Premium Bonita Springs Inshore Fishing Adventure

Published Date: July 17, 2025
Fishing

Bonita Springs
$550 - $550 price range

Summary

Join Black Irish Charters for a 4-hour afternoon fishing trip in Bonita Springs. We'll head out to the calm, productive inshore waters of the Gulf Coast, where you can try your hand at catching prized species like Snook and Speckled Trout. Our experienced guides know all the best spots, whether you're a seasoned angler or it's your first time holding a rod. The backwaters around Bonita Springs are teeming with fish, giving you plenty of chances to reel in a great catch. With room for up to 4 guests, it's perfect for a small group or family outing. We provide all the gear you'll need, so just bring your sense of adventure. As the sun starts to dip, you'll get to experience the beauty of Florida's coastal waters while testing your fishing skills. It's a great way to spend an afternoon on the water and maybe land the big one!

Premium Bonita Springs Inshore Fishing Adventure

Inshore Action Shots

A lone snook fish caught in Florida while fishing

Bonita Springs never disappoints on Snook

Catch of the day!

Hook of the day!

Snook, a big fish, caught while fishing in Bonita Springs

Snook all day!

Reel in the Action: Bonita Springs Backwater Fishing

Get ready to wet a line in some of Florida's most productive inshore waters! This 4-hour afternoon trip with Black Irish Charters puts you right in the heart of Bonita Springs' legendary backwater fishing grounds. Whether you're chasing the elusive snook or hoping to land a trophy redfish, Captain Mike knows all the honey holes where the big ones are biting. Bring the whole family or grab your fishing buddies – there's room for up to 4 anglers to get in on the action.

What to Expect on the Water

As soon as we push off from the dock, you'll feel the excitement build. We'll cruise through winding mangrove channels and open flats, targeting prime spots where gamefish love to hang out. The calm, shallow waters are perfect for sight fishing – keep your eyes peeled for tailing redfish or snook busting bait on the surface. Our state-of-the-art bay boat is rigged with top-notch gear, so you'll be fishing with the best rods, reels, and tackle. Don't worry if you're new to inshore fishing – the captain will show you the ropes and have you casting like a pro in no time.

Techniques That Hook the Big Ones

We'll use a mix of live bait and artificial lures to entice the fish. Depending on the conditions and what's biting, we might throw soft plastics, jigs, or topwater plugs. Live shrimp and pilchards are always killer baits for snook and redfish. The captain will teach you how to work a popping cork – a local favorite technique that drives trout and redfish crazy. We'll also do some sight fishing in the shallows, where you can watch a big snook crush your bait right before your eyes. It's an adrenaline rush you won't forget!

Top Catches This Season

The backwaters of Bonita Springs are teeming with gamefish year-round. In the warmer months, snook fishing is on fire – these hard-fighting linesiders love to ambush bait around mangrove shorelines and oyster bars. Redfish are always a popular target, with bull reds showing up in the fall. Speckled trout are plentiful on the grass flats, and we often hook into some bonus species like mangrove snapper, jack crevalle, and the occasional tarpon. The variety keeps things exciting – you never know what might grab your line next!

Species You'll Want to Hook

Snook: These wily predators are the rock stars of inshore fishing. Known for their explosive strikes and acrobatic fights, snook will test your skills and your tackle. They love to hang around structure like mangroves and docks. The biggest snook, called "gator" snook by locals, can top 40 inches and put up an epic battle. Spring and summer are prime time for snook fishing in Bonita Springs.

Redfish: With their copper-colored scales and distinctive spot on the tail, redfish are a favorite among inshore anglers. These bruisers can be found tailing in shallow water or cruising the flats in schools. Fall is the best time to target big bull reds, but you can catch them year-round. Redfish have a great pull and are delicious on the dinner table (when in season).

Speckled Trout: Also known as spotted seatrout, these speckled beauties are abundant in the grass flats and deeper channels. They're great fun on light tackle and often travel in schools. Trout have soft mouths, so finesse is key when fighting them. Winter is prime time for big gator trout, but you can catch them all year in Bonita Springs.

Sheepshead: With their distinctive black and white stripes, sheepshead are sometimes called "convict fish." They're notorious bait stealers, so hooking them takes patience and skill. Sheepshead love structure and are often found around pilings, bridges, and oyster bars. Winter is the best time to target them, and they make excellent table fare.

Florida Pompano: These silver speedsters are prized for both their fight and their taste. Pompano are often found in the passes and along the beaches, where they feed on small crustaceans. They're lightning-fast and will give your light tackle a workout. Spring and fall are peak seasons for pompano in the Bonita Springs area.

