New Smyrna Beach 6-Hour Inshore Fishing Charter
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Sixhour inshore trip targets redfish, snook, trout, and flounderAll tackle, bait, licenses, and equipment included for groupsExpertguided exploration of productive flats, mangroves, and channels
If you're looking to spend a solid day on the water without the long run to deep blue water, this 6-hour inshore trip with Reef Wrecker Fishing Charters hits the sweet spot. New Smyrna Beach's backwater flats, winding mangrove creeks, and grass-lined channels hold some of Florida's best inshore action year-round. You'll have plenty of time to work different spots, from shallow oyster bars where redfish cruise to deeper pockets where snook ambush baitfish. The extra hours mean we're not rushing from spot to spot – we can really dial in on what's biting and adjust our approach as conditions change throughout the day.
This charter covers up to 4 anglers in the base price, with room for 6 total if you want to bring the whole crew. We'll launch from New Smyrna and spend the day working the Mosquito Lagoon system, Indian River, and backwater areas that most weekend warriors never see. The beauty of a 6-hour trip is the flexibility – if the redfish are fired up on the flats early morning, we can stay put and capitalize. If the bite slows down mid-day, we've got time to relocate and try different techniques in new water. All your gear is covered – rods, reels, tackle, bait, and licenses – so you just need to show up ready to fish. The boat's set up for comfort with plenty of shade, and we'll keep you stocked with ice and water throughout the day.
Inshore fishing here is all about reading the water and matching your approach to what the fish are doing. We'll be throwing everything from live shrimp under popping corks around structure to working soft plastics through grass flats on jig heads. When we're sight-fishing for redfish in skinny water, we'll switch to lighter tackle and natural baits like finger mullet or cut bait. The deeper channels call for different tactics – maybe bouncing jigs along the bottom for flounder or working the mangrove edges with topwater plugs during low light periods. I keep the boat stocked with a full range of tackle, from 1/8-ounce jig heads for finesse presentations to heavier gear when we need to punch through current or pull fish out of heavy cover. The key is staying versatile and letting the fish tell us what they want on any given day.
Wahoo are the speed demons of the inshore scene when they venture into deeper channels during cooler months. These fish can stretch 3-4 feet and will test your drag system with blistering runs that'll have you questioning your knots. They show up best from late fall through early spring when baitfish are thick, and hooking one near structure means you better get it turned quick before it cuts you off. The fight is pure adrenaline – long runs, sharp turns, and enough power to remind you why serious anglers respect these fish.
Great Barracuda patrol these flats like underwater wolves, ambushing anything that moves too fast or flashes too bright. Most run 2-3 feet, but the big girls can push 4 feet and 15+ pounds. They're visual hunters, so clear water days are money for 'cuda fishing. Throw a flashy spoon or strip bait past them and hang on – they'll charge it like a freight train. Just remember to use a wire leader because those teeth will slice through mono like a hot knife through butter. They fight dirty too, with acrobatic jumps and head-shaking runs that'll keep you honest.
Cobia are the bulldogs of the inshore world, often mistaken for sharks when you first spot that dark shape cruising the flats. Spring and early summer are prime time when they move inshore to spawn, and these fish have serious shoulders on them. A good cobia will test your back and your tackle, making long, powerful runs toward any structure they can find. They're curious fish too – sometimes you can sight-cast to one following rays or just cruising in open water. When they eat, they eat hard, and the fight that follows is all business.
Snook are the crown jewels of Florida inshore fishing, and New Smyrna's mangrove systems are snook heaven. These fish are structure-oriented and ambush feeders, hiding in the shadows of docks, mangroves, and bridges waiting for an easy meal. Summer months see them most active, especially around dawn and dusk when they push into shallow water to feed. A slot-size snook (28-33 inches) will give you a fight you won't forget – powerful runs, gill-rattling jumps, and a habit of heading straight back to whatever structure they came from. They're finicky eaters too, which makes hooking a good one that much more satisfying.
