Sarasota Inshore Fishing: 4-Hour Charter Adventure
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fourhour inshore fishing charter targeting permit, cobia, and redfishAll fishing equipment, licenses, and fish cleaning services includedCaptain Jason provides comfortable boat accommodating up to four guests
Captain Jason's got you covered for a solid day on Sarasota's inshore waters. This isn't your typical tourist fishing trip – we're talking about getting after some of the Gulf Coast's most sought-after species in their backyard. With a comfortable C hawk boat as your platform and all the gear you need already onboard, you'll be targeting permit, cobia, tripletail, and redfish in the flats and nearshore waters that make Sarasota famous among serious anglers. The best part? Captain Jason handles the cleaning and filleting, so you walk away with dinner ready for the table.
Your 4-hour charter kicks off early, when the fish are most active and the water's still calm. Captain Jason runs a tight ship – literally – with his C hawk boat providing the stability and shallow draft you need for inshore work. The morning starts with a quick rundown of the day's game plan based on tide, weather, and recent fish activity. You're not just getting a boat ride; you're getting local knowledge that comes from years of working these waters. The boat's already rigged with quality rods, reels, and tackle suited for everything from sight fishing redfish on the flats to working structure for cobia. If you're into fly fishing, the gear's there too. Florida fishing licenses are included, so there's no last-minute scramble at the marina.
Sarasota inshore fishing is all about reading the water and adapting your approach. Captain Jason works the grass flats, mangrove shorelines, and deeper channels where these fish hunt and hide. For redfish, we're talking about sight fishing in skinny water – watching for tailing fish or cruising shadows over sandy bottoms. Permit fishing requires finesse and patience, often using live crabs or shrimp near structure. Cobia hunting means scanning the surface for these curious fish, especially around markers and docks where they follow rays. Tripletail get spotted hanging around channel markers and floating debris, looking like leaves until they move. The tackle varies from light spinning gear for permit to heavier setups when cobia show up. Live bait, cut bait, and artificials all have their place depending on conditions and target species.
Redfish are the bread and butter of Sarasota inshore fishing, and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers range from slot-sized fish around 18-27 inches up to oversized bulls that'll test your drag system. Peak season runs from fall through spring, but you'll find reds year-round in the backcountry. They're aggressive feeders that hit everything from live shrimp to topwater plugs, and the fight they put up in shallow water makes every hookup memorable. Sight fishing for reds on the flats is pure adrenaline – watching a fish track your bait before crushing it in two feet of water.
Permit are the holy grail for many inshore anglers, and Sarasota's got some of the best permit fishing on the Gulf Coast. These silver ghosts are notoriously finicky, requiring precise presentations with live crabs or small jigs. They show up over sandy flats and around structure, often in small schools during warmer months. A hooked permit will make blistering runs that'll have you questioning your knot-tying skills. Most anglers consider landing a permit a career highlight – they're that challenging and rewarding.
Cobia are the wildcards of the inshore game. These brown sharks (they're not actually sharks) cruise the surface during spring and fall migrations, growing up to 40+ pounds in local waters. They're curious fish that'll often approach the boat, giving you shots with both conventional and fly gear. Cobia hit hard and fight dirty, using their broad tails and stubborn nature to test your tackle. Spring is prime time when they're moving through on their way north.
Tripletail earn their reputation as one of the best eating fish in the Gulf, and Sarasota's waters hold good numbers year-round. These oddly-shaped fish hover around channel markers, crab trap floats, and debris lines, mimicking floating leaves. They're ambush predators that require stealthy approaches and precise casts. Don't let their lazy appearance fool you – a hooked tripletail will jump and pull like fish twice their size. Summer months offer the most consistent action.
Captain Jason's 4-hour charters fill up fast, especially during peak fishing seasons. You're getting more than just a fishing trip – you're getting access to prime inshore waters with someone who knows where the fish live and how to catch them. The all-inclusive setup means you can focus on fishing instead of worrying about gear, licenses, or cleaning your catch. Whether you're a seasoned angler looking to target new species or someone wanting to experience world-class inshore fishing, this charter delivers the goods. Book your spot now and get ready to see why Sarasota's inshore waters keep anglers coming back season after season.
Get ready to chase redfish, cobia, and permit aboard our brand new 2024 C-Hawk 25-footer! This center console beauty packs a 300HP Suzuki engine that'll have you cruising at 60 knots to the hottest fishing spots around Sarasota's inshore waters. Captain Jason's boat handles up to 4 anglers comfortably, with all the tech you need - GPS, fishfinder, and a wireless trolling motor for those sneaky approaches to spooky fish. Keep your drinks cold in the icebox while you work the flats and grass beds. We've got everything covered: rods, reels, tackle, bait, fly gear, and licenses. Best part? The captain cleans and fillets whatever you bring to the dock. Whether you're sight-fishing for tailing reds or hunting tripletail around the markers, this rig will get you there fast and keep you fishing in comfort all day long.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are some of the most exciting fish we target - these brown, shark-looking bruisers average 30-50 pounds but can hit 80+ pounds. They're curious fish that often swim right up to the boat, making for great sight fishing opportunities. You'll find them around structure like wrecks, reefs, and channel markers, usually in 20-50 feet of water, though they cruise shallow flats too. Spring migration from March through May is prime time when they're moving north to spawn. What guests love about cobia is their aggressive nature - they'll eat almost any lure you throw - and their incredible table quality with firm, white meat that tastes like a cross between grouper and mahi. Here's a guide secret: when you see one following the boat, don't get excited and throw right at it. Cast ahead and let them intercept the bait naturally.
Trachinotus FalcatusPermit are the holy grail for many anglers - these silvery, disc-shaped fish with their tall dorsal fins are as challenging as they come. Most run 15-25 pounds around here, though we've seen some monsters pushing 40+. They cruise shallow sand and grass flats, often in water barely deep enough to cover their bodies. Those golf ball-sized eyes can rotate almost 360 degrees, so they spot everything. Spring through fall brings the best opportunities when they're more active. What makes permit fishing addictive is their spooky nature and the technical challenge - one wrong move and they're gone. When you finally hook one, they're incredibly acrobatic fighters. Here's the key: approach quietly, cast well away from them, and use a fresh blue crab on the bottom. Let them find it rather than dropping it on their heads.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are one of our most reliable targets here in Sarasota's shallow waters. These copper-colored beauties with their signature black spots near the tail typically run 20-30 inches, though we catch plenty in the slot and some real bulls pushing 40+ inches. They love cruising grass flats, oyster bars, and mangrove shorelines in just 1-4 feet of water - sometimes so shallow their backs show above the surface. Spring through fall gives us the best action, especially on moving tides. What makes redfish special is their willingness to eat almost anything and their bulldogging fight once hooked. Plus, they're excellent table fare with sweet, flaky meat. Here's a local tip: when you spot a red tailing in skinny water, cast well ahead of where it's heading and let your bait sit still - they'll find it.
Lobotes SurinamensisTripletail are one of our most unique targets - these oddly-shaped fish with their three-fin appearance float on their sides near the surface, mimicking debris. They typically run 5-15 pounds with some reaching 20+. You'll spot them around weed lines, channel markers, and floating structure where they ambush prey. Summer through early fall is peak season when water temps stay above 70 degrees. What makes tripletail special is their acrobatic fight - they jump and spin like crazy for such a chunky fish. They're also fantastic eating, tasting similar to snapper or grouper. The challenge is their spooky nature and razor-sharp gill plates. Here's the trick: when you spot one floating, don't cast directly at it. Cast 10-15 feet away and slowly work your bait or lure toward them - let them think they're ambushing your offering.
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