Full Day Inshore Adventure with Zookeeper Charters
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fullday inshore fishing targeting trophy snook, tarpon, and redfishSunrise to sunset adventure designed for serious anglers onlyMaximum 4 guests with Zookeeper Charters for personalized experience
This isn't your typical family fishing trip. When you book Zookeeper Charters' full day inshore adventure, you're committing to a serious angling experience that runs from sunrise to sunset. We're talking about 12+ hours on the water, chasing trophy fish that'll make your buddies' catches look like bait. This trip is built for dedicated anglers who understand that legendary fish require legendary effort. You'll be targeting the apex predators of the shallows - giant snook lurking in mangrove cuts, massive tarpon rolling in channels, and bull redfish that'll test every ounce of your strength. With a maximum of 4 anglers, you get personalized attention and premium fishing spots that bigger boats can't access.
Your day starts before dawn, meeting at the dock while the coffee's still hot and the water's glass calm. This extended format gives us time to work multiple spots as conditions change throughout the day. Morning typically finds us working the grass flats and mangrove shorelines when the water's cool and baitfish are active. As the sun climbs higher, we'll adjust our strategy - maybe hitting deeper channels or structure where fish seek cooler water and ambush prey. The beauty of a full day trip is adaptability. If the bite slows at one spot, we've got time to relocate and try different techniques. You'll experience the full spectrum of inshore fishing - from sight casting to cruising fish in skinny water to working live bait around structure. The pace is steady but patient, understanding that trophy fish don't come easy. Bring plenty of water, snacks, and sunscreen because we're maximizing every hour of fishable light.
Inshore fishing demands versatility, and we'll employ multiple techniques depending on conditions and target species. Live bait fishing with pinfish, pilchards, and shrimp is our bread and butter for big snook and redfish around structure. We'll also spend time with artificials - soft plastics worked slowly through grass beds, topwater plugs at dawn and dusk, and suspending twitch baits around mangrove edges. When we find tarpon, it's all about live crabs or large swimbaits presented in their feeding lanes. The tackle varies by target - medium-heavy spinning gear with 20-30lb braid for most applications, but we'll bump up to heavier conventional setups when big tarpon are in the mix. Circle hooks are standard for live bait to ensure proper catch and release, while single barbless hooks on artificials make unhooking easier. We provide all rods, reels, tackle, and bait, but experienced anglers are welcome to bring their favorite setups. The key is having the right presentation for each situation, from 1/8oz jigheads in skinny water to 1oz weights when fighting current.
Snook are the crown jewel of inshore fishing, and for good reason. These ambush predators can exceed 40 inches and 20 pounds, with broad shoulders and a distinctive black lateral line. They're structure-oriented fish, loving mangrove overhangs, dock pilings, and bridge shadows where they can surprise unsuspecting baitfish. Summer months bring the best action as snook move shallow to feed and spawn. What makes them special is their fighting ability - explosive strikes followed by bulldogging runs toward cover. They're notorious for throwing hooks with their gill-rattling jumps, making each landed fish a genuine accomplishment.
Tarpon are simply in a league of their own. These silver kings can reach 6+ feet and over 150 pounds in our waters, offering fights that can last an hour or more. They're most active during warmer months, rolling on the surface as they gulp air to supplement their gill breathing. Tarpon fishing is equal parts patience and adrenaline - long periods of waiting punctuated by spectacular aerial displays when one finally eats. Their hard, bony mouths make hookups challenging, and their stamina will test your endurance. Landing a tarpon over 100 pounds is a bucket-list achievement that changes how you think about fishing.
Redfish, or red drum, are the workhorses of the flats. Bulls over 30 inches pack serious muscle and often travel in schools, creating opportunities for multiple hookups. They're year-round residents with copper-bronze flanks and distinctive black spots near their tails. Reds are aggressive feeders, crushing crabs and baitfish in skinny water where you can watch the entire hunt unfold. Their powerful runs and stubborn fighting style make them perfect for anglers who want consistent action with trophy potential.
