Private 18 Hour Fishing Trips In Fort Myers
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
18-hour deep offshore fishing adventure targeting trophy speciesAccommodates up to 6 anglers with sunrise to sunset accessExtended time in productive waters far from coast
Looking for the ultimate Fort Myers fishing adventure? This private 18-hour charter with Ya Gotta Want It Fishing Charters is designed for serious anglers who want to make the most of their time on the water. With space for up to 6 people, you'll have an entire day to target some of Southwest Florida's most prized game fish in the productive inshore waters around Fort Myers. From the early morning bite to the evening action, this marathon fishing trip gives you maximum opportunity to connect with trophy species that call these waters home.
When you book this 18-hour fishing experience, you're committing to a full day of serious angling. We're talking sunrise to well past sunset, giving you access to multiple feeding periods when fish are most active. The inshore waters around Fort Myers offer some of the most diverse fishing in Florida, with grass flats, mangrove shorelines, oyster bars, and deeper channels all within reach. Your captain will move between these different zones throughout the day, adapting to tides, weather, and fish activity to keep you on the bite. This isn't a rushed half-day trip where you barely get your bearings – you'll have time to really dial in techniques, explore different spots, and maximize your chances at landing multiple species. The 6-person capacity keeps things comfortable without overcrowding the boat, so everyone gets plenty of room to fish and fight their catches.
Inshore fishing in Fort Myers requires a mix of techniques depending on what you're targeting and where the fish are holding. You'll likely spend time working live bait around structure – think pilchards, pinfish, and shrimp fished around docks, mangrove edges, and oyster bars where snook and redfish like to ambush prey. Artificial lures play a big role too, especially topwater plugs during low-light periods and soft plastics when fish are holding tight to bottom structure. The beauty of an 18-hour trip is having time to really work an area thoroughly. If the morning topwater bite is hot, you can milk it for all it's worth. When the midday sun pushes fish deeper, you can switch to bottom fishing or target shaded areas under docks and bridges. As evening approaches, you'll be positioned for the sunset bite when many species become active again. Your captain will have a full arsenal of rods rigged and ready, from light spinning gear for trout to heavy baitcasters capable of handling big tarpon.
Snook are the crown jewel of Fort Myers inshore fishing, and these ambush predators know how to put up a fight. They love hanging around structure like dock pilings, mangrove overhangs, and bridge shadows where they can dart out to grab unsuspecting baitfish. Peak snook action typically happens during the warmer months from May through September, though you'll find them year-round in deeper holes and around warm-water discharges during winter. What makes snook so addictive is their explosive strike and gill-rattling jumps – they'll test your drag and your nerves. Look for them early morning and late evening when they're most aggressive, and don't be surprised if a big female over 30 inches gives you the fight of your life.
Tarpon fishing in Fort Myers is legendary, especially during the spring and summer months when these silver kings migrate through our waters. These prehistoric fish can exceed 100 pounds and are famous for their acrobatic fights that include multiple jumps and long, powerful runs. The best tarpon action usually occurs from April through August, with peak activity in May and June. What makes tarpon special isn't just their size – it's their fighting spirit. They'll leap completely out of the water, shake their heads violently, and make runs that will have your reel screaming. Even smaller tarpon in the 20-50 pound range will give you a workout you won't forget.
Sheepshead might not be the flashiest fish, but they're one of the best eating species you'll encounter and masters of stealing bait. These black-and-white striped fish hang around structure like docks, bridges, and oyster bars where they use their strong teeth to crush crabs, shrimp, and barnacles. Winter months from December through March offer the best sheepshead fishing when they're thick around inshore structure. The challenge with sheepshead is their light bite – they're notorious bait thieves who can clean your hook without you feeling a thing. When you do hook up, they fight with surprising strength for their size and make excellent table fare.
Sea trout, or speckled trout as locals call them, are a staple of Fort Myers grass flats fishing. These spotted beauties love shallow grass beds where they feed on shrimp, small fish, and crabs. The cooler months from October through April typically produce the best trout fishing, though you'll find them year-round if you know where to look. What anglers love about trout is their willingness to hit both live and artificial baits. A well-placed shrimp under a popping cork or a soft plastic bounced along the grass can trigger aggressive strikes. They're also excellent eating fish with mild, flaky white meat.
