Half Day Back Bay Fishing Adventure
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Four-hour inshore fishing charter aboard 27-foot California SkiffTarget redfish, snook, trout, and snapper in calmer watersSmall group experience accommodates maximum two guests
If you're looking to get into some serious action without the rough seas, this 4-hour back bay charter is exactly what you need. Captain Mike and the crew at Luck o' The Irish know these protected waters like the back of their hand, and they'll put you on fish that'll make your day. We're talking redfish tailing in skinny water, snook hiding under mangroves, and sheepshead that'll test your patience and skill. The 27-foot California Skiff is built for these shallow waters, letting us get into spots the bigger boats can't reach.
This isn't your typical deep-sea grind – back bay fishing is all about finesse and knowing where the fish hang out. We'll be working the grass flats, mangrove shorelines, and oyster bars where the fish come to feed. The water stays calm back here, so if you get seasick easily or you're bringing kids, this is the perfect setup. You'll spend your time sight fishing for reds, casting around structure for snook, and working the bottom for sheepshead and black drum. The beauty of back bay fishing is the variety – you never know what's going to hit your line next. One cast you're fighting a bull red, the next you're trying to outsmart a finicky trout. Captain Mike provides all the tackle and knows exactly what these fish want on any given day.
We fish light tackle back here – spinning reels spooled with 15-20 pound test that gives you the sport without overpowering these fish. Depending on what's biting, we'll be throwing everything from live shrimp under popping corks to artificial lures like paddle tails and spoons. The captain keeps a good supply of live bait, but don't be surprised if he hands you a topwater plug when the snook are busting bait in the shallows. We'll be doing a lot of sight fishing, so polarized sunglasses are a must – you'll want to see those redfish tails breaking the surface or that snook shadow cruising the mangroves. The shallow water means we can pole or use the trolling motor to stay quiet and not spook the fish. This is fishing at its most pure – no crowds, no noise, just you and the fish.
Redfish are the bread and butter of back bay fishing, and these copper-colored fighters are what dreams are made of. They cruise the flats looking for crabs and shrimp, often with their tails sticking out of the water. A good red will average 20-25 inches and pull drag like you wouldn't believe. Fall through spring is prime time, when they school up in big numbers. What makes reds so special is how they fight – they'll make long runs and use their broad sides to pull against you.
Snook are the glamour fish of the back bay, with that distinctive black lateral line and bucket mouth. These ambush predators love structure – docks, mangroves, bridge pilings – anywhere they can hide and attack baitfish. They're most active during the warmer months and around the full moon phases. Snook are notorious for their gill-rattling jumps and their ability to cut you off on structure. A slot-sized snook between 28-33 inches is pure gold, and the bigger ones will humble you real quick.
Sheepshead might look funny with their human-like teeth, but they're one of the best eating fish in these waters. They hang around any kind of structure – docks, bridges, rock piles – picking off barnacles and crabs. These fish require patience and skill because they're notorious bait stealers. You'll feel them nibbling, but setting the hook takes perfect timing. They're most active in cooler months and can reach 4-5 pounds in these waters.
Sea trout, or spotted seatrout, are schooling fish that love the grass flats and can provide non-stop action when you find them. They hit artificial lures hard and are perfect for beginners because they're aggressive feeders. The best trout fishing happens over grass beds in 2-4 feet of water, especially during moving tides. A good trout runs 15-20 inches and has delicate meat that's fantastic on the table.
Mutton snapper are the wildcards of the back bay – not as common as the other species, but when you hook into one, you know it. These fish have serious shoulders and will test your drag system. They're bottom dwellers that love structure and won't give up without a fight. Muttons are more common in warmer months and can reach impressive sizes in deeper holes and channels.
This half-day trip gives you all the excitement of a full day without the commitment, making it perfect for families, first-timers, or anyone who wants to sample what back bay fishing is all about. With only 2 guests max, you'll get personalized attention and plenty of chances to get your line wet. The calm waters mean you can focus on fishing instead of fighting seasickness, and the variety of species keeps things interesting all day long. Captain Mike's local knowledge is worth the price of admission alone – he's been working these waters for years and knows where the fish live. Don't wait too long to book – the best dates fill up fast, especially during peak season. Give them a call at 239-333-9858 to lock in your spot and get ready for some world-class back bay action.
