Cedar Key PM Redfish & Trout Charter
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fourhour private afternoon charter targeting redfish and troutLight tackle fishing across Cedar Key's flats and oyster barsAccommodates groups up to six anglers of all skill levels
Cedar Key's afternoon bite is something special, and this 4-hour private fishing charter puts you right in the heart of it. Local Slayer knows these waters like the back of their hand, and they'll get your group of up to 6 anglers positioned on the best flats, grass lines, and oyster bars along Florida's Nature Coast. Whether you're bringing the family for their first taste of saltwater fishing or you're seasoned anglers looking to put some quality fish in the cooler, this half-day trip delivers the goods when the afternoon sun starts working its magic on the shallow waters around Cedar Key.
This isn't your typical run-and-gun charter. Your captain knows that Cedar Key's inshore waters fish best when you slow down and work the structure right. You'll spend your afternoon drifting the grass flats where speckled trout love to ambush baitfish, then move over to the oyster bars where redfish cruise looking for an easy meal. The beauty of this trip is the variety – one minute you're sight-casting to tailing reds in skinny water, the next you're working a school of trout over a grass bed. The afternoon timing is perfect because that's when the water temps start to stabilize and the fish really turn on. Plus, you'll avoid the morning crowds and have these productive spots mostly to yourself.
Your guide comes equipped with quality light tackle rigs that are perfect for Cedar Key's inshore fishing. Most of the day you'll be using spinning gear with live bait or soft plastics, working everything from topwater plugs at first light to bottom rigs when you're targeting flounder in the deeper cuts. The drifting technique works great here – your captain will position the boat up-current from productive structure and let you work your baits naturally through the strike zone. When the trout are schooled up, you might switch to bottom fishing with live shrimp or cut bait. Don't worry about bringing your own gear – everything's provided, from rods and reels to tackle and bait. Your job is just to fish and have a good time.
Sea trout are the bread and butter of Cedar Key fishing, and these speckled beauties are what keep most anglers coming back. They're aggressive feeders that hit everything from live shrimp to soft plastic jigs, and when you find a school, the action can be non-stop. Most of the trout you'll catch run 14-18 inches, perfect for the dinner table. They're most active during the cooler months from October through March, but Cedar Key's grass flats hold fish year-round. What makes trout so much fun is their willingness to hit topwater lures – there's nothing quite like watching a big speckled trout explode on a popping cork rig.
Redfish are the prize catch that every angler dreams about, and Cedar Key's shallow flats are prime red territory. These copper-colored bruisers cruise the oyster bars and grass edges, often in water so shallow you can see their backs. Slot-sized reds typically run 18-27 inches and put up a serious fight on light tackle. The best redfish action happens during the warmer months from April through October, especially during moving tides when they're actively feeding. What makes reds special is their predictable behavior – once your guide finds their feeding pattern, you can target them with precision.
Cobia show up as a bonus catch that can make your whole trip memorable. These brown sharks (as locals call them) are curious fish that often approach the boat, giving you a shot at a fish that can easily top 30 pounds. Peak cobia season runs from March through June when they're moving through Cedar Key's waters on their annual migration. They're sight-fishing targets that will test your skills and your tackle – hooking into a big cobia in shallow water is an adrenaline rush you won't forget.
African pompano are the speed demons of the flats, and when they're around, you know you're in for some fast action. These silver bullets hit hard and run fast, making long screaming runs that will test your drag system. They're most common during the summer months and are often caught while targeting other species. Don't let their smaller size fool you – pound for pound, pompano are some of the hardest fighting fish in these waters.
Spanish mackerel bring the excitement factor when they show up in schools around Cedar Key's structure. These toothy speedsters hit fast and fight hard, making them perfect targets for light tackle fishing. They're most abundant from late spring through early fall, and when you find a school, you can load up quickly. Macks are great eating and perfect for anglers who want steady action – just make sure your drag is set right because they'll take line in a hurry.
Cedar Key's afternoon fishing is some of the most consistent and productive you'll find along Florida's Nature Coast, and this half-day charter gives you the perfect taste of what these waters have to offer. Local Slayer's got the local knowledge and quality equipment to put you on fish, whether you're after a cooler full of trout for dinner or hoping to tangle with a big red on light tackle. The private charter format means you fish at your own pace with your own group – no crowds, no strangers, just you and your people having a great day on the water. Don't wait until the last minute to book – the best fishing days fill up fast, especially during peak season.
