5.0(6 Reviews)Inshore Fishing Charter Homosassa Redfish & Black Drum
5.0(6 reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Top Rated
Sixhour inshore charter targeting redfish and black drumAll tackle, bait, and equipment provided by experienced captainSuitable for anglers of all skill levels
Captain Tim's 6-hour inshore fishing charter departing from Weeki Wachee puts you right in the heart of some of Florida's most productive redfish and black drum waters. This isn't your typical tourist trap fishing trip – we're talking about serious angling in the legendary Homosassa flats and backcountry where trophy fish cruise year-round. Whether you're a weekend warrior or someone who's never held a rod, Captain Tim knows how to put you on fish and keep the action going. With all tackle, bait, and gear provided, you just need to show up ready to fish and maybe pack some snacks to keep your energy up during those hot afternoon bites.
Your day starts early at the Weeki Wachee launch, where Captain Tim has already prepped the boat and sorted through fresh bait. The Homosassa area offers some of the most diverse inshore fishing on Florida's Nature Coast, with grass flats that hold redfish, deeper channels where cobia cruise, and structure that attracts everything from grouper to massive tarpon. This is real backcountry fishing – no crowded party boats or elbow-to-elbow casting. Just you, your fishing partner, and miles of pristine water that most anglers never get to see. The boat is rigged for two anglers max, which means personalized attention and plenty of room to fight fish without getting tangled up. Captain Tim reads the water like a book, adjusting tactics based on tides, weather, and what the fish are telling him that day.
Captain Tim runs a well-equipped boat stocked with quality spinning and conventional gear matched to whatever species are biting. You'll fish with everything from light tackle for trout and mackerel to heavy gear when tarpon show up or when targeting big black drum in deeper water. Live bait is the name of the game here – fresh pinfish, pilchards, and shrimp that get fish fired up. Depending on conditions, you might be sight fishing for tailing redfish on shallow flats, drifting live bait over structure for grouper, or working the mangrove edges where snook ambush prey. The captain handles all the technical stuff like rigging baits, reading the fish finder, and positioning the boat, so you can focus on feeling that rod tip load up and setting the hook when it happens.
"Had a really good trip with Captain Tim took my brother on a 74th birthday. Tim put us on fish had great bait.Tim worked as hard as he could to get us in the fish. Had a really good day I would use him again. Highly recommended." - Jeff
"This was hands down THE BEST Charter we've ever been on and we've been on well over a dozen all over. Captain Tim handled everything Mother Nature threw at him with ease ... lack of bait, high winds, negative tide and on top of that, a 6 year old! He put us on the reds and we were just pulling em out one after another! We even managed to triple up! Definitely will be going out with him again!" - Ruth
"A great day on the water of fun and fishing with Captain Tim! I purchased the trip for my nephews visiting the area! They loved it!" - Denise
Spanish Mackerel are one of the most reliable and fun fish you'll encounter on this charter. These silver bullets typically run 1-3 pounds and fight way above their weight class with blistering runs and acrobatic jumps. Spring through fall offers the best action, especially when they school up around bait pods. What makes them special is their willingness to bite almost anything – live bait, spoons, or even a well-placed jig. They're also fantastic table fare with white, flaky meat that's perfect for the grill.
Snook are the crown jewel of Florida inshore fishing, and Homosassa's mangrove shorelines and creek mouths hold some beautiful fish. These ambush predators love structure and can range from slot-size fish around 24 inches up to true giants pushing 40 inches or more. Summer and early fall provide peak action when they're most active in the shallows. What gets anglers hooked on snook fishing is their explosive strike and powerful runs toward cover – they'll test your drag and your patience. Plus, they're gorgeous fish with that distinctive black lateral line and golden coloration.
Black Drum are the bruisers of the inshore world, with fish commonly caught in the 10-30 pound range and monsters exceeding 50 pounds possible. These bottom feeders patrol deeper grass flats and channel edges, using their pharyngeal teeth to crush crabs and shellfish. Fall and winter months typically produce the largest fish as they school up for spawning. Fighting a big black drum is like wrestling with a truck tire – they use their broad sides and powerful tails to make long, stubborn runs that will leave your arms burning.
Tarpon are simply legendary, and when they show up in Homosassa waters, everything else takes a back seat. These silver kings can range from juvenile fish around 20-40 pounds up to true giants exceeding 100 pounds. Summer brings the best tarpon action, particularly around dawn and dusk when they roll and feed actively. Landing a tarpon is the ultimate inshore fishing achievement – their aerial displays and raw power create fishing memories that last a lifetime. Even smaller tarpon will make multiple jumps and test every knot in your terminal tackle.
