Half Day Guided Fishing Trip On New Smyrna Beach
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Four-hour inshore fishing adventure targeting redfish and flounderCaptain Falon provides expert guidance aboard 21-foot Carolina SkiffAll fishing equipment and bait included for complete experience
Ready to get your lines wet in some of Florida's most productive inshore waters? Captain Falon Morse runs a top-rated charter operation out of New Smyrna Beach that consistently puts anglers on fish. This half-day adventure aboard Nothin To It Fishing Charters targets the species that make Central Florida's coast famous – Redfish, Snook, Black Drum, Sea Trout, Flounder, and Spanish Mackerel. Whether you're looking to introduce the kids to fishing or you're a seasoned angler wanting to explore new waters, Captain Falon's local knowledge and passion for the sport make this a trip you'll be talking about long after you're back on dry land.
Your four-hour fishing adventure kicks off from the calm waters around Ponce Inlet, where Captain Falon keeps his 21-foot Carolina Skiff. This isn't some crowded party boat experience – with a maximum of three anglers, you'll get personalized attention and plenty of elbow room to work your technique. The Carolina Skiff is perfect for navigating the shallow flats and grass beds where these fish like to hang out, plus it's stable enough for beginners to feel comfortable casting. Captain Falon provides all the tackle you need, from quality rods and reels matched to the target species, to fresh bait that these fish can't resist. The morning trips often start with the sunrise bite when fish are most active, while afternoon charters let you sleep in and still catch plenty of action. Don't worry about bringing anything except your fishing license, sunscreen, and maybe some snacks – everything else is handled.
Inshore fishing around New Smyrna Beach is all about reading the water and matching your presentation to what the fish want. Captain Falon runs a mix of live bait and artificial lures depending on conditions and target species. You'll likely work with live shrimp under popping corks for Redfish cruising the flats, or cast soft plastics along dock pilings where Snook like to ambush baitfish. The grass flats are perfect for drifting with live bait to pick up Sea Trout and Flounder, while the inlet mouths produce Spanish Mackerel on small jigs and spoons. The tackle is medium-light spinning gear that's forgiving for beginners but still gives you the feel to detect subtle bites. Captain Falon teaches proper casting technique, how to work different lures, and most importantly, how to read the signs that fish are in the area. Water temperature, tide movement, bait activity – it all matters, and you'll learn to put the pieces together like a local.
Spanish Mackerel are the speed demons of the inshore waters, and New Smyrna Beach sees good numbers from spring through fall. These chrome torpedoes typically run 12-20 inches and hit lures with aggressive strikes that'll get your heart pumping. They love small spoons and jigs worked fast near the inlet mouths and around bait schools. What makes them so fun is their acrobatic fights – they'll jump and make screaming runs that test your drag system. Plus, they're excellent table fare with firm, white meat that's perfect for the grill.
Southern Flounder are the masters of disguise, lying flat on sandy bottoms waiting to ambush passing prey. These pancake-shaped predators can reach 20+ inches and provide a completely different fishing experience than the other target species. They're most active during cooler months from fall through early spring, making this trip perfect timing for flatfish action. What anglers love about Flounder is the subtlety – their bite feels like a gentle tap or just extra weight on your line. It takes finesse to hook them properly, but once you figure it out, you'll appreciate their unique fighting style and outstanding taste on the dinner table.
Black Drum are the bulldogs of the inshore scene, with their deep, powerful bodies and crushing jaws designed for eating crabs and shellfish. Around New Smyrna Beach, you'll encounter both smaller "puppy drum" in the 12-16 inch range and occasionally larger specimens pushing 20+ inches. They're year-round residents but most active during cooler months. Black Drum provide steady, determined fights without the flashy runs of other species. They're bottom feeders that respond well to fresh shrimp or cut bait fished near structure, and their distinctive black stripes make them easy to identify.
Sea Trout, or Spotted Seatrout, are arguably the most popular inshore species in Florida, and New Smyrna Beach's grass flats provide world-class habitat. These beautiful fish with their prominent canine teeth and spotted flanks typically range from 12-18 inches, with occasional "gator trout" exceeding 20 inches. They're most active during dawn and dusk periods, making half-day charters perfect for targeting them. Sea Trout have relatively soft mouths, so the fight is more about finesse than raw power. They're abundant year-round but peak during spring and fall transitions when they're feeding heavily.
