Private Full Day Inshore Fishing Trip
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Eighthour private inshore fishing adventure on St. Lucie and Indian riversTarget premier game fish including Snook, Tarpon, and Jack Crevalle speciesCaptain Jay provides expert local guidance at exclusive fishing locations
Looking for a top-rated inshore fishing experience that'll put you on the fish? Captain Jay Wyld knows these waters like the back of his hand, and he's ready to show you why the St. Lucie and Indian rivers are considered some of Florida's best inshore fishing grounds. This isn't your typical charter – you'll get eight solid hours with one of the area's most seasoned guides, hitting his carefully guarded honey holes where the big fish hang out. Whether you're a weekend warrior or someone who lives for the bite, this private charter gives you the personal attention and local expertise that makes all the difference between a good day and a legendary one.
Captain Jay runs a tight ship, but the atmosphere is relaxed and focused on putting fish in the boat. You'll launch early and spend the day working the productive flats, mangrove shorelines, and deep cuts that connect these two renowned river systems. This is classic Florida inshore fishing at its finest – sight fishing in gin-clear water, working structure, and reading the tides like a playbook. The boat stays comfortable for two anglers, giving everyone plenty of room to cast and fight fish without getting tangled up. Jay's got all the tackle you'll need, from light spinning gear for finicky snook to heavier setups when the tarpon show up. He'll put you on the fish, but he's also there to teach – sharing little tricks about reading water, understanding fish behavior, and timing your presentations that you'll use long after this trip ends. The St. Lucie and Indian rivers offer incredible variety, so you might find yourself sight-casting to laid-up tarpon in the morning and working topwater baits along mangrove edges by afternoon.
This isn't a meat haul operation – Captain Jay focuses on strategic fishing that puts you on quality fish using proven inshore techniques. You'll work with everything from live bait presentations to artificial lures, depending on conditions and what the fish are telling you. The setup typically includes medium-action spinning rods paired with reels that can handle everything from schoolie snook to triple-digit tarpon. Live bait fishing plays a huge role here, and Jay knows exactly where to find the best pilchards, pinfish, and shrimp that these game fish can't resist. When conditions are right, you'll get into some serious topwater action using plugs, spoons, and soft plastics that trigger explosive strikes in the shallows. The key to success in these waters is understanding the tidal flow – Jay times the trip around moving water that positions baitfish and activates feeding windows. You'll learn to work the edges where deep water meets shallow flats, thread casts under overhanging mangroves, and present baits in current breaks where predators set up ambush points. The tackle stays appropriate for each species you're targeting, so when those big tarpon show up, you'll have the backbone to turn them while still enjoying the fight on gear that won't overpower smaller fish.
Snook are the bread and butter of inshore fishing here, and these rivers hold some real giants. These aggressive predators love structure – you'll find them tucked under docks, along mangrove edges, and anywhere there's current and cover. Spring through fall offers the best action, with fish ranging from slot-size specimens to bruiser brood stock that'll test your drag and your patience. What makes snook so addictive is their attitude – they hit hard, jump high, and use every trick in the book to throw your hooks. The way they ambush bait from cover and explode on topwater plugs gets your heart racing every single time. Jay knows exactly where these fish stage during different tide phases and seasons, putting you in position for shots at fish that many anglers never see.
Crevalle Jack might not win beauty contests, but they're pure muscle wrapped in silver. These bruisers roam the rivers in schools, crushing baitfish and anything else that gets in their way. When you hook into a decent jack, you'll understand why hardcore anglers respect these fish – they pull like freight trains and never give up. The best part about targeting jacks is the visual excitement when schools are feeding on the surface, creating chaos that you can see and hear from hundreds of yards away. They hit fast, run hard, and give you a workout that'll leave your arms feeling it the next day. These fish are available year-round, but the larger specimens typically show up during warmer months when baitfish populations peak.
