8 Hour Inshore Redfish Fishing Charter
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fullday charter targeting redfish, snook, and speckled troutCaptain Larry guides through Weeki Wachee flats and backwatersAll fishing licenses included with boat for three guests
Captain Larry knows exactly where to find feeding redfish in Weeki Wachee's crystal-clear flats and winding backwaters. This full-day charter gives you eight solid hours on the G3 to work multiple spots, follow the tide changes, and put some serious fish in the boat. With room for up to three anglers, you'll have plenty of space to cast without bumping elbows while targeting the Nature Coast's most prized inshore species. Whether you're working artificial lures or live bait, Captain Larry adjusts his approach based on what the fish are telling him that day.
The G3 is built for shallow water access, letting you slip into those skinny spots where big redfish love to cruise. Captain Larry's been running these waters for years, and he knows how to read the signs - nervous baitfish, tailing reds, or that telltale wake pushing across a flat. You'll start early to catch the morning bite, then adapt your strategy as conditions change throughout the day. The beauty of an eight-hour trip is having time to really work an area when the fish are cooperative, or quickly move to your backup spots when they're not. All fishing licenses are covered, and Captain Larry provides guidance that works whether you're a weekend warrior or someone who's never held a rod. The relaxed pace means you can take your time with each fish, learn new techniques, and actually enjoy being out there instead of rushing through spots.
Inshore fishing in Weeki Wachee means adapting to what the water and weather give you. On calm mornings, you might be sight-fishing to tailing redfish on the flats using soft plastics or topwater plugs. When the wind picks up, Captain Larry switches to deeper cuts and channels where you can work live shrimp under popping corks or bounce jigs along the bottom structure. The G3's shallow draft lets you access grass flats that bigger boats can't reach, putting you right where snook ambush prey around downed trees and oyster bars. You'll learn to read the water - how current breaks around structure, where baitfish stack up, and why certain spots produce at different tide stages. Captain Larry keeps a variety of tackle options ready, from light spinning gear for trout to heavier setups when you hook into a bull red that wants to make a long run into deeper water.
Redfish are the main attraction here, and Weeki Wachee's grass flats produce some beauties. These copper-colored fighters average 18-28 inches, with plenty of slot fish that make great table fare and the occasional oversized bull that'll test your drag system. Spring through fall offers the most consistent action, especially during moving tides when reds push onto the flats to feed. What makes catching redfish so addictive is their aggressive strike and bulldogging fight - they'll dig hard for structure and make multiple runs before coming to the net.
Snook hang around the area's mangrove shorelines and creek mouths, typically running 20-30 inches with the occasional 35-inch trophy. These ambush predators love the warmer months from May through September, when they're actively feeding in the shallows. Snook have that classic gamefish attitude - they'll slam a well-placed lure and immediately head for the nearest snag. Their acrobatic jumps and line-peeling runs make them a favorite target for anglers who want some real excitement on the end of their line.
Speckled trout patrol the grass flats in schools, offering consistent action when you locate them. Most range from 14-20 inches, with the occasional gator trout pushing over 24 inches. These spotted beauties bite year-round but really turn on during the cooler months when they school up in deeper pockets. Trout have a soft mouth that requires a gentle touch, but their willingness to eat makes them perfect for building confidence and keeping the rod bent throughout the day.
Black drum cruise the flats in small groups, often mixed in with redfish schools. These bottom feeders average 16-24 inches and put up a surprising fight for their size. They're most active during the spring months when they move into shallow water to spawn. What drum lack in speed they make up for in pure power, digging toward the bottom with that characteristic head-shaking motion that'll make you think you're hooked to something much bigger.
Sheepshead hang around any hard structure - bridge pilings, oyster bars, and rock piles where they pick off crabs and barnacles. These black-and-white striped fighters typically run 12-18 inches and are notorious for their light bite and incredible ability to steal bait. Winter months are prime time for sheepshead, when they school up around structure in impressive numbers. They're considered one of the best eating fish in these waters, with firm white meat that's perfect for the dinner table.
