Charter Fishing Cape Coral
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fullday fishing charter targeting Redfish, Snook, and Trout.Light tackle and fly fishing options available onboard.Expert guide service in Cape Coral's prime waters.
Cape Coral's backwater fishing scene is something special, and this full-day charter with Salt Bay Charters LLC puts you right in the heart of it all. We're talking about an 8-hour fishing adventure that takes you through some of Southwest Florida's most productive inshore waters around Matlacha and Pine Island. This isn't your typical crowded boat experience – with just one angler on board, you get personalized attention and the flexibility to fish exactly how you want to fish. The captain knows these waters like the back of his hand, and he's dialed into where the Redfish, Snook, and Sea Trout are hanging out on any given day.
Your day starts early when you meet up at the dock, usually around sunrise when the water is glass calm and the fish are most active. The boat is rigged and ready with everything you need – light spinning tackle for conventional fishing and quality 8-weight fly rods if you want to throw some feathers. Cape Coral's backcountry is a maze of mangrove shorelines, grass flats, and oyster bars that hold fish year-round. You'll be working these productive areas where the water clarity lets you sight-fish to cruising Reds or where you can blind cast to likely structure. The beauty of an 8-hour trip is that you're not rushed – if the fish are biting in one spot, you can stay put and capitalize. If they're not cooperating, you have plenty of time to move around and find the action. The Matlacha and Pine Island area offers endless fishing opportunities, from shallow water flats fishing to deeper mangrove cuts where Snook love to ambush baitfish.
The fishing here is all about reading the water and matching your approach to the conditions. On the light spinning gear, you'll be throwing soft plastics like paddle tails and shrimp imitations, along with topwater plugs when the fish are aggressive. The 8-weight fly setup is perfect for this type of fishing – heavy enough to handle wind and turn over bigger flies, but still light enough to be fun on these inshore species. Popular fly patterns include Clouser Minnows, shrimp patterns, and crab flies depending on what the fish are feeding on. The guide will have you covered with a full selection of artificials, and he knows exactly what's working based on recent conditions. You'll learn to work the mangrove edges, drift the grass flats, and target specific structure like docks and oyster bars. The techniques vary throughout the day as tides change and fish behavior shifts. Early morning might be topwater action, midday could be sight fishing on the flats, and afternoon might find you working deeper water as fish move with the tide.
Redfish are the bread and butter of Cape Coral inshore fishing, and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers range from slot-sized fish around 18-27 inches up to bull Reds that can push 40 inches and 20+ pounds. They're year-round residents here, but spring and fall offer the most consistent action when they school up in shallow water. Reds are aggressive feeders that will hit both artificials and flies with authority. What makes them so exciting is their versatility – you might sight-fish to a single Red tailing in 18 inches of water, or find a school of dozens cruising a flat. They fight hard with powerful runs and that distinctive head-shaking that tests your drag system.
Snook are the glamour species of Southwest Florida, and the waters around Matlacha and Pine Island hold some real quality fish. These silvery predators are ambush feeders that love structure – think mangrove overhangs, dock pilings, and bridge shadows. They're most active during warmer months from late spring through early fall, with peak action often coming at dawn and dusk. Snook are notorious for their gill-rattling jumps and their ability to find the nearest obstruction to wrap your line around. A slot Snook in the 28-33 inch range is pure gold, with broad shoulders and that unmistakable black lateral line. They're finicky eaters that can test your presentation skills, making them a favorite target for serious anglers.
Sea Trout round out the inshore slam and provide consistent action throughout the day. These spotted beauties are schooling fish that roam the grass flats and deeper holes looking for baitfish and shrimp. They range from 12-inch schoolies up to gator Trout pushing 5+ pounds and 25+ inches. Spring and fall migrations bring the biggest concentrations, but resident fish provide year-round opportunities. Trout are willing biters that respond well to both live bait and artificials, making them perfect for trying different techniques. They're also excellent table fare, so if you're looking to take home some fresh fish for dinner, quality Trout are hard to beat.
This Cape Coral fishing charter delivers exactly what serious anglers are looking for – quality fishing in productive waters with personalized service and flexible timing. The 8-hour duration gives you real value and the chance to experience different fishing scenarios as conditions change throughout the day. Salt Bay Charters LLC has built a reputation for putting clients on fish and providing the kind of local knowledge that makes the difference between a good day and a great day on the water. Whether you're a seasoned angler looking to target specific species or someone wanting to experience Southwest Florida's world-class inshore fishing, this trip checks all the boxes. The combination of excellent fishing grounds, quality equipment, and expert guidance makes this a top-rated choice for Cape Coral fishing charters. Don't wait too long to book – the best fishing days fill up fast, especially during prime seasons when the fish are most active.
This 18' Carolina Skiff is your ticket to the shallow waters around Cape Coral and Pine Island. Built in 2009, she's powered by a reliable 115HP Yamaha that'll get you cruising at 30 knots to those prime fishing spots where redfish, snook, and trout love to hang out. The shallow draft design lets us slide into skinny water where bigger boats can't go - perfect for stalking fish in the grass flats and mangrove shorelines. You'll have a fish finder to mark schools and structure, plus a wireless trolling motor for sneaking up on spooky fish without spooking them with engine noise. There's even a multimedia system onboard for those longer runs between spots. Built for up to two anglers, this flats boat gives you plenty of casting room while staying nimble enough to chase schools of fish around the backcountry. Whether you're throwing artificials or working a fly rod, this skiff puts you right where the fish are feeding.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the backbone of our inshore fishing, and for good reason. These copper-colored fighters typically run 20-32 inches in our area, with plenty of slot-sized fish perfect for dinner. You'll spot them cruising shallow flats in 1-4 feet of water, often with their backs barely submerged. They love oyster bars, mangrove edges, and grass flats where they root around for crabs and shrimp. Fall and winter are prime time when they school up in big numbers. What makes reds special is their raw power - they'll peel drag and never give up. They're also excellent eating with firm, mild flesh. These fish aren't picky eaters and will hit everything from topwater plugs to live bait. Local secret: look for "tailing" reds feeding head-down in shallow water. Approach quietly and drop your bait right in front of their nose for a guaranteed hookup.
Salmo TruttaSpotted sea trout, or "specks" as we call them, are perfect fish for light tackle fun. Most run 14-20 inches, though we regularly see 3-5 pounders that'll test your drag. Look for them over grass flats in 2-8 feet of water, especially around potholes and drop-offs. They're active year-round but really turn on during cooler months when they school up in deeper channels. Trout have excellent eyesight and can be spooky, but they're aggressive feeders that hit soft plastics, topwater plugs, and live shrimp. They're also fantastic table fare - mild, flaky white meat that's hard to beat. The fight isn't as dramatic as snook, but they're consistent biters that keep your rod bent. Pro tip: use a popping cork with live shrimp or soft plastic. The noise draws them in from a distance, and you can cover more water effectively.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are Florida's signature gamefish and one of the most sought-after species in our waters. These golden beauties average 18-28 inches but can grow over 3 feet long. You'll find them lurking around mangrove shorelines, docks, and creek mouths where they ambush prey with lightning-fast strikes. They love structure and shade during the day, becoming more active at dawn and dusk. Spring through early fall offers the best action when water temps stay warm. What makes snook special is their explosive fight - they'll jump, run, and use every trick to throw your hook. Plus, they're excellent eating with sweet, white meat. My local tip: cast your lure past the structure and work it back slowly through the strike zone. They often hit right at the edge of cover where you least expect it.
Weeki Wachee, Weeki Wachee, FL, United States