Inshore fishing: saltwater fishing close to shore
What inshore saltwater fishing is, the fish you’ll catch and the best places in the U.S. to book an inshore charter.
With thousands of miles of shoreline, inshore saltwater fishing never runs out of places to fish. Sight fish for redfish and trout on a lagoon flat, or watch a tarpon or snook explode on the surface. Florida is our top inshore destination, with trips on both coasts and in the Keys.
Fish you can catch inshore
Redfish and trout, snook and tarpon, plus flounder, sheepshead, black drum and snapper. Swipe to see them.
Spotted seatrout
Speckled troutFound over shallow grass flats. Great for new anglers.
Snook
Common snookAround mangroves, docks, bridges and passes. Seasons and size limits apply.
Tarpon
Silver kingBig, jumping fish in the bays, passes and rivers. Catch and release.
Tarpon are catch and release in Florida. Seasons, size and bag limits apply to other fish: see the FWC saltwater fishing regulations. Your captain can tell you what you can keep.
What is inshore fishing?
Inshore fishing is saltwater fishing in shallow, protected water close to shore: bays, lagoons, estuaries, grass flats, mangroves and passes. Anglers use light tackle or a fly rod to catch redfish, spotted seatrout, snook, tarpon and flounder. The water is calmer than offshore, so it suits families and first-timers. Florida is the top inshore fishing destination in the U.S.
Inshore vs offshore fishing
Inshore fishing stays in calm, shallow water near the coast. Offshore (deep sea) fishing runs out to open ocean for bigger fish. Here is how they compare on our Florida trips.
| Inshore | Offshore (deep sea) | |
|---|---|---|
| Where | Bays, lagoons, flats, mangroves, inlets, close to shore | Open ocean, reefs and wrecks, miles from shore |
| Water | Shallow and sheltered, usually calm | Deep water, more waves and swell |
| Boat | Flats boat, bay boat or skiff | Larger center console or sportfishing boat |
| Fish | Redfish, spotted seatrout, snook, tarpon, flounder | Grouper, snapper, mahi-mahi, kingfish, sailfish |
| Seasickness | Rare | More likely on rough days |
| Best for | Families, kids and first-timers | Big fish and experienced anglers |
| Price (Florida, boat) | From $450 for 4 hours | From $700 for 4 hours |
Popular inshore fishing charters
Book online with live calendars in these Florida towns. Prices are for the boat, 4-hour trip.
Space CoastMosquito Lagoon inshoreFrom $500 · see dates →
Northeast FloridaSt. Augustine inshoreFrom $500 · see dates →
South FloridaMiami inshoreFrom $550 · see dates →
Southwest FloridaSarasota inshoreFrom $600 · see dates →
South FloridaFort Lauderdale inshoreFrom $500 · see dates →
Florida KeysMarathon inshoreFrom $650 · see dates →
Gulf CoastClearwater inshoreFrom $600 · see dates →How inshore fishing works
On an inshore trip, your captain runs a small boat to the flats, mangroves, docks and passes where fish are feeding that day. You fish with light tackle, and sometimes you can see the fish before you cast. Learn more about what inshore fishing is.
Where inshore fish live
Grass flats, oyster bars, mangrove shorelines, docks, bridges, creeks and the passes between bays and the ocean. Some inshore trips also surf cast from the beach. Shallow, clear water is where inshore fishing turns into flats fishing.
Light tackle or fly rod
Most inshore fishing is done with light spinning tackle, live or artificial bait. Fly fishing is popular too: guests have caught their first redfish on fly on an iOutdoors inshore trip.
Tides, wind and weather
Tides move bait and fish, so your captain plans the day around the tide. Because the water is sheltered, inshore trips often still run when it’s too rough to go offshore.
Your captain and boat
Our captains hold Coast Guard licenses and are picked for their fishing success, safety and the condition of their boats and gear. Rods, tackle and bait are on board. Bring your own lure or rod if you like.
Inshore rods, reels and line
A typical inshore setup is a 7-foot medium-power spinning rod with a 2500 to 4000 size reel, spooled with 10 to 20 lb braid and a 20 to 30 lb fluorocarbon leader. On a charter you don’t need your own: the captain brings rods, reels, tackle and bait.
Inshore fishing boats
Inshore captains fish from boats that run in shallow water: flats boats and skiffs for the shallowest flats, and bay boats for bays, inlets and a little more chop. They are smaller than offshore boats, so most inshore charters take up to 4 guests.
What to bring
Polarized sunglasses, a hat, a long-sleeved shirt, a light jacket for cool mornings, sunscreen and a camera. Bring your own cooler with food and drinks. Prone to seasickness? Read our tips on how to prevent sea sickness.
From our guests
“I caught my first Redfish on fly on an inshore fishing trip with iOutdoor. You’ve made my trip! Thanks Guys!” – Steve Thomas. Read his trip report: inshore fishing with Capt. Steve.
Top inshore fishing destinations by state
Florida
Florida has inshore water on the Atlantic, the Gulf and in the Keys. The Mosquito Lagoon and Indian River Lagoon, inside the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge and Canaveral National Seashore, are known as the redfish capital of the world, with redfish and trout all year. They sit minutes from Cape Canaveral and Cocoa Beach. Pick a region and town (4-hour price, or Call to book):
Northeast Florida
Treasure Coast & Palm Beaches
See all Florida inshore fishing
Mississippi
The Mississippi Gulf Coast is known for inshore fishing too, with speckled trout, redfish and flounder in the bays, marshes and barrier islands around Biloxi and Gulfport.
