Nearshore Fishing Charter with Naples Fishing Charters
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Target grouper, snapper, barracuda, sharks, and kingfish offshoreAll fishing licenses, tackle, bait, and ice providedComplimentary fish cleaning service included with charter
Ready to get your lines wet without burning half your day getting to the fishing grounds? This nearshore charter puts you right where the action is, targeting some of Southwest Florida's most popular gamefish in waters that are close enough to keep seasick guests happy but far enough out to find the good stuff. Captain and crew from Chasin' Tails know these waters like the back of their hands, and they'll put you on fish that'll have you talking about this trip for months. Whether you're a weekend warrior or bringing the kids for their first real fishing adventure, this 4-person charter gives everyone plenty of elbow room and personalized attention.
Your day starts with the crew already having everything rigged and ready to go. No need to worry about licenses, tackle, bait, or even ice – it's all covered. The boat heads out to productive nearshore waters where structure, current, and baitfish come together to create perfect hunting grounds for grouper, snapper, and the speed demons like kingfish and barracuda. The beauty of nearshore fishing is the variety. One minute you might be bottom fishing for a fat grouper, the next you're fighting a king mackerel that's peeling line off your reel. The crew adjusts tactics based on what's biting and what you want to target. They'll keep you busy with steady action while sharing local knowledge that only comes from fishing these waters day in and day out. At the end of the trip, they'll clean your catch so you can head home with fresh fillets ready for the grill.
The crew runs a mix of bottom fishing and trolling depending on conditions and what's showing up on the fish finder. For the bottom dwellers like grouper and snapper, you'll be using heavy tackle with circle hooks and natural baits like pinfish, sardines, or squid. The key is getting your bait down to the structure quickly before the current sweeps it away from the sweet spot. When targeting the pelagic species like kings and barracuda, the crew switches to trolling with spoons, plugs, and live bait. They'll run multiple lines at different depths to cover the water column effectively. Don't worry if you've never used this gear before – the crew will walk you through everything and help you fight the fish once you hook up. They provide quality rods and reels that can handle anything you're likely to encounter, plus they know exactly where to position the boat to give you the best shot at landing your fish.
King Mackerel are the speed merchants of the nearshore waters, and when you hook into a good one, you'll know it immediately. These silver bullets can reach 20-40 pounds in these waters and they fight like fish twice their size. Kings are most active during the warmer months and early fall, and they love to hit fast-moving baits or trolled lures. The initial run is what gets anglers hooked on king fishing – they'll scream line off your reel and jump clear out of the water. Plus, they make excellent table fare when prepared right.
Barracuda are the opportunistic predators that'll hit just about anything that moves too fast or looks injured. These toothy critters can grow over 30 inches in local waters and they're absolute blast on lighter tackle. They're year-round residents, but they're most aggressive during the spring and fall months. What makes barracuda fishing so addictive is their explosive strikes and acrobatic fights. They'll jump, tail-walk, and throw the hook if you give them any slack. Many anglers underestimate barracuda until they hook their first big one.
Lane Snapper might be smaller than their red snapper cousins, but they make up for it with numbers and eating quality. These pink and yellow beauties are abundant around nearshore structure and they're perfect for kids or anyone who wants steady action. They typically run 8-14 inches and they're not picky eaters. Lane snapper are active year-round in Southwest Florida waters, and they school up in good numbers around ledges, rocks, and artificial reefs. They're also one of the best eating fish you'll find in these waters.
Cobia are the wildcards that can show up anywhere and turn a good day into an epic one. These brown sharks look-alikes can reach 30-50 pounds and they're curious enough to come right up to the boat to investigate. Peak cobia season runs from March through June when they're moving through on their spawning migration. What makes cobia so special is their personality – they'll follow the boat, check out your baits, and when they finally commit, they put up a bulldogging fight that'll test your tackle and your back muscles.
Permit are the holy grail for many nearshore anglers, and while they're not always cooperative, when you connect with one it's pure magic. These silver dollars can reach 15-25 pounds in local waters and they're notorious for their strong runs and never-give-up attitude. Permit are most active during the spring and summer months around wrecks and structure. They're extremely spooky and picky eaters, but when everything comes together and you land a permit, you've accomplished something that many anglers chase for years without success.
