4-Hour Fishing Trip - Naples, Florida
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
4hour offshore fishing charter with Captain PerryFamilyfriendly trips accommodate up to 3 guests maximumInshore and offshore options available for customization
Captain Perry's got something special waiting for you out on the waters around Naples. This isn't your typical charter – it's a solid 4-hour adventure that gives you the perfect taste of what Southwest Florida fishing is all about. Whether you're looking to stay inshore in the protected waters or venture offshore where the bigger fish roam, Perry knows exactly where to put you on the fish. With room for up to three anglers, this trip is perfect for couples, small families, or a tight group of fishing buddies who want that personalized attention you just can't get on the bigger boats.
You'll meet Captain Perry at the dock bright and early, where his well-maintained charter boat is loaded and ready to go. The beauty of this 4-hour window is that it's long enough to really get into some good fishing without wearing you out – especially perfect if you've got kids along or you're new to saltwater fishing. Perry's approach is all about reading the conditions and adjusting the game plan accordingly. Some days that means working the mangrove shorelines for snook, other days it's heading out to structure for cobia and bonito. The captain's been working these waters long enough to know when to switch tactics, and he's great at explaining what's happening as you go. You'll learn about tides, bait movement, and fish behavior without feeling like you're in a classroom. It's hands-on education that makes every cast more productive.
Perry keeps his boat stocked with quality gear that's matched to the fishing you'll be doing. For inshore work, you're looking at medium-action spinning rods spooled with braided line – perfect for the quick hooksets you need around structure. When targeting snook around docks and mangroves, he'll have you throwing live shrimp or pinfish under popping corks, letting the bait work naturally in the current. For the offshore action, the tackle steps up accordingly. Conventional reels loaded with heavier line come into play when you're trolling for bonito or working bottom structure for cobia. Perry's a big believer in using circle hooks for live bait fishing – they hook fish better and make catch-and-release much safer for the fish. He'll show you the difference between a proper hookset with circles versus J-hooks, and why patience pays off when that rod tip starts bouncing. The boat's equipped with a good fishfinder and GPS, so you're not just blindly casting – you're fishing smart, targeting specific structure and depth changes where fish congregate.
Snook are the crown jewel of Southwest Florida inshore fishing, and Naples has some of the most consistent snook fishing you'll find anywhere. These ambush predators love hanging around dock pilings, mangrove points, and bridge structures where they can dart out to grab unsuspecting baitfish. The best action typically happens during the warmer months from spring through fall, though you can catch them year-round if you know where to look. What makes snook so special is their explosive strike and acrobatic fight – they'll jump, gill-rattle, and make screaming runs that'll test your drag system. Plus, they're beautiful fish with that distinctive black lateral line and golden sides that really pop in the sunlight.
Tarpon fishing around Naples is something every angler should experience at least once. These silver kings can range from juvenile fish in the 20-40 pound range all the way up to monsters pushing 150 pounds or more. Peak tarpon season runs from April through October, with the big schools typically showing up in late spring and early summer. When you hook into a tarpon, you better hold on – they're famous for their spectacular jumps and bulldogging runs that can last 30 minutes or more. The key with tarpon is keeping steady pressure without over-doing it, and Perry will coach you through the entire fight to maximize your chances of a successful release.
Sheepshead might not be the prettiest fish in the water, but they're absolute table fare gold and a blast to catch on light tackle. These black-and-white striped convicts hang around structure like dock pilings, bridge fenders, and oyster bars where they use their human-like teeth to crush barnacles and crabs. They're notorious bait stealers, so you need to stay sharp and set the hook at the first sign of a bite. Spring and fall are prime time for sheepshead, when they're feeding heavily before and after their spawning runs. The fight isn't spectacular, but landing a cooler full of these tasty fish makes for a successful day on the water.
Atlantic Bonito are the speedsters of the offshore scene, and when you find a school, the action can be absolutely electric. These small tunas typically show up in fall and winter months when the water temperatures drop, often mixing with Spanish mackerel and other pelagic species. Bonito are suckers for small spoons and jigs worked quickly through the water column, and they'll absolutely smoke a drag when they take off on their initial run. They school up tight, so when you find them, you can often catch multiple fish before they disappear. While they're not great table fare due to their dark, oily meat, they're pure fun on light tackle.
