Fort Myers Inshore Fishing - 2 Hour Trips
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
2-hour inshore fishing trips with three daily departure timesAccommodates up to 6 guests with complimentary fishing licenses includedCaptain provides professional fish filleting service in sealed bags
Looking for a solid half-day fishing adventure around Fort Myers and Sanibel Island? Captain James Rose runs some of the most productive inshore trips in Southwest Florida, and these 2-hour outings are perfect for families, first-timers, or anyone wanting to get on the water without committing to a full day. With three departure times daily at 8AM, 10:30AM, and 1PM, you can easily fit this top-rated fishing experience into your vacation schedule. Kids are absolutely welcome aboard - there's nothing better than watching a young angler land their first snook or redfish in these legendary waters.
These Fort Myers inshore trips take you into the heart of some of Florida's most productive fishing grounds. You'll be targeting the flats, mangrove shorelines, and grass beds where Southwest Florida's prized gamefish love to hunt and feed. Captain James knows these waters like the back of his hand, and he'll put you on fish while keeping an eye out for the area's famous wildlife - manatees, dolphins, and countless bird species that make this region special. The boat accommodates up to 6 anglers comfortably, making it ideal for families or small groups who want a more personal experience than those crowded party boats. Your fishing license is included in the trip price, and Captain James will clean and bag your catch at no extra charge, so you can take your fresh fillets back to your hotel or vacation rental for dinner.
Captain James provides all the gear you'll need for a successful inshore fishing trip. You'll be using medium-action spinning rods paired with quality reels spooled with braided line - perfect for the structure-heavy environment around Fort Myers and Sanibel. The techniques vary depending on what's biting and where the fish are holding. Live bait fishing with shrimp, pinfish, and sardines is often the go-to method, especially around the mangrove edges where snook and redfish ambush their prey. Artificial lures like soft plastics, topwater plugs, and spoons also produce well, particularly during moving tides when the fish are actively feeding. The shallow water around these barrier islands means you'll often sight-fish to individual targets - one of the most exciting ways to catch inshore species. Captain James will coach you through the techniques and help you improve your casting and fish-fighting skills throughout the trip.
Mutton Snapper are one of the most prized catches in these waters, and for good reason. These beautiful fish with their distinctive red coloration and yellow fins typically range from 2-8 pounds around Fort Myers, though larger specimens over 10 pounds show up regularly. They're most active during warmer months and love structure like rock piles, ledges, and artificial reefs. Muttons are notorious for their strong initial run and stubborn fight all the way to the boat - they'll test your drag system and your patience. What makes them special is their excellent table fare; the meat is firm, white, and mild-flavored, making them a customer favorite for dinner.
Snook are the signature gamefish of Southwest Florida, and the waters around Sanibel Island hold some real monsters. These ambush predators love the mangrove shorelines and can be found year-round, though they're most active during the warmer months from spring through fall. A typical snook runs 18-28 inches, but don't be surprised if you hook into a 30+ inch "gator" that'll give you a fight you won't forget. They're known for their explosive strikes, especially on topwater lures during dawn and dusk. Snook have a distinctive black lateral line and that unmistakable bucket mouth that can inhale bait in a split second. They're catch-and-release only during certain seasons, but Captain James knows the regulations inside and out.
Tarpon are the ultimate inshore prize, and Fort Myers sits right in the heart of their migration route. These "silver kings" range from juvenile fish around 10-30 pounds to absolute giants over 100 pounds. Peak tarpon season runs from April through July, when massive schools move through the area. Even smaller tarpon provide world-class sport fishing - they're famous for their spectacular jumps and long, powerful runs that can strip line off your reel in seconds. Hooking a tarpon, even a small one, is something every angler should experience at least once. The adrenaline rush when one of these prehistoric fish launches itself completely out of the water is unmatched in the fishing world.
Sea Trout, or speckled trout as locals call them, are abundant in the grass flats around Fort Myers and Sanibel. They typically range from 12-20 inches and are perfect for light tackle fishing. These spotted beauties are most active during cooler months and early morning or late evening during summer. Sea trout have soft mouths, so you'll need to adjust your hookset and fight technique - too aggressive and they'll throw the hook. They school up in shallow grass beds and respond well to both live bait and artificial lures. Their delicate, flaky meat makes them one of the best eating fish in these waters.
Redfish are the bread and butter of Fort Myers inshore fishing, and these copper-colored fighters never disappoint. They range from slot-sized fish around 18-27 inches to oversized "bull" reds that can exceed 40 inches and 30+ pounds. Redfish are year-round residents and adapt to changing conditions better than most species. You'll find them in shallow water, often with their backs out of the water as they root around oyster bars and grass flats. They're known for their powerful, bulldogging fight and their willingness to eat a variety of baits and lures. The slot-sized fish are excellent table fare, while the big bulls are typically released to spawn and fight another day.
