5.0(3 Reviews)Steinhatchee Redfish & Trout Charter
5.0(3 reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Six-hour charter targeting redfish, trout, flounder, and cobiaAll equipment, bait, tackle, and licenses provided by Captain FrankIntimate two-guest capacity ensures personalized fishing experience
Captain Frank Taylor knows these waters like the back of his hand, and this six-hour guided trip puts you right where the action is. You'll target redfish, trout, flounder, and cobia in some of the most productive inshore and nearshore spots around Steinhatchee. Everything's included - rods, reels, bait, tackle, and even your fishing license - so you can focus on what matters most: landing fish. With the longer schedule, we've got time to hit multiple spots, adjust for tides, and really dial in on where the fish are holding. Bring your own food and drinks for the day, and get ready for some serious fishing.
This isn't your typical half-day rush job. Six hours gives us the flexibility to work with the conditions instead of fighting them. Captain Frank reads the water, tides, and weather patterns to put you on fish consistently throughout the day. We'll start in the productive shallow flats and grass beds where redfish cruise, then move to deeper structure for trout and flounder. If conditions are right, we might push out to nearshore waters where cobia patrol. The boat's equipped with everything you need, and Frank's got decades of experience working these waters. Whether you're a seasoned angler or picking up a rod for the first time, he'll adjust techniques and spots to match your skill level and keep the action going.
We'll use a mix of live bait and artificials depending on what's working best. The shallow grass flats are perfect for sight fishing redfish with soft plastics and topwater plugs. For trout, we'll work the deeper grass edges and drop-offs with live shrimp under popping corks or drift with jigs. Flounder love structure, so we'll target oyster bars, channel edges, and sandy potholes with live bait rigs. When we head nearshore for cobia, it's all about covering water and watching for those brown shadows cruising near the surface. Frank's got GPS coordinates for productive spots, but he's always reading the water for new opportunities. The key is staying mobile and adapting to what the fish are telling us throughout the day.
"Having chartered at least 30 times I have a pretty good grip on a TRUE charter Captain. Negative tide, north wind 10-15, and spitting rain. And Captain Frank Taylor still put us on and kept us on fish all day. Book a trip and rest assured that it will be money well spent." - David
"Captain was kind, helpful and knowledgeable about local waters. Caught nice bunch of fish despite inclement weather. Fun day." - David
"We had a great time with Captain Frank. Summer fishing can be slow but he put us on some fish. We caught a variety, trout, flounder, sea bass." - Michsel Kelly
Sea Trout are the bread and butter of Steinhatchee inshore fishing. These speckled beauties love the grass flats and are active year-round, with peak action in spring and fall when water temperatures are ideal. They're aggressive feeders that hit both live shrimp and artificial lures with authority. What makes trout special is their willingness to bite and their excellent table fare - there's nothing like fresh speckled trout for dinner. They typically range from 14 to 20 inches, with bigger gator trout possible during cooler months.
Redfish are the crown jewel of inshore fishing here. These copper-colored bruisers cruise the shallow flats and oyster bars, often in schools that'll get your heart racing. Peak season runs from late spring through early fall, but you can catch them year-round. What anglers love most is the visual aspect - watching a red's back fin cut through shallow water before making your cast is pure adrenaline. They fight hard, run strong, and the slot-size fish (18-27 inches) make excellent eating. Oversized bull reds provide epic battles on light tackle.
Cobia are the wildcards that can make your trip legendary. These curious, shark-like fish cruise nearshore waters from spring through fall, often following rays and other marine life. They're aggressive predators that'll eat just about anything, making them exciting targets for sight fishing. When you hook a cobia, you know it - they're powerful fighters that test your drag and endurance. Most run 20 to 40 pounds, with larger specimens possible. They're also fantastic table fare, often called the "poor man's mahi" for their white, flaky meat.
Spanish Mackerel bring non-stop action when they're around. These speedy predators show up in large schools during warmer months, creating feeding frenzies that'll keep you busy for hours. They hit small jigs, spoons, and live bait with lightning speed. What's great about Spanish mackerel is they're perfect for beginners - they bite aggressively and fight hard for their size. They're also excellent smoked or grilled fresh. When you find a school, it's common to catch dozens in a short period.
