5.0(1 Reviews)Fort Myers Inshore Fishing Adventure
5.0(1 reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Six-hour private inshore fishing adventure in Fort Myers watersTarget redfish, tarpon, snapper, and snook with experienced captainAll gear provided for up to four guests
There's nothing quite like spending a full day on the water around Fort Myers, where the backwaters and flats hold some of Florida's most prized gamefish. This 6-hour private charter puts you in prime position to hook into redfish, snook, tarpon, and more with Captain Dillon, who's been working these waters for years and knows exactly where the fish are biting. Whether you're a weekend warrior or just getting your feet wet in saltwater fishing, this trip delivers the goods without any of the crowded boat nonsense you'll find elsewhere.
Your day starts early, meeting Captain Dillon at the dock where he's already got the boat prepped and ready to roll. We're talking about hitting the prime fishing spots around Fort Myers - the mangrove shorelines, grass flats, and creek mouths where big fish cruise looking for an easy meal. The boat's equipped with everything you need: quality rods, reels, tackle, and bait, so you can focus on what matters most - putting fish in the boat. With up to 4 anglers max, there's plenty of room to cast without bumping elbows, and Captain Dillon makes sure everyone gets their shots at the good stuff. You're welcome to bring your own snacks and drinks to keep the energy up throughout the day, because trust me, you'll want to stay sharp when that drag starts screaming.
We fish smart here - no chucking heavy jigs and hoping for the best. Captain Dillon runs a mix of live bait and artificial lures depending on what the fish are telling us. You might find yourself flipping shrimp under mangroves for snook, working topwater plugs over grass beds for trout, or sight-casting to tailing redfish in skinny water. The tackle is matched perfectly to the target species - medium-heavy spinning gear with braided line that can handle the structure, and leaders that won't spook wary fish in clear water. Don't worry if you're not dialed in on these techniques yet; Captain Dillon walks you through everything from proper casting angles to fighting fish around cover. The key is staying quiet, making accurate casts, and being ready when that bite comes - because around here, it often happens fast.
"Captain Dillon did an absolutely amazing job, from before we even arrived, he was communicative, quick to reply and extremely helpful! Then the morning arrived and from the moment we were on site He was on point, and got us right on the fish, immediately reelin em in! He was so attentive to each of us the entire day, never let up or took a break. Got us on some monster red, we caught some Jacks, more speckled trout than I count and all day just had the most amazing experience!! Would highly recommend him to anyone that would listen, and plenty that arent! I really couldn't say enough about how awesome our experience was, and that was because of the human element, Captain Dillon. Absolute Joy! Fish On!!" - Chris
Redfish: These copper-colored bruisers are the bread and butter of Fort Myers inshore fishing, and for good reason. Reds range from schooling juveniles around 18-24 inches up to bull reds pushing 30-plus pounds that'll test your drag system and your patience. They cruise the flats year-round, but spring and fall offer the most consistent action when they're actively feeding in preparation for spawning runs. What makes redfish so addictive is their willingness to eat both live and artificial baits, plus they fight dirty - using their broad sides to pull hard and heading straight for the nearest oyster bar or mangrove root. Sight-fishing for tailing reds in 2 feet of water is pure adrenaline, watching that bronze back break the surface as they root around for crabs and shrimp.
Snook: The snook around Fort Myers are legendary, and once you hook into a slot-sized fish, you'll understand why anglers get obsessed with these fish. They're ambush predators that lurk around structure - docks, mangroves, bridges, and creek mouths - waiting to crush anything that looks like an easy meal. Snook are temperature sensitive, so the cooler months bring them into the protected backwaters where they stack up in predictable spots. They hit hard and jump high, often throwing the hook if you don't keep steady pressure. The slot limit keeps things interesting too - they need to measure between 28 and 33 inches to keep, which means you're targeting mature fish that know how to fight. Their white, flaky meat is fantastic on the grill, making them one of the top table-fare species in Southwest Florida.
Tarpon: Even though we're fishing inshore, don't be surprised if we encounter some juvenile tarpon, especially during the warmer months. These silver kings range from 20-pound "poons" up to fish pushing 60-80 pounds that will absolutely humble you. Tarpon are pure spectacle - they jump repeatedly, often 6 feet out of the water, shaking their heads violently to throw the hook. The fight can last 30 minutes or more on appropriate tackle, and even experienced anglers lose more tarpon than they land. What makes them special is their prehistoric appearance and the fact that you're hooking into a fish that could live to be 50-plus years old. We practice catch and release with tarpon, but getting that grip-and-grin photo with a silver king is something you'll remember forever.
