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Top-Rated Steinhatchee Fishing Charters | Florida
SteinhatcheeWhat you will be catching:
Redfish
Sea Trout
Sheepshead
Summer Flounder
Tarpon
- Full-day inshore fishing targeting redfish, trout, flounder, sheepshead, tarpon
- All equipment, bait, tackle, licenses, and refreshments included in package
- Expert Captain Chris guides up to three guests from Steinhatchee waters
Trip Pricing and Availabilities :
Trip pricing information is temporarily unavailable.
Full Day Fishing Trip In Steinhatchee - Big Fish
Looking for a fishing adventure that'll have you talking for months? Captain Chris Davy's full-day inshore trip out of Steinhatchee is exactly what you need. This top-rated charter takes you into some of Florida's most productive waters, where the grass flats and rocky structure hold everything from heavyweight redfish to acrobatic tarpon. You'll fish aboard a brand-new 25-foot Ranger that's built for comfort and performance, departing from the Marina at Deadman's Bay with everything included – bait, tackle, ice, water, and your fishing licenses. Whether you're bringing the family or a group of buddies, Captain Chris keeps it fun and educational for anglers of all skill levels.
What to Expect on the Water
Your day starts early at Deadman's Bay Marina, where you'll meet Captain Chris and get a quick rundown of the game plan. The 2021 Ranger is rigged with quality gear and designed to handle Steinhatchee's shallow waters and open bay areas with ease. Depending on conditions and what's biting, you might start working the grass flats for trout and redfish, then move to structure for sheepshead and flounder. The beauty of a full-day trip is the flexibility – if the bite is hot in one spot, you can stay put, or if you want to chase different species, there's time to move around and try new areas. Captain Chris knows these waters like the back of his hand and adjusts the approach based on tides, weather, and seasonal patterns to put you on fish.
Techniques and Top Spots
Steinhatchee's inshore fishing is all about reading the water and matching your technique to the target. You'll likely spend time sight fishing the flats with live bait and artificials, working popping corks over grass beds, and bouncing jigs around rocky structure. The area's mix of shallow grass, deeper channels, and hard bottom creates perfect habitat for multiple species. Captain Chris carries a variety of tackle setups – from light spinning gear for trout to heavier rods for tarpon and big reds. Live shrimp, pinfish, and cut bait are staples, but don't be surprised if he breaks out the topwater plugs when conditions are right. The 25-foot Ranger gets you into skinny water where bigger boats can't go, but it's also stable enough to fish the deeper bay areas comfortably.
Species You'll Want to Hook
Redfish are the bread and butter of Steinhatchee inshore fishing, and for good reason. These copper-colored fighters cruise the grass flats year-round, with fall and winter bringing the biggest fish as they school up for spawning. Reds in the 20 to 30-inch range are common, with slot fish providing excellent table fare and oversized bulls offering pure adrenaline. They're aggressive feeders that'll hit live bait, cut mullet, and artificial lures with equal enthusiasm.
Sea trout are another customer favorite, especially during the cooler months when they school up in deeper grass beds. Steinhatchee's speckled trout run bigger than average, with fish over 20 inches fairly common. They're sporty on light tackle and make excellent eating, plus they're perfect for teaching kids the basics since they're usually cooperative biters. Look for the best action during moving water on grass flats and around channel edges.
Sheepshead fishing really heats up from late winter through spring when these black-and-white striped fighters move shallow to spawn. They're notorious bait stealers with incredible eyesight, making them a fun challenge for experienced anglers. Steinhatchee's rocky structure and bridge pilings provide perfect sheepshead habitat, and these fish are considered some of the best eating in the Gulf. Their human-like teeth and quirky appearance make them a hit with kids and first-time visitors.
Summer flounder, or fluke, patrol the sandy bottom areas and channel edges throughout the warmer months. These flatfish are masters of camouflage and provide exciting fishing as they ambush bait from their hiding spots in the sand. Flounder fishing requires patience and technique – you'll drift or anchor and work baits along the bottom, feeling for that distinctive tap-tap bite. They're excellent table fare and their unique appearance always generates excitement on deck.