Our 27' Carolina Skiff is built for serious back bay action. This center console boat gives you and a buddy plenty of casting room while staying rock-solid stable in those shallow inshore waters. The wide beam means no crowding when you're both working different sides of a mangrove line or sight-casting to cruising redfish. The wireless trolling motor lets us ghost into tight spots without spooking fish, while the fish finder keeps us on productive structure. Got drinks and snacks? The icebox keeps everything cold during those hot afternoon sessions. With GPS and radar on board, we can navigate safely through fog or find those honey holes again and again. Whether you're targeting snook around dock pilings, drifting for trout over grass flats, or working sheepshead around bridge supports, this rig handles it all. The shallow draft gets us into places bigger boats can't reach, putting you on fish that see less pressure. Perfect setup for anglers who want to fish smart and stay comfortable while chasing whatever's biting in the back country.
Lutjanus AnalisMutton snappers are one of the prettier fish you'll encounter in these back bay waters, with their olive-colored bodies and distinctive blue streaks around the face. Most run 12-20 inches, but the bigger ones can push 30+ inches and really test your drag. They're excellent table fare with firm, white meat that's hard to beat. You'll find them around structure - docks, pilings, and rocky bottom in 10-25 feet of water. Spring through fall is prime time when they're actively feeding. They're smart fish that'll steal your bait if you're not paying attention, so use fresh shrimp or small crabs and keep a light touch. Here's the trick: once you feel that telltale tap-tap, don't set the hook right away. Let them take it and run a few seconds, then set hard. Their mouth is tough, so don't be gentle about it.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the crown jewel of back bay fishing - copper-colored bruisers with that signature black spot near the tail. They range from 18-inch "rat reds" up to 30+ inch bulls that'll test your tackle and your patience. What makes them special is their power and determination once hooked, plus they're great eating with mild, sweet meat. You'll find them in super shallow water - sometimes with their backs showing - around oyster bars, mangrove shorelines, and grass flats. They bite year-round but fall and winter bring the big schools. They're not picky eaters: live shrimp, cut bait, spoons, and topwater plugs all work. The real excitement comes when you spot them tailing in skinny water. Keep quiet, make accurate casts, and be ready for that explosive strike. Once hooked, let them make their runs - they'll bulldoze toward structure, so keep pressure on but don't rush them.
Salmo TruttaSpotted sea trout, or "specks" as we call them, are one of the most reliable fish in these back bays. They average 12-16 inches with plenty of 2-3 pounders mixed in, and the bigger "gator trout" can reach 20+ inches. Their silvery sides covered in black spots make them easy to identify. They're excellent table fare with tender, flaky white meat that's perfect for the dinner table. You'll find them over grass flats and sandy bottom in 2-8 feet of water, especially around drop-offs and channel edges. They bite best during cooler months and low-light conditions - early morning and evening are prime time. They love live shrimp under a popping cork, but soft plastics and topwater plugs work great too. My go-to trick: work your bait slowly and let it fall naturally. Trout have soft mouths, so keep steady pressure but don't horse them in.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the "convict fish" of the back bays with their distinctive black and white stripes and famously human-like teeth. Most average 2-5 pounds and 14-18 inches, but the big ones can push 8+ pounds and really bend the rod. They're fantastic eating - sweet, white meat that rivals snapper. You'll find them around any structure: docks, bridges, pilings, and rocks where they feed on barnacles and crabs. Winter through spring is peak season when they're spawning and schooled up tight. They're notorious bait thieves, so use small hooks with fresh shrimp, fiddler crabs, or oysters. The key is getting your bait right against the structure - they won't move far from cover. Here's my trick: when you feel those light taps, don't jerk. Let them chew on it for a second, then set the hook firmly. Their mouths are bony and tough.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are the ultimate back bay game fish - sleek, aggressive, and built for speed with that unmistakable black lateral line down their silver sides. They typically run 18-28 inches in these waters, though the big females can hit 35+ inches and put up a serious fight. What makes them special is their explosive strikes and acrobatic jumps when hooked. They're excellent eating too, with sweet, flaky white meat. Look for them around mangroves, docks, and creek mouths in 2-6 feet of water, especially during moving tides. Warmer months are best, but they bite year-round here. They're ambush predators that love live shrimp, pilchards, and topwater plugs early morning or late evening. Pro tip: keep your drag loose when fighting them - they'll jump and throw the hook if you horse them. Let them make their runs and tire out first.
Fort Myers Beach, FL