Charter Fishing Fort Myers with Maxed Out
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Expertguided 68 hour inshore fishing charter for three guestsTarget Snook, Redfish, and Seatrout in Fort Myers watersIncludes bathroom breaks and lunch at waterfront restaurants
Looking for a fishing charter that goes beyond the typical half-day rush? Our 6 to 8-hour Fort Myers inshore trips give you the time you need to really get into the fish. We're talking about targeting some of Southwest Florida's most sought-after species – Snook, Redfish, Black Drum, Sheepshead, and if we're lucky, maybe even a Permit. With space for up to 3 anglers, you'll get the personal attention that makes all the difference between a good day and a day you'll be talking about for years.
We launch out of Fort Myers and spend our day working the flats, mangrove shorelines, and deeper pockets where these fish love to hang out. The extended trip length is what sets this apart – we're not watching the clock, we're following the bite. When the Snook are fired up around a particular mangrove creek, we can stay and work it properly. If the Redfish are tailing on a flat, we've got time to set up the perfect approach. You'll get that bathroom break when you need it, plus we'll stop for lunch at one of the waterfront spots where you can grab a cold beer and talk about the morning's action. The boat's equipped with everything you need, from rods and reels to tackle and bait. Just bring your fishing license, sunscreen, and maybe a cooler if you want to take some fish home.
Inshore fishing in Fort Myers is all about reading the water and adapting your approach. We'll be throwing live shrimp under popping corks around the mangroves, pitching soft plastics to redfish cruising the grass flats, and maybe working some topwater plugs when conditions are right. The tackle varies depending on what we're after – lighter spinning gear for Seatrout and Sheepshead, medium action rods when we're targeting Snook around structure. If you're new to inshore fishing, don't worry about it. We'll get you set up with the right rod and walk you through the techniques. For experienced anglers, we're always up for trying different approaches or letting you work your favorite lures. The key to success out here is staying mobile and covering water until we find where the fish are holding.
Snook are the crown jewel of Southwest Florida inshore fishing, and Fort Myers has some of the best Snook fishing in the state. These fish love ambush points – bridge pilings, mangrove overhangs, dock lines, anywhere they can sit in the shade and wait for baitfish to swim by. They're most active during the warmer months from April through October, though you can catch them year-round if you know where to look. What makes Snook so special is their fighting ability – they'll jump, they'll run to structure, and they'll test your drag system. Plus, they're beautiful fish with that distinctive black lateral line. Most of our Snook run between 20 and 30 inches, with the occasional slot fish that you can keep for dinner.
Redfish are probably the most consistent biters we have in these waters, and they're absolute bulldogs when hooked. You'll find them cruising the grass flats, especially on incoming tides when they're pushing up shallow to feed on crabs and shrimp. The cool thing about Reds is you can often see them before you cast – watch for that copper-colored flash or the telltale tail sticking up as they root around in the sand. They're available all year long, but fall and winter can be particularly good when the water cools down and they school up in big numbers. A good Fort Myers Red will run anywhere from 18 to 27 inches, right in that sweet spot where they fight hard but aren't too big to handle on medium tackle.
Black Drum don't get the respect they deserve, but they're some of the strongest fish swimming in these waters. You'll typically find them around oyster bars and structure where they're crunching on crabs and shellfish. The smaller ones, what we call "puppy drum," are great eating and put up a solid fight. The bigger Drum – and we're talking fish that can push 30 or 40 pounds – are just pure power. They won't jump like a Snook or make long runs like a Red, but they'll pull straight down and test your back muscles. Winter is prime time for Black Drum around Fort Myers, especially when the water temperature drops into the 60s and 70s.
Sheepshead are the master thieves of the inshore world, and catching them consistently takes real skill. They hang around any kind of structure – docks, bridges, rock piles – where they can pick barnacles and crabs off the pilings. The trick is using small hooks, fresh bait, and developing a feel for their subtle bite. They're notorious bait stealers, but once you hook up, they're surprisingly strong for their size. Most Sheepshead around Fort Myers run 12 to 16 inches, and they're some of the best eating fish in the gulf. They're most active in the cooler months from November through March, making them perfect winter targets when some of the other species slow down.
Permit are the holy grail of inshore fishing – they're incredibly spooky, extremely selective, and when you do manage to hook one, they'll test every knot and connection on your tackle. We don't see them every trip, but when conditions are right – clear water, moderate current, and the right tide – they'll show up on the flats looking for crabs. Most Fort Myers Permit run between 15 and 25 pounds, and they're built like torpedoes. The fight is something else – long, powerful runs that will have your reel screaming. Even experienced anglers get shaky when a Permit swims into casting range because you know you might not get another shot.
