Our inshore trips are all about variety. One minute you might be sight-casting to tailing redfish in skinny water, the next you could be battling a hard-pulling snook around a mangrove root. Sea trout often school up over the grass flats, providing fast action and tasty fillets if you're looking to bring home dinner. And if you're lucky, you might even tangle with the silver king himself – the mighty tarpon. Our captains stay on top of the latest patterns and movements, so you're always fishing where the bite is hottest.
Pine Island's inshore waters are teeming with gamefish year-round, but each season brings its own highlights. In the cooler months, big schools of redfish push into the backcountry, often tailing in water so shallow you can see their backs. Spring sees the arrival of tarpon, with 100+ pound specimens cruising the passes and flats. Summertime heats up the snook bite, with these hard-fighting linesiders ambushing bait around mangrove shorelines. And fall? That's when everything seems to be feeding, with mixed bags of reds, trout, and snook commonplace.
Pine Island Sportfishing targets the top Pine Island fish species including Snook, Tarpon, Redfish, and Speckled Sea Trout. We also catch Snapper, Sheepshead, Jack, Mackerel and Sharks.
Redfish are the bulldogs of Pine Island's inshore waters. Most are in the 18-27 inch slot, but bulls over 40 inches prowl offshore. You'll find them tailing in shallow grass flats or cruising mangrove shorelines, often in just inches of water. Fall is prime time as reds school up to spawn. These copper-colored beauties are known for powerful runs and excellent table fare. Sight fishing for tailing reds is a favorite, but they'll readily hit artificial lures too. For a stealthy approach in skinny water, try weedless gold spoons or soft plastics. And keep an eye out for that telltale spot near the tail - it's a dead giveaway when you're on the fish.
Spotted seatrout, or "specks," are staples of Pine Island flats fishing. Most run 15-20 inches, but gator trout over 5 pounds aren't uncommon. Look for them over grass flats and around oyster bars, especially early mornings. They're active year-round but really turn on in spring and fall. Trout are known for their soft mouths, so a gentle hookset is key. Anglers love targeting them for their willingness to hit lures and tasty fillets. Try working a popping cork with a soft plastic shrimp imitation - the noise draws them in from a distance. For bigger trout, go with larger baits like pinfish or mullet around dawn and dusk.
Snook are a prized catch around Pine Island, known for their size and fighting spirit. These fish typically run 24-34 inches long and love hanging around mangroves, docks, and other structure in shallow water. Look for them year-round, but the bite really heats up in summer. Snook put up an acrobatic fight, often leaping clear out of the water when hooked. Their meat is delicious too, making them popular for catch and cook. To land a big one, try freelining live bait like pilchards or pinfish near structure during incoming tides. And don't forget to use a shock leader - snook have razor-sharp gill plates that can slice through light line in a flash.
Tarpon are the silver kings of Pine Island waters. These prehistoric-looking fish can reach 6 feet and 150 pounds, though 80-100 pounders are more common. You'll find them rolling and gulping air in deeper channels and along the beaches, especially from April through June. Tarpon are pure muscle and famous for their gravity-defying leaps when hooked. The fight alone makes them bucket list fish for many anglers. While not great eating, the thrill of battling one makes up for it. For best results, use heavy tackle and chunk baits like mullet or ladyfish. And be ready to bow to the king when it jumps - lowering your rod tip helps keep them hooked.
3892 Coconut Dr.
St James City, FL 33956
315-243-2389
troy@highadventurefishing.com
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