Ready to wet a line in some of Florida's most productive inshore waters? Our 4-hour private fishing trip out of Bokeelia is the perfect way to get your fish on without eating up your whole day. Whether you're a seasoned angler or just getting your feet wet, we'll put you on the fish and show you a darn good time while we're at it. From hard-fighting snook to acrobatic tarpon, the waters around Pine Island are teeming with bucket list catches just waiting for your bait.
As soon as you step aboard our well-equipped vessel, you'll know you're in for a treat. Our experienced captain knows these waters like the back of their hand and will cruise you to the local honey holes where the fish are biting. We provide all the gear, bait, and licenses you need, so you can focus on the important stuff - like setting the hook on that monster snook you've been dreaming about. Whether we're sight-fishing the flats or working structure near the mangroves, you'll get to experience the thrill of inshore fishing at its finest. And hey, even if the fish aren't jumping in the boat (which rarely happens), the stunning views of Florida's Gulf Coast are worth the trip alone.
On this trip, we'll employ a variety of techniques to put you on the fish. We might start by throwing soft plastics or live bait around oyster bars and mangrove shorelines for snook and redfish. If the tide's right, we could drift the grass flats, sight-casting to tailing reds or working popping corks for speckled trout. And let's not forget about those bruiser tarpon - if they're rolling, we'll break out the heavy tackle and see if we can't get you hooked up to the "Silver King". Our local knowledge means we can adapt on the fly, changing tactics and locations to match the conditions and give you the best shot at a stellar day on the water.
Bokeelia's waters are home to a smorgasbord of gamefish that'll test your skills and make your drag sing. Here's the lowdown on some of the prime targets we'll be after:
Florida Pompano: These tasty speedsters are a blast to catch and even better on the dinner plate. They love sandy bottoms and strong current, so we'll target them around passes and beaches. Pompano fight hard for their size, making sudden dives and quick direction changes. The best time to target them is during their spring and fall runs, but you can find them year-round in our waters. Anglers love pompano for their sporty fight and excellent table fare.
Snook: The crown jewel of inshore fishing, snook are ambush predators with attitude to spare. These line-sides hang around structure like mangroves, docks, and bridge pilings, waiting to pounce on unsuspecting bait. Snook are known for their explosive strikes and powerful runs, often jumping clear of the water in their attempts to throw the hook. Spring and fall are prime times for snook, but summer can be red hot too. The challenge of outwitting these wary fish and their heart-stopping runs make them a top target for many anglers.
Sea Trout: Also known as speckled trout, these spotted beauties are a staple of inshore fishing. They love to hang out over grass flats and around potholes, ambushing bait fish and shrimp. Sea trout are fun to catch on light tackle and often school up, meaning when you find one, you've found a bunch. Winter and early spring are excellent for big "gator" trout, but you can catch them year-round. Anglers appreciate trout for their willingness to bite and their delicate, sweet meat.
Redfish: With their copper-colored scales and distinctive spot near the tail, redfish are a sight to behold. These bulldogs of the flats can be found tailing in shallow water or hanging around oyster bars and mangroves. Redfish are known for their strong, determined fights, often making long runs and testing your drag system. Fall is the peak season when big schools of bull reds show up, but you can target them successfully all year. The excitement of sight-casting to tailing reds in skinny water is hard to beat.
Tripletail: These odd-looking fish are a real treat to catch. Tripletail often float near the surface, mimicking floating debris to ambush prey. They have a habit of hanging around channel markers and floating structure, making them a fun target for sight fishing. Tripletail put up a surprisingly strong fight for their size and are excellent eating. Late spring through summer is prime time for tripletail, but you can find them year-round in our warmer waters. Anglers love the challenge of spotting these masters of camouflage and the satisfaction of a successful cast.
There's something special about fishing the waters around Bokeelia that keeps folks coming back for more. Maybe it's the thrill of hooking into a big snook as it busts out of the mangroves. Or perhaps it's the peaceful moments between bites, when you're soaking in the natural beauty of Pine Island Sound. Whatever it is, our 4-hour trips offer the perfect taste of what makes this area such a fishing paradise. And with our experienced guides handling all the details, you can focus on making memories and maybe even landing the catch of a lifetime.