Redfish are the crown jewel of inshore fishing, and the waters around New Smyrna Beach consistently produce quality fish. These copper-colored bruisers with their distinctive black spots can range from 18-inch "rat reds" to 27-inch bulls that'll test your tackle to the limit. Redfish are incredibly adaptable, feeding in water from six inches to six feet deep, around oyster bars, grass flats, and mangrove shorelines. What makes them special is their combination of power and intelligence – they can be surprisingly spooky in shallow water but fight like freight trains once hooked. The slot-size fish (18-27 inches) are excellent eating, while the oversized bulls provide catch-and-release battles you'll never forget.
Hit the productive waters around New Smyrna Beach aboard "Nothin To It," a reliable 21' Carolina Skiff that's built for serious inshore fishing action. This 2006 workhorse runs on a dependable 115 HP Yamaha outboard, giving you the power to reach the best redfish and flounder spots quickly. The boat's shallow draft design lets Captain Falon navigate tight backwater areas where the big fish hide. You'll have everything needed for a successful half-day trip - GPS to mark productive spots, fish finder to locate schools, live bait tank to keep your bait frisky, and an icebox for cold drinks between bites. The open layout comfortably handles up to 3 anglers with plenty of casting room and easy access to all corners of the boat. Perfect for targeting sea trout in the grass flats or working the oyster bars for black drum and snook.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the heavyweights of the drum family, typically running 5-15 pounds in our area but capable of much more. They're dark grey to black with powerful jaws designed for crushing oysters and crabs. You'll find them around oyster beds, muddy flats, and structure in shallow brackish water. Spring is peak season when they school up for spawning - that's when you'll hear their signature drumming sounds underwater. Guests love them because they're strong, steady fighters that really test your drag. The smaller ones under 15 pounds make excellent table fare with firm, white meat. Here's what works: fresh blue crab or cut mullet on the bottom near oyster bars. Use a fish finder rig and let them run with it a bit before setting the hook - they like to mouth the bait first, and patience pays off with these bruisers.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the crown jewel of our inshore fishing, easily recognized by their copper-red color and distinctive black spot near the tail. Most run 18-27 inches in our shallow waters, preferring oyster bars, grass flats, and mangrove shorelines in 1-4 feet of water. They're catchable year-round but fall and spring offer the best action when they school up. What gets guests fired up is their powerful runs and stubborn fight - they'll pull drag and test your patience. Plus, that slot-size fish makes fantastic eating with sweet, firm meat. The shallow water sight-fishing is a real thrill when you spot their backs and tails in knee-deep water. My best advice: approach quietly and cast past them, then work your bait back slowly. A live shrimp under a popping cork near oyster bars is deadly, but don't overlook gold spoons when they're actively feeding.
Salmo TruttaSpotted Sea Trout are beautiful fish with silver sides covered in distinct black spots and a yellow-tinted mouth. Most range 14-20 inches and love grass flats in 2-6 feet of water. They're active year-round but really turn on during warmer months and low-light periods like dawn and dusk. What makes them special is their willingness to hit topwater lures - few things beat that explosive surface strike. They're also excellent table fare with tender, flaky white meat that's perfect for any recipe. The fight isn't overpowering but they're fun on light tackle. Local tip: work the grass edges with a popping cork and live shrimp, especially on moving water. Let the cork sit still for 10-15 seconds between pops - that pause often triggers the strike. Also, don't horse them to the boat; their mouths are soft and they'll throw the hook if you're too aggressive.
Paralichthys LethostigmaThese masters of camouflage are flat, oval-shaped fish with both eyes on their left side - a weird but cool feature that kids always love seeing. Most run 12-18 inches and love hanging out on sandy or muddy bottoms in shallow bays and around structure like oyster bars. Fall and winter are prime time when they move through our area. What guests really enjoy is the challenge - they're ambush predators that bury themselves in the bottom, so you need to feel for that subtle tap. Once hooked, they put up a solid fight for their size. The white, flaky meat is some of the best eating you'll find inshore. My go-to tip: use a slow, dragging retrieve with live shrimp or bull minnows. Keep your bait right on the bottom and be patient - when you feel that light bite, give them a second to fully commit before setting the hook.
Scomberomorus MaculatusSpanish Mackerel are fast, silvery fighters that typically run 1-3 pounds in our waters. You'll spot them by their bright yellow spots along their sides and that torpedo-shaped body built for speed. They love cruising near the surface in schools, especially around structure and baitfish. Spring through fall brings the best action when water temps warm up. What makes them special is that explosive strike - they hit hard and fast, then put on an aerial show. The meat is excellent eating too, with a mild flavor that grills perfectly. Here's a local trick: when you see diving birds working bait, get there quick but don't motor right into the school. Cut the engine about 100 yards out and drift in - you'll avoid spooking them and can cast right into the feeding frenzy.
Port Orange, FL