Port St. Lucie Fishing Charters
Port St. Lucie fishing charters work the Indian River Lagoon’s grass flats, mangrove shorelines, and nearshore Atlantic reefs for snook, tarpon, redfish, and seasonal pelagics.
Top Rated Charters in Port St. Lucie
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Port St. Lucie, FL Fishing Guide
Port St. Lucie sits along the lower stretch of the Indian River Lagoon, giving anglers access to one of Florida’s most productive estuaries as well as quick runs to the Atlantic through the Fort Pierce and St. Lucie inlets. Most inshore trips target the lagoon’s grass flats, spoil islands, and mangrove-lined creeks for redfish, snook, spotted seatrout, and black drum. Skiffs and bay boats are common for half-day and full-day inshore runs, with shallow-water sight casting and live bait drifts both popular approaches. Kayak fishing is also big here, especially in the back bays and no-motor zones where pressure is lighter.
Offshore charters typically launch from nearby Fort Pierce City Marina or St. Lucie Inlet State Park, running 5–15 miles to nearshore reefs for king mackerel, cobia, and snapper, or pushing 20–30 miles to bluewater for mahi, sailfish, and wahoo. Bottom fishing over ledges and wrecks is productive year-round, with trolling taking over in the pelagic season. Inlets see heavy tarpon action in summer and fall, often within sight of the beach.
Night fishing is common in the warmer months, with dock lights and bridge shadow lines holding good numbers of snook and trout. Seasonal shrimp runs also draw gamefish into the passes, and live shrimp is a go-to bait in winter. The fishery here shifts with the tides, wind, and water clarity—clear days often mean better sight fishing, while overcast or windy days push more anglers toward deeper structure.
Nearby options include the St. Lucie River, which offers freshwater and brackish fishing for largemouth bass, crappie, and bluegill, and the offshore wrecks that hold amberjack and grouper most of the year. Whether staying inside the lagoon or running offshore, Port St. Lucie anglers enjoy year-round variety with relatively short runs to productive water.
Fishing Seasons in Port St. Lucie
Spring (March–May)
Warming water sparks strong inshore action for snook, trout, and redfish, especially along grass flats and mangrove points. Offshore, mahi start showing in good numbers on weedlines, with king mackerel active over nearshore reefs. Live pilchards and sardines are top inshore baits, while ballyhoo and skirted lures excel offshore. Tarpon begin moving into the inlets by late spring, especially on incoming tides.
Summer (June–August)
The heat pushes many inshore trips to early mornings or nights. Snook stack up around inlets and bridges, feeding aggressively during outgoing tides. Tarpon action peaks, with rolling fish in the passes and along the beaches. Offshore, sailfish, wahoo, and mahi are in play, and bottom fishing remains steady for snapper and grouper. Many charters shorten run times in the afternoons due to storms and heat, focusing on dawn-to-midday windows.
Fall (September–November)
Cooling weather brings a strong mullet run along the beaches, triggering aggressive strikes from snook, tarpon, jack crevalle, and sharks. Offshore, kingfish action is solid, with cobia shadowing rays and turtles nearshore. Redfish school up on flats, making for great sight-casting opportunities. Live mullet and topwater plugs are hard to beat this time of year.
Winter (December–February)
Clearer, cooler water shifts the inshore bite toward trout, black drum, and sheepshead, often concentrated around deeper holes, docks, and bridges. Snook slow but can still be caught on warm afternoons. Offshore, bottom fishing dominates, with vermilion snapper, grouper, and triggerfish in good supply. Sailfish season is in full swing for trollers working the edge of the Gulf Stream.
Gamefish in Port St. Lucie
- Snook – 5–20 lbs. Found around mangroves, docks, and bridges year-round; peak summer at inlets on live bait.
- Tarpon – 40–120 lbs. Summer and fall inlets, beaches, and river mouths; caught on live mullet and crabs.
- Redfish – 3–10 lbs. Grass flats and mangroves; best in spring and fall on soft plastics or live shrimp.
- Spotted Seatrout – 1–5 lbs. Flats and channels; peak in cooler months with soft plastics and live shrimp.
- King Mackerel – 10–30 lbs. Nearshore reefs and wrecks; trolling live baits or spoons in spring and fall.
- Mahi Mahi – 5–20 lbs. Offshore weedlines and rips; summer and spring trolling with rigged ballyhoo.
- Sailfish – 40–80 lbs. Winter offshore Gulf Stream edges; slow-trolled live baits.
- Snapper (Mangrove/Vermilion) – 1–5 lbs. Year-round on reefs with cut bait or jigs.
Port St. Lucie Fishing FAQs
What are the main launch points in Port St. Lucie?
Most inshore trips launch from public ramps along the Indian River Lagoon, such as Veterans Memorial Park. Offshore trips often depart from nearby Fort Pierce City Marina or ramps near St. Lucie Inlet.
How long are typical fishing charters here?
Half-day (4–5 hours) and full-day (8 hours) trips are standard. Inshore anglers often opt for half-days, while offshore trips usually require full days for best results.
Is fishing gear included with local charters?
Yes. Rods, reels, tackle, bait, and ice are almost always included, along with necessary safety gear. Some captains also clean your catch at the dock.
Do I need a fishing license in Port St. Lucie?
If fishing with a licensed charter captain, you’re covered under their permit. Shore anglers and those on private boats will need a Florida fishing license.
When is the best time to fish Port St. Lucie?
It depends on target species—tarpon and snook peak in summer and fall, mahi and sailfish are best in spring and winter offshore.
What fishing techniques are common here?
Inshore: live bait drifting, sight casting, and jigging. Offshore: trolling, bottom fishing, and kite fishing.
What species are available year-round?
Snook, redfish, seatrout, snapper, and king mackerel can be caught most months, though peak seasons vary.
Are group charters available?
Yes. Many offshore boats handle groups of six, while inshore skiffs typically take two to four anglers.
Do captains run night trips?
Several guides offer night charters for snook, tarpon, and dock-light fishing, especially in summer when daytime heat is intense.