Family Fishing Charters New Smyrna Beach
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Six-hour family fishing charter accommodates up to four guestsTarget redfish, snook, sheepshead, and trout in calm lagoon watersAll gear, bait, and instruction provided by experienced captain
Looking for the perfect way to get your kids hooked on fishing? This six-hour family charter near New Smyrna Beach is designed specifically for parents and kids who want to share quality time on the water together. We'll take up to four guests into the calm, protected waters of Mosquito Lagoon, where children can learn the ropes without dealing with rough seas or complicated techniques. Your captain comes loaded with all the gear, bait, and patience needed to turn your family outing into a top-rated fishing memory that'll have everyone talking for years.
This charter is all about keeping things relaxed and fun while still putting fish in the boat. We launch from New Smyrna Beach and head into Mosquito Lagoon's shallow flats, where the water stays calm and the fishing stays hot. The lagoon's grass flats and oyster bars create perfect habitat for our target species, and the protected environment means kids won't get seasick or scared by big waves. Your captain knows exactly where to find feeding fish throughout the day, adjusting spots based on tides, weather, and what the fish are doing. Expect plenty of hands-on instruction, help with casting, and maybe a few fish stories thrown in for good measure. The pace stays comfortable, with breaks for snacks, drinks, and photo ops whenever someone lands a keeper.
We keep the fishing simple but effective using light tackle that's perfect for kids and beginners. Most of our fishing involves live bait like shrimp, pinfish, or finger mullet presented on circle hooks under popping corks or fished freelined near structure. Your captain will rig everything and show everyone how to cast, set the hook, and fight fish properly. We might throw some soft plastics on jig heads when the bite calls for it, but the focus stays on techniques that produce fish while being easy to learn. The light rods make fighting even smaller fish feel exciting for kids, and the simple rigs mean less time untangling lines and more time with hooks in the water. Everything's provided – rods, reels, tackle, bait, and ice – so families just show up ready to fish.
Redfish are the bread and butter of Mosquito Lagoon fishing, and they're perfect for family trips. These copper-colored fighters hang around oyster bars, grass flats, and shallow drop-offs year-round, though fall and winter offer the most consistent action. Reds typically run 18-27 inches in the lagoon, providing great fights on light tackle without being too overwhelming for smaller anglers. Kids love watching their tails wave above the water when they're feeding in skinny water, and the excitement of sight-casting to cruising fish never gets old.
Snook are the lagoon's premier gamefish, known for their aggressive strikes and acrobatic jumps. These ambush predators love hanging around docks, mangrove shorelines, and bridge pilings where they can surprise passing baitfish. Summer months bring the best snook fishing, though they bite year-round when water temps cooperate. Most lagoon snook run 20-30 inches, and their gill-rattling jumps and powerful runs make them a customer favorite for families wanting some real excitement.
Sheepshead might be the trickiest fish to hook, but they're also some of the best eating in the lagoon. These black-and-white striped fish hang around oyster bars, docks, and any structure where they can pick at barnacles and crabs. They're notorious bait stealers with their small mouths and light bites, making them perfect for teaching kids to pay attention to subtle strikes. Fall through spring offers peak sheepshead action, and landing a 3-4 pound "convict" always feels like an accomplishment.
Sea Trout, or Speckled Trout as most locals call them, are another year-round species that loves the lagoon's grass flats. These spotted predators are excellent for beginners because they're aggressive feeders that aren't too picky about presentation. Spring and fall bring the biggest specks, with fish pushing 20+ inches fairly common. They're also fantastic table fare, making them perfect for families wanting to take dinner home. Trout typically suspend over grass beds waiting to ambush shrimp and small fish, and their willingness to bite makes them confidence builders for young anglers.
Black Drum round out our target species list, offering some of the strongest fights pound-for-pound in the lagoon. These bottom feeders love crab and shrimp presented near oyster bars and shallow flats. While they don't jump like snook or make blazing runs like reds, drums are bulldogs that test drag systems and tire out arms. Most lagoon drums run 15-25 inches, though occasional bigger fish show up to challenge even experienced anglers. Their willingness to bite and stubborn fighting style make them crowd-pleasers for families wanting variety.
