Charter Fishing Naples Florida | 4HR Fishing
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
4hour morning sight fishing adventure starting at 7:00 AMAllinclusive package with equipment, licenses, and beverages providedSmall group experience for up to 2 guests maximum
Looking for a solid morning on the water? Captain Mattison knows these Naples flats like the back of his hand, and he's ready to put you on some serious fish. This 4-hour charter kicks off at 7:00 a.m. sharp, giving you the best window when the fish are most active and the water's still calm. We're talking about real sight fishing here – watching redfish cruise the shallows, spotting that tarpon roll just ahead of the boat, and getting your heart pumping when a snook explodes on your fly. The Goodland area is our playground, and trust me, it's where the magic happens in Southwest Florida.
This isn't your typical head boat experience where you're elbow-to-elbow with twenty other anglers. With just two spots available, you're getting personalized attention from Captain Mattison, who'll adjust the game plan based on conditions and what the fish are doing that day. Morning trips are gold in Naples – the water's glassy, the fish haven't been spooked by boat traffic, and you'll often find yourself casting to fish you can actually see. We're fishing the backcountry waters around Goodland, where mangrove shorelines hold snook, grass flats come alive with redfish, and deeper cuts hide black drum and tarpon. The boat's rigged for both fly fishing and conventional gear, so whether you're slinging streamers or throwing live bait, we've got you covered. All your gear, licenses, and cold drinks are included – just show up ready to fish.
Sight fishing is what separates the good trips from the great ones, and these Naples waters are perfect for it. We're running shallow draft boats that can slip into skinny water where the big fish feel safe. You'll learn to read the water – spotting nervous bait, watching for wakes and pushes, and picking out fish against different bottom types. When we're fly fishing, we're using 8-weight rods that can handle everything from a feisty jack crevalle to a jumping tarpon. The flies change based on what we're targeting, but expect to throw some Clouser Minnows, EP baitfish patterns, and crab flies depending on the bite. For conventional tackle, we're talking about quality spinning gear with live shrimp, pinfish, and the occasional topwater plug when the action calls for it. Captain Mattison will coach you through the whole process – proper casting angles, how to work your fly or bait, and most importantly, how to stay quiet and patient when you're stalking fish in shallow water.
The diversity of species around Naples keeps every trip interesting, and each fish brings something different to the table. Snook are the crown jewel of these waters – ambush predators that love to hide under mangrove overhangs and around structure. These fish are pure muscle, with that distinctive black lateral line and a mouth that can inhale your offering in a heartbeat. They're most active during moving tides, especially around dawn when we're getting started. Fall through spring is prime time, when water temperatures sit in that sweet spot and the fish are aggressive. Landing a slot snook on fly gear is something you won't forget – they jump, they run, and they'll test every knot you tied.
Redfish are the bread and butter of inshore fishing, and the Goodland flats hold some beautiful fish. These copper-colored bruisers are built for the shallows, with that distinctive black spot near their tail and a work ethic that'll have your drag screaming. Reds are year-round residents, but they really turn on during cooler months when they school up and cruise the flats in groups. Watching a red take your fly in two feet of water is addictive – you'll see the whole thing happen, from the approach to the eat to that first powerful run toward deeper water.
Black drum might not win any beauty contests, but they're absolute bulldogs that will humble even experienced anglers. These fish love crabs and shrimp, hanging around oyster bars and deeper grass beds where they can root around for food. They grow big in these waters – fish over 30 pounds aren't uncommon, and once they get their heads down, it's like trying to winch up a truck tire. Spring months bring the best drum fishing when they move shallow for their spawn, but you'll find smaller fish year-round if you know where to look.
Tarpon are the silver kings for good reason, and Naples waters hold both juvenile and adult fish depending on the season. Baby tarpon, ranging from 10 to 40 pounds, live in our backcountry year-round, rolling and feeding in canals and residential areas. These fish are acrobatic nightmares on light tackle – they'll jump six times before you know what happened and throw your hook on the last leap. Summer brings the big migratory fish, with tarpon over 100 pounds moving through our waters. Even if you don't boat one, watching a six-foot tarpon cartwheel out of the water will give you goosebumps.
Crevalle jacks round out our target list, and while some anglers overlook them, these fish are pure fun on appropriate tackle. Jacks are the pit bulls of the flats – compact, incredibly strong, and absolutely relentless once hooked. They travel in schools and feed aggressively, often creating surface commotion that you can see from a quarter mile away. When you find a school of feeding jacks, it's game on – they'll hit almost anything you throw at them and fight way above their weight class. They're perfect for younger anglers or anyone who wants to feel that rod bend without worrying about finicky presentations.
