5.0(4 Reviews)Professional Inshore Fishing Charter Sarasota
5.0(4 reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Sixhour inshore charter targeting redfish, snook, and troutAll equipment, live bait, and Florida licenses includedExpert Captain Harris guides all skill levels
Captain Josh Harris knows these Sarasota inshore waters like the back of his hand, and he's ready to put you on some serious fish. This six-hour charter targets the area's most sought-after species – Redfish, Snook, Trout, Cobia, and more – in the productive flats and backcountry waters that make Sarasota a premier fishing destination. Whether you're a weekend warrior looking to dial in your technique or a beginner ready to learn the ropes, Josh provides all the gear, live bait, and Florida licenses you need. The boat accommodates just two anglers, so you get personalized attention and plenty of elbow room to work your lines.
Your day starts early when Josh picks his spots based on tide, weather, and what's been biting. Sarasota's inshore waters offer incredible diversity – from shallow grass flats where Redfish cruise in skinny water to deeper channels where Snook ambush baitfish. Josh runs a clean, well-equipped boat with quality rods, reels, and tackle suited for each target species. He'll match your gear to the conditions and fish you're after, whether that's light spinning tackle for Trout or heavier setups when Cobia are running. The captain provides live bait like shrimp, pinfish, and pilchards, plus he knows when to switch to artificials. You'll fish multiple spots throughout the day as Josh reads the water and adjusts his game plan.
Josh employs a variety of proven techniques depending on conditions and target species. Sight fishing for Redfish in shallow water requires stealth and accuracy – you'll learn to read the fish's body language and lead them properly with your cast. For Snook around structure, Josh teaches precise presentations near docks, mangroves, and bridges where these fish stage. Live bait fishing with shrimp under popping corks is deadly for Trout, while free-lining pilchards can trigger aggressive strikes from Cobia and Tarpon. The captain also incorporates artificial lures when conditions are right – soft plastics for Redfish, topwater plugs for Snook, and jigs for bottom species. All tackle is provided, but feel free to bring your favorite rods if you prefer fishing your own gear.
"We had a great day on the water with Josh...he knows the waters and put us on fish...three of us went out and we all caught the grand slam...awesome day. I'd highly recommend Josh for a charter...we plan on using him when we come back." - Michael
"Today was my first time fishing with Captain Josh. Josh put me on fish almost immediately. More impressively, the first were of quality size. When things slowed later in the morning, Captain Josh worked hard to try to put me on fish. Captain Josh is very patient and supportive, as I missed many hits throughout the day. In total, I landed 25 high quality fish and missed at least that many more hits. Captain Josh has an easy-going personality and he is very friendly. I highly recommend Captain Josh and I plan on using him on future charters when I am in Sarasota." - MICHAEL BARTHEN
"Great trip as always! Always gets us on fish!" - Joshua Wheeler
Redfish are the bread and butter of Sarasota inshore fishing. These copper-colored fighters cruise the flats year-round, though spring and fall offer the most consistent action. Reds average 20-30 inches here, with plenty of slot fish for dinner and the occasional oversized bull that'll test your drag. They're ambush predators that feed heavily on crabs and shrimp, making them perfect targets for sight fishing in shallow water. When you see that bronze back and distinctive black spot tailing in two feet of water, your heart rate jumps – and the fight that follows never disappoints.
Snook are Florida's signature gamefish, and Sarasota's mangrove shorelines and bridge pilings hold good numbers. These fish are structure-oriented and incredibly aggressive when feeding, but they're also finicky and line-shy. Summer months bring the best Snook action, especially around dawn and dusk when they move shallow to feed. A quality Snook runs 24-28 inches and fights like a fish twice its size, with acrobatic jumps and powerful runs toward structure. Their razor-sharp gill plates and ambush-style strikes make every hookup exciting.
Sea Trout school up in grass flats and provide consistent action throughout most of the year. These spotted fighters average 14-18 inches, with occasional "gator" Trout pushing 20-plus inches and several pounds. They're excellent on light tackle and readily take both live shrimp and soft plastic lures. Trout fishing peaks during cooler months when fish concentrate in deeper holes and channels. They're also one of the best eating fish in these waters, making them perfect for anglers looking to take home dinner.
Cobia are the wildcards of inshore fishing – these brown sharks lookalikes show up near crab traps, channel markers, and other structure from spring through fall. A typical Cobia runs 25-40 pounds and fights with incredible power, stripping line and testing your knots. They're curious fish that often approach the boat for a close look, creating exciting sight-fishing opportunities. When Cobia are around, Josh keeps live baits ready because these fish can appear without warning and disappear just as quickly.
