Full Day Weekday Fishing in Suwannee Waters
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Sevenhour inshore charter targets redfish, pompano, and seasonal speciesAll fishing gear, bait, and licenses included with experienced guideWeekday availability for up to four anglers along Gulf Coast waters
When you want to escape the weekend crowds and really put some fish in the boat, a weekday charter with Skipper's Suwannee Gulf Charters is your ticket to some of the Gulf Coast's most productive inshore waters. This 7-hour fishing adventure takes you through the maze of creeks, grass flats, and nearshore structure around Suwannee, where redfish cruise the shallows and pompano work the sandy bottoms. You'll have everything you need – rods, reels, bait, and licenses – so just bring yourself and get ready to bend some rods. Whether you're a seasoned angler or just getting your feet wet, these waters offer something special for everyone willing to spend a full day chasing fish.
Your day starts early at the Suwannee launch, where you'll meet your captain and get the rundown on conditions and game plan. The beauty of a 7-hour trip is having the time to really work different areas – you're not rushed, and you can adapt as the day unfolds. We'll start by checking the tides and wind, then head to spots where fish have been active. The Suwannee area gives you incredible variety: one minute you're sight-casting to tailing redfish in knee-deep water, the next you're working structure for sheepshead or drifting baits for sea trout. The boat holds up to four anglers comfortably, so there's plenty of room to fish without getting tangled up. Your captain knows these waters like the back of their hand – every oyster bar, every grass edge, every piece of structure that holds fish. They'll put you on the spots and teach you the techniques that work best here.
Inshore fishing around Suwannee is all about matching your approach to the conditions and target species. We'll be using medium-action spinning rods spooled with 15-20 pound braid – perfect for everything from finesse fishing for sea trout to muscling redfish out of structure. Live shrimp is the go-to bait here, but we'll also have cut bait, artificial lures, and topwater plugs depending on what's working. When we're sight-fishing the flats, it's all about quiet approaches and accurate casts. In deeper creeks and channels, we might anchor up and fish bottom rigs or drift with the current. The key is staying versatile – these fish move with the tides, bait, and weather, so we adjust our tactics throughout the day. Your captain will handle the boat positioning and help with rigging, but they'll also teach you to read the water and understand why fish hold in certain spots. It's hands-on learning that makes you a better angler.
Sea trout are the bread and butter of these waters, and for good reason. These spotted beauties love the grass flats and channel edges around Suwannee, especially during the cooler months from fall through early spring. They're aggressive feeders that hit live shrimp, soft plastics, and topwater lures with equal enthusiasm. Most fish run 14-18 inches, but keeper-sized trout over 20 inches are regular catches here. What makes sea trout so appealing is their willingness to bite and their excellent table fare – they're perfect for anglers who want consistent action and a good meal.
Redfish are the crown jewel of inshore fishing, and the Suwannee flats are loaded with them. These copper-colored bruisers range from schoolie fish around 18-24 inches to bull reds pushing 30 inches or more. Fall and spring offer the best action when big schools move through the area, but you'll find resident fish year-round. Reds are ambush predators that love structure – oyster bars, dock pilings, grass edges – anywhere they can corner baitfish. When you hook one, get ready for a fight. They'll make blistering runs and use their broad sides to pull drag. The sight of a red's back breaking the surface as it crushes your bait never gets old.
Spanish mackerel bring speed and excitement to the mix, especially during their spring and fall migrations. These silver bullets hit fast and fight hard, making screaming runs that test your drag system. They're usually found around structure in 8-15 feet of water, where they school up to feed on glass minnows and small baitfish. Spanish mackerel are perfect for light tackle fishing – they'll hit small jigs, spoons, and live bait presented near the surface. They're also excellent eating when prepared fresh, with firm white meat that's perfect for the grill.
Florida pompano are the premium catch that every angler hopes to encounter. These golden, deep-bodied fish prefer sandy bottoms and shell bars where they root for crabs and shellfish. Pompano are notorious for their finicky feeding habits and their exceptional table quality – many consider them the best-eating fish in the Gulf. They're most active during the warmer months and often feed in small schools. When you find one, there are usually more in the area. Pompano require patience and the right presentation, but landing one of these prized fish makes the effort worthwhile.
