Port Orange Inshore Fishing Adventure
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Inshore fishing targeting snapper, flounder, redfish, and snookFour to eight hour trips accommodating up to four guestsCovers waters from Daytona Beach to New Smyrna Beach
Ready to get on some of the best inshore fishing Florida's east coast has to offer? Our Port Orange fishing charters run the productive waters between Daytona Beach and New Smyrna Beach, where the action stays hot year-round. Whether you're after that trophy redfish or looking to fill the cooler with quality eating fish, this stretch of coastline delivers consistently. We keep our groups small at just 4 anglers max, so you get the personalized attention and prime fishing spots that make the difference between a good day and an epic one.
Your Port Orange fishing adventure kicks off from our convenient launch point, where we'll get you rigged up and ready to fish within minutes. The waters around here are a perfect mix of grass flats, oyster bars, and deeper channels that hold fish throughout the tidal changes. Most days we'll start working the flats during moving water, then transition to structure fishing as conditions dictate. The beauty of fishing this area is the variety - one cast you might hook a slot redfish, the next could be a snook or black drum. We run 4 to 8-hour trips depending on what you're after, and trust me, even our shorter trips pack in plenty of action. The boat's equipped with everything you need, from quality rods and reels to a full selection of baits and lures that produce in these waters.
We fish these inshore waters using a mix of live bait and artificial lures, depending on what the fish are telling us. Live shrimp is our go-to for most species, especially when worked around docks and structure where snook and redfish like to ambush prey. For the flats fishing, we'll often switch to soft plastics and spoons that let us cover water efficiently while staying in that shallow zone where the big fish feed. The tackle we use is perfectly matched to these waters - spinning gear in the 3000 to 4000 size range with 15-20 pound braid that can handle the inevitable oyster bar encounters. When we're targeting tarpon or bigger black drum, we'll bump up to heavier gear that can handle the fight. Circle hooks are standard for live bait fishing, which means better hookups and easier releases when we're working with fish that need to go back in the water.
Spotted Weakfish: These silver beauties are making a real comeback in our waters, and they're absolute blast on light tackle. Weakfish typically run 2-4 pounds in our area, with occasional fish pushing 6 pounds or better. They're most active during cooler months from November through March, often found in deeper grass beds and channel edges. What makes them special is that soft mouth and the way they fight - lots of head shakes and runs that'll test your drag settings. Plus, they're excellent table fare when handled properly.
Snook: The king of our inshore waters, snook are what every angler dreams about hooking. These fish average 24-28 inches around Port Orange, with plenty of slot fish and the occasional bruiser over 35 inches. Summer months are prime time when they're actively feeding around docks and mangrove shorelines. Snook are ambush predators that love live bait presented near structure, and when they hit, you'll know it. That gill-rattling jump and powerful runs toward cover make every snook fight memorable. They're catch and release only during certain seasons, which helps keep the population strong.
Black Drum: Don't let anyone tell you drum don't fight - these fish are pure muscle and determination. We see black drum from schoolie size up to 40-pound bulls, with the bigger fish showing up more in fall and winter months. They're bottom feeders that love crabs, shrimp, and cut bait worked slowly near structure. The smaller fish make excellent eating, while the big breeders put up fights that'll leave your arms burning. Black drum are also one of the most reliable species in our waters, so they're perfect when you need some action to keep the day interesting.
Tarpon: From May through September, we get shots at the silver king that make Port Orange fishing legendary. Most of our tarpon run 60-120 pounds, though we see fish up to 150 pounds when conditions align perfectly. These fish are pure adrenaline - nothing prepares you for that first jump when a tarpon comes completely out of the water shaking its head. We target them with live crabs and large swimbaits around deeper channels and bridge areas. Every tarpon is released, but the photos and memories last forever. Fair warning: once you hook your first tarpon, you'll be planning your next trip before this one's over.
Redfish: The backbone of our inshore fishery, redfish are available year-round and always ready to eat. Our reds typically run 18-27 inches, with those coveted slot fish being perfect for the dinner table. Spring and fall see the biggest concentrations as fish move onto the flats to feed. Redfish are incredibly visual feeders, often found tailing in shallow water where you can sight-cast to individual fish. They'll eat live bait, soft plastics, and spoons with equal enthusiasm. The fight combines powerful runs with that classic red drum head-shaking that makes your rod tip dance. Plus, they're one of the best eating fish in these waters when prepared fresh.
