Fort Myers Back Bay Morning Fishing Adventure
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fourhour morning charter targeting redfish and seatrout in calm watersFamilyfriendly trip accommodates up to six guests with provided gearLight tackle fishing in Fort Myers back bay areas
If you're looking for a perfect introduction to Southwest Florida's fishing scene, this 4-hour morning charter with Luck o' The Irish Fishing Charters hits all the right notes. The back bay waters around Fort Myers offer some of the most consistent and family-friendly fishing you'll find anywhere on the Gulf Coast. Captain will have you rigged up and ready to go as the sun comes up, targeting the prime feeding times when fish are most active in these shallow, protected waters.
This trip is designed with comfort and success in mind. The spacious, open boat gives everyone plenty of room to cast without getting tangled up—trust me, that makes a huge difference when you've got kids or first-timers aboard. You'll be working the back bays and grass flats where the water stays calm and the fish stay hungry. The captain provides all your tackle, bait, and safety gear, so you can focus on what matters most: getting fish in the boat. If you're bringing little ones under 5, just give them a heads up when you book so they can have the right size life vest ready. The relaxed pace means there's time to learn proper techniques, take photos, and actually enjoy the beautiful morning on the water instead of rushing from spot to spot.
This is light tackle fishing at its finest, which means you'll feel every head shake and run these back bay species are famous for. The captain will set you up with spinning reels spooled with 15-20 pound test—perfect for the structure and cover you'll be fishing around. Most of your action will come from casting live shrimp, pinfish, or artificial lures like soft plastics and topwater plugs around mangrove shorelines, oyster bars, and grass beds. The shallow water means sight fishing opportunities too, especially for redfish cruising the flats with their backs out of water. You'll learn to read the water, spot fish movement, and place your bait where it counts. The light tackle setup makes even smaller fish feel like monsters, and when you hook into a bull red or oversized trout, you'll understand why back bay fishing has such a devoted following.
African Pompano are the wildcards of this fishery—when you hook one, you know it immediately. These silver bullets can show up year-round in Fort Myers waters, but spring and fall tend to be your best bets. They fight way above their weight class, making screaming runs that'll test your drag and your nerves. Most African pomps in the back bays run 5-15 pounds, but they pull like fish twice their size. What makes them special is their unpredictability—you never know when one might crash your shrimp or slam a jig meant for redfish.
Snook are the crown jewel of Southwest Florida inshore fishing, and the Fort Myers back bays hold some beauties. These ambush predators love structure—docks, mangrove overhangs, bridge pilings—anywhere they can hide and wait for an easy meal. Summer months bring the best action as snook move shallow to feed and spawn. They're notorious for their gill-rattling jumps and powerful runs toward cover. A slot-sized snook (28-33 inches) is pure gold, but even the smaller ones and over-slot fish provide world-class sport before you release them.
Grey Snapper, or mangrove snapper as the locals call them, are year-round residents that'll keep your rod bent when other species are being picky. These scrappy fighters are notorious bait stealers with incredible eyesight and suspicious attitudes. They typically run 12-16 inches in the back bays, but don't let their size fool you—they fight hard and taste even better. Summer brings the best numbers, and they're perfect target species for kids since they bite consistently and don't require perfect technique.
Sea Trout are the bread and butter of back bay fishing here, and Fort Myers waters grow some fat, healthy specks. These spotted beauties love grass flats and sandy potholes, especially during moving tides. Spring through fall offers peak action, with winter providing opportunities for larger gator trout. They're aggressive feeders that'll hit live bait, soft plastics, and topwater lures with equal enthusiasm. A 20-inch trout is a solid fish, and anything over 24 inches is a true trophy in these waters.
Redfish are what most anglers dream about when they think Florida inshore fishing. Fort Myers back bays hold both juvenile reds and oversized bulls, depending on the season and location. These copper-colored bruisers are available year-round, but fall and winter tend to bring the biggest fish into shallow water. Reds are famous for their bulldogging fights and their willingness to eat just about anything you throw at them. Slot fish (18-27 inches) are perfect for the dinner table, while the big bulls provide catch-and-release memories that last a lifetime.
This morning charter offers everything you want in a Fort Myers fishing experience: calm waters, consistent action, and the chance to target multiple species without dealing with big water or rough conditions. Whether you're introducing kids to fishing, looking for a relaxed morning with friends, or just want to experience what makes Southwest Florida's back bay fishing so special, this trip delivers. The captain's local knowledge and provided gear take the guesswork out of the equation, so you can focus on making memories and filling the cooler. Give them a call at 239-333-9858 before booking online to discuss your group's specific needs and get insider tips for your upcoming trip. Morning trips book fast, especially during peak season, so don't wait too long to secure your spot on the water.
