Florida Gulf Coast Inshore Fishing
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Target redfish, sea trout, and flounder in prime Gulf watersAll fishing equipment provided with expert Captain Seth guidanceIntimate 2guest capacity ensures personalized inshore fishing experience
When you're looking for some of the best inshore action on Florida's Gulf Coast, you've found the right trip. Captain Seth knows these waters like the back of his hand, and he's going to put you on fish that'll make your day. We're talking about prime redfish flats, grass beds loaded with sea trout, and structure that holds flounder and sheepshead year-round. This is a top-rated charter that keeps anglers coming back, and with all gear provided, you just need to show up ready to fish. With only two spots available, you'll get the personalized attention that makes the difference between a good day and a great day on the water.
You'll be fishing some of the most productive inshore waters along Florida's Gulf Coast, where crystal-clear flats meet deeper channels and grass beds stretch for miles. Captain Seth runs a clean, well-maintained boat that's perfect for navigating the shallow waters where these fish live. The beauty of inshore fishing here is the variety – one minute you're sight-casting to tailing redfish in two feet of water, the next you're working a grass flat for sea trout or bouncing bottom for flounder around structure. The scenery is world-class too, with pristine beaches, mangrove shorelines, and wildlife that includes dolphins, manatees, and countless bird species. Early morning and late afternoon trips tend to produce the best action, when the fish are most active and the light makes spotting them easier.
Captain Seth provides all the tackle you'll need, from light spinning gear perfect for trout and flounder to medium-action rods that can handle bigger redfish when they decide to make a run. You'll be using a mix of live bait and artificials depending on conditions and target species. Live shrimp is the go-to bait for most situations – it's like candy to sea trout, redfish, and flounder. When the bite is hot, soft plastic baits and topwater plugs can be absolutely deadly, especially for redfish cruising the flats. The captain will teach you how to read the water, spot fish, and make accurate casts to spooky inshore species. Structure fishing around docks, bridges, and oyster bars requires a different approach, often using heavier jigs and live bait to target sheepshead and flounder that hang tight to cover.
Redfish are the crown jewel of Gulf Coast inshore fishing, and these copper-colored fighters are what dreams are made of. They'll range from slot-sized fish around 18-27 inches up to oversized bulls that can stretch past 40 inches and really test your drag. Spring and fall are prime time when they school up in big numbers, but you can find them year-round in these waters. What makes redfish so special is their willingness to eat in shallow water where you can see everything happen – watching a red blow up on a topwater bait in knee-deep water is about as good as it gets. They're also phenomenal table fare when they're in the slot.
Sea trout are your bread-and-butter fish here, and Captain Seth knows exactly where to find them. These spotted beauties love grass flats and will readily take both live and artificial baits. They typically run 12-20 inches, with occasional gator trout pushing 24 inches or better. Winter months can be outstanding for sea trout as they move into deeper grass beds and channels. They're aggressive feeders and great fun on light tackle, plus they make excellent table fare. The key is finding the right depth and grass density – too thick and you'll hang up, too sparse and the fish won't be there.
Southern flounder are the flatfish that'll surprise you with their fight and their ability to hide in plain sight. These ambush predators bury themselves in sand and mud bottoms around structure, waiting for baitfish to swim by. They're most active during cooler months, particularly fall and winter, when they move through the area heading to deeper water. A good flounder will go 16-20 inches, with doormat fish reaching 24 inches or more. They're pound-for-pound some of the best eating fish in the Gulf, with firm white meat that's perfect for any preparation.
Sheepshead are the convict-striped challenge that keeps things interesting around structure. These fish have human-like teeth designed for crushing crabs and barnacles, which makes them notorious bait stealers. Winter is prime time for sheepshead fishing when they congregate around bridges, docks, and jetties in big numbers. They typically run 12-16 inches, but 5-pound-plus fish are common during peak season. Don't let their reputation as bait thieves fool you – once you figure out their bite, they're a customer favorite for their excellent eating quality and the challenge they present.