Black drum often get overlooked, but the big ones are absolute tanks. Mature drum can exceed 40 pounds and fight like underwater bulldozers, using their broad bodies and powerful tails to maximum advantage. They're bottom feeders with a preference for crabs and shellfish, making them perfect targets for patient anglers fishing live or cut bait near structure. Their unique barbels and ability to produce croaking sounds make them one of the more interesting species we encounter.
Sea trout round out our target list and provide excellent action on lighter tackle. These spotted beauties are schooling fish that respond well to both live bait and artificials. While they don't reach the sizes of our other targets, trout over 20 inches are respectable catches that fight well and taste even better. They're often the most cooperative species when others are finicky, keeping rods bent and spirits high during slower periods.
This full day adventure represents the pinnacle of inshore fishing experiences. You're not just buying a fishing trip - you're investing in the opportunity to catch the fish of your dreams with professional guidance and top-shelf equipment. The extended format allows us to adapt to conditions, explore multiple areas, and put you on fish when shorter trips might fall short. With only 4
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the bulldogs of the flats - built like tanks and fight twice as hard as they look. Most run 5-30 pounds, but the real trophies can hit 90+ pounds. These bottom-feeders love oyster beds, muddy flats, and pier pilings in 2-30 feet of water, though they'll cruise super shallow too. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning - that's when you'll find the biggest concentrations. What guests love about drum fishing is the power - they use that broad tail and heavy body to make long, strong runs that'll test your drag. Keep fish under 15 pounds for the table; bigger ones get tough and stringy. Pro tip: use fresh crab and keep it on the bottom. These fish have excellent noses but terrible eyesight, so scent is everything.
Megalops AtlanticusTarpon are the ultimate bucket-list fish - pure silver dynamite that can grow over 6 feet and 200+ pounds. Most we catch run 80-150 pounds, but even a 50-pounder will give you the fight of your life. These prehistoric fish cruise shallow flats, channels, and bridges in 5-60 feet of water. Late spring through summer is peak season when they migrate through in big schools. What makes tarpon legendary is their aerial show - they'll jump 10+ feet out of the water and can swim 35 mph. It's all about the fight since they're catch-and-release only due to their bony, mercury-laden meat. Here's the key: when they jump, bow to the fish by lowering your rod tip. It keeps tension off the line and prevents them from throwing the hook.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are one of those fish that'll test your skills and patience. These sleek, golden-colored fish with that distinctive black lateral line typically run 1-3 feet, but the giants we're after can push 4+ feet. You'll find them around mangroves, docks, and creek mouths in both salt and brackish water. They love structure and ambush spots in shallow water. Spring through fall offers the best action, especially around the new and full moons when they're spawning. What makes snook special is their explosive strike and acrobatic fight - they'll jump and make blistering runs. Plus, they're excellent table fare. Here's a tip: when you see one, make your first cast count. Snook are spooky and you rarely get a second chance at the same fish.
Salmo TruttaSea trout, or speckled trout, are perfect starter fish that'll keep you busy all day. These spotted beauties typically run 14-20 inches and 1-3 pounds, with occasional 5+ pounders to keep things interesting. They love grass flats, drop-offs, and channel edges in 3-15 feet of water, especially around structure. Fall through spring is prime time when water temps cool down and they school up tight. What makes trout fishing addictive is the steady action - they're aggressive feeders and excellent table fare with sweet, tender meat. Just don't overcook them or they'll turn mushy. Night fishing under lights can be phenomenal too. Best advice: work your lure slow and steady. Trout aren't built for speed, so fast retrieves will leave them behind.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the poster child of shallow water fishing - copper-colored bruisers with that signature black eyespot near the tail. They average 20-30 inches, but the bull reds we target can stretch 40+ inches and weigh 30-50 pounds. Look for them in 1-4 feet of water around oyster bars, grass flats, and marsh edges - sometimes so shallow their backs stick out. Fall and spring offer the best action when they school up heavily. Guests love reds because they eat almost anything, fight hard with long runs, and make excellent table fare with sweet, flaky meat. They're not as spooky as other species either. My go-to tip: watch for nervous water or tailing fish, then cast past them and work your bait back through the school.
Sebastian Inlet