Ready to wet a line in some of Florida's most productive inshore waters? Captain Tim Wake of Get Lost Charters has you covered with this 4-hour private fishing trip in Vero Beach. Whether you're a seasoned angler or just getting your feet wet, you're in for a treat as we explore the fish-rich waters of the Indian River Lagoon. With a variety of species on offer year-round, every cast holds the promise of excitement!
Vero Beach is a hidden gem for inshore fishing, and we'll be targeting some real crowd-pleasers. Snook, redfish, and spotted seatrout are the headliners, but don't be surprised if we tangle with jack crevalle, pompano, black drum, or even the occasional grouper or snapper. The diversity here is off the charts, and that's what keeps anglers coming back for more. Plus, with sharks cruising these waters, you never know when you might hook into something with some serious pulling power!
We'll be fishing from Capt. Tim's well-equipped boat, perfect for navigating the shallow waters of the Indian River Lagoon. No need to stress about gear – the captain's got you covered with top-notch rods, reels, and tackle. Even better, your fishing license is included, so you can focus on the important stuff: catching fish!
Depending on what's running, we might be sight-casting to tailing redfish, working mangrove shorelines for snook, or drifting live bait for trout. Capt. Tim knows these waters like the back of his hand, having grown up fishing them, so you're in for some local knowledge that can make all the difference between a good day and a great one.
"Tim is very knowledgeable about the Indian River Lagoon and the species that live there. Boat is well outfitted" - Russ
"Our grandsons and us had a great time fishing with Captain Tim. He made sure we all caught a fish. Captain Tim was very knowledgeable of the area having grown up on these waterways. Our grandsons said, the fishing trip was the best part of their Spring break!" - Steve
Florida Pompano: These silvery speedsters are a favorite among local anglers. They might not be the biggest fish in the sea, but what they lack in size, they make up for in fight and flavor. Pompano love to cruise the sandy flats, especially during the cooler months. When you hook one, be ready for some zippy runs and aerial acrobatics!
Black Drum: Don't let their ugly mugs fool you – black drum are a blast to catch and great eating when they're smaller. These bottom-feeders can grow to monster sizes, with some old-timers topping 100 pounds! We usually target the "puppy drum" in the 5-30 pound range. They love crustaceans, so we'll often use shrimp or crab to tempt them.
Red Grouper: While we're primarily inshore fishing, sometimes we luck into these tasty bottom-dwellers. Red grouper are ambush predators, using their large mouths to inhale smaller fish and crustaceans. They put up a stubborn fight, trying to dive back to their rocky homes. Landing one of these is always a highlight of any trip.
Crevalle Jack: If you're looking for a fish that'll make your arms burn, jack crevalle are your huckleberry. These bruisers school up and terrorize baitfish, often creating exciting topwater blowups. They're not prized for eating, but pound-for-pound, they're some of the hardest fighting fish in these waters.
Tripletail: One of the quirkier fish we might encounter, tripletail are masters of disguise. They often float near the surface, mimicking floating debris. Don't let their odd appearance fool you – they're lightning-fast when they decide to eat, and they put up a great fight on light tackle. As a bonus, they're excellent table fare!
Whether you're looking to bend a rod, learn some new techniques, or just enjoy a morning on the water, this 4-hour trip with Get Lost Charters checks all the boxes. With all gear provided and Capt. Tim's wealth of local knowledge, you're set up for a successful day on the Indian River Lagoon. The fish are waiting – are you ready to get out there and catch 'em? Book your spot now and let's make some fishing memories in Vero Beach!
April 25, 2025
Our grandsons and us had a great time fishing with Captain Tim. He made sure we all caught a fish. Captain Tim was very knowledgeable of the area having grown up on these waterways. Our grandsons said, the fishing trip was the best part of their Spring break!
March 28, 2025
Black Drum are hefty bottom-feeders you'll find year-round in our brackish waters and estuaries. They typically run 5-30 pounds, but can get up to 90 pounds - though the bigger ones aren't great eating. Look for them around oyster beds, mudflats, and creek mouths. Black Drum make a distinctive croaking sound, which is pretty cool to hear underwater. They're not the prettiest fish, but they put up a stubborn fight and taste great when smaller. Spring is prime time as they school up to spawn. Use fresh crab, clams, or shrimp on the bottom. A local trick: crush up some oyster shells in your chum to attract them. Just watch out for those sharp gill plates when you're handling one.
Crevalle Jack are hard-fighting fish you'll find both inshore and offshore. They usually run 3-5 pounds, but can get up to 60 pounds. Look for them chasing bait schools, often with birds diving overhead. Jacks aren't great eating, but they're a blast to catch - they'll run you all over the place. Use fast-moving lures like silver spoons or topwater plugs. Live bait works great too. They're around all year, but really fire up in summer. Here's a local secret: if you smell watermelon, there's probably a school of jacks feeding nearby. Cast beyond the school and retrieve quickly through it. Hold on tight - these guys hit hard and don't give up easily.
Florida Pompano are prized catches around here, usually weighing 1-3 pounds but sometimes up to 8-9 pounds. You'll find them cruising the surf and sandbars, especially in summer and fall when the water's warm. These flat, silvery fish with yellow fins put up a strong fight for their size. Pompano have small mouths, so use small hooks baited with sand fleas or pieces of shrimp. If you're using artificial lures, go for bright colors like yellow or orange jigs. The meat is buttery and delicious, making them a favorite for the dinner table. For best results, look for Pompano feeding in the troughs between sandbars during a rising or falling tide. Cast beyond where you see them and retrieve slowly along the bottom.
Red Grouper are tasty bottom-dwellers you'll find on reefs and rocky areas from 20 to 300 feet deep. Most weigh 5-10 pounds, but they can get up to 50 pounds. They're not the fastest swimmers, but they'll give you a good tug trying to get back to their hole. Red Grouper are aggressive and will strike just about any bait, but they love crabs and squid. You can catch them year-round, though fishing's closed January to April for spawning. Use heavy tackle - these guys will try to wrap you around structure. The meat is moist and flaky with a mild, sweet flavor that's hard to beat. Here's a tip: when you feel that first bite, reel fast and pull hard to get them away from the bottom before they can hide.
Tripletail are odd-looking fish that put up a surprising fight. They usually weigh 2-13 pounds but can reach 40 pounds. You'll often spot them floating on their sides near buoys or floating debris, mimicking leaves. They're here year-round, but summer's best when they come inshore to spawn. Tripletail have small eyes and sharp gill plates, so be careful handling them. They're not just fun to catch - the meat is firm and tasty, similar to snapper. Use live shrimp or small crabs on a float rig. Here's a pro tip: when you spot one, cast well past it and slowly drag your bait into view. These guys spook easily, so stealth is key. Once hooked, they'll try to wrap you around anything nearby, so be ready for some acrobatics.
Tim is very knowledgeable about the Indian River Lagoon and the species that live there. Boat is well outfitted