Sarasota Inshore Family Fishing Charter
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Private 4hour inshore fishing charter for families and beginnersFish calm flats and mangroves around Sarasota Bay areaAll gear and instruction included on spacious center console
Looking for a fishing trip that actually works for the whole family? This 4-hour private charter around Sarasota, Bradenton, and Anna Maria Island hits the sweet spot between real fishing action and keeping everyone comfortable. We're talking calm waters, patient instruction, and enough space on our Hydra-Sports center console for up to 4 guests to spread out and enjoy the ride. Whether you've got kids who've never held a rod or grandparents wanting to get back on the water, this trip moves at your pace while still putting you on fish.
This isn't some rushed cattle-boat experience – you're getting a genuine inshore fishing adventure tailored to your crew. We'll work the protected flats around Sarasota Bay, slide along mangrove shorelines where the fish love to hide, and hit those productive shallow spots that make inshore fishing so addictive. The beauty of fishing these waters is the variety – one minute you're sight-fishing a cruising redfish in two feet of water, the next you're working structure for snook or picking up a surprise cobia. Our Hydra-Sports boat gives everyone room to move around, plus the shallow draft lets us get into spots where the big boats can't follow. Expect plenty of hands-on teaching, whether that's showing the kids how to feel a bite or helping someone land their first snook.
Inshore fishing here is all about reading the water and matching your approach to what the fish are doing. We'll use live bait when the fish are picky – nothing beats a live shrimp under a popping cork for redfish, or a pinfish freelined along a mangrove edge for snook. When the action heats up, we'll switch to artificials like soft plastics and topwater plugs that let everyone get in on the fun without worrying about bait. The gear is sized right for the fishing – medium spinning tackle that's easy for beginners to handle but still has enough backbone for those bigger fish. We're fishing everything from grass flats in three feet of water to deeper holes near bridges and docks. The key is staying mobile and reading what the tide and fish are telling us, which means you'll learn real fishing skills while actually catching fish.
Redfish are the bread and butter of inshore fishing around here, and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers cruise the grass flats and mangrove edges year-round, typically running 18 to 27 inches in our waters. They're perfect for families because they fight hard but don't usually jump, and they're forgiving when it comes to technique. Spring through fall gives you the best numbers, but winter can produce some of the biggest fish of the year. What makes redfish special is how you can often see them coming – watching a red's back and tail break the surface as it feeds in shallow water never gets old.
Snook are the glamour fish of the inshore game, and these waters hold some beautiful fish. They're ambush predators that love structure – think mangrove overhangs, dock pilings, and bridge shadows. Most of our snook run 20 to 30 inches, with the occasional slot-buster mixed in. They're more seasonal than reds, with summer and early fall being prime time when they're actively feeding and more cooperative. What gets people hooked on snook fishing is the fight – they'll jump, run, and use every trick in the book to throw your hook. Plus, they're gorgeous fish with that distinctive black lateral line.
Cobia are the wild cards that can make any trip memorable. These brown sharks of the flats cruise around looking for an easy meal, often following rays and other fish. They're curious fish that will come right up to the boat, giving everyone a great look before deciding whether to eat. Spring migration brings the bigger fish through, but residents stick around all year. A typical cobia here runs 25 to 40 inches, and they fight like something twice their size. The cool thing about cobia is how interactive they are – you can often see them coming and get everyone ready for the show.
Spanish mackerel show up in numbers when conditions are right, usually around baitfish schools in the deeper parts of the bay. They're perfect action fish for families because they hit hard, fight well for their size, and there's usually more than one around. Most run 14 to 18 inches, and they're active from late spring through fall. Kids love them because the bite is obvious and the fight is just right – exciting but manageable. They also make excellent table fare if you want to take a few home for dinner.
Tripletail are the bonus fish that keep guides excited about what might happen next. These weird, wonderful fish float around structure like crab trap floats, channel markers, and weed lines, looking exactly like floating debris until they move. They're not common, but when you find one, it's always a highlight. Tripletail are excellent eating and put up a surprisingly good fight, with most running 15 to 25 inches. They're more common in warmer months, and spotting one takes a trained eye – which is part of what makes catching them so special.
