Premium 6 Hour Naples Inshore Fishing Adventures
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Sixhour inshore fishing charter with Captain Mattison.Fly fishing and inshore techniques in coastal waters.Small group experience for two guests maximum.
When you're looking for serious inshore action in Southwest Florida, Captain Mattison's 6-hour Naples charter delivers the goods. Starting at 7 AM, you'll hit prime fishing hours when the water's calm and the fish are feeding. This isn't your typical tourist trip – it's a focused fishing adventure designed for anglers who want to make the most of their time on the water. With just 2 guests max, you get personalized attention and plenty of elbow room to work your lines without bumping into other anglers.
Your morning starts early, but trust me, it's worth dragging yourself out of bed. The inshore waters around Naples come alive at dawn, and that's when you want to be positioned on productive flats and structure. Captain Mattison knows these waters like the back of his hand – from the grass flats near Wiggins Pass to the mangrove shorelines of Rookery Bay. You'll cover serious ground in 6 hours, moving between spots based on tides, wind, and what's biting. The boat's rigged for both conventional and fly fishing, so whether you're slinging DOA shrimp or presenting a perfectly placed fly, you're set up for success. Expect to work shallow water structure, oyster bars, and grass flats where gamefish come to feed.
This charter caters to both fly fishermen and conventional tackle anglers. If you're into fly fishing, you'll love working the skinny water with an 8 or 9 weight rod, throwing everything from Clouser minnows to crab patterns depending on what's feeding. The sight fishing opportunities here are world-class – nothing beats watching a redfish cruise the flats and making that perfect cast. For conventional tackle, we're talking light spinning gear with live bait, soft plastics, and topwater plugs. Captain Mattison provides all the tackle you need, but feel free to bring your favorite rods if you've got them. The key is staying quiet and covering water methodically. These inshore species are smart, and they'll shut down fast if you're making too much noise or throwing the wrong presentation.
Snook are the bread and butter of Naples inshore fishing. These ambush predators love hanging around docks, mangrove overhangs, and creek mouths where they can dart out to grab an easy meal. Peak season runs from May through September, though you'll find them year-round in deeper holes during winter months. What makes snook special is their explosive strike and gill-rattling jumps. A slot-sized snook will test your drag and give you a fight you won't forget. They're picky eaters though – presentation matters, especially when the water's clear.
Black drum might not be the prettiest fish in the bay, but they're absolute bulldogs once hooked. These bottom feeders cruise oyster bars and grass flats looking for crabs and shrimp. Winter months are prime time for big drum, and I'm talking fish that can push 40+ pounds. They fight dirty – using their broad sides and stubborn nature to wear you down. You'll feel every pound when you're wrestling one of these brutes in shallow water. They're not fast, but they're strong as hell.
Tarpon season in Naples runs roughly from April through October, with peak action in summer months. These silver kings are what fishing dreams are made of – jumping 6 feet out of the water and peeling line like there's no tomorrow. Even a juvenile tarpon will humble most anglers. The fish we target inshore typically range from 20 to 80 pounds, though bigger fish move through during migration periods. Fair warning – tarpon fishing requires patience and strong tackle. But when you hook one, you'll understand why people travel from around the world to fish these waters.
Redfish are probably the most consistent target species in these waters. They're here year-round, they eat aggressively, and they put up a serious scrap. Look for them tailing on shallow flats during high tide or cruising mangrove shorelines at dawn and dusk. A good red will make multiple runs, using its broad tail to power away from the boat. The slot-size fish (18-27 inches) are perfect eating, while the oversized bulls are pure adrenaline. They're not as picky as snook, but they're smart enough to keep you honest.
Crevalle Jack might be the most underrated gamefish in Southwest Florida waters. These aggressive predators travel in schools and absolutely destroy whatever they decide to eat. When you find a school of jacks feeding, the action can be non-stop. They're built for speed and endurance – think of them as the diesel engines of the fish world. A 10-pound jack will outfight most fish twice its size. They're not great table fare, but they're perfect for anglers who want rod-bending action and don't need to keep everything they catch.
Captain Mattison's 6-hour Naples charter gives you serious time to work productive water without feeling rushed. The early start time puts you on fish during prime feeding periods, and the intimate 2-angler capacity means personalized service you won't find on bigger boats. Whether you're a seasoned fly fisherman looking for sight-casting opportunities or a conventional angler wanting to experience Southwest Florida's legendary inshore fishing, this trip delivers the goods. The combination of diverse target species, world-class fishing grounds, and expert local knowledge makes this a top-rated choice for visiting anglers. Don't wait too long to book – the best fishing dates fill up fast, especially during peak season.
