Naples Inshore Fishing with Captain Mattison
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
6-hour inshore fishing charter departing at 7:00 AM dailyFly fishing and inshore techniques with Captain MattisonSmall group experience accommodating maximum 2 guests
Looking for a solid day on the water in Southwest Florida? Captain Mattison's 6-hour Naples fishing charter puts you right where the fish are biting. Starting at 7 AM, you'll spend quality time working the flats, mangrove shorelines, and grass beds that make this area legendary among inshore anglers. With room for just two guests, this isn't some cattle-boat operation – it's personal, focused fishing where every cast counts. You'll have shots at snook, redfish, tarpon, black drum, and crevalle jack while learning the ins and outs of Naples' most productive waters.
Captain Mattison knows these waters like the back of his hand, and that shows from the moment you push off. You'll start early to beat the crowds and catch fish when they're most active. The morning bite is usually money around here, especially during the cooler months when gamefish are prowling shallow water for baitfish. This 6-hour trip gives you real time to work different spots – if the fish aren't cooperating in one area, there's always another honey hole to try. The skinny water around Naples is perfect for sight fishing, so keep your eyes peeled for tailing redfish, rolling tarpon, or that telltale wake of a snook heading for structure. You'll cover a mix of habitat types, from oyster bars to dock lights, grass flats to creek mouths. Each spot fishes differently depending on the tide, time of day, and season.
This charter caters to both fly fishermen and conventional tackle enthusiasts. If you're slinging flies, Captain Mattison will put you in position for some world-class sight casting opportunities. Nothing beats watching a redfish eat your fly in crystal clear water. For those sticking with spinning gear, you'll be throwing everything from topwater plugs at first light to soft plastics when the bite gets tough. The guide provides all tackle, but feel free to bring your own rod if you've got a favorite setup. Techniques vary with conditions – you might be working live shrimp under popping corks one hour, then switching to suspending twitch baits the next. The key is staying versatile and reading what the fish want. Structure fishing around docks and mangroves requires accurate casting, while working the flats is all about stealth and presentation.
Snook are the crown jewel of Southwest Florida inshore fishing, and Naples waters hold some beautiful fish. These ambush predators love structure – docks, mangrove overhangs, oyster bars, anywhere they can pin baitfish against something solid. They're most active during the warmer months but can be caught year-round if you know where to look. What makes snook special is their fight – they'll jump, run, and try every trick to throw your hook. Plus, they're gorgeous fish with that distinctive black lateral line. Redfish are another customer favorite, especially the big bull reds that cruise these flats. Unlike their smaller cousins, these bruisers will test your drag and your patience. They're available all year but really turn on during the fall months. Black drum might not be the prettiest fish, but they're powerful fighters that will surprise you. These bottom feeders are perfect for anglers who want to feel their rod bend. Look for them around structure in deeper water. Tarpon are the silver kings for a reason – even a small one will give you a workout you won't forget. Naples gets tarpon year-round, but the big migrations happen in spring and summer. Crevalle jack round out the target list as the bulldogs of the flats. They're aggressive, willing biters that fight way above their weight class.
Captain Mattison's Naples inshore charter delivers exactly what serious anglers are looking for – quality fishing in productive waters with a guide who knows how to put you on fish. The 6-hour format gives you enough time to really fish without feeling rushed, and the small group size means personalized attention and more shots for everyone. Whether you're a fly fishing enthusiast or prefer conventional tackle, you'll leave with some great memories and hopefully a few photos of nice fish. The early start time puts you ahead of the boat traffic and positions you for the morning bite when these gamefish are most active. Don't wait too long to book – the best dates fill up fast, especially during peak fishing season.
