Fort Myers Beach Half-Day Inshore Fishing Trip

Published Date: July 16, 2025
Fishing

Fort Myers Beach
$650 - $1,000 price range

Summary

Ready for some serious fishing action in Fort Myers Beach? This half-day inshore trip is perfect for anglers of all levels. You'll spend 4-5 hours on the water, targeting big game like Redfish, Spotted Seatrout, Bull Shark, and even the massive Goliath Grouper. The captain provides everything you need - rods, reels, bait, and licenses. Plus, they'll clean and fillet your catch, so you can enjoy the fruits of your labor later. Bring the whole family along - these trips are great for kids, and there's cold drinks on board to keep everyone refreshed. If you're having a blast (and most folks do), you might even be able to extend your trip if the captain's schedule allows. Don't forget to bring life vests for the little ones if you need them. With room for up to 4 guests, this is the ideal way to experience the rich fishing grounds of Fort Myers Beach without the hassle of planning it all yourself.

Fort Myers Beach Half-Day Inshore Fishing Trip

Reel Action Moments

Redfish measuring 27 inches caught while fishing in Bonita Springs

Fort Myers Beach Inshore Fishing

A Crevalle Jack fish caught by two people in Bonita Springs

Cravalle Jack Fishing Fort Myers Beach

Family Fishing Charters Florida

Photo of a large snook fish caught while fishing in FL

Catch Snook in Fort Myers Beach

Half-Day Inshore Action: Fort Myers Beach

Ready to get your line wet in some of Florida's most productive inshore waters? Our private half-day trip out of Fort Myers Beach is the perfect way to experience the thrill of battling hard-fighting game fish in the shallow coastal waters. Whether you're a seasoned angler or it's your first time holding a rod, you're in for a treat with Shallow Action Fishing Charters.

What to Expect on the Water

We'll spend 4-5 hours exploring the rich fishing grounds around Fort Myers Beach. This is our most popular trip for good reason – it gives you plenty of time to target a variety of species without taking up your whole day. We'll be on the hunt for prized inshore game fish like redfish, spotted seatrout, and the ever-popular sheepshead. If conditions are right, we might even tangle with some bigger boys like bull sharks or the massive goliath grouper. The best part? This trip is perfect for anglers of all ages and skill levels. Bring the whole family along for a day of fishing fun!

Inside the Inshore Action

Inshore fishing is all about versatility and reading the water. We'll use a mix of techniques depending on what's biting and where. Some days we might be sight-casting to tailing redfish in the shallows, while others we could be drifting live bait for trout over grass flats. I'll provide all the gear you need, including rods, reels, and the latest in fish-finding technology. We use light tackle that gives you a real feel for the fight, making even smaller fish a blast to catch. Don't worry if you're new to this – I'll show you the ropes and have you casting like a pro in no time.

Why Anglers Keep Coming Back

"Captain Brent was fantastic—what an incredible day out on the water! He really went the extra mile to make sure we found the fish, and thanks to his effort, we landed our very first peacock bass!" - Jacob

Species You'll Want to Hook

Sheepshead: These striped bandits are a favorite among locals and visitors alike. Known for their sneaky bites and delicious meat, sheepshead put up a surprisingly good fight for their size. They love structure, so we'll target them around docks, pilings, and oyster beds. The winter months are prime time for sheepshead, when they gather in large schools to spawn.

Sea Trout: Also called spotted seatrout, these fish are a staple of inshore fishing in Fort Myers Beach. They're known for their speckled backs and canine-like teeth. Trout are ambush predators, often hanging out in deeper pockets of water or along grass edges. We'll use artificial lures or live bait to entice them. The thrill of a big trout smashing a topwater lure at dawn is hard to beat!

Redfish: The bulldogs of the flats, redfish are prized for their hard-pulling fights and copper-colored scales. We'll look for them tailing in shallow water or cruising along mangrove shorelines. Redfish can be caught year-round, but fall is especially good when large schools gather to spawn. Landing a slot-sized red for dinner is often a trip highlight.

Peacock Bass: While not native to Florida, peacock bass have established themselves in some of our local waters. These colorful fighters are aggressive and known for their acrobatic leaps when hooked. We target them in freshwater canals and lakes, often using fast-moving lures to trigger their predatory instincts. Peacock bass fishing is a unique opportunity that many anglers travel far and wide to experience.

Tripletail: One of the oddballs of inshore fishing, tripletail are ambush predators that often float near the surface mimicking debris. We'll look for them around channel markers, buoys, and floating structure. They may look awkward, but don't be fooled – tripletail put up a great fight and are excellent table fare. Sight-fishing for tripletail adds an exciting visual element to our trip.

