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Full Day Sebastian Inlet Charter Zookeeper
- Published Date: December 22, 2025
- Fishing
- Sebastian Inlet
Summary
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Full Day Catches
Sebastian Inlet Full Day Fishing Charter
Looking for a serious day of fishing that covers all the bases? This full-day charter out of Sebastian Inlet is your ticket to some of Florida's most productive waters. We're talking about a solid 8-10 hours on the water, giving you time to hit multiple spots and really dial in what's biting. Whether you're bringing the family for their first real fishing adventure or you're seasoned anglers wanting to maximize your time offshore, this trip delivers the goods. Captain and crew handle all the details - bait, tackle, ice, even cleaning your catch - so you can focus on what matters: getting hooked up.
What to Expect on the Water
Six AM departure means we're out there when the fish are most active, and trust me, you'll want every minute of this full-day experience. Sebastian Inlet gives us access to incredible variety - we can work the inlet structure for snook and redfish, cruise the nearshore reefs for snapper and grouper, or push offshore for the big pelagics like tarpon and kings. The beauty of a full day is flexibility. If the bite's hot in one area, we stay put. If it slows down, we've got time to relocate and try different presentations. You'll see how conditions, tides, and seasonal patterns all come together to create fishing opportunities. Maximum six anglers means everyone gets plenty of coaching and hands-on time with the rods.
Techniques & Tackle Setup
We run a mix of techniques depending on what we're targeting and where we find them. Live bait fishing with pilchards, threadfins, and shrimp is deadly around the inlet and nearshore structure. When we're working deeper water, we'll drop cut bait for the bottom dwellers and run some artificials for the more aggressive feeders. All rods and reels are top-shelf stuff - Penn and Shimano reels spooled with fresh line, matched to St. Croix and Ugly Stik rods that can handle everything from finicky trout to bulldogging black drum. Circle hooks and appropriate weights keep everything legal and fish-friendly. The boat's rigged with quality electronics, so we're always on the fish or finding new spots to explore.
Species You'll Want to Hook
Red Snapper are the crown jewel of our offshore game, and Sebastian Inlet puts you right in the mix. These bottom-dwelling fighters love the ledges and hard bottom 20-60 feet down, and they'll test your drag when they make their run for structure. Peak season runs June through August, but we see keeper-sized fish most of the year. What makes snapper special is the combination of great fight and incredible table fare - few fish eat better than a fresh red snapper.
Snook are our signature inshore species and Sebastian Inlet is snook central on Florida's east coast. These ambush predators hang around the inlet jetties, bridge pilings, and mangrove shorelines, waiting to crush baitfish. They're notorious for their explosive strikes and acrobatic fights - expect multiple jumps and hard runs toward cover. Best fishing happens during moving water, especially the last two hours of incoming tide. Snook are catch-and-release only during closed seasons, but when they're open, they're some of the best eating fish in our waters.
Tarpon fishing around Sebastian Inlet is pure adrenaline, especially during the spring and summer migration. These "silver kings" can reach over 100 pounds and will absolutely wear you out with their aerial displays and stamina. We find them rolling in the inlet, along the beaches, and around offshore structure. Live bait presentations work best, but they'll also crush well-placed artificials. The key is being ready when they show - tarpon fishing can go from zero to hero in seconds, and you need to be prepared for a battle that might last 30 minutes or more.
King Mackerel are speed demons that patrol the waters just offshore from Sebastian Inlet, especially during their fall and spring migrations. These toothy predators love fast-moving baits and will smoke a reel when they hit. We troll live baits or dead baits behind planers and downriggers, covering water until we mark fish or find the temperature breaks where they like to hunt. Kings averaging 15-40 pounds are common, with the occasional smoker over 50 pounds. They're fantastic eating when prepared fresh, and their fights are pure power and speed.
Redfish are the backbone of our inshore action around Sebastian Inlet, and they're cooperative year-round. These copper-colored bruisers cruise the shallow flats, mangrove shorelines, and oyster bars, feeding on crabs, shrimp, and small baitfish. What makes reds special is their predictability - when you find good structure and bait, you'll usually find redfish. They're not the flashiest fighters, but they're strong and determined, making long runs and using their broad sides to fight you all the way to the net. Slot-sized fish (18-27 inches) are excellent eating, while the oversized "bull reds" provide trophy photo opportunities.