See Mississippi inshore fishingPlanning an inshore trip somewhere else? Call (407) 392-4593, 9 am – 6 pm, and we’ll tell you what we can book.
Inshore fishing by season
Winter Dec–Feb
- Redfish and trout school up on the flats
- Sheepshead and black drum around docks
Spring Mar–May
- Snook move to the beaches and passes
- Tarpon start to show up
Summer Jun–Aug
- Tarpon season
- Fish early in the day
Fall Sep–Nov
- Bull redfish and snook
- Flounder move toward the inlets
What guests say about our inshore trips
5.07 reviews
Capt Brad was great for both of our fishing trips. He took great care to make my husbands birthday fishing experience amazing and taught me how to use a bait caster. His boat was immaculate and most importantly, he put us on fish.
Ashley Eubanks · April 2026 · Google
A most delightful town
The town of New Smyrna is worth seeing and visiting. We enjoyed walking along the waterfront. You can drive your car to the beach. Ate dinner near the water at one of the Town Tavern which featured a live band. My friend and I went fishing, what fun, highly recommend it!
Lisa Wilson · January 2021
Obstacles conquered!
Started out with a full moon the night before and wind blowing 3 times what was forecast but Captain Brad had a plan. We got out and in no time had fish on! I had no expectations for what we might catch which turned out great 8 different species and two nice redfish! I had a great time!
Doug M. · March 2019 · TripAdvisor
Loved fishing
I have to say, this was one of the most professional organizations I have experienced. Booking was easy and customer support answered all my questions. Even when I remembered them and called back hours later! :) What was recommended was an afternoon trip with Capt Brad. I chose the 6 hour trip…
Tim S · January 2019
Best Birthday Gift Ever !!!
I booked this trip for my Dad's Birthday he loves to fish but rarely catches anything. We went with Capt Brad Kayholm and he delivered an awesome trip he was on time ,very friendly ,knowledgeable and put us on the fish !!! I would definitely recommend booking a trip with him!!!
flhomesbyrich · October 2018
Best Birthday Gift Ever !!!
I booked this trip for my Dad's Birthday he loves to fish but rarely catches anything. We went with Capt Brad Kayholm and he delivered an awesome trip he was on time ,very friendly ,knowledgeable and put us on the fish !!! I would definitely recommend booking a trip with him!!!
flhomesbyrich · October 2018 · TripAdvisor
Four hour trip with Captain Brad
We had a great time with Captain Brad. He had us on the fish right away in the morning and always kept us moving looking for more. He was very knowledgeable.
Eli L · October 2018 · TripAdvisor
How to book an inshore fishing trip
Pick your Florida town to see live dates and book online, or call us and we’ll match you with a captain.
Inshore trips in more than 40 Florida towns
Saltwater license covered by the captain. Free cancellation up to 72 hours before. Full refund or free reschedule if the guide cancels for weather. Questions? Call (407) 392-4593, 9 am – 6 pm.
Inshore fishing questions
What does inshore fishing mean?
Inshore fishing means saltwater fishing in shallow, protected water close to shore: bays, lagoons, estuaries, grass flats, mangroves, creeks and passes, usually in water less than about 30 feet deep. Trips are on smaller boats in calmer water than offshore fishing.
How far out is inshore fishing?
Inshore fishing stays inside or just off the coast, usually within a few miles of shore and often in sight of land: inside bays, lagoons and inlets or along the beaches. Offshore fishing goes farther out into deeper ocean water.
What is the difference between inshore and offshore fishing?
Inshore fishing stays in shallow, sheltered water near the coast and targets fish like redfish, seatrout and snook. Offshore (deep sea) fishing runs miles out into open ocean for fish like grouper, mahi-mahi and sailfish. Inshore water is calmer, the boats are smaller and it is a good first trip for families.
What fish can you catch inshore?
Redfish, spotted seatrout, snook, tarpon, flounder, sheepshead, black drum and mangrove snapper are the most common. What you catch depends on the place and the season.
Where is the best inshore fishing in the U.S.?
Florida is the top inshore destination, with inshore water on both coasts and in the Keys. The Mosquito Lagoon and Indian River Lagoon on the Space Coast are known as the redfish capital of the world. The Gulf Coast, including Mississippi, is also known for inshore fishing.
How much does an inshore fishing charter cost?
In Florida, our 4-hour inshore charters start at about $450 to $650 for the boat, depending on the town. Longer trips cost more. Each town page shows its live prices.
What rod and reel do I need for inshore fishing?
Most anglers use a 7-foot medium-power spinning rod with a 2500 to 4000 size reel and 10 to 20 lb braided line with a fluorocarbon leader. On an inshore charter, the captain provides all rods, reels, tackle and bait.
Is inshore fishing good for kids and beginners?
Yes. The water is calmer than offshore, trips can be 4 hours or less, and the captain sets up the tackle and coaches you. It is one of the best ways to start fishing.
Will I get seasick inshore?
It is much less likely than offshore because inshore water is sheltered. If you are prone to seasickness, eat breakfast, stay hydrated and take medicine before the trip. Trips that end early because of seasickness are not refunded.
What is included and what should I bring?
Your captain has a Coast Guard license and brings the rods, tackle and bait, and the Florida saltwater fishing license is covered. Bring polarized sunglasses, a hat, sunscreen, a long-sleeved shirt, a light jacket for cool mornings, a camera, and your own cooler of food and drinks.
How do I book an inshore fishing charter?
Pick your town on our Florida inshore fishing page to see live dates and book online, or call (407) 392-4593, 9 am – 6 pm, and we will help you pick a trip.