Inshore Fishing Charter in Englewood for Redfish
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Eight-hour inshore charter targeting redfish, snapper, and grouperAll gear, tackle, and licenses included with Captain Ronald JonesFlexible morning or afternoon departures for up to two guests
Looking for a solid day of inshore fishing without the hassle of organizing gear and finding the fish? Captain Ronald Jones runs an 8-hour charter out of Englewood that puts you right where the action is. Southwest Florida's inshore waters are some of the most productive in the state, and this trip targets the species that keep local anglers coming back – Redfish, Sea Trout, Gag Grouper, Snapper, and Amberjack. With all your gear provided and a flexible schedule that works around your plans, this charter focuses on what matters most: maximizing your time with a line in the water.
This isn't your typical half-day rush job. Eight hours gives you real time to work different spots, adjust techniques, and put together a quality catch. Captain Jones knows these waters like the back of his hand, running trips that explore the flats, structure, and when conditions are right, ventures into the Gulf. The boat accommodates two anglers, so you're not fighting for space or competing with a crowd. Morning and afternoon departures mean you can pick what works best for your schedule. Whether you're a weekend warrior who knows how to work a spinning reel or someone who's never held a fishing rod, the captain adjusts the approach to match your experience level. All rods, reels, tackle, and licenses are included, so you just show up ready to fish.
Inshore fishing around Englewood means working a variety of structure and water depths. You'll be using medium to heavy spinning gear loaded with quality tackle that can handle everything from feisty Redfish in shallow grass flats to chunky Grouper holding tight to structure. Live bait and cut bait are the go-to options here, with shrimp, pinfish, and sardines accounting for most of the action. The captain adjusts techniques based on conditions – some days it's drift fishing over structure for Grouper and Snapper, other days you're sight fishing for Reds in skinny water. When the Gulf is calm, you might find yourself working artificial reefs or natural bottom structure where the bigger fish hang out. The key is staying mobile and reading the water, something that comes with years of local knowledge.
Southern Flounder are one of those species that get overlooked by visiting anglers, but locals know better. These flatfish hang around sandy bottoms and grass edges, typically running 14 to 20 inches with the occasional doormat pushing 24 inches or better. They're ambush feeders that bury themselves in the sand, so working live shrimp or small pinfish along the bottom is your best bet. Fall and winter months are prime time for Flounder, when they're feeding heavily before moving to deeper water. What makes them exciting is the fight – they pull hard and stay deep, plus they're fantastic table fare.
Gag Grouper are the kings of structure fishing around here. These fish live around rocks, reefs, and hard bottom areas where they can ambush prey. Most Gags you'll encounter run 18 to 24 inches, with larger specimens pushing 28 inches and weighing 8 to 12 pounds. They hit hard and immediately try to get back to their hole, so you need solid drag and quick reflexes. Summer and fall offer the best action, when water temperatures keep them active in shallower areas. The thrill is in the initial strike and that bulldogging fight that tests your tackle.
Sheepshead might be the craftiest fish swimming these waters. They hang around structure like bridge pilings, docks, and rocky areas, using their crushing teeth to feed on crabs, barnacles, and oysters. These black-and-white striped fighters typically run 12 to 16 inches, with trophy fish reaching 18 inches or better. Winter through early spring is peak season when they move inshore to spawn. What makes them challenging and rewarding is their finicky bite – they're notorious bait stealers that require patience and skill to hook consistently.
Red Grouper are another structure-loving species that provides consistent action. These fish prefer slightly deeper water than their Gag cousins, typically hanging around natural and artificial reefs. They run similar sizes to Gags but have a more reddish coloration and slightly different fight characteristics. Spring through fall offers the most reliable bite, with fish moving into shallower areas during warmer months. They're aggressive feeders that respond well to live and dead baits presented near the bottom.
Redfish are the bread and butter of Southwest Florida inshore fishing. These copper-colored bruisers cruise grass flats, mangrove shorelines, and shallow structure looking for crabs, shrimp, and small fish. Slot-sized fish run 18 to 27 inches, with oversized bulls pushing 35 inches and 15 to 20 pounds. They're year-round residents with peak action during fall and spring migrations. What makes Redfish special is their accessibility to all skill levels combined with their reputation as one of the hardest-fighting inshore species. They make long, powerful runs and have the stamina to keep fighting right to the boat.
