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Expert Inshore Fishing at Ponce Inlet & Rivers
- Published Date: November 19, 2025
- Fishing
- New Smyrna Beach
- $450 - $650 price range
- Updated Date: December 11, 2025
Summary
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Inshore Fishing Highlights
Full Day Inshore Fishing: Ponce Inlet's Hidden Gems
Ready to reel in some of Florida's most sought-after inshore species? Our full-day charter in Ponce Inlet is your ticket to non-stop action on the water. We'll cruise the productive waters of Ponce Inlet, Halifax River, and Indian River, targeting everything from hard-fighting redfish to acrobatic snook. Whether you're a seasoned angler or it's your first time wetting a line, this trip is tailored to give you a shot at some of the best inshore fishing Florida has to offer.
What's Biting in Ponce Inlet
Ponce Inlet is a year-round fishing hotspot, and our 6-hour trip gives you plenty of time to explore its diverse ecosystems. We'll start by hitting some of my favorite spots along the inlet's structure, where redfish and snook love to ambush bait. As the tide changes, we'll shift gears and drift the flats for speckled trout or work some deeper holes for flounder. The beauty of inshore fishing here is the variety – one minute you're sight-casting to tailing reds in skinny water, the next you're battling a bull shark that crashed the party.
Gear Up for Success
Leave your tackle box at home – we've got you covered with top-notch gear that's perfect for our local waters. You'll be fishing with FFP Osprey spinning reels paired with custom MHX rods, a combo that gives you the sensitivity to feel even the lightest bites and the backbone to turn big fish. We'll rig up with live bait when the bite calls for it, or switch to artificials to cover more water. Don't sweat the license either; your saltwater fishing permit is included with the charter.
Tips for a Great Day on the Water
Comfort is key for a full day of fishing, so dress in layers and don't forget the sun protection. A hat, polarized sunglasses, and sunscreen are must-haves. We provide water on board, but feel free to bring your own drinks and snacks to keep your energy up. If you're hoping to take home some fresh fillets, let me know in advance – we practice catch and release by default, but I'm happy to keep a few for the dinner table if that's your plan.
Species You'll Want to Hook
Redfish: The bulldogs of the flats, redfish are a staple of Ponce Inlet fishing. These copper-colored beauties can be found tailing in shallow water or hanging around oyster bars and docks. Fall is prime time for big schools of slot-sized reds, but we target them year-round. There's nothing quite like watching a red crush a topwater lure at dawn.
Snook: If you're after a fish that combines strength, speed, and acrobatics, snook are your target. These linesiders love to hang around structure and will test your skills with powerful runs and gill-rattling jumps. We typically see more snook in the warmer months, but Ponce Inlet holds fish year-round. Night fishing around lighted docks can be especially productive.
Speckled Trout: The bread and butter of inshore fishing, speckled trout are abundant in the grass flats and deeper holes of our local waters. They're great eating and fun to catch on light tackle. Winter months often produce larger "gator" trout, while summer sees big schools of smaller fish that are perfect for fast action.
Sheepshead: These striped bandits are the ultimate bait stealers, but they're also delicious on the plate. We target them around bridge pilings, docks, and rocky areas, especially in the cooler months. Sheepshead fishing is all about finesse and timing – hooking one of these crafty biters is a true accomplishment.
Mangrove Snapper: Don't let their size fool you – mangrove snapper are some of the wiliest fish in inshore waters. They love structure and have a knack for cutting leaders on barnacle-covered pilings. We find them year-round, but summer sees bigger concentrations as they move inshore to spawn. They're a blast on light tackle and make for excellent table fare.
Why Anglers Keep Coming Back
Ponce Inlet isn't just another fishing spot – it's a dynamic ecosystem that keeps you on your toes. One day you might be sight fishing for tailing redfish in gin-clear water, the next you're battling snook in the mangroves. The variety of species and fishing techniques we use keeps things interesting, whether you're a first-timer or a seasoned pro. Plus, there's something special about fishing waters where you can see dolphins, manatees, and all sorts of coastal birds while you're waiting for that next bite.
