Premier Inshore Fishing Charters in Holiday Florida
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Inshore fishing adventures targeting tarpon and snook speciesSmall group trips accommodate maximum two guestsExpert captain guides along Holiday's coastal waters
Looking for some serious inshore action on Florida's Nature Coast? Captain Skinny D knows exactly where to find the fish that'll have you talking for months. This isn't your typical tourist fishing trip – we're talking about getting into the thick of it with species that fight hard and taste even better. Holiday's backwaters, flats, and nearshore structure hold some of the most consistent fishing in the state, and with just you and one other angler aboard, you'll get the personalized attention that makes all the difference between a good day and an epic one.
Your day starts early when the fish are most active and the water's still got that glassy calm that screams productivity. Captain Skinny D runs a tight ship – literally – with top-rated gear and a boat that can get you into those skinny water honey holes where the big fish hide. This is pure inshore fishing at its finest, working everything from grass flats where redfish cruise in schools to oyster bars where sheepshead stack up like cordwood. The small group size means you're not fighting for rod time or watching someone else catch your fish. Every cast counts, and with Skinny D's local knowledge spanning decades, you'll be putting baits exactly where they need to be. Don't expect to just sit back and relax – this is active fishing where you'll learn techniques that'll make you a better angler long after you head home.
We're talking about versatile inshore fishing that requires reading water, understanding tides, and adapting your approach throughout the day. Captain Skinny D comes prepared with everything from live bait rigs for those finicky snook to artificial lures that trigger aggressive strikes from jacks and mackerel. You'll work shallow flats with topwater plugs at dawn, transition to soft plastics around structure as the sun climbs, and maybe finish the day throwing live shrimp under docks where the big fish wait. The tackle is perfectly matched to each situation – medium spinning gear that can handle a bulldogging redfish but won't overpower a scrappy trout. Circle hooks keep everything healthy for proper releases, and the captain's bait selection changes with conditions, seasons, and what the fish are telling us on any given day.
Redfish are the crown jewel of Holiday's inshore waters, and these copper-colored bruisers are available year-round in decent numbers. Spring and fall bring the best action when they school up in the shallows, but even summer heat doesn't slow them down if you know where to look. These fish fight dirty – making powerful runs toward structure and using their broad sides to pull hard in the current. What makes reds special is their willingness to eat almost anything and their habit of feeding in water so shallow their backs show, creating heart-stopping visual fishing opportunities.
Snook are the ultimate inshore game fish, and Holiday's mangrove shorelines and dock systems provide world-class habitat for these ambush predators. Summer is prime time when they're most active, but skilled anglers can find them year-round around warm water discharges and deeper channels. Snook are notorious for their gill-rattling jumps and their ability to cut you off in structure before you know what happened. They're also excellent table fare when regulations allow harvest, making them a true dual-purpose target fish.
Sea trout might not be the biggest fish in these waters, but they're consistent biters that keep rods bent when other species get finicky. These spotted beauties love grass flats and are perfect for anglers looking to build confidence with light tackle techniques. Peak season runs from late spring through early fall, and they're suckers for a well-presented live shrimp or soft plastic worked just above the grass tops.
Bonnethead sharks bring that extra element of surprise to any inshore trip. These smaller members of the hammerhead family are common in Holiday's shallow waters, especially during warmer months when they cruise flats in small groups. They're strong fighters that test your drag system and provide great photo opportunities with their distinctive head shape. Don't let their size fool you – a bonnethead on light tackle will give you all the fight you can handle.
Black drum are the bulldozers of the inshore world, using their powerful bodies and stubborn nature to test your patience and tackle. Holiday's oyster bars and structure hold good populations of these chunky fighters, with larger specimens moving into shallow water during cooler months. They're not flashy fighters, but they're incredibly strong and make excellent eating when regulations permit harvest.
Sheepshead are the technical challenge that separates good anglers from great ones. These convict-striped thieves hang around any hard structure they can find, using their powerful jaws and human-like teeth to steal baits faster than you can set the hook. Holiday's bridge pilings, docks, and rock piles hold good numbers year-round, with winter bringing the best action. Master the sheepshead bite, and you'll have earned serious bragging rights plus some of the best eating fish that swims.
Crevalle jacks turn every hookup into an arm-burning battle of wills. These schooling predators show up when you least expect them, often in blitzing schools that create surface chaos as they feed on baitfish. They're built for speed and endurance, making long runs and fighting until the bitter end. While not prized for eating, jacks provide pound-for-pound some of the best fights you'll find in inshore waters.
Ladyfish are the acrobats of the inshore world, earning their nickname "poor man's tarpon" through spectacular aerial displays that rival any game fish. These silvery speedsters school up throughout Holiday's waters and provide non-stop action when located. They're perfect for light tackle and ideal for anglers who want to experience multiple hookups and jumps without the investment of time required for larger species.
