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Naples Inshore Fishing: Top-Rated Afternoon Trip
- Published Date: November 19, 2025
- Fishing
- 525 Newport Dr, Naples, FL, United States
- Updated Date: December 19, 2025
Summary
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Backwater Fishing Action
Afternoon Fishing in Naples' Ten Thousand Islands
Looking for a fishing trip that's perfect for the whole family? Captain William's afternoon fishing charters in Naples, Florida offer exactly what you're after. We're talking about a laid-back 2.5-hour adventure through the Ten Thousand Islands - one of Southwest Florida's most productive inshore fishing grounds. This isn't about fighting massive offshore fish in rough seas. Instead, you'll be targeting some of the area's most popular species like Redfish, Snook, Sea Trout, Sheepshead, and Black Drum in calm, protected waters where even first-time anglers can have success.
What to Expect on the Water
Your afternoon starts with meeting Captain William at the dock, where he'll get you set up with all the gear you need - rods, reels, bait, and tackle are all included, plus your fishing licenses are covered too. The boat accommodates up to 6 passengers, making it perfect for families or small groups of friends. We'll cruise into the maze of mangrove islands and grass flats that make up this world-class fishing destination. The beauty of fishing these backwaters is that you're protected from wind and waves, so seasickness isn't usually a concern. Plus, the scenery is something else - you'll see dolphins, manatees, and all kinds of birds while we're moving between fishing spots. This is catch and release fishing, so we're focused on the experience and creating memories rather than filling a cooler.
Light Tackle Techniques
We fish with light tackle here, which means you'll actually feel every bite and fight. Captain William uses spinning gear with live bait like shrimp and pilchards, plus artificial lures depending on what the fish are doing that day. The technique varies based on the species we're targeting - sometimes we're sight fishing for Redfish cruising the flats, other times we're working structure for Snook or drifting grass beds for Sea Trout. The shallow water fishing in the Ten Thousand Islands is all about being quiet and precise. We'll pole or use the trolling motor to get into position without spooking fish. Don't worry if you've never done this before - Captain William will teach you how to cast, when to set the hook, and how to fight fish properly. The gear is beginner-friendly but still sporting enough that experienced anglers will have a blast.
Species You'll Want to Hook
Redfish are the bread and butter of Naples inshore fishing, and for good reason. These copper-colored fighters typically run 18-27 inches in our waters and are absolute bulldogs when hooked. They love the shallow grass flats and oyster bars throughout the Ten Thousand Islands. Fall and winter are prime time for Reds, when they school up in big numbers. What makes them so exciting is that you can often see them before you cast - watching a Redfish eat your bait in clear, shallow water never gets old.
Snook are the holy grail for many Florida anglers. These silver-sided gamefish with the distinctive black lateral line are ambush predators that hang around mangroves, docks, and structure. They're incredibly aggressive when they hit, often jumping and making blazing runs. Snook fishing is best during the warmer months, and they're particularly active during moving tides. Landing one of these is a real accomplishment since they're notorious for throwing hooks and breaking off in cover.
Sea Trout, or Spotted Seatrout, are probably the most cooperative fish you'll encounter on this trip. They school up over grass beds and are eager to bite live shrimp or soft plastic baits. Most of the trout we catch run 12-16 inches, with some nice gator trout pushing 20+ inches mixed in. They're perfect for kids and beginners because they don't require perfect technique - just get your bait in the right area and they'll usually cooperate.
Sheepshead are the technical challenge of the group. These black and white striped fish have human-like teeth and feed on crustaceans around structure like docks and bridges. They're notorious bait stealers, so catching one requires good timing and a quick hook set. Winter months are peak Sheepshead season in Naples, and they're excellent eating if you decide to keep a few within regulations.
Black Drum are the bulldozers of the flats. These bottom feeders can range from small "puppy drum" to massive fish over 30 pounds. They're most active during cooler months and are often found around oyster bars and deeper grass flats. What's exciting about Black Drum is you never know if that bite is going to be a 2-pounder or a 20-pounder until you start reeling.
