6 Hour Inshore Fishing Trip - Placida, FL
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Sixhour inshore fishing adventure in Placida watersExplore Turtle Bay, Bull Bay, and Boca Grande PassAccommodates up to four guests with experienced charter service
Looking for a solid day on the water where the fish are biting and the scenery's easy on the eyes? Mike Wise Fishing Charters has you covered with this top-rated 6-hour inshore adventure out of Placida, Florida. This isn't your typical tourist trap – we're talking about real fishing in some of Southwest Florida's most productive backcountry waters. Whether you're bringing your buddies for a guys' trip or introducing someone new to the sport, this charter gives you plenty of time to work the flats, hit the passes, and maybe even tangle with something that'll test your drag system.
Captain Mike knows these waters like the back of his hand, and he's going to put you on fish in spots that most weekend warriors never see. We're talking Turtle Bay's grass flats where redfish cruise the shallows, Bull Bay's oyster bars that hold hungry trout, and if conditions are right, maybe even a shot at Boca Grande Pass where the tarpon stack up during their migration. The boat holds up to four anglers comfortably, so there's plenty of room to spread out and work different techniques without stepping on each other's lines. Six hours gives you real time to explore multiple spots – not just a quick hit-and-run tour. You'll cover water from the protected backcountry mangrove shorelines to the deeper cuts and passes where bigger fish patrol. The beauty of inshore fishing here is the variety – one cast you're sight-fishing a laid-up redfish in two feet of water, the next you're working a DOA shrimp along a drop-off for trout.
Mike's got the boat rigged with quality spinning gear that can handle everything from finicky pompano to bulldog reds. Depending on what's biting and where we're fishing, you'll be throwing everything from live shrimp under popping corks to soft plastics on jig heads. The inshore game is all about reading the water and matching your presentation to what the fish want that day. In the shallow grass flats, we're talking about quiet approaches with light tackle – think 15-20 pound braid on spinning reels with fluorocarbon leaders. When we move to the passes and deeper structure, we might bump up the gear a bit for fish that can really pull. Live bait is king out here, and Mike knows how to find it – whether that's netting up some pinfish, catching pilchards, or picking up premium shrimp. Artificial lures definitely have their place too, especially when the fish are active and you want to cover water fast. Soft plastics like Gulp shrimp, DOA CAL jigs, and paddle tails are proven producers in these waters.
Florida Pompano are the gold standard of inshore fishing around Placida, and for good reason. These silver bullets typically run 2-4 pounds but fight way above their weight class. They're primarily a cooler-weather fish, with the best action from October through April when they school up along the beaches and grass flats. Pompano have small mouths, so you're fishing with small hooks and fresh shrimp or sand fleas. What makes them special isn't just the fight – they're absolutely delicious on the table. When you hook into a school of pomps, get ready for steady action because they travel in groups.
Tarpon fishing near Boca Grande Pass is world-class, especially during the spring and early summer migration from April through July. These silver kings can range from juvenile fish around 20-40 pounds up to giants pushing 150+ pounds. Even a small tarpon will test your tackle and your patience – they're famous for their acrobatic jumps and long runs. Most anglers practice catch and release with tarpon since they're not great table fare, but landing one is a badge of honor that'll have you talking for years. The pass holds fish because it's a major feeding area where baitfish get swept through on the tides.
Sea Trout are your bread-and-butter inshore species that bite year-round and make excellent table fare. They typically run 14-20 inches in these waters, with the occasional gator trout pushing 4-5 pounds. Trout love grass flats and are suckers for live shrimp fished under a popping cork. They're also aggressive with soft plastic baits, making them great for anglers who like to stay active and keep casting. Dawn and dusk are prime time, but you can catch them throughout the day, especially in deeper potholes during the heat of summer.
Redfish are the poster fish of Florida inshore fishing, and the backwaters around Placida hold some beautiful specimens. These copper-colored bruisers typically run 18-27 inches in the slot, though you might tangle with an oversized bull red that'll really test your drag. Reds are structure-oriented fish that love oyster bars, mangrove shorelines, and grass flat edges. They're not picky eaters – live shrimp, cut bait, and soft plastics all produce. What makes redfish special is their power and the variety of ways you can catch them, from sight-casting in skinny water to bottom fishing deeper holes.
