Navarre Inshore Fishing with Captain Bryant
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Target Redfish, Speckled Trout, and Flounder in Navarre watersCaptain Bryant provides expert guidance to prime fishing locationsMorning and afternoon charters available for up to 3 guests
You know that feeling when you're standing in crystal-clear water, rod in hand, watching a redfish cruise the flats just 20 feet away? That's what you'll get with Showintail Inshore Charters in Navarre. Captain Bryant has been working these waters for years, and he's got the kind of local knowledge that turns good fishing days into legendary ones. Whether you're looking to start your morning with coffee and casting or want to chase the afternoon bite, this top-rated charter puts you right where the fish are feeding. With room for up to three anglers, it's perfect for couples, small groups, or that solo mission you've been planning.
Captain Bryant runs a clean operation focused on putting fish in the boat. You'll launch from Navarre and head straight to his proven honey holes – those spots that only come from years of reading tides, structure, and fish movement. The Navarre area is blessed with diverse inshore habitat: grass flats that hold trout and redfish, oyster bars where flounder ambush bait, and deeper channels where snapper patrol. Morning trips capitalize on that first-light bite when fish are actively feeding in shallow water. Afternoon charters take advantage of moving tides and structure fishing. Captain Bryant provides all the tackle you'll need, from light spinning gear for trout to heavier setups for bull reds. He's not the type to just put you on fish – he'll teach you to read the water, spot feeding signs, and improve your technique. This world-class fishery demands respect, and you'll learn why Navarre has become a customer favorite among serious inshore anglers.
Inshore fishing here is all about versatility and reading conditions. Captain Bryant matches tactics to what the fish are doing that day. Live bait fishing with shrimp under popping corks is deadly for speckled trout over grass flats. When reds are tailing in skinny water, you'll switch to sight fishing with soft plastics or gold spoons. For flounder, it's all about working jigs along drop-offs and structure changes. The boat carries an arsenal of proven lures: DOA shrimp, Gulp baits, Z-Man paddle tails, and topwater plugs for those surface strikes that'll get your heart racing. Captain Bryant knows when to fish the edges of oyster bars, how to work current breaks, and where to find fish when weather moves them around. You'll use medium-light spinning tackle most of the day – sensitive enough to feel that subtle trout bite, but with enough backbone to turn a slot red away from structure. The beauty of Navarre's inshore waters is the variety: one cast might produce a keeper trout, the next could be a bull red that tests your drag system.
Grey Snapper are the scrappy fighters that'll surprise you with their strength. These fish hang around structure and current breaks, typically running 12-16 inches in Navarre's inshore waters. Spring through fall offers the best action, with snapper moving shallow to feed on baitfish and crustaceans. They're notorious for their quick, hard strikes and their ability to dive straight for cover when hooked. What makes them special here is their year-round presence – when other species slow down, you can usually count on snapper to keep your rod bent.
Sea Trout, or speckled trout as locals call them, are the bread and butter of Navarre inshore fishing. These beautiful fish with their distinctive spots love grass flats and drop-offs, typically measuring 14-20 inches with occasional gator trout pushing 24-plus. Peak season runs spring through fall, but winter can produce some of the biggest fish of the year. Trout are sight feeders with excellent eyesight, making them perfect targets for both live bait and artificial lures. Their aggressive strikes and acrobatic fights make them a favorite among anglers, plus they're excellent table fare when kept within slot limits.
Redfish are the crown jewel of inshore fishing, and Navarre's waters hold some beauties. These bronze-backed bulldogs range from slot-sized fish around 20-27 inches to massive bull reds over 30 inches that'll take you to school. Reds feed year-round but really turn on during fall months when they school up for their spawning runs. You'll find them tailing in shallow water, cruising grass flats, and ambushing prey around oyster bars. Their powerful runs and stubborn fights make every red a memorable catch, whether it's a quick schoolie or a monster bull that peels drag for minutes.
Permit are the ghosts of the flats – silvery, spooky, and absolutely addictive to target. These fish are notorious for their wariness and their ability to appear and disappear like shadows. In Navarre waters, permit typically run 8-15 pounds and show up over sandy flats and around structure during warmer months. They're incredibly difficult to hook, making every permit caught a trophy regardless of size. Their explosive runs and never-give-up attitude make them a prized catch among serious inshore anglers.
Crevalle Jack bring the muscle to every fight. These aggressive predators roam Navarre's waters in schools, attacking baitfish with reckless abandon. Jacks range from 3-15 pounds locally, with larger fish showing up during summer months. They're known for their incredible strength and endurance – a 10-pound jack will fight like a fish twice its size. While they're not table fare, they provide some of the most exciting action you'll find inshore. When schools of jacks move through an area, the fishing turns into pure chaos with multiple hookups and screaming drags.