This is the kind of fishing trip that reminds you why you love being on the water. Captain Seth's local knowledge combined with some of the most productive inshore waters in Florida makes for a winning combination that consistently produces fish. Whether you're a seasoned angler looking to target specific species or someone new to saltwater fishing wanting to learn the ropes, this charter delivers the goods. The small group size means you'll get plenty of hands-on instruction and fishing time, and with all gear provided, it's hassle-free fishing at its finest. These waters fish well year-round, but booking ahead is smart – the best captains and prime dates fill up fast, especially during peak seasons.
Captain Seth's fully rigged motorboat is built for serious Gulf Coast inshore action. This fishing machine comes loaded with everything you need to track down those redfish, sea trout, and flounder hiding in Florida's productive shallow waters. The onboard fish finder takes the guesswork out of locating schools, while GPS navigation gets you to the hottest spots along the coast. Keep your catch fresh in the built-in ice box as you work the grass flats and mangrove shorelines. With room for 2 anglers, you'll have plenty of space to cast and fight fish without crowding each other. All tackle and gear provided - just bring yourself and get ready to bend some rods in these fish-rich Gulf waters.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the bullies of the flats - copper-colored bruisers with distinctive black spots near their tails. Most slot fish run 18-27 inches, but the big bulls offshore can hit 40+ inches and 30 pounds. These fish love super shallow water, sometimes with their backs out of the water, cruising oyster bars, grass flats, and mangrove shorelines. They're year-round residents here, but fall and spring offer the most consistent action when they school up. What hooks guests is their aggressive strikes and bulldogging fights - they'll peel drag and make long runs. Plus, slot-sized reds are fantastic eating with mild, sweet meat. They're not picky eaters either, hitting everything from live shrimp to topwater plugs. Best tip I can share: look for nervous water or tailing fish on shallow flats during moving tides. Approach quietly and make accurate casts - spook them once and they're gone for hours.
Salmo TruttaSpotted Sea Trout, or "specks" as locals call them, are beautiful fish with silver sides covered in distinct black spots. Most range 14-24 inches and 1-5 pounds, making them perfect for light tackle action. They love shallow grass flats, sandy bottoms near structure, and drop-offs in 2-8 feet of water. Best fishing happens at dawn, dusk, and night when they move into the shallows to feed on shrimp and baitfish. What makes them special is their willingness to hit topwater lures - few things beat watching a trout explode on a surface plug at first light. They're also some of the tastiest fish around with delicate, flaky white meat. The bite really picks up in fall and spring when water temps are in the 70s. My go-to trick: work a soft plastic shrimp under a popping cork around grass beds. The sound draws them in, and that subtle action seals the deal.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the convict fish of our waters - those black and gray stripes make them easy to spot, but their human-like teeth make them tough to forget. These chunky fighters typically run 1-8 pounds and 14-20 inches, but the big ones can push 20 pounds. You'll find them around any structure - docks, bridges, barnacle-covered pilings, and rock piles in 5-30 feet of water. Spring is prime time when they're spawning, but they bite year-round. What guests love is their scrappy fight and that sweet, mild white meat that makes great table fare. They're notorious bait thieves though, nibbling to steal your shrimp or fiddler crab without getting hooked. Here's the key: use small hooks, keep your bait tight to structure, and when you feel that telltale pecking, set the hook hard and fast. They've got powerful jaws, so don't hesitate.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern Flounder are masters of disguise - these flat fish bury themselves in sandy or muddy bottoms and change color to match their surroundings. Most run 15-18 inches and around 5 pounds, though you might hook into one pushing 20+ pounds. They're ambush predators with both eyes on their left side, waiting to strike at shrimp, crabs, and baitfish. Look for them in shallow bays, around grass flats, and near structure during fall and winter when they're most active. What makes them special is the challenge - they're sneaky biters and put up a solid fight once hooked. Plus, they're some of the best eating fish in these waters. Pro tip: when drift fishing for flounder, use a slow retrieve and pause often. They'll often grab the bait when it stops moving, so be ready to set the hook on any subtle tap.
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