This charter delivers exactly what serious anglers want – quality time on productive water with a captain who knows how to put you on fish. Eight hours gives you the flexibility to work different techniques and locations, while the provided gear ensures you're fishing with quality tackle that can handle whatever you hook. The combination of inshore variety and the option to hit Gulf waters when conditions permit means every trip offers something different. Whether you're looking to put together a mixed bag of species or target specific fish, Captain Jones has the local knowledge and experience to make it happen. Southwest Florida's inshore fishing is world-class, and this charter puts you right in the middle of the action.
Step aboard this reliable 25-foot Carolina Skiff center console, perfect for navigating Englewood's productive inshore waters. Built in 2017 and powered by a smooth 150HP Suzuki 4-stroke engine, she'll cruise at 30 knots to get you on the fish fast. The spacious layout comfortably handles up to 6 anglers, though we keep groups smaller for the best fishing experience. Essential features include an icebox to keep your catch fresh and drinks cold, plus a wireless trolling motor for stealthy approaches to those shallow redfish haunts. The GPS navigation system guides you to productive spots while the fish finder helps locate schools of snapper and trout below. Whether you're working the mangroves for reds or heading to deeper structure for grouper, this boat handles Southwest Florida's diverse fishing grounds with ease.
Mycteroperca MicrolepisGag Grouper are solid fighters that average around 20 inches but can push 50+ inches and 80 pounds. You'll find them around rocky structure, reefs, and wrecks in 20-100+ feet of water. They love hanging near ledges and drop-offs where they ambush crabs, shrimp, and smaller fish. Spring through fall gives you the best action, especially around dawn and dusk. What guests love is the hard fight - once hooked, they'll try to drag your bait straight back to their rocky hideout. The meat is fantastic too - firm, white, and sweet. All Gags start as females and change to males as they mature, which always gets people talking. Here's the key: once you hook one, keep steady pressure and don't let them get back to structure. Lock that drag down and muscle them up fast, or they'll cut you off on the rocks.
Epinephelus MorioRed Grouper are the workhorses of our reef fishing - rusty red with white spots and a reputation for tough fights. Most run 5-10 pounds, but 20-30 pounders are definitely possible on our deeper spots. They hang around rocky bottoms, ledges, and wrecks from 30-200 feet, feeding on crabs, shrimp, and smaller fish. Summer and fall are prime time when they're most active and feeding heavy. What makes them special is that combination of hard fighting and excellent eating - firm, flaky meat with a slight shellfish taste from their diet. They're aggressive feeders that'll hit live bait hard, but once hooked, they'll try to drag you straight down to the rocks. Here's the deal: use heavy tackle, keep steady pressure, and don't give them an inch. Circle hooks with cut bait or live pinfish work best.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are our bread-and-butter inshore species - copper-colored fish with distinctive black spots near the tail. They typically run 20-30 inches and 5-15 pounds in our shallow waters, feeding on shrimp, crabs, and baitfish. You'll find them in 1-4 feet of water around oyster bars, grass flats, and mangrove shorelines. They're year-round residents, but fall and spring offer the best action when they school up. What guests love is the visual fishing - you can often see them tailing in skinny water, plus they put up a solid fight with those broad shoulders. The meat is mild and sweet, perfect for the dinner table. Here's my go-to method: work topwater lures early morning over grass flats, or use live shrimp under a popping cork near structure. When you see them tailing, cast past them and work your bait back slowly.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the "convict fish" with their distinctive black and white stripes and human-like teeth. Most run 1-8 pounds and 14-20 inches, but 20-pounders do swim around our local structure. You'll find them tight to docks, bridges, pilings, and rocky areas where they pick barnacles and crabs off the structure. Winter through spring is peak season when they school up for spawning. Guests love the challenge - they're notorious bait thieves with light, finicky bites that'll test your patience. But the payoff is sweet, flaky white meat that's hard to beat on the dinner table. They've got powerful crushers for teeth, so don't stick your fingers in their mouth! My secret: use fiddler crabs or shrimp on small hooks, get tight to structure, and set the hook hard the second you feel weight. They'll steal your bait all day if you're not quick.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern Flounder are masters of disguise - these flat, oval-shaped fish have both eyes on their left side and can change color to match the bottom. They typically run 15-18 inches and around 5 pounds, though you might hook into one pushing 20+ pounds. These ambush predators bury themselves in sand or mud in shallow bays, estuaries, and around structure, waiting to strike at shrimp, crabs, and small fish. Fall through early spring is prime time when they're most active. What makes them special is their unique appearance and excellent table fare - sweet, flaky white meat that's hard to beat. My tip: use a drift rig with live shrimp and work it slow along sandy bottoms. When you feel that subtle tap, don't set the hook right away - let them take it and run a bit first.
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