Old Town Full Day Inshore Fishing
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Eight-hour private inshore charter for up to four guestsTarget redfish, speckled trout, snook, and tripletail speciesFully equipped 24-foot center console with gear included
Nothing beats a full 8-hour day on the water when you're serious about putting fish in the boat. This Old Town inshore charter with Unfinished Business Charters gives you the time you need to work the flats, creeks, and structure where the fish live. Captain runs a 24-foot center console that's built for these waters, and with room for up to 4 anglers, you've got plenty of space to spread out and fish comfortably. We're talking about real fishing here—moving with the tides, following the bait, and putting you on fish when they're biting best.
Your day starts at 8:00 AM when most weekend warriors are still drinking coffee. That's prime time on the water, especially during summer months when you want to beat the afternoon heat and catch the morning bite. The beauty of an 8-hour charter is flexibility—if the redfish aren't cooperating on the first flat, we've got time to run and gun until we find active fish. The captain knows these waters inside and out, from the deeper channels where snook hang out to the grass flats where speckled trout cruise for shrimp. All your tackle is provided, including rods rigged for everything from finesse fishing with soft plastics to throwing topwater plugs at structure. No fishing license required on this charter, so all you need to bring is sun protection, plenty of water, and whatever snacks keep you going through a long day of fishing.
Inshore fishing in Old Town means adapting your approach based on what the fish are telling you. We'll start with live bait when possible—nothing beats a frisky pinfish or grunt for tempting a big snook out of the mangroves. The captain keeps a variety of artificials rigged and ready, from paddle tail soft baits for working drop-offs to spoons that flash through the water column when spanish mackerel are running. Depending on conditions, you might find yourself sight fishing to tailing redfish in skinny water or working structure with jigs when the tide is moving bait around pilings and docks. The 24-foot center console gives you the platform to cast accurately and fight fish without getting in each other's way. Electronics help locate bait schools and structure, but reading the water and understanding fish behavior is what puts you on the good ones consistently.
Spanish mackerel are absolute blast on light tackle, especially when they're schooled up and competitive. These speedsters hit fast and fight hard, making screaming runs that'll test your drag and reflexes. Best action typically happens from late spring through fall when baitfish are thick, and you'll often find them around structure or wherever current brings food. They're not huge—most run 1-3 pounds—but when they're biting, you can catch them as fast as you can get your lure back in the water.
Snook fishing is what separates the rookies from the veterans around here. These ambush predators love structure, especially mangrove edges, docks, and bridges where they can pin baitfish against cover. They're notorious for their gill-rattling jumps and their ability to cut you off in the pilings if you're not ready. Prime time is usually dawn and dusk, though they'll feed during the day if conditions are right. A good snook will test everything—your tackle, your technique, and your patience.
Black drum are the bulldogs of the inshore world, and Old Town's grass flats and oyster bars hold some solid fish. They're bottom feeders that cruise shallow looking for crabs and worms, and when you hook one, you know it immediately. These fish don't jump or make long runs—they just pull steady and hard like a freight train. Most black drum here run 5-15 pounds, but bigger fish show up regularly, especially during cooler months when they're more active in shallow water.
King mackerel bring the offshore excitement to inshore waters when they push up close to chase bait schools. These toothy predators are pure adrenaline—they hit trolled baits at high speed and make blistering runs that can strip line off your reel in seconds. Kings are seasonal visitors to the inshore waters, typically showing up when water temperatures and baitfish movements align. When they're around, it's some of the most exciting fishing you'll find without running to deep water.
Redfish are the bread and butter of Old Town inshore fishing, and for good reason. These copper-colored fighters adapt to everything from skinny grass flats to deeper channels, and they'll eat just about anything you throw at them when they're feeding. Slot-size reds pull hard and make determined runs, while the bigger breeder fish are absolute tackle-busters that'll humble even experienced anglers. They're around year-round, but fall months typically offer the best action when they school up for their spawning runs.
