New Smyrna Beach Inshore & Nearshore Fishing
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Family-friendly inshore and nearshore fishing with Captain Todd VivianTarget fish in famous Mosquito Lagoon and surrounding watersPrivate charter experience accommodating single guest bookings
Captain Todd Vivian knows these waters like the back of his hand, and when you step aboard with Spot Stalker Charters LLC, you're getting decades of local knowledge packed into every cast. Based right here in New Smyrna Beach, this isn't your typical crowded charter boat experience – with just one angler at a time, you'll get the personalized attention that makes all the difference between going home with fish stories or just stories. From the productive flats of Mosquito Lagoon to the structure-rich nearshore waters off Ponce Inlet, Captain Todd targets the species that make Central Florida's East Coast a world-class fishing destination.
This is fishing the way it should be – no fighting for rod space or waiting your turn to land that fish of a lifetime. Captain Todd runs a tight ship focused on putting you on fish, whether that means working the grass flats for flounder, hitting the jetties for snapper, or running out to the nearshore reefs where the Spanish mackerel and bluefish are staging. The boat launches from New Smyrna Beach, giving you quick access to both the Mosquito Lagoon system and the open Atlantic. You'll cover water from Edgewater down to Port Orange, hitting the spots that are firing on any given day. Don't expect a leisurely sightseeing cruise – this is about bending rods and filling the cooler. Captain Todd reads the conditions, tides, and seasonal patterns to put you where the fish are biting, not where they were biting last week.
Depending on what's biting and where we're fishing, you'll be using everything from live bait to artificials. In the shallows, we're talking about sight fishing with jigs and soft plastics, working the grass edges where flounder lay in ambush. When we head nearshore, it's often live bait rigs with sardines or cut bait, especially around structure where the snappers hold. Captain Todd provides all the tackle, but if you've got a favorite rod or reel setup, bring it along – he's always happy to work with what makes you comfortable. The key here is matching the technique to the conditions and the target species. Some days it's slow trolling with spoons for Spanish mackerel, other days it's anchoring up and chumming for bluefish. The beauty of fishing with an experienced local guide is adapting to what's working right now, not what worked last month.
Lane Snapper: These beautiful pink and yellow striped fish are absolute customer favorites around the nearshore reefs and structure. Lane snapper typically run 8-14 inches, perfect for the dinner table, and they're aggressive feeders that'll hit cut bait, shrimp, or small jigs. Best fishing is usually spring through fall when they're staging around the hard bottom areas off New Smyrna Beach. What makes them special is their willingness to bite – when you find a school, you can often catch them one after another until your arm gets tired.
Spanish Mackerel: Fast, aggressive, and absolutely delicious, Spanish mackerel are the bread and butter of nearshore fishing here. These silver bullets typically weigh 1-3 pounds and are known for their blistering runs and acrobatic fights. They school up heavily in the warmer months, often feeding on glass minnows and sardines near the surface. You'll usually catch them trolling small spoons or casting jigs to surface activity. The bite can be so fast and furious that you'll think every fish in the ocean is a Spanish mackerel.
Southern Flounder: The ultimate ambush predator, southern flounder are prized for both their fight and their taste. These flatfish can range from keeper size around 15 inches up to doormat-sized fish over 20 inches. They love grass flats, channel edges, and structure where they can lay in wait for unsuspecting baitfish. Fall is prime time for flounder fishing as they fatten up before their offshore migration. There's nothing quite like watching a big flounder come up from the grass to crush your bait – it's like the bottom just came alive.
Bluefish: When the bluefish are running, you know it – they turn the water into a washing machine as they demolish schools of baitfish. These voracious predators typically run 2-8 pounds in our waters and are known for their bulldogging fights. Bluefish are excellent table fare when handled properly, and they're incredibly fun to catch on light tackle. They often feed in large schools, creating surface commotion that can be seen from miles away. When Captain Todd says "birds working," he's often talking about bluefish pushing bait to the surface.
Grey Snapper (Mangrove Snapper): Smart, structure-oriented, and absolutely delicious, grey snapper are the thinking angler's target. These fish are notorious for their wariness – they'll inspect your bait, follow it around, and often require finesse presentations to get them to commit. They typically range from 10-16 inches in our area, with larger fish often found around deeper structure. What makes them special is the challenge – when you outsmart a grey snapper, you've really accomplished something. They're also some of the best eating fish in the ocean, with firm white meat that's perfect for any preparation.
