Extended Half Day Fort Myers Inshore Fishing
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Sixhour inshore fishing adventure targeting multiple speciesExpert local captain guides through Fort Myers backwatersSmall group experience accommodating up to three guests
Looking for a solid fishing trip that gives you real time on the water without eating up your whole day? Captain Justin's 6-hour inshore adventure hits that sweet spot perfectly. You'll spend quality time working Fort Myers' most productive backwaters, where the fish are plentiful and the scenery doesn't hurt either. This isn't some rushed 4-hour deal where you barely get your line wet - we're talking about a proper fishing trip that lets you settle in, learn the water, and put some serious fish in the boat. Whether you've been fishing these waters for years or you're picking up a rod for the first time, Captain Justin knows how to put you on fish and make sure you have a great time doing it.
Six hours gives us the luxury of hitting multiple spots and really working the fish. We'll start early when the bite is hot, then adjust our game plan based on what's happening out there. Captain Justin's been fishing these Fort Myers backwaters long enough to know where the fish stack up during different tides and times of day. You'll cover a mix of grass flats, mangrove shorelines, and deeper pockets where bigger fish like to hang out. The beauty of inshore fishing here is the variety - one minute you're sight-casting to tailing redfish in two feet of water, the next you're working a deep hole for snapper or maybe even a tarpon if we get lucky. Bring whatever snacks and drinks you want, or just show up ready to fish. We keep it simple so you can focus on what matters - catching fish and having a good time on the water.
Captain Justin runs a well-equipped boat with quality gear that can handle everything from finicky seatrout to hard-fighting cobia. We'll match our approach to what's biting - live bait fishing when the bite is tough, artificial lures when the fish are aggressive, and sight-fishing when conditions are right. You'll learn to read the water, understand how tides affect fish movement, and pick up techniques that'll make you a better angler whether you're fishing here or back home. The backwaters around Fort Myers offer every type of structure you could want - oyster bars, grass beds, creek mouths, and mangrove cuts. Each spot requires a different approach, and part of the fun is figuring out the puzzle. Captain Justin provides all the tackle and bait, but feel free to bring your own rod if you've got a favorite setup. The key is staying mobile and adapting to what the fish want on any given day.
The variety of fish you can target in Fort Myers' inshore waters is what keeps anglers coming back. Redfish are the bread and butter - these copper-colored bulldogs are around year-round and always ready to eat. You'll find them cruising the flats, ambushing bait around oyster bars, and generally making life interesting. Spotted seatrout love the grass beds and drop-offs, especially during moving water. They're great eating and fun to catch on light tackle. Mangrove snapper might be smaller than their offshore cousins, but they're feisty little fighters that taste fantastic. Snook are the glamour fish - when they're biting, there's nothing quite like the strike of a good snook around structure. And then there's tarpon season, when these silver giants show up to turn your 6-hour trip into something you'll be talking about for years. Cobia are the wildcards - you never know when one might show up to test your drag and your nerve.
Grey Snapper around Fort Myers are scrappy little fighters that punch way above their weight class. These fish love structure - docks, oyster bars, mangrove roots - anywhere they can ambush passing bait. They're year-round residents, but they get more aggressive during the warmer months. Don't let their size fool you; a good mangrove snapper will test your drag and your patience. They're also some of the best eating fish in these waters, with firm white meat that's perfect for the grill.
Tarpon are the reason many anglers make the trip to Southwest Florida. These silver kings show up in force from April through July, turning the backwaters into an angler's paradise. A 100-pound tarpon in shallow water is about as exciting as fishing gets - they jump, they run, and they'll test every knot you've tied. Even if you don't land one, just having a tarpon eat your bait is something you'll remember forever. Captain Justin knows the seasonal patterns and the spots where these fish stage up.
Sea Trout are Fort Myers' most reliable inshore species. These spotted beauties love grass flats and moving water, making them perfect targets for this type of trip. They're active year-round, though spring and fall fishing tends to be most productive. Seatrout are excellent on light tackle, and they're forgiving enough that beginners can have success while still being challenging enough to keep experienced anglers interested. Plus, they're fantastic table fare when kept in good numbers.
Redfish are what put Southwest Florida on the inshore fishing map. These copper-colored drums are built for fighting - broad tails, powerful shoulders, and an attitude to match. You'll find them year-round in the Fort Myers area, though summer and fall tend to produce the biggest fish. Redfish are perfect for sight-fishing when conditions allow, and watching one eat your bait in clear, shallow water never gets old. They're also conservation success stories, with populations healthier now than they've been in decades.