A full-day weekday charter gives you the best of both worlds – fewer boats on the water and more time to really explore what Suwannee's inshore fishery has to offer. With everything provided and a captain who knows exactly where to find fish, you're set up for success from the moment you step aboard. Whether you're looking to put together a mixed bag of species or focus on specific targets, these productive waters deliver the kind of fishing that keeps anglers coming back season after season. The combination of diverse habitats, healthy fish populations, and expert local knowledge creates opportunities you won't find everywhere. Don't wait for the weekend crowds – book your week
Hop aboard this reliable 19ft Stottcraft center console that's perfect for working Suwannee's productive inshore waters. Built in 2001 with a dependable Mercury 90HP outboard, this boat cruises comfortably at 28 knots to get you quickly from the launch to the hot spots. The center console design gives everyone plenty of room to move around while fighting fish, and with space for up to 4 anglers, there's no crowding when multiple lines are in the water. The onboard fish finder helps locate structure and baitfish where redfish, pompano, and sea trout like to hang out, while GPS keeps you on track when navigating the maze of creeks and flats around the Gulf Coast. An icebox keeps your drinks cold and your catch fresh during the 7-hour trip. Whether you're casting shallow flats for redfish or working deeper channels for Spanish mackerel, this setup handles the variety of fishing situations you'll encounter in these waters.
Trachinotus CarolinusFlorida pompano are the gold standard of eating fish around here, and once you hook one, you'll understand why restaurants charge premium prices for them. These compressed, silvery fish with bright yellow fins average 12 inches and 1-3 pounds, but don't let their size fool you - they're part of the jack family and fight hard. We target them along sandy beaches and shell bars where they root around for mollusks and crabs. Summer and fall are your best bets before they move deeper in winter. The buttery, sweet meat is worth every bit of effort. Their small mouths mean small hooks are essential - I always tell guests to downsize their tackle. My go-to trick is using fresh sand fleas or small crabs on a light jig near structure during moving tides.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the bread and butter of our shallow water fishing here. These copper-colored bruisers average 20-35 inches and fight like they're twice their size. Look for them in 1-4 feet of water around oyster bars, grass flats, and creek mouths where they hunt for crabs and shrimp. That distinctive black spot near their tail makes them unmistakable. They're aggressive year-round but really turn on during fall when they school up for spawning runs. What makes them special is their bulldogging fight - they'll peel drag and test your tackle. The meat is sweet and firm, perfect for blackening. Pro tip: when you spot tailing reds in skinny water, cast well ahead of where they're heading and let your bait sit still - they spook easily but can't resist a motionless shrimp.
Salmo TruttaSpotted sea trout are one of our most reliable targets year-round in these waters. They typically run 14-24 inches and 1-5 pounds, with their signature black spots making them easy to identify. You'll find them cruising grass flats and shallow areas, especially at dawn and dusk when they're actively feeding on shrimp and small baitfish. They put up a solid fight on light tackle and make excellent table fare with their flaky white meat. Summer and fall offer the best action, though we catch them consistently in cooler months too. Here's a local trick: when fishing grass flats at night, use a popping cork with live shrimp about 18 inches below - the noise draws them in and the natural presentation seals the deal.
Scomberomorus MaculatusSpanish mackerel are speed demons that'll keep your rod bent and your drag screaming. These silver bullets typically run 1-2 feet long and weigh 2-8 pounds, but they fight like fish twice their size. We find them around nearshore structure and open flats, usually traveling in fast-moving schools that can stretch for miles. Spring through fall is prime time when water temps are right. They're hit-and-run feeders that slam baits with aggressive strikes. The reward is some of the best eating fish in the Gulf - mild, flaky meat that's perfect grilled or smoked. Here's what works: when you see birds working, get there fast and cast small silver spoons or jigs. Keep your hooks sharp because their mouths are bony, and always bring a cooler with ice - they're too good to waste.
Florida