Cedar Key Inshore Fishing: Half & Full Day Charters
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Target redfish, sea trout, and Spanish mackerel on Cedar Key flatsChoose from 4, 6, or 8hour inshore fishing adventuresAll rods, reels, and bowfishing gear provided for guests
Cedar Key's shallow flats and grass beds create some of Florida's most productive inshore fishing grounds. Taylor's Pokin' Fun puts you right in the heart of it all with half-day (4-hour), three-quarter day (6-hour), and full-day (8-hour) charters targeting the Big Bend's best species. We're talking redfish tailing in skinny water, sea trout hitting topwater baits at dawn, and black drum that'll test your drag system. This isn't a cattle boat operation – just you, one other angler, and a guide who knows every grass flat, oyster bar, and channel from Inglis down to Cedar Key. All tackle, bait, and gear come with the trip, so grab your cooler and let's go fishing.
Your day starts early when the water's calm and fish are feeding. We'll meet at the dock in Cedar Key, load up the flats boat, and head out to productive waters based on tide, weather, and what's been biting. The beauty of this fishery is its diversity – one cast might produce a keeper redfish, the next a fat sea trout or aggressive Spanish mackerel. We fish the grass flats using live shrimp, cut bait, and artificial lures depending on conditions and target species. The boat's designed for shallow water work, so we can get into spots bigger vessels can't reach. Expect to cover water, make lots of casts, and adapt techniques as we find active fish. Water depth ranges from 2 to 8 feet most of the day, with crystal clear visibility when conditions are right. Bring sunglasses, sunscreen, and prepare for some serious fishing action in one of Florida's top-rated inshore destinations.
Cedar Key flats fishing is all about reading the water and matching your approach to conditions. We primarily sight-fish and structure-fish using medium-action spinning gear rigged with circle hooks and fluorocarbon leaders. Live shrimp under popping corks work magic on sea trout over grass beds, while free-lined shrimp or small crabs target redfish cruising oyster bars. When Spanish mackerel show up, we switch to small spoons and jigs for fast action. The boat's equipped with a shallow-water anchor system and push pole for stealthy approaches to spooky fish. Bowfishing gear is also available for guests interested in targeting gar, rays, and other alternative species. Water clarity determines whether we sight-cast to visible fish or work structure blindly. During moving tides, we position near channels and drop-offs where baitfish concentrate. Your guide handles boat positioning, bait selection, and rigging – you focus on casting accuracy and fighting fish properly.
Redfish are the backbone of Cedar Key fishing, and these copper-colored bruisers love the area's shallow oyster bars and grass flats. Most fish run 18 to 28 inches with plenty of slot-size keepers, though oversized bulls over 30 inches show up regularly during cooler months. They're aggressive feeders that hit live shrimp, cut mullet, and gold spoons with authority. Best fishing happens during moving tides when they cruise structure looking for crabs and baitfish. Redfish fight hard with long runs and head-shaking jumps that'll test your drag.
Sea trout provide consistent action throughout the year, with peak numbers during spring and fall months. These spotted beauties average 14 to 20 inches, with trophy-class fish over 24 inches possible during winter. They school over grass beds in 3 to 6 feet of water, hitting live shrimp under corks and soft plastic baits. Early morning topwater action can be explosive when conditions align. Sea trout have delicate mouths, so proper hook-setting and fighting techniques are essential for landing these customer favorites.
Spanish mackerel arrive in spring and stay through fall, providing some of the most exciting light-tackle action available. These speedsters average 12 to 18 inches and hit small lures with lightning-fast strikes. They school near structure and baitfish concentrations, often jumping completely out of the water when hooked. Their razor-sharp teeth require wire leaders, and their speed makes for heart-pounding fights on light spinning gear.
Southern flounder are the area's premier table fare, lying camouflaged on sandy bottoms near grass edges and channel drop-offs. Most fish range 14 to 20 inches, with doormat-sized specimens over 24 inches caught regularly. They're ambush predators that prefer live or fresh-cut bait presented slowly along the bottom. Peak season runs from late spring through early winter when they're fattening up for offshore spawning runs.
Black drum are the heavyweights of Cedar Key flats, with fish over 30 inches common around oyster bars and deep grass edges. These bottom-feeders love live or cut crabs and put up bulldogging fights that'll wear out your arms. They feed by sound and smell, often traveling in schools that create world-class fishing opportunities when located. Best action happens during warmer months when they're actively feeding in shallow water.
