Located in Cape Canaveral, Lil’ Wagon Fishing Charters offers anglers visiting the area a wide range of experiences, fit for every preference and skill level. Captain Michael Hartnett is an experienced captain and has been fishing these waters since he was a child. He loves spending time on the water and will do his best to ensure that your time aboard is fun, enjoyable, and productive.

The captain’s 36’ Contender center console fishing boat is equipped with all the things you could need on your trip. Restored as recently as 2020 and powered by triple 300 HP Suzuki outboards she will get you to the desired fishing grounds quickly and comfortably every time. In addition to all the equipment, electronics, and safety gear, the boat also features separate cold storage for drinks and the catch.

You’ll be provided with top-notch Shimano, Penn, and Daiwa rods and reels, live and dead bait, and terminal tackle. Live bait may be caught before or at the beginning of the trip but it’s always included in the price. All trips accommodate up to 4 anglers fishing together, including kids of all ages. Life jackets of appropriate sizes will be provided to all guests.

Your fishing license and catch cleaning are also taken care of by the captain so the only things you need to take care of are the items you’re bringing aboard. This short checklist includes drinks, snacks, sunscreen, and sunglasses. Once you have these checked, you’ll be ready to hit the waves!

So if you already have a couple of dates in mind, check the captain’s calendar for openings and book your next fishing adventure right away!



Select date to see available trips and rates:

  • Private trip
    Half Day Trip (AM)
    FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
    5 Hour Trip, starts at 7:00 AM
    US $1,000
    Fish the richest inshore spots and visit some of the area's many reefs and/or wrecks within 20 miles of the port entrance. Using either live bait or dead bait, you'll be targeting Kingfish, Mahi Mahi, Sailfish, Shark, and Spanish Mackerel.
  • Private trip
    Half Day Trip (PM)
    FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
    5 Hour Trip, starts at 1:00 PM
    US $1,000
    Visit the most productive inshore spots the area has to offer. Discover the local reefs and/or wrecks up to 20 miles from the port entrance. Once there, you'll be able to target a wide array of species such as Spanish Mackerel, Kingfish, Mahi Mahi, and Sailfish.
  • Private trip
    Full Day Trip
    FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
    8 Hour Trip, starts at 7:00 AM
    US $1,300
    Typically this trip would be split between reef and/or wreck fishing followed by offshore trolling, and visiting deeper reefs and/or wrecks for various species. This trip allows you to have more time to fish different locations and target any species available at the time of your trip. Consult with the captain to discuss your preferences, the most probable catch, fishing areas, and techniques you’ll use to catch your target.
  • Private trip
    8 Hour–Deep Drop/Bottom Fish 500'+
    FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
    8 Hour Trip, starts at 7:00 AM
    US $1,500
    This is a unique trip designed to run farther offshore to depths of 500'+, normally 550' to 1000' to specifically target Golden/Blueline Tilefish, Yellowedge Grouper, and Snowy Grouper. 4 of the best eating white meat fish in the Atlantic! We will utilize high-powered electric power-assist reels. Hopefully, we'll have time for some other types of fishing as well: bottom fishing or trolling to finish the day.
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FAQs about Lil' Wagon Fishing Charters

Lil' Wagon Fishing Charters offers the following trips to customers:
  • US $1,000 per group, additional US $50 per person after 3 guests - Half Day Trip (AM) (5 hours)
  • US $1,000 per group, additional US $50 per person after 3 guests - Half Day Trip (PM) (5 hours)
  • US $1,300 per group, additional US $50 per person after 3 guests - Full Day Trip (8 hours)
  • US $1,500 per group, additional US $100 per person after 3 guests - 8 Hour–Deep Drop/Bottom Fish 500'+ (8 hours)

When you book a trip with Lil' Wagon Fishing Charters, you can expect the following amenities onboard:
  • GPS 2022 Furuno units
  • Fishfinder 2022 Furuno units
  • Live Bait Well 2 huge wells on board for added bait capacity
  • Outriggers
  • Ice Box Large for fish and separate for food and drinks
  • Radar 2022 high power 25kW bird finding radar

Trips booked with Lil' Wagon Fishing Charters include:
  • Rods, reels & tackle (Shimano, Penn, Daiwa quality gear)
  • Live Bait (Depends on the time of year and availability)
  • Lures
  • Catch cleaning & filleting (Tips are appreciated, normally 15-20%)
  • Fishing License (Charter fees include the license required to fish)

Lil' Wagon Fishing Charters offers the following types of fishing:
  • Inshore Fishing (Generally sight fishing cobia and tripletail)
  • Offshore Fishing (Requires a full day charter to do. )
  • Reef Fishing (Half day or part of a full day)
  • Wreck Fishing (Generally longer than a half day charter to do. )

Lil' Wagon Fishing Charters offers the following fishing techniques:
  • Light Tackle (Let me know if you have certain goals)
  • Heavy Tackle (Required for most bottom fishing trips)
  • Bottom Fishing (Best time of the year is generally Fall - Spring)
  • Trolling (Best time of the year is generally Spring and Fall)
  • Spinning (I alwys have spinning gear along for the unexpected)
  • Jigging (Generally longer than a half day to reach the deep)
  • Deep Sea Fishing

Top targeted fish species with Lil' Wagon Fishing Charters include:
  • Amberjack
  • Cobia
  • Dolphin (Mahi Mahi)
  • Grouper (Gag)
  • King Mackerel (Kingfish)
  • Sailfish
  • Shark (Blacktip)
  • Snapper (Red)
  • Tripletail
  • Tuna (Blackfin)

Meet the Captain

Michael Hartnett
Port Canaveral, Florida, United States
26 Fishing Reports
ID & license verified
17 Customer reviews
Response time 2 hours
Member since August 2019
I have lived in Florida all my life and have been chasing all Atlantic Ocean fish since I was a small child with my family and friends. I love to fish in many different ways but sight fishing for Mahi Mahi, Cobia, and Tripletail are my favorite. I love spending time on the water, chasing and catching fish, teaching others to enjoy fishing and improve their skills.