Four hours goes by fast when you're having this much fun, but it's the perfect window for experiencing everything
Our 17-foot poling skiff is perfectly designed for Naples inshore fishing adventures. This nimble motorboat gets you into those shallow flats and backcountry spots where the fish love to hide. With room for just two anglers, you'll have plenty of space to cast and fight fish without crowding. The boat comes equipped with an icebox to keep your drinks cold during those hot Florida mornings, plus GPS navigation to find the best fishing spots and VHF radio for safety on the water. Captain Mattison knows these waters like the back of his hand, and this shallow-draft skiff lets him pole you right up to where the redfish and snook are feeding. The boat's low profile makes it ideal for sight fishing – you'll be able to spot tailing fish from a distance and make those perfect presentations. Whether you're fly fishing or using conventional tackle, this setup gives you the best shot at landing some beautiful Naples fish.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the heavyweights of our shallow flats, typically ranging from 5-30 pounds with some giants pushing 50-plus. These grey-black bruisers have powerful jaws built for crushing oysters and crabs. You'll find them on muddy bottoms, around oyster bars, and in shallow bays where they root around like underwater pigs. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning - that's when you'll hear their distinctive drumming sounds underwater. What guests love about drum fishing is the strong, bulldogging fight and the challenge of hooking these bottom-huggers. The smaller ones under 15 pounds make good eating. My go-to trick is using fresh blue crab on a Carolina rig. Drop it right on the bottom near oyster beds and wait for that steady pull-down bite.
Caranx HipposCrevalle jacks are the bulldozers of our inshore waters, running 12-24 inches and 3-5 pounds on average, though some reach 20-plus pounds. These brassy-green speedsters with golden sides travel in aggressive schools, hunting baitfish on grass flats and around structure. Look for diving birds - that's your best indicator of feeding jacks pushing bait to the surface. They're year-round residents but most active in warmer months. What guests love is their raw power and never-quit attitude - pound for pound, they fight harder than most fish. They're not great eating, but the action is non-stop when you find a school. Some anglers even notice a watermelon scent when jacks are feeding heavily. My trick: cast a silver spoon past the school and retrieve it fast. Jacks can't resist the chase, and aggressive movement triggers their predatory instincts.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are perfect sight-fishing targets in our shallow Goodland waters. These copper-colored beauties with distinctive black spots near their tails typically run 18-28 inches and 3-8 pounds. They cruise oyster bars, grass flats, and mangrove edges in water so shallow their backs sometimes show above the surface. Fall and winter offer the best action when they school up in big numbers. What makes reds special is their aggressive take and strong fight - they'll make long runs and never give up easy. Plus, they're excellent table fare with sweet, flaky meat. You can target them year-round here in Southwest Florida. Pro tip: when you spot a redfish tailing in shallow water, cast your bait 3-4 feet ahead of where they're heading. Let it sink to the bottom and wait for them to find it.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are one of our most prized inshore targets around Naples. These sleek, golden fish with that distinctive black lateral line typically run 1-3 feet, though bigger ones lurk in deeper water. You'll find them hugging mangrove shorelines, around docks, and in creek mouths where fresh water meets salt. They love structure and ambush spots. Spring through fall offers the best action, especially during dawn and dusk when they're actively feeding. What makes snook special is their explosive strike and acrobatic fight - they'll jump and make blistering runs that test your drag. The meat is excellent too, with white, flaky fillets. Here's a local tip: when sight fishing snook, cast your lure past them and retrieve it right along their nose. They can't resist that presentation.
Megalops AtlanticusTarpon are the silver kings of Southwest Florida, averaging 80-100 pounds with some monsters pushing 200-plus. These prehistoric fish with massive scales and upturned mouths migrate through our waters from spring through fall. You'll spot them rolling on the surface in deeper channels, around bridges, and along the edges of grass flats. What makes tarpon fishing special is their aerial show - they'll jump 6-8 feet out of the water, gill-rattling and tail-walking. Most anglers practice catch-and-release since the meat isn't great. Peak season runs May through July when they're most active. The fight can last an hour on lighter tackle. Here's my advice: when a tarpon jumps, bow to the fish by dropping your rod tip toward them. This prevents the line from snapping tight and breaking off during their acrobatics.
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