Half Day Inshore Fishing - Cape Canaveral
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Halfday inshore fishing targeting multiple species including barracuda and cobiaEquipment and fishing licenses provided for up to six guestsSaltire Fishing Charters operates from Cape Canaveral waters
Cape Canaveral's waters are calling, and this half-day inshore charter with Saltire Fishing Charters puts you right in the heart of some of Florida's best fishing action. You'll spend quality time targeting a solid mix of species that'll keep your rod bent and your drag screaming. We're talking King Mackerel, Cobia, Barracuda, Sharks, and several snapper varieties that make this stretch of water famous among anglers. The best part? Everything's taken care of for you - rods, reels, tackle, and licenses are all included, so you just need to show up ready to fish.
This isn't your typical crowded party boat experience. With just six anglers max, you'll have plenty of elbow room and personal attention from the crew. The morning starts early as we head out into the productive waters off Cape Canaveral, where the Gulf Stream's influence creates perfect conditions for multiple species. The boat's equipped with quality gear that can handle everything from feisty snappers to bruising King Mackerel that'll test your arms. Captain and crew know these waters like the back of their hands, reading conditions and adjusting tactics throughout the trip to put you on fish. The half-day format is perfect for families, first-timers, or anyone wanting a solid fishing experience without committing to a full day on the water.
The crew runs a mix of techniques depending on what's biting and where the fish are holding. You'll likely see some live bait fishing with pilchards or pinfish, which is deadly effective for Cobia and King Mackerel when they're prowling the area. Bottom fishing with cut bait and squid produces steady action on Lane Snapper and Vermillion Snapper around structure. When conditions are right, you might get into some sight fishing for Cobia or even some light tackle work on Barracuda that'll absolutely scream line off your reel. The crew handles all the rigging and bait prep, but they're more than happy to teach you the techniques if you're interested in learning. Circle hooks are standard for most setups, which makes catch and release much more effective for fish you're not keeping.
King Mackerel are the crown jewel of this fishery, and Cape Canaveral consistently produces some of the best King fishing on the East Coast. These silver bullets typically run 15-30 pounds, with the occasional smoker pushing 40-plus pounds that'll make your day. They're most active during the cooler months from fall through spring, but you can find them year-round if you know where to look. What makes Kings so special is their incredible speed and acrobatic fights - they'll make blistering runs that'll have you wondering if your drag is set right, then come back toward the boat only to peel line again when they see the hull.
Grey Triggerfish might not win beauty contests, but they're absolute bulldogs that fight way above their weight class. These guys average 2-4 pounds but pull like fish twice their size. They're structure-oriented fish that love hanging around wrecks and reefs, feeding on crustaceans and small fish. Triggerfish have some of the best table fare you'll find, with firm white meat that's perfect for the grill. They can be finicky biters, so the crew often uses smaller hooks and lighter line to fool these smart fish.
Cobia are the ultimate inshore game fish - they're curious, aggressive, and absolutely delicious. These brown sharks (they're not actually sharks) cruise shallow waters and are often spotted following rays or just cruising near the surface. When you hook a Cobia, get ready for a fight that combines power runs with stubborn bulldogging that'll test your tackle. They typically run 20-40 pounds in these waters, with fish over 50 pounds always a possibility. Spring and fall are prime time, but they're around most of the year.
Red Snapper are the holy grail of bottom fishing, and when they're in season, Cape Canaveral produces some beauties. These crimson-colored fighters are ambush predators that live around structure and feed aggressively when conditions are right. A good Red Snapper will run 5-15 pounds and fight with surprising strength for a bottom fish. They're incredibly table-friendly with sweet, flaky white meat that's perfect for just about any preparation. The season and regulations change, so the crew stays updated on current rules.
Lane Snapper might be smaller than their Red cousins, but they make up for size with numbers and flavor. These colorful little fighters are perfect for light tackle fishing and are great for kids or anyone wanting steady action. They school up around structure and feed aggressively on cut bait and small live offerings. Most Lane Snapper run 1-3 pounds, but they're scrappy fighters and excellent eating. They're also a great species for building confidence if you're new to fishing or bringing kids along.
Cape Canaveral's reputation as a world-class fishing destination isn't built on luck - it's built on consistent action and variety that keeps anglers coming back year after year. This half-day trip gives you a perfect taste of what makes this area special, whether you're a seasoned angler or picking up a rod for the first time. The crew's experience and local knowledge, combined with top-notch equipment and a boat that's set up for fishing success, creates the perfect recipe for a memorable day on the water. Remember to bring a cooler for your catch, plenty of water, and leave the glass bottles and spray sunscreen at home. Book your spot with Saltire Fishing Charters and get ready to experience some of Florida's best inshore fishing action.
