5.0(4 Reviews)Inshore Redfish and Sea Trout Fishing Charter
5.0(4 reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Six-hour inshore charter targets redfish and sea trout near Cape CoralAll fishing gear, licenses, and bait provided for complete fishing experienceAccommodates up to four anglers with optional fifth guest capacity
Get ready for some serious fishing action in the backcountry waters around Cape Coral. This 6-hour inshore charter takes you to the prime spots where redfish, sea trout, and snook love to hang out – the mangrove creeks, grass flats, and oyster bars that make Southwest Florida legendary among anglers. Captain Scott knows these waters like the back of his hand and has been putting clients on fish for years. Whether you're bringing the kids for their first real fishing adventure or you're a seasoned angler looking to bend some rods, this trip delivers the goods. We'll hit the productive waters near Fort Myers and St. James City, targeting structure and cover where the fish stack up to feed.
Your day starts early when Captain Scott picks you up at the dock with all the gear you'll need – rods, reels, tackle, bait, and even your fishing license is covered. The boat comfortably handles four anglers with room for a fifth if needed, so there's plenty of space to fish without getting tangled up. You'll cruise through scenic mangrove tunnels and across shallow flats where the water is crystal clear and you can actually see the fish before you cast to them. The captain will position the boat using his trolling motor to stay quiet and give everyone the best shot at hooking up. Bring your own food and drinks since this is a full-day adventure – there's nothing like eating lunch on the boat after landing a few keeper fish. The pace is relaxed but focused, with plenty of time to learn proper techniques and enjoy the beautiful Florida backcountry.
This is all about sight fishing and working structure with live and artificial baits. Captain Scott riggs you up with everything from live shrimp and pinfish to soft plastics and topwater plugs depending on conditions and what the fish are eating. You'll learn to cast to mangrove edges where snook ambush prey, work the grass flats methodically for sea trout, and sight cast to tailing redfish in super shallow water. The tackle is medium-light spinning gear that's perfect for these inshore species – sensitive enough to feel every bite but with enough backbone to turn a big red away from the mangroves. Techniques include drift fishing over grass beds, anchoring near structure, and making precise casts to visible fish. The captain handles all the boat positioning and net work, so you can focus on feeling for bites and setting hooks. He'll also clean your catch at the end of the trip so you can take fresh fillets home for dinner.
"Captain Scott was so patient with our twin boys aged 9. He was well prepared and knowledgeable about the area. He was professional and arrived on time." - Katy "My family and I have fished with Scott during April school vacation the past two years. The kids always have a blast with plenty of action on Reds, Snook, and Trout. It's always great to go home with some fresh fish from the trip for dinner. Highly recommend! Dad might need to book a trip for himself for a tarpon one of these days. 😂" - Andrew "Scott is an amazing guide and has put me on tons of fish both times I've used his charter. Would highly recommend checking out his services whether you are an experienced fisherman or if it's your first time on the water. He will put you on them." - Isaiah
Redfish are the bread and butter of Southwest Florida inshore fishing, and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers range from 18 to 40+ inches and fight like freight trains once hooked. They feed heavily in shallow water, especially around oyster bars and mangrove shorelines where they root around for crabs and shrimp. Fall and winter months are prime time when big schools of reds move into the backcountry to feed before spawning. What makes them so exciting is that you can often see them before you cast – watching their backs and tails break the surface as they feed in water so shallow it barely covers their bodies. When a slot red takes your bait and makes that first screaming run toward the nearest structure, you'll understand why anglers get addicted to this fishery.
Sea trout are the most cooperative species you'll encounter on these flats, and they're absolutely delicious on the table. These spotted beauties typically run 14 to 20 inches and have mouths full of sharp teeth that'll slice through light leaders if you're not careful. They love grass flats in 2 to 6 feet of water and will hit both live shrimp and artificial lures with enthusiasm. Spring through fall offers the best action, with early morning and late afternoon being magic time when they feed aggressively. Sea trout are perfect for beginners because they bite readily and don't require pinpoint casting accuracy – you can cover water and pick up multiple fish from the same spot. Their soft mouths mean you need to keep steady pressure without horsing them, making each fight a lesson in finesse fishing.
