Get ready to wet a line in some of Florida's most productive inshore waters! This 4-hour morning charter out of Weeki Wachee puts you right in the heart of Redfish country. Whether you're a seasoned angler or it's your first time holding a rod, Captain Tim knows just where to find the fish and how to put you on them. With all the gear provided and expert guidance at your side, you're in for a day of non-stop action on the flats and backwaters of beautiful Homosassa.
As soon as we push off from the dock, we're in prime fishing territory. The shallow grass flats and oyster bars around Homosassa are absolutely crawling with Redfish, Snook, and Spotted Seatrout. Depending on the season and conditions, we might also run into some hard-fighting Black Drum, acrobatic Tarpon, or even a few toothy Sharks. Captain Tim keeps a close eye on tides, weather, and recent hotspots to put us right where the fish are feeding. Whether we're sight-casting to tailing Reds or working deep cuts for monster Snook, get ready for your drag to start screaming!
We'll be using a mix of live bait and artificial lures to target these inshore gamefish. For Redfish, nothing beats a frisky live shrimp or finger mullet fished near structure. We'll often use popping corks to cover more water and attract attention. When the Snook are fired up, soft plastic jerkbaits or topwater plugs can trigger explosive strikes. Captain Tim will show you the ropes on proper casting, working your lure, and setting the hook. Don't worry if you're new to this - he's got infinite patience and loves teaching folks the tricks of the trade. Before you know it, you'll be hauling in fish like a pro!
"Great experience, my 16 year old and I caught about 40 redfish. Highly reccommended." - Matt
"An amazing guide and trip. We were able to catch enough redfish for two meals. My son and husband really appreciated that they were able to fish a little more independently (cast by themselves, put the bait on the line, etc.) whereas I enjoyed not having to touch the bait, so Tim was flexible in allowing us to enjoy our own fishing experience. Tim was extremely knowledgeable in where the best odds were based on our conditions at the time. The weather was not ideal, but we still brought in a decent catch for the day. My son caught redfish, a flounder, lady fish and catfish, we were hoping for some trout, but the conditions just weren't working for us that day. Tim was personable and answered all our questions, but still allowed us to hold our own conversations, and wasn't overly chatty and loud. Tim's boat is well maintained and clean, and the boat ride was extremely comfortable and enjoyable. I would highly recommend, and we would use Tim again for future fishing trips." - Erika
"Captain Tim is a great captain. I fished with my wife and two children (6 & 4 years old). The captain picked us up with the live well stocked. We got out and quickly had two lines out to hunt for redfish, snook, and anything else that swam by. Once those lines were out, the captain had another pole he was constantly putting chunks of bait on so the kids had constant action. Collectively, I think the two kids pulled up 8 different species of fish while my wife and I reeled in a bunch of snook, spinner sharks, black tip reef sharks, bonnet heads, a big ladyfish, and a jack crevalle. Of course it is easy to say, "of course he gave the charter 5 stars because they caught a lot of fish." I agree with that, but a captain that works this hard, obviously knew where to find the fish, and was a joy to spend 4 hours with for my whole family deserves a lot of credit. Thanks for a great experience Captain Tim. We'll be back." - Jeffrey
Redfish: The star of the show in Homosassa, Redfish (also called Red Drum) are hard-fighting, great-tasting, and just plain fun to catch. These copper-colored bruisers love to hang around oyster bars and grass flats, often giving themselves away with their signature "tailing" behavior as they root for crabs in shallow water. Redfish in the 18-27 inch range are common, with some real giants showing up in the fall. There's nothing quite like the initial run of a big Red when it realizes it's hooked!
Snook: If you're looking for a true saltwater gamefish, it's hard to beat a Snook. These Lima-bean shaped predators are ambush feeders, often lurking around mangrove roots, dock pilings, or other structure. When hooked, they're known for blistering runs and acrobatic leaps. Snook fishing is catch-and-release most of the year, but their fighting ability more than makes up for not being able to keep them. Spring and fall are prime Snook seasons in Homosassa.
