Quick Cast Guided Fishing in New Smyrna Beach
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Twohour inshore fishing trip targeting redfish and snookCaptain provides all equipment, licenses, and live bait includedPerfect for beginners with experienced local guide aboard
Looking for a solid fishing trip without burning the whole day? Captain Falon Morse has you covered with this 2-hour guided inshore adventure that gets straight to the point. Perfect for first-timers, families with kids, or anyone squeezing in some fishing between other plans, this trip targets some of Florida's best inshore species right in the productive waters around New Smyrna Beach. You'll fish near Ponce Inlet and Port Orange aboard a reliable 21' Carolina Skiff, with all the gear, bait, and licenses handled for you. Just grab your sunscreen and some snacks—Captain Falon knows exactly where to put you on the fish.
This isn't your typical half-day charter, and that's exactly the point. Two hours gives you enough time to hit multiple spots, learn some techniques, and hopefully land a few keepers without the commitment of a longer trip. Captain Falon runs a no-nonsense operation focused on getting you fishing fast and keeping your lines wet. The 21' Carolina Skiff is a workhorse—shallow draft, stable, and perfect for sneaking into those backcountry spots where the big reds like to hang out. You'll launch from the New Smyrna Beach area and work the flats, mangrove shorelines, and deeper cuts where these fish cruise for their next meal. The boat's equipped with quality rods and reels, plus Captain Falon brings fresh live bait that makes all the difference when targeting finicky species like snook. Since this is inshore fishing, you won't be dealing with rough seas or long runs to the fishing grounds—just productive shallow water fishing in some of the most scenic spots along Florida's coast.
Inshore fishing around New Smyrna Beach is all about reading the water and adapting your approach. Captain Falon uses a mix of live bait presentations and artificial lures depending on what the fish are telling him. For redfish, you'll often be casting live shrimp or small crabs near oyster bars and grass flats, letting the bait work naturally in the current. Snook fishing requires more finesse—these guys like to ambush prey from under docks, bridges, and mangrove overhangs, so accurate casting is key. The tackle setup is medium-action spinning gear that can handle the fight these fish put up without being overkill for the smaller species. Captain Falon provides everything you need, including circle hooks that make catch-and-release easier and safer for the fish. He'll also teach you how to read the signs—bird activity, bait schools, water color changes—that help you understand where fish are likely to be holding. The shallow water means you can actually see a lot of the action happening, which makes it especially exciting for kids and beginners who might not catch on to the subtleties of deeper water fishing right away.
Redfish are the bread and butter of New Smyrna Beach inshore fishing, and for good reason. These copper-colored fighters hang around oyster bars, grass flats, and shallow cuts where they root around for crabs and shrimp. They're not particularly line-shy, making them perfect for beginners, but they'll still give you a solid fight on lighter tackle. Most reds you'll encounter run between 18-27 inches, with the occasional bull red pushing 30+ inches and really testing your drag system. Fall and spring are prime time, but you can find them year-round in this area.
Snook are the prize fish that every angler wants to hook. These ambush predators love structure—docks, mangrove roots, bridge pilings—anywhere they can hide and surprise their prey. They're incredibly aggressive when they hit, often jumping clear out of the water and making powerful runs toward cover. The slot size for snook is pretty narrow, so most of what you catch will be released, but the fight alone makes it worth it. Summer months are peak season, especially around dawn and dusk when they're most active.
Great Barracuda might not be what you're specifically targeting, but when one shows up, you'll know it immediately. These silver bullets can hit 20-30 mph and make screaming runs that'll test your reflexes and your drag. They're opportunistic feeders that'll often follow other fish you're fighting, looking for an easy meal. Most barracuda in the inshore waters run 2-4 feet long and provide some of the most explosive action you'll find in shallow water.
Spanish Mackerel are speed demons that travel in schools and hit like freight trains. When you find them, you can often catch several in quick succession before they move on. They're excellent eating and relatively easy to catch once you locate the school. Look for diving birds as a sure sign that spanish mackerel are pushing baitfish to the surface. They're most active during the cooler months, making them a great target for winter fishing.
Black Drum are the bulldogs of the inshore waters—not flashy, but they'll give you a steady, powerful fight that tests your patience and technique. These bottom-feeders love oyster bars and grass flats where they can root around for crabs and shellfish. They grow larger than most inshore species, with fish over 40 inches not uncommon. Their drumming sound, created by muscles vibrating against their swim bladder, is something you can actually feel through the rod when you hook one.
