Afternoon Redfish & Snook Trip in Naples
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
2.5-hour guided inshore fishing for redfish, snook, and sea troutFamily-friendly catch and release trips through Ten Thousand Islands backwatersPrivate charters accommodate up to 6 guests with gear included
Captain William knows exactly where to find the fish in Naples' legendary Ten Thousand Islands. This 2.5-hour afternoon charter takes you into the calm backwaters where redfish cruise the shallows and snook hide in the mangroves. Perfect for families with kids or anyone who wants to experience world-class inshore fishing without the rough waters offshore. You'll fish catch-and-release style with light tackle that puts the fight right in your hands, and with space for up to 6 anglers, it's a top-rated choice for groups looking to make memories on the water.
The Ten Thousand Islands offer some of the best protected fishing waters in Southwest Florida, and Captain William has been working these backwaters for years. You'll launch right from Naples and head into a maze of mangrove islands where the water stays calm even when it's blowing outside. The afternoon timing is perfect - you'll avoid the morning rush and hit the water when many species are actively feeding. This isn't about filling a cooler; it's about enjoying the experience, watching dolphins play nearby, and seeing ospreys dive for baitfish while you work your lines. The scenery alone makes this trip special, but add in consistent fishing action and you've got a customer favorite that keeps families coming back season after season.
Captain William provides all the gear and licenses, so you can focus on the fishing. He runs light spinning tackle that's perfect for the species in these waters - sensitive enough to feel every bump and bite, but strong enough to handle a bull redfish when it makes its first run. You'll be casting live bait and artificial lures around structure like oyster bars, dock pilings, and mangrove shorelines where fish love to ambush their prey. The shallow water fishing here is sight-fishing at its finest - you'll often see the fish before you cast to them. Captain William knows how to read the water and will position the boat so even beginners can get their baits in the strike zone. The techniques are straightforward but effective: cast, let it sink, and work it back slowly while staying ready for that sudden thump on the line.
Redfish are the bread and butter of these backwaters, and Naples offers some of the most consistent redfish action in Florida. These copper-colored fighters typically run 18-27 inches in the Ten Thousand Islands and they're absolute bulldogs when hooked. You'll find them cruising the shallow flats, tailing in skinny water, or hanging around structure during the afternoon hours. Redfish bite year-round here, but fall and winter months often produce the best action. What makes them so popular with anglers is their willingness to eat almost anything - live shrimp, cut bait, or artificial lures all work. When a red takes off on its first run, that drag will sing and you'll understand why they're called the premier inshore game fish.
Snook are the glamour species of Southwest Florida inshore fishing, and the mangrove-lined creeks of the Ten Thousand Islands provide perfect habitat. These silver-sided predators with the distinctive black lateral line can reach 20-35 inches in these waters and they fight like fish twice their size. Snook are ambush predators that love to hang around structure - under docks, along mangrove edges, or near creek mouths where the current brings baitfish. They're most active during warmer months but can be caught year-round if you know where to look. Captain William has the local knowledge to put you on them. The thrill of watching a snook explode on a topwater lure or feeling that initial head-shake when one grabs your live bait is what keeps anglers obsessed with this species.
Sea trout are abundant in these grass flats and they're perfect for beginners learning to feel bites. These spotted beauties typically run 12-20 inches and they're willing biters that often save the day when other species are being picky. You'll find them over sandy bottom mixed with grass, and they love live shrimp bounced along the bottom. Sea trout have a soft mouth, so Captain William will teach you how to play them without pulling the hook. They're active feeders during cooler months and early morning or late afternoon periods. While they might not have the raw power of redfish or snook, they're scrappy fighters that bend the rod and put smiles on faces.
Sheepshead are the striped convicts of the inshore world, and they're some of the best eating fish in these waters. These black-and-white banded fish have human-like teeth for crushing shellfish, and they congregate around structure like dock pilings, bridges, and oyster bars. Sheepshead are notorious bait stealers - they can pick a shrimp clean without moving your rod tip. But when you hook one, you'll feel their bulldogging fight as they try to get back to their structure. Winter months bring the best sheepshead fishing as they move into shallow water to spawn. Captain William knows exactly where to find them and how to rig your bait to outsmart these crafty fish.