Time to Book Your Spot
Captain William's afternoon fishing trips offer the perfect introduction to Naples' world-renowned inshore fishing scene. At just 2.5 hours, it's long enough to get into fish but short enough that kids won't get restless. The Ten Thousand Islands provide some of the most consistent fishing in Southwest Florida, and the catch-and-release approach means there's always plenty of fish for the next trip. Whether you're a family looking for a fun afternoon activity or experienced anglers wanting to explore new water, this trip delivers. All gear and licenses are included, so just bring sunscreen, drinks, and snacks. Book your spot today and see why Naples is considered one of Florida's top fishing destinations.
Learn more about the species
Black Drum
Black drum are the heavyweights of our backwater trips, typically running 10-20 pounds but capable of much more. These gray-black bruisers have crushing jaws built for eating oysters and crabs, which is exactly where we find them - around oyster bars and shell bottom in 2-8 feet of water. Spring months are prime time when they school up for spawning and you can actually hear them "drumming" underwater. What guests love is the solid, steady fight - no flashy jumps, just pure pulling power that'll test your drag. They're bottom feeders, so we fish cut crab or shrimp right on the structure. Here's the key: once you feel that subtle tap-tap, don't set the hook immediately. Let them chew on it for a few seconds, then lean into them hard. Their bony mouths need a solid hookset to stick.
Redfish
Redfish are the stars of our shallow water fishing - bronze-colored fish with that signature black spot near the tail. They range from 18-30 inches on average, with some "bull" reds over 35 inches. These fish live in super shallow water, often with their backs showing, cruising oyster bars, mangrove shorelines, and grass flats in 1-4 feet. They're year-round residents but spring through fall offers the most consistent action. What guests love is their powerful runs and the sight-fishing opportunities - watching them cruise and making precise casts. They're also great table fare when kept in slot size. The beauty is they'll eat almost anything: live shrimp, cut bait, or artificials. My go-to tip: look for nervous water or "waking" fish, then cast ahead of where they're moving. Let your bait settle to the bottom - they feed with their heads down, tail up.
Sea Trout
Spotted sea trout, or "specks" as we call them, are beautiful silver fish covered in distinct black spots. Most run 12-18 inches and 1-3 pounds, though we get some nice 4-5 pounders mixed in. They love grass flats and sandy bottom areas in 3-10 feet of water, especially around creek mouths and drop-offs. Fall and winter are peak seasons when they school up in deeper holes. What makes them popular is their willingness to bite artificials and their excellent table fare - mild, flaky white meat that's hard to beat. They're also great for beginners since they're aggressive feeders. The key is working soft plastics or shrimp under a popping cork over the grass beds. Move slowly and listen for their distinctive popping sounds when they feed on the surface - that tells you exactly where to cast.
Sheepshead
Sheepshead are the "convict fish" of our waters - silver with bold black stripes and human-like teeth that'll surprise you. They typically run 2-5 pounds and 12-18 inches, perfect for our light tackle setup. You'll find them around any hard structure: docks, pilings, oyster bars, anywhere barnacles grow. They're year-round residents, but winter and spring offer the best numbers when they school up. What makes them fun is they're notorious bait thieves - incredibly light biters that'll steal your shrimp before you know it. The meat is some of the best eating you'll find, sweet and flaky. The trick is using small hooks with fresh shrimp and keeping your bait right against the structure. When you feel that subtle nibbling, don't wait - set the hook fast. They'll try to cut you off in the barnacles if you give them any slack.
Snook
Snook are one of our most exciting inshore targets - sleek silver fish with that famous black lateral line running down their sides. Most run 18-30 inches, though we occasionally hook into bigger ones pushing 40+ inches. They love hanging around mangroves, docks, and oyster bars in our shallow backcounters, especially during moving tides. Spring through fall gives us the best action when water temps stay warm. What makes them special is their explosive strikes and strong runs - they'll jump and fight hard right to the boat. They're also pretty smart fish that change from male to female as they grow, so those bigger ones are usually females. Pro tip: cast right up against the mangrove roots where they ambush baitfish. They won't chase your lure far from cover, so accuracy beats distance every time.
About the Kids Time Fishing
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Vehicle Guest Capacity: 6
Manufacturer Name: Yamaha
Maximum Cruising Speed: 45
Number of Engines: 1
Horsepower per Engine: 250
