Florida Scallop & Fishing Combo Adventure
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
6hour combo trip features 2 hours fishing plus 4 hours scallopingSeasonal availability from June 15 through September 5 onlyAll gear provided including snorkels, masks, and scallop nets
Looking for something different than your typical Florida fishing charter? This seasonal combo trip mixes the best of both worlds – serious angling and hands-on scalloping that gets the whole crew involved. Running from mid-June through early September, this 6-hour adventure starts at 8 AM with 2 solid hours chasing fish, then switches gears for 4 hours of scalloping fun. It's the kind of trip that keeps everyone busy, whether you're a die-hard angler or just want to try something new on Florida's inshore waters. With gear provided and space for up to 4 guests, this top-rated charter delivers variety you won't find anywhere else.
Your day kicks off bright and early targeting some of Florida's best inshore species. The first two hours focus purely on fishing – we'll work the grass flats, structure, and drop-offs where black drum, redfish, and sea trout like to hang out. Don't worry about licenses or tackle; everything's covered so you can focus on getting fish in the boat. After we've had our fun with the rods, we shift into scalloping mode. The crew provides masks, snorkels, flippers, scallop bags, and nets – basically everything you need to get in the water and start collecting. The beauty of this combo is how different it feels; one minute you're working a spoon over a grass bed, the next you're diving down to grab scallops off the bottom. Water stays cool on the boat, but feel free to bring your own cooler with drinks and snacks. Just remember – no glass containers for safety reasons. This isn't your standard charter experience, and that's exactly what makes it special.
We run light to medium tackle for the fishing portion, perfect for the inshore species we're targeting. Expect live bait, soft plastics, and spoons depending on conditions and what's biting. The key is staying mobile and reading the water – sometimes the fish are shallow on the flats, other times they're holding near structure in deeper pockets. For scalloping, the technique is pretty straightforward but takes some getting used to. You'll swim along the grass beds in 3 to 8 feet of water, scanning for those telltale shells. When you spot one, dive down, grab it, and check if it's legal size before dropping it in your mesh bag. The trick is learning to spot them quickly – they blend in well with the bottom. We stick to areas where scallops are thick and the water's clear, making it easier for beginners to get the hang of it. The snorkel gear fits most adults and kids, and we'll get everyone comfortable in the water before turning you loose to hunt.
Black Sea Bass are one of the most reliable catches during this season, hanging around structure and rocky bottom in 15 to 40 feet of water. These chunky fighters average 1 to 3 pounds but can surprise you with their strength when they head for cover. They're aggressive feeders, especially in summer months, making them perfect for light tackle action. The bite usually picks up as the sun gets higher, and they're excellent table fare if you're looking to take dinner home.
Black Drum are the bulldogs of the inshore world, with fish ranging from schoolie-size up to serious 20-plus pounders that'll test your drag system. They cruise the flats and deeper channels, often in small schools, feeding on crabs and shrimp. Summer brings consistent action as they stay active in the warmer water. When you hook into a big drum, expect a long, powerful fight with several strong runs. They're not the prettiest fish, but they sure know how to pull.
Sea Trout, or spotted seatrout, are the bread and butter of Florida inshore fishing. These beautiful fish love grass flats and drop-offs, where they ambush baitfish and shrimp. During summer, look for them in 3 to 8 feet of water, especially around dawn and dusk. They hit soft plastics and live bait with authority, and their distinctive spots make them easy to identify. Trout in the 15 to 20-inch range are common, with occasional fish pushing into the mid-20s that really get your attention.
Redfish are the poster child of inshore fishing, and Florida's summer waters hold plenty of slot-size fish perfect for sport and the table. These copper-colored bruisers love shallow water, often feeding in just a few feet around grass beds and oyster bars. When a red hits your bait, you'll know it – they make powerful runs and use their broad tails to create serious pressure on your tackle. The sight of that distinctive black spot near the tail never gets old, and reds between 18 and 27 inches are legal to keep, making them a customer favorite.
Cobia are the wildcards of this trip, showing up when you least expect them but delivering some of the best fights you'll find inshore. These brown sharks (they're not actually sharks) cruise the flats and structure, often following rays and other fish looking for easy meals. Summer is prime time for cobia in Florida waters, with fish ranging from 20 to 50-plus pounds. They're curious fish that will often come up to investigate the boat, giving you a shot at sight-casting. When you hook a big cobia, clear the deck – they're strong, fast, and known for making long runs that strip line off your reel.
