Full Day Fishing Trip - Placida, FL
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fullday inshore fishing adventure in prime Florida watersExpert guides target Turtle Bay, Bull Bay, and Boca Grande PassAccommodates up to 4 guests for shared fishing experience
Get ready to fish some of Florida's most productive waters on this full-day charter out of Placida. With Mike Wise Fishing Charters, you'll spend the day working the flats, channels, and passes where southwest Florida's legendary gamefish hunt. We're talking about places like Turtle Bay, Bull Bay, and the world-famous Boca Grande Pass - spots that consistently produce trophy fish and memories that last a lifetime. This isn't your typical half-day quickie; we're going full throttle for a complete day on the water, giving you the best shot at multiple species and plenty of action.
This full-day adventure starts early and runs long, maximizing your time in the prime fishing zones around Charlotte Harbor and beyond. You'll fish both inshore flats and backcountry areas, switching up techniques and locations as conditions and fish activity dictate. The beauty of a full-day trip is flexibility - if the snook are fired up in the mangroves at dawn, we'll work them hard. When the tide changes and tarpon start rolling in the pass, we'll make the move. With up to four anglers per boat, there's room for your crew without feeling crowded, and everyone gets plenty of shots at quality fish. The boat is equipped with everything you need, from tackle to safety gear, so you can focus on what matters most - putting fish in the boat.
We run a variety of setups depending on what we're targeting and where we're fishing. Light tackle spinning rigs with live bait work magic on the flats for snook and redfish, while heavier conventional gear comes out when we're chasing tarpon or goliath grouper. Live pinfish, pilchards, and shrimp are go-to baits, but we'll also throw artificials when the fish are aggressive - everything from soft plastics to topwater plugs. The backcountry fishing often involves sight casting to tailing reds or working structure with jigs. In the passes, we'll drift live bait in the current or anchor up on productive spots. Your captain knows these waters inside and out, reading the tides, wind, and fish behavior to put you on the best bite throughout the day.
Snook are the kings of these waters, and for good reason. These ambush predators love the mangrove shorelines and dock pilings where they can surprise unsuspecting baitfish. They're most active during dawn and dusk, making our early start perfect for catching them in feeding mode. What makes snook special is their aggressive strike and bulldogging fight - they'll make long runs and try to wrap you around structure. Plus, they're beautiful fish with that distinctive black lateral line. Best months are April through October when they're most active in the shallows.
Goliath grouper are the gentle giants that'll test your tackle and your nerves. These massive fish, which can exceed 400 pounds, hang around structure in deeper water and provide an absolute tug-of-war when hooked. While they're catch-and-release only, landing one is a bucket-list experience that'll have you talking for years. They're curious fish that often come right up to the boat, making for amazing photo opportunities. Summer months offer the best shots at these prehistoric-looking bruisers.
Tarpon are pure silver dynamite and the reason many anglers make pilgrimages to southwest Florida. Boca Grande Pass is world-renowned for its tarpon fishing, especially during the spring and early summer migration. These "silver kings" can reach over 200 pounds and are famous for their spectacular jumps when hooked. The fight is legendary - long runs, multiple jumps, and enough power to humble any angler. Peak season runs from April through July, with May and June being absolutely prime time.
Redfish, or "reds" as locals call them, are the bread and butter of inshore fishing here. These copper-colored fighters are found on grass flats, around oyster bars, and in shallow backcountry waters. They're year-round residents that provide consistent action and excellent table fare. Reds are known for their stubborn, head-shaking fight and their willingness to eat both live and artificial baits. Sight fishing for tailing reds in shallow water is pure addiction - watching them cruise the flats with their tails breaking the surface never gets old.
Tripletail are the quirky fish that float like debris around structure and crab trap buoys. These odd-looking fish are masters of camouflage, often mistaken for floating seaweed until they suddenly come alive. They're excellent eating and provide a unique fishing challenge since you often sight cast to individual fish. Summer months are best for tripletail, and once you learn to spot them, you'll be amazed how many are actually out there hiding in plain sight.
