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New Smyrna Beach Offshore Charter Adventures
- Published Date: January 2, 2026
- Fishing
- New Smyrna Beach
- $450 - $750 price range
Summary
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On The Water
Inshore & Nearshore Fishing with Spot Stalker
Captain Todd Vivian knows these waters like the back of his hand, and when you step aboard with Spot Stalker Charters LLC, you're getting more than just a fishing trip – you're getting decades of local knowledge packed into every cast. Based right here in New Smyrna Beach, this isn't your typical crowded charter boat experience. With space for just one angler, you'll get the personalized attention that makes all the difference between coming home with stories and coming home with fish.
What to Expect on the Water
This is fishing the way it should be – intimate, focused, and productive. Captain Todd runs these waters from Edgewater down to Ponce Inlet, including the legendary Mosquito Lagoon, where the grass flats hold some of the most consistent action you'll find on Florida's East Coast. You're not fighting for rod space or waiting your turn to fish the good spots. It's just you, the captain, and water that's been producing fish for generations. The boat stays comfortable and maneuverable, letting Todd position you perfectly for each shot at the fish. Whether you're working the shallow flats for flounder or heading to the nearshore structure for snapper, every minute on the water is maximized for your success. The intimate setting means you'll learn techniques that bigger operations simply can't teach, and Todd's got the patience to make sure you understand why each spot matters and how to read the water yourself.
Techniques & Tackle Setup
Todd keeps things practical and effective, matching the tackle to the target and the conditions you'll face. For the inshore work around Mosquito Lagoon and the Edgewater flats, you'll be working with light spinning gear that lets you feel every bump and bite. Live bait is king here – shrimp, finger mullet, and mud minnows that match what these fish see every day. When the Spanish mackerel are running nearshore, it's time to switch gears to slightly heavier setups with wire leaders and fast-moving spoons or small plugs. Todd reads the water constantly, adjusting depth, bait presentation, and location based on tide, wind, and what the fish are telling him. The beauty of this personalized approach means you're not stuck with one technique all day. If the bottom fishing slows down, you might find yourself sight-casting to cruising fish or working structure that only shows up on Todd's GPS from years of exploration.
Species You'll Want to Hook
Lane snapper are the bread and butter of nearshore fishing here, and these feisty little fighters pack more punch per pound than fish twice their size. You'll typically find them in 15-30 feet of water around structure, and they're absolute suckers for a well-presented shrimp or small piece of cut bait. Spring through fall offers the most consistent action, but Todd knows the winter spots where they stack up when the weather turns. What makes lane snapper special isn't just their aggressive bite – it's that they travel in schools, so when you find one, you've usually found dinner for the whole family.
Spanish mackerel turn these nearshore waters into an absolute circus when they're running thick, usually from late spring through early fall. These silver bullets hit baits so hard they'll nearly rip the rod from your hands, and their blistering runs will test your drag settings and your nerve. Todd positions the boat to intercept their feeding schools, often working depths from 20-40 feet where they chase baitfish to the surface. The key is speed and flash – small spoons, Clark spoons, or live pilchards trolled or cast into the mayhem. When the mackerel are cooperative, it's not unusual to boat a dozen or more in a session.
Southern flounder are the masters of disguise in these waters, lying perfectly camouflaged on sandy bottoms and grass edges throughout the lagoon system. Fall is prime time when they're staging for their offshore spawning run, fattened up and aggressive. Todd knows every drop-off, channel edge, and oyster bar where these flatfish ambush prey. Flounder fishing requires patience and technique – a slow, methodical approach with live finger mullet or mud minnows bounced along the bottom. When a flounder inhales your bait, there's no mistaking that solid thump, followed by the dead weight of a fish that fights like a wet towel until it sees the boat, then goes absolutely crazy.
Bluefish bring non-stop action when they're feeding, turning the water into a frothy mess as they slash through schools of baitfish. These toothy predators show up year-round but peak in spring and fall migrations. Todd spots them by watching for diving birds and surface commotion, then positions you to cast into the feeding frenzy. Wire leaders are essential – bluefish will slice through mono like butter with their razor-sharp teeth. They're not picky about baits, hitting everything from cut mullet to shiny spoons, but the strikes are violent and the fights are bulldogging affairs that'll leave your arms burning.
