Premium 6 Hour Inshore Fishing with Captain Allan
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Sixhour inshore fishing adventure in Indian River LagoonTarget Redfish, Black Drum, Speckled Trout, and SnapperCaptain Allan provides expert guidance for all skill levels
Captain Allan and North Emerald Charters know exactly where the fish are biting in Cape Canaveral's legendary waters. This 6-hour inshore fishing charter takes you deep into the Indian River Lagoon system, where some of Florida's most sought-after species call home. Perfect for couples or fishing buddies, this intimate 2-person max trip means you'll get personalized attention and access to Captain Allan's best-kept spots. Whether you're looking to land your first redfish or add another trophy speckled trout to your collection, this top-rated charter delivers the kind of action that keeps anglers coming back season after season.
The Indian River Lagoon isn't your average fishing hole – it's a sprawling inshore paradise stretching along Florida's east coast with countless grass flats, oyster bars, and drop-offs that hold fish year-round. Captain Allan's been working these waters long enough to read the tides, wind, and seasonal patterns like a playbook. You'll start your day hitting structure where black drum congregate, then move to grass flats where redfish cruise the shallows. The beauty of a 6-hour trip is having time to adjust tactics and locations based on what's working that day. Don't worry about experience level – Captain Allan tailors the approach whether you're a weekend warrior or someone who's never cast a line. The boat stays comfortable for two anglers, giving everyone plenty of room to work without tangling lines or fighting for space.
Inshore fishing in the Indian River Lagoon is all about matching your presentation to the conditions and target species. Captain Allan runs a mix of live bait and artificial lures depending on what the fish want that day. You'll likely work with shrimp, pinfish, or cut bait around structure for drum and snapper, while switching to paddle tails and topwater plugs when hunting redfish in the shallows. The flats fishing here requires finesse – light tackle that lets you feel every bump and pick, but strong enough to turn a bull red away from the mangroves. Captain Allan provides all the gear, from spinning reels spooled with appropriate test line to a selection of jigs, spoons, and soft plastics that produce in these waters. Circle hooks are the standard for live bait work, helping ensure solid hookups while giving fish the best chance if they need to swim another day. When the bite gets tough, don't be surprised if you're switching between techniques – maybe starting with bottom fishing for drum, then moving shallow to sight-cast redfish as the sun gets higher.
Red Snapper represent the crown jewel of Cape Canaveral fishing when they're in season, typically during summer months. These bottom dwellers pack serious fight in a compact package, often running 10-20 pounds with bigger specimens always possible. They hold around structure and won't hesitate to test your drag system on that initial run. What makes snapper fishing so rewarding is the technique required – you need to get your bait down fast and be ready for that distinctive snapper bite. Once hooked, they're notorious for trying to cut your line on whatever structure they're hiding around.
Black Drum are the bulldogs of the lagoon, offering steady action throughout most of the year with peak numbers during cooler months. These fish range from puppy drum around 5-10 pounds up to massive bulls that can hit 30-40 pounds or more. They're bottom feeders with a knack for finding oyster bars, dock pilings, and channel edges. Black drum fight with pure power rather than speed, making long, determined runs that test your patience and drag settings. They're also excellent table fare when kept at legal size, with firm white meat that works great fried or blackened.
Sea Trout, specifically speckled trout, are the bread and butter of Indian River Lagoon fishing. These beautiful spotted fish are active year-round but really turn on during spring and fall transitions. They love grass flats, especially around deeper potholes and channel edges where baitfish congregate. Trout are aggressive feeders that'll hit both live bait and artificials, making them perfect for anglers who want consistent action. They typically run 14-20 inches with occasional gator trout pushing 25+ inches. The bite can be subtle, so staying connected to your bait is crucial for consistent hookups.
Redfish are probably the most exciting target species in these waters, known for their copper-bronze coloring and that distinctive black spot near the tail. These fish are year-round residents that love shallow water, especially during warmer months when you can sight-cast to cruising schools. Reds are phenomenal fighters that combine speed with power, often making screaming runs that'll have your reel singing. They're also incredibly smart, especially the bigger slot fish and over-slot bulls. Perfect redfish range from 18-27 inches, though catching and releasing the breeding-size bulls over 27 inches provides some of the most memorable fights you'll ever experience.
Mahi Mahi bring offshore excitement to your inshore trip when conditions align and these pelagic speedsters move within reach. Also called common dolphinfish, these are the golden beauties known for spectacular aerial displays and blazing runs. Mahi typically show up during warmer months when blue water pushes closer to shore, often around floating debris or weed lines. They're schooling fish, so where you find one, there's usually more nearby. Their electric colors – brilliant gold, blue, and green – make them as beautiful as they are fun to catch. Fresh mahi is also some of the best eating fish in Florida waters.