Time to Book Your Spot

Our half-day inshore trip offers the perfect blend of action, variety, and convenience. You'll get to experience some of the best fishing Fort Myers Beach has to offer without taking up your entire day. Remember, all the gear is provided, and I'll clean and fillet your catch so you can enjoy the fruits of your labor. Whether you're looking to bend a rod, learn new techniques, or just enjoy a day on the water with family and friends, this trip delivers. Spots fill up fast, especially during peak seasons, so don't wait to lock in your date. Let's get out there and make some fishing memories!

Customer Review

Fishing Dream Come True

Captain Brent was fantastic—what an incredible day out on the water! He really went the extra mile to make sure we found the fish, and thanks to his effort, we landed our very first peacock bass!

Jacob W

December 26, 2024

Learn more about the animals

Peacock Bass

Peacock bass aren't actually bass, but they sure fight like one. These colorful fish usually run 12-14 inches but can reach over 30 inches. You'll find them in warmer freshwater canals and lakes. Spring and fall are best, when water temps are ideal. Peacocks are known for explosive strikes and acrobatic jumps. They're aggressive predators, so topwater lures can be a blast. Live shiners are peacock candy if you want a sure thing. These fish can't handle cold, so focus on sunny spots near structure. One local trick: cast past them and retrieve your lure through their line of sight for the best chance at a strike.

Redfish

Redfish are one of our most popular inshore species. They're easily identified by that black spot near their tail - it's actually a false eye to confuse predators. Most redfish we catch are in the 20-30 inch range, but they can grow over 40 inches and 50 pounds. You'll find them in shallow flats, around oyster bars, and near mangroves. Fall is prime time when they school up, but we catch them year-round. Redfish are known for their strong runs and delicious, mild flavor. They'll hit a variety of lures, but nothing beats a live shrimp or pinfish on the bottom. Pro tip: look for their tails sticking up out of the water as they feed in shallow grass flats.

Sea Trout

Sea trout, or speckled trout, are a popular target in our shallow waters. They average 14-24 inches but can get up to 40 pounds. You'll find them around grass flats, oyster beds, and deeper channels. Spring and fall are prime seasons when water temps are ideal. Sea trout are known for their soft, white meat and light flavor. They're fun to catch on light tackle and put up an acrobatic fight. Look for them feeding on shrimp or small baitfish near drop-offs. A local trick is to use a popping cork rig with a live shrimp - the sound attracts trout from a distance. Just remember not to set the hook too hard, as they have soft mouths.

Sheepshead

Sheepshead are a unique inshore species you'll find around structures like docks and pilings. They typically run 1-8 pounds but can reach up to 20 pounds. Look for their distinctive black and white stripes - they're nicknamed "convict fish" for good reason. Sheepshead have human-like teeth perfect for crushing barnacles and crabs, their favorite foods. We usually target them in cooler months when they school up. They put up a great fight and taste delicious, but can be tricky to hook. My tip: use a small, strong hook and set it fast when you feel the bite. Sheepshead are notorious bait stealers, so you've got to be quick. Once you get the hang of it though, they're a blast to catch and make for some tasty fillets.

Tripletail

Tripletail are an odd-looking but tasty fish you'll find around floating debris and markers. They typically run 2-13 pounds but can reach 40 pounds. Look for them just under the surface, often on their side mimicking floating debris. Summer is prime time when they move inshore to spawn. Tripletail are prized for their firm, white meat similar to snapper. They put up a stubborn fight on light tackle. Sight-casting to these ambush predators is a unique challenge. My go-to rig is a live shrimp under a popping cork. Cast past them and slowly work it back - they can't resist an easy meal drifting by.

About the Shallow Action

Vehicle Guest Capacity: 4

Manufacturer Name: Yamaha

Maximum Cruising Speed: 45

Number of Engines: 1

Horsepower per Engine: 250

Get ready for some awesome fishing action in Fort Myers Beach! This half-day trip is perfect for anglers of all levels. You'll spend 4-5 hours on the water, going after prized catches like redfish, spotted seatrout, and even big boys like bull sharks and goliath groupers. Don't worry about gear or licenses - it's all included, along with cold drinks to keep you refreshed. The captain will even clean and fillet your catch for you. Kids are welcome, so bring the whole family for a fun day out. If you're having a blast and want to stay out longer, just ask - the captain might be able to extend your trip if their schedule allows. Remember to bring life vests for the little ones if you need them. With room for up to 4 guests, this trip offers plenty of chances to reel in some great memories along with your fish.

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