Inshore Fishing Charters New Smyrna Beach
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Six-hour guided inshore fishing trip for up to four guestsTarget redfish, speckled trout, and sheepshead with provided tackleExplore prime fishing spots aboard well-equipped 22' Pathfinder boat
Looking for some of the best inshore fishing action on Florida's East Coast? You've found it right here in New Smyrna Beach. This six-hour guided charter takes you and one other angler into the legendary Mosquito Lagoon aboard a top-rated 22' Pathfinder. Your captain knows these waters like the back of their hand and will put you on fish whether you're a weekend warrior or someone who's never held a rod before. We're talking about some seriously productive waters where Redfish, Speckled Trout, Snook, Black Drum, and Sheepshead call home year-round.
The moment you step aboard that Pathfinder, you'll know you're in good hands. These boats are built for the shallows and skinny water that make Mosquito Lagoon so special. Your captain comes loaded with all the light tackle gear you'll need – no need to worry about bringing your own setup unless you want to. The lagoon's calm, protected waters make this a comfortable ride for everyone, and with just two anglers max, you're getting personalized attention that bigger charter operations simply can't match. We'll work the grass flats, oyster bars, and creek mouths where these fish love to hang out. The beauty of inshore fishing here is that every cast has potential, and your guide will position you in the prime spots where the action happens.
This is light tackle fishing at its finest – we're talking spinning reels spooled with 10-15 pound test, paired with 7-foot medium-action rods that give you the sensitivity to feel every nibble. Your captain will rig you up with everything from live shrimp under popping corks to soft plastic baits like DOA shrimp and Gulp! artificials that drive these inshore species crazy. Depending on what's biting, you might be sight-casting to tailing Redfish in knee-deep water or working the deeper channel edges for Speckled Trout. The technique changes with the tide, season, and what Mother Nature throws at us, but that's what makes each trip unique. Your guide reads the water conditions, adjusts the game plan, and keeps you in the fish all day long.
Let's talk about what's swimming in these waters and why anglers keep coming back for more. Each species brings its own personality and challenge to the table, making every hookup feel different from the last. The diversity in Mosquito Lagoon is what separates it from other inshore destinations – you never know what's going to grab your bait next.
Redfish are the crown jewel of this fishery, and for good reason. These copper-colored bulldogs average 18-27 inches in the lagoon and fight like they're twice that size. Spring through fall, you'll find them cruising the shallow flats, often with their backs out of water as they root around for crabs and shrimp. The sight-fishing opportunities are world-class – watching a 25-inch Red slowly approach your bait in two feet of crystal-clear water never gets old. They hit hard, make long runs, and test your drag system like few other fish can.
Speckled Trout, or "Specks" as the locals call them, are the bread and butter of this fishery. These beautiful fish with their spotted silver sides average 14-18 inches, with plenty of keeper-sized fish in the 15-20 inch range. They're most active during the cooler months from October through March, but you can find them year-round if you know where to look. Specks love structure – oyster bars, grass edges, and drop-offs where baitfish congregate. They're aggressive feeders and excellent table fare, making them a customer favorite trip after trip.
Snook are the ultimate gamefish challenge in these waters. These ambush predators lurk around docks, mangrove shorelines, and creek mouths, waiting to explode on unsuspecting baitfish. Summer months bring the best Snook action as they move into the shallows to feed and spawn. A solid Snook in the 24-28 inch range will test every knot and connection you've got, often jumping clear out of the water and making blistering runs toward whatever structure they can find. The thrill of hooking into a slot-sized Snook in skinny water is something every angler needs to experience.
Black Drum don't get the glamour recognition of Reds or Snook, but these bottom-dwelling powerhouses are pure fun on light tackle. The lagoon holds plenty of 16-24 inch Drum that absolutely crush crabs and shrimp baits. They're year-round residents that fight with surprising strength, making deep, stubborn runs that'll have your arms burning. Drum fishing teaches patience and finesse – these fish can be finicky, but when they decide to eat, they commit completely.
Sheepshead round out the slam opportunities with their distinctive black and white stripes and human-like teeth. These notorious bait thieves are most active during the cooler months around structure like docks, bridges, and oyster bars. Don't let their size fool you – a 12-14 inch Sheepshead on light tackle is a blast, and they're some of the best eating fish in these waters. The key is keeping a tight line and setting the hook at the first sign of a bite, because they're masters at stealing bait without getting hooked.