Cobia are one of the most sought-after species in Southwest Florida waters, and for good reason. These brown sharks look-alikes are curious fish that often cruise near the surface, making them perfect targets for sight fishing. Peak cobia season runs from March through June when they're migrating along the coast, though residents stick around year-round near structure and wrecks. What makes cobia special is their willingness to eat just about anything – live bait, cut bait, jigs, and even topwater lures. They're strong fighters that make long runs and have a habit of diving for structure when they get close to the boat. Plus, they're outstanding table fare with firm, white meat that's perfect for grilling or blackening.
Captain Perry's motorboat is perfectly rigged for your Naples offshore fishing adventure. This well-equipped vessel features a wireless trolling motor that keeps things quiet when you're sneaking up on that trophy fish, plus GPS navigation to get you to the hottest fishing spots off the Florida coast. The onboard fish finder takes the guesswork out of locating schools beneath the surface, so you'll spend more time with your line in the water and less time searching. Built for up to 3 anglers, there's plenty of room to cast, fight, and land your catch without getting tangled up with your fishing buddies. Whether you're targeting snapper, grouper, or whatever's biting in the Gulf waters, this boat has everything you need for a successful day of offshore fishing in Southwest Florida's prime fishing grounds.
Sarda SardaAtlantic bonito are speed demons that'll give you a workout on light tackle. These silver torpedoes with dark stripes usually run 3-8 pounds and can hit 40 mph when they're feeding. Look for them in open water, often with bird activity marking feeding schools. They're more common in cooler months when water temps drop into the 60s. What's fun about bonito is they school up and go crazy when feeding - you can catch one after another. They're not great table fare here in the States, so most folks release them or use them for bait. Pro tip: once you find a feeding school, work fast with small spoons or jigs. Keep your boat moving and match their speed - they won't stick around long. Metal lures work better in wind, but soft plastics stay in the strike zone longer in calm conditions.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are the brown sharks that aren't sharks - these solitary hunters cruise our reefs and wrecks looking like trouble. Most run 20-50 pounds, but we see plenty in the 60-80 pound range around Naples. You'll find them around structure in 30-100 feet, especially near buoys, wrecks, and oil rigs. Spring migration from March to May is peak time when they move through our area. What makes cobia special is they're curious fish that'll come right up to the boat, plus they're some of the best eating in the Gulf. Sight fishing for them is pure excitement - watching a 50-pounder slowly cruise up to investigate your bait. My go-to technique is a bucktail jig bounced near structure, but live bait works great too. Keep your eyes peeled for that dark shadow just under the surface.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusThese "convict fish" with their black and white stripes are fantastic winter targets, typically running 2-5 pounds around Naples docks and bridges. They've got human-like teeth for crushing barnacles and crabs off pilings, so you'll find them tight to structure in 5-30 feet of water. Winter months from December through March are prime time when they school up for spawning. Guests love them because they're notorious bait thieves - it becomes a game of wits. Plus, sheepshead are outstanding table fare with sweet, flaky white meat. The trick is getting your bait right against the structure and setting the hook fast when you feel that subtle nibble. Use small hooks with live or dead shrimp, and don't be surprised when they strip your bait clean before you know what hit.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are one of our most popular inshore targets, usually running 1-3 feet but occasionally hitting that magical 4-foot mark. These golden, sleek fish love hanging around mangroves, docks, and creek mouths where they ambush baitfish. You'll find them in both salt and brackish water, rarely deeper than 60 feet. Spring through fall gives you the best action, especially around new and full moons when they're spawning. What makes snook special is their explosive strike and strong fight - they'll make blistering runs toward cover. Plus, they're excellent table fare with white, flaky meat. Here's a local trick: when fishing around mangroves, cast your live shrimp or pinfish tight to the roots and let it drift naturally with the current. Snook are ambush predators, so patience pays off.
Megalops AtlanticusThe "Silver King" is Naples' ultimate challenge fish. These giants average 80-100 pounds but can reach 200+ pounds and 6 feet long. You'll spot them rolling in shallow flats, around bridges, and near passes in 10-30 feet of water. Peak season runs May through September when they migrate through our waters. What hooks anglers is watching a massive tarpon launch 10 feet out of the water - pure adrenaline. Their acrobatic jumps and powerful runs test your tackle and patience. Most folks release them since the meat is bony and tough. Best tip I can share: when they jump, bow to the fish by lowering your rod tip toward them. This prevents the line from snapping on their gill plates. Live mullet or crabs work best, but be ready for a workout that might last an hour.
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