Half-Day Florida Inshore Fishing Charter
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fourhour inshore charter targeting redfish, snook, and troutAll equipment, licenses, bait, and refreshments included onboardSmall group experience with maximum two guests per trip
Picture this: you're casting into Florida's productive inshore waters, targeting some of the most sought-after gamefish in the state. This 4-hour charter with Surreel Fishing Adventures puts you right in the heart of prime redfish, snook, and trout territory. With just 2 anglers max, you'll get personalized attention from your captain and plenty of room to work your lines. We're talking about waters where an inshore slam isn't just possible – it happens regularly. Your captain knows exactly where these fish hang out and when they're most likely to bite.
This isn't your typical crowded party boat experience. With only 2 guests aboard, you'll have the captain's full attention and can actually learn something while you're out there. We launch early to beat the crowds and hit the prime feeding times when fish are most active. The boat comes fully rigged with quality rods and reels, plus all the tackle you'll need for whatever we're targeting that day. Your captain handles the fishing licenses, keeps the cooler stocked with ice and water, and makes sure your catch stays fresh from hook to dock. The focus here is on putting you on fish – whether that's working the mangrove shorelines for snook, drifting grass flats for trout, or sight-fishing tailing reds in shallow water.
Florida inshore fishing is all about reading the water and adapting your approach. Depending on conditions and what's biting, we might be throwing live shrimp under popping corks over grass beds, working soft plastics around oyster bars, or sight-casting to cruising fish in skinny water. The captain will teach you how to read the signs – bird activity, bait movement, and water color changes that reveal where gamefish are feeding. We use circle hooks for better fish survival and carry a variety of baits from live shrimp and pilchards to artificial lures that match the local forage. The beauty of inshore fishing is the variety – one minute you're working a topwater plug at dawn, the next you're bouncing a jig head along the bottom structure.
Redfish are the bread and butter of Florida inshore fishing, and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers average 20-30 inches and fight like freight trains once hooked. Spring through fall offers the best action, especially during the warmer months when they school up in shallow water. What makes reds special is their willingness to eat just about anything – live bait, artificials, even topwater lures when they're really fired up. Plus, they're excellent table fare when kept within slot limits.
Snook are the crown jewel of Florida gamefish, and landing one is always a highlight. These ambush predators love structure – docks, mangroves, bridges, and oyster bars where they can surprise unsuspecting baitfish. They're incredibly acrobatic fighters, often jumping multiple times and making blistering runs toward cover. Summer months bring the best snook action as water temperatures climb, but they can be caught year-round in South Florida. Their distinctive black lateral line and sloped snout make them unmistakable.
Spotted Sea Trout are perfectly designed for grass flat environments, and Florida's waters produce some beautiful specimens. They're relatively easy to target, making them perfect for newer anglers, but don't mistake that for boring – a nice gator trout will test your drag and make some serious runs. They feed actively in cooler months and early mornings, often giving away their location with surface strikes. Their delicate mouths require a gentle touch, but their willingness to bite artificials makes them a favorite among light tackle enthusiasts.
Southern Flounder are the chameleons of the flats, perfectly camouflaged against sandy bottoms where they ambush prey. These flatfish are masters of disguise and can be tricky to target, but that's what makes them so rewarding when you connect. Fall months typically produce the best flounder action as they fatten up before their offshore spawning migration. They're phenomenal table fare and fighting one feels completely different from the typical gamefish – more like wrestling a dinner plate that's determined to get back to the bottom.
Gag Grouper represent the nearshore component of this trip, typically found around structure in slightly deeper water. These hard-fighting bottom dwellers are prized for their incredible eating quality and stubborn fighting style. They'll try to get back to their rocky homes the instant they feel the hook, making for an intense tug-of-war. Peak season runs from late fall through early spring when they move into shallower waters, but resident fish can be found year-round around artificial reefs and natural bottom structure.
This 4-hour charter hits the sweet spot between a quick trip and an all-day commitment, giving you enough time to target multiple species without wearing yourself out. The intimate 2-person capacity means you're not fighting for rod space or waiting your turn to fight a fish. Everything's included except your sunscreen and camera – though you'll definitely want both. Whether you're a local looking to dial in your technique or a visitor wanting to experience world-class inshore fishing, this trip delivers the goods. Florida's inshore waters are productive year-round, and with an experienced captain putting you on fish, you're set up for success from the moment you leave the dock.