This nearshore charter delivers exactly what most anglers are looking for – variety, action, and fish in the cooler without spending all day getting there. The crew takes care of all the details so you can focus on fishing and having a good time with your group. With everything from tackle to fish cleaning included, plus the expertise to put you on the best bite of the day, this trip offers serious value for both experienced anglers and families looking to create some fishing memories. The 4-person limit means you get personalized attention and plenty of space to fish comfortably. Book your trip now and get ready to see why nearshore fishing in Southwest Florida keeps anglers coming back season after season.
This well-equipped motorboat gets you to the productive fishing grounds where Grouper, Snapper, Barracuda, Sharks, and Kingfish are waiting. Built for nearshore adventures, she's rigged with GPS navigation to find the hottest spots and an ice box to keep your catch fresh. Perfect for a crew of 4 anglers, whether you're seasoned pros or first-timers looking to wet a line. All your fishing licenses, tackle, bait, and ice are covered, plus they'll clean your fish so you can focus on the action. The captain knows these waters and where the fish are biting, making this boat your ticket to a successful day on the water.
SphyraenidaeBarracuda are torpedo-shaped predators built for speed, hitting 35 mph when they strike. Most run 2-4 feet long around here, lurking in shallow grass flats, around coral heads, and near structure in 10-30 feet of water. They're year-round residents but fishing picks up in warmer months when baitfish are thick. Guests love their aggressive strikes and acrobatic fights on light tackle. The smaller ones make decent table fare, though most folks fish them for sport. These fish hunt by sight, so bright, flashy lures work best - spoons, tube lures, or anything that mimics injured baitfish. Pro tip: use a wire leader and keep your lure moving fast. They'll follow for a while before committing to the strike.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are brown, shark-looking fish that grow big fast - average 30-50 pounds with some hitting 80+. They're loners, cruising near the surface around buoys, wrecks, and structure in 20-100 feet of water. Spring migration brings the best fishing, though we catch them year-round. What guests love is sight-fishing these giants as they cruise just under the surface, plus they're phenomenal eating - firm, white meat that's restaurant quality. They'll eat almost anything but bucktail jigs and live eels work best. Here's the trick: when you spot one, get ahead of it and drop your bait right in its path. Don't cast directly at them or they'll spook. Once hooked, they dive hard and fight like bulldogs all the way to the boat.
Scomberomorus CavallaKingfish are fast, aggressive predators that'll average 20-30 pounds, though we've seen some push 50+ pounds out here. They cruise in 40-150 feet of water, often following baitfish along ledges and drop-offs. Spring through fall gives you the best action when they're actively feeding. What makes kings special is their blistering runs - they'll peel line like nothing else and jump when hooked. The meat's rich and oily, perfect for smoking or grilling. My go-to setup uses a wire leader with two hooks on live bait - one through the nose, another trailing behind. Kings love to hit from the rear, so that second hook saves a lot of missed fish. Watch for diving birds marking bait schools.
Lutjanus SynagrisLane snappers are pretty pink fish with yellow stripes that typically run 10-14 inches, perfect for families and kids learning to fish. They hang around coral reefs and sandy bottoms in 20-100 feet of water, feeding mostly at night but biting during the day too. March through September is peak season when they're spawning and more aggressive. Guests enjoy them because they bite readily and fight harder than their size suggests. Plus they're fantastic eating - sweet, flaky white meat that's perfect in fish tacos. They're not picky eaters - shrimp, squid, and cut bait all work well on small hooks. The secret is fishing near bottom structure and being patient. They often show up as bonus fish when targeting grouper or other snappers.
Trachinotus FalcatusPermit are the holy grail for many anglers - a tall, silver fish that averages 15-25 pounds but can push 40+. They cruise shallow flats in 2-8 feet of water, plus deeper reefs and wrecks offshore. Spring through fall is prime time, especially during their spawning runs. What makes permit tough is their incredible eyesight and spooky nature. They can spot you from way off and disappear in seconds. But land one and you've got bragging rights plus excellent table fare with firm, white meat. Live blue crabs are the gold standard bait, though crab-pattern flies work too. Key trick: keep your distance and present the bait naturally ahead of their path. Don't rush the hookset - let them eat it completely before lifting the rod.
Naples, FL