Full Day Inshore Fishing Adventure in Old Town Waters
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Full day inshore charter targets redfish, trout, and snookPrivate 24foot boat accommodates up to four guests comfortablyAll equipment, bait, and safety gear included onboard
Nothing beats a full day on the water when the fish are biting, and that's exactly what you'll get with Unfinished Business Charters. This eight-hour adventure puts you right in the heart of Old Town's most productive inshore waters, where redfish cruise the flats and snook ambush bait in the shadows. With room for up to four anglers on a spacious 24-foot center console, you've got plenty of space to fish comfortably without bumping elbows. We're talking about serious fishing time here – enough to hit multiple spots, follow the action, and really dial in on what's working. Captain sets lines at 8 AM sharp, so you'll have the prime morning bite plus the afternoon pickup when the fish get active again.
This isn't your typical half-day rush job where you barely get settled before it's time to head back. Eight hours gives us the luxury of fishing smart and adapting to conditions as they change throughout the day. We'll start where the bait is thick and work our way through proven honey holes, adjusting tactics based on tides, wind, and what the fish are telling us. The 24-foot center console is rigged with everything you need – quality rods and reels matched to the target species, fresh bait, and all the terminal tackle. No need to worry about licenses either, since the charter covers that. Just bring your sunscreen, some snacks to keep your energy up, and whatever drinks you prefer. The boat handles choppy water well, but we're fishing protected inshore areas where comfort isn't usually an issue. Expect to cover some serious ground as we chase the bite from grass flats to mangrove shorelines to deeper channels where the big boys hang out.
Inshore fishing around Old Town means matching your approach to the structure and species you're targeting. We'll be throwing live shrimp under popping corks for speckled trout over grass beds, pitching jigs and soft plastics tight to mangrove roots for snook, and working topwater plugs early and late when redfish are feeding shallow. The tackle is sized right for these fish – medium spinning gear that gives you the sensitivity to feel subtle bites but has enough backbone to turn a bull red away from structure. Circle hooks are the standard for live bait to ensure clean releases, while we'll switch to J-hooks when working artificials that require a solid hookset. Depending on what we're seeing, we might drift fish with the current, anchor up on productive spots, or use the trolling motor to work shorelines quietly. The key is staying mobile and reading the water – looking for bait schools, bird activity, and subtle signs that tell you where fish are positioned.
Spanish mackerel are the speed demons of the inshore waters, and they're absolutely on fire during their peak seasons. These fish typically run 1-3 pounds but what they lack in size they make up for in pure aggression and fight. You'll find them scattered across grass flats and near channel edges, especially when baitfish are thick. They hit fast and hard, often taking drag on the initial run, and they're fantastic on light tackle. Best times are usually spring and fall when water temperatures are in their sweet spot, though they can show up any time conditions are right. What makes them so much fun is their willingness to eat – throw a small spoon, jig, or live shrimp in the right area and you're almost guaranteed action.
Snook are the inshore slam-dunkers that every angler wants to tangle with, and Old Town's mangrove shorelines hold some beautiful fish. These ambush predators love structure – docks, mangrove roots, bridge pilings – anywhere they can hide and surprise passing baitfish. They're incredibly aggressive when feeding but can be finicky when pressured, which makes them such a rewarding target. Snook hit hard and immediately try to wrap you up in whatever cover is nearby, so you need to apply pressure quick and keep them in open water. They're catch-and-release only during closed seasons, but the fight alone is worth the effort. Peak activity is usually dawn and dusk, though they'll feed throughout the day in cooler months.
Black drum are the bulldogs of the flats – not the prettiest fish, but they'll test your drag system and your patience. These bottom-feeders can range from schoolie-sized fish perfect for dinner to massive bulls that'll have you wondering if you hooked a manatee. They're suckers for fresh shrimp and cut bait fished on the bottom near oyster bars and grass edges. The big ones are notorious for long, steady runs that just don't stop, and they use their broad sides to fight the current. What's really cool about drum fishing is you never know what size you're going to hook – could be a 2-pounder or a 20-pounder on the same exact bait and spot.
King mackerel bring offshore excitement to inshore waters when they move in close, usually following bait schools during their seasonal migrations. These fish are pure adrenaline – fast, strong, and equipped with razor-sharp teeth that'll slice through light leaders in a heartbeat. We'll typically target them with live bait on wire leaders around structure or schools of baitfish. Kings are known for spectacular jumps and blistering runs, and anything over 20 pounds is going to give you a serious workout. They're excellent eating when bled and iced immediately, and the smaller "snake kings" are perfect for the grill.
