Space Coast Fishing | 3hr Inshore Adventure
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Threehour inshore fishing trip departing at 7am dailyTarget snook, tarpon, redfish, and eight other speciesMaximum three guests with experienced local guides
Here along Florida's Space Coast, we've got some of the best inshore fishing waters you'll find anywhere. This 3-hour morning trip with Kenzi Boats kicks off at 7 AM when the fish are most active and the water's still calm. You'll be targeting some serious game fish – Snook, Tarpon, Redfish, Black Drum, and even Bull Sharks if we're lucky. With space for just 3 anglers, this isn't some crowded charter where you're fighting for rod space. It's intimate, focused fishing where every cast counts.
The Space Coast's inshore waters are legendary among Florida anglers, and for good reason. We're talking about pristine flats, mangrove shorelines, and deeper channels that hold fish year-round. Your captain knows these waters like the back of their hand – every oyster bar, grass flat, and structure that holds fish. The 7 AM departure time isn't random either. That's when the water temperature is perfect, baitfish are moving, and predators are actively feeding before the sun gets too high. You'll spend your morning working different zones depending on tides, weather, and what's biting. Some days we're sight-casting to cruising Redfish on the flats, other days we're working structure for Snook or drifting live bait for Tarpon.
We fish light to medium tackle here – typically 15-20 pound spinning gear that gives you the perfect balance of power and finesse. Live bait is king on the Space Coast, so expect to fish with live shrimp, pinfish, or pilchards depending on what we're targeting. For Snook around structure, we'll use heavier jigs or live bait on circle hooks. Redfish love cut bait and soft plastics worked slow across the grass flats. When Tarpon are around, we step up to 30-pound gear with live crabs or large pinfish. The captain provides all tackle, bait, and terminal gear, but feel free to bring your lucky rod if you've got one. Polarized sunglasses are a must – you'll be sight-fishing a lot, and being able to see fish in the water makes all the difference.
The Space Coast's inshore waters serve up an incredible variety of gamefish, each with their own personality and fight. Snook are the crown jewel here – ambush predators that hang around docks, mangroves, and bridges waiting to crush your bait. These fish are pure muscle, with that distinctive black lateral line and jutting lower jaw. They're most active during warmer months but can be caught year-round. Spring and fall are prime time when they're feeding aggressively before and after spawning season. What makes Snook so special is their explosive strike and powerful runs toward structure.
Redfish are another Space Coast favorite and probably the most reliable fish we target. These copper-colored bruisers cruise the shallow flats in small schools, their distinctive black spots making them easy to identify. They feed year-round but peak activity happens in fall when they school up for their spawning runs. Reds are perfect for anglers of all skill levels – they fight hard but aren't as finicky as Snook about presentation. Plus, nothing beats the visual excitement of watching a Red crush your bait in two feet of clear water.
Black Drum might not win beauty contests, but they're absolute bulldogs on light tackle. These bottom-dwellers can grow massive – we're talking 30, 40, even 50-pound fish around the Space Coast. They love oyster bars and structure where they can root around for crabs and shellfish. Winter months are prime time for big Drum, and their slow, powerful fight will test your patience and drag system. They're also excellent table fare when kept at legal size.
Tarpon are the true giants of our inshore waters, and when one shows up, everything else takes a backseat. These silver kings can reach over 100 pounds and are famous for their spectacular jumps and long, blistering runs. Summer months bring the best Tarpon action, particularly around bridges and deeper channels. Most anglers practice catch and release with Tarpon since they're not great eating, but the fight alone is worth the price of admission.
Bull Sharks add serious excitement to any inshore trip. These apex predators patrol our waters year-round, but summer months see the most action. Bulls are incredibly strong fighters that make long runs and aren't shy about showing their teeth. They're not common catches, but when one grabs your bait, you'll know it immediately. The combination of power and attitude makes Bulls one of the most memorable fish you can tangle with in shallow water.
This Space Coast inshore fishing trip delivers everything serious anglers want – productive waters, expert guidance, and access to world-class gamefish. The 3-hour format is perfect for testing different techniques and locations without committing to a full day. With only 3 spots available, you're guaranteed personalized attention and plenty of fishing time. Whether you're chasing your first Snook, looking to sight-cast to Redfish on the flats, or hoping to tangle with a Tarpon, these Space Coast waters have what you're after. Book your spot with Kenzi Boats and get ready to experience some of Florida's finest inshore fishing action.