Your fishing adventure starts aboard a nimble 17-foot poling skiff, perfectly designed for navigating Naples' shallow inshore waters where the best fish like to hide. This compact but capable boat gets you into those tight spots where larger vessels can't reach - think mangrove creeks, grass flats, and oyster bars where snook, redfish, and trout love to feed. The shallow draft lets Captain Mattison pole silently through skinny water without spooking fish, while the reliable outboard gets you between fishing spots quickly. An onboard icebox keeps your catch fresh and drinks cold during the 6-hour trip, while GPS ensures you hit the most productive fishing grounds. The VHF radio keeps you connected for safety and weather updates. With space for just two anglers, you'll have plenty of room to cast and fight fish without crowding. This skiff is built for serious inshore fishing, giving you access to Naples' hidden fishing gems that bigger boats simply can't reach.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the heavyweights of our inshore waters, commonly ranging 8-25 pounds but capable of reaching 50+ pounds. These bottom-dwellers love oyster bars, muddy flats, and creek mouths in 3-15 feet of water where they crush crabs and shellfish with powerful jaws. Spring is prime time, especially March through May when they school up for spawning. What guests love about drum fishing is the raw power - these fish pull like freight trains and provide a steady, grinding fight that'll wear you out. While the bigger ones aren't great eating, slot-size fish make excellent table fare. My go-to tip: use fresh blue crab on a knocker rig and fish it right on the bottom. When you feel that subtle tap-tap, don't set the hook hard - just lift the rod and let them load up.
Caranx HipposCrevalle jack are the bullies of our waters, typically weighing 5-15 pounds with muscular, torpedo-shaped bodies and bright yellow tails. These aggressive predators roam both shallow flats and deeper channels up to 30 feet, often hunting in schools that terrorize baitfish. They're year-round residents but most active during warmer months when bait is plentiful. What anglers love about jacks is their raw power and willingness to crush almost any lure - they fight like fish twice their size with screaming runs and head-shaking battles. While not prized table fare, they're pure sport fish excitement. Watch for diving birds - that's your cue that jacks are pushing bait to the surface. Cast silver spoons or topwater plugs past the school and retrieve them fast. Jacks love the chase, so don't be subtle.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are Naples' bread-and-butter species, typically running 18-27 inches with that distinctive copper color and signature black spot near the tail. These shallow-water bruisers love grass flats, oyster bars, and mangrove shorelines in 1-4 feet of water - sometimes so shallow their backs show above the surface. Fall and winter provide the most consistent fishing, though they bite year-round here. What makes reds so popular is their willingness to eat almost anything and their bulldogging fight in skinny water. They're also fantastic eating with sweet, flaky white meat. The trick is learning to spot their copper backs and tails in shallow water, then making quiet, accurate casts ahead of their direction of travel. Once hooked, keep steady pressure and don't let them reach structure.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are one of Southwest Florida's most prized inshore targets, typically running 18-28 inches with that signature golden color and bold black lateral stripe. You'll find them around mangroves, docks, and creek mouths in 2-6 feet of water, especially during moving tides. Spring through fall offers the best action, with May through September being prime time when they're most active. What makes snook special is their explosive strike and acrobatic fight - they'll jump and make blistering runs that'll test your drag. Plus, they're excellent table fare with firm, white meat. One key tip: always approach structure quietly and cast past it, then work your bait back through the strike zone. Snook are ambush predators, so that first cast to fresh water is usually your best shot.
Megalops AtlanticusTarpon are the ultimate inshore gamefish, averaging 80-150 pounds of pure silver muscle and attitude. These prehistoric giants patrol our shallow flats, bridges, and passes in 4-20 feet of water, often rolling on the surface to gulp air. Late spring through summer is peak season, with May through July offering the most consistent action. What makes tarpon fishing so addictive is watching a 6-foot fish launch itself 8 feet out of the water - it's a sight that never gets old. They're strictly catch-and-release due to their bony meat and conservation status. The key to landing one is keeping constant pressure without overpowering them. When they jump, bow to the fish by dropping your rod tip toward them - it prevents them from throwing the hook on their wild acrobatics.
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