Get ready to chase some serious fish aboard our well-equipped motorboat built for Cape Canaveral's productive inshore waters. This 6-person vessel comes loaded with everything you need for a successful half-day hunt – from a fish finder to pinpoint where the Barracuda and King Mackerel are holding, to GPS navigation that'll get you to the hottest spots fast. The wireless trolling motor keeps things whisper-quiet when you're stalking spooky Cobia or working shallow water for Snapper. An onboard ice box keeps your catch fresh, while the head means no cutting trips short. Whether you're targeting aggressive Sharks or finicky Triggerfish, this boat handles Cape Canaveral's inshore grounds with ease. All fishing gear and licenses are included – just bring your appetite for action and leave the glass bottles and spray sunscreen at home.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are impressive fish that average 6 feet and can hit 100+ pounds. These dark brown, shark-looking fish are usually loners cruising around 30-70 feet near reefs, wrecks, and buoys. Spring migration and spawning season are prime time for sight fishing when they cruise just under the surface. What makes them special is the combination of size, fight, and outstanding table fare - firm white meat that rivals any fish we catch. They're curious and will often approach the boat, making for exciting visual fishing. We target them with bucktail jigs in 4-8 oz weights, and color doesn't seem to matter much. The key is getting their attention when you spot one. They're usually alone, so when you see that distinctive shape near the surface, get a jig in front of them quickly - they don't stick around long once spooked.
Balistes CapriscusGrey Triggerfish are scrappy bottom dwellers that'll fight way harder than their 2-4 pound average size suggests. These tough-skinned fish hang around reefs, ledges, and hard bottom in 30-180 feet of water. They're aggressive year-round but really turn on during warmer months. What guests love is how willing they are to bite and the surprising pull they put up - plus they make great table fare with firm, sweet meat. They'll hit almost anything, but squid chunks work best since they stay on the hook better. Here's the trick: drop your bait near other fish like snapper or grouper. Triggers are greedy and competitive, so when they see other fish moving toward your bait, they'll charge in to steal it. Use a heavy sinker to get down fast and keep tight line - their bites can be subtle before they really grab on.
Scomberomorus CavallaKing Mackerel are fast, aggressive fish that average around 30 pounds but can reach over 90 pounds. These olive-backed speedsters cruise depths of 40-150 feet around structure and ledges. Spring through fall is prime time when water temps hit 68-84°F. They're some of the fastest fish in the ocean, giving wahoo-like runs that'll test your drag. What makes them popular is that screaming initial run and their excellent eating quality - firm, flaky meat that's perfect grilled. We typically troll large spoons or use live bait on wire leaders since their razor-sharp teeth will cut through mono instantly. Pro tip: rig two hooks when using live bait - one through the nose, one trailing near the tail. Kings love to hit the back half of baitfish, so that stinger hook will save you from a lot of missed fish.
Lutjanus SynagrisLane Snappers are colorful little fighters averaging 1-2 pounds with those distinctive pink and yellow "lanes" running down their sides. These 10-14 inch fish love coral reefs and sandy areas with vegetation in 70-230 feet of water. March through September is peak season when they're spawning and most aggressive. They're perfect for families since they bite readily and put up a good scrap for their size, plus they make excellent table fare with sweet, flaky meat. They're not picky eaters - shrimp, squid, and cut bait all work well. What makes them fun is they often show up as a bonus when you're targeting bigger snapper or grouper. Night fishing is when they really turn on and feed heavily. My advice: use lighter tackle to enjoy the fight and don't be afraid to fish shallower than you would for other snappers. They're less spooky than their bigger cousins and will often bite in good numbers once you find them.
Lutjanus CampechanusRed Snappers are the prize of bottom fishing, growing up to 35 pounds though most we catch run 5-10 pounds. These bright red beauties live around structure in 30-200+ feet, loving rocky bottom, reefs, and wrecks. They're available year-round but really bite best during their spawning season May through October. What makes them so popular is the solid fight they put up and that sweet, mild flavor that's made them a restaurant favorite. They're true warriors that'll head straight for cover to break you off, so you need to muscle them up fast. Fresh squid and cigar minnows work great, but live pinfish will get you the biggest ones. Here's my tip: once you hook one, don't give them any slack. Keep steady pressure and pump them up quickly before they can wrap you around the structure. They know exactly where every ledge and hole is down there.
Cape Canaveral, FL