Half Day Shore Fishing for Sharks and Snook
Private Trip
Shore Fishing
Fourhour afternoon shore fishing targeting sharks, snook, and pompanoProfessional gear, coolers, and fish cleaning services includedPrivate charter accommodating up to four anglers
Picture this: you're standing on the pristine sands of Ponce De Leon Beach as the Florida afternoon sun warms your back, rod in hand, waiting for that telltale tug that means business. That's exactly what you'll get with Slayer Fishing Charters' afternoon shore fishing adventure. This isn't your typical cast-and-hope fishing trip – we're talking about a targeted, professional operation that puts you right in the action zone where sharks, snook, and pompano are actively feeding. Starting at 1 PM, you'll have four solid hours to work the surf and structure, guided by experienced captains who know these waters like the back of their hand.
This shore-based fishing experience takes full advantage of Florida's Space Coast hotspots, bouncing between Ponce De Leon Beach and Melbourne Beach depending on conditions, tides, and where the fish are biting. Your guide will read the water, checking for bait schools, bird activity, and current breaks that signal feeding zones. We're not just throwing lines in the water – we're strategically positioning you where the action is. The beauty of shore fishing here is the variety: one minute you might be fighting a bull redfish in the shallows, the next you could be locked up with a blacktip shark that's testing your drag system. All professional gear is provided, including heavy-duty surf rods, quality reels spooled with fresh line, and a tackle box stocked with the right baits and lures for the conditions. We bring coolers with ice-cold water to keep you hydrated, and when you land that keeper, we'll clean it right there on the beach so you can take fresh fillets home.
Shore fishing the Space Coast requires different approaches depending on your target species, and that's where our expertise really shines. For sharks, we'll set up heavy surf rods with circle hooks and fresh cut bait – think mackerel, bluefish, or ladyfish – deployed in the deeper holes and channels just beyond the surf break. The key is getting that bait out past the swimmers and into the feeding lanes where blacktips, bulls, and spinners cruise. For snook and redfish, we switch tactics completely, working the structure around piers, jetties, and inlet mouths with live shrimp, pilchards, or artificials like DOA shrimp and soft plastics. These fish are ambush predators, so we're looking for current edges, drop-offs, and anywhere baitfish are getting pushed around. Pompano fishing is an art form – these guys love sand fleas, clams, and small jigs worked right in the surf zone where they're rooting around for crustaceans. We'll have you reading the water, watching for subtle signs like color changes, foam lines, and bird activity that reveal where fish are feeding.
The Space Coast delivers some of Florida's most consistent shore fishing action, and each target species brings its own brand of excitement. Blacktip sharks are the workhorses of our shark program – these athletic fighters average 3-5 feet and put on spectacular aerial displays when hooked. They're most active during moving tides, especially in the late afternoon when we're fishing, and they'll test every knot and connection you've got. Bull sharks are the heavyweights, often pushing 6-8 feet and bringing serious power to the fight. These apex predators patrol the deeper channels and don't give up easy, making for heart-pounding battles that can last 20-30 minutes. They're year-round residents but most active in warmer months when baitfish are abundant.
Snook are the crown jewel of Florida inshore fishing, and the Melbourne Beach area holds some true giants. These ambush predators love structure – think pier pilings, jetties, and mangrove edges – where they wait for unsuspecting baitfish. A slot-sized snook will give you multiple runs, using its razor-sharp gill plates and powerful tail to try and cut your line on whatever cover is nearby. They're most active during dawn and dusk, but afternoon fishing can be productive when targeting deeper water and shaded areas. Black drum are the bulldogs of the flats, using their powerful bodies to pull hard and steady toward structure. These bottom-dwellers can reach impressive sizes – 30-40 pound fish aren't uncommon – and they'll test your patience and your tackle. They're year-round residents but most cooperative during cooler months when they move into shallower water to feed.
Redfish are pure aggression wrapped in copper and gold scales. These powerful fish inhabit everything from skinny water flats to deeper channels, and when they eat, they commit completely. A bull red will make multiple blistering runs, using the current and its broad tail to put maximum pressure on your gear. They're sight-fishing opportunities when working the shallows, but also respond well to cut bait in deeper water. Prime time is during moving tides when they're actively hunting crabs and small fish along structure.