Tarpon migrate through Sarasota waters seasonally, bringing world-class fishing for the "Silver King." These prehistoric gamefish jump repeatedly when hooked, creating photo opportunities and memories that last forever. Resident juvenile Tar
Pomatomus SaltatrixBluefish are aggressive predators with razor-sharp teeth, typically 2-10 pounds that provide fast action when they're feeding. They roam open waters and channel edges in schools, chasing baitfish and creating surface disturbances. Fall migration brings the best fishing when they move through in large numbers. What guests enjoy is the non-stop action when you find a school - they'll hit almost anything you throw at them. They're decent eating when fresh, especially smaller ones, with oily but flavorful meat. Spoons, topwater plugs, and cut bait all work well. Pro tip: bring wire leaders or heavy fluorocarbon since their teeth will cut through regular line instantly. When you find them feeding on top, work fast - the school won't stay in one place long, and the bite can shut off quickly.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are brown, shark-looking fish that average 20-40 pounds and provide serious fights on medium tackle. They cruise around buoys, markers, and any floating structure in 15-50 feet of water. Spring migration from March to June is peak time when they move through our area heading north. What makes them exciting is their curious nature - they'll often follow the boat and eat right at the surface. Plus, they're outstanding table fare with firm, white meat that rivals any fish. They readily take live bait, jigs, and even flies. The secret is sight fishing - once you spot one, get a bait in front of them quickly. They're usually alone or in small groups, so work the area thoroughly after catching one. Their powerful runs and stubborn nature make every hookup memorable.
Trachinotus CarolinusFlorida pompano are prized silvery fish with bright yellow fins, typically 12-15 inches and 1-3 pounds. They cruise sandy beaches and flats hunting for sand fleas and small crabs in the surf zone and shallow bays. Summer through fall offers the best action when they're most active in our area. Guests target them for their fantastic table fare - sweet, buttery meat that's considered among the best eating fish in Florida. They're also scrappy fighters for their size, being part of the jack family. Small hooks with live sand fleas, shrimp, or small jigs work best. The key is finding clean, sandy bottom where they feed. Look for small puffs of sand or mud kicked up as they root around for food, and fish your baits right on the bottom.
Lutjanus GriseusGrey snappers, also called mangrove snappers, are smart 12-16 inch fish that'll test your patience and skill. They hang around docks, bridges, and any structure in 10-30 feet of water, being opportunistic feeders but extremely cautious. Summer and fall offer the best action when they're more active. Guests appreciate the challenge since these fish are notoriously finicky, plus they're excellent table fare with sweet, white meat that's perfect for the dinner table. They prefer live shrimp and small baits fished on light tackle. The trick with these guys is patience - let your bait sit still near structure and don't move it too much. They'll study it for a while before committing, and any sudden movements will send them packing. Use the lightest leader you can get away with.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are one of our most reliable inshore targets, running 20-40 inches around Sarasota's shallow flats and oyster bars. You'll spot them by their copper-red backs and distinctive black eyespot near the tail. They love water 1-4 feet deep, especially around grass beds and structure where they hunt for crabs and shrimp. Peak fishing is spring through fall when they're most active in the shallows. What makes them special is their strong, bulldogging fight and excellent table fare with mild, flaky meat. They're not picky eaters - topwater plugs, soft plastics, and live shrimp all work. My tip: when you see their backs exposed in super shallow water, cast past them and work your bait back slowly to avoid spooking them.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are perfect starter fish and steady producers, typically 14-20 inches with beautiful spotted sides. They patrol grass flats and sandy bottoms in 3-8 feet of water, feeding on shrimp and small baitfish. Cool weather months are prime time when they school up in deeper holes and channels. Guests love them because they bite readily, fight well for their size, and make excellent table fare with soft, flaky white meat. They're not overly aggressive but respond to live shrimp, soft plastics, and topwater lures early and late in the day. Best advice: work your lures slowly since trout don't like to chase fast-moving baits. Focus on grass edges and potholes where they ambush prey, and don't overlook deeper water during winter months when they group up.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are the ultimate inshore challenge, averaging 18-30 inches with that signature black lateral line and golden coloring. They're ambush predators that lurk around mangroves, docks, and bridges where they can surprise baitfish. Best fishing happens during warmer months - they're temperature sensitive and move deeper when it cools off. What guests love most is their explosive strike and aerial show when hooked. They're catch-and-release only during spawning season, but when legal, they're outstanding eating with sweet, white meat. They respond well to live shrimp, pilchards, and plugs worked along structure. Key tip: cast tight to cover and be ready - they'll hit hard and immediately try to cut you off on barnacles or pilings, so keep steady pressure and work them away from structure fast.
Megalops AtlanticusTarpon are the kings of our waters - massive silver fish that can reach 6+ feet and 100+ pounds. They cruise shallow flats and deeper channels, especially around passes and bridges. Peak season runs May through August when they migrate through our area. What makes tarpon fishing special is their spectacular jumps and long, powerful runs that'll test your endurance. These are purely catch-and-release fish - they're not good eating but provide memories that last forever. They hit live crabs, threadfins, and large plugs. The biggest challenge is their bony mouth that's tough to penetrate. Here's the key: when they jump, bow to the fish by dropping your rod tip toward them - this prevents them from throwing the hook on their acrobatic displays. Be patient; fights can last an hour or more.
5.0 out of 5.0We had a great day on the water with Josh...he knows the waters and put us on fish...three of us went out and we all caught the gr...
Michael Ray, Thank you! You folks were awesome. Looking forward to our next trip.
Today was my first time fishing with Captain Josh. Josh put me on fish almost immediately. More impressively, the first were of ...
MICHAEL BARTHEN, Thank you! I had a blast!! Can't wait for next time!!
My husband and I had a fabulous trip with Captain Josh. He was friendly and incredibly knowledgeable about how to be successful f...
Thank you Philip! You are both awesome anglers! I hope to see you again on your next fishing too!
Great trip as always! Always gets us on fish!
Joshua Wheeler, Thank you! It's Great to see you guys again!!! Can't wait till next year. ...
Sarasota, FL