15 Inshore and Bay Fishing Trips Worth Flying For

1.Bay Fishing South Padre Island

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 206 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $32Our pick

Fish the lower Laguna Madre aboard the 49-foot Hard Bottom Too for about four hours. Captain Murphy’s crew supplies rods, bait, and tackle, helping you target sand trout, whiting, drum, sheepshead, and more. Morning and evening trips offer different light, weather, and fishing conditions.

“The crew was very friendly and patient with rookie fishermen. My family really enjoyed our outing as it was not rushed or commercialized. It felt like we were out with friends!”

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2.Private Bay Fishing South Padre Island

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 93 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) Top rated

Spend four to five hours fishing South Padre Island’s bay with a private captain such as Brady, Chapo, or Rett. Gear, bait, tackle, bottled water, and an ice chest are provided. Bring drinks, keep your catch, and arrange fish cleaning or a cooked meal at the harbor restaurant.

“Guess what WE DID NOT CATCH ANY FISH!!!! The ppl that manage this place should know when the weather is not good for fishing. That's the reason that we where the only boat out there, bc everyone else go the message and cancel. # 2 I did send a message to find out if the trip will b cancel bc we were concerned about the weather, but ya didn't and you are in the business of fishing????, instead ya asked to upgrade according to ya it will b better due to the weather and help catch more fish, instead of canceling. What kind of crap is that???// bc were out…”

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3.Inshore Fishing on the Waters of the Choctawhatchee Bay

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 88 reviews · 4 hours (approx.)

Captain Rob takes up to four anglers onto Choctawhatchee Bay aboard Dress Blues, a new 25-foot center-console. Expect private instruction, Penn gear, live bait, shaded seating, a restroom, and fishing for redfish, snapper, drum, trout, and more.

“Captain Rob is an exceptional fishing guide and navigator on the water who made the trip so enjoyable, interesting, and refreshing. We caught lots of fish just after a short time in the bay that exceeded expectations. I highly recommend Captain Rob and L4K Charters because of his experience and patience for any skill level of fishing, and for just an overall fun and memorable time. Look forward to another trip on the next visit to Destin. Thanks a million!”

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4.Naples Backwater/Calm Bay Fishing

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 74 reviews · 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $145

Set out from 5th Avenue South with Pure Florida for 3.5 hours of calm-bay fishing near Naples. Captain Chris, Adam, Dan, Marty, Sam and other crew members have helped families fish, spot dolphins and move between mangroves, inlets and Gulf water when conditions allow.

“Great experience, well worth it. Sam was great! My nine year old and I had a wonderful time. We even got to see the solar eclipse while we were out there!”

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5.Private Inshore Fishing Experience in Isla Mujeres and Cancún

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 69 reviews · 4 hours (approx.)

Join Isla Fun Tours for a private four-hour inshore fishing trip within six miles of Isla Mujeres. Local captains such as Mario, Oscar, Chuy, and Daniel handle the gear and teach you how to fish for barracuda, snapper, grouper, bonito, or permit. Cancun hotel pickup is available.

“Crew was great. Not many fish biting but they made sure everyone caught at least one. A few got away making for some great fish stories.”

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6.KeyWest Half-Day Inshore Fishing Private Charter

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 64 reviews · 4 hours (approx.)

Start at 7:30 am from Stock Island with Captain Justin or Captain Jagger for four hours in Key West’s shallow channels. Use live crabs, pilchards, and pinfish for tarpon, sharks, snappers, jacks, barracuda, and more. The private boat carries up to four people.

“We had such an amazing time. Captain Jagger was awesome! Went to a few spots and caught a number of fish and two sharks (released). The kids had an awesome time and reeled in a few!”

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7.Inshore Fishing trip in Santa Teresa

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 48 reviews · 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.)

Join Jason Tours in Santa Teresa for a private 3.5-hour fishing trip off the Nicoya Peninsula. Guides such as Jason, Erik, and Janvier provide gear, drinks, fruit, and help with your catch while you fish for tuna, mahi mahi, roosterfish, snapper, and more.

“We had a great fishing trip with Jason. Caught a lot of fish and cooked them last night. Best yellow tail tuna I’ve ever had! Jason did a superb job navigating, assisting and cleaning our catch. Definitely recommend using Jason’s Tours!!”