Look, we could go on all day about the fantastic fishing waiting for you in Bokeelia, but the truth is, you've got to experience it for yourself. Our 4-hour private trip is the perfect way to squeeze in some quality fishing time, whether you're a local looking for a quick fix or a visitor wanting to sample the area's legendary inshore action. We've got the knowledge, the gear, and the enthusiasm to make your trip a success - all you need to bring is your sense of adventure (and maybe a camera for those fish pics). So what are you waiting for? The fish are biting, and your spot on the boat is calling. Book now and get ready for a fishing trip you won't soon forget. Just remember, once you've fished these waters, you might find yourself planning your next trip before you even get back to the dock!
Florida Pompano are prized fighters that make for great eating. You'll usually find these flat, silvery fish in shallow coastal waters, especially along sandy beaches and near structures like piers. They typically run 1-3 pounds but can get up to 8 or 9 pounds. Pompano feed on crustaceans and small fish, often traveling in schools. Spring and fall are prime seasons as they migrate along the coast. Anglers love targeting them for their strong, acrobatic fights and delicious, buttery meat. To catch pompano, use small hooks with live bait like sand fleas or shrimp. Brightly colored jigs also work well in clear water. A local tip - look for them in the troughs between sandbars on incoming tides. Cast just beyond where waves are breaking and retrieve slowly along the bottom. Pompano can be finicky, so experiment with different retrieves until you find what's working that day.
Redfish are one of our hardest-fighting inshore species. These bronze-colored brutes typically run 18-27 inches in the shallows, but big bulls over 40 inches cruise nearshore waters. You'll find them tailing in super shallow water, often with their backs out of the water. They love hanging around oyster bars, mangroves, and grass flats. Fall is prime time as they school up to spawn. Anglers love reds for their powerful runs and excellent table fare. They'll eat just about anything, from crabs to cut bait to artificial lures. Sight fishing for tailing reds in skinny water is a huge thrill. For artificials, weedless spoons and soft plastics work great. Here's a local tip - on low tides, look for "muds" where reds are rooting for crabs. Cast ahead of the mud trail and hang on!
Sea trout, also called speckled trout, are a staple of our inshore fishery. These silvery, spotted fish usually run 14-20 inches but can reach 24 inches or more. You'll find them in grass flats, channels, and around oyster bars in 2-6 feet of water. They like to hang in potholes or along edges where they can ambush prey. Spring and fall are peak seasons as water temps are ideal. Trout are popular for their willingness to bite and their excellent table fare. They're not the strongest fighters, but they make up for it in numbers. Live shrimp under a popping cork is deadly. For artificials, soft plastic jigs and topwater plugs work well. Here's a tip - on calm mornings, look for subtle surface activity. That's often trout feeding on small baitfish. Cast a small topwater plug nearby and hang on!
Snook are one of our most popular inshore species, and for good reason. These sleek, powerful fish put up an amazing fight and taste great too. You'll find them hanging around mangroves, docks, and other structures in estuaries and coastal waters. Most run 18-28 inches, but trophy snook over 40 inches aren't unheard of. They're ambush predators, so they like to hide and attack passing baitfish. Spring through fall is prime time as water temps warm up. Anglers love snook for their explosive strikes and acrobatic jumps. They're also pretty wary, so fooling a big one is quite an accomplishment. Live bait like pinfish or pilchards works great. For artificials, try walk-the-dog topwaters or soft plastic jerkbaits. One local trick - fish the outgoing tide around dock lights at night. The snook stack up to feed on bait attracted to the lights.
Tripletail are one of our more unique catches. These odd-looking fish have a rounded body with fins that make them look like they have three tails. Most run 2-10 pounds, but they can reach 30+ pounds. You'll often find them floating sideways near buoys, channel markers, or floating debris. They use this camouflage to ambush prey. Summer is peak season as they move inshore to spawn. Anglers love tripletail for their hard fights and excellent eating quality. They can be a bit tricky to catch, which adds to the fun. Live shrimp or small crabs are top baits. For artificials, try small bucktail jigs or shrimp imitations. Here's a pro tip - when you spot one, cast well past it and slowly retrieve your bait. They spook easily, so a stealthy approach is key.
Vehicle Guest Capacity: 4
Manufacturer Name: Evenrude
Maximum Cruising Speed: 35
Number of Engines: 1
Horsepower per Engine: 300