Sanibel Inshore Fishing at Its Finest
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Sixhour inshore charter targeting Snook, Redfish, and TroutProfessional guide service accommodates all experience levelsLive bait included across grass flats and creek locations
Looking for a top-rated fishing charter that puts you right where the action is? Captain Dan's 6-hour Sanibel fishing adventure is exactly what you need. This isn't your typical crowded boat experience – it's an intimate fishing trip designed for just two anglers who want to get serious about hooking Snook, Redfish, and Sea Trout in Southwest Florida's most productive waters. From the shallow grass flats where Redfish cruise to the deeper passes where Snook ambush baitfish, you'll fish multiple spots that most casual anglers never see. Captain Dan knows these waters like the back of his hand, and he's not afraid to move around until we find where the fish are biting.
Your day starts early – that's when the fish are most active and the water is glass-smooth. Captain Dan will have the boat rigged and ready, with live bait when it's available because nothing beats the real thing for fooling wary inshore species. You'll start in one of several prime locations depending on tides, wind, and recent fish activity. Maybe it's a grass flat where you'll sight-cast to tailing Redfish, or perhaps a quiet creek where Snook hide in the shadows. The beauty of this charter is the variety – you're not stuck fishing one spot all day. When the bite slows down, Captain Dan fires up the engine and we're off to the next honey hole. Six hours gives you plenty of time to work different techniques and cover serious ground. Whether you've been fishing these waters for years or you're picking up a rod for the first time, Captain Dan adjusts his approach to make sure everyone has a great day on the water.
Captain Dan comes prepared with quality spinning gear that can handle everything from finicky Trout to bruiser Snook. You'll be throwing a mix of live bait and artificials depending on conditions. Live shrimp is dynamite for Redfish and Trout, while live pinfish or pilchards will drive Snook crazy. When live bait isn't cooperating, don't worry – soft plastics and topwater plugs can be just as deadly in the right hands. The shallow water fishing here requires finesse, so you'll be using lighter tackle that lets you feel every bump and tap. Captain Dan will show you how to work a soft plastic through the grass without getting hung up, or how to walk a topwater plug so it looks like a wounded baitfish. The grass flats require stealth and accuracy – you're often making precise casts to fish you can actually see cruising around. In the passes and creeks, it's more about reading the current and finding where fish are staging to feed.
Snook are the crown jewel of Southwest Florida inshore fishing, and for good reason. These ambush predators love structure – docks, mangroves, bridges – anywhere they can hide and surprise their next meal. They're incredibly aggressive when they want to feed, but they can also be maddeningly finicky. A big Snook will test your drag and your nerves as it tries to wrap your line around the nearest piling. They're most active during the warmer months, from spring through fall, but you can catch them year-round if you know where to look. What makes Snook special is their fight – they'll jump, they'll run, and they'll use every trick in the book to throw your hook.
Redfish are built like bulldozers and fight twice as hard. These copper-colored bruisers cruise the shallow flats in small schools, often with their backs out of the water as they root around for crabs and shrimp. Sight-fishing for Redfish is addictive – there's nothing like watching a big Red turn on your bait and swim off with it. They're year-round residents here, but fall and winter are prime time when they school up in bigger numbers. Redfish aren't fancy fighters, but they're strong and stubborn. They'll put that broad tail to work and try to bulldoze their way back to deep water or the nearest grass bed.
Sea Trout might not be the biggest fish you'll catch, but they're willing biters and excellent table fare. These spotted beauties love grass flats and sandy areas where they can blend in while hunting for shrimp and small fish. They're most active during cooler months, making them a customer favorite for winter fishing trips. Trout are perfect for beginners because they're not shy about biting, but they're also fun for experienced anglers who enjoy light tackle fishing. They have soft mouths, so you need to keep steady pressure without overdoing it, or they'll throw the hook.
Captain Dan's Sanibel fishing charters book up fast, especially during peak season when the weather is perfect and the fish are biting. This world-class inshore fishing experience gives you access to some of Southwest Florida's most productive waters with a guide who lives and breathes these fisheries. You're getting six full hours on the water, live bait when available, and the kind of local knowledge that takes decades to develop. Whether you want to check Snook off your bucket list, sight-cast to Redfish on the flats, or just enjoy a day of steady action with Sea Trout, this trip delivers. Don't wait until you're already in town – the best fishing dates get snatched up weeks in advance. Book your Sanibel fishing charter now and get ready to experience why anglers travel from all over the country to fish these waters.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are hands-down the most exciting shallow water fish we target. These copper-colored bruisers typically run 18-27 inches in the slot, with their signature black eyespot near the tail. You'll find them tailing in 1-4 feet of water on grass flats, around oyster bars, and cruising mangrove edges. They're year-round residents, but fall and spring offer the best action when they're most active. What makes reds special is their power - they'll make long, strong runs that test your drag. Plus, they eat almost anything: live shrimp, cut bait, spoons, topwater plugs, and soft plastics. The meat is outstanding - firm, sweet fillets perfect for blackening. Here's what most people miss: look for nervous water or slight wakes in skinny areas. Reds often give themselves away by pushing water when they're feeding in ultra-shallow spots.
Salmo TruttaSpotted sea trout, or "specks" as we call them, are beautiful fish covered in distinct black spots with a silvery-gold body. Most run 14-20 inches, though we catch plenty in the 3-5 pound range on good days. They love grass flats in 2-6 feet of water, especially around potholes and drop-offs. Winter months are fantastic when they school up in deeper channels, but spring and fall offer the most consistent action. What guests love about trout is they're willing biters - they'll hit live shrimp, soft plastics, and topwater plugs with enthusiasm. They fight well for their size with nice head-shaking runs. The meat is excellent eating - mild, flaky white fillets that don't taste fishy at all. Pro tip: focus on the deeper edges of grass flats early morning and late evening. That's when the bigger specks move shallow to feed.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are the crown jewel of our local waters, running anywhere from slot-sized 18-inchers up to trophy fish pushing 40+ pounds. You'll find them hugging mangrove shorelines, around docks, and in creek mouths where fresh water meets salt. They love ambush points and structure. May through September is prime time when they're spawning around passes and bridges - their fins turn bright yellow during this period. What makes snook special is their explosive strike and bulldogging fight, plus they're temperature-sensitive so cold fronts push them into deeper holes. The meat is absolutely top-notch - flaky white fillets that taste better than most restaurant fish. Here's a local trick: when fishing around mangroves, cast your lure or live bait right into the roots. Most people fish too far out, but snook tuck tight to cover.
Fort Myers