This family-friendly charter combines everything parents want – safe conditions, patient instruction, and plenty of fish – with everything kids love about being on the water. Six hours gives everyone time to learn, practice, and enjoy success without feeling rushed or overwhelmed. The calm waters of Mosquito Lagoon provide the perfect classroom for young anglers, while still offering enough action to keep adults engaged. Your captain's experience with families shows in every detail, from kid-sized life jackets to helping untangle the inevitable backlash. Whether you're introducing children to fishing for the first time or looking to create new family traditions, this charter delivers the kind of day that turns into lifelong memories. Book your spot now and get ready to watch your kids' faces light up when that first fish bends the rod.
Our 22' Pathfinder is the perfect fishing platform for exploring the shallow waters around New Smyrna Beach. Powered by a reliable 200 HP Suzuki outboard, this flats boat gets you into the productive backwaters of Mosquito Lagoon and Indian River where the fish are hiding. The shallow draft design lets us slip into skinny water spots that bigger boats can't reach, while the spacious casting deck gives everyone room to work their lines. Built tough but comfortable, she handles the choppy days and glides through calm mornings with ease. Whether you're targeting redfish in the grass flats or working dock pilings for sheepshead, this boat puts you right where the action is. The layout is family-friendly with plenty of storage for tackle and coolers, plus easy movement around the deck for landing fish and taking photos.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the heavyweights of our inshore waters, typically ranging from 5-30 pounds with some monsters pushing 50+ pounds. These bottom-dwellers love oyster beds and muddy flats around Mosquito Lagoon, especially during spring spawning season from March through May when they school up. What guests love about drum fishing is the steady, powerful fight - they're bulldogs that dig deep and test your patience. The smaller ones under 15 pounds make great table fare with sweet, flaky meat. Here in New Smyrna, fresh crab bait is your best bet. My tip: use just enough weight to hold bottom and watch for that subtle tap-tap bite - they're not aggressive strikers, but once hooked, they'll give you a workout.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the crown jewel of our New Smyrna flats fishing, easily recognized by their copper-bronze color and distinctive black spots near the tail. Most slot fish run 18-27 inches and 2-8 pounds, providing steady runs and great fights on light tackle. They love super shallow water - often with backs showing - around oyster bars, grass flats, and mangrove shorelines in Mosquito Lagoon. Fall and spring offer the best action, but we catch them year-round. Families love redfish because they're predictable fighters and excellent table fare with firm, sweet meat. The trick here is fishing quietly in 1-3 feet of water with live shrimp or soft plastics. Keep your casts ahead of cruising fish and let the bait sink naturally - redfish are curious and will investigate.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout, as we call them locally, are perfect family fish - usually 12-20 inches with beautiful spotted sides and that soft mouth that makes them easy to hook. They love grass flats and shallow water around Mosquito Lagoon, especially during cooler months when they school up. Spring and fall are prime time, but we catch them year-round. Guests appreciate their willingness to bite and gentle fight, making them great for kids and beginners. The meat is tender and flaky - just don't overcook it. My go-to technique is drifting live shrimp under a popping cork over grass beds. The key is keeping your drag light since their mouths tear easily. When you hear that cork pop and disappear, just lift the rod - no hard hook sets needed.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the "convict fish" with their black and white stripes, and they're famous for those human-like teeth they use to crush barnacles and crabs. Most run 1-4 pounds and 14-18 inches, though we occasionally see 8+ pounders around New Smyrna's bridges and docks. They're year-round residents but fish best in cooler months when they're more aggressive. Guests love the challenge - sheepshead are notorious bait thieves with light, finicky bites. The reward is some of the best eating fish in our waters with sweet, white meat. The secret is keeping your bait pinned tight to structure and setting the hook at the slightest tap. Use small hooks with fresh shrimp or fiddler crabs, and don't hesitate to set hard when you feel them.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are one of our most popular targets here in New Smyrna Beach. These sleek fish usually run 1-3 feet long with that distinctive black lateral line running down their golden sides. You'll find them around mangroves, docks, and creek mouths in Mosquito Lagoon, especially during spring and fall when they're most active. What makes snook special is their explosive strike and powerful runs - they'll test your drag for sure. They're also excellent table fare with firm, white meat. The key to landing snook is getting your bait right up against structure where they ambush prey. Don't be afraid to cast within inches of those mangrove roots - that's where the big ones hide.
New Smyrna Beach