Spanish Mackerel: When the water warms up in late spring and summer, schools of Spanish Mackerel invade the nearshore waters. These toothy speedsters are a blast on light tackle, often skyrocketing out of the water when hooked. We'll troll or cast small spoons and jigs to target them. They're also excellent eating if you want to bring home some fillets for the grill.
Black Drum: The often-overlooked cousin of the Redfish, Black Drum can grow to enormous sizes. While the bigger ones can be tough eating, slot-sized Black Drum (14-24 inches) are delicious. They love crustaceans, so we'll often find them rooting around oyster bars or docks. Black Drum put up a stubborn, dogged fight - you'll definitely know when you've got one on the line!
Tarpon: Known as the "Silver King," Tarpon are the holy grail for many inshore anglers. These prehistoric fish can reach sizes over 150 pounds and are famous for their gill-rattling jumps and long, powerful runs. Tarpon fishing is strictly catch-and-release, but the memories of battling one of these giants will last a lifetime. Late spring and early summer are prime Tarpon time in Homosassa.
Whether you're a seasoned angler looking to tangle with some of Florida's top inshore species or a family wanting to introduce the kids to the joys of fishing, this Homosassa charter has something for everyone. With Captain Tim's years of local knowledge, top-notch equipment, and passion for putting clients on fish, you're in for a day you won't soon forget. The beauty of the Nature Coast combined with world-class inshore fishing makes this trip a can't-miss experience. Don't let that big one get away - book your spot on the boat today and get ready to make some fishing memories!
December 30, 2024
An amazing guide and trip. We were able to catch enough redfish for two meals. My son and husband really appreciated that they were able to fish a little more independently (cast by themselves, put the bait on the line, etc.) whereas I enjoyed not having to touch the bait, so Tim was flexible in allowing us to enjoy our own fishing experience. Tim was extremely knowledgeable in where the best odds were based on our conditions at the time. The weather was not ideal, but we still brought in a decent catch for the day. My son caught redfish, a flounder, lady fish and catfish, we were hoping for some trout, but the conditions just weren't working for us that day. Tim was personable and answered all our questions, but still allowed us to hold our own conversations, and wasn't overly chatty and loud. Tim's boat is well maintained and clean, and the boat ride was extremely comfortable and enjoyable. I would highly recommend, and we would use Tim again for future fishing trips.
April 16, 2025
I have been on a few charters with Captain Tim and he is simply the best! Captain Tim is extremely knowledgeable, keeps his equipment and boat clean and in top notch shape, helps and gets along well with everyone and He ALWAYS puts us on the fish, lots of fish! Highly recommended!!! Scott
April 26, 2025
This was an incredible trip with me. My son and 2 other friends. Capt. Tim put us on the fish. It definitely went the extra mile to make sure we had a great trip. Would definitely recommend this trip to anyone that wants to catch red drum or trout, or whatever you desire. He knows where they're at.
May 28, 2025
We had a great time on the water with Captain Tim. We caught many reds, a mackerel and trout to take home. Thank you Captain Tim for a great experience. Johnnie
April 3, 2025
Capt Tim knows his stuff! He did a great job of fishing fish for us, helping me when needed and making sure we had a fun day. I can recommend you use Capt Tim for your next fishing trip!
July 19, 2024
Captain Tim was great, helpful and patient with the kids and helped us find some big fish.
April 17, 2023
Captain Tim is a great captain. I fished with my wife and two children (6 & 4 years old). The captain picked us up with the live well stocked. We got out and quickly had two lines out to hunt for redfish, snook, and anything else that swam by. Once those lines were out, the captain had another pole he was constantly putting chunks of bait on so the kids had constant action. Collectively, I think the two kids pulled up 8 different species of fish while my wife and I reeled in a bunch of snook, spinner sharks, black tip reef sharks, bonnet heads, a big ladyfish, and a jack crevalle. Of course it is easy to say, "of course he gave the charter 5 stars because they caught a lot of fish." I agree with that, but a captain that works this hard, obviously knew where to find the fish, and was a joy to spend 4 hours with for my whole family deserves a lot of credit. Thanks for a great experience Captain Tim. We'll be back.
