Naples Afternoon Fishing Charter with Captain Mattison
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Four-hour afternoon charter targeting inshore flats and backcountry watersFly fishing and light tackle opportunities with experienced Captain MattisonMaximum two guests for personalized fishing experience starting 1:00 PM
Looking to skip the early morning alarm and still get some serious fishing in? This 4-hour afternoon charter with Captain Mattison is your ticket to prime Naples waters without the dawn departure. Starting at 1:00 PM, you'll have plenty of time to grab lunch and cruise down to the marina relaxed and ready. Captain Mattison knows these backcountry waters like the back of his hand, and he's got the patience to put you on fish whether you're slinging flies or throwing artificials. With just two anglers max, you're getting personalized attention that makes all the difference between a good day and a great day on the water.
This isn't your typical party boat experience - you're getting a custom fishing adventure tailored to what's biting and where they're feeding. Captain Mattison runs his operation through the diverse Naples backcountry, hitting everything from shallow grass flats to deeper mangrove cuts depending on tides and conditions. The afternoon timing actually works in your favor here - by 1 PM, the morning boat traffic has settled down, and you've got cleaner water to work with. You'll cover serious ground over four hours, moving between spots as the action dictates. Whether you prefer sight fishing the flats or working structure in the backcountry, Mattison adapts the trip to match your style and the fish's mood. The intimate two-person setup means you're not waiting in line for your turn at the bow, and you can actually hear your captain's guidance over the engine noise.
Captain Mattison specializes in both fly fishing and light tackle approaches, so you can choose your weapon based on conditions and personal preference. The fly fishing here is world-class - Naples flats offer perfect sight fishing opportunities where you can watch tarpon roll, redfish tail, and snook ambush bait in crystal clear water. Mattison provides quality fly rods rigged and ready, but experienced fly anglers often bring their favorite setup. For light tackle fishing, you're looking at spinning gear that can handle everything from finicky snook to bulldogging black drum. The key here is reading the water and matching your presentation to what the fish want. Morning rain might muddy up the flats, pushing you toward areas where scent matters more than sight. Afternoon sun can make fish spooky, requiring longer casts and lighter presentations. Mattison reads these conditions constantly, adjusting techniques and locations to keep you in the strike zone.
Snook are the signature species around Naples, and for good reason. These ambush predators love the mangrove shorelines and dock structure throughout the backcountry. They hit hard, jump clean out of the water, and fight dirty with gill-rattling head shakes that'll test your drag setting. Peak snook season runs from spring through early fall, but Naples holds fish year-round thanks to its southern latitude. The slot limit keeps things interesting - you need fish between 28 and 33 inches to keep, so there's skill in targeting the right size class.
Black drum are the bulldogs of the flats, often found cruising in schools over grass beds and oyster bars. These fish can push 20-30 pounds easily, and once they feel the hook, they put their heads down and pull like a freight train. They're excellent table fare and fairly predictable to pattern once you understand their feeding behavior. Captain Mattison knows the shell bars and mud flats where drum concentrate, especially during cooler months when they stack up in deeper pockets.
Tarpon season in Naples runs roughly from March through October, with peak action in the warmer months. These silver kings range from juvenile fish in the 20-50 pound class to mature giants exceeding 100 pounds. Landing a tarpon on fly tackle is considered one of angling's ultimate challenges - they jump repeatedly, run long distances, and test every knot and connection on your setup. Even if you don't boat one, watching a six-foot tarpon explode out of the water three feet from your fly rod is something you'll remember forever.
Redfish, or red drum, are the perfect inshore species for sight fishing enthusiasts. Naples reds commonly run 20-40 inches, with the oversized bull reds providing serious fights in shallow water. You'll spot them tailing in ankle-deep water, cruising grass flats, or staged up around structure during tide changes. They eat both flies and artificials readily, and their copper-bronze coloration makes them easy to spot against light sand and grass bottoms. The slot limit for reds is 18-27 inches, with one oversized fish over 27 inches allowed per angler.
Crevalle jack might not win beauty contests, but they make up for it in pure pulling power. These fish school heavily around Naples, often in impressive numbers that create feeding frenzies when bait is present. Jacks hit lures aggressively and fight well above their weight class, making long runs and testing light tackle to its limits. They're excellent sport fish and surprisingly good eating when prepared properly, despite their reputation as bait thieves.