Your fishing platform for this Cedar Key adventure is a beautifully restored 2022 25-foot Scandy-White skiff that's purpose-built for Florida's Nature Coast waters. With a reliable 175HP Suzuki pushing her up to 35 knots, you'll cover ground quickly between productive redfish flats and speckled trout holes. The shallow-draft design lets your captain work those skinny oyster bars and grass lines where big fish like to feed. Six anglers fish comfortably with plenty of room to work lures and fight fish without getting tangled up. The onboard fish finder helps locate schools and structure, while GPS navigation keeps you on the best spots around Cedar Key's backcountry maze. An icebox keeps your catch fresh and drinks cold during those warm Florida afternoons. There's even a head onboard for convenience during your 4-hour trip. This skiff handles Cedar Key's variable conditions beautifully, from open flats to protected creeks where trophy redfish cruise the shallows.
Alectis CiliarisAfrican Pompano are bonus fish that show up around Cedar Key's deeper structures and channel edges. These silvery, diamond-shaped members of the jack family typically run 10-30 pounds when we encounter them. Look for them around 30-60 foot depths near wrecks, artificial reefs, or steep drop-offs, especially during warmer months. They're built for speed and put up a serious scrap on light tackle - long, powerful runs that'll test your drag system. The meat is excellent, similar to other jacks but with a cleaner taste. Juveniles sometimes cruise the shallows with those distinctive trailing filaments. Best approach is vertical jigging near structure or slow-trolling shiny lures. These fish love anything that flashes, so don't be afraid to use bright, flashy jigs when you mark them on the bottom.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are the wildcards of our Cedar Key trips - you never know when one might show up. These brown, shark-looking fish average 20-40 pounds and are usually loners cruising structures like channel markers, docks, and deeper grass edges. Spring migration brings the best chances, typically April through June. What makes them special is the combination of size, fight, and fantastic eating - firm white meat that's hard to beat. They're curious fish that'll often follow boats or check out anything unusual. When you hook one, be ready for a bulldogging fight with long runs. The key trick here is sight-fishing - keep your eyes peeled for that dark shadow just under the surface. When you see one, drop a jig right in front of its nose and hang on.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the bread and butter of Cedar Key fishing, typically running 18-35 inches in our waters. These copper-colored bruisers love super shallow flats, oyster bars, and grass lines - sometimes in water so thin their backs stick out. Spring through fall gives you the best action, especially during moving tides. What guests love most is watching them cruise the shallows and that explosive strike when one inhales your bait. They fight hard and dirty, using their broad sides to pull drag. Plus, slot-size reds make excellent table fare with firm, sweet meat. Pro tip from years of guiding here: when you spot tailing reds, cast well ahead of where they're headed, not where they are. Let your bait sit still - they'll find it.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled Trout are one of Cedar Key's most reliable targets, running 14-24 inches and averaging 1-5 pounds. You'll find them around grass flats, oyster bars, and shallow backcountry spots in 2-6 feet of water. They bite best during cooler months when water temps drop, especially around dawn and dusk. What makes them special is their delicate white meat - some of the best eating you'll find inshore. They're not the hardest fighters, but they're smart and can be finicky about presentations. Here's a local trick: when the water's gin-clear, downsize your tackle and use lighter fluorocarbon leaders. These fish get line-shy in shallow water, and going subtle often makes the difference between a full cooler and going home empty-handed.
Scomberomorus MaculatusSpanish Mackerel are speed demons that cruise Cedar Key's waters, especially during warmer months. These sleek, spotted fish typically run 1-4 pounds and travel in schools near the surface around grass flats and channel edges. Summer and early fall are prime time when baitfish are thick. What anglers love is their aggressive strikes and the non-stop action when you find a school. They're built for speed and make blistering runs on light tackle. The meat is rich and oily - perfect for smoking or grilling fresh. You'll often see them busting bait on the surface, creating quite a commotion. The secret is using small, fast-moving lures or live shrimp. Once you hook up, keep your lure in the water because where there's one Spanish, there's usually a bunch more ready to bite.
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