This isn't just another fishing trip – it's your chance to experience some of Florida's most renowned inshore fishing with a guide who lives and breathes these waters. The combination of Mosquito Lagoon's fish population, the personal attention of a two-angler maximum, and six full hours
Fish the shallow backwaters of Mosquito Lagoon and Indian River aboard our well-equipped 22' Pathfinder, powered by a reliable 200 HP Suzuki outboard. This versatile flats boat gets you into those productive shallow spots where redfish, speckled trout, and sheepshead like to feed. Built for smooth rides and easy casting, the Pathfinder comfortably handles up to four anglers while maintaining the quiet approach needed for successful sight fishing. The shallow draft design lets us access hidden coves and grass flats that bigger boats simply can't reach. Whether you're working the mangrove shorelines or drifting the open flats, this boat provides the stable platform and mobility you need for a productive day on the water around New Smyrna Beach.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the heavyweights of our inshore waters, and they put up one heck of a scrap. Most of what we catch run 5-15 pounds, but don't be surprised if we hook into a 30-pounder that'll test your drag. These grey-black fish with their crushing jaws love to cruise oyster beds, muddy flats, and around any structure where they can crunch on crabs and shellfish. Spring is your best bet when they school up for spawning - that's when we really get into them good. What guests love about drum fishing is the steady, powerful fight and that distinctive drumming sound they make underwater. The smaller ones under 15 pounds make great table fare with sweet, flaky meat. My go-to tip: use fresh crab bait and keep it right on the bottom. Drum are picky eaters, so patience pays off, but when they take that bait, you'll know it immediately.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are what put New Smyrna Beach on the fishing map, and they're the stars of our Mosquito Lagoon trips. These copper-colored beauties with their signature black spots typically run 18-27 inches in our shallow waters, though we occasionally hook into bigger "bull" reds. They love cruising the oyster bars, grass flats, and mangrove shorelines in water so shallow their backs sometimes show. Year-round fishing is solid, but fall and spring are exceptional when they school up and get aggressive. What makes reds so special is their powerful runs and stubborn fight - they'll peel drag and never give up easy. Plus, they're fantastic eating with sweet, firm white meat. The real thrill is sight fishing - watching a red's back fin cutting through inches of water before making your cast. Pro tip: when you spot a cruising red, lead them by about three feet with your cast. They spook easily if the bait lands too close.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are the bread and butter of our Mosquito Lagoon trips, and for good reason. These spotted beauties typically run 12-20 inches and love the grass flats and shallow waters we fish daily. They're most active during spring and fall, especially on overcast days or around dawn and dusk. What guests really enjoy about trout fishing is how willing they are to bite and their acrobatic jumps when hooked. The meat is white, tender, and mild - perfect for the dinner table, though you don't want to overcook it or it gets mushy. Trout are pretty forgiving for beginners but still fun for experienced anglers. They'll hit topwater plugs, soft plastics, and live shrimp equally well. Here's a local tip: when the water's calm, look for subtle surface disturbances or "nervous water" over the grass flats. That's usually trout feeding, and a soft plastic jerkbait worked slowly through there will usually get bit.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead might just be the trickiest fish we target, but they're worth every frustrating minute. These silver and black striped "convict fish" typically run 2-5 pounds and have human-like teeth perfect for crushing barnacles off dock pilings. You'll find them tight to any structure - bridges, docks, oyster bars - basically anywhere there's something to scrape a meal from. Winter through early spring is prime time when they gather in big numbers. What makes sheepshead fishing so addictive is the challenge - they're notorious bait thieves with lightning-fast nibbles. But land one and you've got some of the sweetest, whitest meat in these waters. The key is staying alert and setting the hook hard at the first sign of weight. Use small hooks with fresh shrimp or fiddler crabs, and get that bait as close to the pilings as you dare. Most people set the hook too late with these guys.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are one of the most exciting fish you'll find in our waters here. These sleek, golden-colored fish typically run 18-30 inches and pack serious power with that distinctive black lateral line running down their sides. They love hanging around mangroves, docks, and any structure in the shallows of Mosquito Lagoon. Spring through fall is prime time, especially around the new and full moons when they get really active. What makes snook special is their explosive strike and bulldogging fight - they'll make long runs and try to wrap you around every piling they can find. The meat is white, flaky, and some of the best eating you'll get from these waters. Here's the trick: get your bait right up against the structure. Snook won't chase far from cover, so that perfect cast inches from the mangroves usually makes all the difference.
New Smyrna Beach