Morning Inshore Redfish & Snook Charter
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Halfday morning charter targets redfish and snook inshoreLimited boat traffic ensures peaceful fishing in remote backcountrySmall group experience with maximum two guests per trip
Looking for a peaceful yet productive morning on the water? This half-day charter out of Chassahowitzka puts you right in the heart of Florida's Nature Coast, where crystal-clear springs meet the Gulf and create some of the most consistent inshore fishing you'll find anywhere. We're talking about waters that don't see the weekend crowds, giving you that authentic Florida backcountry experience while targeting some of the state's most prized gamefish. Starting at first light from the Chassahowitzka Boat Ramp, you'll spend four hours working the grass flats, oyster bars, and creek mouths where redfish, snook, sea trout, and sheepshead call home.
Your morning starts with a scenic ride up the Chassahowitzka River, winding through pristine mangrove tunnels and past crystal-clear spring runs that keep these waters cooler and cleaner than most coastal areas. The remote backcountry we fish sees maybe a handful of boats on busy days, which means the fish haven't been spooked by constant pressure. You'll be working shallow water structure – think three to six feet deep – where sight fishing opportunities are common and the action stays steady. The peaceful setting lets you actually hear the water movement and spot feeding fish, making this as much about the experience as it is about filling the cooler. With just two anglers max, you get personalized attention and plenty of room to work without bumping elbows.
We fish light tackle here – mostly spinning gear with 15-20 pound braid that gives you the sensitivity to feel those subtle bites while having enough backbone for bigger fish. Live bait is king in these waters, with live shrimp accounting for most of our hookups, though we'll also run pinfish and pilchards when targeting larger snook and redfish. Artificial lures have their place too, especially soft plastics like DOA shrimp and CAL jigs worked slowly along the bottom structure. The key is staying quiet and making accurate casts to specific pieces of cover – that fallen tree, the edge of an oyster bar, or the shadow line along a mangrove bank. We'll be poling and using the trolling motor to position the boat, keeping noise to a minimum since these fish are easily spooked in the shallow, clear water.
Redfish are the bread and butter of Chassahowitzka's inshore scene, with fish ranging from schoolie-sized 16-inchers up to bull reds pushing 35 pounds. These copper-colored fighters love cruising the grass flats and tailing in skinny water, especially during the cooler months from October through April. What makes reds so exciting here is the sight fishing – watching a big bull red cruise by in two feet of water never gets old. They're also great eating in the slot size range (18-27 inches), with firm white meat that's perfect on the grill.
Snook bring a different kind of excitement to the table. These ambush predators hang around structure – docks, mangrove overhangs, creek bends – waiting to blast whatever swims by. Spring through fall is prime time for snook, with the warmer months bringing the most consistent action. They're notorious for their gill-rattling jumps and powerful runs, plus they're surprisingly strong for their size. A 28-inch snook will give you a fight you won't forget. The slot limit (28-32 inches) keeps the population healthy while giving you a chance at a true trophy.
Sea trout, or "specks" as locals call them, are probably the most cooperative fish you'll encounter. They school up over grass beds and sandy potholes, feeding aggressively on shrimp and small baitfish. Winter months often produce the biggest trout, with gator trout (5+ pounds) becoming more common as water temperatures drop. They're also excellent table fare – flaky white meat that's perfect for fish tacos or a simple pan-fry with some lemon and butter.
Sheepshead round out the slam, and while they might not be the prettiest fish in the water, they're hands-down the best eating. These black-and-white striped convict fish hang around any hard structure – bridge pilings, oyster bars, docks – picking off barnacles and small crabs. They're notorious bait thieves with human-like teeth that can crush a fiddler crab in seconds. Catching them requires patience and a light touch, but a cooler full of sheepshead means some of the finest fish dinners you'll ever have.
