4 Hour Fort Myers & Sanibel Fishing Trip
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Target trophy Snook, Tarpon, and Redfish near dock structuresFourhour trip accommodates up to six guests including childrenFree fishing licenses and professional fish filleting service included
Captain James Rose and Redline Charters know where the fish are biting around Fort Myers and Sanibel. This 4-hour inshore adventure puts you right in the heart of Southwest Florida's best fishing grounds, where trophy snook lurk around dock pilings and redfish cruise the grass flats. You'll fish productive structures that hold fish year-round, giving your group of up to 6 anglers plenty of shots at keeper-sized catches. Kids are more than welcome – there's nothing like watching a young angler fight their first redfish. Your fishing license comes free, and Captain James will clean and bag your catch at no extra charge, so you can head home with dinner ready for the pan.
Your morning starts at the dock where Captain James greets your crew and goes over the game plan. Four hours gives you serious fishing time – enough to hit multiple spots and adjust tactics based on what's working. You'll target dock structures where snook and tarpon hang in the shadows, then move to grass flats where redfish and sea trout feed. The boat's equipped with quality rods, reels, and tackle suited for inshore species. Expect to see plenty of wildlife between fishing spots – manatees surface near the boat, dolphins hunt baitfish, and birds dive when the action heats up. Captain James reads the water conditions and adjusts throughout the trip, moving to protected areas when it's breezy or hitting open flats when conditions are calm.
Inshore fishing around Fort Myers and Sanibel means matching your approach to the structure and species you're after. Around dock pilings and bridge structures, you'll fish with live bait like shrimp and pinfish, letting them drift naturally into the shadows where snook and tarpon wait. On grass flats, artificial lures like spoons and soft plastics work great for redfish and sea trout – Captain James shows you how to work them just above the grass to trigger strikes. The tackle stays medium to light, perfect for feeling every bite and enjoying the fight. You'll learn to read the water, watching for nervous bait, diving birds, and subtle current changes that reveal where fish are feeding. Live bait fishing teaches patience, while artificial lures keep the action moving as you cover water looking for active fish.
Mutton snapper around Fort Myers and Sanibel typically run 2-5 pounds, with occasional larger fish pushing 8-10 pounds near deeper structure. They're year-round residents that love live shrimp and small crabs, often found around dock pilings and channel edges. Muttons fight hard for their size and make excellent table fare, with firm white meat that's perfect grilled or fried. Peak action happens during moving tides when they come up from deeper water to feed.
Snook are the crown jewel of Southwest Florida inshore fishing, ranging from schoolie-sized fish to trophy specimens over 30 inches. They're ambush predators that hang around any structure – docks, mangroves, bridge pilings – waiting for baitfish to swim by. Snook are incredibly line-shy and structure-oriented, making every hookup a challenge as they try to cut you off on barnacle-covered pilings. Summer months bring the best action, though they bite year-round when water temperatures stay above 60 degrees. Their acrobatic jumps and powerful runs make them a favorite target for serious anglers.
Tarpon in these waters range from juvenile fish under 50 pounds to massive adults over 100 pounds, though the inshore bite typically focuses on the smaller "poon" that are easier to handle. They're most active during warmer months from April through October, often rolling on the surface as they gulp air. When a tarpon hits your bait, expect an explosion of water and a series of gill-rattling jumps that test your tackle and skills. These prehistoric fish are pure adrenaline – even a 30-pound tarpon fights like it weighs twice that much.
Sea trout, or spotted seatrout, are consistent producers throughout Southwest Florida's grass flats. They typically run 12-18 inches with occasional "gator trout" pushing over 20 inches and 4-5 pounds. These fish respond well to both live bait and artificials, making them perfect for beginners while still challenging experienced anglers. Cool weather months often produce the largest specimens, and they school up during winter, making for fast action when you find them.
Redfish are the backbone of inshore fishing around Fort Myers and Sanibel, with slot-sized fish (18-27 inches) providing consistent action year-round. They're opportunistic feeders that cruise grass flats, oyster bars, and dock lines looking for crabs, shrimp, and small fish. Bull reds over the slot limit put up tremendous fights, often making long runs across shallow flats. Their copper-colored sides and distinctive black spot make them easy to identify, and they're known for their stubborn, bulldogging fight that keeps your rod bent and drag singing.
This top-rated 4-hour fishing trip with Redline Charters delivers exactly what inshore anglers want – productive fishing time, multiple species, and a captain who knows these waters inside and out. Captain James Rose's local knowledge puts you on fish while his FREE license, tackle, and fish cleaning service takes care of the details. Whether you're a seasoned angler looking for your next trophy or a family wanting to create lasting memories, this Fort Myers and Sanibel fishing adventure delivers the goods. The 6-person capacity keeps groups comfortable without overcrowding the boat, and the kid-friendly approach means everyone can join the fun. Book now and get ready to experience why Southwest Florida's inshore fishing keeps anglers coming back season after season.