This 2021 Skeeter 23' bay boat is your ticket to serious inshore fishing action in Florida waters. Built for performance with a powerful 250HP Yamaha engine that'll get you to the fishing grounds fast at up to 60 knots. The boat's equipped with everything you need for a productive day chasing redfish, snook, and trout - including a fish finder to locate your targets, GPS navigation, and a wireless trolling motor for stealthy approaches in shallow water. An onboard icebox keeps your catch fresh and drinks cold, while the multimedia system adds some entertainment between bites. This versatile bay boat handles Florida's inshore waters like a dream, whether you're working grass flats for reds or targeting snook around structure. With space for your small group and all the fishing gear, it's the perfect platform for landing that coveted inshore slam.
Mycteroperca MicrolepisGag Grouper are the bruisers of rocky bottom and offshore structure. These guys average around 20 inches but can hit 50+ inches and 80 pounds. You'll find them around reefs, wrecks, and ledges in 30-100+ feet of water. They love live pinfish, mullet, and cut bait, but once hooked, they'll try their hardest to get back to their hole in the rocks. Spring through fall offers the best action when they're actively feeding. What guests love about gags is the initial strike and that powerful run toward structure - it's a real tug-of-war. Plus, they're fantastic table fare with firm, white meat. The key trick I always share: once you hook up, keep that rod low and reel hard immediately. Don't give them a chance to reach cover or you'll lose them every time.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the backbone of Florida's inshore slam, recognized by their copper-bronze color and distinctive black spots near the tail. These powerful fish average 20-30 inches in the shallows, with bigger bulls offshore. They thrive in 1-4 feet of water around oyster bars, mangroves, and grass flats - sometimes so shallow their backs show above water. Fall and spring offer peak action when they school up in big numbers. What makes reds special is their bulldogging fight and that heart-stopping moment when they crash a topwater lure in skinny water. They're also top-notch table fare up to about 27 inches. Year-round fishing means consistent action regardless of season. Pro tip: look for "waking" fish pushing water or tailing in the shallows. Approach quietly and cast ahead of their direction - they spook easily in shallow water.
Salmo TruttaSea Trout, or Speckled Trout, are one of Florida's most reliable inshore targets. These spotted beauties typically run 14-24 inches with some reaching 5+ pounds. You'll find them over grass flats, around oyster bars, and in shallow bays from 2-15 feet deep. They're active year-round but really turn on during spring and fall. Winter finds them schooled up in deeper channels. What anglers love about trout is their willingness to bite artificials - they'll hit topwater plugs, soft plastics, and live shrimp with equal enthusiasm. They're also excellent eating with tender, mild-flavored meat. The key is not to overcook them since the flesh is delicate. Here's my favorite technique: work a popping cork with live shrimp over grass beds early morning or late evening. The sound brings them up from cover.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are Florida's signature inshore gamefish, known for that distinct black lateral line and aggressive strikes. These sleek predators average 18-24 inches but can reach over 40 inches. You'll find them around mangroves, docks, bridges, and inlet mouths in water from 2-20 feet deep. They're most active during warmer months, especially around new and full moons when they spawn from May through September. What makes snook special is their explosive topwater strikes and strong runs - they'll jump and bulldoze through cover. They're also premium table fare with sweet, flaky white meat. The water temperature is critical though - anything below 60°F and they get sluggish. My go-to tip: work live shrimp or pilchards along mangrove edges during moving tides. The bite often happens right at the tide change.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern Flounder are masters of disguise, lying flat on sandy and muddy bottoms in shallow bays, estuaries, and nearshore waters up to 60 feet. These ambush predators can change color to match their surroundings perfectly. Most run 15-18 inches, but we've seen some push over 30 inches and 20+ pounds. They're active year-round in Florida, with fall and winter being prime time when they move to deeper channels and passes for spawning. What makes them special is their unique fight - they'll give you solid runs once hooked, plus they're some of the best eating fish around with sweet, white meat. Here's a local trick: when drift fishing over structure, keep your bait moving slowly just off the bottom. Dead-sticking won't cut it with these fish.
Florida