4-Hour Afternoon Inshore Fishing Adventure
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
4hour afternoon inshore fishing adventure in New Smyrna BeachTarget Tarpon and Snook with Captain George's expert guidanceAll fishing equipment provided for groups up to 4 guests
Get ready to experience some of the best inshore fishing action New Smyrna Beach has to offer with Captain George and Poseidon Fishing Charters. This top-rated afternoon trip puts you right in the heart of prime fishing waters where trophy snook, powerful tarpon, and feisty redfish call home. Perfect for families and groups of friends looking to make lasting memories, this 4-hour charter gives you plenty of time to work the flats, explore productive creek mouths, and discover why local anglers consider these waters world-class fishing grounds. Captain George brings years of local knowledge and a passion for putting his guests on fish, making every cast count during those golden afternoon hours when the bite really turns on.
Your afternoon starts with a warm welcome from Captain George, who knows these waters like the back of his hand. As you head out from New Smyrna Beach, you'll cruise through pristine backcountry areas where shallow flats meet deeper channels – prime habitat for the species you're targeting. The afternoon timing works perfectly here, as fish start moving and feeding more actively as the day progresses. You'll work a variety of spots including grass flats, oyster bars, and structure-rich areas where big fish love to ambush baitfish. Captain George reads the water conditions, tide, and weather to put you on the most productive spots, adjusting tactics throughout the trip to maximize your chances. The relaxed atmosphere makes this perfect for both seasoned anglers wanting to learn local techniques and beginners getting their first taste of serious inshore fishing. With a maximum of 4 guests, everyone gets personal attention and plenty of rod time.
Poseidon Fishing Charters provides all the tackle you need, from spinning rods rigged with live bait to artificial lures that mimic local forage. Captain George matches the gear to the conditions and target species – lighter tackle for finicky snook in shallow water, heavier setups when tarpon are rolling. You'll learn proven techniques like working live shrimp under popping corks around structure, casting soft plastics to redfish tailing on the flats, and presenting baits to cruising tarpon. The boat is equipped with a shallow-water anchor system that lets you stay positioned perfectly on productive spots without spooking fish. Live wells keep bait frisky, and the captain sources fresh shrimp, pilchards, and other local favorites that these fish can't resist. Whether you're sight-fishing to visible targets or working likely spots blind, Captain George teaches you to read the water and understand how fish behavior changes with tide and time of day. The hands-on approach means you'll leave with new skills and confidence for your next fishing adventure.
Snook are the crown jewel of New Smyrna Beach inshore fishing, and these ambush predators put on quite a show when hooked. These fish love structure – docks, mangrove shorelines, and oyster bars where they can dart out to grab unsuspecting prey. Snook hit hard and immediately head for cover, testing your drag and reflexes. Spring through fall offers the most consistent action, with fish ranging from schoolie-sized specimens to trophy bruisers over 30 inches. What makes snook special is their explosive strike and acrobatic fight, often launching clear out of the water multiple times. They're also incredibly line-shy and spook easily, making each hookup a real achievement.
Redfish, or red drum, are another customer favorite that patrol these flats year-round. These copper-colored battlers are famous for their bulldogging fights and willingness to eat a variety of baits. You'll spot them tailing in skinny water during low tide or find schools cruising deeper channels. Redfish between 18-27 inches are slot-legal keepers, while the big bulls over 30 inches provide trophy photo opportunities before release. Fall brings some of the most exciting redfish action as schools of big fish move through the area, creating fast-paced fishing that keeps everyone on their toes.
Tarpon turn every fishing trip into an adventure with their spectacular jumps and incredible power. New Smyrna's waters see tarpon from late spring through early fall, with fish ranging from juvenile "poons" around 20-40 pounds to massive adults exceeding 100 pounds. These silver kings are pure adrenaline – they hit baits with authority, then launch into tail-walking displays that get everyone's heart racing. Even smaller tarpon can spool a reel if you're not ready for their blistering runs. The sight of a 6-foot tarpon dancing on its tail just yards from the boat creates memories that last a lifetime.
Black drum and sheepshead round out the target species list, providing steady action when other fish are finicky. Black drum, especially the larger "bull" drum, offer surprising power and fight much harder than their appearance suggests. They're bottom feeders that love crabs and shrimp around structure. Sheepshead, with their distinctive black stripes and human-like teeth, are notorious bait thieves that require quick reflexes to hook. Both species are excellent table fare, making them popular with families who want to take dinner home.