Blackfin Tuna bring the offshore experience to inshore waters when schools push into deeper channels chasing bait. These fish are pure muscle, typically running 10-20 pounds with the occasional bigger fish mixed in. They show up best during bait migrations in spring and fall, often feeding aggressively in 20-40 feet of water near channel edges. When you hook a blackfin, get ready for a sustained fight – they don't jump like their offshore cousins, but they'll pull steady and strong, using that torpedo-shaped body to maximum advantage. Fresh blackfin on the grill is hard to beat too.
A 6-hour inshore charter gives you the perfect balance of time on the water without the commitment of a full-day offshore trip. You'll cover more water, try more techniques, and have better odds of connecting with multiple species throughout the day. New Smyrna's inshore fishery is world-class, and having a local guide who
Get ready to fish New Smyrna's productive inshore waters aboard our well-equipped 25' Ken Craft center console. This boat handles both shallow flats and deeper channels with ease, giving you access to prime redfish, snook, and trout habitat. The spacious layout comfortably seats your group of up to 4 anglers, with room to move around and fight fish without getting tangled up. Our GPS and fish finder help locate structure and baitfish, while the onboard icebox keeps your catch fresh and drinks cold during the 6-hour adventure. Quality rods and reels are ready to go, so you can focus on working the mangroves and grass beds where these fish love to hide. Perfect for groups wanting plenty of time to explore different spots and techniques around New Smyrna's legendary inshore fishing grounds.
Thunnus AtlanticusBlackfin tuna are the scrappy little cousins of the tuna family—most run 10-25 pounds with dark backs and that signature yellow stripe. They school up in 60-200 feet of water, often mixed with skipjacks and bonitos. Fall through spring is our best window when they move closer to shore chasing baitfish. These fish punch way above their weight class—fast runs, deep dives, and they never quit fighting. The meat is excellent too, perfect for sushi or searing. They're sharp-eyed, so downsize your tackle. Key tip: when you find birds working or see bait jumping, get there fast with small jigs or live pilchards. Once you hook one, keep others around with chunked bait—they travel in packs.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are the gentle giants of inshore fishing—these brown, shark-looking fish average 20-40 pounds but can push 100. They're loners, usually swimming solo near buoys, wrecks, or channel markers in 20-50 feet of water. Spring migration from March to May is prime time when they're moving north and feeding heavy. What sets them apart is their curious nature—they'll swim right up to the boat to investigate. Plus, they're fantastic table fare with firm, white meat. The fight is strong and steady, not flashy but determined. Here's the key: when you spot one, cast ahead of where it's swimming with a bucktail jig or live bait. They spook easily, so make that first cast count.
Sphyraena BarracudaGreat barracuda are the wolves of the flats—sleek predators that can stretch 4-6 feet and hit 35 mph in short bursts. You'll find them cruising shallow reefs, grass beds, and around structure where they ambush prey. They're curious fish that often follow divers and shiny lures. Spring through fall gives us the best action when water temps stay warm. Anglers love them for that explosive strike and the wild jumps once hooked—just watch those teeth when landing one! They don't have much stamina but fight hard initially. Pro tip: use a wire leader and keep shiny lures moving fast. If one follows without striking, stop the lure dead—that pause often triggers the bite you're waiting for.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are Florida's signature inshore fish—golden flanks with that bold black stripe running down their sides. Most run 18-30 inches around here, hiding in mangroves, docks, and creek mouths where they ambush baitfish. Spring and summer are best, especially around new and full moons when they spawn and feed aggressively. What makes them special is that explosive strike and those gill-rattling jumps—plus they're catch-and-release only, making each one precious. They're structure lovers, so fish tight to cover. My go-to trick: work a soft plastic jerkbait right along the mangrove edge at dawn or dusk. Cast past the structure and swim it back parallel—that's when they'll crush it.
Acanthocybium SolandriWahoo are built for speed—these silver rockets can hit 60 mph with their torpedo-shaped bodies. Most run 3-5 feet, but we've seen monsters over 8 feet. They cruise offshore waters around 30-60 feet deep, often near structure or temperature breaks. Peak season here runs July through November when they move closer to shore. What makes them special? That blazing run when hooked will test your drag, plus they're some of the best eating fish in the ocean—firm, white meat that's mild and sweet. Local tip: troll fast at 12-15 knots with wire leaders since their razor teeth will slice through anything else. When you see one following the boat, don't slow down—speed triggers their strike.
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