Get ready to explore Fort Myers' productive back bay waters aboard the Luck O' The Irish Charters' 27' Carolina Skiff. This center console boat handles beautifully in shallow water and gives you plenty of casting room for targeting redfish, spotted seatrout, snapper, and sheepshead. The wide, stable design keeps everyone comfortable whether you're a seasoned angler or just getting started. With an icebox for your drinks, wireless trolling motor for sneaking up on fish quietly, and a fish finder to locate the action, you're set up for success. The GPS and radar keep you on track, while the spacious layout means no one's bumping elbows when the bite gets hot. Perfect for families and small groups who want to experience Fort Myers' excellent inshore fishing without the rough offshore conditions.
Alectis CiliarisAfrican Pompano are part of the jack family and put up a serious fight when hooked. These silvery, fast-swimming fish typically run 10-20 pounds in our waters, though they can get much bigger offshore. You'll find them in 30-250 feet of water over structure and reefs. Juveniles hang closer to shore and look completely different - they're diamond-shaped with long trailing fins that disappear as they mature. They feed on crabs, shrimp, and smaller fish, so they'll hit both live bait and jigs. What makes them special is their speed and power - they're built for long runs and will test your drag. The meat is excellent eating too, with a firm white flesh. My tip: when you hook one, don't horse it. Let them run and tire themselves out, because they'll break you off if you try to muscle them in too quickly.
Lutjanus GriseusGrey Snapper, also called Mangrove Snapper, are smart fish that'll test your skills. They average 1-3 pounds in the back bays, with their copper-red color and distinctive dark eye stripe making them easy to identify. These guys love structure - docks, mangroves, rock piles, and debris where they can ambush prey. They're opportunistic feeders that hunt crustaceans and small fish, especially active during dawn, dusk, and night hours. What makes them fun to target is their wariness - they're not easy to fool, so landing one feels like an accomplishment. The reward is some of the best eating you'll find, with white, flaky meat that's perfect for the dinner table. My advice: use light tackle and small hooks with live shrimp. Hook the shrimp through the tail, let it sink to the bottom, then lift it up just enough to stay off the structure. Patience is key with these fish.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the perfect back bay game fish - they're tough fighters, great to eat, and fun for the whole family to catch. These copper-colored fish with the signature black spot near their tail typically run 18-30 inches in our shallow waters. They love cruising grass flats, oyster bars, and mangrove shorelines in just 1-4 feet of water. You'll often see their backs or tails sticking out as they root around for crabs and shrimp. What makes them special is their power - they'll make long runs and really bend your rod. The meat is mild and sweet, perfect for grilling. Redfish bite year-round here, but fall and spring are prime times when they're most active. They're not picky eaters - live shrimp, cut bait, and artificials all work. Here's my go-to trick: look for nervous water or birds working, then make long, quiet casts ahead of where you think they're heading. Let your bait settle naturally.
Salmo TruttaSpotted Seatrout, or "specks" as we call them locally, are a mainstay of our back bay fishing. These silvery fish with black spots typically run 14-20 inches and 1-3 pounds, though bigger ones show up in cooler months. They prefer grass flats and shallow waters, especially around dawn and dusk when they're most active. Trout have soft mouths, so they're perfect for light tackle fishing - kids love catching them. The meat is tender and flaky, but you've got to be careful not to overcook it. They feed on shrimp, small crabs, and baitfish, making them pretty reliable biters. Best fishing is usually spring through fall when water temps are right. During winter, they school up in deeper channels. Pro tip: use a popping cork with live shrimp about 18 inches below. Work it slow over the grass beds, and when you hook one, keep steady pressure - no jerking or you'll pull the hook right out of those soft mouths.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are one of our most popular targets because they fight hard and taste even better. These golden, sleek fish with the distinctive black lateral line typically run 18-28 inches in our back bay waters. They love structure - mangroves, docks, bridges, and oyster bars are prime spots. Water temperature is key with snook; they get sluggish when it drops below 60 degrees, so warmer months are best. What guests love most is their aggressive strikes and bulldog fights in shallow water. They're also excellent table fare with firm, white meat. Snook are ambush predators that sit in the shadows waiting to pounce, so work your baits slow around cover. Here's a local trick: when fishing around docks at dawn or dusk, cast your live shrimp or pinfish tight to the pilings and let it drift naturally with the current.
Fort Myers Beach, FL