5.0(3 Reviews)Beginner Inshore Charter Sarasota with Captain Josh
5.0(3 reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Six-hour inshore charter targeting redfish, snook, and troutAll gear, bait, and licenses included for beginnersCaptain Harris provides expert guidance and local knowledge
Looking for a solid day of fishing without the stress of heading way offshore? Captain Josh Harris has you covered with this six-hour inshore charter that's perfect for beginners and seasoned anglers alike. You'll explore Sarasota's productive backwaters and near-shore flats, targeting some of Florida's most sought-after gamefish including redfish, snook, trout, and more. This isn't just a fishing trip – it's a masterclass in local techniques with one of the area's most patient and knowledgeable guides.
Captain Josh keeps things simple but effective. Your six-hour adventure starts with him handling all the details – fishing licenses, live bait, and top-quality gear are all included. You'll fish from a comfortable boat designed for inshore work, allowing access to shallow grass flats, mangrove shorelines, and deeper channels where the fish like to hang out. The beauty of inshore fishing in Sarasota is the variety – one spot might hold aggressive snook around downed trees, while the next could have tailing redfish cruising the flats. Josh knows these waters like the back of his hand and will move you around to find the action. With a maximum of two guests, you get plenty of personal attention and coaching. Whether you've never held a rod or you're looking to dial in your Florida techniques, this trip adapts to your skill level.
Inshore fishing here is all about reading the water and matching your approach to what the fish are doing. Captain Josh uses a mix of live bait fishing and artificial lures depending on conditions and what's biting. You might find yourself pitch-casting to mangrove pockets with live shrimp, working topwater plugs over grass flats at sunrise, or bouncing jigs along deeper channel edges. The tackle stays light and fun – typically spinning gear in the 2500 to 4000 class that lets you feel every bump and run. Josh provides all the rods, reels, terminal tackle, and bait, but he's also great about explaining what he's using and why. If you want to learn about local rigs, seasonal patterns, or equipment recommendations for fishing on your own later, he's an open book. The boat setup allows easy casting from multiple angles, and Josh positions you for success whether the fish are spooky or aggressive.
"We had 4 people attend our trip with Captain Josh. All of us caught multiple fish and had a great time on the water. Josh was super friendly, knowledgeable, & patient with us. He was very engaged and ensured all of us were having an enjoyable time. Josh took us to multiple locations to fish and was able to comfortably get us situated with all of the gear" - Derrick
"I recently moved to Sarasota from up North where I had a lot of fishing experience on the Chesapeake Bay but no experience in FL. I sought out a guide who was willing to teach local fishing and not just take me out for a day. Josh was the man! He got what I was trying to accomplish and totally delivered. He was patient with all my questions and totally unselfish in sharing knowledge on equipment, techniques and fishing spots. In about 3 hours I caught 7 nice fish in 4 different species which Josh helped me identify (Spotted Sea Trout, Snook, Flounder and Sheep Head). I am now confident I can go out and do it myself. But also if you just want to go out for a great day of fishing and to just let it happen Josh is the man! I highly recommend Reel Knowledge." - Robert
"Thank you Captian Josh! It was a beautiful day on the water! As promised, we saw manatee, had a dolphin swimming around us for about 15min., and caught some fish! Captain Josh was awesome!" - Angie
Redfish are the backbone of Sarasota inshore fishing and for good reason. These copper-colored bulldogs average 20-30 inches in our waters and fight way above their weight class. They're most active during moving tides, especially around oyster bars and grass flat edges. What makes reds so appealing is their aggressive nature – they'll crush live bait, soft plastics, and topwater lures with equal enthusiasm. You'll often spot them tailing in shallow water or see their backs breaking the surface as they feed. The slot-sized fish you'll target here are perfect eating, and watching a red strip line in shallow water never gets old.
Snook are Florida's signature gamefish, and Sarasota's mangrove coastline provides perfect habitat. These ambush predators love structure – docks, mangrove roots, bridge pilings, and creek mouths. They're more temperature sensitive than reds, so spring through fall offers the most consistent action. A good snook averages 24-32 inches locally and will test your drag system with powerful runs toward cover. They're notorious for their gill-rattling jumps and last-second runs that can break off inexperienced anglers. Live bait fished around structure is deadly, but throwing artificials to likely spots can produce explosive strikes that'll get your heart pumping.
