Riviera Beach Fishing Charters
Riviera Beach fishing charters work the inshore grass flats, deep channels, and nearshore reefs for snook, tarpon, king mackerel, and seasonal sailfish runs.
Top Rated Charters in Riviera Beach
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Riviera Beach, FL Fishing Guide
Riviera Beach sits at the Lake Worth Inlet, giving anglers one of the fastest runs to both inshore and offshore fishing grounds anywhere on Florida’s east coast. Half-day trips often focus on the inshore and nearshore waters, working the grass flats and mangrove edges in the Intracoastal Waterway for snook, jack crevalle, and speckled trout, or drifting the channel markers for sheepshead and mangrove snapper. Full-day offshore trips take advantage of the inlet’s deepwater access, running just minutes to Gulf Stream currents where mahi, blackfin tuna, wahoo, and sailfish patrol year-round. The structure here is diverse—flats, channels, reefs, wrecks, and bluewater all within a few miles. Common launch points include Riviera Beach Marina and Phil Foster Park, both offering direct access to the inlet.
Seasonally, winter brings strong sailfish action just offshore, with kite fishing and live goggle-eye baits being the local go-to. Spring sees kingfish, blackfin, and mahi move in closer, while tarpon show up in force around the beaches and inlet. Summer is prime for snapper and grouper on the reefs, plus high-speed trolling for wahoo. Fall often delivers a mixed bite—migrating pelagics offshore and big inshore snook feeding before cooler water arrives. Techniques vary from trolling and drifting offshore, to sight-casting live baits along the jetty, to bottom fishing wrecks with jigs and cut bait. Fly anglers find shots at tarpon, jacks, and bonito in summer when conditions allow. Nearby options include Singer Island beaches for surf fishing pompano and whiting, or running south to Palm Beach for additional reef lines. With such short runs to prime grounds, Riviera Beach is a year-round charter hub that caters to anglers of every style.
Fishing Seasons in Riviera Beach
Spring (March–May)
Fishing heats up fast as water temps climb. Offshore, mahi push closer to shore riding weed lines, blackfin tuna school along the edge, and king mackerel are steady on the reefs. Tarpon begin their migration, holding around the inlet and beach drop-offs. Half-day charters often split time between chasing kings and dolphin offshore and targeting snook inshore. Live sardines and pilchards are the preferred baits, while kite rigs keep baits lively for sails that still linger through April. Calm mornings offer great sight-casting opportunities to cruising cobia along the beaches.
Summer (June–August)
This is reef and wreck season. Mangrove and mutton snapper, along with grouper, provide steady bottom action. Wahoo are active on the early-morning high-speed troll, and blackfin tuna are common on the outer reefs. Inshore, snook stack in the inlet for their spawn, offering great live bait and artificial lure action. Tarpon roll along the beaches and bridge shadow lines at night. Calm seas often allow smaller boats to run well offshore to find floating debris holding mahi. Afternoon thunderstorms are common, so most charters run morning trips.
Fall (September–November)
Baitfish migrations light up the bite. Offshore, sailfish return in numbers, mahi are still around, and kingfish feed heavily before winter. Inshore, snook and jacks crash bait pods along seawalls and flats. Mullet runs bring explosive nearshore action with tarpon and sharks in the surf zone. Drifting live baits around the inlet edges and bridges is highly productive. Bottom fishing for snapper remains strong on the deeper reefs, and calm days offer solid fly fishing shots at bonito and jacks busting bait schools.
Winter (December–February)
This is peak sailfish season, with cold fronts pushing fish tight to the reef line just minutes from the inlet. Kite fishing with live goggle-eyes is the signature method, though trolling ballyhoo also produces. Wahoo remain active, especially during moon phases. Inshore, sheepshead, drum, and pompano dominate cooler-water action, with snook moving deeper but still catchable on slow presentations. The reefs also give up good catches of mutton snapper and king mackerel. With shorter runs offshore, charters can stay flexible to chase either inshore structure fish or bluewater pelagics depending on conditions.
Gamefish in Riviera Beach
- Sailfish – 30–70 lbs. Peak winter offshore near the reef line using live bait under kites.
- Snook – 5–30 lbs. Found in the inlet, bridges, and mangrove edges; best summer and fall on live bait.
- King Mackerel – 10–40 lbs. Year-round on the reefs; trolling or live bait drifting.
- Tarpon – 40–150 lbs. Spring through fall in the inlet, beaches, and bridge shadow lines.
- Mahi-Mahi – 5–30 lbs. Offshore spring through fall; troll weed lines and debris.
- Blackfin Tuna – 10–30 lbs. Outer reefs and edge of Gulf Stream; spring and summer trolling or live bait.
- Wahoo – 20–80 lbs. Year-round, best summer and winter on high-speed trolled lures.
- Mutton Snapper – 5–20 lbs. Deep reefs and wrecks; bottom fishing with cut bait.
Riviera Beach Fishing FAQs
What’s the best time of year to fish Riviera Beach?
Winter is prime for sailfish and wahoo, spring brings mahi and tarpon, summer is best for snapper and snook, and fall has a strong mixed bite. It’s a year-round fishery with something biting in every season.
Where do most charters depart from in Riviera Beach?
Most trips launch from Riviera Beach Marina or Phil Foster Park, both with direct access to Lake Worth Inlet for quick runs to inshore and offshore spots.
Are fishing licenses included on Riviera Beach charters?
Yes. Licensed charter captains cover all required permits for their passengers, so you don’t need to buy a separate license when booking with them.
What techniques are most common here?
Offshore trips often use kite fishing, trolling, or drifting live baits. Inshore, anglers rely on live bait pitching, jigging, and artificial lures depending on the target species
Can we target both inshore and offshore species in one trip?
Yes, especially on full-day trips. Short runs offshore mean you can fish the reefs and bluewater in the morning and finish with inshore action in the afternoon.
What species can kids and beginners expect to catch?
Snapper, jacks, sheepshead, and smaller mackerel are common for first-timers. Many charters customize trips for family-friendly action.
Do charters run at night in Riviera Beach?
Some captains offer night trips targeting snook, tarpon, and snapper around bridges, inlets, and dock lights
How far offshore do you have to run for bluewater species?
Often just 2–4 miles from the inlet puts you in 100–200 feet where sailfish, mahi, and tuna roam. In the right conditions, pelagics can be even closer.
Is Riviera Beach good for shore fishing?
Yes. Surf casting along Singer Island beaches, fishing the Lake Worth Pier, or working Phil Foster Park’s seawalls can produce pompano, jacks, and snook depending on the season.