8-Hour Naples Inshore Fishing Adventure
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
8-hour inshore charter targeting snook, tarpon, and jack crevalleEarly 7AM departure with Captain Mattison aboard professional vesselFly fishing and light tackle options for 2 guests maximum
Picture this: you're on the water at sunrise with Captain Mattison, coffee still steaming in your thermos, watching the Naples coastline wake up as you head to some of the best fishing spots in Southwest Florida. This isn't your typical half-day charter - we're talking about a full 8-hour commitment to putting you on fish. Starting at 7:00 a.m., you'll have the entire day to work the flats, mangrove shorelines, and deeper channels where snook, tarpon, redfish, and jacks call home. With just two anglers max, you get the kind of personalized attention that makes the difference between a good day and one you'll be talking about for years.
Captain Mattison knows these Naples waters like the back of his hand, and he's going to put that knowledge to work for you. We'll start early to beat the boat traffic and catch fish during their most active feeding periods. The morning bite is usually money around here, especially for snook tucked up in the mangroves and tarpon cruising the deeper channels. You'll be switching between fly fishing and conventional tackle depending on conditions and what's biting. Don't worry if you're new to fly fishing - the captain will have you casting like a pro in no time. The beauty of an 8-hour trip is we can adapt to what the fish are doing. If the morning bite slows down, we'll move to different water, try different presentations, or wait for the evening feed to fire up. Naples offers everything from skinny water sight fishing to deeper structure fishing, so there's always a Plan B when Mother Nature throws us a curveball.
We come loaded with top-shelf tackle for both conventional and fly fishing. For the fly guys, we're talking 8-10 weight rods that can handle everything from delicate snook presentations to turning big tarpon away from structure. The conventional setups range from light spinning gear for redfish on the flats to medium-heavy baitcasters when we're throwing live bait at tarpon or big jacks. Live bait is the name of the game down here - we'll start the day loading up on pilchards, pinfish, or whatever's around depending on the season. Artificial lures have their place too, especially topwater plugs during low light periods and soft plastics when fish are being finicky. The captain will match your tackle to the conditions and target species, but don't be surprised if you're switching rods multiple times throughout the day. That's just good fishing - adapting to what the fish want and when they want it.
Snook are the bread and butter of Naples inshore fishing, and for good reason. These ambush predators love hanging around docks, mangrove edges, and bridge pilings where they can dart out to grab an easy meal. They're most active during the warmer months, but you can find them year-round if you know where to look. What makes snook so addictive is their explosive strike and dogged fight in shallow water. A slot snook will test your drag and your nerves, especially when it tries to wrap you around the nearest piling. Black drum might not win any beauty contests, but these bruisers will give you an arm workout you won't forget. They cruise the flats and deeper channels, often in schools, using their sensitive barbels to root out crabs and shrimp. Spring and fall are prime time for big drum, and when you hook into a 20-pounder, you'll understand why locals call them "bulldogs." Tarpon are the kings of Naples waters, especially during their spring and summer migrations. These silver rockets can hit 100+ pounds and launch themselves completely out of the water when hooked. Even smaller tarpon in the 20-40 pound range will humble experienced anglers with their acrobatics and stamina. Redfish are year-round residents that patrol the grass flats and oyster bars. They're excellent sight-fishing targets in shallow water, where you can watch them tail and cruise before making your cast. Their copper-colored sides and distinctive black spot make them easy to identify, and their bulldogging fight style keeps things interesting. Crevalle jacks are the most underrated fish in these waters. They travel in aggressive schools, hit lures with reckless abandon, and fight way above their weight class. When you find a school of jacks, it's non-stop action that'll have your arms burning and your drag screaming.