Spanish mackerel bring the
This 25-foot Carolina Skiff center console is built for serious inshore fishing around Holiday's productive waters. Powered by a reliable 200 HP Yamaha outboard, she'll get you to the best fishing spots quickly and efficiently. The wireless trolling motor keeps things quiet when you're working shallow flats for snook and redfish, while the GPS navigation system helps you mark productive areas and navigate safely through the backcountry. The fish finder takes the guesswork out of locating schools of baitfish and game fish holding around structure. With space for up to 2 anglers, you'll have plenty of room to cast and fight fish without getting tangled up. The center console design provides 360-degree fishing access and keeps essential gear within easy reach. Whether you're targeting tarpon in the deeper channels or sight-fishing the grass flats, this Carolina Skiff handles Holiday's diverse inshore environment with ease. Perfect for experienced anglers who want a no-nonsense fishing platform.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are powerful bottom-dwellers that can range from schoolie 5-pounders to monsters pushing 50+ pounds. They love oyster bars, muddy flats, and creek mouths where they crush crabs and shellfish with those strong jaws. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning - that's when you'll find the biggest numbers. What guests enjoy is the strong, steady fight and that distinctive drumming sound they make underwater. Smaller fish are excellent eating, but release the big breeders. These fish can live 40+ years. My tip: use fresh blue crab or cut mullet on a fish-finder rig. Keep your bait on the bottom and wait for that steady pull - they don't hit hard, just pick up and move off.
Sphyrna TiburoBonnetheads are the smallest hammerheads, averaging 3-4 feet and completely harmless to people. These shy sharks cruise shallow bays, estuaries, and grass flats in schools of 10-15 fish. Summer through fall is prime time when they move into our warmer waters. Guests love them because they put up a scrappy fight despite their size, and they're unique - not every day you catch a shark with a shovel-shaped head! They feed heavily on crabs and shrimp along the bottom. Here's my go-to trick: cut fresh blue crab in half and thread your circle hook through one of the legs. The scent trail drives them crazy, and that natural presentation is hard to resist.
Caranx HipposJacks are the bullies of the flats - aggressive, hard-fighting fish that average 3-8 pounds but can hit 20+ pounds. Look for them around structure, grass beds, and anywhere baitfish are getting pushed to the surface. Birds diving is your best indicator - jacks school up and force prey topside. They're available year-round but really fire up in warmer months. Guests love the non-stop action and powerful runs these fish make. They're not great table fare, but the fight more than makes up for it. Pro tip: when you find a school, work fast with silver spoons or topwater plugs. Keep moving your lure quickly - they love the chase and aggressive retrieves trigger the most strikes.
Elops SaurusLadyfish are the "poor man's tarpon" - silver torpedoes that average 12-20 inches and put on an aerial show when hooked. They school in bays, canals, and along beaches year-round, making them perfect for light tackle fun. What guests love is the non-stop jumping and acrobatics - they'll skip across the surface trying to throw the hook. They're not great table fare but provide excellent action, especially for kids and beginners. These fish are aggressive and will hit almost anything that moves. My trick: when you hook one, there's usually a whole school around. Keep a second rod ready with a small jig or spoon - you can often double up while fighting the first fish. Use a heavy mono leader since they have small but sharp teeth.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are one of our most popular inshore targets, running 20-35 inches on average with that distinctive black spot near the tail. You'll find them cruising grass flats and oyster bars in 1-4 feet of water, sometimes so shallow their backs show above the surface. They're year-round fish here, but spring and fall offer the best action when they school up. What makes them special is that explosive strike and strong fight - they'll peel drag and make multiple runs. Plus, they're excellent eating with mild, flaky white meat. My tip: when sight fishing, cast past them and work your bait back into their path. They spook easily if you drop it right on their head.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are beautiful fish with gold spots scattered across silver sides, typically running 12-18 inches with some reaching 24+ inches. They prefer grass flats, sandy bottoms, and creek mouths in 2-8 feet of water. Cooler months are peak season when they school up in deeper holes and channels. What makes them popular is their willingness to hit topwater lures and their delicate, flaky white meat that's perfect for the dinner table. They're softer than other inshore species, so handle with care. My local tip: fish the grasslines at dawn and dusk with topwater plugs or soft plastics. During winter, look for them in deeper pockets where they stack up to stay warm.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the "convict fish" with those black and white stripes, averaging 2-8 pounds around any structure with barnacles. Docks, bridges, and pilings are prime spots where they use those human-like teeth to pick off crabs and shellfish. Winter through spring offers the best action when they school up to spawn. Guests love the challenge - they're notorious bait thieves that require perfect timing to hook. The reward is some of the finest eating fish in our waters with sweet, white meat. These fish are picky and structure-oriented. Here's the key: use small hooks with fresh shrimp or fiddler crabs, get as close to structure as possible, and set the hook at the first sign of weight. They'll steal your bait if you hesitate.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are Florida's premier inshore gamefish, averaging 18-28 inches with that signature black lateral line. They're ambush predators that hang around mangroves, docks, and creek mouths in both salt and brackish water. Warmer months bring the best fishing, especially around the spawning season when they gather near passes. What makes them special is their explosive topwater strikes and acrobatic jumps - pure adrenaline. They're also fantastic eating with sweet, white meat. These fish are structure-oriented and temperature sensitive. My local secret: work your lure parallel to mangrove shorelines rather than casting directly at them. Snook face into current waiting to ambush, so that presentation looks more natural.
Scomberomorus MaculatusSpanish mackerel are fast, silver bullets averaging 1-3 pounds with distinctive yellow spots along their sides. They school near the surface around grass flats, piers, and anywhere baitfish are present. Fall through spring is prime time when they move into our inshore waters. Guests love their blistering runs and the fact they're excellent eating - mild, white meat that's perfect grilled or smoked. They're some of the fastest swimmers in the ocean, so expect screaming runs. These fish have razor-sharp teeth and move in schools. Here's my tip: when you find them, work fast with small silver spoons or jigs. Once you hook one, keep casting to the school - they'll often stay around feeding. Use a wire leader to prevent bite-offs from those sharp teeth.
Holiday, FL