Private Inshore Fishing: Black Drum & More
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Target Black Drum around bridges and backwater canalsPrivate charter accommodates up to two guests maximumFour to six hour inshore fishing experience available
Looking for a fishing trip that puts you right where the action is? This private 4-6 hour inshore adventure with Reel Lucky Fishing Charters gets you away from the crowds and into Florida's most productive backwater spots. We're talking about those winding canals and bridge structures where big Black Drum love to feed, plus plenty of opportunities for Snook, Tarpon, Sheepshead, and Cobia. Whether you've been fishing these waters for years or you're ready to learn what inshore fishing is all about, this trip delivers the kind of consistent action that keeps anglers coming back. With just you and one other person on board, you'll get personalized attention and the flexibility to fish at your own pace.
We'll be targeting Florida's premier inshore waters, focusing on the bridge pilings and backwater canals where Black Drum congregate to feed. These structures create the perfect ambush points and feeding zones that hold fish year-round. The beauty of this trip is the variety – while we're dialed in on drum, you never know when a big Snook is going to blow up on your bait or a Tarpon decides to make your day interesting. The shallow water fishing here is visual and engaging, letting you see the structure we're fishing and often spot fish before you cast to them. Since it's just your group of two, we can adjust our approach based on what you want to target and how the fish are behaving that day. Some days they want live bait presented quietly, other days they'll slam artificials worked aggressively through the structure.
We'll be fishing with medium to heavy action spinning gear that can handle the bigger drum while still being fun to fight smaller species. For Black Drum around bridges, we typically use circle hooks with fresh cut bait – blue crab, shrimp, or mullet depending on what they're keyed in on. The technique is all about precise placement near the structure and letting the bait work naturally in the current. When we're working the backwater canals for Snook and other species, we'll switch between live pilchards, DOA artificials, and topwater plugs depending on the conditions. The key to productive inshore fishing is reading the water and adjusting your presentation. Around bridge pilings, you're looking for those subtle current breaks and depth changes where fish stage up. In the canals, it's all about working the mangrove edges, oyster bars, and grass flats methodically. We'll teach you how to feel the difference between a drum pickup and structure, plus how to work lures through tight spaces without hanging up constantly.
Black Drum are the bread and butter of this trip, and for good reason. These powerhouse fish love hanging around bridge pilings and canal structures, feeding on crabs, shrimp, and small baitfish. Florida's inshore waters produce drum ranging from keeper-sized fish around 16 inches up to true giants pushing 40+ pounds. What makes drum so appealing is their steady, bulldogging fight – they're not flashy jumpers, but they'll test your drag and make you work for every inch. Best action typically happens during moving water, especially around the bridges where current funnels bait past their feeding zones. Spring through fall offers the most consistent fishing, though winter can produce some of the biggest fish of the year.
Snook are the glamour fish of Florida inshore fishing, and these canals and bridge areas hold some serious specimens. These ambush predators love structure, making them perfect targets during this style of fishing. Snook have that distinctive black lateral line and can range from schoolie-sized fish up to true slobs over 30 inches. They're notorious for their explosive strikes and acrobatic fights, often jumping multiple times and making screaming runs toward structure. Peak season runs from spring through early fall, with the best action typically during dawn, dusk, and nighttime hours. What anglers love about Snook is their attitude – they hit hard, fight dirty, and always keep you on your toes.
Tarpon encounters add serious excitement to any inshore trip. While we're not specifically targeting them, Florida's backwaters often hold juvenile tarpon in the 10-50 pound range, with occasional shots at larger fish. These silver kings are pure dynamite when hooked, known for their spectacular aerial displays and long, powerful runs. Even smaller tarpon will jump repeatedly and test your tackle to its limits. They're most active during warmer months, often rolling and feeding in the early morning or late evening hours. The rush of watching a tarpon crash your bait and then go airborne is something every angler needs to experience.
Sheepshead might not win beauty contests, but they're among the best eating fish in Florida waters and provide challenging, technical fishing. These black-and-white striped fish have human-like teeth perfectly designed for crushing crustaceans around structure. They're notorious bait thieves with incredibly light bites, requiring sharp reflexes and sensitive tackle. Most Sheepshead run 1-3 pounds, but the inshore waters around bridges can produce doormat-sized fish over 5 pounds. Winter months offer the best Sheepshead action, when they school up around structure to spawn. Anglers appreciate them for their table fare and the skill required to hook them consistently.