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8.Biscayne Bay Inshore Flats Fishing

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 46 reviews

You’ll fish Biscayne Bay with Miami Bonefishing on a private 4-, 6-, or 8-hour charter for up to two people. The guide supplies fly and spinning gear, tackle, live bait, ice, and your fishing license. Expect calm, shallow water and a chance at more than a dozen species.

“This was the best fishing trip I have ever experienced. I have fished all over the world and by far this was the best and we'll run trip.”

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9.Private Inshore Fishing Adventure in Puerto Vallarta with Snacks

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 41 reviews · 4 hours (approx.)

Fish inside Banderas Bay on a private four-hour boat trip for up to four people. Captain Fernando and his first mate tailor the outing to your group, using trolling or bottom-fishing gear for mahi mahi, tuna, sailfish, grouper, snapper, and more. Gear and water are included, but there is no onboard bathroom.

“The crew was patient and great with kids. We had a great day! It was easy to get to and from the marina, the iguanas were very cool in the area, and the boat was perfect for 4 hours.”

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10.Crystal River Inshore Fishing Charter

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 35 reviews · 4 to 8 hours (approx.)

Meet Captain Ryan, Chris, or Michael at the public ramp on 1 SW 1st Pl for a private Crystal River fishing trip. Choose four to eight hours, use the supplied gear and licenses, and fish areas such as Crystal Bay while watching for wildlife, parks, snook, cobia, grouper, and tripletail.

“A fantastic family fishing trip. I'd never fished before and my son was scared of boats! captain Ryan made our trip stress-free, relaxing, and fun. A short time later we had caught 15+ Tripletail ! BBQ fish that we had caught ourselves made this a day to remember. we will book again. 6-hour trip :)”

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11.Inshore Sport Fishing with Local Guide

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 35 reviews · 4 hours (approx.)

Captain Zach takes up to three anglers on a four-hour inshore trip aboard an 18-foot Maverick HPX. Fish canals, mangrove creeks, bridges, rivers, and flats around Fort Lauderdale, with tackle, licenses, water, and rigging included.

“Zach the captain was absolutely the best. He new exactly where to go to catch the big tarpon fish. We made many memories that we will remember for a long time.”

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12.Inshore Fishing Charter

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 30 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $325

Set out from 50 Immigration St. for an eight-hour private inshore charter around Charleston’s tidal creeks, sounds, bays, and marsh grass. Your captain may be Dylan, Ryan, Bill, Dan, or Jeff. Gear, licenses, bait support, and bottled water are included, with redfish, spotted trout, flounder, and other inshore catches possible.

“Hell of a day out there and guide made it easy!”

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13.4-Hour Private Inshore Fishing Trip in Sarasota

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 19 reviews · 4 hours (approx.)

Captain James Gibson takes your private group of up to four from Harts Landing into Sarasota’s inshore waters for four hours of fishing. Gear and tackle are provided, and the trip can target snook, redfish, tarpon, and trout, with advice and hands-on help for every age.

“Captain James teaching our 2 sons how to fish, catching about 7 types of fish, speeding to 4/5 different fishing spots on his lovely fast boat.”

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14.Inshore Fishing 4-Hour Puerto Vallarta Charter

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 12 reviews · 4 hours (approx.)

Captain Scooby and mate Chicken take you into Puerto Vallarta Bay aboard a 28-foot Super Panga for four hours of inshore fishing. Gear, licenses, live bait, ice, and a cooler are included. Expect a private trip aimed at jacks, roosterfish, needlefish, skipjacks, and small mahi mahi.

“It was a fun fishing trip. Both Captain Scooby and chicken were very accommodating. We did catch one fish, the Charbrille.”

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15.Tampa Bay Inshore Fishing Charters

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 5 reviews · 4 to 8 hours (approx.)

Meet Captain Nick or another iOutdoor Fishing Adventures guide at Gandy Boat Ramp for a private Tampa Bay fishing trip. Choose 4 to 8 hours, fish Old Tampa Bay and the main bay, and use the provided boat, tackle, safety gear, water, and fishing licenses. Bring food, sun protection, and patience.

“Great experience, my family had fun so I’m happy. Captain was very friendly and helpful. Great for beginners or expert fishermen.”

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