Redfish are the workhorses of Fort Myers inshore fishing, available year-round and always ready to put up a solid fight. These copper-colored drums love shallow water and aren't shy about feeding in just inches of water along mangrove shorelines and grass flats. What makes reds special is their accessibility – they'll eat live bait, cut bait, and a wide variety of artificial lures. You'll often spot them tailing in shallow water or see their backs and dorsal fins cutting the surface as they cruise the flats. The fight is pure power – no fancy jumps, just bulldogging runs that will test your equipment and technique.
This 18-hour private fishing charter represents
This 50-foot HydraSports center console cuts through Fort Myers waters with serious muscle - four Mercury 400 engines pushing you up to 70 mph toward those deep offshore fishing grounds. Built in 2020, this sport fishing machine gives your crew of 6 plenty of room to work the lines during your marathon 18-hour adventure. The spacious deck layout keeps everyone comfortable from sunrise well past sunset, whether you're battling trophy fish or cruising between productive spots. With enough power to reach those distant waters where the big game species roam, this boat is designed for anglers who want to maximize their time on productive fishing grounds far from shore.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish, or red drum, are the copper-colored bruisers of our shallow flats. Most range 18-30 inches and 3-15 pounds, with that signature black eyespot near the tail. They cruise super shallow water - sometimes with their backs showing - around oyster bars, mangrove shorelines, and grass flats. Year-round fishery, but fall and winter offer the best action when they school up. What makes reds special is their powerful runs and the sight-fishing opportunities on clear days. Plus, they're fantastic eating when kept within slot limits. The fight is straight bulldogging power. Best local approach: use gold spoons or topwater plugs early morning when they're tailing in skinny water. Keep noise to a minimum - these fish spook easily in shallow areas. When you see their backs, cast well ahead of where they're heading.
Salmo TruttaSpotted sea trout, or "specks," are a staple of our grass flats and shallow bays. Most run 12-20 inches and 1-3 pounds, with nice ones pushing 4-5 pounds. They love sandy bottoms with scattered grass in 2-8 feet of water, especially around drop-offs and channel edges. Cooler months are best when they school up, but they bite year-round. Dawn and dusk are magic hours. What makes trout fishing fun is their willingness to hit topwater lures and their decent fight for their size. The meat is tender and mild - perfect for the dinner table. Just don't overcook it or it gets mushy. Here's what works: slow-sinking soft plastics worked just above the grass. Trout suspend to feed, so keep your bait in that middle water column where they're hunting.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the "convict fish" of Fort Myers, sporting black and white stripes and human-like teeth that crush barnacles and crabs. Most run 2-5 pounds and 14-18 inches, though 20-pounders show up around deeper structure. You'll find them year-round around docks, bridges, pilings, and reefs where they scrape off barnacles. Winter months are prime time when they school up for spawning. Anglers love them because they're excellent table fare - sweet, flaky white meat that's hard to beat. They're also notorious bait thieves, requiring sharp hooks and quick reflexes. Local trick: use small hooks with fresh shrimp or fiddler crabs, and fish tight to structure. When you feel that subtle tap-tap-tap, don't wait - set the hook hard immediately or they'll steal your bait.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are one of Fort Myers' most sought-after inshore species, averaging 1-3 feet with that distinctive black lateral line and golden coloring. They love hanging around mangroves, docks, and structure in shallow water, but also cruise deeper channels and passes. Best fishing happens during warmer months when water temps stay above 70°F - they're temperature sensitive and go dormant when it gets cold. What makes snook special is their explosive strike and powerful runs when hooked. They'll jump and thrash, making every fight memorable. The meat is excellent eating too - sweet and flaky. Here's a local tip: when fishing structure, cast your live shrimp or snook jigs right up against the cover. They rarely venture far from their hiding spots, so accuracy beats distance every time.
Megalops AtlanticusThe "Silver King" - tarpon are what bucket list dreams are made of. These prehistoric giants average 80-150 pounds but can reach over 200. They're found in shallow coastal waters, passes, and around structure, preferring depths of 10-60 feet. Peak season runs May through September when they migrate through our waters to spawn. What sets tarpon apart is their aerial show - they'll launch 6+ feet out of the water repeatedly, making for heart-stopping fights that can last hours. Most anglers practice catch and release since the meat isn't great eating. The real prize is the battle and bragging rights. Pro tip: when a tarpon jumps, bow to the fish by dropping your rod tip toward the water. This gives slack and prevents the line from snapping when they crash back down.
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