Cobia are the wild cards of inshore fishing – curious, aggressive fish that can show up anywhere and provide world-class fights. These brown sharks-looking fish are incredibly strong and known for their habit of following boats and investigating anything unusual. Florida Cobia can range from smaller fish in the 20-30 pound range up to true giants over 50 pounds. They're most common during spring and fall migrations, though resident fish are present year-round in many areas. What makes Cobia special is their intelligence and curiosity – they'll often follow hooked fish to the boat and can sometimes be sight-fished when they're cruising the surface.
Meet the 22' Bayscout, your ticket to serious Black Drum action in Florida's prime inshore waters. This 2002 Scout bay boat packs a reliable 200HP Suzuki that'll cruise you at 50 mph to those hidden honey holes around local bridges and backwater canals where the big drum feed. Built specifically for inshore fishing, she's loaded with everything you need for a productive day on the water. The wireless trolling motor keeps things whisper-quiet when you're stalking fish in shallow areas, while the fish finder helps pinpoint exactly where those drum are holding. GPS navigation gets you to the best spots efficiently, and the VHF radio keeps you connected for safety and fishing reports. The onboard bait tank keeps your live bait frisky and ready to tempt those heavy drum lurking in the current breaks. With space for 2 anglers, you'll have plenty of room to fight fish without getting tangled up. Whether you're targeting 20-pounders around bridge pilings or working the grass flats for tailing drum, this Scout handles Florida's inshore waters like a dream and gets you into fish-producing territory fast.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the heavyweights of inshore fishing, typically running 10-30 pounds but capable of hitting 50-plus. These bottom-dwellers cruise oyster beds, bridge pilings, and muddy flats where they crush crabs and shellfish with powerful jaws. Spring is prime time, especially during spawning when they school up and make those distinctive drumming sounds underwater. They're built for power, not speed - expect a bulldogging fight that'll test your drag. The smaller ones under 15 pounds are excellent table fare with firm, white meat. Pro tip: use fresh crab for bait and make sure your weight gets to the bottom - they won't come up for food, so you need to get down to them in their feeding zone.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are brown sharks that aren't sharks - these 30-60 pound bruisers are often spotted cruising just under the surface, especially around buoys, wrecks, and channel markers. Spring migration and summer months offer the best shots when they move through in 20-80 feet of water. They're curious fish that will often approach the boat, making sight fishing exciting. Cobia are serious table fare with firm, white meat that rivals any offshore species. They fight hard and deep, using their broad tail to muscle against your drag. Best tip: when you spot one, don't get too excited and make a perfect cast the first time. If you spook them with a bad presentation, they'll usually circle back - be ready with a bucktail jig or live bait for round two.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the convict fish with those distinctive black stripes and human-like teeth. They typically run 2-8 pounds and stick tight to structure - docks, bridges, pilings, anywhere with barnacles to scrape off. Winter through early spring is peak season when they're spawning and easier to find. They're notorious bait thieves with light bites, but once you figure them out, they're steady producers. The white, flaky meat is some of the best eating in the Gulf. These fish are picky - they'll nibble and steal your bait if you're not paying attention. My advice: use small hooks with fresh shrimp or fiddler crabs, keep it right against the structure, and set the hook the second you feel weight - don't wait for a big pull.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are one of Florida's premier gamefish, running 18-36 inches with that classic golden body and bold black lateral line. They're ambush predators that love structure - mangroves, docks, bridges, and creek mouths where fresh meets salt. Spring through fall gives you the best action, especially around the full and new moons when they're most active. What makes snook special is their explosive strikes and aerial fights, plus they're temperature-sensitive so they concentrate in predictable spots during cooler months. These fish are pure eating quality with white, flaky meat. Here's the key: cast tight to cover and work your bait slow - snook rarely chase far from their hiding spots, but when they commit, hold on tight.
Megalops AtlanticusTarpon are the silver kings of sport fishing, averaging 80-150 pounds and stretching 4-6 feet long. These prehistoric giants cruise shallow flats, channels, and harbor mouths from spring through fall, with peak season May to August. What sets tarpon apart is their aerial show - they'll jump repeatedly once hooked, sometimes clearing 10 feet of water. Most anglers target them for the thrill since the meat isn't great eating due to all the bones. They're surprisingly finicky for their size, often requiring precise presentations with live bait or flies. Key trick: when a tarpon jumps, bow to the fish by dropping your rod tip toward them - this prevents the line from snapping when they crash back down and shake their heads.
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