Permit are the holy grail of inshore flats fishing – notoriously finicky and incredibly strong. These silver pancakes are most common in spring and fall, typically weighing 8-20 pounds around here. They're crab eaters primarily, so live crabs or crab-pattern jigs work best. Permit have incredible eyesight and spook easily, making them a technical challenge that separates casual anglers from serious flats fishermen. When you do connect with one, they make long, powerful runs that'll have your reel screaming.
This 6-
Your fishing adventure starts with a well-equipped motorboat built for navigating Placida's prime inshore waters. This reliable vessel comfortably handles up to 4 anglers while you target the productive flats of Turtle Bay and Bull Bay, plus the legendary Boca Grande Pass. The onboard fish finder takes the guesswork out of locating schools, while GPS navigation keeps you on course to the hottest spots. An icebox keeps your catch fresh and drinks cold during those long fights with tarpon and snook. Modern safety systems give you confidence to focus on what matters most - putting fish in the boat. Perfect for small groups wanting to experience Florida's backcountry fishing without the crowds.
Trachinotus CarolinusFlorida Pompano are one of the most sought-after fish around Placida - and for good reason. These silvery, flat-bodied beauties typically run 12-18 inches and 1-3 pounds, though we occasionally see bigger ones. They love shallow grass flats and sandy areas where they hunt for crabs and shrimp. Summer and fall are prime time when they're most active in our waters. What makes them special? They're scrappy fighters for their size, being part of the jack family, and they're absolutely delicious - that buttery, flaky meat is restaurant quality. Use small hooks since they have tiny mouths, and live shrimp or sand fleas work best. Pro tip: look for them "tailing" in shallow water during incoming tides around the grass edges.
Trachinotus FalcatusPermit are the holy grail of flats fishing - these silver, disc-shaped fish will test your patience and skill like no other. Most run 15-25 pounds, but they can hit 40+ pounds and are built like bulldozers. They cruise our shallow flats, especially around structure and sandy spots where they dig for crabs. Spring through fall gives you the best shots, particularly April to October. What makes permit so special? They're incredibly spooky with amazing eyesight and will humble even experienced anglers. The fight is relentless and the challenge is addictive. Live crabs are the gold standard bait, though crab-pattern flies work for the brave. Pro tip: make your cast well ahead of cruising fish and let the bait sink naturally - any sudden movement will spook them instantly.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are hands-down one of the most fun fish to target in our shallow waters. These copper-colored bruisers average 20-28 inches and put up a serious fight in just 1-4 feet of water. Look for that distinctive black spot near their tail - it's their trademark. They love oyster bars, grass flats, and mangrove shorelines where they hunt crabs and baitfish. Year-round fishing is good here, but fall and spring are peak times when they school up. What makes reds special? They eat just about anything and fight like freight trains in shallow water. The meat is excellent too - mild and sweet. Best tip I can give: watch for "tailing" fish pushing wakes in skinny water, and use a gold spoon or live shrimp on a jig head.
Salmo TruttaSpotted sea trout, or "specks" as we call them locally, are perfect for anglers wanting consistent action. They typically run 14-20 inches and make great table fare with their mild, flaky white meat. You'll find them over grass flats, around oyster bars, and in deeper holes during cooler months. They're most active at dawn and dusk, especially during moving tides. Fall and spring offer the best fishing when water temps are in the 60s and 70s. What's great about trout is they hit both live bait and artificials - soft plastics, topwater plugs, and live shrimp all work well. Here's a local secret: fish the deeper channel edges on cold mornings, then move shallow as the sun warms the flats.
Megalops AtlanticusTarpon are the ultimate bucket-list fish around here - we're talking about silver giants that can reach 6 feet and 100+ pounds, though most we see are in the 80-100 pound range. They love our shallow flats, channels, and passes, especially Boca Grande Pass during their spring and summer migrations. These prehistoric fish are pure athletes - they'll jump 8-10 feet out of the water and test every ounce of your skill. People don't eat them much due to the bony meat, but that's not why you're here anyway. The fight is what counts. Best months are April through July when they're moving through. My advice: when one jumps, bow to the fish by dropping your rod tip - it keeps tension off the line and prevents thrown hooks.
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