Why Anglers Keep Coming Back

There's something special about fishing the backwaters of Bonita Springs. Maybe it's the way the sun glints off the water as a snook explodes on your topwater plug. Or the thrill of spotting a school of redfish tailing in skinny water. Our regulars tell us it's the perfect mix of relaxation and excitement – you're surrounded by beautiful scenery, but always on edge waiting for that next big bite. Plus, with our experienced guides, you're not just fishing – you're learning insider tips and tricks that'll make you a better angler. Whether you're looking to fill the cooler or just enjoy some catch-and-release action, this trip delivers memories that'll have you itching to come back for more.

Time to Book Your Spot

Ready to experience some of the best inshore fishing Florida has to offer? Don't miss your chance to get in on the action with Black Irish Charters. Our afternoon trips are perfect for beating the heat and catching the evening bite. With room for up to 4 anglers, it's a great way to spend quality time with family or friends. Whether you're a seasoned pro or it's your first time wetting a line, our guides will put you on the fish and ensure you have a blast. The backwaters are calling – book your trip now and get ready for some rod-bending, drag-screaming fun in beautiful Bonita Springs!

Learn more about the species

Snook

Snook are one of our most popular gamefish - they're wily, hard-fighting, and delicious. You'll find them around mangroves, docks, and other structure in the backwaters. Most are 1-3 feet long, but trophy snook can reach 4+ feet and 30+ pounds. They're ambush predators, so look for them lurking in shadows waiting to pounce on baitfish. Spring and fall are peak seasons as they move between inshore and nearshore waters. Snook are temperature sensitive, so mild days are best. Live bait like pilchards or pinfish works great, but artificial lures can be deadly too. My tip: cast right up against the mangroves - that's often where the big ones hide. Just be ready for an explosive strike and a reel-screaming run!

Florida Pompano

Florida Pompano are a prized catch around here, usually weighing 1-3 pounds but sometimes up to 8-9 pounds. You'll find them cruising the beaches and sandbars, especially in summer and fall. These flat, silvery fish with yellow fins put up a great fight for their size. They love feeding on crustaceans and small fish in the surf. To land one, use small hooks - their mouths are tiny. Live bait like sand fleas works well, or try bright-colored jigs in clear water. Pompano make excellent eating with their buttery, mild flavor. A local tip: look for them in troughs between sandbars where waves are breaking. That's often where they're scooping up sand fleas and other prey getting churned up.

Redfish

Redfish are one of our most popular inshore species. Most are 3-10 pounds, but bull reds can top 40 pounds. You'll find them tailing in shallow flats or cruising mangrove shorelines, often in water barely deep enough to cover their backs. They have a distinctive black spot near the tail. Fall is prime time as they school up to spawn, but you can catch them year-round. Redfish will eat just about anything - live bait, cut bait, or artificial lures all work. They put up a great fight, especially in shallow water. For eating, smaller ones are best. Here's a local tip: on sunny days, look for their copper-colored backs reflecting in shallow water. Sight fishing for tailing reds is as exciting as it gets!

Sheepshead

Sheepshead are those funky-looking fish with human-like teeth and black stripes. Most are 1-5 pounds, but they can get up to 15+ pounds. You'll find them around any hard structure - docks, bridges, reefs - where they use those teeth to crunch barnacles and crabs. Winter and early spring are prime time when they school up to spawn. Sheepshead are notorious bait stealers, so you need to be quick on the hook set. Use small hooks with pieces of shrimp or fiddler crabs. Here's a local trick: scrape some barnacles off a piling to chum them up, then drop your bait right in the mix. They're challenging to catch but make excellent eating with sweet, white meat.

Sea Trout

Sea trout, also called speckled trout, are a staple of our inshore fishery. Most are 1-3 pounds, but gator trout can reach 5+ pounds. Look for them over grass flats and around oyster bars, especially early mornings and evenings when they're actively feeding. Spring and fall are peak seasons as water temperatures are mild. They'll hit a variety of lures - topwaters, soft plastics, and jigs all work well. Live shrimp under a popping cork is always a good bet too. Sea trout put up a decent fight and make great table fare. One tip: when you catch one, keep casting to the same spot. They often school up, so where there's one, there's usually more.

About the Black Irish Charters

Vehicle Guest Capacity: 4

Manufacturer Name: Mercury

Maximum Cruising Speed: 20

Number of Engines: 1

Horsepower per Engine: 150

Ready for an afternoon of fishing action in Bonita Springs? This 4-hour inshore trip gives you prime access to the area's productive backwaters. You'll be targeting fan-favorites like snook and speckled trout in the calm, protected waters of the Gulf Coast. Whether you're a seasoned pro or just getting your feet wet, the local guides know all the hotspots to put you on fish. With space for up to 4 anglers, it's perfect for a small group or family outing. The late afternoon start time lets you experience the magic of fishing as the sun starts to dip. No need to worry about gear - everything you need is provided. Just bring your sense of adventure and get ready to reel in some memories on the waters of Bonita Springs. It's a great way to experience the area's rich fishing heritage and natural beauty.

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