This spacious motorboat is perfect for your Fort Myers inshore fishing adventure! Powered by a reliable Suzuki 300hp outboard, she cruises at 27-32 knots to get you to the hottest fishing spots quickly. The open layout gives your group of up to 6 anglers plenty of room to cast and fight fish without crowding each other. She's loaded with everything serious anglers need - a fish finder to locate those trophy Snook and Tarpon, GPS navigation to hit productive dock structures, and radar for those early morning runs. The wireless trolling motor lets you sneak up on spooky Redfish in shallow water without spooking them. Keep your catch fresh in the onboard icebox, and stay connected with the VHF radio system. The boat holds 103 gallons of fuel, so you can spend more time fishing productive waters around Sanibel instead of heading back early. Plus, the multimedia system keeps everyone entertained during travel time between spots. Whether you're after inshore slams or just want to enjoy some family fishing time on the water, this boat delivers comfort and performance for a successful day on Southwest Florida's waters.
Lutjanus AnalisMutton snappers are some of the best-eating fish you'll catch around here, with their sweet, firm white meat. These olive-green beauties with blue streaks under their eyes typically run 14-20 inches, though we see some pushing 30+ inches in deeper water. They love hanging around sandy bottom near structure in 15-80 feet of water. Spring through fall gives you the best action when they're feeding heavily on shrimp, crabs, and small fish. What makes them fun to target is their strong fight - they'll make hard runs toward the bottom when hooked. The key to landing more muttons is using the freshest bait you can get and keeping your sinker light. Let that shrimp or pinfish drift naturally in the current, and when you see that pink flash coming up through the water, you know you've got a keeper dinner on the line.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are hands-down one of the most fun fish to target in our shallow waters. These copper-colored bruisers with the signature black spot near their tail typically run 18-27 inches, perfect slot-sized fish for the dinner table. They love cruising grass flats, oyster bars, and mangrove shorelines in just 1-4 feet of water - so shallow you can often see their backs. Year-round fishing is good, but fall and winter bring the best action when they school up in big numbers. What guests love about reds is watching them crash topwater lures in skinny water and their bulldogging fight once hooked. They're also fantastic eating with mild, sweet meat. The local trick is sight fishing - pole the boat quietly through the shallows and look for their tails or backs. When you spot one, cast a gold spoon or soft plastic shrimp ahead of where they're heading and work it slowly past their nose.
Salmo TruttaSea trout, or speckled trout as we call them locally, are perfect for families and kids getting into saltwater fishing. These spotted beauties typically run 12-18 inches with occasional 20+ inch "gator trout" that really get your heart pumping. They love grass flats and shallow sandy areas in 2-8 feet of water, especially during cooler months when they school up. Dawn and dusk fishing produces the most consistent action, though they'll bite throughout the day in winter. What makes them great targets is their willingness to hit artificial lures and their excellent table fare - sweet, flaky white meat that's hard to beat. They're also scrappy fighters for their size. The secret weapon around here is a soft plastic shrimp or jig bounced along the bottom near grass beds. Work it slow and steady, and when you feel that tap-tap bite, set the hook gently - their mouths are pretty soft.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are the crown jewel of our inshore fishing here. These sleek, silver fish with that distinctive black lateral stripe typically run 18-28 inches, but the big females can push 40+ inches. You'll find them around docks, mangroves, and any structure in 2-10 feet of water. They love the warmer months from May through October, especially around dawn and dusk when they're actively feeding on shrimp, crabs, and baitfish. What guests love about snook is their explosive strikes and acrobatic fights - they'll jump and make powerful runs that'll test your drag. The meat is outstanding too, sweet and flaky when cooked right. Here's a local trick: when fishing around docks, cast your live shrimp or pinfish right up against the pilings and let it drift with the current. Snook are ambush predators that hide in the shadows waiting to strike.
Megalops AtlanticusTarpon fishing is what bucket list dreams are made of. These silver kings typically run 80-150 pounds around here, though we see giants over 200 pounds during peak season. They frequent shallow flats, channels, and around bridge structures in 6-30 feet of water. Late spring through early fall brings the best action, especially on the warmer days when they're rolling on the surface. What makes tarpon special isn't the eating - we release them all - but that first jump when a 6-foot fish launches itself completely out of the water. It's pure adrenaline. The fight can last 30 minutes or more with multiple jumps and long runs. My go-to technique is using live crabs or pinfish on a circle hook. Here's the key: when that tarpon jumps, bow to the fish by dropping your rod tip toward the water. It keeps tension off the line and prevents them from throwing the hook during those wild aerial displays.
Punta Rassa Boat Ramp, 18700 McGregor Blvd, Fort Myers, FL 33908, United States