Half Day Fishing Trip In Pine Island, Florida
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Halfday afternoon fishing adventure in Pine Island Sound watersTarget redfish, sea trout, sheepshead, and snook speciesAccommodates up to 4 guests with all gear included
Pine Island Sound is one of Florida's premier inshore fishing destinations, and Captain Dalton Bryant knows these waters like the back of his hand. This afternoon half-day charter takes you into the heart of some of the most productive fishing grounds on the Gulf Coast, where crystal-clear flats meet deeper channels loaded with gamefish. You'll fish from a well-equipped boat designed for navigating the shallow waters that make Pine Island Sound famous among serious anglers. With room for up to four guests, this trip works perfectly whether you're introducing kids to fishing, planning a buddies' getaway, or looking for a romantic afternoon on the water with your partner.
Captain Dalton runs a fully customized operation, which means no cookie-cutter trips here. Before you even wet a line, he'll talk through what you want to accomplish and match the fishing strategy to your group's experience level and interests. The afternoon timing is perfect for Pine Island Sound – you'll avoid the morning boat traffic and often find fish that are more active as the day progresses. The sound's expansive grass flats, mangrove shorelines, and oyster bars create diverse fishing opportunities all within a short boat ride. Expect to move around and try different spots based on tides, weather, and what the fish are doing that day. Captain Dalton provides all the tackle, bait, and gear you'll need, plus he's got the local knowledge to put you on fish when other boats are struggling.
Pine Island Sound fishing is all about adapting to conditions and fish behavior. You'll likely do some sight fishing on the flats, where you can actually see Redfish cruising in shallow water before making your cast. This visual fishing is addictive – there's nothing quite like watching a big Red tail on your bait. For Sea Trout, expect to drift over grass beds while working soft plastics or live shrimp under popping corks. Sheepshead fishing around structure requires a different approach entirely, with light tackle and precise bait presentation near pilings and docks. Captain Dalton matches the gear to the target species, so you might find yourself throwing everything from topwater plugs for Snook to jigs for Trout during a single trip. The boat is rigged with quality rods and reels suitable for the inshore environment, and he keeps a variety of lures and live bait options to match whatever the fish are hitting.
Redfish are the crown jewel of Pine Island Sound, and these copper-colored bruisers put up fights that'll test your drag system. They range from slot-size fish around 20-27 inches up to oversized bulls pushing 40 inches or more. Fall and winter months are prime time for big Reds, though you can find them year-round if you know where to look. What makes Redfish special here is the sight fishing opportunities – watching a 30-inch Red slowly cruise a flat before making the perfect cast never gets old.
Sea Trout are abundant throughout Pine Island Sound and provide consistent action when other species are being finicky. These spotted beauties average 14-18 inches but can reach 24 inches or better during peak seasons. Spring and fall produce the largest Trout, and they're willing biters that hit both live and artificial baits. They're perfect for anglers who want steady fishing without too much downtime between bites.
Sheepshead are the technical challenge of the group, with mouths full of human-like teeth designed for crushing shellfish. These black-and-white striped fish require patience and skill, but landing a 3-4 pound Sheepshead feels like a major victory. Winter months bring the biggest Sheepshead into Pine Island Sound, and they're excellent table fare if you're looking to take dinner home.
Snook are the local favorite and for good reason – they're aggressive, acrobatic, and absolutely gorgeous fish with that distinctive black lateral line. Pine Island's mangrove shorelines provide perfect Snook habitat, and these ambush predators love to lurk in the shadows waiting for baitfish. Summer months offer the best Snook action, though catch-and-release seasons mean you'll be photographing these beauties rather than taking them home. A 28-inch Snook jumping clear of the water is a sight you won't forget.
This half-day afternoon trip with Captain Dalton offers everything serious anglers want: productive waters, quality equipment, local expertise, and the flexibility to fish your way. Pine Island Sound's reputation as a world-class inshore fishery isn't hype – it's backed up by consistent catches and the kind of fishing memories that keep people coming back year after year. Whether you're a seasoned angler looking to explore new waters or someone wanting to experience Florida's legendary inshore fishing scene, this trip delivers. The four-person capacity keeps groups small and fishing productive, while Captain Dalton's willingness to customize each trip means you'll fish for what you want to catch. Don't wait – Pine Island's best fishing days book up fast, especially during peak seasons when the fish are most active.
Step aboard Captain Dalton's well-equipped 22' bay boat and get ready to fish the productive waters around Pine Island Sound. This comfortable vessel handles up to 4 anglers and comes loaded with everything you need for a successful afternoon on the water. The boat features a flybridge for better sight fishing opportunities, plus a wireless trolling motor that lets you move quietly through shallow areas where redfish and snook like to hide. Captain Dalton keeps quality rods, reels, and tackle ready to go, so you can focus on landing fish instead of rigging gear. The onboard fish finder helps locate schools of trout, while GPS navigation ensures you hit the best spots. An icebox keeps your drinks cold and your catch fresh. Whether you're sight casting in skinny water or drifting grass flats, this bay boat is built for Pine Island's diverse inshore fishing opportunities.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the ultimate sight-fishing target in Pine Island's shallow flats. These copper-colored beauties with distinctive black spots near their tails typically range from 18-30 inches in our waters. They cruise the shallows year-round, often in water so shallow their backs are exposed. Spring and fall offer the best action when they're most active and aggressive. What makes redfish special is watching them hunt in skinny water - it's like hunting with a rod. They make powerful runs and never give up easily. The meat is mild and excellent eating too. Here's what I tell my guests: look for nervous water or "push waves" on calm days. When you spot one, cast ahead of where it's going, not where it is. Patience pays off with these fish.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are perfect for anglers wanting consistent action in Pine Island Sound. These spotted beauties typically run 14-24 inches and love grass flats in 2-8 feet of water. They're most active during cooler months and low-light conditions - early morning, late evening, and overcast days are prime time. What makes them popular with families is their willingness to bite and their mild, flaky white meat that even picky eaters enjoy. They're also great for teaching kids since they're forgiving and fun to catch. In winter, they school up in deeper channels, making for hot action when you find them. Pro tip: work your lure slowly over the grass beds and listen for their distinctive "drumming" sound - when one trout is around, there's usually more nearby.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the "convict fish" of Pine Island Sound with their distinctive black and white stripes. They typically run 1-8 pounds and hang around any structure with barnacles - docks, bridges, oyster bars. These fish are famous for their human-like teeth and notorious for being bait thieves. Peak season is late winter through early spring when they spawn, but you can catch them year-round. What guests love most is the challenge - they nibble delicately before committing, then put up a surprisingly strong fight. Plus, they're some of the best eating fish around with sweet, white meat. My tip: use the smallest hook you can get away with and really firm up that bait. The second you feel weight, set the hook hard - they'll steal your shrimp every time if you hesitate.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are one of the most exciting inshore targets in Pine Island Sound. These sleek, golden fish average 1-2 feet but can reach over 4 feet. You'll find them lurking around mangroves, docks, and oyster bars in shallow water, especially during warmer months from May through September when they're most active. They're ambush predators with incredible speed, making for explosive strikes that'll test your drag. What makes snook special is their powerful runs and acrobatic jumps - they fight harder than most fish their size. They also make excellent table fare with firm, white meat. Here's a tip: cast your lure right into the structure where they hide. Don't be afraid to get close to those mangrove roots - that's where the big ones wait.
Pine Island, FL