5.0(1 Reviews)Inshore Fishing Charter in Englewood
5.0(1 reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Four-hour inshore charter targeting redfish and snapper species.All fishing gear, tackle, and licenses included with trip.Morning or afternoon departures accommodate all skill levels.
Captain Ronald Jones knows these Englewood waters like the back of his hand, and he's ready to put you on some serious fish. This 4-hour inshore charter isn't your typical cookie-cutter fishing trip – it's built around what's biting and where the action is hottest. Whether you're an absolute beginner who's never held a rod or a seasoned angler looking to dial in on Southwest Florida's best inshore species, Captain Ron tailors every trip to maximize your time on the water. Morning and afternoon departures give you flexibility to work around your schedule, and when conditions are right, you might even venture into the Gulf for some variety. With all gear, tackle, and licenses included, you just need to show up ready to fish.
Captain Ron runs a tight but relaxed operation that focuses on putting fish in the boat while keeping things fun for everyone aboard. The charter accommodates up to four anglers, which means plenty of room to move around and personalized attention for each guest. You'll start by discussing target species and techniques based on current conditions – maybe it's working the mangrove shorelines for redfish, drifting over structure for grouper, or hitting the grass flats where sea trout like to ambush baitfish. The beauty of this charter lies in its adaptability. If the bite is slow in one spot, Captain Ron won't hesitate to relocate and try different tactics. Weather permitting, trips may extend into Gulf waters where snapper and amberjack provide exciting variety from the typical inshore lineup. The boat is equipped with quality rods, reels, and a tackle selection that covers everything from light spinning gear for trout to heavier setups for bigger grouper and snapper.
Inshore fishing in Southwest Florida requires a diverse approach, and Captain Ron has it dialed in perfectly. You'll likely employ several different techniques throughout the trip, from sight fishing for redfish in skinny water to bottom fishing over rocky structure for grouper. Light tackle spinning gear dominates most of the fishing, allowing you to feel every head shake and run while still having enough backbone to turn fish away from cover. Live bait is often the name of the game – pinfish, pilchards, and shrimp are local favorites that consistently produce strikes. When targeting sea trout over grass flats, you might find yourself working soft plastics or topwater plugs during low-light periods. For grouper and snapper, expect to drop baits near structure where these fish ambush prey. Captain Ron provides all the essential gear, but he's always happy to let experienced anglers bring their own favorite rods and tackle. The key is matching your presentation to the species and conditions, something Captain Ron excels at teaching newcomers while keeping experienced anglers engaged.
"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 for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers average 18-27 inches in local waters, with larger "bull" reds occasionally making appearances. What makes redfish so special is their aggressive nature and powerful runs – they'll absolutely smoke drag when hooked in shallow water. Peak season runs from late summer through early winter, though resident fish provide action year-round. They're commonly found cruising mangrove shorelines, oyster bars, and shallow grass flats, often in water so thin you can see their backs. The thrill of sight-casting to a tailing red in two feet of water is something every angler should experience.
Sea trout, or spotted seatrout, are the bread and butter of inshore fishing here. These silvery gamefish typically run 14-20 inches and are absolute suckers for live shrimp and soft plastic baits worked over grass flats. They're most active during dawn and dusk periods, making them perfect targets for both morning and afternoon charters. Sea trout are excellent for beginners because they bite readily and provide steady action without requiring specialized techniques. During cooler months, they stack up in deeper holes and channels, while warmer weather finds them scattered across the flats.
Gag grouper represent the heavyweight division of this charter's target species. These bottom-dwelling predators can reach impressive sizes, with fish in the 20-30 inch range common around local structure. What sets gag grouper apart is their incredible strength and determination to reach cover once hooked – it's a true test of angler skill and tackle. They're typically found around rocky bottom, artificial reefs, and ledges where they ambush prey. The bite is often subtle, requiring anglers to stay alert and set the hook quickly before the fish realizes what's happening.
Grey snapper, also known as mangrove snapper, are the perfect combination of challenging and rewarding. These smart, wary fish require finesse and patience, often testing an angler's skills with their light bites and quick runs toward structure. They average 12-16 inches locally and are excellent table fare. What makes snapper fishing exciting is their unpredictability – they might ignore your bait for an hour, then suddenly turn on and provide non-stop action. They're commonly found around mangrove edges, docks, and rocky areas where they feed on small fish and crustaceans.
Red grouper round out the target species list with their distinctive coloration and bottom-hugging lifestyle. These fish are typically found in deeper water than their gag grouper cousins, often around sandy bottom mixed with shell and rock. They're known for their tendency to bury themselves in the sand, making them challenging to locate but rewarding when found. Red grouper provide excellent fights and are prized for their mild, flaky meat. They're most active during warmer months and require precise bait placement near structure to consistently catch.
