5.0(5 Reviews)Fort Myers Morning Fishing Adventure
5.0(5 reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Top Rated
Fourhour morning charter targets redfish, snook, and tarponPrivate inshore trip accommodates up to four guestsAll fishing gear and expert captain guidance included
There's something special about being on the water at first light in Fort Myers. The morning mist rolls off the flats, mullet are jumping, and you know the fish are about to wake up hungry. This 4-hour private charter gets you out there right when the action starts heating up, targeting some of Southwest Florida's most prized gamefish in the calm morning waters.
Your day kicks off at 8 AM sharp, giving you that sweet morning bite when the water's still cool and the fish are most active. Captain Dillon knows these waters like the back of his hand – from the shallow grass flats where redfish cruise to the deeper channels where snook ambush baitfish. You'll be fishing with light tackle that puts you right in the fight, whether you're working a topwater plug over a grass bed or bouncing a jig along a mangrove shoreline. The boat's rigged with everything you need, so just bring yourself and maybe some snacks. With only four anglers max, everyone gets personal attention and prime fishing spots. The captain reads the conditions each morning – tide, wind, water clarity – and adjusts the game plan accordingly. Some days you might be sight-fishing redfish in skinny water, other mornings you could be drifting live shrimp for sea trout in deeper potholes.
Fort Myers inshore fishing is all about finesse and reading the water. You'll be using spinning gear mostly – medium-light rods that let you feel every bump and tap. Depending on what's biting, the captain might have you throwing soft plastics on jig heads, working live bait under popping corks, or casting topwater lures that get your heart racing when a big snook explodes on it. The flats here are perfect for sight-fishing when conditions are right – polarized sunglasses become your best friend as you scan for tailing redfish or the dark shadow of a cruising tarpon. Structure fishing around docks, bridges, and oyster bars is huge here too. You'll learn to work your bait tight to cover where these fish like to hang out. The captain provides all the gear, from rods and reels to a full tackle selection, plus he's constantly adjusting leader size and bait choice based on what the fish are telling him.
"Fantastic experience! Captain Dillon went above and beyond." - Brittany. "Dillon was a great captain! Put us on the fish, really helpful and personable. Would highly recommend." - Adam. "This was the best guided fishing trip I have ever been on. Captain Dillan really goes above and beyond all expectations. He teaches you all about SWFL fishing while having so much fun! I can't recommend him enough. Just book the trip with him and enjoy the ride. We are going to set up a monthly outing with him." - Chuck.
Redfish are the bread and butter of Fort Myers inshore fishing, and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers average 18 to 27 inches in these waters and fight like they're twice their size. They're here year-round, but really turn on during the cooler months when they school up in big numbers. What makes reds so fun is their willingness to eat just about anything – cut bait, live shrimp, soft plastics, even topwater plugs when they're fired up. Watch for them tailing in shallow water during higher tides, or look for that telltale bronze flash as they cruise the grass flats.
Sea trout are another mainstay that keeps things interesting. These spotted beauties are most active during the spring and fall months, though you'll find them here pretty much year-round. They love deeper grass flats and potholes, especially around drop-offs where they can ambush prey. Trout have a soft mouth, so the fight is more about finesse than brute strength. Live shrimp under a popping cork is deadly, but they'll also crush a well-presented jig. Most trout here run 14 to 20 inches, with the occasional gator trout pushing over 24 inches that'll make your day.
Snook are the ultimate inshore gamefish in Southwest Florida, and Fort Myers has some of the best snook fishing anywhere. These fish are pure muscle and attitude, with that distinctive black lateral line and that bucket mouth that can inhale a bait in a split second. They're most active during the warmer months, from late spring through early fall, though you can catch them year-round if you know where to look. Snook are structure-oriented fish – find a dock, bridge piling, or mangrove overhang, and there's probably a snook lurking underneath. They're ambush predators that love live bait, but they'll absolutely demolish a topwater plug worked near cover.
Spanish mackerel add some speed to your morning, especially during their peak season from late fall through early spring. These silver bullets are pure energy – fast, acrobatic, and always ready to bite. They school up in open water areas and along channel edges, making them perfect targets when you want some consistent action. Mackerel have razor-sharp teeth, so wire leaders are essential. They'll hit small jigs, spoons, or live bait fished on the move. Most Spanish macks here run 12 to 18 inches, and they're fantastic table fare if you're looking to take some fish home.