Cedar Key's inshore fishing delivers year-round action with species variety that keeps every trip interesting. Whether you choose a 4-hour morning trip, 6-hour combination, or full 8-hour adventure, you'll experience some of Florida's best flats fishing with a guide who knows how to put you on fish. The 2-person limit ensures personalized attention and plenty of fishing time for everyone. All gear, tackle, and bait are included, so just bring yourself and get ready for a day of serious fishing. Deposits are non-refundable, so book early to secure your preferred dates. This renowned charter operation fills up fast during peak seasons – don
This versatile airboat cuts through Cedar Key's shallow flats and backcountry waters where trophy redfish and sea trout love to hide. Built for navigating skinny water that larger boats can't reach, she's equipped with GPS navigation and a quality fish finder to locate those productive spots along the grass beds and oyster bars. The shallow draft design gets you into prime fishing zones around mangrove shorelines and tidal creeks where the action heats up. With room for two anglers, you'll have plenty of casting space while accessing remote areas that see less fishing pressure. The quiet operation won't spook fish in crystal-clear shallows, making her ideal for sight fishing redfish cruising the flats during incoming tides.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the heavyweights of our flats, ranging from 5-30 pounds with some monsters pushing 50+. These powerful fish cruise oyster beds and shallow muddy areas using their strong jaws to crush crabs and shellfish. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning - you can actually hear them drumming underwater. They're built like bulldozers and fight accordingly, making long, steady runs that'll wear you out. The smaller ones under 15 pounds are excellent table fare with firm, white meat. Bigger fish get tough and are better released. Fresh blue crab is the ultimate bait - thread it on a circle hook and fish it right on the bottom around oyster structure. Be patient; they're deliberate feeders but worth the wait.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the kings of our shallow water game, running anywhere from schoolie-sized 18-inchers to hefty 30+ pound bulls. These copper-colored bruisers love cruising oyster bars, grass flats, and mangrove shorelines in water so shallow their backs show. Year-round fishing is good, but fall brings the best action when they school up. They're tough fighters that make powerful runs and never give up easy. The slot-sized fish (18-27 inches) are prime eating with sweet, firm meat. You can sight-fish them in skinny water or blind-cast around structure. Gold spoons and live shrimp are go-to baits, but they'll eat almost anything when feeding. Local tip: look for "redfish wakes" in shallow water - those V-shaped ripples often lead to multiple fish feeding together.
Salmo TruttaSpotted seatrout, or "specks," are one of our most popular targets around Cedar Key's grass flats. They typically run 14-20 inches with occasional 4-5 pound gator trout mixed in. You'll find them in 2-8 feet of water around grass beds, especially during moving tides. Spring through fall offers consistent action, with dawn and dusk being prime feeding times. They're scrappy fighters that jump and make good runs. The meat is delicate and tasty - just don't overcook it or it gets mushy. Live shrimp under a popping cork is hard to beat, but they also hit soft plastics and topwater plugs. Here's a local trick: fish the edges of grass beds during incoming tides when shrimp and baitfish get pushed up onto the flats.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern flounder are the masters of disguise on our flats. These flatfish typically run 15-18 inches and spend their time buried in sand and mud bottoms waiting to ambush prey. You'll find them around oyster bars, creek mouths, and shallow grass flats in 2-6 feet of water. Fall and winter are prime time when they're moving toward deeper water to spawn. What makes them fun is the challenge - they're not flashy fighters, but landing a doormat-sized flounder takes skill. The meat is excellent, white and flaky. My go-to technique is drifting live shrimp or mullet on a light jig head along the bottom. Move slowly and feel for that subtle tap - they don't slam baits like other species, so stay alert.
Scomberomorus MaculatusSpanish mackerel are fast, aggressive fish that typically run 1-3 pounds around Cedar Key, though bigger ones show up. You'll find them in schools near the surface, especially around grass flats and structure during warmer months. They hit hard and make screaming runs that'll test your drag. These silver bullets with yellow spots are some of the best eating fish out there - mild, flaky meat that's perfect grilled or blackened. Spring through fall gives you the best action when they're moving through our waters chasing baitfish. Pro tip: use a wire leader or they'll cut you off with those razor-sharp teeth. When you see birds diving, get your spoons and small jigs ready - the mackerel are usually right underneath feeding.
Cedar Key