Captain Falon's Quick Cast trip delivers exactly what it promises—quality inshore fishing without the time commitment of a longer charter. Whether you're testing the waters before booking a longer trip, introducing someone to saltwater fishing, or just squeezing in some fishing time during a busy vacation, this 2-hour adventure hits the sweet spot. The single angler capacity means you get personalized instruction and won't have to share the action with a boatloa
Hit the water aboard "Nothin To It," a reliable 21' Carolina Skiff that's perfect for chasing redfish and snook around New Smyrna Beach. This 2006 workhorse runs on a smooth 115 HP Yamaha that'll get you to the fish without burning through your day. Captain Falon keeps the skiff dialed in with GPS and fish finder so you're not guessing where to wet your line. The live bait tank keeps your shrimp and pilchards lively, while the icebox handles your drinks and any keeper fish you land. Built for up to 4 anglers, this shallow-water machine can slip into those skinny flats where the big reds like to feed. Whether you're targeting drum in the backcountry or mackerel near the inlet, this Carolina Skiff handles New Smyrna's waters like it was made for them. No fuss, just solid fishing from a boat that gets the job done.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the bulldogs of our flats - not the prettiest fish, but they'll test your tackle and patience. These bottom-feeders range from keeper-sized 5-pounders to monsters pushing 40+ pounds around our oyster beds and mud flats. They've got powerful jaws for crushing shells and make that distinctive drumming sound you can actually hear underwater. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning in the shallows. Why target them? Pure brute strength - big drum will drag you around the boat and keep you working. Smaller ones (under 15 pounds) are solid table fare, but the big ones get tough. Best approach is fresh crab or cut bait on the bottom around oyster bars. Pro tip: when the tide starts moving and you hear that drumming sound, get your bait down fast. They don't stay put long once they spook.
Sphyraena BarracudaBarracuda are the speed demons of our local waters, hitting 35 mph when they want your bait. Most run 2-4 feet long with razor-sharp teeth and an attitude to match. You'll find them around structure and drop-offs near Ponce Inlet, usually in 10-30 feet of water. They hunt year-round here, but summer months bring the most consistent action. What draws folks to target them? Pure adrenaline - these fish hit hard, jump high, and fight dirty. They're not great table fare due to potential ciguatera, but the action more than makes up for it. Fair warning: they'll bite anything shiny, including your fingers. Always use a wire leader and bring heavy gloves for landing. When one follows your lure, speed up your retrieve - that aggressive move usually triggers the strike.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the bread and butter of inshore fishing around New Smyrna. These copper-colored beauties average 20-30 inches and love our shallow grass flats and oyster bars, especially in 1-4 feet of water. You'll spot them by that distinctive black eyespot near the tail. Spring through fall gives us the best action when they're feeding heavy on shrimp and baitfish. What makes them special? They fight like bulldogs and taste even better - that mild, sweet flavor is perfect for the grill. Plus, watching them "tail" in skinny water gets everyone excited. Pro tip: when you see nervous water over the flats, cast your shrimp or gold spoon just past the disturbance and work it back slow. They'll usually hit it on the drop.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are Florida's premier inshore gamefish and one of my personal favorites to target around New Smyrna's mangroves and docks. These ambush predators average 24-30 inches with that distinctive black lateral line and sloped head. They love structure - think dock pilings, mangrove edges, and inlet mouths where they wait for baitfish. Summer through early fall is prime time, especially around the new and full moons when they spawn. What makes them special? They fight smart, jumping and running toward cover, plus they're excellent eating with firm, white meat. Just remember - they change from male to female as they grow, so those big ones are usually momma fish. Here's the key: cast your live shrimp or snook plug tight to structure and work it slow. They hit hard but have sandpaper mouths, so keep steady pressure and don't horse them.
Scomberomorus MaculatusSpanish mackerel are schooling speedsters that show up in good numbers around New Smyrna, especially near Ponce Inlet. These silvery fish with yellow spots typically run 1-2 feet and maybe 2-3 pounds, but they make up for size with pure speed and great table fare. Look for them in 15-40 feet of water around structure or bait schools from spring through fall. They're fantastic for families because kids can catch them easily, and they're some of the best eating fish we target - mild, flaky, perfect for the cooler. The schools can stretch for miles, so once you find them, you're usually in for steady action. My go-to trick: troll small silver spoons at about 6 knots until you mark a school, then stop and cast to them. Keep your drag light - those soft mouths tear easily.
Port Orange, FL