Step aboard our 2021 Sea Hunt 24-footer, your floating command center for targeting Space Coast gamefish. This center console is built for serious fishing with a 200HP Yamaha that'll cruise at 42 knots to get you on the fish fast. The onboard fish finder takes the guesswork out of locating schools while GPS keeps you dialed into productive spots. When stealth mode is needed for spooky redfish and snook, the wireless trolling motor lets you ghost through shallow water without spooking your targets. Keep your catch fresh in the icebox and stay entertained between bites with the multimedia system. With room for 3 anglers plus your guide, there's plenty of space to work lures and fight fish without getting tangled up. Perfect for working the mangrove shorelines and grass flats where tarpon, trout, and drum cruise looking for an easy meal.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the bulldogs of the flats - thick, powerful fish that average 10-25 pounds but can push 40 or more. They're bottom feeders with crushing jaws built for oysters and crabs, so you'll find them around oyster beds, muddy flats, and creek mouths in 2-10 feet of water. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning, making them easier to target before they scatter. What guests love about drum fishing is the steady, determined fight - no flashy jumps, just pure muscle pulling line. They're also great table fare when under 15 pounds, with firm white meat. The bigger ones get tough and stringy, so we usually release those. Here's the key: fresh crab bait on the bottom is hard to beat. Use enough weight to stay down in the current, and when you feel that thump-thump bite, don't set the hook too hard - their mouths are tough but the hook needs to find the right spot.
Carcharhinus LeucasBull sharks are the ultimate inshore challenge - thick, aggressive predators that can show up anywhere from deep channels to surprisingly shallow flats. Around here, they typically run 6-10 feet and 200-400 pounds, with that stocky build and blunt snout that makes them unmistakable. Unlike other sharks, bulls can handle fresh water, so we find them near river mouths, bridges, and deeper holes year-round, though summer brings the most action. What draws anglers to bull shark fishing is the raw power - these fish are pure muscle and attitude. They're strictly catch and release, but the fight is something else entirely. The key is heavy tackle and fresh cut bait like mullet or mackerel on the bottom. Here's my tip: fresher eel is hard to beat for bait because of its oil content and tough skin that stays on the hook. Set up in current near structure and be patient - when a bull takes your bait, there's no mistaking it.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are perfect for anglers of all skill levels - they're aggressive, fight well, and taste great. Most of ours run 20-30 inches and 5-15 pounds, with that signature copper-red color and black spot near the tail. They love super shallow water on grass flats, oyster bars, and around mangroves - sometimes in water so shallow their backs stick out. Fall and winter are prime time when they school up heavily. What makes reds so popular is their willingness to eat almost anything and their strong, steady fight. They're also excellent table fare with mild, sweet meat. You can sight fish them in skinny water or blind cast around structure. Topwater plugs at sunrise create explosive strikes you won't forget. My go-to tip: look for nervous water or tailing fish on the flats during low tide. When you see those copper backs or black-tipped tails, make a quiet approach and cast beyond them, then work your bait back through the school.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are one of our most popular targets, and for good reason. These sleek, golden-silver fish with that distinctive black lateral line typically run 18-30 inches around here, though we occasionally hook into bigger ones. They're ambush predators that love structure - mangroves, docks, bridges, and oyster bars are prime spots. You'll find them in both salt and brackish water, often in just a few feet. Spring through fall gives us the best action, especially around the new and full moons when they're most active. What makes snook special is their explosive strike and aerial fight - they'll jump and make powerful runs that'll test your drag. The meat is excellent too, firm and white with great flavor. Pro tip: when working mangroves, cast tight to the structure and be ready - snook hit hard and fast, and they'll try to cut you off in the roots if you give them slack.
Megalops AtlanticusTarpon are the silver kings of inshore fishing, and hooking one is something you'll never forget. These prehistoric giants typically run 50-150 pounds around here, though we see them much bigger. They cruise the flats, channels, and bridge areas in 5-20 feet of water, often rolling on the surface. Late spring through summer is peak season when they migrate through. What makes tarpon fishing special isn't the eating - they're mostly catch and release - but the fight. When hooked, they explode out of the water in spectacular jumps, sometimes clearing 10 feet. It's pure adrenaline. The key is using circle hooks with live bait like mullet or crabs, and keeping steady pressure without forcing the fight. Here's my tip: when they jump, bow to the fish by dropping your rod tip toward them. It prevents the hook from popping out during those wild aerial displays. Patience wins with tarpon.
Fort Pierce