Spotted Sea Trout, or "specks" as locals call them, are incredibly fun on light tackle and probably the most cooperative fish you'll encounter. They school up over grass flats and are willing biters throughout the day. Most fish run 14-20 inches, perfect for the dinner table. Trout have soft mouths, so they require a gentle touch, but they make up for it with numbers. It's not unusual to catch a dozen or more during a good trout bite. They respond well to live shrimp under popping corks, soft plastic jigs, and suspending twitch baits. The key is finding the schools, and Captain Josh knows the productive flats where they
Captain Josh Harris takes you out on a well-equipped motorboat perfect for targeting Sarasota's inshore gamefish. The boat features a wireless trolling motor that lets you slip quietly into shallow water where redfish and snook like to hang out, plus a fish finder to locate schools of trout. You'll stay connected with VHF radio and GPS navigation while exploring the flats and mangrove edges. An onboard icebox keeps your drinks cold and any fish you catch fresh during the six-hour trip. This setup handles two anglers comfortably, giving you plenty of room to cast and fight fish without crowding. The boat's shallow draft gets you into those productive backcountry spots where the big snook hide, while the quiet trolling motor won't spook fish in skinny water.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are absolutely one of my favorite species to target - they're built like bulldogs and fight twice as hard. These copper-colored fish with distinctive black spots near the tail typically run 18-27 inches in the shallows, perfect slot-size fish. They love super shallow water, sometimes so shallow their backs stick out. Look for them around oyster bars, mangrove shorelines, and grass flats in 1-4 feet of water. Fall and spring are prime time, but they bite year-round in Sarasota waters. What guests love is watching them cruise the shallows - it's true sight fishing at its best. They hit topwater plugs, soft plastics, and live shrimp with authority. Plus, they're great eating with mild, sweet meat. Pro tip: cast ahead of a cruising red and let your bait sit still - they'll often come right to it rather than chasing a moving lure.
Salmo TruttaSpotted sea trout, or "specks" as we call them, are a staple of our inshore fishing. These silvery fish with dark spots typically run 14-20 inches and weigh 1-3 pounds, though we catch some nice 4-5 pounders. They love grass flats in 2-8 feet of water, especially areas with good current flow. Spring and fall are prime, but they bite year-round if you know where to look. In winter, they school up in deeper holes and channels. What makes trout fishing fun is their willingness to hit artificials - soft plastics, topwater plugs, and spoons all work great. They're also excellent table fare with tender, mild white meat. Just don't overcook them or they'll get mushy. Here's a tip: early morning and late evening on grass flats near drop-offs is money time, especially when the water's moving on a tide change.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are one of the most interesting fish we target - they've got human-like teeth that'll make you do a double-take. These gray and black striped "convict fish" typically weigh 2-8 pounds and hang around any structure they can find: docks, bridges, rock piles, and oyster bars. They're year-round residents, but winter and early spring are peak times when they school up heavy around our bridges and passes. What guests love is the challenge - they're notorious bait thieves with light bites that test your reflexes. The payoff is some of the best eating fish in the Gulf with sweet, flaky white meat. Fiddler crabs and live shrimp work best on small hooks. My tip: when you feel that subtle nibble, don't hesitate - set the hook hard and fast before they strip your bait clean.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are the crown jewel of Florida inshore fishing, and for good reason. These sleek, silver fish with that distinctive black lateral line typically run 18-28 inches, but the big females can push 40+ inches. They're ambush feeders that love structure - mangroves, docks, bridges, and oyster bars are prime spots. Water temps matter big time with snook; they get sluggish below 60 degrees, so spring through fall fish best here in Sarasota. What makes them special is that explosive strike and bulldog fight - they'll jump and make powerful runs. Plus, they're fantastic eating with firm, white meat. Here's a local trick: work your bait or lure parallel to the mangrove edge rather than straight at it. Snook sit in the shadows waiting to dart out and grab an easy meal.
Paralichthys LethostigmaThese flat, oval-shaped fish are master ambush predators that bury themselves in sand and mud on shallow bottoms. Most run 15-18 inches and weigh around 5 pounds, though we've seen some pushing 20+ pounds. What makes them unique is having both eyes on their left side - pretty wild to see up close. They're excellent table fare with sweet, flaky white meat. Fall and winter are prime time when they move through our passes heading offshore. You'll find them around sandy flats, creek mouths, and channel edges in 2-15 feet of water. They hit live shrimp, finger mullet, and mud minnows best. Pro tip: when you feel that subtle tap, wait a second before setting the hook - they like to grab bait sideways then turn it to swallow.
5.0 out of 5.0We had 4 people attend our trip with Captain Josh. All of us caught multiple fish and had a great time on the water. Josh was supe...
Derrick R., Thank you! You folks were awesome. Looking forward to our next trip.
I recently moved to Sarasota from up North where I had a lot of fishing experience on the Chesapeake Bay but no experience in FL. ...
Robert J., Thank you! You folks were awesome. Looking forward to our next trip.
Thank you Captian Josh! It was a beautiful day on the water! As promised, we saw manatee, had a dolphin swimming around us for abo...
Angie Aaseth, Thank you! You folks were awesome. Looking forward to our next trip.
Sarasota, FL