5.0(1 Reviews)Inshore Fishing Charter in Englewood Florida
5.0(1 reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fourhour inshore charter targeting redfish and snapper speciesAll fishing gear and licenses included with experienced captainMorning or afternoon departures accommodate all skill levels
Captain Ronald Jones runs one of Southwest Florida's top-rated inshore fishing operations right out of Englewood, and he's got the local knowledge to put you on fish. This 4-hour charter gives you the flexibility to fish morning or afternoon sessions, and when conditions are right, Ron will take you out into the Gulf for even more action. Whether you're a first-timer who's never held a rod or a seasoned angler looking to dial in on some quality Southwest Florida species, this trip delivers the goods. All your gear is covered—rods, reels, tackle, and fishing licenses—so you just need to show up ready to fish.
Ron keeps his charters intimate with just 4 anglers max, which means you get personalized attention and plenty of room to work. The boat launches from Englewood's protected waters, giving you quick access to some seriously productive flats and nearshore structure. Morning trips typically start around sunrise when the fish are most active, while afternoon charters let you sleep in and still get solid action as the day cools down. The itinerary stays flexible based on what's biting and where the fish are holding. Some days that means working shallow grass flats for redfish, other days you might find yourself drifting over deeper structure targeting snapper and grouper. When the Gulf is calm, Ron will make the run offshore to tap into the amberjack bite or find some bigger gag grouper hanging around the nearshore reefs.
Ron's approach to inshore fishing combines proven local techniques with the right gear for each situation. For redfish, you'll be working with medium-action spinning rods and live bait like shrimp or pinfish, casting to mangrove shorelines and oyster bars where these copper-colored fighters love to feed. Sea trout fishing means covering grass flats with lighter tackle, using soft plastics or live bait to entice these spotted beauties. When targeting grouper and snapper around structure, Ron switches to heavier conventional gear that can handle the drag and torque needed to pull these bottom dwellers away from their rocky hideouts. The boat is rigged with quality tackle boxes, a good selection of artificial lures, and access to fresh live bait when conditions call for it. Ron's been working these waters for years, so he knows which presentations work best for each species and how to read the conditions to maximize your hookups.
"Great guy, fantastic with our enthusiastic kiddo, and we caught 🦈! Everything you could ask of a charter experience." - Skip
Redfish are the crown jewel of Southwest Florida inshore fishing, and Englewood's waters hold some quality fish year-round. These bronze-backed fighters typically run 18-30 inches in these waters, with slot-sized fish providing world-class action on light tackle. Redfish feed aggressively in shallow water around oyster bars, mangrove shorelines, and grass flats, especially during moving tides. What makes them so popular is their willingness to eat both live and artificial baits, plus they put up a serious fight that includes long runs and head-shaking jumps. Fall and winter months are prime time when cooler water temperatures get them feeding heavily.
Sea Trout are another customer favorite that call Englewood's grass flats home throughout the year. These spotted beauties average 14-20 inches but can push over 24 inches during peak seasons. They're ambush predators that suspend over seagrass beds waiting to strike at baitfish, making them perfect targets for both live shrimp and soft plastic lures. Sea trout bite best during dawn and dusk periods, and they're known for their acrobatic fights once hooked. Spring through fall offers the most consistent action, though winter can produce some trophy-sized gator trout for anglers willing to work deeper grass flats.
Gag Grouper represent the heavyweight division of this charter's target species, with fish ranging from keeper-sized 20-inchers up to genuine bruisers pushing 30+ inches. These bottom dwellers hang around hard structure like reefs, wrecks, and rocky outcroppings where they ambush passing baitfish. Gag grouper are notorious for their initial powerful run straight back toward structure, testing both your drag and Ron's boat positioning skills. The best months for gag grouper run from late fall through early spring when they're most active in nearshore waters. Landing a quality gag gives you both bragging rights and excellent table fare.
Grey Snapper, also known as mangrove snapper, are abundant around Englewood's structure and provide consistent action for anglers of all skill levels. These fish typically range from 12-18 inches and are known for their cunning feeding behavior and excellent eating quality. They school around docks, bridges, and artificial reefs, making them accessible targets throughout the year. Grey snapper can be finicky biters that require finesse presentations, but once you dial in the technique, they provide steady action. Summer months offer the most reliable bite, though they can be caught year-round in Southwest Florida waters.
