Full Day Fort Myers Beach Fishing Adventure
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Full day charter targets jack, shark, and grouper speciesEquipped with gear, licenses, and catch cleaning services includedFamily-friendly trip accommodates up to four guests comfortably
When you step aboard with Shallow Action Fishing Charters, you're signing up for a full day of serious fishing action around Fort Myers Beach. This isn't your typical half-day trip where you're just getting warmed up when it's time to head back. We're talking about a complete day on the water, giving you enough time to really work the fish and explore multiple fishing grounds. From the shallow backcountry flats to the nearshore structure, you'll hit the spots where the big fish hang out. Our captain knows these waters like the back of his hand and will put you on fish whether you're a seasoned angler or just getting your feet wet. With all gear included, valid fishing licenses, and even catch cleaning at the end of the day, this is fishing made simple.
Your full day charter kicks off early, which is exactly when you want to be on the water in Southwest Florida. We'll spend time working the inshore flats where the water's crystal clear and you can sight-fish for some of the area's most sought-after species. The boat's equipped with top-quality rods, reels, and tackle that can handle everything from finicky trout to bulldogging bull sharks. Throughout the day, you'll move between different types of water – shallow grass flats, deeper channels, mangrove shorelines, and nearshore structure. Each spot requires different techniques and offers different opportunities. The beauty of a full day is that if the fish aren't cooperating in one area, you've got plenty of time to relocate and find the action. Plus, with a maximum of four anglers, everyone gets plenty of individual attention and coaching from your guide.
This charter covers a lot of different fishing styles depending on what we're targeting and where we find them. In the shallows, we'll use live bait like shrimp and pinfish under popping corks, or work artificial lures like soft plastics and topwater plugs around structure. When we move to deeper water, we might switch to heavier jigs or live baitfish on circle hooks. For the bigger predators like sharks and goliath grouper, we'll bump up to heavy tackle with steel leaders and chunk baits. The boat carries everything from light spinning gear for trout and redfish to heavy conventional setups for the bruisers. Your captain will match the tackle to the conditions and target species, and if you're new to any of these techniques, they'll walk you through it step by step. Live bait is kept fresh in aerated wells, and there's always a backup plan if one approach isn't producing.
Snook are the crown jewel of Southwest Florida inshore fishing, and Fort Myers Beach offers some of the best snook fishing in the state. These ambush predators love structure – docks, mangroves, bridges, and oyster bars. They're most active during the warmer months and around the new and full moon phases. What makes snook so special is their explosive strike and acrobatic fight. They'll jump, make blistering runs, and try every trick in the book to throw the hook. Plus, they're just beautiful fish with that distinctive black lateral line and silver sides.
Tarpon fishing around Fort Myers Beach is legendary, especially during the spring and summer months when these silver kings migrate through our waters. These prehistoric fish can reach over 200 pounds and are pure adrenaline when hooked. They're famous for their incredible jumping ability – sometimes clearing the water by six feet or more. What's really special about tarpon is that they're strictly catch-and-release, so every fish you hook has likely been caught before and learned a few tricks. The fight can last 30 minutes or more, testing both your endurance and the drag system on your reel.
Redfish are year-round residents that never disappoint. These copper-colored bruisers are perfect for anglers who want consistent action and great table fare. They're most active in shallow water around grass flats, oyster bars, and mangrove shorelines. Reds are notorious for their bulldogging fight – they don't jump like tarpon or snook, but they'll pull drag and make powerful runs. The best part about redfish is their predictability. When you find good habitat, you'll usually find reds, and they're not as finicky as some other species.
Crevalle jack might not win any beauty contests, but they make up for it with raw power and aggression. These yellow-sided fighters are found year-round in our waters and will absolutely destroy topwater lures. When you hook into a school of jacks, the action can be non-stop with multiple hookups. They fight way above their weight class and will test your tackle to the limit. What's fun about jacks is their willingness to eat almost anything – live bait, artificials, even flies.
Lemon sharks are one of the more exciting catches you might encounter on this charter. These sharks prefer the shallow flats and are most active during the warmer months. Lemons are relatively docile compared to other shark species, but they still provide an incredible fight with long, powerful runs. They're perfectly adapted to shallow water hunting with their yellowish coloration providing excellent camouflage over sand and grass bottoms. What makes lemon sharks special is their intelligence – they're curious fish that will often circle the boat before deciding whether to take your bait.