Jump aboard our spacious fishing vessel and get ready to chase some serious fish around Fort Myers and Sanibel Island! This beauty runs on a powerful Suzuki 300hp outboard that'll cruise at 27-32 knots, getting you to the hot spots fast. The open layout gives all 6 anglers plenty of room to cast and fight fish without bumping elbows. We've got you covered with a top-notch fish finder to locate the action, plus an icebox to keep your drinks cold and your catch fresh. The wireless trolling motor lets us sneak up on finicky fish without spooking them. Captain James will clean and bag your catch for free, and fishing licenses are included. With GPS, radar, and VHF radio onboard, we're ready for whatever the Gulf throws at us. Keep your eyes peeled for dolphins and manatees between bites!
Lutjanus AnalisMutton snapper are one of the more prized catches around Fort Myers waters. These olive-colored fish with distinctive blue streaks behind their eyes typically run 12-20 inches, though we occasionally see them pushing 30+ inches. You'll find them around sandy bottoms and nearshore reefs in 10-40 feet of water. They're excellent table fare with firm, white meat. Spring through fall gives you the best shot at hooking into them when they're actively feeding on shrimp, crabs, and small fish. What makes mutton snapper fun to target is they're strong fighters for their size and pretty smart - they'll test your drag once hooked. Here's a local tip: use the freshest bait you can get and keep your sinker light. Let that bait drift naturally in the current, and when you see that pink flash coming up through the water, you'll know you've got one.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are one of my favorite species to target in the shallow waters around Fort Myers and Sanibel. These copper-colored fish with distinctive black spots near their tails typically run 18-27 inches and are fantastic fighters. You'll find them in 1-4 feet of water over grass flats, around oyster bars, and in shallow coves - sometimes so shallow their backs stick out of the water. They bite year-round, but fall and winter offer the most consistent action when they school up. What guests love about redfish is their powerful runs and bulldogging fights, plus they make excellent table fare with sweet, firm meat. These fish are smart and spook easily in shallow water, so sight fishing for them is a real challenge that keeps things exciting. Pro tip: when you spot a redfish tailing in shallow water, cast well ahead of where they're moving and let your bait settle to the bottom. Then work it slowly - they're feeding with their heads down and won't see anything moving too fast.
Salmo TruttaSpotted sea trout, or "specks" as we call them, are perfect fish for families and beginners around Fort Myers. These silvery fish with black spots typically run 14-18 inches and make great table fare with delicate, flaky white meat. You'll find them over grass flats in 2-6 feet of water, especially around creek mouths and drop-offs. They bite year-round, but fall and winter are prime time when they school up in deeper holes. What makes sea trout popular is they're willing biters and not too tough to land, making them ideal for kids and new anglers. They feed heavily on shrimp and small baitfish, so they're usually pretty cooperative. The key to success is fishing early morning or late afternoon when they're most active. Here's my go-to tip: use a popping cork with live shrimp about 18 inches below it. Work it slow over the grass beds, and when that cork goes under, set the hook gently - their mouths are soft.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are hands down one of the most exciting fish to target in our local waters. These sleek, golden fish with that distinctive black lateral line typically range from 18-28 inches, though the big females can push 40+ inches. They love hanging around mangroves, docks, and grass flats in shallow water - usually 2-8 feet deep. Best fishing happens during warmer months from spring through fall, especially around dawn and dusk when they're actively hunting. What guests love about snook is their explosive strikes and acrobatic fights - they'll jump and make powerful runs that'll test your skills. Plus, they're outstanding eating with sweet, flaky white meat. One thing I always tell folks: snook are structure-oriented, so cast tight to those mangroves and pilings. They're ambush predators, so that's where they'll be waiting. Just remember to keep your drag smooth - their gill plates are razor sharp.
Megalops AtlanticusTarpon are the ultimate bucket-list fish around Fort Myers - these silver giants can reach 6-8 feet and weigh 100-200 pounds. You'll spot them rolling in shallow bays, around bridges, and near deeper channels, usually in 4-20 feet of water. Late spring through summer is prime time when they migrate through our area. What makes tarpon special isn't the eating (we release them all), but the pure adrenaline rush. When a tarpon hits, it's like hooking a freight train that can jump 10 feet out of the water. These prehistoric fish have been around for 125 million years, and fighting one is something you'll never forget. They're incredibly strong and can make runs that'll strip line in seconds. My advice: when you hook one, bow to the king during those jumps - lower your rod tip toward the fish. This keeps tension off the line and prevents them from throwing the hook during their aerial show.
Punta Rassa Boat Ramp, 18700 McGregor Blvd, Fort Myers, FL 33908, United States