An 8-hour charter with Captain Mattison isn't just about catching fish - it's about experiencing Naples waters the way they're meant to be fished. You'll learn techniques that'll make you a better angler, see parts of the coast most people never experience, and hopefully land some fish that'll make for great stories back home. The extended time on the water means we can really dial in patterns and give you the best shot at multiple species. Whether you're a seasoned fly angler looking for your first tarpon on the long rod or a family wanting to introduce kids to serious fishing, this charter delivers the goods. Don't wait to book - the best dates fill up fast, especially during peak seasons when the fishing is lights out. Captain Mattison has the experience, local knowledge, and boat to make your Naples fishing dreams come true.
This nimble 17-foot poling skiff is built for serious Naples inshore fishing action. Perfect for getting into those shallow flats where snook and tarpon love to cruise, this boat draws just inches of water and moves quietly through the backcountry. The onboard icebox keeps your catch fresh and drinks cold during those long summer days on the water. GPS keeps you on the productive spots while the VHF radio ensures you stay connected with other anglers and marine traffic. With space for you and a fishing buddy, this skiff gives you the maneuverability to chase tailing redfish in skinny water or position perfectly for tarpon rolling in deeper channels. Captain Mattison knows these Naples waters inside and out, and this responsive little boat lets him put you on fish in spots the big charter boats simply can't reach.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the heavyweights of the flats, typically ranging from 5-30 pounds with some bruisers pushing 50-60 pounds. These bottom-feeders love oyster beds, muddy flats, and creek mouths in 2-15 feet of water. Spring months around spawning season are best when they school up and become easier to target. What guests love about drum fishing is the power - they're bulldogs that use their weight and strength for long, steady runs. The smaller ones under 15 pounds are great eating with sweet, flaky meat. My go-to tip: use fresh crab on a Carolina rig and keep your bait right on the bottom - these fish won't come up to feed, so you've got to get down to their level.
Caranx HipposCrevalle jack are the ocean's bullies - thick-bodied bruisers that average 3-8 pounds but can push 20-30 pounds when you find the big ones. They roam both shallow flats and deeper channels from 5-50 feet, often in aggressive schools. Year-round fishing with peak action in warmer months when bait is thick. What makes jacks fun is their pure aggression and bulldogging fight - they'll bend your rod and test your drag. While not great table fare, they're perfect for guests who want non-stop action and arm-burning fights. Watch for diving birds to locate feeding schools. Here's the trick: cast past the school and retrieve fast - jacks love the chase and will often race each other to your lure.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the bread and butter of our inshore fishing, running 18-30 inches with that classic copper color and distinctive black spot near the tail. They cruise seagrass flats, oyster bars, and mangrove shorelines in 1-6 feet of water - sometimes so shallow their backs are showing. Fall and winter months are prime time when they school up in big numbers. Guests love reds because they're aggressive feeders, strong fighters, and make outstanding table fare with mild, sweet meat. They'll eat just about anything from live shrimp to topwater plugs. Local secret: look for nervous water over the flats on calm days - that's usually a school of reds pushing bait and feeding actively.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are one of Southwest Florida's premier inshore species, typically running 20-35 inches with that distinctive black lateral line and golden coloring. You'll find them around mangroves, docks, and creek mouths in 2-8 feet of water, especially where structure meets current. May through September is prime time when they're spawning and more aggressive. What makes snook special is their explosive strike and aerial show - plus they're excellent table fare when kept in season. They're ambush predators, so work your lures slow and tight to cover. Here's a local trick: on incoming tides, position just upcurrent of a mangrove point and let your bait drift naturally into the shadows where they're waiting.
Megalops AtlanticusThe silver king is what dreams are made of - these prehistoric giants average 80-150 pounds and can jump 8 feet out of the water when hooked. You'll find them rolling in 10-40 feet around bridges, channels, and deeper grass flats. Late spring through summer is peak season when they migrate through our waters. What makes tarpon fishing special isn't the eating (they're catch and release) but the pure adrenaline rush of watching a 100-pound fish go airborne. Their stamina is legendary - fights often last an hour or more. The key to success is patience and persistence. Pro tip: when a tarpon jumps, bow to the king by lowering your rod tip - it takes pressure off and keeps them buttoned up for the next run.
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