An eight-hour charter with Captain Larry gives you the full Weeki Wachee inshore experience without feeling rushed. You'll have time to learn new techniques, work multiple species, and really understand what makes this fishery so productive. The combination of pristine water, diverse structure, and healthy fish populations creates the kind of day that reminds you why you love being on the water. With all licenses included and expert guidance throughout the trip, you can focus on what matters most - putting fish in the boat and making memories that'll last long after you head back to the dock. Book your charter today and see why anglers keep coming back to these world-class inshore waters.
The G3 1850 is your ticket to exploring Weeki Wachee's productive redfish waters. This 18-foot bay boat draws just enough water to slip into those skinny flats where the big reds like to cruise, while the reliable Yamaha 70HP keeps you moving efficiently between honey holes. At 30 MPH, you'll cover serious ground during your 8-hour adventure, hitting multiple spots as tides shift throughout the day. The stable platform gives you solid footing whether you're sight-casting to tailing fish or working structure for snook and trout. With room for 3 anglers, there's plenty of space to fight fish without tangling lines. Captain Larry knows exactly where these boats shine - those back-country areas where bigger vessels can't reach but the fish are stacked up waiting.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the heavyweights of the drum family, typically running 5-30 pounds with those crushing jaws built for oysters and crabs. You'll find them on shallow flats, around oyster bars, and near creek mouths in 2-20 feet of water. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning - that's when you hear their famous drumming sounds underwater. What guests love is the steady, powerful fight they put up, plus smaller ones under 15 pounds make great eating with sweet, flaky meat. The key to landing them is using fresh crab or cut bait right on the bottom. Here's my trick: look for muddy water stirred up by feeding fish - that's where you'll find the schools.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the stars of our flats, ranging from 18-35 inches with that copper-bronze color and distinctive black spot near the tail. They cruise super shallow water - sometimes with their backs showing - around oyster bars, grass flats, and mangrove shorelines. Year-round fishing is solid, but fall and spring offer the most consistent action when they school up. What gets guests excited is sight fishing to tailing reds and that bulldogging fight they put up in shallow water. Smaller ones are great eating too. The secret is staying quiet and making accurate casts - spooked reds won't bite. Try gold spoons or soft plastic shrimp worked slowly along the bottom when you can't see them feeding.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled Trout are probably our most consistent fish, typically 14-24 inches with those beautiful spots covering their silver sides. They love grass flats and shallow bays, especially around structure changes and drop-offs in 2-8 feet of water. Cooler months from fall through early spring are peak times, though they bite year-round here. What makes them popular is their willingness to hit artificial lures and their excellent eating quality - soft, white meat that's perfect fried or grilled. They school up in winter, making for fast action. Pro tip: work topwater plugs early morning over grass flats, then switch to soft plastics as the sun gets higher. Don't set the hook too hard - those soft mouths tear easily.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the "convict fish" with those black and white stripes, running 1-8 pounds around here. They're structure lovers, hanging tight to dock pilings, bridges, and oyster bars where they pick off barnacles with those human-like teeth. Winter through spring is when they're most active and easiest to catch. Guests enjoy the challenge - they're notorious bait thieves that require patience and quick hook sets. The payoff is sweet, mild white meat that's hard to beat on the table. My advice: use small hooks with fresh shrimp or fiddler crabs, and fish right against the structure. When you feel that subtle tap-tap, set the hook hard because they'll steal your bait every time.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are one of Florida's premier game fish, running 18-48 inches with that distinctive black lateral line and golden coloring. They love structure - mangroves, docks, creek mouths - anywhere they can ambush baitfish in shallow water. These fish are temperature sensitive, so warmer months from spring through fall give you the best action. What makes them special is that explosive strike and the way they fight, jumping and making powerful runs toward cover. Plus, they're excellent table fare with firm, white meat. Here's a local tip: when fishing around mangroves, cast tight to the roots and work your bait slowly. Snook often hold right in the shadows waiting to strike.
Bayport, FL