Here's the bottom line: this isn't just another fishing trip – it's four hours of focused, productive angling in one of Florida's most reliable fishing destinations. Whether you're a complete beginner who needs help tying knots or an experienced angler looking to dial in your surf fishing game, we'll tailor the experience to your skill level. The afternoon timing is perfect for families or anyone who wants to avoid the early morning rush, and the private charter format means we're focused entirely on your success. Remember to grab your Florida saltwater fishing license before you arrive – you can get it online or at any tackle shop – and don't forget to bring sunscreen, a hat, and comfortable clothes you don't mind getting sandy. With our 2-week cancellation policy, you can book with confidence knowing you're covered if plans change. The Space Coast is fishing year-round, and there's never been a better time to experience what
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the bulldogs of the drum family - thick-bodied, powerful fish that can really test your tackle. Most run 15-30 pounds, but 50+ pounders show up regularly, especially in spring. You'll recognize them by their dark coloration and the chin whiskers they use to root around oyster bars and mud flats. These bottom-dwellers love shallow, muddy areas with plenty of shellfish - think oyster beds, creek mouths, and grass flats in 2-6 feet of water. Spring spawning season brings the best fishing when they school up in big numbers. What guests enjoy is their stubborn, determined fight - no flashy jumps, just pure pulling power that keeps your rod bent. The smaller ones make decent eating, though bigger fish get tough and wormy. The real appeal is their size potential and willingness to bite in tough conditions when other fish won't cooperate. Best tip I can give: use fresh blue crab or clam, fish it right on the bottom, and be patient - these fish take their time inspecting bait before committing.
Carcharhinus LimbatusBlacktip sharks are some of the most exciting fish you'll encounter from the beach. These sleek predators average 3-5 feet but can stretch over 8 feet when you hook into a big one. They're easily recognized by those distinctive black-tipped fins and their habit of jumping clean out of the water when hooked - sometimes right into the boat if you're not careful! You'll find them patrolling the surf zone and around 30-100 feet of water, especially near baitfish schools. Summer months bring the best action when water temperatures climb and baitfish are thick. What guests love most is their acrobatic fight - these sharks will tail-walk, spin, and leap repeatedly, putting on a real show. They're also relatively manageable for beginners compared to bigger shark species. Here's a tip from years of targeting them: use fresh, oily bait like mackerel or sardines, and don't set the hook too hard when you get a bite - let them take it and run first.
Carcharhinus LeucasBull sharks are the heavyweights of our local shark fishing - thick, powerful, and absolutely relentless once hooked. These gray bruisers typically run 6-8 feet and 200+ pounds, with massive heads and that signature blunt snout. What makes them unique is their ability to hunt in both salt and freshwater, often pushing way up into brackish creeks and river mouths. You'll find them year-round in our waters, but summer months when mullet runs are thick bring the most consistent action. They prefer deeper channels, inlet mouths, and areas where fresh water mixes with salt. Guests love the raw power these fish bring - no fancy jumps, just pure muscle that will test every component of your tackle. The fight is all about endurance; they'll dig deep and pull steady for what feels like forever. Pro tip: fresh eel is absolute magic for bull sharks. Its high oil content and tough skin make it irresistible, and it stays on the hook better than most baits when these giants finally show up.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are one of Florida's most prized gamefish, and for good reason. These copper-colored beauties typically run 20-35 inches along our beaches, with their signature black spots near the tail making them easy to identify. You'll find them cruising the shallows - sometimes in water so thin their backs show above the surface. They love oyster bars, grass flats, and around dock pilings where they hunt for crabs and baitfish. Spring through fall gives you the best action, especially on incoming tides when they're actively feeding. What makes redfish special is their bulldogging fight - they'll peel drag and make powerful runs that test your equipment. The smaller "slot" fish make excellent table fare with sweet, flaky meat. My local trick? Look for nervous water or tailing fish in the shallows, then cast your bait about 10 feet ahead of where they're heading. They spook easily in skinny water, so keep your distance and stay quiet.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are Florida's signature gamefish - sleek, golden flanked with that bold black lateral line running down their sides. Most fish we catch run 18-30 inches, though monsters over 40 inches patrol our waters. These ambush predators love structure, so you'll find them around docks, mangrove shorelines, bridge pilings, and inlet mouths where current brings baitfish. Summer and early fall are prime time, especially around the new and full moons when they spawn and feed aggressively. What makes snook special is their explosive strike and acrobatic fight - they'll jump, gill-rattle, and make blistering runs toward cover. Plus, they're outstanding table fare with sweet, white meat that's hard to beat. The challenge is their finicky nature and razor-sharp gill plates that can cut your line in a heartbeat. My go-to technique? Work live shrimp or pilchards around shadow lines and structure changes. When you hook up, keep steady pressure and try to turn their head away from cover - that's where most fish are lost.
Melbourne, FL