About this listing

Targeted species

Amberjack Amberjack
Cobia Cobia
Dolphin (Mahi Mahi) Dolphin (Mahi Mahi)
Grouper (Gag) Gag Grouper

Boat specs

Contender (Center console) originally built in 2003, and restored in 2020. Powered by 3 300HP Suzuki engines, with a maximum cruising speed of 40 knots.

Length
36 ft
Capacity
4 persons

Types of fishing

Inshore Fishing
Generally sight fishing cobia and tripletail
Offshore Fishing
Requires a full day charter to do.
Reef Fishing
Half day or part of a full day
Wreck Fishing
Generally longer than a half day charter to do.

Fishing techniques

Light Tackle
Let me know if you have certain goals
Heavy Tackle
Required for most bottom fishing trips
Bottom Fishing
Best time of the year is generally Fall - Spring
Trolling
Best time of the year is generally Spring and Fall
Spinning
I alwys have spinning gear along for the unexpected
Jigging
Generally longer than a half day to reach the deep
Deep Sea Fishing

Amenities

GPS
2022 Furuno units
Fishfinder
2022 Furuno units
Live Bait Well
2 huge wells on board for added bait capacity
Outriggers
Ice Box
Large for fish and separate for food and drinks
Radar
2022 high power 25kW bird finding radar

Trip includes

Rods, reels & tackle
Shimano, Penn, Daiwa quality gear
Live Bait
Depends on the time of year and availability
Lures
Catch cleaning & filleting
Tips are appreciated, normally 15-20%
Fishing License
Charter fees include the license required to fish

Cancellation policy

Free cancellation up to 3 days prior to trip

You can cancel or modify your booking up to 3 days before the trip date, free of charge. If you cancel or modify your booking later, or fail to show up, you'll forfeit 100% of what you've paid.

Listing policies

Pickup not included
Transfer to/from departure site is not included in trip rates.
Child Friendly
I encourage family fishing days!!!!!
No Smoking
No smoking, vaping, or tobacco products
You Keep Catch
Tips for a days catch are appreciated
Catch and Release Allowed

Payment

Pay online in full

Pay online in full through FishingBooker and save on credit card fees at the dock.

No additional fees.
Book with 20% deposit, pay rest to captain

When the captain confirms your trip, FishingBooker charges your credit card a 20% deposit to guarantee your reservation.

The remaining balance is to be paid directly to the charter operator on or prior to your trip date in one of the following payment methods:

Cash
Checks

Port Canaveral Fishing Calendar

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Customer reviews

Rating summary
Excellent
5.0 / 5
out of 5 stars from 15 reviews
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Photos & videos by reviewers (56)
Great qualified outfit
Great qualified outfit
Monster Shark that ate one of Jayson's Amberjacks.
+53
Angler rating
15
0
0
0
0
Anglers claimed
Good experience
100%
Friendly captain
100%
Recommend this charter
93%
Appropriate for children
100%
Satisfied with the boat
100%
Caught fish
100%
Sort by:
Featured  
Showing:
5 of 15 reviews
John M.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Great qualified outfit

VERIFIED   Full Day Trip on October 20, 2023
Capt. Mike has a tremendous amount of experience on fishing, boats, etc. He definitely knows how and where to fish. I would...
John M. recommends Lil' Wagon Fishing Charters
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  Michael Hartnett Captain replied

Nicholas C.
Houston, TX
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Amazing Response Time + Amazing Fishing = Trip to Remember!

VERIFIED   Full Day Trip on January 22, 2021
What can I say, fishing in Florida in January can have its surprises for sure.  When booking this trip initially through Fishingbooker...
Nicholas C. recommends Lil' Wagon Fishing Charters
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You found this review helpful
  Michael Hartnett Captain replied

George D.
Merritt Island, Florida
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Full day with Captain Mike

VERIFIED   Full Day Trip on April 6, 2021
A beautiful day to be on the water. Hit the edge of the gulf stream finding some Mahi, barracuda, small shark while trolling...
George D. recommends Lil' Wagon Fishing Charters
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You found this review helpful
  Michael Hartnett Captain replied

Robert M.
The Villages, Florida
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

June fishing trip

VERIFIED   Half Day Trip (AM) on June 18, 2020
What an incredible memory made again today!!  Took my boy and my father on a deep sea fishing charter and caught a 50lb Jack...
Robert M. recommends Lil' Wagon Fishing Charters
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2 persons find this review helpful
You and 2 people found this review helpful
  Michael Hartnett Captain replied

Evan G.
Nisland, SD
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Full day with Capt’n Mike

VERIFIED   Half Day Trip (AM) on May 15, 2022
We had a wonderful time me and my 3 family members we originally had booked a half day but he had let us know the mahi-mahi...
Evan G. recommends Lil' Wagon Fishing Charters
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You found this review helpful
  Michael Hartnett Captain replied