This trip delivers exactly what most families are looking for – real fishing in beautiful water without the stress and seasickness that comes with offshore trips. You're getting a full 4 hours on some of the most productive inshore waters in Florida, with all the gear, instruction, and local knowledge included. The fish are here year-round, the boat is comfortable, and the pace works for everyone from first-timers to experienced anglers. Don't wait for the perfect day – the perfect day happens when you're on the water with the people you care about, and that's exactly what this charter provides.
This beautifully restored 1984 24' Hydra-Sports center console is your ticket to exploring Sarasota's incredible inshore fishing grounds. Twin 150HP Yamaha engines deliver smooth 40-knot cruising to get you quickly from the dock to productive fishing spots around Anna Maria Island and Bradenton's protected waters. The spacious layout comfortably handles up to 4 anglers with room to move around while casting along mangrove shorelines and shallow flats. Modern electronics including GPS, radar, and fish finder help locate fish holding in structure, while the wireless trolling motor lets you approach spooked redfish and snook without spooking them. The onboard icebox keeps your catch fresh and drinks cold during those hot Florida afternoons on the water. Whether you're targeting trout over grass flats or sight-casting to tailing redfish in skinny water, this well-equipped boat handles everything from open bay fishing to tight mangrove creeks with ease.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are the loners of our local waters - dark brown fish that cruise alone and can fool you into thinking you've spotted a shark with that single dorsal fin. Most run 20-40 pounds around here, but they can push 50-60 when we're lucky. Look for them near channel markers, crab trap floats, and any structure in 15-40 feet during spring and summer months. They're sight fishing at its best - you'll actually see these fish swimming just under the surface. What makes them special is that aggressive strike and the way they'll jump when hooked. The meat's fantastic too, firm and white like premium restaurant fish. Pro tip: always have a bucktail jig ready when you spot one - they rarely refuse it, and the color doesn't seem to matter much.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are one of our most reliable targets around these shallow waters. Most fish we catch run 20-28 inches and put up a solid fight with their broad tails. You'll find them cruising oyster bars, grass flats, and mangrove edges in 1-4 feet of water - sometimes so shallow their backs show above the surface. They're year-round residents here, but fall and winter often produce the best action when they school up. Families love them because they're not too finicky and great table fare with that mild, flaky meat. Here's a local tip: when you spot one tailing in shallow water, cast well past it and work your bait back slowly - they spook easily if you drop it right on their head.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are the kings of our mangrove shorelines and grass flats - sleek silver fish with that distinctive black lateral line. Most fish we catch run 24-32 inches, but the big girls can push 40 inches and really test your drag. They love structure like dock pilings, mangrove overhangs, and creek mouths in shallow water. Best action happens during warmer months, especially around new and full moons when they get more active. What makes them special is that ambush strike and the way they'll jump and gill-rattle when hooked. They're catch-and-release only, which keeps the fishery healthy. Here's what works: cast your bait tight to cover and be ready - they hit fast and head straight back to structure, so you need to turn them quick.
Scomberomorus MaculatusSpanish mackerel are speed demons that'll keep your rod bent and the kids entertained. These silver bullets with yellow spots typically run 1-3 pounds and are some of the fastest fish we target. You'll find schools of them near the surface around structure, grass flats, and along beach drop-offs, especially during warmer months when they move closer to shore. They hit hard and fight above their weight class with blazing runs. Great for beginners because they're aggressive and not too picky about baits. The meat's excellent - mild flavor that grills up perfect. Local trick: when you find a school, work fast because they move constantly. Keep a small spoon or jig ready and cast just ahead of the school's direction - they'll usually chase it down.
Lobotes SurinamensisTripletail are one of our quirkiest targets - they look like floating debris until they move. These chunky fish average 2-5 pounds but can reach 15-20 pounds, and they're surprisingly acrobatic for their bulky build. You'll spot them lying on their sides near the surface around weed lines, channel markers, and floating grass, especially during summer months. They're masters of camouflage, changing colors to blend in with whatever they're hiding under. What guests love is the challenge of sight casting to them without spooking them. The meat rivals snapper or grouper - really excellent eating. One trick that works well: cast about 10 feet past the fish and slowly work your bait toward them, letting them ambush it rather than dropping it right on top.
Anna Maria Island, Florida, USA