5.0(3 Reviews)Inshore Port Orange Fishing Charters
5.0(3 reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Sixhour inshore fishing charter targets premium local speciesExpert guides provide topquality gear for successful catchesSmall group capacity ensures personalized fishing experience
Picture this: you're casting into crystal-clear Florida waters while the morning sun paints the sky, and within minutes you're battling a hefty redfish that's making your drag scream. That's what waiting for you on this 6-hour inshore fishing charter in Port Orange. Captain Aaron knows these waters like the back of his hand, and he's going to put you on fish that'll make your arms ache in the best way possible. With room for just two anglers, this isn't some crowded party boat – it's your personal ticket to some of the most productive inshore fishing Florida has to offer. We're talking about prime feeding grounds where black drum, blacktip sharks, gag grouper, redfish, and southern flounder call home.
Six hours gives us plenty of time to work different spots and put you on a variety of fish. We'll start early when the bite is hot, moving between grass flats, oyster bars, and deeper channels where these fish love to hunt. The beauty of inshore fishing in Port Orange is the diversity – one minute you're sight-casting to tailing redfish in knee-deep water, the next you're dropping baits in structure for grouper. Captain Aaron runs a well-equipped boat with all the tackle you'll need, from light spinning gear for flounder to heavier setups when we're targeting sharks and drum. The Mosquito Lagoon and surrounding waters offer protected fishing most days, so you won't be getting beat up by rough seas. Instead, you'll be focused on what matters – hooking fish and having a blast doing it.
We fish smart here, matching our approach to what the fish are doing. Live bait is king in these waters – we'll have fresh shrimp, finger mullet, and mud minnows ready to go. When the redfish are cruising the flats, we'll use lighter tackle and make precise casts to avoid spooking them. For the bigger black drum hanging around structure, we'll bump up to heavier gear and let them take those baits down to the bottom where they like to feed. Artificial lures have their place too, especially when we're covering water looking for active fish. Soft plastics rigged weedless work great in the grass, while spoons and topwater plugs can trigger explosive strikes when conditions are right. Captain Aaron will handle all the rigging and re-baiting – your job is to hold on when something big decides to eat.
"Great in shore trip with Capt. Aaron! We caught 25 or so fish and had a blast. We'll be back." - Robert "Had a great time fishing! Capt Aaron was very knowledgeable! Worked hard to keep fresh bait on the lines as we were catching alot of fish. Highly recommend! We will be definitely be returning!" - Amanda "Another great day on the water today with Captain Aaron. As earlier in the week he put us on fish again. And my favorite, flounder. Pictures show the keepers." - Mark Kaercher
Redfish are the stars of the show here in Port Orange waters. These copper-colored bruisers typically run anywhere from 18 to 35 inches, with the slot-sized fish being perfect for the dinner table. Fall and winter months see them schooling up in massive numbers, creating some of the most exciting sight-fishing opportunities you'll find anywhere. What makes reds so special is their fight – they'll make long, powerful runs and use their broad sides to pull hard against the current. Plus, they're not picky eaters, readily taking live shrimp, cut bait, and a variety of artificials.
Blacktip sharks bring the adrenaline factor to this trip. These athletic predators average 3 to 5 feet and are absolutely explosive when hooked. They'll jump, spin, and make blistering runs that'll test your tackle and your nerves. Spring through fall is prime time for blacktips in our area, and they're often found cruising the same flats where we target redfish. The fight is what anglers remember most – there's nothing quite like having a shark go airborne just yards from the boat.
Southern flounder are the masters of disguise, lying perfectly camouflaged on sandy bottoms waiting to ambush prey. These flatfish typically range from 14 to 20 inches, with doormat-sized fish pushing 3 to 5 pounds. Cooler months are prime time for flounder fishing, when they're fattening up before their offshore spawning run. What makes them so rewarding to catch is the finesse required – you need to feel that subtle tick when they mouth the bait, then give them time to turn it before setting the hook. Plus, few fish taste better on the table.
Gag grouper are the bullies of the structure, using their powerful jaws and stocky build to muscle back down to the rocks when hooked. In the inshore waters around Port Orange, we typically find smaller gags in the 16 to 20-inch range around oyster bars and bridge pilings. They're ambush predators that inhale baits quickly, so you need to be ready to set the hook and apply pressure immediately. The fight happens in short, powerful surges as they try to cut your line on whatever structure they call home.
