Daytona Beach inshore fishing charters
Redfish, trout and snook on the Halifax River and Ponce Inlet.
Calm-water trips on the Halifax River and around Ponce Inlet for redfish, spotted seatrout, snook and flounder. Good for families and first-timers: the captain baits hooks, handles fish and picks the water for the day's wind and tide.
Book your inshore trip
Every calendar below shows live availability. Choose your number of guests, a date and a time, then book.
4-hour inshore charter
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6-hour inshore charter
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8-hour inshore charter
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- Free cancellation up to 72 hours before
- Full refund or free reschedule if the captain cancels for weather
- Starting prices shown. Your final price depends on group size
Meeting point: 1931 S Palmetto Ave, South Daytona, FL 32119. Questions? Call (407) 392-4593, 9 am – 6 pm.
What's included and what's not
- Licensed USCG captain
- Florida fishing license for every guest (under the charter license)
- Rods, reels and tackle
- Live or artificial bait
- Fuel
- Ice and cooler
- Fish cleaning at the dock
- Captain tip (10–20% is customary)
- Food and drinks
- Sunscreen, sunglasses and hat
- Transportation to the meeting point
What to bring
Reviews from nearby New Smyrna Beach trips
5.07 reviewsfrom New Smyrna Beach trips, 15 miles south. Daytona reviews will show here as they come in
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
Fish you can catch on your inshore trip
The Halifax River and Ponce Inlet hold a mix of species all year. Swipe to see what you could catch.
Spotted seatrout
Speckled troutYear-round on the grass flats; best in the cooler months.
Black drum
DrumWinter and spring on the flats and around docks.
Jack crevalle
JacksSpring to fall in the inlet and river. Hard fighters.
Sheepshead
Convict fishWinter and early spring around docks, bridges and pilings.
Flounder
Southern flounderOn sandy bottom near docks and drop-offs; best on the fall run toward the inlet.
Ladyfish
SkipjackWarm months in the river and inlet; fast, acrobatic jumpers on light tackle.
Size limits, bag limits and seasons change: see the FWC saltwater fishing regulations.
What's biting by season
Fall Sep–Nov
- Bull redfish at Ponce Inlet on the mullet run, big jack crevalle, flounder
Winter Dec–Feb
- Redfish and trout in the river, sheepshead and black drum around docks and bridges
Spring Mar–May
- Snook (best Feb–May), early tarpon
Summer Jun–Aug
- Redfish and trout at first light, tarpon, mangrove snapper (snook closed)
- Redfish in the Halifax River and Ponce Inlet: keep 1 per person, 18–27". Redfish in Mosquito Lagoon are catch-and-release only.
- Spotted seatrout in Volusia County waters (FWC Indian River Lagoon region) is closed Nov 1 – Dec 31.
- Snook is closed Dec 15 – Jan 31 and Jun 1 – Aug 31.
Source: FWC. Limits change; your captain has the current rules.
Why Daytona Beach inshore
WaterHalifax River
Grass edges, oyster bars and channel drop-offs right in town. Trout and redfish most of the year.
StructureDocks & bridges
Shade and current around docks, bridges and pilings for redfish, black drum and sheepshead.
WaterPonce Inlet
Jetties and inlet channels for snook, jacks, flounder and the fall bull reds.
How much does an inshore fishing charter in Daytona Beach cost?
An inshore fishing charter in Daytona Beach with iOutdoors starts at $500 for 4 hours, $600 for 6 hours and $700 for 8 hours. The final price depends on how many people are in your group, up to 4–6 guests. It includes the fishing license, rods, tackle and bait. Most trips fish the Halifax River and Ponce Inlet for redfish, trout and snook, and meet at 1931 S Palmetto Ave in South Daytona.
Daytona Beach inshore fishing guide
Daytona Beach sits on the Halifax River, a long saltwater river that runs behind the barrier island and meets the Atlantic at Ponce Inlet to the south. Inshore trips fish the river's grass edges, oyster bars, docks and bridges, and the inlet itself. Because the water is protected, there's almost always a calm place to fish. Your captain chooses the water on the morning of the trip based on wind, tide and where the fish have been feeding.
Where you'll fish
The Halifax River is the main inshore water. Grass flats, oyster bars, mangrove edges and channel drop-offs hold spotted seatrout, redfish, flounder and snook, and the river stays fishable when the wind is up.
Docks, bridges and pilings along the river are good spots for redfish, black drum, sheepshead and mangrove snapper, especially in the cooler months.
Ponce Inlet connects the river to the ocean. The jetties and inlet channels draw jack crevalle, flounder, snook and, in fall, big schools of bull redfish following the mullet run.
How the trips work
Trips meet at 1931 S Palmetto Ave in South Daytona, on the Halifax River. Most run from a shallow-draft bay or flats boat. Depending on conditions and what you like, you'll fish with live bait such as shrimp or finger mullet, soft plastics or topwater plugs. Beginners usually start with live bait; experienced anglers often ask for artificial lures. Tell your captain what you'd like when you book.
Best time to go
Inshore fishing is good all year, but each season is different. Fall brings the mullet run and big redfish at the inlet. Winter is good for trout, redfish, sheepshead and black drum. Spring is prime for snook and the first tarpon. Summer mornings are best before the afternoon heat and thunderstorms. See the Daytona Beach fishing calendar for a month-by-month view.
Tips for planning your trip
- Morning trips usually get the calmest water. Summer afternoons often bring thunderstorms.
- Tide drives the bite near Ponce Inlet and in the river. Your captain plans around it.
- Kids and first-timers do best on a 4-hour trip with live bait. The water is protected and the action is steady.
- Keep or release: in the Halifax River you can keep 1 redfish per person in the slot, plus trout and other species in season, within the limits above.
- From Orlando, Daytona Beach is about an hour's drive, so a morning trip fits into a vacation day.
Questions about inshore trips
Do I need a fishing license?
No. The captain's charter license covers every guest on the trip.
Can I keep my fish?
Yes, within limits. In the Halifax River you may keep 1 redfish per person, 18–27". Trout, black drum and others can be kept in season. Redfish in Mosquito Lagoon are catch-and-release. Your captain will tell you what's legal that day.
Is it good for kids?
Yes. Inshore water is protected, and the 4-hour trip is the usual pick for families.
Where do we meet?
Trips meet at 1931 S Palmetto Ave, South Daytona, FL 32119. Your captain confirms the departure time with you directly before the trip.
What if the weather is bad?
If the captain cancels for weather, you get a full refund or a free reschedule. Captains make the call the evening before or the morning of the trip.