5.0(1 Reviews)Half Day Fishing Trip In St. James City, FL
5.0(1 reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Halfday inshore fishing targeting Snook, Redfish, and TroutComfortable center console boat accommodates up to four guestsAll fishing licenses and gear provided by Captain Austin
Captain Austin knows these waters like the back of his hand, and he's ready to put you on some seriously good fish. Whether you're looking to introduce the kids to saltwater fishing or just want to get your line wet without burning a whole day, this St. James City charter delivers the goods. You'll launch from one of Southwest Florida's best-kept fishing secrets, where the backcountry meets the Gulf and the fish are always biting. Pack light, fish hard, and get ready to see why so many anglers make this their go-to trip when they want reliable action and a captain who actually cares about putting fish in the boat.
You've got two solid options here—4 hours or 6 hours, both designed to maximize your time with a rod in your hand. The morning trips kick off early when the fish are most active, while afternoon charters let you sleep in and still catch dinner. Captain Austin runs a clean center console that handles up to 4 anglers comfortably, so you're not elbow-to-elbow trying to work your bait. All your gear, tackle, and fishing licenses are included, which means you can focus on what matters—catching fish. The boat's rigged for inshore work, but don't let that fool you into thinking it's all small fish and easy fights. These waters hold some bruisers, and Austin knows exactly where to find them. Bring your own food and drinks, slather on the sunscreen, and prepare for some legitimate Florida fishing.
This isn't your typical pier fishing setup. Captain Austin runs live bait when the bite calls for it, but he's equally comfortable working artificials when the fish are aggressive. You'll be fishing structure, grass flats, and mangrove shorelines depending on conditions and what's biting best. The tackle is sized right for the fish—heavy enough to pull a big snook out of the roots, but light enough to feel every headshake from a trout. Expect to work everything from topwater plugs at dawn to live shrimp under popping corks when the action slows. Austin reads the water constantly, adjusting techniques based on tide, wind, and fish behavior. One minute you might be sight-casting to tailing redfish, the next you're working a deep hole for grouper. The boat's equipped with quality rods and reels that can handle whatever these waters throw at you, and Austin's tackle box is stocked with the baits and lures that actually work in these specific spots.
"My son and I learned a lot and had a great time!" - Richard
Gag Grouper are the heavyweight champions of this fishery, and they fight like it. These bottom-dwellers love structure and will test your drag system from the first run. Gags are most active during cooler months, typically from November through March, when they move into shallower water to feed. They're ambush predators that hit hard and dive deep, using their powerful bodies to try to cut you off in the rocks. Landing a keeper gag—anything over 24 inches—is a real accomplishment, and the table fare is absolutely top-notch. Austin knows the productive holes and ledges where these fish stack up, and he's got the tackle to get them up without losing your lunch money in broken gear.
Snook are the signature species of Southwest Florida, and for good reason. These fish are pure attitude wrapped in silver scales, with a mouth that can inhale a bait and reflexes that'll snap your line before you know what happened. They're most active during warmer months and love to ambush prey around mangroves, docks, and bridge pilings. A good snook will make multiple runs, often jumping and gill-rattling to throw the hook. The slot limit keeps you honest—they need to be between 28 and 33 inches—but a keeper snook is worth the wait. These fish are incredibly structure-oriented, so expect to lose some tackle, but when you connect with a slot fish, you'll understand why snook fishing is practically a religion down here.
Tarpon show up when conditions are right, and hooking into the "silver king" is something you'll talk about for years. These prehistoric giants can push 100 pounds or more, and they fight like fish half their age. Tarpon season peaks in late spring and early summer, but resident fish are around year-round. When a tarpon eats your bait, everything changes—your drag starts screaming, the fish goes airborne, and suddenly your relaxing fishing trip becomes an athletic event. Most tarpon are catch-and-release, but the photos and memories last forever. Austin knows how to position the boat for tarpon, and more importantly, he knows how to coach you through the fight so you actually land one of these monsters.
Redfish are the workhorses of the flats, and they're always ready to eat. These copper-colored bruisers patrol shallow water looking for crabs, shrimp, and small fish, and they're not particularly picky about what they hit. Reds are legal from 18 to 27 inches, and fish in that slot are perfect for the dinner table. They're available year-round, but fall and winter fishing can be absolutely lights-out when they school up in big numbers. A good redfish will make a solid run and keep pulling steady pressure, using that broad tail to fight every inch of the way to the boat. They're also one of the best fish for kids and beginners because they bite consistently and fight fair.