Sea Trout (Speckled Trout): Specks are the perfect species for anglers who want consistent action and great eating. These spotted beauties roam the grass flats in schools, feeding aggressively on shrimp, pinfish, and small baitfish
This 24' Key West bay boat is built for serious fishing in Fort Myers waters. Powered by a reliable 250HP Yamaha engine, she'll get you to the best fishing spots quickly and comfortably. The boat handles up to 4 anglers with plenty of room to cast and fight fish without getting tangled up. You'll appreciate the wireless trolling motor for sneaking up on redfish in shallow water, plus the fish finder to locate those hidden snook spots. GPS and radar keep you on track, while the onboard facilities mean longer days on the water chasing tarpon and mangrove snapper. Whether you're working the grass flats or hitting deeper structure, this boat delivers the performance and features serious anglers need for a productive day of fishing.
Lutjanus GriseusGrey snapper, or mangrove snapper as most locals call them, are smart fish that'll test your skills. These copper-red beauties typically run 10-14 inches inshore, though you might hook into a 3-4 pounder if you're lucky. They hang around structure - docks, mangroves, rocks, anywhere they can ambush prey. Being opportunistic hunters, they're active year-round but fish best at night when they come up shallow to feed. What guests love about mangrove snapper is the challenge - they're picky eaters and great fighters for their size. Plus, they're some of the best eating fish in these waters with sweet, white, flaky meat. Pro tip: use a 4J hook with live shrimp hooked through the tail, let it sink to the bottom, then lift it just enough to stay off structure. Keep movement minimal - they spook easily.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish, or red drum, are one of the most exciting sight-fishing targets we have. These copper-backed beauties with distinctive black spots near their tail typically run 20-35 inches in our area. They love super shallow water - sometimes so shallow their backs stick out - around oyster bars, grass flats, and mangrove shorelines. Year-round fishing is good, but fall and spring offer the best action when they're actively feeding. What makes redfish special is their powerful runs and the visual excitement of sight-fishing them in shallow water. They're also excellent eating with mild, sweet meat. The black spots act as false eyes to confuse predators. Local tip: look for "nervous water" or slight surface disturbances on calm days - that's often redfish pushing bait. Cast past them and work your lure back through the disturbance.
Salmo TruttaSea trout, or speckled trout as we call them locally, are scattered with dark spots and make great targets for anglers of all levels. These silvery fish typically run 14-24 inches and 1-5 pounds in our waters. You'll find them over grass flats and in shallow bays, especially at night when they move up to feed on shrimp and small fish. They're active year-round but really turn on during cooler months when they school up in deeper channels. What guests love is their willingness to bite and their excellent table fare - soft, white meat that's perfect for the dinner table. Just don't overcook them or they'll get mushy. Best technique is trolling at idle speed over grass flats with soft plastics or live shrimp. During winter, look for schools in 10-20 feet of water where they'll be stacked up tight.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are one of Fort Myers' most prized catches, and for good reason. These sleek fish with their distinctive black lateral line typically run 1-3 feet long around here, though the big ones can push 4 feet. You'll find them lurking around mangroves, docks, and creek mouths in shallow water - they love structure where they can ambush baitfish. Spring through fall gives you the best action, especially around dawn and dusk when they're actively feeding. What makes snook special is their explosive strike and acrobatic fight, plus they're fantastic eating with firm, white meat. They're also unique - snook actually change from male to female as they mature. Here's a local tip: when casting near mangroves, let your lure sink a bit before retrieving. Snook often hit on the drop.
Megalops AtlanticusTarpon are the silver kings of Fort Myers waters, and landing one is a bucket-list experience. These prehistoric giants average 4-6 feet and 80-100 pounds, though they can reach 8 feet and 280 pounds. You'll find them in shallow coastal waters, channels, and around deeper holes near the flats. Late spring through early fall is prime time, especially around new and full moons when they're most active. What makes tarpon special isn't the eating - they're catch and release - it's the fight. These fish can jump 10 feet out of the water and swim 35 mph, making for heart-pounding battles. They're living dinosaurs, around for 125 million years. Here's the key: when a tarpon jumps, bow to the king - lower your rod tip to give slack, or they'll throw the hook with their acrobatics.
5.0 out of 5.0Captain Dillon did an absolutely amazing job, from before we even arrived, he was communicative, quick to reply and extremely help...
Fort Myers