Southern Flounder are the masters of disguise, lying flat on sandy and muddy bottoms waiting to ambush prey. Fall is prime time for doormat flounder, but you can catch them throughout most of the year. They're structure-oriented fish that love oyster bars, channel edges, and creek mouths. What makes flounder special is the challenge - they're subtle biters that require patience and technique. When you hook a nice flounder, the fight is steady and determined. Plus, they're widely considered one of the best eating fish in these waters, with sweet, flaky white meat that's perfect for any recipe.
Captain Frank's six-hour charters book
Your fishing platform for Steinhatchee's productive waters is a well-equipped motorboat designed for serious angling. The boat features a reliable ice box to keep your catch fresh, plus GPS navigation to pinpoint the best fishing spots along the coast. The onboard fish finder takes the guesswork out of locating redfish, trout, flounder, and cobia in their holding areas. With space for two anglers, you'll have plenty of room to work your lines without crowding. Captain Frank handles all the technical stuff while you focus on landing fish. The boat moves efficiently between inshore grass flats and nearshore structure, adapting to tides and weather throughout your six-hour trip. Everything's included - rods, reels, bait, tackle, and licenses - so you can concentrate on fishing rather than logistics.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are the bulldogs of our nearshore waters, averaging 20-50 pounds with some pushing 100+. They're loners, not schoolers, so finding one takes patience. Look for them cruising around structure like reefs, buoys, and channel markers in 20-60 feet. Spring migration from April through June is prime time when they're moving north to spawn. What makes them special is the fight - pure power from start to finish - and the table fare is outstanding, firm white meat that grills perfectly. They're curious fish that'll come up to investigate the boat. Key tip: when you spot one, get a bucktail jig or live bait down quick but don't spook them with the boat.
Sciaenops OcellatusReds are what most folks come here for, and for good reason. They run 20-40 inches in our waters and fight like bulldogs. You'll find them tailing in 1-4 feet of water around oyster bars, grass flats, and creek mouths. That distinctive black spot near their tail isn't just for looks - it confuses predators. Spring and fall are prime time when they're feeding heavy before seasonal moves. The meat is excellent with a mild, sweet flavor that's hard to beat. What guests love most is sight fishing for them in skinny water. My go-to trick: look for nervous bait and muddy water where they're rooting around for crabs.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout run 14-24 inches here and typically weigh 1-5 pounds, though we see some real slabs pushing bigger. They love grass flats and shallow waters, especially at night when they get aggressive. Spring through fall offers the best action, but winter can be solid when they school up in deeper channels. What makes trout special is their delicate white meat - some of the best eating you'll find inshore. They're also great for beginners since they'll hit everything from live shrimp to artificial lures. Pro tip: when working the flats, keep your retrieve slow and steady. Trout often follow before they strike, so don't rush it.
Paralichthys LethostigmaFlounder are the masters of disguise, lying flat on sandy and muddy bottoms waiting to ambush prey. They average 15-18 inches but can stretch to 25+ inches for real doormat-sized fish. You'll find them in shallow bays, creek mouths, and around structure in 5-20 feet of water. Fall is prime time when they're fattening up for their offshore winter migration. They're prized for their sweet, white meat - some say it's the best eating fish in the Gulf. The challenge is feeling that subtle bite since they inhale bait slowly. Local trick: use live bull minnows or shrimp on a light jighead and bounce it along the bottom near drop-offs and channel edges.
Scomberomorus MaculatusSpanish mackerel are speed demons that'll test your reflexes. They typically run 1-3 pounds and 12-20 inches, but what they lack in size they make up for in fight. You'll find schools of them around nearshore structure, reefs, and over grass flats in 10-30 feet of water. Summer months are best when they're feeding aggressively on baitfish. They're fantastic table fare - mild, flaky meat that's perfect grilled or smoked. The fun factor is high since they hit hard and fast, making great action fish for kids and beginners. Pro tip: use small silver spoons or jigs and keep them moving. These fish are built for speed, so match their energy.
5.0 out of 5.0Having chartered at least 30 times I have a pretty good grip on a TRUE charter Captain. Negative tide, north wind 10-15, and spitt...
Captain was kind, helpful and knowledgeable about local waters. Caught nice bunch of fish despite inclement weather. Fun day.
We had a great time with Captain Frank. Summer fishing can be slow but he put us on some fish. We caught a variety, trout, flounde...
Steinhatchee