Time to Book Your Spot
This full-day charter represents serious value for groups wanting maximum time on the water with professional guidance. At $1,100 for up to four anglers, you're looking at about $140 per person for a full day of world-class fishing, complete with all gear, bait, fish cleaning, and local expertise. Add a couple extra anglers for $100 each and you're splitting costs even further while still maintaining plenty of elbow room. Sebastian Inlet's year-round fishing opportunities mean there's never a bad time to book, though spring through fall offers the most diverse action. Weekend dates fill up fast, especially during peak seasons, so don't wait too long to secure your spot.
Learn more about the animals
King Mackerel
King Mackerel are speed demons that'll test your drag system in a hurry. These torpedo-shaped fish typically weigh 15-30 pounds around here, but 40+ pounders aren't uncommon when we hit the right spots. They cruise the 40-150 foot depths offshore, usually following bait schools and temperature breaks. Fall through spring offers the best action when they migrate through our waters chasing mullet and sardines. What guests love about kings is that screaming first run - they'll peel 100+ yards of line before you know what hit you. The meat is excellent too, though it's oily and rich, perfect for grilling or smoking. We usually troll with live bait or spoons to cover water and locate schools. Pro tip: always use a wire leader - those razor-sharp teeth will cut through mono in a heartbeat. And keep steady pressure during the fight; they love to jump and throw hooks.
Red Snapper
Red Snapper are solid bottom dwellers that'll give you a real workout once hooked. Most fish we catch run 2-3 feet and weigh 5-10 pounds, but bigger ones push 15+ pounds and really know how to use that weight. They hang around structure in 30-200 feet - wrecks, reefs, and hard bottom areas where they can ambush baitfish. The bite picks up best during cooler months when water temps drop into that 50-70 degree range they love. What makes guests come back for more is that hard initial strike followed by a bulldogging fight straight down toward cover. Plus, there's nothing better on the dinner table - mild, flaky white meat that's restaurant quality. Pro tip: when you feel that thump, set the hook hard and keep steady pressure. They'll try to cut your line on structure, so get them up and away from the bottom quick.
Redfish
Redfish are hands down one of the most fun fish to target in shallow water around Sebastian. These copper-colored beauties with the distinctive black spots near their tail typically run 20-32 inches, with slot-sized fish being the most common. They love super shallow flats, oyster bars, and grass beds in 1-4 feet of water - sometimes so shallow their backs show above the surface. Year-round fishing is solid, but fall and spring offer the best action when they school up heavy. What makes redfish special is their willingness to eat almost anything and that bulldogging fight in skinny water. They're also fantastic on the table with sweet, firm meat. You'll often see them tailing or cruising the flats, making for exciting sight fishing. Local tip: work the falling tide around oyster bars with live shrimp or soft plastics. The fish stack up in the deeper pockets waiting to ambush crabs and baitfish.
Snook
Snook are the ultimate inshore gamefish around Sebastian Inlet. These silver-sided beauties with that signature black lateral line typically run 18-28 inches, though bigger fish over 30 inches show up regularly. You'll find them around mangroves, docks, and structure in shallow water - they love ambush spots where they can dart out and nail baitfish. Spring through fall is prime time, especially around the inlet during moving tides. What makes snook special is that explosive strike and acrobatic fight - they'll jump, run, and use every trick to throw your hook. They're also excellent table fare with firm, white meat that's perfect for the grill. Here's a local trick: during spawning season (May-September), work the inlet passes on the outgoing tide with live pilchards or shrimp. The fish stack up heavy and the action can be lights-out.
Tarpon
Tarpon fishing around Sebastian Inlet is a bucket list experience. These silver kings average 80-120 pounds but can push 200+ pounds of pure muscle and attitude. They roll through our waters during spring and summer migrations, usually from May through September when water temps warm up. You'll spot them rolling on the surface in deeper channels and around the inlet mouth. What makes tarpon fishing so addictive is watching a 6-foot fish launch itself 10 feet out of the water - pure chaos and adrenaline. Most folks practice catch and release since they're bony and not great eating, but the fight alone is worth the trip. They can battle for an hour or more with multiple jumps. Local tip: when a tarpon jumps, bow to the fish by dropping your rod tip toward the water. This keeps tension off the line and prevents them from throwing the hook during those aerial shows.
About the Zookeeper Charters
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Vehicle Guest Capacity: 10
Manufacturer Name: Suzuki
Maximum Cruising Speed: 60
Number of Engines: 1
Horsepower per Engine: 300