A full day with Mike Wise Fishing Charters gives you the complete southwest Florida fishing experience. You're not just fishing - you're exploring some of the most productive and beautiful waters in the state with a captain who knows every productive spot, every tide change, and every seasonal pattern. The combination of inshore flats and backcountry access means variety and consistent action throughout the day. Whether you're after your first snook, dreaming of a giant tarpon, or just want to bend rods all day long, this trip delivers. Don't wait for the perfect conditions - the best day to go fishing is today. Book your full-day adventure and get ready to see why anglers from around the world come to fish these waters.
Your fishing machine for the day is a well-equipped motorboat that's perfect for working the inshore waters around Placida. This reliable vessel comfortably handles up to 4 anglers, giving everyone plenty of room to cast lines and land fish without crowding each other. The modern GPS keeps you on course to hotspots like Turtle Bay and Boca Grande Pass, while the fish finder helps locate where the action is happening below the surface. An onboard icebox keeps your drinks cold and preserves your catch fresh throughout the long day on the water. Whether you're targeting snook in the backcountry or working the grass flats for redfish, this boat has the features and space to make your full-day fishing adventure productive and comfortable.
Epinephelus ItajaraThese giants are the holy grail of our waters - we're talking fish that can reach 400+ pounds and 6 feet long. You'll find them around reefs, wrecks, and ledges in 15-100 feet of water throughout our area. While they're around year-round, summer months offer the best action when they gather for spawning. What draws anglers to goliaths isn't just their massive size - it's that first bone-jarring run that'll test every piece of your gear. Remember, these prehistoric fish are protected, so it's strictly catch and release. They're not shy and will eat large baits like whole jacks or big chunks of bait. My advice: anchor far enough from structure to have a fighting chance, but close enough they'll come out to feed. Use circle hooks and heavy tackle - you'll need every advantage you can get.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are our bread-and-butter inshore species and perfect for all skill levels. These copper-colored beauties with distinctive black spots average 18-27 inches and love super shallow water - sometimes so shallow their backs show above the surface. You'll find them around oyster bars, grass flats, and mangrove shorelines in 1-4 feet of water year-round, though fall and spring offer the best action. What makes reds so popular is their willingness to eat almost anything and their strong, bulldogging fights. They're also fantastic table fare with sweet, firm meat. The key to success is sight fishing - polarized sunglasses are essential. When you spot their tails or backs in skinny water, cast well ahead of them and let your bait settle. They spook easily, so stealth is everything.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are one of our most sought-after inshore species around Placida. These sleek, golden fish with that signature black lateral line typically run 18-28 inches, though we see some real bruisers pushing 40+ inches. They love hanging around mangroves, docks, and creek mouths in 2-6 feet of water. Best fishing happens during warmer months, especially around new and full moons when they're most active. What makes snook special is their explosive strikes and acrobatic fights - they'll jump and run for structure every time. Plus, they're excellent table fare with sweet, white meat. Here's a local tip: when casting to structure, let your lure sink a bit before starting your retrieve. Snook often hit on the fall, and that pause can make all the difference between a follow and a hookup.
Megalops AtlanticusThe silver king is what fishing dreams are made of. These massive fish average 80-150 pounds but can push over 200. We find them in shallow flats, channels, and around bridges from spring through early fall - peak season is May through July. What makes tarpon fishing so special is watching a 6-foot fish launch itself completely out of the water multiple times during the fight. It's pure adrenaline. They're found in 3-30 feet of water, often rolling on the surface where you can see them coming. While they're edible, most anglers release these prehistoric beauties due to their bony meat. The key to hooking up is using live bait like crabs or pinfish, and when they jump, bow to the king - drop your rod tip to give them slack. This prevents them from throwing the hook during their aerial show.
Lobotes SurinamensisTripletail are one of our coolest sight-fishing targets. These odd-looking fish average 5-15 pounds and get their name from their rounded anal and dorsal fins that look like extra tails. You'll spot them floating near the surface around weedlines, channel markers, and debris in 10-50 feet of water. Summer through fall is prime time when they're most active. What makes tripletail fishing so rewarding is the visual aspect - you can see them lying on their sides mimicking floating debris. They're also excellent eating, with firm white meat similar to grouper. The trick is being sneaky - cast well past them and work your bait slowly toward the fish. They'll ambush it when it gets close. Use live shrimp or small jigs, and be ready for their color-changing abilities when they get excited.
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