This morning charter gives you the best of Florida's Nature Coast – pristine waters, consistent action, and a peaceful escape from the everyday grind. Whether you're a seasoned angler looking to add some new species to your list or someone who just wants to experience real Florida fishing, these Chassahowitzka waters deliver every time. The early start means you'll beat the afternoon wind and have the rest of your day free for other activities. With only two spots available per trip, this top-rated charter fills up quickly, especially during the cooler months when the fishing is at its peak. Don't wait – book your half-day adventure and see why anglers keep coming back to these hidden backcountry waters year after year.
Your morning redfish and snook adventure starts aboard our reliable 18-foot Grizzly all-welded Jon boat, specifically designed for navigating the shallow waters and grass flats around Chassahowitzka. This sturdy inshore skiff draws just inches of water, letting us slip into those productive backwater spots where the big reds like to cruise and snook ambush baitfish along the mangrove edges. The 50HP Mercury outboard gets us on plane quickly, cruising at 26 knots to cover water efficiently and put you on fish fast during your half-day charter. With room for two anglers, there's plenty of casting space for working the flats with light tackle. Our GPS navigation keeps us on the productive spots even in the maze of channels and oyster bars that make this part of Florida's Nature Coast so special. The shallow draft design means we can work right up to the shoreline structure where these fish love to hunt.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the heart and soul of our shallow water fishing here in Chassahowitzka. These copper-colored bruisers typically run 18-27 inches in the backcountry, with their signature black spots near the tail. They cruise oyster bars, grass flats, and mangrove edges in just 1-4 feet of water - sometimes so shallow their backs show. Year-round fishing is solid, but fall and spring offer the most consistent action. Reds are crowd-pleasers because they fight like freight trains, making long runs and never giving up easy. The meat is excellent with a mild, sweet flavor that grills perfectly. What sets redfish apart is sight-fishing opportunities - we often spot them tailing in skinny water. Pro tip: when you see a red's tail sticking up, cast well ahead of where it's moving and let your bait settle to the bottom. They're feeding head-down and won't see anything splashing nearby.
Salmo TruttaSpotted sea trout are a staple of our grass flats fishing, and they're perfect for anglers wanting consistent action. Most range 14-20 inches, with occasional "gator trout" pushing 4-5 pounds. They cruise shallow grass beds and sandy holes, especially during low-light periods at dawn and dusk. Fall and winter months are fantastic when they school up in deeper pockets of the flats. Trout are fun because they hit topwater plugs with explosive strikes, and their soft bite makes them great on light tackle. The meat is delicate and tasty when handled right. These fish have soft mouths, so keep steady pressure without horsing them in. A deadly trick for trout is working a popping cork with live shrimp about 18 inches below - let it sit in one spot for 30 seconds between pops. That drives them crazy.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the "convict fish" with their black and white stripes, and they're some of the smartest fish you'll target. Most run 2-5 pounds in our waters, though we catch some pushing 8-10 pounds around the deeper structures. They live around any hard bottom - dock pilings, rocky areas, and oyster bars where they pick off barnacles and crabs. Spring is prime time when they're spawning and feeding heavily, but they bite year-round here. What guests love is the challenge - these fish have human-like teeth and are notorious bait thieves. Plus, they're fantastic eating with sweet, flaky meat. The key to landing sheepshead is keeping your bait tight to structure and setting the hook fast. They nibble first, so when you feel that telltale tap-tap, don't wait - slam that hook home before they steal your shrimp.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are one of Florida's premier gamefish, and the Chassahowitzka backcountry holds plenty of them. Most run 18-28 inches, though we see bigger ones regularly. They love ambush spots like mangrove shorelines, creek mouths, and downed trees where they can dart out for baitfish. These fish are temperature-sensitive, so spring through fall gives you the best action when water temps stay above 65°F. What makes snook special is their aggressive strike and strong runs - they'll jump and fight hard right to the boat. The meat is excellent too, with firm white fillets that taste great grilled. Here's a local trick: cast your bait right into the shadows under overhanging branches. Snook sit tight to cover, so get that lure within inches of the mangroves for the best shots.
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