Port Orange inshore fishing delivers the goods whether you're a seasoned angler or just getting started. The fish are here, the techniques are proven, and the memories are waiting to be made. Our top-rated charter service focuses on putting you on fish while sharing the local knowledge that makes the difference between hoping and knowing where to cast. With small group sizes and flexible trip lengths, we can customize your day on the water to match exactly what you're after
Meet "Earn It," our 2022 Key Largo 22' center console that's built for serious fishing along Florida's Space Coast. This boat cruises comfortably at 18 knots and can hit 33 knots when you need to chase the action from Daytona down to Cocoa Beach. What sets us apart is our fish-finding arsenal - dual sonars with side scan technology that let us track down exactly what's swimming below. We've logged over 19,000 waypoints covering every productive spot between Daytona and Cocoa Beach, so whether you're after snapper hiding around structure, flounder cruising the flats, or targeting redfish and snook in the backcountry, we know where to find them. The boat handles up to 4 anglers comfortably and comes equipped with everything you need for a productive day on the water. There's a large icebox to keep your catch fresh and drinks cold, plus a wireless trolling motor for those stealthy approaches to spooky fish. GPS navigation keeps us on the productive spots, while VHF radio ensures we stay connected. The fish finder gives you a front-row seat to what's happening underwater. Port Orange's inshore waters offer some of Florida's best fishing, and this setup gets you to the hot spots quickly and quietly.
Pogonias CromisThese chunky bottom-dwellers are the heavyweights of the drum family, averaging 5-30 pounds with some monsters pushing 90+ pounds. They're gray to black with powerful jaws built for crushing oysters and crabs. You'll find them on shallow muddy flats, around oyster beds, and near structure in brackish waters. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning - that's when you'll hear their distinctive drumming sounds underwater. Guests love the strong, steady fight they put up. Keep fish under 15 pounds for the table - bigger ones get tough and stringy. My go-to tip: use fresh blue crab and fish right on the bottom. They're methodical feeders, so be patient and keep that bait still.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the bread and butter of our inshore fishing, and they're built for shallow water action. These copper-colored fighters with the distinctive black eyespot near their tail typically run 20-30 inches. They love super shallow flats, oyster bars, and grass beds - sometimes so shallow their backs show above water. Fall and spring are peak times when they school up and feed aggressively. What makes them special is they'll eat almost anything and fight hard in skinny water. Plus, they taste great on the table. My secret: look for nervous water and mullet getting pushed around - that's usually reds feeding below. Work your bait slow and steady through the strike zone.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are one of our most sought-after gamefish, and for good reason. These silver-sided fighters with that distinctive black lateral line average 1-2 feet but can push 4+ feet and serious weight. They love structure - mangroves, docks, bridges, and creek mouths in both salt and brackish water. May through September is peak season when they spawn and their fins turn bright yellow. What gets anglers hooked is their explosive topwater strikes and acrobatic fights. They're temperature sensitive, so focus on deeper holes when it's cool. Here's the key: work your lure slowly around cover, then speed up when they show interest - that fleeing baitfish action triggers aggressive strikes.
Cynoscion NebulosusAlso called spotted seatrout, these silver beauties with dark spots along their backs are actually part of the drum family. Most run 12-16 inches, but we see some pushing 3+ feet in our waters. They're ambush predators that love shallow grass flats, sandy bottoms, and around structure in 5-30 feet of water. Spring through fall fishing is prime when they're actively feeding on shrimp, pinfish, and mullet. What makes them fun is they'll hit topwater lures aggressively and make decent runs when hooked. The meat has great flavor when cooked fresh. Pro tip: their mouths are soft, so keep steady pressure without jerking - too much force and they'll pull right off the hook.
Megalops AtlanticusThe "silver king" is pure adrenaline on a fishing line. These prehistoric giants average 80-100 pounds and can hit 8 feet long, living up to 50 years. They migrate through our waters May through October, holding in deeper channels, around bridges, and rolling on the flats. What makes them legendary is those heart-stopping jumps - they can clear 10 feet of water trying to throw your hook. Most folks release them since they're bony and not great eating. The fight is what you're after - pure athletic power. Best tip I can give: when they jump, bow to the fish by dropping your rod tip toward them. Keeps tension off the line so they can't use that jump to break free.
Port Canaveral, 445 Challenger Rd, Unit 301, Cape Canaveral, FL 32920, United States