Red Grouper complete the lineup as another popular bottom species that frequent the deeper structure around Englewood. These fish are distinguished from their gag grouper cousins by their reddish coloration and slightly different habitat preferences. Red grouper typically hold in sandy bottom areas adjacent to hard structure, where they feed on crustaceans and small fish. They average 16-24 inches in these waters and provide the same powerful fights that make grouper species so popular with charter customers. Best fishing occurs during cooler months when they move into shallower nearshore waters, making them accessible on half-day trips.
Captain Ronald Jones has built his reputation on putting clients on fish while providing the kind of personalized service that keeps anglers coming back season
Captain Ronald Jones' 2017 Carolina Skiff is built for Southwest Florida's inshore waters. This 25-foot center console runs on a reliable 150HP Suzuki 4-stroke that'll get you to the fishing grounds at 30 knots. The boat's shallow draft design lets us slip into those productive backwater spots where redfish and snapper like to hang out. You'll have plenty of room to fight fish with the open layout, plus an icebox to keep your drinks cold and any keeper fish fresh. The wireless trolling motor keeps us quiet when we're working the mangroves, while the GPS and fish finder help locate structure and schools. Whether we're targeting trout in the grass flats or running out to the nearshore reefs for grouper, this Carolina Skiff handles the variety of water conditions around Englewood perfectly. The boat comfortably fishes up to 4 anglers with room to move around when the action heats up.
Mycteroperca MicrolepisGag groupers are solid fighters that'll test your gear once hooked. These gray, marbled fish typically run 5-15 pounds inshore, though bigger ones lurk around offshore structure. You'll find them around rocky bottom, ledges, and any hard structure they can use for ambush cover. They love live pinfish and cut bait, especially crab since that's their main diet. Spring through fall offers the best action when they're more active. What guests love most is the battle - once you hook one, they'll try to drag your bait straight back to their hole. My tip: keep your drag locked tight and don't give them an inch, or they'll wrap you around the nearest rock and break you off every time.
Lutjanus GriseusAlso called mangrove snapper, these copper-red fish are some of the smartest inshore species you'll target. Most run 1-3 pounds around docks, mangroves, and structure where they ambush prey. They're nocturnal feeders, so low-light conditions at dawn and dusk are prime time. What makes them tricky is they're super line-shy and will inspect your bait before committing. Guests love them because they're excellent table fare with white, flaky meat, plus they provide steady action once you dial in the technique. The key is using light tackle with live shrimp hooked through the tail, then letting it sit still near structure. Any movement or heavy line will spook them right off your hook.
Epinephelus MorioRed groupers are the bread and butter of Gulf bottom fishing, typically weighing 5-15 pounds with their distinctive rusty-red color and white spots. You'll find them on rocky bottom, ledges, and reefs in 30-100 feet of water. They're aggressive feeders that'll hit cut bait like squid, crab, or fish chunks. Best fishing runs spring through fall when they're most active before spawning season closes in winter. Guests love their hard fighting ability and the fact they're considered one of the best-eating groupers with firm, sweet meat. Once hooked, they'll try to get back to their hole fast. My advice: use a stout rod with 40-pound line and crank them up quickly before they can wrap you in the rocks.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the crown jewel of inshore fishing here in Southwest Florida. These copper-colored fish with distinctive black spots near their tails typically run 18-30 inches in the shallows. You'll find them cruising oyster bars, grass flats, and mangrove shorelines in just 1-4 feet of water - sometimes so shallow their backs show above the surface. Year-round fishing is good, but fall and spring offer the most consistent action. Guests love watching them cruise the flats and the powerful fight they put up once hooked. They're also excellent eating with mild, sweet meat. The secret is sight fishing - look for their copper backs or tails in the shallows, then cast ahead of them with live shrimp or gold spoons.
Salmo TruttaSpotted sea trout, or "specks" as we call them locally, are perfect fish for anglers of all levels. These silver fish with black spots typically run 14-20 inches and love shallow grass flats in 2-6 feet of water. Dawn and dusk are prime time, especially during cooler months when they school up in deeper channels. They hit both live shrimp and artificial lures like soft plastics and topwater plugs. What guests enjoy is their willingness to bite and their delicate, flaky white meat that's fantastic on the table. The trick is using light tackle since they have soft mouths - too heavy a drag and you'll pull the hook right out. Work your bait slowly over the grass beds and listen for their distinctive croaking sound when you bring them up.
5.0 out of 5.0Great guy, fantastic with our enthusiastic kiddo, and we caught 🦈! Everything you could ask of a charter experience.
Florida