeframe gives everyone plenty of opportunities to catch fish without overstaying anyone's attention span. Your captain's local knowledge and teaching ability make this more than just a fishing trip - it's an educational experience that might just create the next generation of dedicated anglers. The calm waters, diverse species, and hands-on approach make this a top choice for families looking to experience Florida's world-class inshore fishing scene. Don't wait - these family-friendly dates fill up fast, especially during peak season when the fishing is red-hot.
Our 22' Pathfinder is your ticket to the prime fishing spots around New Smyrna Beach. Powered by a reliable 200 HP Suzuki, this flats boat cuts through the shallow waters of Mosquito Lagoon and Indian River like butter. Built specifically for inshore fishing, she's got plenty of casting room and can slip into those skinny water hideouts where the big reds and snook love to hang out. The stable platform makes it easy for kids to handle their rods, while the shallow draft gets you right up on the grass flats where the trout are biting. With comfortable seating for your family and all the fishing gear provided, you'll spend your time focused on what matters – putting fish in the cooler and making memories on the water.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the bulldogs of Mosquito Lagoon - powerful fish that'll give your kids a real workout on light tackle. Most run 5-15 pounds, though we occasionally hook monsters over 30. These gray-black fish with crushing jaws love shallow oyster bars and muddy flats where they root around for crabs and clams. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning, making them easier to target. You'll hear them "drumming" underwater - a unique sound that gets everyone excited. They're scrappy fighters that stay deep and pull hard. The smaller ones make great eating with firm, white meat. My tip: use fresh shrimp or crab on a circle hook and let it sit on bottom near oyster beds. When you feel that steady pull, don't set the hook - just start reeling and let the circle hook do its job.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the crown jewel of our inshore fishing - bronze-colored beauties with distinctive black spots near their tails. Around New Smyrna Beach, most run 18-27 inches (slot size), though we see plenty of oversized "bulls" over 27 inches that we release. They thrive in shallow water from 1-4 feet, often so shallow their backs show above water. Look for them around oyster bars, grass flats, and mangrove shorelines. Fall and spring offer the best action when they school up and feed aggressively. Families love redfish because they fight hard, pull drag, and often provide that heart-stopping topwater explosion. The meat is excellent - mild and flaky. Here's my go-to method: cast a live shrimp or gold spoon just ahead of cruising fish in shallow water. Keep it moving slowly and be ready - when a red hits, it's going to run hard and test your equipment.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are perfect for family fishing - they're willing biters that make light tackle sing. Most range 12-18 inches and 1-2 pounds, with occasional "gator" trout over 20 inches. They love grass flats in 2-6 feet of water, especially around Mosquito Lagoon's abundant seagrass beds. Cool mornings and evenings are prime time, particularly in fall and spring when they're most active. What families love about trout is their eagerness to bite and their delicate, sweet meat - some of the best eating fish we have. They're also great for teaching kids different techniques since they'll hit live shrimp, soft plastics, and topwater lures. Local tip: work your bait slowly over grass flats during moving water. When you feel that soft "tick" instead of a hard strike, that's usually a trout mouthing your bait - set the hook gently but firmly.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the "convict fish" of our waters with those distinctive black stripes, and they're perfect for teaching kids patience and technique. Most run 1-3 pounds and 12-16 inches, though we catch some beauties pushing 5 pounds around dock pilings and bridge structures. They're year-round residents but fish best in cooler months when they're more aggressive. What makes them special are those human-like teeth - kids love seeing them up close. They're notorious bait thieves, so you'll get plenty of action even when not hooking up. The meat is outstanding - sweet, white, and flaky. Here's the secret: use a small hook with fresh shrimp and get it right against the structure. When you feel that telltale nibble-nibble-nibble, wait for solid weight, then set the hook hard. Their bony mouths require a firm hookset.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are one of the most sought-after inshore fish around New Smyrna Beach, and for good reason. These sleek, golden fish with that distinctive black lateral line typically run 18-30 inches, though bigger ones lurk in our waters. They love hanging around mangroves, docks, and creek mouths where they ambush prey with lightning-fast strikes. Spring through fall gives you the best shots, especially around moving water during tide changes. What makes snook special is their explosive fight - they'll jump, run, and test your drag like few other fish. The meat is fantastic too, white and flaky when cooked right. Here's a local tip: cast your bait or lure right up against structure. Snook won't chase far from cover, so get it within a foot of those mangroves or pilings for the best results.
New Smyrna Beach