6 Hour Fishing Charters Bokeelia FL
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Sixhour offshore charter targeting barracuda, sharks, and snappersTravels 1020 miles offshore with trolling for Spanish mackerelCaptain Randy provides weather monitoring and flexible scheduling
If you're looking to get the kids hooked on fishing without the long haul, Captain Randy's nearshore charter out of Bokeelia is pure gold. This isn't some crowded party boat situation – you're getting a personal guide who knows these waters like the back of his hand. We're talking 10-20 miles offshore where the action stays steady and the fish keep biting. Perfect for keeping young anglers engaged without wearing them out on an all-day grind.
Captain Randy runs a tight ship but keeps things fun, especially when you've got grandkids aboard. The trip kicks off from Bokeelia, and within an hour you'll be working productive spots where the fish actually want to cooperate. This isn't about chasing trophy fish all day – it's about consistent action that keeps everyone excited. The boat maxes out at 4 guests, so there's plenty of room to move around and everyone gets their fair shot at the bite. Randy's been watching weather patterns for years, and he'll give you a heads up if conditions look sketchy. Guy's flexible too – if your dates can move around a bit, he'll work with you to hit the best fishing window.
The beauty of this nearshore setup is variety. Randy switches between bottom fishing and trolling depending on what's biting and what the kids are into. When you're working structure for snappers and grunts, you're using medium-heavy tackle with cut bait or live shrimp. The bite's usually pretty steady, which is exactly what you want when you've got young ones who might lose interest if the action dies. For the trolling runs, Randy breaks out the spread – usually Spanish mackerel are cooperative, and they fight hard enough to get everyone excited without being too much for smaller hands to handle. He's got all the gear dialed in, from kid-sized rods to the heavy stuff if something bigger shows up.
Lane snappers are the bread and butter out here, and for good reason. These little fighters usually run 8-12 inches and they're perfect for kids – they bite consistently, fight just hard enough to be exciting, and they're actually good eating. You'll find them hanging around structure in 40-80 feet of water, and they're not too picky about bait. Best part is they school up, so when you find one, you're usually looking at steady action for a while.
Spanish mackerel are the speed demons of this trip. When Randy fires up the trolling spread, these guys come out to play. They'll hit small spoons and feathers at 4-6 knots, and they put on a show with their runs and jumps. Perfect size for kids to handle – usually 12-16 inches – but they fight like fish twice their size. Peak season runs spring through fall, and they're almost always around if you know where to look.
White grunts might not sound exciting, but they're fish-catching machines. These guys school up tight and once you dial in the bite, it's game on. They're great for beginners because they're not line-shy and they'll usually take whatever you're throwing. Most run 6-10 inches, perfect pan size, and they're actually really tasty. Kids love them because they're easy to catch and they grunt when you bring them up – hence the name.
Grey snappers are the upgrade from their lane snapper cousins. These fish have some real attitude and they'll test your drag a bit more. Usually running 10-14 inches in these depths, they're smart fish that require a little finesse. When the kids hook into one, they know they've got something special. They're structure-oriented and can be picky about bait presentation, but Randy knows how to put you on them.
Sheepshead are the wildcards of the trip. These black-and-white striped fighters have serious attitude and teeth to match. They're notorious bait stealers, but when you hook one solid, they're bulldogs on the line. Randy usually targets them around structure with fiddler crabs or shrimp, and they're a blast for kids who are ready for something with a little more fight. Most run 12-15 inches and they're excellent table fare.
This charter fills up fast, especially during peak season when the weather's cooperating and the fish are biting. Randy's reputation for putting families on fish keeps his calendar pretty packed, but that's exactly why you want to fish with him. The guy delivers consistent action without the drama of some of the bigger operations. At 4 guests max, you're getting personal attention that makes all the difference when you're trying to create those fishing memories with the grandkids. Book early, stay flexible with your dates if you can, and get ready for some solid nearshore action that'll have everyone asking when you can go again.
