5.0(3 Reviews)Fort Myers Inshore Fishing at Its Best
5.0(3 reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Half-day inshore fishing charter targeting redfish and sea troutAll gear, tackle, and fishing licenses included in priceExpert guides accommodate up to three guests per trip
When you're looking for solid inshore fishing action in Fort Myers, this half-day charter delivers exactly what local anglers and visitors have been raving about. Captain Kevin and the Sanibel Inshore Fishing Charters crew know these waters like the back of their hands, and they're not afraid to move around until you're hooked up. Whether you're after that trophy snook hiding in the mangroves or working the grass flats for speckled trout, this trip puts you right where the fish are biting. With all your gear, tackle, and licenses included, you just show up ready to fish – no hassles, no surprises.
This isn't your typical run-and-gun charter where you hit one spot and hope for the best. Captain Kevin reads the conditions, checks the tides, and adapts the game plan based on what's happening that day. You might start working shallow grass beds for trout in the morning, then shift to structure for redfish as the tide changes. The beauty of Fort Myers inshore fishing is the variety – one cast you're sight-fishing cruising reds in two feet of water, the next you're working a snook ambush point under a mangrove overhang. With a maximum of three anglers, everyone gets personalized attention and plenty of rod time. The captain provides quality spinning gear matched to the target species, plus all the terminal tackle you'll need from jigs to live bait rigs.
Fort Myers inshore fishing is all about reading water and matching your presentation to the conditions. You'll learn to work soft plastics around oyster bars, pitch live shrimp under dock lights, and cast topwater plugs along mangrove shorelines during the early morning bite. The flats here are perfect for sight-fishing when the water's clear – spotting tailing redfish or watching snook cruise the edges gets your heart pumping every time. Captain Kevin switches up techniques based on what's working, whether that's bouncing jigs along the bottom for trout or working the falling tide with cut bait for reds. The boat's rigged with a shallow draft that lets you get into the skinny water where the big fish feed, and the trolling motor keeps things quiet when you're stalking spooky fish in clear water.
"We had specifically requested a day on the water fishing for Tarpon. Capt. Kevin did all he could, from offshore to in shore chasing down fish. We had a good time learning about various parts of the fishery, we look forward to the next time we can use his services. Thank you Kevin." - Joedy
"Had a great day fishing. Captain Kevin, put us on the species of fish I wanted to fish for. He's not afraid to move around to different areas to find fish. I ended up catching a 37" snook. It was awesome! Thanks Captain Kevin. I'll be back. 👍🏻" - Mac
"Fishin was lil slow... But captain tried everything in his power to find/ an weather had changed on us a lil bit! But we caught fish had laughs an that's what it is bout!" - Brian
Snook are the crown jewel of Fort Myers inshore fishing, and for good reason. These ambush predators love structure – think docks, mangroves, and bridge pilings where they can pin baitfish against cover. Fall and early winter are prime time when snook move shallow to feed before the water cools down. A slot-sized snook between 28-33 inches fights like nothing else, making blistering runs and trying to wrap you around every piling in sight. What makes snook special is their attitude – they hit hard, jump when hooked, and test every piece of gear you've got. Plus, they're excellent table fare when kept within regulations.
Sea trout, or speckled trout as the locals call them, are the bread and butter of Fort Myers grass flats fishing. These spotted beauties school up over sandy bottoms and turtle grass beds, making them perfect targets for light tackle fishing. Spring through fall offers the most consistent action, with early morning and late afternoon being prime feeding windows. Trout in the 15-20 inch range are common, with gator trout over 25 inches always a possibility. They're willing biters that'll hit everything from live shrimp to soft plastic jigs, making them perfect for anglers of all skill levels. The fight might not be as dramatic as a snook, but their numbers and willingness to bite keeps the action steady.
