Private 18 Hour Fishing Trips In Fort Myers
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
18hour deep offshore fishing adventure for serious anglersAccommodates up to 6 guests targeting big game speciesSunrise to sunset expedition with Ya Gotta Want It Charters
When you're ready to push past the ordinary and chase the fish of a lifetime, this 18-hour marathon fishing adventure out of Fort Myers delivers everything serious anglers dream about. Ya Gotta Want It Fishing Charters has designed this trip for those who understand that the biggest catches require the biggest commitment. Starting before sunrise and running well past sunset, you'll cover waters that day-trippers never see, targeting trophy species that call Southwest Florida's productive inshore and nearshore waters home. With space for up to 6 anglers, this isn't just a fishing trip – it's a full-day commitment to putting serious fish in the boat.
This marathon session starts early and runs late, giving you the kind of fishing time that separates weekend warriors from dedicated anglers. You'll launch from Fort Myers with enough daylight to work the morning bite, then transition through different techniques and locations as conditions change throughout the day. The beauty of an 18-hour charter lies in the flexibility – when one spot cools off, you've got time to relocate and find where the fish are feeding. The captain knows these waters inside and out, from the shallow grass flats where redfish cruise to the deeper channels where tarpon stage up. Expect to move around plenty, adjusting your approach based on tides, weather, and what the fish are telling you. This trip attracts anglers who appreciate the grind and understand that persistence pays off with better catches.
Fort Myers inshore fishing demands versatility, and this extended trip lets you master multiple approaches in a single outing. You'll work everything from live bait presentations over grass flats to artificial lures around structure. Sight fishing becomes a major component, especially when targeting redfish and snook in shallow water where you can actually see your quarry before making the cast. The captain provides quality tackle suited for each technique – medium to heavy spinning gear for most applications, with lighter setups available when finesse fishing is required. Live bait like shrimp, pilchards, and pinfish form the backbone of the approach, but don't overlook artificials like soft plastics, topwater plugs, and suspending jerkbaits. As the day progresses and lighting conditions change, you'll adapt your presentation accordingly. The extended timeframe means you can really dial in what's working rather than rushing through techniques.
Snook represent the crown jewel of Southwest Florida inshore fishing, and Fort Myers waters hold some true giants. These ambush predators love structure – docks, mangrove shorelines, bridges, and oyster bars all hold fish. Snook are incredibly seasonal, with summer months offering the most consistent action as they move into spawning mode around passes and beaches. What makes them special is their explosive strike and bulldogging fight, plus they're gorgeous fish with that distinctive black lateral line. The slot limit keeps you honest, but when you hook into a keeper snook, you know you've earned it.
Tarpon fishing around Fort Myers reaches legendary status for good reason. These silver giants migrate through local waters primarily from late spring through early fall, offering shots at fish ranging from juvenile "baby" tarpon in the 20-50 pound class to mature adults pushing 100-plus pounds. Tarpon don't just fight – they put on aerial displays that'll have you questioning whether you're fishing or watching a circus act. The key is being ready when they show up, which often happens during specific tide changes or baitfish movements that experienced captains can predict.
Sheepshead might not win beauty contests, but they'll test your fishing skills like few other species. These black-and-white striped convicts hang around structure with hard bottoms – think bridges, docks, and rock piles. They're notorious bait stealers with crusher mouths designed for eating barnacles and crustaceans. Catching sheepshead consistently requires finesse, quality bait presentation, and quick reflexes on the hookset. Winter months offer the best action as fish congregate for spawning, and they make excellent table fare for anglers who appreciate flaky white meat.
Sea Trout provide consistent action throughout much of the year, making them perfect target species for extended trips when you want to keep rods bent between shots at trophy fish. These spotted beauties cruise grass flats and sandy potholes, feeding aggressively on shrimp and baitfish. They respond well to both live and artificial presentations, with soft plastics being particularly effective. Spring and fall typically offer the best trout fishing, though you can find fish year-round if you know where to look. Trout also make great eating, so they serve double duty as both sport and table fare.
Redfish have become the poster child for Fort Myers inshore fishing, and for good reason. These copper-colored bulldogs inhabit shallow flats, mangrove shorelines, and oyster bars throughout the region. What sets redfish apart is their willingness to feed in extremely shallow water where you can sight-cast to individual fish. The visual element adds a hunting aspect that appeals to serious anglers. Reds are available year-round, though their location and behavior patterns shift with seasons. Summer finds them scattered across flats, while cooler months concentrate fish in deeper holes and channels.
