Expert-Guided Backcountry Fishing in New Smyrna Beach

Six Hour Backcountry Charter New Smyrna Beach

Captain Doug Hicks knows these waters like the back of his hand, and he's ready to put you on fish in some of the most productive inshore spots around New Smyrna Beach. This six-hour adventure takes you deep into the backcountry flats, through the inlet, and along the intercoastal waterways where redfish cruise the shallows and tarpon roll in the channels. Whether you're a seasoned angler or picking up a rod for the first time, Doug's got the knowledge and patience to make sure you have a blast out there. With everything provided except your lunch and drinks, all you need to do is show up ready to fish.

What to Expect on the Water

You'll be fishing some of the most diverse water in Central Florida, moving between skinny flats where redfish tail in two feet of water to deeper channels where tarpon and snook ambush baitfish. The backcountry around New Smyrna is a maze of oyster bars, grass flats, and mangrove shorelines that hold incredible numbers of fish year-round. Captain Doug runs a clean, well-maintained boat that can get into the skinny stuff while still handling the bigger water in the inlet. The trip covers a lot of ground, so you're constantly changing scenery and targeting different species as conditions dictate. Don't worry about bringing tackle or bait – Doug's got you covered with everything from live shrimp to artificial lures, plus all the rods, reels, and terminal tackle you'll need.

Techniques and Tackle

Doug's approach changes with the conditions and what the fish are doing. In the backcountry, you might be sight-fishing to tailing redfish with live shrimp under a popping cork, or working topwater plugs along mangrove edges for snook. When tarpon are rolling, he'll have you throwing large swimbaits or live bait to get their attention. The beauty of fishing these waters is the variety – one minute you're casting to structure for grey snapper, the next you're drifting grass flats for sea trout. Doug uses light to medium tackle that's perfect for the fish you're targeting while still being forgiving enough for beginners. He's also great at reading the water and adjusting techniques throughout the day based on tides, weather, and fish behavior.

Species You'll Want to Hook

Redfish are the bread and butter of these backcountry waters, and New Smyrna's flats hold some beautiful fish. These copper-colored bruisers love the shallow grass beds and oyster bars, especially during moving tides. Spring through fall offers the best action, with fish ranging from slot-size keepers to oversized bulls that'll test your drag. What makes reds so special is their attitude – they eat aggressively and fight hard, often making blistering runs toward structure. You might spot them tailing in the shallows or cruising the flats in small schools.

Grey snapper around the inlet and deeper structure provide consistent action and excellent table fare. These smart fish require a bit of finesse, but once you figure them out, you can catch them all day long. They're most active during warmer months and love live or fresh bait presented near bottom structure. Mangrove snapper, as they're often called locally, have excellent eyesight and can be picky, but that's what makes landing a nice one so satisfying.

Tarpon are the crown jewel of New Smyrna's fishery, especially during their seasonal migrations. From late spring through early fall, these silver kings move through the inlet and stage in the deeper holes of the backcountry. Even a small tarpon puts on an incredible aerial display, and the bigger fish – some reaching over 100 pounds – offer a fight you'll never forget. They're catch-and-release only, but getting a photo with one of these magnificent fish is worth the trip alone.

Sea trout are found throughout the grass flats and provide excellent light-tackle action. These spotted beauties are most active during cooler months and love artificial lures worked slowly through the grass. They're great for beginners because they're aggressive feeders and relatively easy to hook. The bigger "gator trout" are harder to come by but absolutely worth the wait.

Snook are the ultimate backcountry gamefish, known for their explosive strikes and acrobatic fights. They love structure like docks, mangroves, and oyster bars, and they're ambush predators that hit fast and hard. Summer months offer the best snook action, and these fish are prized for their sporting qualities and excellent eating. Landing a slot snook on light tackle in tight quarters is one of inshore fishing's greatest challenges.

Time to Book Your Spot

Captain Doug Hicks has built his reputation on putting anglers on fish while showing them some of the most beautiful and productive waters on Florida's east coast. This top-rated charter combines world-class fishing with personalized service that keeps customers coming back season after season. With everything provided except your food and drinks, it's an easy decision to make. Remember to pack light – a cooler with lunch, plenty of water or sports drinks, sun protection, and your camera. The stores disappear quickly once you leave the dock, so come prepared to stay hydrated and fueled up for six hours of fantastic fishing. Book now and discover why New Smyrna Beach's backcountry is considered some of the best inshore fishing on the planet.