Ready to wet a line in some of Florida's most productive inshore waters? Join Captain Rob for a laid-back 4-hour fishing trip that's perfect for beginners and families looking to experience the thrill of catching snook, tarpon, and trout around Fort Pierce and the St. Lucie Inlet. With all the gear provided and expert guidance at your side, you'll be casting like a pro in no time. Let's dive into what makes this trip a customer favorite for newcomers to the Sunshine State's legendary fishing scene.
Picture yourself cruising through crystal-clear shallows, mangrove-lined shores, and hidden channels teeming with fish. That's exactly what you'll get on this beginner-friendly charter. Captain Rob knows these waters like the back of his hand, and he'll put you right on top of the action. Whether you're working a topwater lure along a grassy flat or dropping live bait near a deep hole, you'll have plenty of chances to feel that heart-pounding strike. And don't worry if you're new to fishing – Rob's patient instruction will have you feeling comfortable with the tackle in no time. With a max of 4 guests, you'll get plenty of one-on-one attention to hone your skills.
On this trip, you'll get hands-on experience with some classic inshore fishing techniques. We might start by drifting live shrimp or pilchards near mangrove roots, a surefire way to entice snook and juvenile tarpon. As the tide changes, we could switch to sight-fishing on the flats, where you'll learn to spot the telltale signs of feeding trout and redfish. Captain Rob will show you how to work soft plastics and topwater lures – there's nothing quite like watching a big snook explode on a surface plug! And if the bite is tough, we've always got a few tricks up our sleeve, like slow-trolling live bait along channel edges. By the end of the day, you'll have a solid grasp of several go-to inshore tactics.
"Absolutely fantastic time on the Skagit River fishing for Sockeye Salmon. Rob was a great host and excellent guide. Throughly enjoyed the trip and the burgers he made for us in the boat on the river! His "deckhand" Lottie was a fantastic boat mascot. Can't wait to come back next year!" - Mark
Tarpon: Known as the "silver king," tarpon are the heavyweight champions of inshore fishing. These prehistoric-looking fish can grow over 6 feet long and put on an acrobatic show when hooked. In Fort Pierce, we target smaller juvenile tarpon in the 10-40 pound range, which are more common in the backwaters and still provide an incredible fight. Spring through fall is prime time for tarpon, with peak action often happening during the summer months. The thrill of watching a tarpon launch itself into the air, shaking its massive head, is something you'll never forget.
Mahi Mahi (Common Dolphinfish): While we primarily focus inshore, on days when conditions are right, we might venture a bit further out to target these colorful speedsters. Mahi are known for their vibrant blue, green, and yellow hues that seem to glow in the water. They're incredibly fast swimmers and voracious feeders, often found near floating debris or weedlines. Mahi can range from 5 to 30 pounds in our area, with the best fishing typically happening in the warmer months from late spring through early fall. Pound for pound, few fish fight harder or taste better than fresh mahi.
Ladyfish: Often called the "poor man's tarpon," ladyfish are one of the most underrated game fish in Florida. These sleek, silver rockets are known for their blistering runs and acrobatic leaps when hooked. While they typically range from 1 to 3 pounds, their fighting ability far outweighs their size. Ladyfish are present year-round in Fort Pierce waters and are often found in large schools, providing non-stop action that's perfect for beginners or kids. They'll hit just about any lure or bait, making them a great species to practice your techniques on.
Crevalle Jack: If you're looking for a true test of strength, the crevalle jack is your fish. These bruisers are built like linebackers and fight like them too. Jacks can be found year-round in Fort Pierce, but they're especially prevalent in the warmer months. They range from 2 to 20 pounds, with bigger specimens capable of spooling an inexperienced angler. Crevalle jacks often hunt in schools, creating exciting blitzes on the surface as they chase bait. Hooking into one of these powerful fish is a sure way to get your heart racing and your arms burning.
Southern Flounder: For a change of pace, we might target these masters of camouflage. Flounder are ambush predators that bury themselves in the sandy bottom, waiting for unsuspecting prey to swim by. While they might not look like strong fighters, a big flounder can put up a surprisingly good battle. In Fort Pierce, we find them year-round, but the best action is often in the cooler months. Flounder are not only fun to catch but also delicious to eat, making them a favorite among anglers who like to bring home dinner. Learning to detect their subtle bite and set the hook properly is a valuable skill for any inshore angler.