Cobia are the surprise guests that can turn a good day into a great one. These brown sharks (they're not actually sharks) show up when you least expect them, often following rays or just cruising the flats looking for an easy meal. They're strong fighters that make long runs and test your gear. Cobia season peaks in
Captain Justin's 2021 C-Hawk is built for serious inshore action in Fort Myers' backwaters. This 25-foot skiff cuts through shallow flats where the big fish hide, powered by a reliable Mercury 300H that gets you to the hot spots fast. With room for just 3 anglers, you'll have plenty of space to work your lines without bumping elbows. The wireless trolling motor keeps things quiet when stalking spooky redfish and snook in skinny water, while the fish finder helps locate structure holding snapper and trout. GPS navigation means more time fishing and less time searching. The onboard icebox keeps your drinks cold and your catch fresh during those long fights with tarpon. This boat handles the technical shallow-water fishing that Fort Myers is famous for, getting you into places bigger boats can't reach where the fish are hungry and waiting.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are some of the most prized fish we target - typically 20-50 pounds with football-shaped brown bodies that guests often mistake for sharks at first glance. They're loners that cruise near structure like buoys, wrecks, and channel markers in 15-50 feet of water. Spring through fall offers the best action, especially during their migration periods. What makes cobia so sought-after is their incredible table fare - firm, white meat that tastes like a cross between grouper and mahi. They're also strong fighters that make powerful runs. These fish are curious and will often approach the boat, giving you sight-fishing opportunities. My local trick: when you spot a cobia, don't get excited and cast right at it. Instead, lead the fish by 10-20 feet and let your jig or live bait sink naturally. A 6-8 ounce bucktail jig bounced near the bottom works great around structure.
Lutjanus GriseusGrey Snapper, or Mangrove Snapper, are smart, cautious fish that typically run 1-3 pounds in our backwaters, though bigger ones lurk around deeper structure. You'll find them hanging around docks, bridges, and mangrove edges where they ambush shrimp, crabs, and small fish. They're most active at dawn, dusk, and night when they drop their guard a bit. What makes them fun to target is their excellent table fare - firm, white, flaky meat that's hard to beat. They're also sneaky fighters that'll test your patience. My local tip: once your bait hits bottom, reel up just a foot or two to keep it off the structure but in the strike zone. When you feel that tap, don't jerk - let them take it and swim off before setting the hook. These fish have great eyesight, so lighter leaders and smaller hooks work better than heavy tackle.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the bread and butter of our inshore fishing, running 18-30 inches and 3-8 pounds on average. These copper-colored bruisers with distinctive black spots love super shallow water - sometimes so shallow their backs stick out. You'll find them tailing on flats, around oyster bars, and mangrove shorelines. They bite year-round but are most active in spring and fall. What makes reds special is their power - they'll peel drag and make long runs in skinny water. Plus, they're excellent eating with mild, sweet meat. The sight fishing aspect gets anglers pumped when you spot their tails or backs in shallow water. My Fort Myers tip: look for nervous water or wakes in the shallows, especially on incoming tides. When you spot a red, cast well ahead of where it's going and let your bait settle. They spook easily in shallow water, so stay quiet and keep your distance.
Salmo TruttaSpotted Seatrout are some of the most reliable fish in our area, typically running 14-20 inches and 1-3 pounds with occasional bigger ones. These speckled beauties love grass flats, sandy potholes, and drop-offs in 2-8 feet of water. They're most active during cooler months, fall through spring, and bite well on live shrimp, soft plastics, and topwater plugs. What guests love about trout is they're great fighters for their size and make excellent table fare with sweet, flaky white meat. They're also perfect for beginners since they're usually willing biters. Best fishing happens early morning and late evening when they move shallow to feed. My local trick: work your lure slow and steady - trout prefer a wounded baitfish presentation rather than aggressive action. Focus on grass edges where the bottom changes from grass to sand, especially during moving tides.
Megalops AtlanticusTarpon are the kings of our backwaters - true giants that can reach 6-8 feet and over 100 pounds, though most we see run 30-80 pounds. These silver torpedoes cruise shallow flats, channels, and around bridges in warmer months, typically May through September. They're famous for their wild jumps and bulldogging runs that'll test your tackle and stamina. What draws anglers is the pure thrill - landing a tarpon is a bucket list experience. They're catch-and-release only since the meat isn't great, but the fight is unforgettable. Look for rolling fish on calm mornings or evenings. My go-to tip: when a tarpon jumps, bow to the fish by dropping your rod tip toward them. This prevents the line from snapping tight and breaking off. Use circle hooks with live bait like crabs or pinfish, and be ready for a workout that could last 30 minutes or more.
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