Snook are the crown jewel of Florida inshore fishing and the species that keeps guides coming back year after year. These ambush predators lurk around mangrove overhangs, dock pilings, and creek mouths waiting to crush anything that swims by. They're incredibly structure-oriented, so accurate casting is essential – sometimes you need to drop your bait within inches of cover to get bit. Snook are notorious for their gill-rattling jumps and their ability to cut you off in the mangroves if you give them an inch of slack line. The slot limit protects the breeding population, but a keeper snook between 28 and 33 inches makes incredible table fare. Summer months offer the most consistent action, though they can be caught year-round in these protected waters. What makes them special is their explosive strikes and acrobatic fights – plus the satisfaction of making a perfect cast to heavy cover and getting rewarded with a
Our 23' Hanson bay boat is built for serious inshore fishing around Cape Coral's productive waters. This 2018 model runs on a reliable 175HP Suzuki that'll get you to the best redfish and sea trout spots quickly, cruising at up to 40 knots. The wireless trolling motor lets you slip quietly through shallow mangrove creeks where the fish hang out, while GPS and fish finder tech help locate schools and structure. Perfect for up to 4 anglers with room for a fifth, this boat handles the skinny water flats and deeper channels with equal ease. Whether you're sight-casting to tailing reds or drifting grass beds for trout, she's got the stability and features to make your day on the water productive. All fishing gear, licenses, and bait included – just bring your appetite for action.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the backbone of our Cape Coral inshore fishing, and for good reason. These copper-colored fish with distinctive black spots average 20-32 inches, with some bulls reaching 40+ inches and serious weight. They cruise super shallow flats, often in just 1-3 feet around oyster bars, mangroves, and grass beds. You can target them year-round, but fall and winter offer the most consistent fishing when they school up. Reds are powerful fighters that make long runs and never give up easy. They're also fantastic on the table with sweet, firm meat. Local tip: look for "tailing" reds - when you see their tails sticking up as they feed head-down in shallow water. Approach quietly and drop your bait right in front of their nose for an almost guaranteed hookup.
Salmo TruttaAround Cape Coral waters, we call them speckled trout, and they're perfect for anglers wanting steady action. These spotted silver fish usually run 12-20 inches, with some nice ones hitting 24+ inches. You'll find them over grass flats in 3-8 feet of water, especially around deeper potholes and channel edges. They bite year-round but really turn on during cooler months when they school up tight. Trout are scrappy fighters with a soft mouth, so you need to play them carefully. They make excellent table fare - mild, flaky white meat that's hard to beat. My go-to technique is drifting live shrimp under a popping cork over grass beds. The key is keeping your drag light and using a sharp hook since their mouths are soft and tear easily.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are one of our most sought-after inshore targets around Cape Coral. These golden beauties with that signature black lateral line typically run 18-28 inches, though we see some real bruisers pushing 40+ inches. They love hanging around mangroves, docks, and structure in 2-6 feet of water. Spring through fall gives you the best action, especially during moving tides. What makes snook special is their explosive strike and bulldogging fight - they'll run straight into cover if you let them. Plus, they're great eating with firm, white meat. Here's a local trick: cast your live shrimp or soft plastic right into the shadows under mangrove overhangs. That's where the big ones ambush their prey. Most anglers fish too far out from structure.
5.0 out of 5.0Captain Scott was so patient with our twin boys aged 9. He was well prepared and knowledgeable about the area. He was professional...
My family and I have fished with Scott during April school vacation the past two years. The kids always have a blast with plenty o...
Scott is an amazing guide and has put me on tons of fish both times I’ve used his charter. Would highly recommend checking out his...
Enjoyable trip. Captain was knowledgeable and personable and made for a great trip. Would definitely recommend.
Cape Coral