Half Day Back Bay Fishing Charter
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
4hour inshore fishing charter targeting redfish and snookCalm back bay waters aboard spacious 27' California SkiffSmall group experience with maximum 2 guests per trip
Looking for a solid half-day fishing trip that won't beat you up in rough seas? Our 4-hour back bay charter aboard a spacious 27' California Skiff puts you right where the fish are biting without the drama of offshore swells. This inshore adventure is perfect for anglers who want consistent action targeting some of Southwest Florida's most sought-after species. With room for just two guests, you'll get personalized attention and prime fishing spots that only locals know about. The back bays offer protection from wind and weather while serving up some of the best fishing opportunities you'll find anywhere along the coast.
Your day starts early when we shove off into the calm, productive waters of the back bay system. The 27' California Skiff is built for these shallow waters – stable, quiet, and equipped with everything you need for a successful trip. We'll work the mangrove shorelines, grass flats, and oyster bars where game fish love to hunt. The beauty of inshore fishing is the variety – one cast might land you a feisty redfish, while the next could hook into a bruiser snook hiding under the mangroves. Water depths range from just a few feet to around 15 feet, making it perfect for sight fishing when conditions are right. The protected waters mean we can fish comfortably even when it's blowing 15-20 knots outside the passes.
We run a mix of live bait and artificial lures depending on what the fish are hitting that day. Live shrimp is deadly on trout and redfish, while pinfish and pilchards work magic on snapper and snook. For artificials, we'll throw everything from soft plastics on jig heads to topwater plugs when the fish are busting bait on the surface. The tackle is medium-light spinning gear that gives you the perfect balance of sensitivity and power – light enough to feel every nibble but with enough backbone to turn a big red away from the mangroves. We keep multiple rods rigged and ready so you can switch techniques quickly when the bite changes. Circle hooks are the standard for live bait fishing, helping ensure good hookups and easy releases.
Mutton Snapper are one of the most rewarding catches in these back bays. These gorgeous fish with their bright red coloration and yellow fins typically run 2-8 pounds in the shallows, though bigger ones cruise the deeper edges. They're smart fish that require finesse – light leaders and small hooks are key. Muttons are most active during moving water, especially on the incoming tide when they push up onto the flats to feed. What makes them special is their fight – they'll make strong runs and use their broad sides to pull hard against the drag.
Snook are the crown jewel of inshore fishing, and our back bay holds plenty of them. These ambush predators love structure – docks, mangrove overhangs, and oyster bars are prime spots. They range from schoolie-sized fish up to true giants pushing 10+ pounds. Summer months are peak season when they're most active, but we catch them year-round. The strike is explosive, and they'll jump, run, and do everything possible to throw the hook. That silver flash and gill-rattling jump is what keeps anglers coming back for more.
Sheepshead might be ugly, but they're one of the tastiest fish in these waters. These black-and-white striped convicts have human-like teeth for crushing barnacles and crabs around structure. They're notorious bait stealers, so quick reflexes are essential. Most run 1-4 pounds, but we occasionally hook into slabs pushing 8+ pounds around the deeper docks and bridges. Winter is prime time for sheepshead when they stack up in good numbers.
Sea Trout are the bread and butter of back bay fishing. These spotted beauties are aggressive feeders that hit both live bait and artificials with enthusiasm. They school up over grass beds and sandy potholes, making them relatively easy to target once you find them. Most trout run 14-20 inches, but we regularly see "gator" trout over 24 inches that provide serious bragging rights. They're active year-round but peak during the cooler months when they move into deeper holes.
Redfish are the ultimate inshore gamefish – powerful, beautiful, and surprisingly smart. Our back bays hold both juvenile reds and full-grown bulls. The smaller fish travel in schools and are perfect for steady action, while the big bulls are solitary hunters that provide heart-stopping fights. Reds are famous for their copper-bronze coloration and distinctive black spots near the tail. They feed heavily on crabs and shrimp, making them suckers for live bait fished near the bottom. Fall brings some of the best redfish action when they school up in huge numbers.
This top-rated back bay charter fills up fast, especially during prime fishing seasons. The intimate 2-person capacity means you'll get the attention and fish-finding expertise that larger boats just can't provide. Whether you're a seasoned angler looking to dial in your inshore techniques or a newcomer wanting to experience world-class fishing without the offshore gamble, this trip delivers consistent results. The protected waters, diverse species, and expert guidance make it a customer favorite that keeps people coming back trip after trip. Give us a call at 239-333-9858 before booking online – we'll make sure you're set up for the best possible day on the water based on current conditions and what's biting.