July 24, 2023
Absolutely beautiful day on the water! We caught some beautiful fish. Captain Tim was very knowledgeable and it was a blast talking as we rode and fished along. It was a great experience. I look forward to doing it again! Thank you sir!
May 5, 2024
You couldn’t find a better captain. He is kind, patient, respectful and works hard to ensure his customers have a good time. And we did!
May 16, 2024
Great day on the water with Captain Tim!
July 26, 2024
Captain Tim took my father, my daughter and myself out for a trip. My daughter was amazed and totally hooked. Captain Tim was awesome and, had her catching them left and right. This was my second trip with him. Plan on doing many more. Very knowledgeable, helpful, professional and, great with kids. I appreciate the great experience and, highly recommend!
August 6, 2024
Great guide and while it took a few stops we landed on a great spot to end our day catching lots of variety. Even gave us cooking tips after filleting the fish so supper was also awesome! Thanks Captain Tim
August 19, 2024
Black Drum are the bulldogs of the flats. You'll find them in shallow, brackish waters around oyster beds and mud bottoms. They range from 5-30 pounds typically, but can get much bigger. Spring is prime time when they school up to spawn. These fish are fun to catch - they pull hard and deep. Smaller ones under 15 pounds are great eating too. To hook up, use fresh cut or live bait like crab or shrimp on the bottom. A local trick is to listen for their distinctive "drumming" sound to locate them. Just be ready for a stubborn fight - Black Drum don't give up easily!
Redfish are a staple around here, often cruising the shallows in just 1-4 feet of water. They average 5-15 pounds but can get much bigger. Look for them year-round near oyster bars, mangroves, and grass flats. Fall is especially good when they school up. Reds are known for their strong, steady fights and delicious meat. To catch 'em, try live bait like shrimp or cut mullet, or artificial lures like gold spoons. A local trick is to spot their tails sticking up out of the water when they're feeding in really shallow areas. Just approach quietly - these guys can spook easily in clear water.
Snook are the ultimate inshore gamefish around here. They're ambush predators, hanging out near mangroves, docks, and other structures. Adults usually run 24-34 inches and 5-15 pounds. Spring and fall are your best bet, especially around the full and new moons. Snook put up an amazing fight - they'll make powerful runs and try to wrap you around anything they can. Their meat is delicious too, though highly regulated. For the best shot at a big one, fish live bait like pilchards or pinfish right up against structure during low light. My tip? Learn to "walk the dog" with a topwater plug - there's nothing like a big snook blowing up on a lure at dawn.
Spanish Mackerel are speedy swimmers that'll give you a run for your money. They typically range from 2-3 feet long and 4-8 pounds. You'll find them in schools near the surface, often around structures in open water. Spring and fall are prime seasons when they're migrating. These fish are a blast to catch - they hit hard and make lightning-fast runs. Their meat is tasty too, great for grilling or smoking. To land one, try trolling with shiny spoons or small jigs that mimic baitfish. A local trick is to look for diving birds - that's often a sign Spanish Mackerel are feeding nearby. Just be ready for some acrobatics when you hook up - these guys love to jump!
Tarpon are the silver kings of our waters. These prehistoric fish can reach 80-100 pounds and put on quite a show. You'll find them in coastal waters, channels, and even up rivers. Late spring through summer is prime time as they migrate. Tarpon are all about the thrill - they make spectacular leaps and long, powerful runs. It's catch-and-release only, but the fight is unforgettable. For the best shot, use live bait like pinfish or crabs near bridges or in passes. My tip? Let them run with the bait before setting the hook, and keep that rod tip up when they jump!
Great experience, my 16 year old and I caught about 40 redfish. Highly reccommended.