Full Day Inshore Fishing in New Smyrna Beach
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Private 8hour inshore charter targeting redfish, snook, and troutCaptain Zachary Griffith provides all gear and expert guidanceAccommodates up to 6 guests with morning departure times
When you're ready to commit to a serious day of fishing, this 8-hour charter with Captain Zachary Griffith delivers exactly what experienced anglers are looking for. We're talking about a full day on New Smyrna Beach's most productive inshore waters, targeting the species that make this stretch of Florida's coast legendary among fishing circles. You'll be hunting redfish, snook, speckled trout, mangrove snapper, and sheepshead with a captain who knows these waters like his own backyard. This isn't a tourist trap—it's built for anglers who want to maximize their time on the water and put some serious fish in the boat.
Your morning starts early with Captain Zachary, who's spent years perfecting his approach to New Smyrna Beach's inshore fishery. This private charter accommodates up to six anglers, giving everyone plenty of room to work without bumping elbows. The beauty of an 8-hour trip is that you're not rushed—there's time to work multiple spots, adjust tactics when fish aren't cooperating, and really dial in what's working that day. The captain provides all your gear, from rods and reels to tackle, bait, and lures, so you can travel light and focus on what matters. New Smyrna's inshore waters offer incredible variety, from shallow grass flats where redfish cruise to deeper structure holding snapper and sheepshead. You'll move between different zones throughout the day, following the bite and the tides.
Captain Zachary runs a well-equipped operation with quality spinning and conventional gear suited for New Smyrna's inshore targets. You'll be working with medium to medium-heavy action rods paired with smooth drag systems that can handle everything from finicky trout to bull redfish. The tackle selection includes everything you need—circle hooks for live bait fishing, jig heads for soft plastics, and a variety of plugs and spoons for covering water. Techniques vary based on conditions and target species, but expect to do plenty of sight fishing in the shallows, bottom fishing around structure, and working artificial lures through productive zones. Live bait plays a big role here—shrimp, pilchards, and pinfish are staples that consistently produce. The captain reads the water constantly, adjusting presentation and location based on tide, wind, and fish movement patterns that change throughout the day.
Snook are the crown jewel of New Smyrna Beach inshore fishing, and for good reason. These ambush predators hang around mangrove shorelines, dock pilings, and bridge structures, waiting to blast anything that looks like an easy meal. They're most active during dawn and dusk periods, but on overcast days, you might find them feeding throughout the morning hours. What makes snook so special is their explosive strike and acrobatic fight—they'll jump, run, and do everything possible to throw your hook. Size-wise, you're looking at fish ranging from slot-size around 28 inches up to trophy fish pushing 40 inches or more. The best action typically happens during warmer months, but New Smyrna's consistent temperatures mean you can target them year-round with the right approach.
Grey snapper, commonly called mangrove snapper, are another customer favorite for their combination of fight and table fare. These reef-dwelling fish average 12-16 inches but can reach impressive sizes in deeper waters around structure. They're smart, cautious fish that require finesse—light leaders, small hooks, and natural presentations work best. You'll find them around any hard structure: bridge pilings, rock piles, artificial reefs, and mangrove roots. What anglers love about mangrove snapper is their year-round availability and willingness to bite when conditions are right. They're also excellent eating, making them a top target for anglers who want to take home a fresh fish dinner.
Tarpon fishing in New Smyrna Beach offers some of the most heart-pounding action you'll find in inshore waters. These silver kings range from juvenile fish in the 20-40 pound class up to massive adults exceeding 100 pounds. Tarpon are famous for their spectacular jumps and powerful runs that test both angler skill and equipment limits. Peak season runs from late spring through early fall, when schools of tarpon migrate through the area. They're typically catch-and-release fish, but the experience of hooking into a tarpon is something every serious angler should have on their bucket list. Captain Zachary knows the migration patterns and feeding areas that consistently hold fish during prime season.
Redfish are the bread and butter of New Smyrna Beach inshore fishing, offering consistent action for anglers of all skill levels. These copper-colored fighters cruise shallow grass flats, oyster bars, and mangrove edges in search of crabs, shrimp, and baitfish. What makes redfish special is their willingness to eat a variety of presentations—live bait, cut bait, and artificials all produce when worked properly. You'll encounter fish ranging from schoolie reds around 18-22 inches up to bull reds exceeding 30 inches and 20 pounds. The sight fishing opportunities are outstanding, especially during calm conditions when you can spot their backs and tails in shallow water. Redfish bite year-round, but fall months often produce the largest schools and most consistent action.