Black drum are the gentle giants of the inshore world, with fish commonly reaching 20 to 40 pounds in our waters. These bottom-dwellers use their powerful pharyngeal teeth to crush oysters, crabs, and other shellfish, making them incredibly strong fighters. Winter and spring offer the best opportunities for big drum, when they gather in deeper channels and around structure to spawn. What anglers love about drum fishing is the steady, methodical fight – they don't jump or make flashy runs, but they'll pull consistently and test your endurance on every hookup
This 24' Carolina Skiff is built for serious inshore fishing around Port Orange waters. Twin 135HP Honda engines give you the power to reach prime fishing spots quickly, while the wireless trolling motor lets you move quietly through shallow areas where redfish and flounder like to hide. Two onboard coolers keep your catch fresh and drinks cold during those long hours on the water. The fish finder helps locate schools of black drum and gag grouper, while GPS navigation ensures you can return to productive spots. With space for up to 6 anglers, this boat handles everything from casting to structure for grouper to working the flats for reds and flounder. A toilet is available if needed during your 6-hour adventure. The shallow draft design gets you into backwater areas where bigger boats can't follow, giving you access to some of the best inshore fishing Port Orange has to offer.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the powerhouse fighters of our shallow water fishing. These silver-black bruisers commonly run 10-30 pounds, with some monsters pushing 50+ pounds. They're bottom feeders with crushing jaws perfect for munching crabs and oysters. You'll find them around oyster beds, muddy flats, and creek mouths in water from 2-20 feet deep. Spring is dynamite when they school up for spawning - that's when you hear their distinctive drumming sounds underwater. What makes drum fishing addictive is that steady, bulldogging fight and the chance at a true trophy. Smaller ones under 15 pounds are excellent eating, but the big ones get tough and are better released. They're also great for kids since they bite well and fight hard without jumping. The go-to bait is fresh blue crab - peeler crabs are like candy to them. Here's the trick: use just enough weight to hold bottom and be patient. Drum bites feel like someone picking up your sinker, then they'll take off on a serious run.
Carcharhinus LimbatusBlacktip sharks are the adrenaline rush of our inshore trips. These sleek predators average 4-5 feet but can hit 8+ feet, and they're famous for those spectacular jumps when hooked - sometimes launching 20 feet out of the water. You'll find them cruising in 10-30 feet around structure like artificial reefs and jetties, especially during warmer months from spring through early fall. They're actually pretty timid despite their reputation, often hanging back until the chum gets them fired up. What guests love is that raw power and aerial show - there's nothing quite like watching a blacktip clear the water three times in a row. They're also surprisingly good eating if you bleed them quickly. The key to hooking up is getting that chum slick going with oily bait like mackerel or sardines. Once you see those distinctive black-tipped fins cutting the surface, get ready for a wild ride. Heavy tackle is a must - these fish will test your drag system.
Mycteroperca MicrolepisGag grouper are the bulldogs of our inshore structure fishing. These chunky fighters average 20 inches but can push 40+ inches and really test your tackle. You'll recognize them by their mottled gray pattern - females are lighter with wavy markings while males are darker with a reticulated dorsal fin. They love hanging around hard bottom, rock piles, ledges, and any structure that offers cover in 20-80 feet of water. Spring and fall are peak seasons when they move inshore to feed heavily. What makes gags so fun is that initial strike and then the fight to keep them out of the rocks - they'll dive straight for cover the second they feel the hook. They're also top-shelf table fare with firm, white meat. The secret is getting your bait down fast and keeping steady pressure once hooked. Live pinfish and mullet are hard to beat, but cut bait works too. Pro tip: keep your rod tip low and reel locked tight when you hook up - don't give them an inch or they'll wrap you around the bottom structure every time.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are hands down one of the most popular targets in our shallow waters around Port Orange. These copper-colored beauties average 20-30 inches and pack a serious punch when hooked. You'll spot them by their distinctive black spots near the tail and that bronze back that fades to white underneath. They love super shallow water - sometimes so shallow their backs show above the surface. Look for them around oyster bars, grass flats, and dock pilings in 1-4 feet of water. Spring through fall offers the best action when they're actively feeding. What makes redfish special is that explosive strike and bulldogging fight - they'll try to wrap you around every piling they can find. Plus, they're excellent table fare with sweet, flaky meat. Pro tip: when you see them tailing in shallow water, cast your bait about 3 feet ahead of where they're moving - they spook easily but can't resist a well-placed shrimp or mullet.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern flounder are the masters of disguise on our sandy bottoms and mud flats. These flatfish typically run 15-18 inches, though we see some pushing 3 feet and 20+ pounds. Both eyes sit on their left side, giving them that unique "doormat" look. They're ambush predators, burying themselves in sand or mud near creek mouths, oyster bars, and around structure in shallow bays. Fall is prime time when they're fattening up before their offshore spawn, but we catch them year-round. What's cool about flounder fishing is it's like hunting - you're looking for that subtle tap as they grab your bait. They're also some of the best eating fish in our waters, with sweet white meat perfect for the dinner table. The trick is keeping your bait moving slowly along the bottom. Bull minnows and finger mullet work great, but here's an insider tip: drag a mud minnow or shrimp on a light jig head right through those sandy potholes between grass beds. That's where the big ones hide.
5.0 out of 5.0Great in shore trip with Capt. Aaron! We caught 25 or so fish and had a blast. We'll be back.
Great in shore trip with Capt. Aaron. We caught 25 or so fish and had a blast!
Robert Brabo, Thank you! it was my pleasure to have you guys out today.
Had a great time fishing! Capt Aaron was very knowledgeable! Worked hard to keep fresh bait on the lines as we were catching alot ...
Thank you! it was a great time fishing with you guys.
Another great day on the water today with Captain Aaron. As earlier in the week he put us on fish again. And my favorite, flounder...
Port Orange