Meet your ticket to some serious offshore action around Bokeelia – a 28-foot Parker cuddy cabin that's built to get you out to the fish and back in comfort. This 2020 beauty runs on twin 300HP Yamaha engines that'll push you to 35 knots, cutting through Gulf waters to reach those productive fishing grounds 10-20 miles offshore where the barracuda, sharks, and snapper are waiting. Captain Randy knows these waters and will put you on the fish using onboard GPS, radar for those hazy days, and fish finder technology to locate the schools. The cuddy cabin design gives you shade when you need it and a head onboard for convenience during those longer battles. Whether you're trolling for Spanish mackerel or dropping lines for white grunts and lane snappers, this rig handles it all with room for up to 6 anglers to spread out and work the water properly. Perfect for getting the grandkids their first taste of offshore fishing or seasoned anglers looking to fill the cooler.
Lutjanus GriseusGrey snappers, also called mangrove snappers, are smart fish that'll test your patience. These copper-red beauties typically run 1-3 pounds inshore, but offshore specimens can hit 20 pounds. They love structure - docks, bridges, reefs, anywhere with cover to ambush prey from. You'll find them in canals, grass flats, and around mangroves in 10-40 feet of water. They bite best at night or during low light conditions since they're opportunistic feeders. What makes them challenging is they're bait thieves - they'll steal your shrimp clean off the hook if you're not careful. The payoff is excellent white, flaky meat that's restaurant quality. My tip: use a 4/0 circle hook and thread live shrimp through the tail, not the head. Let it sit on bottom, then lift it just enough to stay out of the rocks. When you feel them pecking, resist the urge to set - let them load up first.
Lutjanus SynagrisLane snappers are perfect for kids - they're aggressive biters that'll keep the action going all day. These colorful fish run 10-14 inches typically, with their signature pink and yellow stripes that look like candy canes. You'll find them around coral reefs and sandy bottoms in 70-230 feet of water, though we catch plenty in shallower nearshore spots. March through September is prime time when they're spawning and feeding heavy. What makes them special is they're not spooky like other snappers - they'll hit shrimp, squid, and cut bait without much fuss. The meat is excellent eating, sweet and flaky. Here's the trick: when you feel that first nibble, don't set the hook right away. Let them take it and run for a second, then set it hard. They've got those snapper teeth that can cut through light leader, so use 20-30lb fluorocarbon.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the "convict fish" with those black and white stripes, and they're notorious bait thieves with human-like teeth. Most run 1-8 pounds and 14-20 inches, but 20-pounders are out there if you're lucky. They live around any structure - docks, bridges, pilings, reefs - anywhere barnacles and crabs hang out. Winter through early spring is prime time when they're spawning around passes and jetties. What guests love is the challenge - they'll nibble your bait clean off without you feeling a thing. But the reward is some of the best eating fish in the Gulf, with sweet white meat that's worth the effort. The trick is fresh fiddler crabs on a small hook, fished right against the structure. When you feel that subtle tick-tick-tick, set the hook hard immediately. Their bony mouths need a strong hookset, and once hooked, they'll try to cut your line on the nearest barnacle-covered piling.
Scomberomorus MaculatusSpanish mackerel are speed demons that'll give you a real fight on light tackle. These silver rockets with yellow spots typically run 1-2 feet long and 8-11 pounds, but they move like lightning through the water. We find them schooling near the surface in open water, usually 10-20 miles out where we troll for them. Spring through fall is your best bet when the water warms up and bait schools are thick. What guests love is the blistering runs they make - one minute you're reeling, next minute they're screaming drag 100 yards away. Plus, they're fantastic table fare with mild, flaky meat that's perfect grilled or blackened. The key is speed - use shiny spoons or small jigs and troll fast, around 6-8 knots. When you hook one, keep steady pressure but don't horse them or that soft mouth will tear right out.
Haemulon PlumieriiWhite grunts are perfect action fish for kids and first-timers - they bite eagerly and put up a decent scrap for their size. These silvery-blue fish with yellow stripes typically run 6-12 inches and make that famous grunting noise when you bring them up, which always gets a laugh from the grandkids. We find them around reefs, docks, and mangroves in 15-100 feet of water, often schooled up in good numbers. They're most active at night but bite well during the day too, especially around structure. What makes them popular is they're not picky eaters - shrimp, squid, cut bait all work fine. Plus, they're excellent table fare with sweet, flaky white meat. The key is finding the school - where you catch one, you'll usually catch several more. Use small hooks and light sinkers since they're not huge fish. When the bite slows, move your bait up and down a foot or two - that little movement often triggers them to strike.
Pine Island