Hook to Plate: South Florida's Best Catch & Cook
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Target snapper, grouper, and trout in productive South Florida watersFresh catch prepared as grilled fish, tacos, ceviche, or sashimiFivehour hooktoplate adventure aboard premium 2024 Sportsman boat
Picture this: you're reeling in a beautiful red snapper in crystal-clear South Florida waters, and a few hours later, you're eating that same fish as fresh sashimi on a secluded island. That's exactly what our top-rated 5-hour catch and cook experience delivers. We take you out on our brand-new 2024 Sportsman 252 to chase some of the tastiest fish in these waters, then turn your catch into a feast right there on the beach. It's fishing and dining rolled into one world-class adventure that keeps our guests coming back season after season.
Your day starts early when we push off from the dock and head to our productive inshore and nearshore honey holes. These aren't your typical tourist spots – we're talking about the real deal fishing grounds where locals have been pulling dinner for generations. The 252 Sportsman gives us the perfect platform to chase everything from shallow water grouper to deeper snapper ledges, depending on what's biting and what you want on your plate. We'll spend the morning working different techniques and depths, focusing on species that taste as good as they fight. Once we've got a nice cooler full of fresh fish, we'll cruise over to one of our favorite island stops where the real magic happens. Your captain will fillet your catch right there on the beach and prepare it however you're craving – whether that's perfectly grilled fillets, spicy fish tacos, tangy ceviche, or buttery sashimi. Just let us know your preferences when you book so we can bring the right seasonings and gear.
South Florida inshore fishing is all about reading the water and adapting your approach. We'll be running everything from live bait fishing over structure to sight casting in shallow flats, depending on conditions and target species. The boat comes rigged with quality spinning and conventional gear, plus we keep a full selection of terminal tackle, weights, and hooks sized for everything we might encounter. Live bait is king down here – we're talking pilchards, pinfish, and shrimp that we'll either catch fresh or pick up from local bait shops. For the structure fishing, we'll drop down with knocker rigs and fish finder setups to get baits right in the strike zone where grouper and snapper like to hang out. In shallower water, we might switch to lighter tackle and work jigs or live bait around grass beds and mangrove edges where trout and jacks cruise for an easy meal. The key is staying flexible and letting the fish tell us what they want on any given day.
Red grouper are the bread and butter of this fishery, and for good reason – they're absolutely delicious and fight like bulldogs. These bottom dwellers love hanging around hard structure in 60-120 feet of water, and they'll absolutely crush a well-presented pinfish or grunt. Most of our keepers run 18-24 inches, which is perfect eating size. They're available year-round, but spring and fall tend to produce the most consistent action. What makes red grouper special is their mild, flaky white meat that's perfect for grilling or making into fish tacos. Yellow jacks are another customer favorite that often gets overlooked by other charters. These aggressive feeders school up around wrecks and reefs, and when you find them, it's game on. They'll hit live bait, jigs, or just about anything you throw at them. Jack ranges from 2-8 pounds typically, and while some people think they're just bait stealers, properly prepared yellow jack is actually fantastic eating – especially as sashimi or in ceviche. The meat has a slightly stronger flavor than grouper but it's clean and firm. Cubera snapper are the heavyweight champions of the snapper family, and hooking into a big cubera is something you'll never forget. These bruisers can push 20-40 pounds and will test your drag system and your back muscles. They're structure oriented like grouper but tend to be more aggressive feeders. Cubera season runs best from late spring through early fall, and the meat is outstanding – firm, sweet, and perfect for grilling whole or as thick steaks. Red snapper remain the gold standard for eating fish in the Gulf of Mexico, and while they're not always easy to find, when we locate a school it's pure magic. These beautiful fish typically run 3-8 pounds in our area and have that classic snapper look with bright red coloration and yellow eyes. The meat is sweet, flaky, and cooks up perfectly no matter how you prepare it. Peak red snapper season runs from late spring through summer when they move up shallow to spawn. Lane snapper might be the smallest fish on our target list, but don't let their size fool you – these little guys are absolutely delicious and perfect for whole fish preparations or ceviche. They're abundant around structure and will readily take small baits, making them great for kids or light tackle enthusiasts. Lane snapper run 8-14 inches typically, and their sweet, mild meat makes them a chef favorite at high-end restaurants.
This isn't just another fishing trip – it's a complete South Florida experience that combines world-class angling with fresh, local cuisine in one of the most beautiful settings you'll find. Whether you're a serious angler looking to put quality fish in the cooler or a foodie who wants to experience the ultimate farm-to-table (or should we say boat-to-beach) meal, this trip delivers on every level. The combination of productive fishing grounds, a top-notch boat, and the chance to eat your catch prepared fresh on a secluded island creates memories that last long after you head home. Our calendar fills up fast, especially during peak season, so don't wait to secure your dates. Give us a call or book online to reserve your spot for what might just be the best day you'll spend on the water this year.