Your fishing adventure starts aboard a nimble 17ft poling skiff, perfectly designed for navigating Naples' shallow inshore waters where the big fish hide. This lightweight boat gets you into those hard-to-reach spots where tarpon, snook, and redfish love to feed. The shallow draft means we can slip through skinny water and mangrove channels that bigger boats can't touch. An onboard icebox keeps your drinks cold and your catch fresh throughout the 6-hour trip. GPS navigation helps us locate the hottest fishing spots, while VHF radio keeps us connected for safety and fishing intel from other boats. With room for just 2 anglers, you'll get personalized attention from Captain Mattison as he poles you silently through prime fishing territory. This setup is ideal for sight fishing – watching fish move through crystal-clear water before making your cast.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are our heavy hitters, typically ranging from 5-30 pounds with some real giants pushing 50+ pounds. These bottom feeders hang around oyster bars, muddy flats, and creek mouths in shallow water, but you'll also find them around deeper structure up to 30 feet. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning, making them easier to target. What guests love about drum fishing is the steady, powerful fight - they're not flashy jumpers, but they'll test your drag with deep, bulldogging runs. The smaller ones under 15 pounds make great table fare too. They're known for those distinctive drumming sounds they make, especially when schooled up. Pro tip: use fresh cut crab or shrimp on a circle hook and fish it right on the bottom. These fish have crushers for teeth and prefer their meals served naturally.
Caranx HipposCrevalle jacks are pure adrenaline on a fishing line. These brassy bulldozers typically run 3-15 pounds around Naples, with occasional bruisers hitting 25+ pounds. You'll find schools of them over grass flats, around structure, and anywhere baitfish are getting worked - just follow the diving birds. They hit hard and fight harder with powerful runs that'll test your drag. While they're not great table fare, jacks make up for it with raw power and aggressive strikes. Year-round fishing with summer being peak when baitfish are most active. They're curious fish that'll often approach the boat, making sight fishing exciting. What's really cool is some anglers swear they smell like watermelon when feeding schools are nearby. Pro tip: cast past the school and retrieve fast with silver spoons or swimbaits - these fish love the chase and fast-moving targets trigger their predatory instincts.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are our bread and butter species here in Naples - reliable, fun to catch, and great on the table. Most reds we target run 18-30 inches and 3-8 pounds, though we get some hefty bulls over 40 inches. Look for them in super shallow water around oyster bars, grass flats, and mangrove shorelines - often in just 1-3 feet where you can see their backs and that telltale black spot near the tail. Fall and winter are prime time when they're most active in our cooler waters. Guests love reds because they eat almost anything and put up a solid scrap with strong runs and head shakes. The smaller slot-sized fish are fantastic eating with sweet, firm meat. They're not spooky like some species, making them perfect for beginners. Local trick: look for nervous water or slight wakes in shallow areas - that's usually reds rooting around for crabs and shrimp.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are hands down one of our most popular targets here in Naples. These sleek fish with that distinctive black lateral line typically run 18-30 inches, though we occasionally hook into 40+ inch bruisers. You'll find them around mangroves, docks, and creek mouths in 2-6 feet of water. They love structure and ambush points where they can surprise baitfish. Spring through fall gives you the best action, especially around dawn and dusk when they're actively feeding. What makes snook special is their explosive strike and acrobatic fight - they'll jump, run, and try every trick to throw your hook. Plus, they're excellent eating with firm, white meat. Here's a local tip: when fishing around docks, cast your lure or live bait tight to the pilings and let it fall naturally. Snook often sit in the shadows waiting to pounce.
Megalops AtlanticusTarpon are the silver kings of Southwest Florida, and catching one is pure magic. Most fish we encounter run 60-150 pounds, though giants over 200 aren't unheard of. These prehistoric fish cruise our shallow flats, channels, and around bridges in 5-20 feet of water. Late spring through summer is peak season when they migrate through our area. What sets tarpon apart is their aerial display - they'll launch themselves 6+ feet out of the water in spectacular jumps that'll get your heart racing. They're strictly catch and release since the meat isn't great, but the fight is worth every minute. These fish have been around for 125 million years and can live 50+ years, so treat them with respect. My go-to tip: when a tarpon jumps, bow to the fish by lowering your rod tip - it prevents the line from snapping on those violent head shakes.
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