Tarpon are the ultimate prize during summer months, when these silver kings move into Steinhatchee's waters to feed and spawn. While most fish range from 30 to 80 pounds, even smaller tarpon provide world-class action with their aerial displays and powerful runs. Hooking a tarpon on the flats is a rush like no other – they'll clear the water multiple times and test every piece of tackle you've got. Captain Chris knows the seasonal patterns and tide movements that concentrate these fish in fishable numbers.
Time to Book Your Spot
A full day with Southern Fried Charters gives you the best shot at experiencing everything Steinhatchee has to offer. With all gear, licenses, and essentials included, you can focus on what matters – making memories and catching fish. Captain Chris's local knowledge and quality equipment stack the odds in your favor, whether you're after a fish dinner, your personal best, or just a great day on the water. The 25-foot Ranger provides comfort for up to three anglers, making it perfect for small groups who want personalized attention and maximum fishing time. Book your spot now and discover why Steinhatchee is becoming one of Florida's most renowned inshore fishing destinations.
Learn more about the species
Redfish
Redfish are the poster fish of our shallow water fishing, and for good reason. These copper-colored fighters typically run 20-35 inches and really know how to use that broad tail when hooked. Look for them in 1-4 feet of water around oyster bars, grass flats, and mangrove shorelines - sometimes so shallow their backs are out of the water. That distinctive black spot near the tail isn't just for show; it confuses predators about which end is the head. Year-round fishing is good, but fall and spring offer the best action when they school up. Guests love them because they eat almost anything and fight like crazy in shallow water. The meat has a mild, sweet flavor that's hard to beat. My top tip: look for "nervous water" or slight disturbances on calm days - that's usually redfish pushing bait in the shallows.
Sea Trout
Spotted sea trout are our bread-and-butter inshore species, perfect for anglers wanting consistent action. Most run 14-24 inches and 1-5 pounds, with their spotted sides making them easy to identify. They love grass flats, shallow bays, and drop-offs where they ambush shrimp and small baitfish. Spring through fall are prime months, especially early morning and evening when they're actively feeding. What makes trout special is their willingness to hit artificial lures - topwater plugs, soft plastics, and spoons all work great. The meat is tender and flaky, though you need to avoid overcooking it. Night fishing under lights can be outstanding when they school up chasing bait. My favorite approach is working a DOA shrimp along the grass edges where the water drops from 3 to 6 feet - that's where the big ones hang out.
Sheepshead
Sheepshead are the convict fish of our waters with those distinctive black stripes, but don't let their appearance fool you - they're excellent table fare. Most run 1-8 pounds and 14-20 inches, though 20-pounders do show up around good structure. You'll find them tight to docks, bridge pilings, and any barnacle-covered structure where they use those human-like teeth to scrape off their favorite meals. Spring months are best when they're spawning and concentrated around passes and jetties. Guests love the challenge because sheepshead are notorious bait thieves - they'll nibble and test your offering before committing. The white, flaky meat is worth the effort though. My local secret: use fiddler crabs or fresh shrimp, keep your bait right against the structure, and set the hook hard the moment you feel weight.
Summer Flounder
Flounder are the masters of disguise on our sandy bottoms. These flatfish typically run 15-20 inches, though we catch some real doormat-sized ones pushing 26 pounds. They lie buried in sand and mud waiting to ambush baitfish, using their chameleon-like ability to match the bottom perfectly. You'll find them in 10-30 feet of water around structure and drop-offs. Fall months from September through November are prime time when they're feeding heavy before moving offshore. What guests love is the challenge - they're sneaky biters that require finesse. The payoff is some of the best eating fish in the Gulf. My go-to trick is using a bucktail jig tipped with a strip of squid, bounced slowly along the bottom. Feel for that subtle tap and set the hook quick.
Tarpon
These silver giants are the fish dreams are made of around here. Most tarpon we see run 4-6 feet and 80-150 pounds, though the real monsters can hit 8 feet and 280 pounds. They cruise our shallow flats and deeper channels, especially during their spring and summer migrations. What makes tarpon special isn't just their acrobatic jumps when hooked - they can leap 10 feet out of the water - but their prehistoric presence. These fish have been around for 125 million years. We practice catch and release since they're not great eating, but the fight is pure adrenaline. My local tip: when you see one roll on the surface, cast ahead of where it's heading, not where you saw it. They're always moving, and patience pays off with these ancient fighters.