Our 27' Carolina Skiff is built for serious back bay action. This wide, stable center console gives you and one other angler plenty of casting room while staying close to calm inshore waters. The boat's shallow draft gets you into those productive back bay spots where redfish, snook, and trout like to hang out. With an icebox to keep your drinks cold and a wireless trolling motor for sneaking up on fish without spooking them, you're set for a productive day on the water. The GPS and fish finder help locate the best fishing holes, while the radar keeps you safe if weather rolls in. Whether you're targeting sheepshead around structure or working the flats for spotted seatrout, this rig handles it all with room to move around comfortably.
Lutjanus AnalisMutton snappers are one of the prettiest fish we target, with their olive coloring and distinctive blue streaks around the face. Most run 14-20 inches, but the big ones can push 30+ inches and really bend a rod. You'll find them around structure - reefs, wrecks, and channel edges in 15-80 feet of water. They're not picky eaters, going after shrimp, crabs, and small fish. Spring through fall gives you the best shot at them when they're more active. What makes muttons special is they're excellent fighters and even better on the dinner table - sweet, flaky white meat that's hard to beat. Here's a tip: use the freshest bait you can get and fish it right on the bottom near structure. Once they feel the hook, they'll try to wrap you around anything nearby, so keep steady pressure and work them away from cover quickly.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the bread and butter of our back bay fishing, and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers with the black "eyespot" near their tail typically run 18-27 inches and 3-8 pounds, though we occasionally hook into 30+ inch bulls. They love super shallow water - sometimes so shallow their backs stick out - around oyster bars, mangroves, and grass flats. Year-round fishing is solid, but fall and spring are prime time. What guests love is that reds fight hard, make long runs, and the smaller ones are fantastic eating. They're not spooky either, so perfect for kids and beginners. The magic is sight fishing the shallows with gold spoons or topwater plugs. When you see that wake pushing toward your lure, get ready. Here's the key: when you hook one in skinny water, keep them moving toward deeper water or they'll wrap you in oysters or mangroves every time.
Salmo TruttaSpotted sea trout are perfect for beginners but still fun for experienced anglers. These silvery fish with black spots typically run 12-16 inches and 1-2 pounds, though we catch some nice "gator trout" over 20 inches. They hang around grass flats, sandy potholes, and drop-offs in 3-15 feet of water. Spring through fall produces steady action, with cooler months pushing them into deeper holes. What makes trout great is their willingness to bite and decent fight for their size. They're also excellent eating with mild, flaky white meat. The key is working the grass flats with topwater plugs early and late in the day, or bouncing soft plastics through the grass. Here's something that works well: use a popping cork with live shrimp underneath. The noise draws them in, and the natural presentation seals the deal. Just remember their mouths are soft, so don't horse them - steady pressure brings them to the net.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the "convict fish" with their black and white stripes, and they've got human-like teeth that'll surprise you. Most run 2-5 pounds and 14-18 inches, but we catch some real slabs pushing 8-10 pounds around the right structure. Look for them tight to docks, bridges, pilings, and oyster bars where they pick off barnacles and crabs. They're here year-round but really turn on in late winter and spring when they spawn. What makes sheepshead fun is they're notorious bait thieves - they'll clean your hook without you feeling it. But once hooked, they pull hard and make great table fare with sweet, flaky white meat. The trick is using small hooks with fresh shrimp or fiddler crabs, and keep your bait right against the structure. When you feel that subtle tap-tap, don't wait - set the hook immediately or they'll steal your bait and leave you wondering what happened.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are the ultimate inshore game fish around here - they've got that sleek look with the black lateral stripe and can really pull drag. Most of what we catch runs 18-28 inches, but the big gals can hit 35+ inches and weigh 20 pounds or more. You'll find them around mangroves, docks, creek mouths, and any structure in 2-15 feet of water. They love moving water and ambush spots. Spring through fall is prime time, especially around the new and full moons. What guests love about snook is their aggressive strikes and strong runs - they'll jump and fight hard right to the boat. The meat is excellent too, firm and clean tasting. Pro tip: cast your bait or lure right up against the mangroves or structure. Snook are ambush predators and won't chase something far from cover, so accuracy beats distance every time with these fish.
Fort Myers Beach, FL