An 18-hour fishing commitment isn't for everyone, but if you're the type of angler who believes that great catches require great effort, this trip delivers exactly what you're looking for. Ya Gotta Want It Fishing Charters has built their reputation on putting clients on fish, and this extended format gives you the best possible shot at multiple species and trophy-sized catches. The combination of Fort Myers' world-class fishery, experienced guidance, and extended time on the water creates opportunities that shorter trips simply can't match. Don't let another season pass wondering what you might have caught with just a few more hours on the water – book this marathon session and find out what serious Fort Myers fishing is all about.
This 50-foot HydraSports center console is built to handle serious offshore fishing adventures out of Fort Myers. With four Mercury 400 engines pushing speeds up to 70 mph, you'll reach those prime deep-water fishing grounds quickly and efficiently. The 2020 build combines modern fishing technology with spacious comfort for your 18-hour journey. Whether you're fighting tarpon at dawn or chasing mahi-mahi as the sun sets, this sport fishing machine gives you the range and stability to stay on the fish all day. The center console design maximizes fishing space while keeping up to 6 anglers comfortable during long runs to offshore hotspots. From the captain's advanced electronics to the ample storage for tackle and catch, every detail supports your quest for trophy fish in Southwest Florida waters.
Sciaenops OcellatusRed drum with those distinctive black spots are one of our most sought-after species around Fort Myers. These copper-colored fish typically run 18-28 inches and 3-8 pounds on the flats, but the big bull reds offshore can push 30+ pounds. They love super shallow water - sometimes so shallow their backs stick out - around oyster bars, mangrove shorelines, and grass flats. Fall and spring give you the most consistent fishing when they school up, but they bite year-round. What makes redfish special is their powerful fight and willingness to eat everything from live shrimp to topwater plugs. They're also great on the table with mild, sweet meat. Here's my tip: look for "tailing" reds in shallow water with their tails sticking up while they root for crabs - cast ahead of them and work your bait slowly past their nose.
Salmo TruttaSpotted sea trout, or "specks," are bread-and-butter fish that keep action steady throughout our trips. Most run 12-16 inches and 1-2 pounds, though we see plenty of 3-5 pound "gator trout" that really bend the rod. They love grass flats and sandy bottoms in 2-8 feet of water, especially around drop-offs and structure. Spring and fall offer the most consistent action, but they bite year-round if you know where to look. Guests appreciate their willingness to hit artificials and their excellent table fare - mild, flaky white meat that's hard to beat. These fish are good fighters for their size and great for beginners since they're forgiving. Local tip: work your soft plastics slow and low over the grass beds at dawn or dusk - that's when the bigger ones move shallow to feed.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusThe "convict fish" with those human-like teeth and black prison stripes is a favorite for good reason. Most sheepshead run 2-5 pounds and 14-18 inches, but we regularly see 8-10 pounders around bridges and docks. They stick tight to structure - pilings, reefs, and anywhere barnacles grow thick. Winter through early spring is prime time when they school up for spawning around passes and jetties. What guests love about sheepshead is the challenge - they're notorious bait thieves with light bites, but once hooked, they put up a solid fight. The payoff is excellent table fare with sweet, flaky white meat. My go-to trick: use small hooks with fresh shrimp or fiddler crabs, keep your bait tight to structure, and set the hook the instant you feel weight - these guys will clean your hook in seconds if you hesitate.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are one of our most popular targets around Fort Myers, and for good reason. These sleek, golden-colored fish with that distinctive black lateral line typically run 1-3 feet long, though the big females can push 4 feet and really test your drag. You'll find them hanging around mangroves, docks, and creek mouths in brackish water - they love structure and ambush points. Spring through fall gives you the best action, especially around the new and full moons when they're spawning. What makes snook special is their explosive strike and bulldogging fight - they'll make powerful runs toward cover. Plus, they're excellent table fare with sweet, white meat. Here's a local tip: when fishing around docks at night, cast live shrimp or pinfish tight to the pilings and let it drift naturally with the current.
Megalops AtlanticusThe "Silver King" is what fishing dreams are made of. These prehistoric giants average 4-6 feet and 80-150 pounds, but we've seen them push 200+ pounds out here. Tarpon roam from shallow flats to deeper channels, often rolling on the surface to gulp air - that's your cue they're around. Late spring through summer is prime time, especially around the full moon when they're most active. What sets tarpon apart is their aerial show - they'll jump 8-10 feet out of the water, gill-rattling and tail-walking like nothing else in these waters. Most folks release them since they're bony and not great eating, but the fight is pure adrenaline. Pro tip: when you see one jump, bow to the king - lower your rod tip toward the fish to keep tension without breaking off during those wild leaps.
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