Sebastian Fishing Charter | 4-Hour Inshore Trip
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fourhour inshore charter targeting Sebastian Inlet flats and reefs.Live bait fishing aboard spacious 29foot center console vessel.Familyfriendly trip accommodates up to three guests comfortably.
Looking for a solid morning on the water targeting some of Florida's most prized inshore species? This 4-hour charter with Kraken Down Charters puts you right in the heart of Sebastian Inlet's best fishing grounds from 7 am to 11 am. We're talking live bait fishing at its finest, working the flats and reefs around one of the East Coast's most productive inlets. With just three anglers max on our spacious 29' center console, you'll have plenty of room to work your lines and fight fish without bumping elbows. This is family-friendly fishing that delivers results, whether you're after your first snook or chasing a personal best tarpon.
Sebastian Inlet isn't just another fishing spot – it's where the Indian River Lagoon meets the Atlantic, creating a perfect storm of baitfish, structure, and hungry predators. Your morning starts early for good reason; dawn and the first few hours of daylight are prime time for inshore action. Captain and crew know these waters like their backyard, positioning you over productive flats where redfish cruise in skinny water, or working the deeper cuts where snook ambush unsuspecting baitfish. The 29' center console gives us the flexibility to move quickly between spots, whether that's sliding into knee-deep grass flats or running out to nearshore reefs where the big boys hang out. Live bait is the name of the game here – fresh shrimp, pilchards, and pinfish that local fish just can't resist. You'll watch your bait swim naturally while anticipating that telltale thump of a strike.
Live bait fishing around Sebastian Inlet is all about reading the water and presenting your offering naturally. We're using circle hooks to keep fish healthy, with just enough weight to get your bait down to where fish are feeding. Depending on conditions, you might be free-lining a pilchard over grass beds, bouncing a shrimp along dock pilings, or slow-trolling a pinfish near structure. The beauty of this approach is its simplicity – let the bait do the work while you focus on feeling for bites and setting hooks. During moving tides, we'll position the boat to drift naturally with the current, keeping baits in the strike zone longer. When fish are finicky, sometimes the lightest possible approach wins the day. That might mean dropping down to 15-pound test and letting a shrimp swim freely with minimal hardware. The inlet's structure provides endless opportunities – from the famous north and south jetties to the countless docks, bridges, and spoil islands that hold fish year-round.
Snook are the inlet's signature species and for good reason. These ambush predators love structure, hanging tight to dock pilings, bridge shadows, and mangrove edges where they can dart out to nail passing baitfish. Sebastian Inlet snook run big, with fish over 30 inches common and slot-sized keepers always a possibility during open seasons. They're notorious for their acrobatic fights, often clearing the water multiple times before heading for the nearest piling or barnacle-encrusted structure. Best action typically happens around moving water – incoming tide pushes baitfish through the inlet while outgoing tide creates feeding opportunities along the banks.
Goliath Grouper represent the inlet's true heavyweights, with fish exceeding 200 pounds residing in the deeper holes and around bridge structures. While these giants are catch-and-release only, hooking into one creates memories that last a lifetime. They're surprisingly common here, especially during summer months when they gather in large numbers. The fight is pure power – no jumping or running, just head-shaking, bottom-hugging determination that tests your tackle and technique. Local guides know exactly where these prehistoric-looking fish congregate, often in 15-30 feet of water around hard structure.
Tarpon are Sebastian Inlet's most spectacular fighters, rolling and jumping with silver-sided fury that gets every angler's heart racing. Peak season runs May through September, when schools of these "silver kings" cruise the inlet and nearby flats. Fish range from juvenile tarpon in the 10-30 pound class to mature adults pushing 100+ pounds. They're incredibly structure-oriented, often found near bridges, jetties, and channel markers where they feed on crabs and baitfish. The key is using appropriately sized baits – smaller tarpon prefer shrimp and finger mullet, while the big girls want full-sized pilchards or blue crabs.
Redfish patrol the shallow grass flats and oyster bars around Sebastian Inlet year-round, though fall and winter provide the most consistent action. These copper-colored bulldogs are perfect for sight fishing when conditions allow, cruising in water so shallow their backs break the surface. Reds in the 18-27 inch slot provide excellent table fare, while oversized "bull" reds over 27 inches offer arm-burning fights in shallow water. They're not particularly spooky, making them ideal for beginners and kids. Live shrimp bounced along oyster bars or grass edges produces steady action, while larger baits like pinfish attract the biggest fish.