This afternoon inshore fishing trip delivers everything serious anglers and fishing families want – productive waters, expert guidance, and the chance to tangle with some of Florida's most sought-after gamefish. Captain George's local knowledge and commitment to putting guests on fish makes Poseidon Fishing Charters a smart choice for your New Smyrna Beach fishing adventure. The 4-hour timeframe gives you substantial fishing time without eating up your entire day, and the afternoon departure works perfectly for families with kids or groups that prefer a later start. Remember to bring sunscreen, snacks, and drinks – everything else is provided. With only 4 spots available per trip, these charters fill up quickly, especially during peak season when the fishing
Step aboard our well-equipped motorboat designed for serious inshore fishing around New Smyrna Beach. This fishing machine comes loaded with everything you need to locate and land your targets - a reliable fish finder to spot schools beneath the surface, GPS navigation to hit the best fishing spots, and a multimedia system for the ride out. The boat comfortably handles up to 4 anglers, giving everyone plenty of room to cast lines and fight fish without tangling up. Captain George knows these waters like the back of his hand and will position you over productive areas where Tarpon, Snook, and other gamefish prowl the shallows. The onboard toilet means you can stay focused on fishing instead of rushing back to shore. All fishing gear is provided by Poseidon Fishing Charters, so just bring your appetite for action, some snacks, drinks, and plenty of sunscreen for your afternoon on the water.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the bulldogs of the flats - powerful fish that'll test your drag and your patience. Most of what we catch runs 5-15 pounds, but don't be surprised if we hook into a 30-pounder that sounds like a freight train. You'll find them on oyster bars, muddy flats, and around creek mouths in 2-8 feet of water. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning - that's when the action gets hot. What's cool about drum is they actually make drumming sounds you can hear through the hull. They're strong fighters that use their bulk to their advantage. The smaller ones make great table fare with sweet, flaky meat. My go-to trick is using fresh blue crab on a circle hook fished right on the bottom - they can't resist crushing those shells with their powerful jaws.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the bread and butter of our inshore fishing - aggressive feeders that'll hit just about anything and fight like they're twice their size. Most of our fish run 20-28 inches, perfect slot-size fish with that classic copper color and distinctive black spot near the tail. You'll find them tailing in 1-3 feet of water on grass flats, oyster bars, and around mangrove shorelines year-round, though fall and winter offer the most consistent action. What guests love about redfish is their willingness to eat topwater lures and their bulldogging fights - they use those broad tails to pull hard and stay down. Plus they're fantastic eating with firm, mild meat. Here's a local trick: look for nervous water and diving birds - that usually means redfish are pushing bait to the surface. A gold spoon or topwater plug worked through the commotion will usually get hammered.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the convict fish of the inshore waters - those black and white stripes make them easy to spot around any structure. Most run 2-5 pounds and 14-18 inches, perfect for the dinner table. You'll find them glued to dock pilings, bridges, and jetties where they feed on barnacles and crabs. Winter and early spring are peak times when they're staging for their spawning run. What makes sheepshead challenging is they're notorious bait thieves with those human-like teeth - they'll clean your hook without you feeling a thing. But once you figure them out, they're steady producers and absolutely delicious with sweet, white meat. My secret is using small pieces of fresh shrimp or fiddler crab on a light wire hook. Keep your bait tight to the structure and set the hook hard the moment you feel weight - hesitate and they're gone.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are one of our most popular targets here in New Smyrna Beach, and for good reason. These sleek, golden fish with their distinctive black lateral line typically run 18-24 inches, though we see plenty in the 28-30 inch range that really put up a fight. You'll find them hanging around docks, mangroves, and inlet structures where they ambush baitfish. They're super temperature sensitive, so the warmer months from May through September give you the best action. What makes snook special is their explosive strikes and acrobatic jumps - plus they're excellent table fare with firm, white meat. Here's a local tip: when fishing around structure, keep your bait tight to cover. Snook won't chase far, but get a live shrimp or pinfish within a few feet of them and it's game on.
Megalops AtlanticusTarpon are the ultimate bucket-list fish - there's nothing quite like watching a 100-pound silver king launch itself 6 feet out of the water. These prehistoric giants average 80-120 pounds in our waters, though we see fish pushing 200 pounds during peak season. They cruise the flats, bridges, and inlet mouths from May through September when the water warms up. What draws people to tarpon isn't the eating - they're mostly bones and not great table fare - it's the pure adrenaline rush. These fish can jump 10 feet high and run line off your reel at 35 mph. The fight can last an hour or more. Here's what I tell first-timers: when that fish jumps, bow to the king - drop your rod tip down to give slack, or they'll throw the hook every time. Most of our tarpon fishing is catch and release, which is perfect since these fish can live 50+ years.
New Smyrna Beach, FL