Captain Mattison's afternoon departure gives you the flexibility to sleep in, handle morning errands, and still get quality time on the water when fish are actively feeding. The 1 PM start puts you fishing through some of the best afternoon bite windows, and you'll be back at the dock with enough evening left to grab dinner and share fish stories. With only two anglers per trip, these dates book up quickly, especially during peak season from December through April when northern anglers escape south for reliable fishing. Whether you're a seasoned fly angler looking to sight cast to tarpon or a family wanting to introduce kids to the magic of inshore fishing, this charter delivers the personalized experience that keeps people coming back to Naples waters year after year.
Our nimble 17-foot poling skiff is perfect for navigating Naples' shallow backcountry waters and flats where the big fish hide. This lightweight boat gets you into those skinny water spots that larger vessels can't reach, giving you access to prime redfish and snook territory. The shallow draft design lets Captain Mattison pole silently through the mangroves and grass flats without spooking fish. You'll have an onboard icebox to keep your catch fresh and drinks cold during the afternoon heat. GPS keeps us on the productive fishing spots while the VHF radio ensures safe communication on the water. Built for just two anglers, you'll have plenty of casting room and personalized attention from your captain as you work the inshore waters around Naples.
Pogonias CromisBlack drums are the heavyweights of our inshore waters - most range 10-25 pounds, but we hook into 40+ pounders regularly. These gray-black bruisers live around oyster bars, grass flats, and creek mouths in 3-15 feet of water. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning, making them easier to locate. What guests love is their bulldogging fight - they use their powerful bodies to pull straight down. The smaller ones under 15 pounds make excellent table fare with mild, white meat. They're bottom feeders with crushing jaws built for crabs and shellfish. My go-to tip: use fresh cut crab on a circle hook and fish it right on the bottom near structure - they can't resist it.
Caranx HipposCrevalle jacks are the bulldogs of our waters - aggressive fighters that average 5-15 pounds but can hit 30+ pounds. These brassy-colored bruisers roam both shallow flats and deeper channels, usually in schools chasing baitfish. Year-round fishing, but summer brings the most consistent action when they're actively feeding. What guests love is their raw power and willingness to eat almost anything you throw at them. They'll bend your rod in half and test your drag system. While they're not great table fare, the fight more than makes up for it. Look for diving birds - that's your best indicator of feeding jacks. Cast silver spoons or topwater plugs beyond the school and retrieve fast - they love the chase.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the bread and butter of our flats fishing - bronze-colored beauties with distinctive black spots near their tails. Most run 18-27 inches and 3-8 pounds, perfect slot size for keeping. They cruise super shallow water, often with their backs showing in 1-3 feet around oyster bars, mangrove edges, and grass flats. Fall and winter are our best months when they school up and feed heavily. Guests love their powerful runs and how they eat everything from topwater plugs to live shrimp. They're also some of the best eating fish we catch - mild, sweet meat that grills perfectly. Watch for tailing fish in the shallows and make quiet approaches - spooked reds will muddy up a flat and shut down the bite.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are one of our most popular targets around Naples - sleek, golden fish with that distinctive black lateral line. Most run 18-24 inches, though we see bigger ones pushing 30+ inches. They love hanging around mangrove shorelines, docks, and creek mouths in 2-8 feet of water. Spring through fall gives us the best action, especially around moving water during tide changes. What makes them special is their explosive strikes and acrobatic jumps - plus they're fantastic eating with white, flaky meat. They're ambush predators, so they'll hide in structure waiting to attack. Pro tip: cast your lure past the cover and work it back slowly along the edge - that's where they'll be waiting to pounce.
Megalops AtlanticusTarpon are the silver kings of Southwest Florida - these prehistoric giants average 4-6 feet and 80-150 pounds, with some reaching 200+ pounds. We find them rolling in 5-20 feet around bridges, channels, and grass flats. May through August is peak season when they migrate through our waters. What makes tarpon special isn't the eating (they're catch-and-release only) - it's the spectacular aerial show when hooked. They'll jump 8-10 feet out of the water trying to throw the hook. These battles can last an hour or more. The key is keeping steady pressure and not horsing them - when they jump, bow to the king by dropping your rod tip to keep tension off the line and prevent them from throwing the hook.
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