Time to Wet a Line
Ready to experience some of the best inshore fishing Florida has to offer? Our full-day charter in Ponce Inlet is the perfect way to dive into the action. We'll put you on fish, share some local knowledge, and make sure you have a blast on the water. Whether you're looking to bend a rod, learn new techniques, or just enjoy a day away from it all, this trip has you covered. Don't let another season slip by – book your spot now and let's make some fishing memories in Ponce Inlet!
Learn more about the species
Grey Snapper
Grey Snapper, also called Mangrove Snapper, are sneaky little fighters that'll keep you on your toes. These guys usually run 10-14 inches and 1-2 pounds inshore, but can get up to 20 pounds offshore. You'll find them hanging around structures like docks, bridges, and mangrove roots in Ponce Inlet. They're opportunistic feeders, most active at night or during low light. Anglers love targeting them for their tasty white meat and the challenge they present. These fish are wary and have great eyesight, so light tackle and stealth are key. Try using live shrimp or small baitfish on a light fluorocarbon leader. One local tip: chum the water with bits of cut bait to get them fired up. When you feel that sharp tap, don't hesitate - set the hook fast or they'll strip your bait in seconds. Grey Snapper might not be the biggest, but they're a blast to catch and fantastic eating.
Redfish
Redfish, or red drum, are the bread and butter of Ponce Inlet fishing. These copper-colored beauties, known for the black spot near their tail, typically run 20-30 inches inshore, but can grow much larger. You'll find them in shallow flats, around oyster beds, and in the backs of creeks, often so shallow their backs break the surface. Fall and spring are prime seasons, but you can catch them year-round. Anglers love reds for their hard-fighting nature and excellent eating quality. To target them, try sight-fishing on clear days or use live bait like mullet or crabs. One local tip: look for "tailing" redfish in super shallow water during high tide - it's a rush to see them before they see you. When hooked, these guys pull like a freight train, making even a modest-sized red an exciting catch. Whether you're a beginner or a pro, redfish never disappoint.
Sheepshead
Sheepshead are the oddball of Ponce Inlet fishing - and that's what makes them fun. These striped "convict fish" typically run 1-8 pounds and 14-20 inches, with a mouthful of human-like teeth perfect for crushing barnacles and crabs. You'll find them around any structure with barnacles - docks, pilings, and jetties are prime spots. Winter and early spring are best, as they gather to spawn. Anglers love the challenge of catching these bait-stealers, and their sweet, white meat is a delicacy. To catch sheepshead, use small hooks and natural baits like fiddler crabs or oysters. Here's a local trick: scrape some barnacles off a piling to create a chum slick, then drop your bait right in. When you feel the lightest tap, set the hook hard - these guys are experts at stealing bait. It takes finesse, but landing a big sheepshead is seriously satisfying.
Snook
Snook are the rockstars of inshore fishing around Ponce Inlet. These sleek, powerful fish typically run 20-30 inches, but can grow over 40 inches and 30 pounds. Look for them around mangroves, docks, and inlet jetties, especially during warmer months. Snook are ambush predators, using their large, bucket-like mouths to inhale prey. They're famous for explosive strikes and acrobatic jumps when hooked. Anglers prize snook for their challenging fight and excellent table fare. To target them, try live baits like mullet or pinfish, or lures that mimic their prey. One local trick: fish the outgoing tide at night around lighted docks - snook often gather there to feed. Remember, these fish are temperature sensitive, so winter can be tough. But when conditions are right, hooking into a big snook is an experience you won't forget.
Southern Flounder
Southern Flounder are masters of camouflage, blending into sandy or muddy bottoms in shallow coastal waters. Typically 15-18 inches long and weighing 1-5 pounds, these flatfish are ambush predators with both eyes on one side of their head. You'll find them in estuaries, bays, and rivers around Ponce Inlet, especially near structure. Fall is prime time as they move to deeper waters to spawn. Anglers love targeting flounder for their delicate, white meat and the challenge of detecting their subtle bites. To catch one, try drift fishing with a live mullet or shrimp on a Carolina rig. Let your bait bump along the bottom, and when you feel that telltale "thump," give it a second before setting the hook. These fish aren't just tasty - they put up a surprising fight for their size, making them a fun catch for all skill levels.
About the Skeeter SX240
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Vehicle Guest Capacity: 4
Manufacturer Name: Yamaha
Maximum Cruising Speed: 55
Number of Engines: 1
Horsepower per Engine: 300