Tarpon are the ultimate prize in these waters, and the St. Lucie and Indian rivers host some spectacular opportunities. These silver kings can range from juvenile fish in the 10-20 pound range to mature adults pushing triple digits. What makes tarpon so special isn't just their size – it's their aerial displays and the way they test every aspect of your tackle and technique. When a tarpon eats your bait, you'll know it immediately, and what happens next is pure adrenaline. They jump, they run, they shake their heads, and they'll humble even experienced anglers. The best tarpon fishing typically runs from late spring through early fall, with peak action during summer months when fish move through the area in good numbers. Jay understands tarpon behavior and knows how to position the boat for the best hookup angles and fighting room.
Captain Jay Wyld has built his reputation one trip at a time, focusing on customer satisfaction and consistent fish-catching results. This private charter gives you the flexibility to fish at your own pace while benefiting from decades of local knowledge and a genuine passion for putting clients on fish. The St. Lucie and Indian rivers offer world-class inshore fishing opportunities, but having the right guide makes all the difference between hoping to get lucky and actually capitalizing on what these waters have to offer. Eight hours gives you plenty of time to work different areas, adjust techniques based on conditions, and really get dialed in on what the fish want. Whether you're looking to check some bucket-
Your fishing platform for this inshore adventure is a beautifully restored 23-foot Mako center console that's been crafted specifically for serious anglers. This classic boat runs on a reliable 225HP Yamaha engine that'll get you to Captain Jay's secret spots quickly, cruising at up to 35 knots across the St. Lucie and Indian rivers. The center console design gives you 360-degree fishing access and plenty of room to fight those feisty Snook and Tarpon. Essential fishing gear includes a quality fish finder to locate structure and baitfish, plus GPS navigation to hit productive waters efficiently. An onboard icebox keeps your drinks cold and preserves your catch fresh throughout the 8-hour trip. With space for up to 4 people, there's comfortable room for 2 guests to fish without crowding, allowing proper casting room and fish-fighting space. This Mako handles the shallow inshore waters perfectly, letting you access those productive backwater spots where the big fish hide.
Caranx HipposJack Crevalle are the bulldozers of the flats - pure muscle with an attitude to match. Most fish we catch run 3-8 pounds, but don't let that fool you. These brassy-gold fighters will test your gear and your arms with their powerful, sustained runs. They school up in shallow water over grass beds and sand flats, often giving themselves away by pushing baitfish to the surface where birds start diving. Year-round fishing is good, but summer months are prime when they're most active. Guests love jacks because they're aggressive strikers and never give up - expect a 20-minute fight from a decent fish. They're curious too, often following the boat. Pro tip: look for diving birds and cast past the school, then retrieve fast - jacks can't resist chasing down a fleeing baitfish.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are Florida's signature inshore gamefish, and for good reason. These golden beauties with their distinctive black lateral line typically run 18-28 inches in our rivers, though trophy fish over 30 inches show up regularly. They're ambush predators that love structure - think mangroves, docks, and creek mouths where they can hide and pounce on baitfish. Spring through fall offers the best action, especially around the spawning moons from May to September when their fins turn bright yellow. What makes snook special is their explosive strike and bulldogging fight in shallow water. They're also excellent table fare with firm, white meat. Here's a local tip: work your lure slowly past structure, then give it a quick twitch - that sudden movement triggers their predatory instincts every time.
Megalops AtlanticusTarpon are the ultimate bucket-list fish - silver giants that can stretch 4-6 feet and jump clean out of the water when hooked. We find them rolling in deeper channels and around bridge pilings, especially during their spring migration from March through June. They prefer warmer water and calmer conditions, making early morning and evening prime time. What draws anglers from around the world is that first explosive jump - nothing prepares you for seeing 100 pounds of fish flying through the air. The fight can last an hour, combining raw power with acrobatic leaps. While they're not great eating due to their bony structure, the experience is worth it. Local secret: when you see them rolling, wait for the pattern and cast your bait where they're heading, not where they've been.
Florida