This is the kind of fishing experience that spoils you for anything else – personalized attention, local expertise, and waters that consistently produce quality fish. Captain Todd's calendar fills up quick, especially during prime fishing seasons, so don't wait until the last minute to secure your date. Whether you're a seasoned angler looking to dial in on specific species or someone who just wants to catch
Get ready to hit the productive waters around New Smyrna Beach aboard this well-equipped 2022 Skeeter SX240, powered by a reliable Yamaha F300 that'll get you to the fish quickly and smoothly. This fishing machine is rigged with everything you need for a successful day targeting inshore and nearshore species - from the shallow flats of Mosquito Lagoon to the deeper waters off Ponce Inlet. The wireless trolling motor lets you sneak up on spooky fish without spooking them, while the fish finder helps locate schools and structure where the action is. Stay connected with the VHF radio for safety and weather updates, and rely on the GPS to mark your best spots for future trips. The built-in icebox keeps your catch fresh and your drinks cold during those hot Florida days on the water. Whether you're sight-fishing for redfish in the lagoon or working structure for trout and flounder nearshore, this Skeeter provides the stable platform and modern electronics to make the most of your fishing adventure in some of Florida's most productive saltwater.
Pomatomus SaltatrixBluefish are aggressive predators known for their vicious feeding frenzies that can turn the water into a washing machine of activity. These blue-green torpedo-shaped fish typically weigh 5-20 pounds with razor-sharp teeth that'll cut through most anything. You'll find schools of them from the surf to nearshore waters, especially around baitfish concentrations during their summer migrations. What makes them exciting is their aggressive strikes and powerful runs, though be careful of those teeth when landing them. They're good eating when bled immediately and prepared fresh - the meat has a rich, distinct flavor that many anglers love. Watch for diving birds or surface commotion indicating a "bluefish blitz" in progress. When you find feeding fish, cast metal lures or cut bait into the frenzy and hold on tight. Use wire leaders or heavy fluorocarbon - they'll bite through regular line without hesitation.
Lutjanus GriseusGrey snappers, also called mangrove snappers, are smart, structure-loving fish that'll test your patience and skill. These copper-red fish typically run 10-14 inches inshore, though larger ones up to 20 pounds lurk in deeper water. You'll find them around docks, mangroves, reefs, and any structure that provides cover for their ambush-style feeding. They're most active at night and during warmer months when they move into shallow water to feed. What makes them popular is their wariness - they're a thinking angler's fish that requires finesse, plus their white, flaky meat is restaurant-quality. Being nocturnal feeders, they're often more cooperative in low light conditions. Here's the secret: use the smallest hook you can get away with, like a #4, with live shrimp hooked through the tail. Let it sink to the bottom near structure, then lift it just enough to stay off the bottom. When you feel that subtle tap, resist the urge to set immediately - let them take it.
Lutjanus SynagrisLane snappers are those pretty pink and silver fish with yellow-tipped fins that show up as bonus catches when targeting other species. Usually running 10-14 inches around here, they're aggressive biters that aren't too picky about hooks - makes them great for families with kids. You'll find them around reefs, grass flats, and structure in 20-60 feet, feeding on crabs, shrimp, and small baitfish. They're most active from March through September during spawning season. What people love is the fight they put up for their size, plus they're excellent eating - sweet, flaky meat that's perfect for the dinner table. Pro tip: when you're bottom fishing for grouper or other snappers, drop some cut shrimp or squid near structure at dusk. Lane snappers feed heavily at night, so that's when you'll get the best action.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern flounder are the ultimate ambush predators, lying perfectly camouflaged in sandy or muddy bottoms waiting for prey to swim by. These flatfish typically run 15-18 inches with both eyes on their left side, making them one of our more unique catches. You'll find them in shallow bays, grass flats, and around structure where they can blend into the bottom. Fall and winter are peak seasons when they're most active and feeding heavily before moving offshore. Guests love the challenge of sight fishing for them in clear water, plus they're hard to beat on the dinner table - sweet, white meat that's perfect for any recipe. The key is using live bait like bull minnows or shrimp on a light jighead, bouncing it slowly along the bottom. Keep your eyes peeled for that telltale outline or puff of sand when they spook - that's your target.
Scomberomorus MaculatusSpanish mackerel are some of the fastest fish you'll encounter inshore, hitting speeds that'll test your drag system. These silver rockets with golden spots typically run 1-2 feet long and 8-11 pounds, traveling in massive schools that can stretch for miles. Spring through fall is prime time when they migrate through our waters, often feeding near the surface around piers, jetties, and nearshore structures. What makes them popular is their blistering runs and acrobatic jumps when hooked, plus they're fantastic on the table - mild flavor that grills perfectly. You'll spot them busting bait on the surface, especially early morning and late afternoon. Here's the trick: when you see birds diving or bait jumping, get there fast but drift into position quietly. Cast shiny spoons or small jigs ahead of the school and retrieve quickly - they won't chase slow-moving baits.
New Smyrna Beach