A full day charter with Shallow Action Fishing Charters gives you the complete Fort Myers Beach fishing experience. You're not rushing from spot to spot or cutting the day short just when the fish start biting. With experienced guides, quality equipment, and access to some of Southwest Florida's most productive fishing grounds, this trip delivers the kind of fishing stories you'll be telling for years. Whether you're looking to put some fresh fish in the cooler or just want to experience the fight of a lifetime, this charter has you covered. The boats book up quickly
Your fishing adventure launches aboard a nimble 22-footer designed to get you to where the fish are biting. This bay boat handles Fort Myers Beach waters like a champ, whether you're working the grass flats for redfish or heading to deeper spots for sharks and goliath grouper. The wireless trolling motor keeps things quiet when you need to sneak up on spooky fish, while the GPS and fish finder combo helps locate productive structure and schools. An icebox keeps your drinks cold and your catch fresh throughout the long day on the water. Built for up to 4 anglers, there's room to move around and fight fish without getting tangled up. The boat comes loaded with quality tackle and all the gear you need to target everything from spotted seatrout in the shallows to bull sharks in deeper water.
Caranx HipposCrevalle Jack are the bulldogs of our local waters and will give you an arm-burning fight you won't forget. These brassy, powerful fish typically run 3-15 pounds around Fort Myers Beach, though we occasionally see 20+ pounders. They roam both shallow flats and deeper channels, often hunting in aggressive schools that push baitfish to the surface. Year-round action here, but summer months are prime time when they're most active. What makes jacks fun is their raw power - they pull like a fish twice their size and never give up. While they're not premium table fare, they're perfect for catch-and-release action. Watch for diving birds to locate feeding schools. Here's my tip: when you find a school, cast silver spoons or fast-moving lures past them and retrieve quickly - jacks love the chase and will hammer anything moving at high speed.
Negaprion BrevirostrisLemon sharks are one of our more approachable shark species and great for anglers wanting their first shark experience. These yellowish-brown sharks typically range from 4-8 feet in our area, with a stocky build and blunt snout. They prefer shallow sandy areas, grass flats, and mangrove creeks in 3-15 feet of water. Spring through fall offers the best action as water temperatures warm up. What makes lemon sharks appealing is their manageable size and relatively calm demeanor - they fight hard but aren't as crazy as some other shark species. They're catch-and-release only, making for great photos and memories. Fresh cut bait like bonito or mackerel works best. Local tip: fish the incoming tide around dawn or dusk near mangrove points - lemons often cruise these areas hunting for stingrays and crabs stirred up by the current.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are a staple of our Fort Myers Beach charters and perfect for anglers of all skill levels. These copper-colored beauties with distinctive black spots near their tails usually run 18-27 inches and fight way above their weight class. You'll find them in skinny water - sometimes so shallow their backs show above the surface. They love grass flats, oyster bars, and mangrove shorelines in 1-6 feet of water. Fall and spring offer the most consistent action, but they bite year-round here. What makes redfish special is their bulldogging fight and excellent eating quality - mild, sweet meat that's hard to beat. They're also surprisingly willing to eat artificial lures. Pro tip: when sight fishing for reds on the flats, cast well ahead of cruising fish and let your bait settle - they spook easily but will hunt down a well-placed offering.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are one of our most popular targets around Fort Myers Beach, and for good reason. These sleek, golden fish with that distinctive black lateral line typically run 18-28 inches, though we see some real bruisers pushing 40+ inches. They love hanging around mangroves, docks, and bridge pilings in 2-10 feet of water. Best fishing happens during warmer months, especially around dawn and dusk when they're actively feeding. What makes snook special is their explosive strike and hard-fighting nature - they'll jump and make blistering runs that'll test your drag. Plus, they're excellent table fare with flaky white meat. Here's a local tip: when targeting snook around structure, cast past them and work your bait back through - they're ambush predators and won't chase far, but they'll nail something that swims right by their hiding spot.
Megalops AtlanticusTarpon are the silver kings of our waters and one of the most thrilling fish you can hook. These giants typically range from 50-150 pounds around Fort Myers Beach, with some monsters reaching 200+ pounds. They patrol our beaches, channels, and passes in 10-40 feet of water, often rolling on the surface. Best action runs from April through October when they're migrating through our area. What gets anglers hooked is their aerial show - tarpon can launch 8-10 feet out of the water and make multiple jumps during a fight. They're not great eating due to their bony structure, so it's all about the sport. Most folks consider landing one a bucket list achievement. My go-to tip: when a tarpon jumps, bow to the fish by dropping your rod tip toward them - it gives slack and prevents them from throwing the hook on those spectacular leaps.
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