This well-maintained 2017 Carolina Skiff center console is perfectly rigged for Southwest Florida's productive inshore waters. At 25 feet with a reliable 150HP Suzuki 4-stroke, she'll cruise comfortably at 30 knots to get you on the fish quickly. The spacious deck layout accommodates up to 4 anglers with plenty of room for casting and fighting redfish around the mangroves or snapper over nearshore structure. Essential features include a quality fish finder to locate productive bottom, GPS for navigating the flats and channels, plus an icebox to keep your catch fresh. The wireless trolling motor allows for stealthy approaches in shallow water where those big reds like to feed. Whether you're working the grass beds for sea trout or heading toward the Gulf for grouper and amberjack, this boat handles Englewood's diverse fishing conditions with ease.
Mycteroperca MicrolepisGag grouper are some of the strongest fighters you'll hook in these waters. They average 20 inches but can grow much bigger - we've seen 40+ pounders come up from the deeper spots. These fish love structure like rocks, reefs, and wrecks where they can ambush prey. Younger ones hang around inshore until they mature, then move to deeper offshore spots. They're curious about live bait - mullet and pinfish work great, but cut squid and crab get their attention too. Once hooked, they'll try everything to get back to their hole, so keep that drag tight and don't give them any slack. The meat is fantastic - firm, white, and sweet. Pro tip: when you feel that first hit, don't let them run. Get them up and away from structure fast or they'll wrap you up and break off.
Lutjanus GriseusGrey snapper, or mangrove snapper as locals call them, are some of the smartest fish around these flats. They typically run 1-3 pounds inshore, with that distinctive greyish-red color and dark stripe through the eye. These opportunistic feeders hang around docks, mangroves, and any structure that gives them cover to ambush baitfish. They're most active at night but we catch plenty during the day. What makes them fun is they're picky eaters and great fighters for their size. The meat is top-notch - white, flaky, and mild. Live shrimp is your best bet, but here's the trick: hook it through the tail, let it sink to the bottom, then bring it up just a foot or two. Don't jig it around too much - these fish are suspicious and too much movement will spook them. Patience pays off with these guys.
Epinephelus MorioRed grouper are the bread and butter of our deeper water fishing. These rusty-red beauties average 5-10 pounds but can push 20+ if you're lucky. They prefer rocky bottoms and ledges in 30-100 feet of water, though we catch them as shallow as 20 feet around structure. Spring through fall offers the best action when they're actively feeding. What guests love about reds is they're aggressive biters and put up a solid fight without the crazy structure-diving of their gag cousins. The eating quality is outstanding - firm, moist meat with that sweet shellfish flavor from their crab and shrimp diet. Live or cut bait works well, especially shrimp and small crabs. Here's my tip: once you hook one, keep steady pressure but don't horse them. They'll fight hard initially then tire out, making them easier to land than other grouper species.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the crown jewel of our inshore fishing - bronze-colored bruisers with distinctive black spots near their tails. They average 20-30 inches and put up fights that'll test your drag system. These fish love super shallow water, often feeding in just 1-3 feet around oyster bars, mangroves, and grass flats. Fall and winter bring the best action as they school up in cooler months. What guests love most is watching them "tail" in shallow water - you can actually see their tails sticking up as they root around for crabs. The meat is mild and sweet, perfect for the table. Live shrimp and cut bait work great, but artificials like gold spoons and topwater plugs create heart-stopping strikes. My secret: look for nervous water and baitfish getting pushed around. When you find that, you've found feeding reds.
Salmo TruttaSpotted sea trout are perfect for anglers wanting consistent action on light tackle. Most run 14-18 inches and 1-2 pounds, with a beautiful silver body covered in black spots. They love grass flats and shallow bays, especially around structure like docks and oyster bars. Early morning and evening produce the best bite, particularly in spring and fall when water temps are comfortable. What makes trout special is their willingness to hit artificial lures - they're aggressive and fun on spinning gear. The meat is delicate and flaky, though it can get mushy if overcooked. Topwater plugs at dawn create explosive strikes, but soft plastics and live shrimp work all day. Key tip: fish the grass edges in 2-4 feet of water, and if you're not marking bait, keep moving. These fish follow the food, so where you find glass minnows, you'll find hungry trout nearby.
5.0 out of 5.0Great guy, fantastic with our enthusiastic kiddo, and we caught 🦈! Everything you could ask of a charter experience.
Florida