Ladyfish might not win any beauty contests, but they'll keep your rod bent when other species are being finicky. These scrappy fighters are like miniature tarpon, jumping and shaking their heads to throw the hook. They're abundant year-round and make excellent live bait for bigger predators, but they're also fun to catch on light tackle. La
Hit the waters around St. James City aboard this freshly restored 21' Cobia center console that's built for serious fishing action. The 200HP Yamaha pushes this bay boat to a max cruising speed of 50 knots, getting you to the fish fast and back to dock when the cooler's full. Perfect for up to 4 anglers, this boat handles the shallow flats and deeper waters where grouper, snook, and redfish love to hide. The wireless trolling motor keeps things quiet when you're stalking spooky fish in skinny water, while the fish finder helps locate schools and structure. An onboard icebox keeps your catch fresh and your drinks cold during those hot Florida afternoons. GPS navigation ensures you'll find the honey holes and make it back safely. Whether you're casting for ladyfish or dropping baits for snapper, this center console gives you the stable platform and modern electronics needed for a productive day on Southwest Florida's prime fishing grounds.
Mycteroperca MicrolepisGag Grouper aren't the prettiest fish in the water, but they make up for it with solid fights and great eating. Most run 20-30 inches around our reefs and wrecks, though the bigger ones can hit 50+ pounds. They love hanging around structure - think rocky bottoms, ledges, and any hard cover in 30-100 feet of water. Fall through spring gives you the best shots at them when they're more active in cooler water. What makes guests love targeting gags is that fight - once hooked, they'll try every trick to get back to their hole in the rocks. Live pinfish and cut bait work great, but here's the key: keep your drag locked tight and don't give them an inch, or they'll wrap you up in the structure every time.
Elops SaurusDon't let the nickname "poor man's tarpon" fool you - ladyfish are pure fun on light tackle. These silver bullets typically run 12-18 inches but pack serious attitude. They're everywhere in our shallow bays, canals, and around bridges, usually in schools that'll keep your rod bent all day. The beauty of ladyfish is they bite year-round and aren't picky - live shrimp, small jigs, or cut bait all work great. Kids love them because they're easy to hook and jump like crazy once on. They're related to tarpon and show it with their acrobatics. While most folks don't keep them for dinner, they make excellent cut bait for bigger fish. Quick tip: use a wire leader or heavy fluorocarbon - those small teeth are surprisingly sharp and they'll bite through light mono in a heartbeat.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the perfect inshore target - aggressive, great fighters, and excellent table fare. Most slot fish run 18-27 inches, but the big "bulls" over 30 inches will really test your drag. They love super shallow water, often cruising flats so skinny their backs show above the surface. Those distinctive black spots near the tail make them easy to identify. Spring and fall are prime time when they school up, but they bite year-round in our waters. What guests love is the variety - topwater explosions in the morning, sight-fishing the flats, or bottom fishing with live shrimp. They're not picky eaters but can be spooky in shallow water. Here's a tip: when you spot tailing reds, cast well ahead of them and let your bait sit still - movement spooks them in skinny water.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are Florida's signature inshore gamefish, and for good reason. They average 18-28 inches but the bigger females can push 40+ inches and really put up a battle. You'll find them around mangroves, docks, bridges, and anywhere there's current and structure in shallow water. They're temperature sensitive, so spring through fall are your prime months, especially around dawn and dusk when they're most active. What guests love about snook fishing is the variety - they hit topwater plugs, live shrimp, and soft plastics with equal enthusiasm. That distinctive black lateral line makes them easy to spot, and their jumping, head-shaking fights are pure excitement. Pro tip: always use a fluorocarbon leader - their gill plates are razor sharp and will cut through regular mono instantly.
Megalops AtlanticusThe "silver king" is pure adrenaline on a fishing line. These giants average 4-6 feet and 80-150 pounds around here, with some pushing 200+. They cruise shallow flats, channels, and deeper holes, often rolling on the surface where you can spot them coming. May through September is peak season when they migrate through our waters. What makes tarpon special isn't the eating - most folks release them - it's watching a 100-pound fish launch 6 feet out of the water. They're built for acrobatics and will test every knot you tie. The fight can last an hour with the big ones. My advice: when you see that first jump, bow to the king - drop your rod tip low to give slack, or those gill-rattling headshakes will throw your hook every time.
5.0 out of 5.0My son and I learned a lot and had a great time!
Fort Myers