Captain Allan's 6-hour charters book up fast, especially during prime fishing seasons when the bite is hot and weather cooperates. This world-class inshore experience gives you the time and expertise needed to target multiple species
Our well-equipped motorboat is your ticket to serious fishing action in Cape Canaveral's productive waters. This reliable vessel comes loaded with a GPS navigation system to hit those sweet fishing spots, plus a fish finder that'll help you locate schools of redfish, trout, and snapper hiding in the Indian River Lagoon. The onboard VHF radio keeps you connected for safety and weather updates during your 6-hour adventure. With a comfortable toilet facility, you can focus on what matters most - landing that next big catch. Perfect for up to 2 anglers, this boat handles the inshore waters like a champ, getting you to where the fish are biting without the fuss. Captain Allan knows these waters inside and out, and this boat gives him everything he needs to put you on the fish.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the heavyweights of the lagoon system, and they put up one heck of a scrap. Most fish we catch run 8-20 pounds, but don't be surprised if you hook into a 40+ pounder - they grow massive here. These gray-black bruisers love shallow muddy flats, oyster beds, and around any structure where they can crush crabs and shellfish with those powerful jaws. You'll hear them "drumming" underwater, especially during spring spawning season when they school up and become much easier to target. That's prime time - March through May when water temps start warming. The smaller ones under 15 pounds eat great with firm, white meat, but the big ones get tough. My go-to technique: fresh blue crab on a Carolina rig fished right on bottom. The key is using enough weight to stay down and being patient - drum take their time inspecting bait before committing.
Coryphaena HippurusMahi are the most colorful fighters you'll encounter out here, and they put on quite a show both in the water and on deck. These golden beauties average 15-29 pounds and 39 inches, with males sporting that distinctive flat forehead. We find them around floating debris, weed lines, and current breaks in offshore waters, typically 20+ miles out. Spring through early fall brings the best action when water temps climb into the 70s and 80s. What makes them special is that incredible color change when brought aboard - electric blues and greens fading to gold. They're also fantastic eating with firm, white meat that's perfect grilled or blackened. The fight is explosive with long runs and aerial displays that'll have everyone on deck cheering. My offshore trick: look for frigate birds working floating debris - where there are birds, there are usually mahi below. Ballyhoo skipped on the surface drives them absolutely crazy.
Lutjanus CampechanusRed Snapper are one of those fish that make every trip memorable. These bottom-dwellers typically run 2-4 pounds in our waters, though we see some real beauties pushing 10+ pounds near structure. They love hanging around wrecks, reefs, and rocky bottom in 30-100 feet of water. The pink-to-red coloration makes them easy to identify, and that pale white belly is a dead giveaway. Spring through fall gives us the best action when water temps hit that sweet 60-70 degree range. What really gets anglers excited is the fight - these fish are strong and will try to cut your line on structure. The eating quality is outstanding too, with that mild, nutty flavor that made them famous. My local trick: use fresh squid or cigar minnows on a heavy sinker rig, and keep steady pressure once hooked to pull them away from cover before they wrap you up.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the bread and butter of our inshore fishery, and for good reason. These copper-colored fighters typically run 20-28 inches and are famous for that black spot near the tail that fools predators. They cruise super shallow flats - sometimes with their backs out of water - around oyster bars, mangroves, and grass beds. The cooler months bring the best action when they school up, but we catch them year-round in our backwaters. What makes them special is their aggressive nature and willingness to eat almost anything - live shrimp, cut bait, or artificials. That initial run when hooked will test your drag, and they're smart about using structure to their advantage. The meat is excellent with a mild, sweet flavor that's hard to beat. My local tip: look for "nervous water" and mullet jumping - that usually means reds are feeding below. A gold spoon worked along grass edges during moving water is deadly effective.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled Trout are hands down one of the most popular inshore targets we have. These spotted beauties typically run 14-24 inches and fight way above their weight class. You'll find them cruising grass flats, shallow bays, and around structure in 2-8 feet of water, especially during morning and evening hours. They love water temps in the 60-75 range, making spring and fall our hottest seasons. What really gets people hooked is their willingness to hit topwater lures - there's nothing like watching a trout explode on a surface plug at dawn. The eating quality is fantastic too, with delicate white meat that's perfect pan-fried. Winter months they school up in deeper channels, making them easier to locate but requiring different tactics. My local secret: work a soft plastic shrimp under a popping cork along grass edges during moving tide. The key is a slow, subtle retrieve that mimics wounded baitfish.
Cape Canaveral, FL