Redfish are the crown jewel of inshore fishing around Old Town, and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers are built for fighting – broad shoulders, powerful tails, and an attitude that says they're not coming to the boat without a battle. Reds feed in surprisingly shallow water, often with their backs out of the water as they root around oyster bars and grass beds. The sight-fishing opportunities are world-class
This 24' center console is your ticket to Old Town's best inshore fishing spots. Built for comfort and performance, she handles the shallow flats and nearshore waters with ease while giving you and your fishing buddy plenty of room to work. The boat comes loaded with everything you need - quality rods and reels, fresh bait, and all the safety gear. Her fish finder will help you locate those hiding redfish and snook, while the GPS keeps you on track between productive spots. The spacious deck layout means no tangled lines or bumping elbows when the action heats up. An icebox keeps your catch fresh and your drinks cold during those long summer days on the water. Whether you're sight-casting to tailing reds in the grass or working structure for trout and tripletail, this stable platform gives you the confidence to fish all day. Perfect for anglers who want a serious fishing machine without the crowded feel of larger charter boats.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the heavyweights of the drum family, commonly running 10-30 pounds with some pushing 50-plus. These bottom-dwellers love oyster bars, muddy flats, and creek mouths in 3-20 feet of water. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning - that's when you can hear their drumming sounds underwater. What makes them special is their powerful fight and the challenge of hooking them with those crushing jaws built for crabs and oysters. Smaller ones under 15 pounds are great eating, but the big ones get tough. You'll hear guests talking about their arms being sore after battling one. Best tip: use fresh cut crab on a circle hook and let them run with it. They're notorious for mouthing bait before committing, so patience pays off big time.
Scomberomorus CavallaKing mackerel are the speedsters of the mackerel family, typically weighing 15-30 pounds with some monsters over 50. These olive-green torpedoes prefer deeper water from 40-150 feet around structure and baitfish schools. Summer and fall are peak seasons when they're chasing schools of menhaden and blue runners closer to shore. What gets guests fired up is their blistering runs - they're one of the fastest fish in the Gulf and will test your drag system. The meat has high oil content and smokes beautifully. Fair warning though - their razor teeth will slice through anything, so wire leaders are mandatory. Local tip: when trolling, use a stinger hook rig because kings often bite the tail section of baits. That second hook back by the tail will save you from a lot of missed fish.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are our bread-and-butter inshore fish, running 18-27 inches in the slot with bronze backs and that signature black spot near the tail. They love super shallow water - sometimes so shallow their backs stick out. Look for them on grass flats, oyster bars, and around mangrove shorelines in 1-6 feet of water. Year-round fishing is solid, but fall and spring are magic when they school up. What hooks guests is watching them cruise the shallows and that powerful fight when they realize they're hooked. The white, flaky meat is top-shelf eating. Here's what works: sight-cast ahead of cruising fish with a gold spoon or live shrimp. Don't cast right on top of them - lead them by 10 feet and let the lure cross their path. They can't resist it.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are one of Florida's premier gamefish, averaging 18-28 inches with that distinctive black lateral line and sloped head. They're structure lovers - you'll find them around mangroves, docks, bridges, and creek mouths in 2-15 feet of water. They handle both salt and fresh water, which keeps them moving with the tides. Spring through fall fishing is best, especially around the full moons when they spawn. What guests love most is their explosive strikes and bulldogging fight - they'll dart for cover the second they're hooked. The white, flaky meat is restaurant-quality. Here's a local trick: cast your lure or live bait right into the snags where most people won't go. That's where the big ones hide, and you've got to be willing to lose some tackle to catch them.
Scomberomorus MaculatusSpanish mackerel are fast, schooling fish that typically run 1-3 pounds, though bigger ones hit 8-10 pounds. You'll find them cruising near the surface around structure and grass flats, usually in 10-40 feet of water. They love warmer months from late spring through fall when baitfish are thick. What makes them fun is their speed - they'll rip line off your reel and jump when hooked. The meat is excellent eating with a mild flavor that grills perfectly. These silvery fish with yellow spots travel in schools, so when you find one, there's usually more around. My tip: use a small wire leader because their razor-sharp teeth will cut through mono in a heartbeat. Light tackle with fast-moving spoons or live shrimp works best.
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