Captain Bryant and Showintail Inshore Charters deliver the kind of fishing experience that keeps anglers coming back
Meet your fishing machine for Navarre's inshore waters – a 2016 Majek center console that's built to get you on the fish. This 23-footer cuts through the shallows with a powerful 250HP Yamaha pushing her up to 55 knots when you need to cover water fast. The spacious layout gives you and two buddies plenty of room to work your lines without getting tangled up. Captain Bryant has rigged her with everything you need: a fish finder to mark those productive spots, GPS to navigate the flats, and a wireless trolling motor for those sneaky approaches to spooky redfish. The onboard icebox keeps your catch fresh and your drinks cold during those hot Florida afternoons. Whether you're sight-casting to tailing reds or working the grass beds for speckled trout, this Majek handles like a dream in skinny water while staying dry and comfortable when the chop picks up.
Caranx HipposCrevalle Jacks are the bulldogs of Navarre's waters - aggressive, powerful, and always ready to fight. These brassy-green bruisers typically run 3-5 pounds but can reach much larger sizes. They school up around structure, grass flats, and anywhere baitfish are present. You'll often spot diving birds working over feeding schools. Year-round fishing is good, but summer brings the most consistent action. What makes them special is their raw power - pound for pound, they're some of the strongest fighters you'll encounter. They hit topwater lures, spoons, and live bait with authority. While not great eating, they're pure fun on tackle. They're curious fish that sometimes approach the boat, making sight fishing possible. Pro tip: when you see birds diving, get there fast and cast silver spoons right into the commotion. Retrieve quickly - they love the chase and rarely refuse a fast-moving target.
Lutjanus GriseusGrey Snapper, or Mangrove Snapper, are smart fish that love structure around Navarre's docks, piers, and grass flats. Most run 1-3 pounds inshore, but you'll occasionally hook into bigger ones. They're nocturnal feeders with great eyesight, so they can be tricky. These fish are opportunistic hunters that hang near the bottom waiting to ambush prey. The white, flaky meat makes them excellent table fare. Spring through fall gives you the best action when water temps are warmer. Live shrimp hooked through the tail works great - let it sink to the bottom, then reel up just enough to stay off the structure. Here's the key: once it hits bottom, don't move it much. They like to study their meal before committing, so patience pays off with these cautious feeders.
Trachinotus FalcatusPermit are the holy grail of flats fishing - challenging, smart, and absolutely beautiful fish. These silver, disc-shaped fighters average 10-20 pounds with incredible eyesight and spooky behavior. Around Navarre, you'll find smaller ones on shallow grass flats while bigger fish hang around deeper structures and wrecks. Spring through fall gives you the best shots, especially during their spawn season. What makes them special is their difficulty - they're way tougher to fool than most inshore species. They have a preference for crabs, so blue crab or crab imitations work best. The fight is spectacular with long runs and aerial displays. Most anglers consider landing one a lifetime achievement. Here's the secret: presentation is everything. Cast well ahead of cruising fish and let your bait sit motionless. Any sudden movement will send them running.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the backbone of our inshore fishing around Navarre. These copper-colored bruisers average 20-28 inches and fight like they're twice their size. You'll find them in shallow flats, around oyster bars, and cruising the grass beds in 1-4 feet of water. That black spot near their tail makes them easy to identify. They're year-round fish, but fall and spring offer the best action when they school up. What guests love is their willingness to eat almost anything - topwater plugs, spoons, soft plastics, or live bait. The meat is excellent with a mild, sweet flavor. They're not picky eaters, which makes them great for beginners, but they'll test your drag when hooked. Here's a local tip: look for tailing fish on shallow flats during incoming tides. Cast ahead of them and let your bait settle naturally - they'll find it.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled Trout are a favorite around Navarre's grass flats and shallow bays. Most fish run 14-24 inches and put up a decent fight on light tackle. They're spotted beauties with soft, white meat that's fantastic eating - just don't overcook it or it gets mushy. These fish love structure and grass beds in 2-8 feet of water. Best fishing happens during cooler months when they school up, and early morning or late evening produces the most action. They're aggressive feeders that hit topwater plugs, soft plastics, and live shrimp. What makes them special is they're willing biters when you find them. My go-to trick is working a popping cork with live shrimp about 18 inches below. The noise draws them in, and the natural presentation seals the deal. Focus on grass edges and drop-offs where baitfish hang out.
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