This seasonal combo only runs from June 15th through September 5th, so your window is limited for experiencing this unique mix of fishing and scalloping. It's the kind of trip that works for serious anglers who want variety and families looking for something beyond the typical charter experience. With only 4 spots available, these dates fill up fast once word gets out. The combination of quality inshore fishing
Your Florida fishing and scalloping adventure starts aboard this sharp 2015 Sundance 22-foot skiff, powered by a dependable Honda engine that'll cruise you to the best spots at 35 knots. This boat handles both parts of your combo trip perfectly – trolling the inshore waters for fish, then anchoring up for scallop diving in the grass flats. The wireless trolling motor keeps things quiet when you're working structure, while the fish finder helps locate schools and bottom features. GPS gets you to productive areas fast. The icebox keeps your catch fresh and drinks cold during the 6-hour seasonal adventure. With room for 4 anglers, there's plenty of space to move around whether you're casting lines or diving for scallops. The multimedia system adds some tunes between spots. All your snorkeling gear comes included – masks, fins, nets, and scallop bags. Just bring your appetite for action on the water from June through early September when these trips run.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the heavyweights of the drum family, running 5-30 pounds with monsters reaching 90+ pounds. You'll hear them before you see them - they make distinctive drumming sounds, especially during spring spawning when they school up in shallow muddy flats and oyster beds. These powerful fish crush shellfish with ease, so bring fresh crab or cut clams for bait. They're incredibly adaptable, found from creek mouths to 100-foot depths, but the best action happens in brackish estuaries. Keep fish under 15 pounds for eating - the smaller ones have sweet, flaky meat while the big bulls get tough. Pro tip: use crab bait over cut fish because it won't get stolen by catfish as quickly.
Centropristis StriataBlack Sea Bass are chunky, aggressive fighters that'll give you a solid battle until they hit the surface. Most run 1-4 pounds, but you can find bigger males pushing 8+ pounds in deeper water around wrecks and rocky bottom. These gray-to-black fish with white-centered scales love structure - jetties, piers, old pilings, and artificial reefs in 20-120 feet of water. Late spring through summer is prime time when they move closer to shore. They're excellent table fare with firm, white meat that's perfect for the grill. Here's a local trick: use a two-hook bottom rig with squid strips and bounce it right on the structure. They're curious fish, so if you don't get bit in a few minutes, move to the next spot.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are the sharks that aren't sharks - these brown, torpedo-shaped fish often get mistaken for sharks until you see that single dorsal fin. They're loners averaging 30-50 pounds, but 6-footers pushing 100+ pounds aren't uncommon. You'll find them around structure like buoys, wrecks, and channel markers in 30-70 feet, though they roam shallow waters too. Spring through fall is prime time, especially during their spawning migration. What draws people to cobia is the combination of size, fight, and incredible table fare - firm, white meat that rivals any fish. They're curious and will often approach the boat. Best tip: sight-fish for them with bucktail jigs in 4-8 ounces, and don't worry about color - they'll eat anything that moves naturally.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are Florida's signature inshore fighter, instantly recognizable by their copper-bronze color and distinctive black eyespots near the tail. These bruisers typically run 20-35 inches and love super shallow water - we're talking 1-4 feet around oyster bars, mangrove shorelines, and grass flats. They'll cruise so shallow their backs stick out of the water. Fall and spring offer the best action when they school up, but summer fishing stays consistent. What makes them special is their aggressive nature and powerful runs that'll test your drag. The meat is sweet and firm, perfect on the grill. Here's the secret: throw a gold spoon or topwater plug ahead of cruising fish and work it slowly - they can't resist that flash and commotion.
Salmo TruttaSpotted Sea Trout, or "specks," are prized for their delicate white meat and willingness to hit topwater lures at dawn and dusk. These silvery fish with black spots typically run 14-24 inches and prefer grass flats and shallow bays where they ambush shrimp and small baitfish. Summer nights are magic time - work the shallows with soft plastics under a popping cork or throw topwater plugs for explosive strikes. They're excellent eating but cook fast, so don't overdo it or they'll get mushy. Winter fishing gets tougher when they move to deeper channels, but that's when you'll find the biggest schools. My go-to trick: slow-troll a live shrimp under a cork along grass edges at idle speed.
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