Tarpon are the silver kings of Southwest Florida, and even though most of the fish you'll encounter on this trip are juvenile tarpon in the 10 to 40-pound range, they still pack all the aerial acrobatics that make tarpon fishing legendary. These fish are most active during the warmer months, particularly summer when they flood the backcountry areas. Baby tarpon love live bait – pilchards, pinfish,
Hit the waters around Fort Myers aboard this speedy 24' Key West bay boat, perfect for chasing redfish, snook, and tarpon in the shallow flats. Powered by a reliable 250HP Yamaha, this fishing machine cuts through the water at up to 55 knots, getting you to the hot spots fast while the morning bite is strong. The wireless trolling motor keeps things quiet when you're stalking spooky fish in skinny water, while the fish finder helps locate schools and structure. GPS navigation and radar ensure safe travel in any conditions, and there's even a head onboard for those longer runs to productive fishing grounds. With room for up to 4 anglers, you'll have plenty of space to work your lines without getting tangled up. Whether you're sight-casting to cruising reds or working the grass flats for sea trout, this well-equipped boat puts you in prime position for a successful morning on the water.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish, or red drum, are Fort Myers favorites running 18-30 inches with that copper-bronze color and distinctive black spot near the tail. They cruise shallow flats, mangrove shorelines, and oyster bars in 1-4 feet of water - sometimes so shallow their backs show. Year-round fishing with spring and fall being peak times. What makes them special is their powerful runs and how they use their broad tail to fight in shallow water. Plus they're excellent table fare with sweet, firm meat. These fish are sight-fishing opportunities when conditions are right. Best tip: look for "tailing" reds with their tails sticking up while feeding head-down. Cast ahead of cruising fish and let your bait settle naturally.
Salmo TruttaSpotted Sea Trout, or "specks," are excellent light tackle fish that typically run 12-20 inches and 1-3 pounds. Look for them over grass flats in 2-8 feet of water, especially around potholes and edges. They're most active during cooler months and low-light periods like dawn and dusk. Trout provide steady action with a nice fight, plus they're some of the best eating fish we catch - white, flaky meat that's perfect fried or baked. They can be spooky in shallow water, so approach quietly. My favorite technique is drifting grass flats with live shrimp under a popping cork, keeping it about 18 inches off bottom. The cork helps you cover water and signals strikes perfectly. When they're biting, you can catch limits quickly.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are one of our signature inshore species, averaging 18-28 inches with that distinctive black lateral line and golden color. They love structure - mangroves, docks, bridges, and oyster bars in shallow water. Warmer months are best, especially around new and full moons when they're most active. What makes them special is their explosive strike and strong runs that'll test your drag. They're catch-and-release only, which keeps the fishery healthy. These fish are smart and moody - they can be picky eaters one day and aggressive the next. My go-to trick is working live shrimp or pinfish tight to cover and being ready for that instant when they inhale the bait. Patience pays off with these guys.
Scomberomorus MaculatusSpanish Mackerel are fast, aggressive fish that average 1-2 feet and weigh around 2-4 pounds in our waters. You'll spot them by their silver sides with bright yellow spots and that classic streamlined mackerel build. They travel in schools near the surface, especially around structure and bait schools. Spring through fall is prime time when water temps are warm. They hit hard and make solid runs - great light tackle action that keeps everyone engaged. The meat is excellent eating with a mild flavor that's perfect grilled or blackened. Pro tip: when you see diving birds, get there fast and cast small spoons or jigs right into the commotion. They'll usually stay up feeding for a good window if you don't spook them.
Megalops AtlanticusTarpon are the ultimate bucket-list fish - silver kings that average 4-6 feet and 80-150 pounds in our area. They cruise shallow flats, channels, and around bridges, often rolling at the surface. May through July is peak season when they're migrating through. What sets them apart is their aerial show - they'll jump repeatedly when hooked, which is pure adrenaline. Most are catch-and-release since the meat is bony and not great eating. The fight can last over an hour on bigger fish. Key tip: when they jump, bow to the fish by dropping your rod tip toward them. This prevents the line from snapping tight and breaking off. Live crabs and large shiners work best, but be patient - they can be finicky.
5.0 out of 5.0Fantastic experience! Captain Dillon went above and beyond.
Dillon was a great captain! Put us on the fish, really helpful and personable. Would highly recommend.
This was the best guided fishing trip I have ever been on. Captain Dillan really goes above and beyond all expectations. He teache...
Captain Dillon with Salt Water Excursions gave our family an unforgettable day on the water in Fort Myers! It was our family’s fir...
Captain Dillon was awesome. Took my son and I on a four-hour trip and it was fantastic. Capt was super friendly, on time and knowl...
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