New Smyrna Beach inshore fishing charters
Sight-fish the flats of Mosquito Lagoon.
Shallow, calm-water trips for redfish, trout and snook on Mosquito Lagoon and the Indian River. Good for families and first-timers: the captain baits hooks, handles fish and picks the water for the day's wind.
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
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 marina
What to bring
Reviews from New Smyrna inshore trips
5.04 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
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
Fish you can catch on your inshore trip
The lagoon, rivers and Ponce Inlet hold a mix of species all year. Swipe to see what you could catch.
Redfish
Red drumYear-round on the flats; bull reds at Ponce Inlet in fall. Catch-and-release in Mosquito Lagoon.
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 lagoon and inlet; fast, acrobatic jumpers on light tackle.
Size limits, bag limits and seasons change: see the FWC saltwater fishing regulations.
Inshore fishing in New Smyrna Beach: what you can catch
New Smyrna Beach inshore trips sight-fish the shallow flats of Mosquito Lagoon and the waters near Ponce Inlet. Redfish are the main target all year, from slot-size fish on the flats to big bull reds in the fall. Spotted seatrout, snook, black drum and flounder are common, and tarpon roll through in summer. Your captain picks the spots each day based on tide, weather and what's biting.
What's biting by season
Fall Sep–Nov
- Bull redfish on the mullet run (Oct), big jack crevalle
Winter Dec–Feb
- Redfish schools on the flats, trout, sheepshead arriving
Spring Mar–May
- Snook (best Feb–May), early tarpon
Summer Jun–Aug
- Trophy reds at first light, tarpon, sharks (snook closed)
- Redfish in Mosquito Lagoon and the Indian River Lagoon are catch-and-release only. North of the South Causeway (Halifax River, Ponce Inlet) you may keep 1 per person, 18–27".
- Spotted seatrout in the 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 New Smyrna inshore
WaterMosquito Lagoon
Clear, knee-deep flats inside Canaveral National Seashore. Redfish tail in the open.
WaterIndian River & Halifax
Mangrove edges, docks and oyster bars for trout, snook and drum when the wind is up.
WaterPonce Inlet
Jetty and inlet fishing for jacks, flounder and the October bull reds.
How much does an inshore fishing charter in New Smyrna Beach cost?
An inshore fishing charter in New Smyrna 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 Mosquito Lagoon and the Indian River for redfish, trout and snook.
New Smyrna Beach inshore fishing guide
New Smyrna Beach sits where three bodies of water meet: Mosquito Lagoon to the south, the Indian River behind the barrier island, and the Halifax River running north to Ponce Inlet. That mix gives inshore anglers clear, shallow flats on calm days and protected creeks and docks when the wind picks up. Your captain chooses the water on the morning of the trip based on wind, weather and where the fish have been feeding.
Where you'll fish
Mosquito Lagoon is the trip most people come for. It lies inside Canaveral National Seashore, and much of it is knee- to waist-deep with grass flats and sand potholes. On a calm morning you can see redfish tailing and black drum pushing water before you cast. It's one of the best places in Florida to sight-fish for redfish.
The Indian River and Halifax River hold oyster bars, mangrove shorelines, docks and channel edges. These spots fish well for spotted seatrout, snook, flounder and redfish, and they stay fishable when wind makes the open flats choppy.
Ponce Inlet connects the rivers to the Atlantic. The jetties and inlet channels draw jack crevalle, flounder, sheepshead and, in fall, big schools of bull redfish following the mullet run.
How the trips work
Most trips run from a shallow-draft flats or bay boat. On the flats, the captain may pole or use a trolling motor to move quietly while you look for fish. Depending on conditions and what you like, you'll fish with live bait such as shrimp or finger mullet, soft plastics, topwater plugs, or fly tackle. Beginners usually start with live bait; experienced anglers often ask for artificial lures or sight casting. 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 October mullet run and big redfish at the inlet. Winter offers clear water and schooling redfish on the flats on calm days. Spring is prime for snook and the first tarpon. Summer mornings are best for big redfish and seatrout before the afternoon heat and thunderstorms. See the New Smyrna fishing calendar for a month-by-month view.
Tips for planning your trip
- Morning trips usually get the calmest water and the best visibility on the flats. Summer afternoons often bring thunderstorms.
- Wind matters more than tide in Mosquito Lagoon, where water levels move mostly with the wind. Near Ponce Inlet, the tide drives the bite.
- Kids and first-timers do best on a 4-hour trip with live bait. The water is flat and the action is steady.
- Keep or release: redfish in Mosquito Lagoon are catch-and-release, so plan on photos. Trout and other species can be kept in season, within the limits above.
- From Orlando, New Smyrna Beach is about an hour's drive, so a morning trip fits easily into a theme-park vacation.
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?
Some. Redfish in Mosquito Lagoon are catch-and-release. Trout, black drum and others can be kept in season, within limits. Your captain will tell you what's legal that day.
Is it good for kids?
Yes. Inshore water is flat and protected, and the 4-hour trip is the usual pick for families.
Where do we meet?
Most trips meet at 164 Causeway N, New Smyrna Beach, FL 32169. Your captain confirms the exact meeting spot and 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.