Get ready to hit the Fort Myers waters aboard our brand-new 2022 Skeeter Bay boat! This 25-footer packs serious punch with a 300HP Yamaha engine that'll get you to the hot fishing spots fast, cruising at speeds up to 50 knots. Perfect for your group of up to 3 anglers, this ride is built for serious inshore action. The boat comes loaded with everything you need for a successful day on the water. Our fish finder will help locate schools of snook, redfish, and seatrout hiding in the shallows, while the wireless trolling motor keeps things quiet when you're sneaking up on spooky fish. The GPS keeps you on track to the best spots, and the VHF radio ensures safe communication. Between fighting fish, you'll appreciate the icebox keeping your drinks cold and snacks fresh during those 6-8 hour adventures. Whether you're casting around mangroves or working the grass flats, this Skeeter handles Fort Myers' inshore waters like a dream. The shallow draft gets you into skinny water where the big fish hide, and the stable platform gives you plenty of room to work your catch.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the heavyweights of the flats, commonly running 10-20 pounds but capable of hitting 40+ pounds. These bottom-feeders patrol oyster bars, muddy flats, and creek mouths in 3-15 feet of water. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning - that's when you'll hear them "drumming" underwater. They're tough fighters that use their weight and power to wear you down, making every hookup a real battle. The smaller ones (under 15 pounds) are excellent eating with sweet, flaky meat. You'll find them year-round in our waters, but cooler months bring the bigger fish shallow. Here's the secret: use fresh crab or cut mullet on the bottom near oyster beds, and don't set the hook too quick - let them run with it first, then lean into them hard.
Trachinotus FalcatusPermit are the holy grail of flats fishing - these silver, disc-shaped fish average 15-25 pounds and test every bit of your skill. They cruise sandy flats and grass beds in 3-8 feet, often solo or in small groups. Spring through fall gives you the best shots, especially during spawning season when they're more aggressive. What makes them special is their incredible eyesight and spooky nature - one bad cast and they vanish. The fight is relentless with long runs and surprising strength. They're decent eating but most anglers release these beauties for the challenge alone. You need perfect presentation and patience - they'll inspect your bait forever before deciding. Fresh crab is the gold standard, but here's what works: spot them first, get ahead of their path, and drop a small jig tipped with shrimp right in front of them - no splash, perfect timing.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the bread and butter of our flats fishing, typically 18-27 inches with that distinctive black spot and copper-colored back. These fish cruise super shallow water - sometimes with their backs showing - around grass flats, oyster bars, and mangrove shorelines. They bite year-round but fall and winter are magic when they school up in big numbers. What guests love is watching them tail in skinny water and that freight train run when hooked. They're also great table fare when kept in the slot. You'll spot them pushing wakes or tailing in 1-4 feet of water, especially on falling tides. The key is staying quiet and making accurate casts - spook one and the whole school disappears. Gold spoon or live shrimp work great, but here's my go-to: a white paddle tail on a 1/4 oz jig head worked slow along the bottom.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the pickpockets of the dock pilings, running 2-5 pounds with those famous human-like teeth and prison stripes. These convict fish live around any hard structure - bridges, docks, reefs - in 5-25 feet, munching barnacles and crabs all day. Winter and early spring are peak season when they stack up thick around the structures. They're notorious bait thieves, but once you hook one, it's a steady, determined fight. The payoff is some of the best eating fish in these waters - sweet, white meat that's hard to beat. They'll drive you crazy stealing bait, but that's part of the challenge. My trick: use a small piece of fresh shrimp on a #1 circle hook, keep it tight to the structure, and the second you feel weight, set that hook hard - hesitate and they'll clean you out.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are one of Florida's premier inshore targets, typically running 18-24 inches with bigger fish pushing 30+ inches. These golden-sided fighters love structure - mangroves, docks, bridges, and creek mouths in 2-10 feet of water. They're temperature sensitive, so spring through fall offers the best action when water stays above 70°F. What makes them special is that explosive strike and bulldogging fight, plus they're fantastic table fare with firm white meat. During spawning season (May-September), their fins turn bright yellow and they get extra aggressive around passes and inlets. Pro tip: cast live shrimp or a topwater plug right up against the mangroves at dawn or dusk - that's when they come out to feed and you'll get the most violent strikes.
Fort Myers