Black drum are the bulldogs of the flats, and mature fish can reach impressive sizes in these waters. You'll typically encounter fish in the 5-15 pound range, though larger specimens cruise these flats regularly. Black drum are bottom feeders with powerful pharyngeal teeth for crushing crabs and shellfish. They're often found in the same areas as redfish but prefer slightly deeper water with sandy or muddy bottom. When a black drum takes your bait, there's no mistaking it - they pull steady and strong, using their broad sides to fight the current. These fish are most active during cooler months and they provide consistent action when other species might be scattered. Their fight is all about endurance rather than speed, giving anglers a different but equally rewarding experience.
The 24' Hurricane by Yamaha delivers the perfect platform for your Naples fishing adventure through the Ten Thousand Islands. This stable, family-friendly boat seats up to 6 anglers comfortably while its 250 HP engine gets you to the best redfish and snook spots quickly, cruising at speeds up to 45 mph. The wireless trolling motor lets Captain William position you silently over productive waters without spooking fish, while the GPS and fish finder help locate where the action is hiding. Built for safety and space, this Hurricane handles the calm backwaters with ease, giving everyone room to cast and fight fish. Whether you're teaching kids to fish or targeting that trophy snook, this reliable vessel provides the smooth ride and fishing features that make light-tackle adventures in these pristine waters so productive.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the bruisers of our backwater flats, running anywhere from 8 to 30 pounds with some real monsters hitting 50-plus. These gray-black fish with their deep, powerful bodies love oyster bars, muddy flats, and creek channels throughout our area. Spring fishing from March through May is prime time when they school up for spawning. What guests love about drum fishing is the steady, determined fight they put up - no flashy jumps, just pure pulling power that'll test your arms. The smaller ones under 15 pounds make excellent table fare with sweet, flaky meat. Here's the key: use fresh cut crab or shrimp on the bottom, and when you feel that subtle tap-tap, wait a beat before setting the hook hard.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the crown jewel of our shallow water fishing, easily recognized by their copper-bronze color and distinctive black spot near the tail. Most run 20-28 inches and 5-15 pounds in our backwaters, perfect for exciting light-tackle battles. You'll find them cruising oyster bars, grass flats, and mangrove shorelines in water so shallow their backs sometimes show. Year-round fishing is good here, but fall and spring offer the most consistent action. What guests love most is watching these fish cruise in skinny water and the strong, bulldogging fight they put up. The smaller "slot" fish make excellent eating with sweet, firm meat. Key tip: look for nervous water or tailing fish, then cast your bait well ahead of where they're headed and let them come to it.
Salmo TruttaSea Trout, or "specks" as we call them locally, are perfect for light-tackle fun in our grass flats. Most run 14-18 inches and 1-3 pounds, with their silvery sides covered in distinctive black spots. They love shallow grass beds, sandy potholes, and drop-offs in 2-6 feet of water throughout the Ten Thousand Islands. Fall and spring provide the most consistent action, especially on moving tides. What makes trout fishing great is their willingness to hit artificial lures and their decent fight for their size. The meat is mild and flaky - just don't overcook it or it gets mushy. Best tip I can share: work a soft plastic jig or topwater plug slowly over grass beds early morning or late afternoon when they're most active.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the "convict fish" of our waters with their black and white stripes and famous human-like teeth. Most run 2-5 pounds and 12-18 inches, perfect light-tackle targets around any structure you can find - dock pilings, bridge supports, or oyster bars. Winter through early spring is peak season when they're most active and feeding heavy before spawning. Guests get a kick out of their unique look and the challenge they present - sheepshead are notorious bait thieves with lightning-quick nibbles. The payoff is some of the sweetest, most delicate white meat you'll find in these waters. My advice: use small hooks with fresh shrimp or fiddler crab, keep your bait tight to the structure, and set the hook at the first sign of movement.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are one of our most prized catches here in the Ten Thousand Islands. These sleek fish with their signature black lateral line typically run 18-24 inches, though you'll occasionally hook into a real bruiser pushing 30-plus inches. They love hanging around mangrove edges, docks, and creek mouths in shallow water. Spring through fall gives you the best action, especially around moving water during tide changes. What makes snook special is their explosive strike and acrobatic fight - they'll jump, gill-rattle, and make strong runs toward cover. The meat is firm and flaky with a mild taste that's hard to beat. Pro tip: keep your drag loose and let them tire themselves out before trying to turn their head away from structure.
525 Newport Dr, Naples, FL, United States