Two Day Tarpon Fishing Charter in Florida
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Two-day tarpon charter with overnight stay onboardTarget tarpon, permit, snook, and Spanish mackerelAll gear provided for up to three guests
Captain Steve Gould knows what serious anglers want – more time on the water and less rushing around. His two-day tarpon charter out of Goodland is built for folks who understand that the best fishing happens when you're not watching the clock. Starting bright and early at 7:00 AM, you'll have nearly 48 hours to work the flats and channels where monster tarpon roll, plus get shots at permit, snook, sheepshead, and Spanish mackerel. With an overnight stay right on the boat, you're maximizing every fishing hour instead of burning daylight running back to the dock. At $950 for up to three anglers, it's a solid deal for prime Southwest Florida fishing with all gear included.
This isn't your typical half-day rush job where you barely get your lines wet before heading home. Captain Steve's setup gives you the luxury of time – something every angler craves but rarely gets. You'll start each morning positioned in prime tarpon waters before the crowds show up, working the early bite when these silver kings are most active. The overnight component means no long boat rides eating into fishing time, and you can hit different spots based on tides, weather, and what's biting. Expect to cover a mix of shallow flats, deeper channels, and structure where different species hang out. The pace is relaxed but focused – perfect for anglers who want to fish smart, not just fish hard. Goodland's location puts you close to some of the most productive inshore waters in Southwest Florida, and Steve knows exactly where to position the boat for each target species.
Captain Steve runs a versatile operation that covers all the bases – bottom fishing for sheepshead around structure, jigging for Spanish mackerel over deeper flats, spinning gear for snook in the mangroves, and light tackle presentations for tarpon and permit. The beauty of a two-day trip is switching techniques based on conditions and what's happening. Early morning might call for live bait presentations to rolling tarpon, while midday heat has you working jigs and artificials around docks and bridges for snook. All tackle is provided, from spinning reels loaded with appropriate line weights to a selection of lures, jigs, and terminal tackle. The light tackle approach keeps things sporting – you'll feel every headshake from a tarpon and every run from a permit. Steve's got the boat rigged for quick changes between techniques, so when you spot a school of mackerel or see tarpon rolling, you're ready to adapt fast. The overnight setup means tackle stays rigged and ready, no wasted time re-rigging every morning.
Tarpon are the headliners here, and for good reason. These silver kings can push 100+ pounds and jump like they're shot out of a cannon when hooked. Southwest Florida's tarpon fishing peaks from May through July, but fish are around much longer than that. What makes them special isn't just the size – it's the fight. A good tarpon will test your drag, your arm strength, and your patience. They're notorious for throwing hooks with their acrobatic jumps, which keeps you honest on every hookset. Steve knows the channels and flats where tarpon migrate and feed, positioning you for clean shots at fish that might be the biggest you've ever hooked.
Permit are the thinking angler's target – spooky, selective, and absolutely beautiful when they eat a perfectly presented crab or jig. These disc-shaped fighters are common around Goodland's flats and structures, especially during warmer months. They're notorious for following baits without committing, testing your patience and presentation skills. When you finally hook one, expect a powerful run and stubborn fight. Permit don't jump like tarpon, but they'll pull steady and hard, using their body shape to fight the current. Landing a permit on light tackle is something most anglers remember for years.
Snook are Southwest Florida's signature inshore species, and the mangrove shorelines around Goodland hold plenty of them. These ambush predators love structure – docks, mangrove roots, bridge pilings – anywhere they can hide and attack passing baitfish. Spring through fall offers the best action, with fish ranging from schoolie-sized to genuine slobs pushing 30+ inches. Snook fight dirty, using every piece of structure to cut your line, which makes landing them on light tackle a real accomplishment. Their white meat makes them one of the best eating fish in these waters too.
Sheepshead don't win beauty contests, but they're perfect for anglers who appreciate technical fishing. These black-and-white striped fish have human-like teeth designed for crushing shellfish around pilings, rocks, and structure. They're notorious bait stealers with incredibly light bites, requiring patience and sensitivity to detect strikes. But hook a big sheepshead – and Goodland's waters hold some thick ones – and you'll appreciate their surprising power. They're also excellent table fare, with firm white fillets that rival any offshore species.
Spanish mackerel bring the speed and aggression that keeps things lively between shots at bigger targets. These streamlined predators school up over grass flats and around baitfish, hitting small jigs and spoons with vicious strikes. They're perfect light-tackle fish, pulling hard for their size and often jumping when hooked. Mackerel are also great for keeping the action going when tarpon and permit get finicky – there's nothing like a screaming mackerel run to break up a slow period. Plus, they make excellent bait for bigger fish if you're looking to upsize your targets.