Grey snapper, the larger cousins of their lane snapper relatives, lurk around deeper structure and require a bit more finesse to fool. These smart fish have seen plenty of baits over the years, so Todd's approach focuses on natural presentation and quality bait selection. Live shrimp or perfectly cut baitfish worked slowly around ledges, rocks, and artificial reefs produce the best results. Grey snapper are notorious for their light bite – often just a subtle weight on the line – followed by powerful runs toward structure where they'll try to break you off. Landing a quality grey snapper requires patience, skill, and a little luck, making them one of the most satisfying catches of the trip.
Time to Book Your Spot
This is fishing stripped down to its essential elements – you, an expert captain, and waters that consistently produce quality fish. Todd's personalized approach means you're not just another angler on another boat; you
Learn more about the species
Bluefish
Bluefish are aggressive predators that travel in hungry schools, known for their feeding frenzies that can turn the water white with foam. These blue-green fighters typically weigh 5-15 pounds and have razor-sharp teeth that'll slice through leaders. You'll find them around baitfish schools, near surf zones, and along the beach during their seasonal runs from spring through fall. What makes them exciting is their violent strikes and strong runs - they fight dirty and don't give up easy. They're decent eating when handled right, though the smaller "snapper blues" taste better than the big ones. When you see birds diving or commotion on the surface, that's usually blues busting bait. My advice: use a wire leader or heavy fluorocarbon - they'll cut through regular mono in a heartbeat.
Grey Snapper
Grey Snappers, also called Mangrove Snappers, are crafty fish that love hanging around structure like docks, mangroves, and rocky areas. These copper-colored fish typically run 10-14 inches inshore, though bigger ones lurk in deeper water. They're most active at night and during low-light conditions, making dawn and dusk prime time. What guests appreciate is their fighting spirit and excellent table quality - white, flaky meat that's perfect for any recipe. These opportunistic feeders are smart and spooky, so stealth is key. They'll eat live shrimp, pilchards, and cut bait. The secret is patience and finesse - use light tackle, let your bait sit naturally near cover, and don't jerk when you feel the bite. Give them a second to take it before setting the hook, or they'll drop it every time.
Lane Snapper
Lane Snappers are beautiful little fighters with pink-silver bodies and yellow-striped fins that make them easy to spot. These 10-14 inch fish love hanging around coral heads, rocky bottoms, and grass flats in 15-60 feet of water. They're aggressive feeders that'll hit live shrimp, cut bait, or small jigs without much hesitation. What guests love most is their feisty attitude - they punch way above their weight class and make great table fare with sweet, flaky meat. Best fishing is March through September when they're spawning and feeding heavily. Since they often travel in schools, once you find one, there's usually more around. My tip: when targeting lanes, drop your bait right to the bottom near structure, then lift it just a foot or two up. They like to ambush prey from below.
Southern Flounder
Southern Flounder are masters of disguise that lie buried in sand and mud, waiting to ambush passing prey. These flatfish typically run 15-18 inches and can be found in shallow bays, river mouths, and around docks where they blend perfectly with the bottom. Fall and winter are prime time when they're moving toward deeper water to spawn. What guests love is the challenge of sight fishing for them in clear, shallow water, plus they're some of the best eating fish in our waters - sweet, white meat that's hard to beat. They feed on shrimp, small fish, and crabs. The trick is to work your bait slowly along the bottom. I always tell folks to use a 1/4 to 3/8 ounce jig head with a live shrimp or finger mullet, and bounce it right along the sand where they're hiding.
Spanish Mackerel
Spanish Mackerel are some of the fastest fish you'll encounter in our waters, hitting speeds that'll test your drag system. These silver bullets with golden spots typically run 1-2 feet long and love cruising near the surface in large schools. You'll find them around piers, jetties, and nearshore structures, especially when the water warms up in spring through fall. What makes them special is their blistering runs and aerial shows when hooked. Plus, they're fantastic eating - mild, flaky meat that's perfect for grilling or smoking. They feed heavily on small baitfish like sardines and anchovies. The key to success is speed - use fast-moving spoons or jigs and don't let them sit still. When you see diving birds or surface activity, get there quick and start casting.