Redfish, or red drum, are what put Homosassa on the fishing map. These copper-colored beauties cruise the shallow flats in schools, often with their backs and tails visible above water. Fish range from slot-size reds around 18-27 inches up to oversized bulls that can reach
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the tanks of the inshore world, commonly weighing 15-40 pounds with some giants pushing 60-plus. These bottom-feeders have powerful jaws built for crushing oysters and crabs, making them tough fighters that use their weight and strength against you. We find them on shallow mud flats, around oyster beds, and near creek mouths in 3-20 feet of water. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning - that's when you'll hear them "drumming" underwater. What guests love is the steady, bulldogging fight and the challenge of landing a fish this strong on lighter tackle. Smaller ones under 15 pounds make good eating, but we usually release the big breeders. Fresh crab is the top bait, but cut mullet works too. My tip: use just enough weight to hold bottom and be patient - they're not speed demons but they eat deliberately.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are our bread-and-butter species, running 18-32 inches with that copper-bronze color and distinctive black spot near the tail. These drum family members are perfect for all skill levels since they're aggressive feeders and give a strong, steady fight without the crazy jumps. We target them in 1-6 feet of water around oyster bars, grass flats, and mangrove shorelines where they cruise looking for crabs and baitfish. Year-round fishing is solid, but fall and spring are peak times when they school up. What guests love is they're relatively easy to spot in shallow water, fight hard enough to be exciting, and make excellent table fare with sweet, flaky meat. Live shrimp is the go-to bait, but they'll hit gold spoons and soft plastics too. Local trick: look for "tailing" fish with their tails sticking up while feeding - approach quietly and cast ahead of their direction.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are one of the most sought-after inshore species around here, typically running 18-36 inches with that distinctive black lateral line and golden color. These ambush predators love hanging around mangroves, docks, and oyster bars in shallow water where they can surprise their prey. They're extremely structure-oriented, so we target them around cover in depths from 2-15 feet. Spring through fall gives us the best action when water temps are stable. What makes snook special is their explosive strike and acrobatic fight - they'll jump and make powerful runs that test your drag. Plus, they're excellent table fare with sweet, white meat. The tricky part is they're sensitive to cold snaps and have strict seasons, so timing matters. Here's a local trick: cast your live shrimp or pilchard up-current from structure and let it drift naturally into the strike zone.
Scomberomorus MaculatusSpanish mackerel are fast, aggressive fish that run 1-2 feet long and pack a solid fight for their size. These silver speedsters with yellow spots love to school up and feed aggressively, making them great targets for anglers wanting consistent action. You'll find them around structure in open water, from shallow flats to about 60 feet deep, especially when the water warms up in spring through fall. They hit hard on live bait like sardines and greenbacks, plus they'll slam spoons and small jigs trolled at decent speed. What really gets guests excited is their speed - they can rip line off your reel and make several quick runs. The meat is excellent eating too, with a mild flavor that grills up perfect. Pro tip: when you hook into a school, keep your bait in the water because where there's one, there's usually a bunch more.
Megalops AtlanticusTarpon are the ultimate bucket-list fish, ranging from 50-150 pounds with some monsters over 200. These silver giants are famous for their aerial shows - when hooked, they'll jump repeatedly trying to throw the hook. We target them in depths from 6-50 feet around channels, bridges, and deeper grass flats, especially during their spring and summer migration through our area. What makes tarpon fishing so special is the visual aspect - you often see them rolling on the surface before the bite. The fight is legendary, combining power, speed, and those heart-stopping jumps. They're strictly catch-and-release due to their bony meat and conservation status. Live mullet, pinfish, or crabs work best, presented on circle hooks. Key tip here: when they jump, bow to the fish by lowering your rod tip toward them - it prevents the line from snapping tight and pulling the hook free.
5.0 out of 5.0Had a really good trip with Captain Tim took my brother on a 74th birthday. Tim put us on fish had great bait.Tim worked as hard a...
This was hands down THE BEST Charter we've ever been on and we've been on well over a dozen all over. Captain Tim handled everythi...
A great day on the water of fun and fishing with Captain Tim! I purchased the trip for my nephews visiting the area! They loved i...
Great day on the water with Captain Tim. Caught plenty of fish and Tim works to keep you on them. Would highly recommend
Homosassa