A two-day charter isn't something you book on a whim – it's for anglers who understand that the best fishing experiences happen when you have time to do it right. Captain Steve's setup eliminates all the usual time constraints, giving you nearly 48 hours to work prime Southwest Florida
Our 25-foot Pathfinder center console is built for serious tarpon fishing in Southwest Florida's backcountry waters. This reliable workhorse runs on a dependable Yamaha outboard that'll get you to the hottest fishing spots around Goodland quickly and quietly. The spacious layout gives up to 5 anglers plenty of room to fight those silver kings without getting tangled up. We've got an icebox to keep your drinks cold during those long summer days, plus a wireless trolling motor for sneaking up on spooky fish in shallow water. The onboard fish finder helps us locate bait schools and structure where tarpon like to hang out. Whether you're sight-casting to rolling fish or working the deeper channels, this boat handles the varied waters around the Ten Thousand Islands perfectly. Captain Steve knows these waters like the back of his hand, and this Pathfinder gives him the platform he needs to put you on fish consistently throughout your two-day adventure.
Trachinotus FalcatusPermit are the ghosts of the flats - silver, disc-shaped fish that can reach 30-40 pounds and test every skill you have as an angler. They cruise shallow grass flats and hang around offshore wrecks, with their tall dorsal fins sometimes visible above water. Best fishing runs April through October during spawning season. What makes Permit legendary is their wariness - they spook at the slightest wrong move and have incredible eyesight that can spot you from 100 yards away. The challenge is what draws serious anglers; many consider them harder to catch than Tarpon or Bonefish. They eat crabs almost exclusively, so live blue crabs work best. Fair warning: these fish will humble you quickly. My key tip: keep your distance when you spot one tailing, make a long accurate cast ahead of them, and let the crab sink naturally to the bottom.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the convict fish of our waters with their black and white stripes, typically running 2-8 pounds around docks, bridges, and any barnacle-covered structure. They're year-round residents but bite best during cooler months when they school up for spawning. What frustrates and fascinates anglers is their bait-stealing ability - they'll clean your hook without you feeling a thing. But land one and you've got some of the sweetest, flakiest white meat in the Gulf. Those human-like teeth are perfect for crushing barnacles and crabs. You'll need small hooks, light line, and patience. They suspend at different depths, so work your bait from bottom to mid-water. Pro tip: when you feel that subtle tap-tap-tap, don't wait - set the hook hard immediately or they'll steal your bait every time.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are one of our premier inshore gamefish, running 18-35 inches with that signature black lateral line and sloped forehead. They love structure - mangroves, docks, creek mouths, and oyster bars in 2-10 feet of water. Spring through fall gives you the best action, especially around new and full moons. What draws anglers to Snook is their explosive strikes and powerful runs when hooked. They're ambush predators that'll blast topwater plugs at dawn and dusk. The meat is white, flaky, and considered some of the finest eating around here. Since they're temperature sensitive, focus on deeper holes during cooler months. Here's a key tip: work your bait slowly along structure edges - Snook rarely chase, they prefer easy meals drifting right past their hiding spots.
Scomberomorus MaculatusSpanish Mackerel are fast-moving schooling fish that typically run 1-3 pounds, with their silver bodies marked by distinctive yellow spots. You'll find them near the surface around structures, grass flats, and open water throughout our area. They're most active during warmer months when baitfish are thick. What makes them fun to target is their aggressive strikes and decent fight on light tackle - plus they're some of the best eating fish we catch. The meat is mild, flaky, and perfect grilled or blackened. These fish travel in schools, so when you find one, there's usually more. My tip: when you see birds diving or bait scattered on the surface, get there fast with small spoons or live shrimp - Spanish Mackerel will be feeding underneath.
Megalops AtlanticusTarpon are the kings of our waters, averaging 4-6 feet and 80-150 pounds of pure muscle and attitude. They roam shallow flats, deeper channels, and around bridges where baitfish concentrate. Prime season runs May through September when they're most active and feeding heavily. What makes Tarpon special is their aerial show - these fish will jump 8 feet out of the water multiple times during a fight. Most anglers practice catch-and-release since the meat is bony and tough. You'll find them rolling on the surface early morning and late afternoon, gulping air to supplement their oxygen needs. The fight can last an hour or more on proper tackle. My advice: when you hook one, bow to the king during those jumps - drop your rod tip toward the fish to prevent the line from snapping on impact.
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