Crevalle jack might not win any beauty contests, but they make up for looks with pure fighting power. These muscular fish are among the strongest pound-for-pound fighters in inshore waters, capable of stripping line and testing your tackle to its limits. Jack crevalle travel in schools and feed aggressively on baitfish, often creating surface commotion that's visible from a distance. When you find a school of feeding jacks, the action can be fast and furious with multiple hookups. They're not typically kept for the table
Your fishing platform for this New Smyrna Beach adventure is a well-equipped 26' Pathfinder powered by a reliable 300 HP Yamaha engine. This motorboat handles inshore waters with ease, getting you to prime fishing spots where snapper, snook, and speckled trout are biting. With space for up to 6 anglers, there's plenty of room to cast lines without crowding each other. The onboard toilet means you can stay focused on the water all day without cutting the trip short. Captain Zachary knows these local waters and will position the boat over productive structure where redfish and mangrove snapper hang out. The Pathfinder's shallow draft opens up backcountry spots that bigger boats can't reach, giving you access to those hidden honey holes where the best catches are waiting.
Caranx HipposCrevalle jacks are the bruisers of the inshore waters - aggressive, hard-fighting fish that'll give you an arm workout. These brassy-green bullies typically run 12-24 inches and 3-8 pounds, though big ones can hit 30+ pounds. Look for them around structure, grass flats, and anywhere baitfish congregate in 5-40 feet of water. They're most active during warmer months and love to school up and attack bait on the surface. What guests enjoy about jacks is their raw power and willingness to hit lures - they're not picky eaters. While they're not great table fare, the fight more than makes up for it. Watch for diving birds - that's your sign that jacks are pushing bait to the surface. Cast a silver spoon past the school and burn it back fast. These fish love the chase and won't hesitate to slam a fast-moving lure.
Lutjanus GriseusGrey snappers, or mangrove snappers as locals call them, are smart fish that'll test your skills. Most run 12-16 inches and 1-3 pounds around here, though bigger ones lurk in deeper water. You'll find them around docks, bridges, and rocky structure in 5-30 feet of water. They're opportunistic feeders that get more active at night, making evening trips productive. What guests love about snappers is the challenge - they're line-shy and picky, but once hooked, they fight hard for their size. Plus, they're fantastic eating with sweet, flaky white meat that's perfect for the dinner table. My go-to trick is using a small 4J hook with live shrimp, but hook it through the tail instead of the head. Let it sit still on the bottom - too much movement spooks these wary fish.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the bread and butter of New Smyrna Beach inshore fishing. These copper-colored beauties with distinctive black spots typically run 20-30 inches and 5-15 pounds. They love super shallow water - often just 1-4 feet deep around grass flats, oyster bars, and mangrove shorelines. Fall and spring offer the best action when they school up in big numbers. What makes redfish so popular is their willingness to eat almost anything and their bulldogging fight that'll bend your rod in half. They're also excellent table fare with mild, sweet meat. The real thrill is sight fishing - watching their backs break the surface as they cruise the shallows. Pro tip: when you spot tailing reds in skinny water, cast your spoon or soft plastic well ahead of them and let it sink to the bottom before starting a slow retrieve.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are one of the most prized inshore species around New Smyrna Beach. These sleek, golden fish typically run 18-28 inches, but can grow over 40 inches. You'll find them around docks, mangroves, and oyster bars in depths from 2-15 feet. They love structure and ambush prey with lightning-fast strikes. Best fishing happens during warmer months from May through September, especially around dawn and dusk. What makes snook special is their acrobatic fight - they'll jump, run, and test your drag like few other fish. They're also excellent table fare with firm, white meat. Here's a local tip: when fishing around docks at night, cast your live shrimp or pinfish right into the shadows where the lights meet darkness. That's where the big ones wait.
Megalops AtlanticusTarpon are the ultimate bucket-list fish - pure silver muscle that can reach 6 feet and 100+ pounds around New Smyrna Beach. These ancient fish roam our inshore waters, channels, and flats from late spring through early fall when water temps climb above 75 degrees. You'll spot them rolling on the surface or cruising in 3-20 feet of water near passes and deeper holes. What makes tarpon fishing special isn't the eating (they're mostly catch-and-release) - it's the heart-stopping jumps and drag-screaming runs that can last 30 minutes or more. Most guests remember their first tarpon jump for years. Here's the key: when that fish goes airborne, bow to the king - drop your rod tip toward the fish to give it slack, or those acrobatics will throw your hook every time.
Titusville