Cubera Snapper represent the inlet's ultimate prize fish – massive, tackle-busting predators that can exceed 50 pounds and test every aspect of your fishing skills. These bruisers prefer deeper structure like bridge pilings, artificial reefs, and rock piles where they ambush large baitfish and crabs. They're most active during summer months and around the full moon phases when they move shallow to spawn. Cuberas require heavy tackle and strong drag systems; they'll head straight for structure at the first opportunity, using their broad tails and powerful shoulders to break off light leaders. When you hook a big cubera, it's a battle of wills – keep pressure on and try to turn their head before they reach the rocks.
Lutjanus CyanopterusCubera Snapper are the heavyweights of the snapper family and a real trophy catch around our reefs. These bruisers can hit 60+ inches and over 100 pounds, though most run 20-40 pounds. They stick to rocky ledges, reefs, and structure in 60-150 feet of water. Summer months from May through August offer the best shots when they move shallower to spawn. What draws anglers is their incredible strength - they'll test your tackle and drag like few other fish. The meat quality is excellent on smaller fish, but larger ones can carry ciguatera toxin. You need stout gear since they'll try to break you off in the rocks immediately after being hooked. Live or fresh dead bait like small tuna, mackerel, or large shrimp work best. My advice: once you hook one, don't give them an inch - keep constant pressure and pump them up fast before they can reach cover and cut your line.
Epinephelus ItajaraGoliath Grouper are the giants of the reef - these protected fish can reach 8 feet and 800 pounds, though most we see run 3-6 feet. They hang around rocky structure, wrecks, and ledges in 20-150 feet of water. Since harvest is prohibited, it's strictly catch-and-release, but the experience is unforgettable. These fish have no fear and will engulf large baits without hesitation. Summer months bring the best action when they gather near spawning areas. What guests love is the sheer power - that first run can literally drag you across the boat if you're not ready. Use heavy tackle with 50-80 class reels and 400+ pound line since they'll try to break you off in the rocks. My tip: anchor far enough from structure so you can pull them away, but close enough they'll come out to feed. Bounce your bait on bottom to get their attention.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are perfect for our shallow water fishing around Sebastian. These copper-colored beauties average 20-30 inches with that signature black spot near the tail. They love super shallow flats, oyster bars, and grass beds - often in water so skinny their backs show above the surface. Fall and winter are prime seasons when they school up in big numbers. What makes redfish great is their willingness to eat almost anything and their strong, bulldogging fight. The smaller "slot" fish (18-27 inches) are excellent table fare with mild, flaky meat. They're not picky eaters - live shrimp, cut bait, and artificials all work well. Topwater plugs in shallow water create explosive strikes. Pro tip: look for "tailing" fish with their tails sticking up while feeding head-down. Make quiet, accurate casts ahead of moving fish and let your bait sink naturally into their feeding zone.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are one of our most popular targets around Sebastian Inlet. These sleek fighters average 1-3 feet but can push over 4 feet. You'll spot them by that distinctive black lateral line running down their golden sides. They love hanging around mangroves, docks, and structure in both salt and brackish water, usually in depths under 10 feet. Spring through fall are prime months, especially around new and full moons when they're most active. What makes snook special is their explosive strikes and acrobatic fights - they'll jump and make blistering runs that test your drag. The meat is excellent eating too, with firm white flesh that's perfect for the grill. Pro tip: when you hook one near structure, keep steady pressure and try to turn their head quickly before they can duck back into the mangroves and cut you off.
Megalops AtlanticusTarpon are the silver kings of inshore fishing, and Sebastian Inlet sees good numbers during migration. These prehistoric fish average 4 feet and 80-100 pounds, but can reach 8 feet and nearly 300 pounds. They're found in shallow coastal waters, especially around bridges, inlets, and flats where baitfish concentrate. Late spring through summer is peak season when they migrate through our area. What makes tarpon fishing special is their aerial show - they can jump 10 feet out of the water and swim 35 mph. The fight is pure athleticism with multiple jumps and long runs. They're catch-and-release only since the meat is bony and not great eating. Medium tackle works fine - a 5000-7000 reel handles them well. Live bait like mullet, pinfish, or shrimp works best. Key tip: when they jump, bow to the fish by dropping your rod tip to give slack and prevent them from throwing the hook.
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