Redfish are the ultimate sight-fishing target in Fort Myers shallow waters. These copper-colored bruisers cruise the flats year-round, often in schools that'll get your adrenaline pumping. Winter months are especially productive when reds school up in deeper holes and channels. What makes redfish special is their versatility – you can sight-cast to cruising fish in shallow water, work them around oyster bars, or target big bull reds in deeper channels. They're strong fighters that use their broad sides to pull drag, and they're not picky eaters. Whether you're throwing topwater plugs at dawn or bouncing jigs along the bottom, redfish provide consistent action and genuine excitement when you spot that telltale wake pushing across the flat.
Fort Myers inshore fishing delivers year-round action with species that fight hard and bite willingly. This half-day charter gives you a real taste of what makes this area a top-rated fishing destination without the commitment of a full day on the water. Captain Kevin's local knowledge and willingness to work for your fish means you're getting genuine value, not just a boat ride. With gear, tackle, and licenses all included, plus space for up to three anglers, it's perfect for couples, small groups
Our 25ft 2023 C HAWK center console is built for serious Fort Myers inshore fishing. This sleek boat cuts through the water with a powerful Mercury Pro XS 300HP engine, hitting speeds up to 50 knots to get you to the hotspots fast. Perfect for up to 3 anglers, she's loaded with everything you need – fish finder to locate schools, GPS for precise navigation, and a wireless trolling motor for silent approaches when targeting spooky redfish and snook in the shallows. The onboard icebox keeps your catch fresh and drinks cold during those hot Florida days. VHF radio keeps us connected for safety and fishing intel. Whether we're working the mangrove edges for snook or cruising the grass flats for sea trout, this boat handles Fort Myers' inshore waters like a dream. All fishing gear, tackle, and licenses are included – just bring your crew and get ready to hook into some great inshore action.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the crown jewel of our Fort Myers flats fishing, easily spotted by their copper-bronze color and distinctive black spots near the tail. These bruisers typically range 20-35 inches in our shallow waters, often cruising in just 1-4 feet around oyster bars, mangroves, and grass flats. They bite year-round here, but fall and winter offer the most consistent action when they school up. What makes reds so popular is their powerful, bulldogging fight - they'll strip drag and make long runs in shallow water. They're also prime table fare with sweet, firm meat. The real thrill is sight-fishing to tailing reds in skinny water. Local trick: when you spot a red, cast well ahead of where it's heading and let your bait settle - they spook easily in shallow water.
Salmo TruttaSpotted sea trout, or "specks" as we call them locally, are a bread-and-butter species here in Fort Myers. These silvery fish with distinct black spots typically run 14-24 inches and love our grass flats in 2-6 feet of water. They're most active during cooler months when they school up, making for some hot action. What guests love about trout fishing is the steady bite - they're aggressive feeders that hit soft plastics, live shrimp, and topwater plugs with authority. The fight is spirited but manageable, making them perfect for all skill levels. They're also fantastic eating with delicate, flaky meat. Pro tip: look for "nervous water" or small baitfish jumping on the flats - that usually means hungry trout are feeding below.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are one of Fort Myers' premier inshore targets, averaging 1-3 feet with that signature black lateral line and golden color. These ambush predators love structure - mangroves, docks, and creek mouths where they can burst out at baitfish with surprising speed. They're temperature sensitive, so warmer months from May through September offer the best action, especially around new and full moons when they spawn. What makes snook special is their explosive strike and stubborn fight - they'll jump, run for cover, and test your drag. Plus, they're excellent table fare with firm, white meat. Here's a local tip: work your lure slowly along mangrove edges during moving water. Snook often sit just inside the shade waiting to pounce.
5.0 out of 5.0We had specifically requested a day on the water fishing for Tarpon. Capt. Kevin did all he could, from offshore to in shore chasi...
Had a great day fishing. Captain Kevin, put us on the species of fish I wanted to fish for. He’s not afraid to move around to diff...
Fishin was lil slow... But captain tried everything in his power to find/ an weather had changed on us a lil bit! But we caught ...
Fort Myers