Step aboard our brand new 2024 Sportsman 252 for the ultimate South Florida catch and cook adventure. This premium 26-foot fishing machine is built to handle anything these waters throw at us while keeping you comfortable and dry. We'll cruise out to prime inshore spots where snapper, grouper, and trout are waiting, using our fish finder to locate the best action. The spacious deck gives everyone room to cast and fight fish without getting tangled up. After we've loaded the cooler with your catch, we'll head to a beautiful island where I'll fillet your fish fresh and cook it exactly how you want – grilled, as fish tacos, ceviche, or sashimi. The boat's equipped with GPS, VHF radio, a head, and plenty of ice storage to keep everything fresh. Up to 6 anglers can fish comfortably while enjoying the smooth ride this Sportsman delivers. From the first cast to the last bite of your freshly caught dinner, this floating restaurant experience showcases the best of what South Florida fishing has to offer.
Lutjanus CyanopterusCubera snapper are the giants of the snapper family and a true trophy catch in South Florida. These bruisers commonly run 20-40 pounds but can exceed 100 pounds. You'll find them around rocky ledges, reefs, and structure in 50-150 feet of water, with the biggest fish often in deeper water. Prime time is May through August when they're spawning in shallower areas. What makes cuberas special is their incredible power - they'll make runs that'll burn your drag and test every knot. The meat is excellent, though larger fish can carry ciguatera toxin, so smaller ones are better for the table. They love live bait like skipjack or big squid on heavy tackle. My advice: when you hook one, get them away from structure fast and be patient - rushing the fight with these bulldogs usually means losing your fish and your tackle to the rocks below.
Lutjanus SynagrisLane snappers are perfect "fun fish" that keep the action going between bigger catches. These colorful little snappers typically run 1-3 pounds and rarely exceed 14 inches, but what they lack in size they make up for in numbers and fighting spirit. You'll find them around coral reefs, grass beds, and rocky areas in 15-60 feet of water year-round, with peak action from March through September. They're aggressive biters that'll hit shrimp, squid, or small jigs without hesitation. The meat is sweet and mild - perfect for fish tacos or ceviche. Kids especially love these fish because they bite readily and put up a scrappy fight for their size. Here's the secret: fish at night or dawn when they're most active, and use small hooks with light tackle. They'll often school up, so when you find one, work the area thoroughly - there's usually more where that came from.
Epinephelus MorioRed grouper are one of the most rewarding fish to target in South Florida waters. These rusty-red beauties typically run 5-15 pounds, though we occasionally hook monsters up to 40+ pounds. You'll find them hanging around rocky bottoms, ledges, and wrecks in 20-120 feet of water. They're aggressive feeders with huge mouths, making them easier to hook than some other grouper species. What makes them special is the fight - they're absolute bulldogs that'll test your gear and endurance. The meat is outstanding too, with firm white flakes perfect for grilling or fish tacos. Best fishing is during cooler months when they're most active. Pro tip: once you hook one, keep steady pressure and don't let them get back to structure - they'll wrap you up in seconds if given the chance.
Lutjanus CampechanusRed snapper are the gold standard for eating fish in South Florida waters. These beautiful red fish typically run 3-10 pounds, though 20+ pounders aren't uncommon. You'll find them on hard bottom, ledges, and structure in 60-200 feet of water. They're year-round targets, but fall and winter often produce the best action when regulations allow. What guests love is the combination of a solid fight and table fare that can't be beat - mild, sweet, and flaky white meat that's perfect for any preparation. They're notorious for their sharp teeth and will cut light leaders, so use fluorocarbon. These fish are smart and can be line-shy in pressured areas. My go-to technique: fish live or fresh-dead bait on the bottom, but be ready to set the hook quickly - red snapper are notorious bait stealers that'll clean your hook without getting hooked.
Carangoides BartholomaeiYellow jacks are fast, opportunistic predators that show up when you least expect them. These golden speedsters average 2-8 pounds but can reach 30+ pounds when mature. You'll typically encounter them around offshore reefs, wrecks, and floating sargassum patches where they follow larger fish to scavenge scraps. They're year-round residents, but summer months often produce the best action. What guests love about jacks is their lightning-fast strikes and powerful runs - they're built for speed and will test your reflexes. The meat is actually quite good when prepared right; just make sure to remove the bloodline completely or it'll taste too fishy. Here's the trick: when trolling pilchards or small lures, the moment you see a jack coming, give the bait a quick jerk backward - they can't resist that fleeing motion.
Miami, FL