An 8-hour charter gives you the best shot at experiencing everything Old Town's inshore waters have to offer. You're not rushed, you can work different techniques, and you've got time to adapt when conditions change. The captain's local knowledge combined with quality tackle and a full day on the water adds up to the kind of fishing trip you'll be talking about for years. Deposits are non-refundable, so when you're ready to commit to a serious day of fishing, book your dates with Unfinished Business Charters and get ready to see why Old Town has such a reputation among inshore anglers.
This 24' center console is built for serious inshore fishing in Old Town's waters. With space for up to 4 anglers, she's got everything you need for a productive day chasing redfish, speckled trout, snook, and tripletail. The boat runs smooth and stable, making it perfect for families or small groups who want to fish comfortably without getting beat up by chop. You'll find quality rods and reels on board, plus a fish finder to help locate your targets and GPS to navigate the flats and channels. The livewell keeps your catch fresh, while the icebox handles your drinks and snacks during the 8-hour trip. Safety gear is all sorted, so you can focus on working the bite as you move between hot spots throughout the day.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the heavyweights of the flats, typically running 5-30 pounds with some pushing 50+ pounds. These dark, chunky fish cruise shallow oyster bars and muddy bottoms looking for crabs and shellfish. Spring is when they really shine - they school up for spawning and you can actually hear them drumming underwater. The smaller ones under 15 pounds are great eating, but the big bulls are better for photos and bragging rights. What guests love is the power - they'll bend your rod in half and bulldoze toward structure. Fresh crab is the magic bait, and here's my trick: look for muddy water where they're rooting around in the bottom. When you see that chocolate milk water on the flats, that's where you want to be.
Scomberomorus CavallaKings are the speed demons of the Gulf, averaging around 30 pounds but capable of hitting 50+ pounds. These silver bullets with razor teeth cruise deeper waters from 40-150 feet, though you'll sometimes find them pushing inshore when bait is thick. Fall and spring migrations offer the best action when they're moving along the coast in big schools. What makes them addictive is pure speed - they'll scream line off your reel faster than almost any fish in the Gulf. The meat is good eating if you bleed them right away. My trick for kings: always use a wire leader and rig two hooks on live bait - one in the nose, one trailing behind. They love to bite the tail end of baits, so that stinger hook is your insurance policy.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the bread and butter of our inshore fishing, running 18-27 inches on average with those classic copper sides and black spots near the tail. They love super shallow water - often so shallow their backs show above the surface. You'll find them tailing on grass flats, cruising oyster bars, and hanging around mangrove shorelines in 1-4 feet of water. Year-round fishing is solid, but fall and spring offer the most consistent action. What hooks people is their aggressive strike and bulldogging fight - they'll pull steady and strong toward any cover. The meat is sweet and mild, perfect for the dinner table. Watch for "nervous water" and tailing fish in the shallows - that's your cue to make a quiet approach and precise cast.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are the ultimate inshore gamefish with that signature black lateral line and golden color. Most run 18-28 inches, but the big females can push 40+ inches and really test your gear. They love structure - mangrove shorelines, docks, bridges, and creek mouths in 2-8 feet of water. Spring through fall is prime time, especially around new and full moons when they're spawning. What makes them special is their attitude - they'll crush topwater baits and fight dirty with those gill-rattling jumps. Plus, they're catch-and-release only, so every fish swims again. Here's the key: work your lure slowly along structure and be ready for that thump. They often hit on the pause, so don't rush your retrieve.
Scomberomorus MaculatusSpanish mackerel are fast-moving silver fish with yellow spots that typically run 1-2 feet and 8-11 pounds around Old Town. You'll find them schooling near the surface over grass flats and around structure in 10-40 feet of water. They're most active during warmer months when baitfish are thick. What makes them fun is their speed - they'll hammer a lure and make screaming runs that'll test your drag. The meat is excellent eating with a mild flavor that's perfect grilled or smoked. My go-to tip: when you hook into a school, keep your boat positioned upwind and drift through them repeatedly. Use small spoons or jigs and fish fast - these guys won't wait around. Once you find them, you can usually load the cooler pretty quick.
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