Whether you're looking to introduce the kids to fishing, want to learn the basics yourself, or just fancy a relaxing day on the water with a chance at some quality catches, this Fort Pierce inshore trip hits the mark. With Captain Rob's local knowledge and beginner-friendly approach, you're in for a top-notch fishing experience that might just spark a lifelong passion. Remember, all the gear is provided, and you'll be fishing with a valid license under the captain's permit. So why wait? The fish are biting, and there's a spot on the boat with your name on it. Book now and get ready to create some lasting memories on the beautiful waters of Fort Pierce and the St. Lucie Inlet. Trust me, once you feel that first strike, you'll be hooked!
November 11, 2024
Crevalle jacks are the bullies of our inshore waters. These bruisers typically run 5-15 pounds but can top 30. You'll spot them busting bait on the surface - look for birds diving or water churning. Jacks hang around bridges, inlets, and deeper flats. They're not great eating, but pound-for-pound, they're some of the hardest fighting fish out there. Spring and fall are prime jack seasons when they school up. Throw topwater plugs, spoons, or live bait like mullet. Here's a local trick: when you see a school feeding, cast just beyond them and retrieve fast. Jacks love the chase and will often race each other to hit your lure. Be ready for a scorching first run - these guys will put your drag to the test.
Ladyfish are like mini tarpon - they're slim, silvery, and boy do they jump. Most run 1-3 pounds, maxing out around 5. You'll find them in the inlet, along beaches, and in the river. They school up and chase bait, so look for birds diving or bait skipping on the surface. Ladyfish aren't great eating, but they're a ton of fun to catch, especially on light tackle. They'll hit just about anything - small jigs, spoons, or live shrimp all work well. Fall and spring are best, but you can catch them year-round. Here's a tip: use a long-shank hook to avoid cutoffs from their sharp teeth. When you hook one, keep your rod tip up and expect some acrobatics. Ladyfish are perfect for introducing kids or newbies to saltwater fishing - lots of action and not too picky.
Mahi mahi are one of the most colorful fish you'll see out here. They average 15-30 pounds but can get up to 60. You'll find them offshore near weed lines and floating debris. Mahi are fast swimmers and incredible jumpers - they'll give you a real show once hooked. We target them year-round, but summer is prime time. They're great eating too, with firm white meat. Trolling with ballyhoo or artificial lures works well. My go-to trick is to keep the first mahi you catch in the water. The rest of the school will often stick around, giving you a chance at multiple hookups. Watch for frigate birds diving - that's a good sign mahi are pushing bait to the surface. These fish are a blast for anglers of all skill levels.
Southern flounder are masters of camouflage, blending right into sandy or muddy bottoms. They average 2-5 pounds but can reach 20. You'll find them around dock pilings, in deeper holes, and along channel edges. Flounder are ambush predators, so fish your bait slowly along the bottom. Fall is the best time as they migrate to spawn. These flatfish are excellent eating - sweet, white meat that's hard to beat. Live mud minnows or finger mullet on a jig head is the ticket. Here's my top flounder tip: when you feel a bite, don't set the hook right away. Give the flounder time to turn the bait in its mouth. Count to three, then reel down and lift. Flounder fishing takes some patience, but landing a big doormat is always satisfying.
Tarpon are the ultimate inshore gamefish here in Fort Pierce. These prehistoric beasts average 80-100 pounds but can top 200. You'll find them rolling in deeper channels and around bridges, especially during their spring and fall migrations. Tarpon put on an acrobatic show when hooked, leaping clear out of the water. That's why we call 'em the "silver king." They're catch-and-release only, but the fight is unforgettable. Best time to target them is May through October using live bait like mullet or crabs. My top tip: when you see one roll, cast just beyond it and slowly reel your bait through the area. Tarpon have poor eyesight but great hearing, so a splash near them often triggers a bite. Be ready with heavy tackle - these fish will test your arms and your drag.
Vehicle Guest Capacity: 4
Manufacturer Name: Suzuki
Maximum Cruising Speed: 45
Number of Engines: 1
Horsepower per Engine: 300
Absolutely fantastic time on the Skagit River fishing for Sockeye Salmon. Rob was a great host and excellent guide. Throughly enjoyed the trip and the burgers he made for us in the boat on the river! His "deckhand" Lottie was a fantastic boat mascot. Can't wait to come back next year!