5.0(1 Reviews)Full Day Private Bay Fishing in Port St Joe Waters
5.0(1 reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Full 8hour inshore fishing adventure targeting multiple bay speciesExpert guidance through productive waters near oyster beds and flatsAll equipment, bait, and licenses included for up to 3 guests
There's nothing quite like having an entire day to work the bay waters around Port St. Joe and Mexico Beach. This 8-hour private charter gives you and up to two buddies the chance to really dial in on what's biting without feeling rushed. Starting at 7:00 AM, you'll have Captain Mason all to yourself as he puts you on fish in some of the most productive inshore waters along the Forgotten Coast. Whether you're after that slot redfish or hoping to fill the cooler with snapper, this full-day trip is designed for anglers who want to maximize their time on the water and come home with stories worth telling.
Port St. Joe Bay and the waters around Mexico Beach offer some seriously good inshore fishing, and an 8-hour trip lets you experience it all. You'll start early to beat the heat and take advantage of those prime morning bite windows when fish are most active. Captain Mason knows these waters like the back of his hand – from the grass flats where redfish cruise to the oyster bars that hold snapper and sheepshead. The beauty of a full-day charter is flexibility. If the fish are thick in one spot, you can stay and work it. If they've moved, you've got time to chase them down. The boat comes fully rigged with quality gear, fresh bait, and all the tackle you'll need. Your fishing licenses are covered too, so all you need to bring is your favorite drinks and maybe some snacks to keep you fueled throughout the day.
Inshore bay fishing here is all about reading the water and adapting your approach. You'll be working everything from shallow grass beds to deeper channel edges, using techniques that match what the fish want on any given day. Live shrimp and cut bait are go-to options, especially around structure like oyster beds and docks where snapper and drum like to hang out. For redfish, you might find yourself sight casting to tailing fish in skinny water, or working the drop-offs where they ambush baitfish. The grass flats are money for flounder – they love to bury up in the sand waiting for an easy meal to swim by. Captain Mason will have you switching between bottom rigs, popping corks, and maybe even some light tackle casting depending on what's working. The extended timeframe means you can really learn the water and dial in your technique instead of just trying to get lucky on a quick trip.
"Captain Mason was amazing!! He was willing to work with our group with whatever we needed! He did everything he could to make our group of new deep sea fishers as comfortable as possible! Captain Mason is such a friendly guy and at the end of the day we caught several good fish! Thank you Captain Mason for an amazing first deep sea fishing trip!" - John
Redfish are the crown jewel of inshore fishing around here, and for good reason. These copper-colored fighters typically run 20 to 30 inches in the bay, with bigger bulls showing up during their fall spawning runs. They're most active during moving tides, especially around oyster bars and grass bed edges where they hunt for crabs and shrimp. What makes reds so special is how they fight – once hooked, they'll make powerful runs and use their broad sides to pull drag. The slot limit keeps the fishery healthy, and these fish are absolutely delicious when prepared fresh.
Grey Snapper, or mangrove snapper as most locals call them, are scattered throughout the bay around any kind of structure. These guys are notorious bait stealers with their quick, subtle bites, but once you figure out their feeding pattern, you can load up. They typically run 12 to 16 inches in the bay, with the bigger ones holding tight to cover during the day. Summer months are prime time when they're most aggressive, and they make excellent table fare with their firm, white meat. The trick is keeping your bait close to structure without hanging up – easier said than done.
Black Drum are the bulldogs of the bay, especially the bigger ones that can push 20 to 30 pounds. They're bottom feeders that love crushing crabs and oysters around hard structure, so your bait needs to be right on the bottom. These fish are most active during cooler months and around the new and full moon phases when tides are strongest. Young black drum, called puppy drum, are fantastic eating, while the bigger ones are usually released to keep the population strong. When a big drum picks up your bait, there's no mistaking it – they just start swimming away with your rod doubled over.
Sheepshead are the convict-striped tricksters of the bay, known for their light bites and ability to steal bait without getting hooked. They're most active during winter months around oyster beds, docks, and bridge pilings where they pick barnacles and small crabs. These fish have human-like teeth that they use to crush shellfish, making them one of the most unique catches you'll encounter. They typically run 12 to 18 inches in these waters, and despite their reputation for being hard to catch, they're some of the best eating fish in the bay once you figure out their feeding habits.
Southern Flounder are the chameleons of the flats, burying themselves in sandy bottoms waiting to ambush passing prey. They're most active during cooler months and around structure transitions where sand meets grass or hard bottom. These flatfish can be tough to spot until they move, but once you locate a productive area, you can often catch several. They typically run 14 to 20 inches in the bay, with the bigger ones being primarily females during their pre-spawn staging. Flounder are excellent table fare and provide a fun change of pace from the typical drum and snapper action.
A full day on the water with 9
Your 25' Sea Pro center console is built for serious bay fishing around Port St. Joe and Mexico Beach. This boat handles the shallow flats and oyster beds like a dream, with a wireless trolling motor that keeps things quiet when you're stalking redfish in skinny water. The fish finder helps locate those productive spots where snapper and drum hang out, while the GPS keeps you on course whether you're working the grass beds or hitting structure along the bay. An icebox keeps your drinks cold during the full 8-hour day, and there's plenty of deck space for up to 3 anglers to work without getting tangled up. All your rods, reels, tackle, and live bait are ready to go, so you can focus on what's important—putting fish in the cooler. The center console design gives everyone good casting room and easy access to gear.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the bulldogs of our bay - powerful fish that'll give you a serious workout once hooked. These gray-black bruisers typically run 5-15 pounds in our waters, though we see some monsters over 30 pounds during spring spawning runs. They cruise shallow oyster beds, muddy flats, and around dock pilings, using their crushing jaws to demolish crabs and oysters. Spring months from March through May are peak season when they school up in good numbers. Guests love the strong, steady fight they provide - no flashy jumps, just pure power and endurance. The smaller ones under 15 pounds make excellent eating too. Pro tip: use fresh blue crab or cut bait on a carolina rig, keep it on the bottom near structure, and when you feel that steady pull, don't horse them - let the drag work and wear them down.
Lutjanus GriseusGrey Snapper, better known around here as Mangrove Snapper, are smart fish that'll test your patience. These copper-red beauties with the dark eye stripe typically run 1-3 pounds in our bay waters, though bigger ones lurk around deeper structure. You'll find them hugging mangrove shorelines, docks, and oyster bars where they can dart out to grab a meal. They're most active during moving tides, especially around dawn and dusk when they feel comfortable leaving cover. What guests love is their scrappy fight and excellent table fare - white, flaky meat that's hard to beat. These fish are notorious for stealing bait, so here's the trick: use a small hook with fresh live shrimp, let it sink naturally, and when you feel that first tap, wait a beat before setting the hook. They'll mouth it first, then commit.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the crown jewel of our shallow water fishing, with their copper-bronze sides and signature black spots near the tail. These fish run 18-30 inches in our bay waters and are built for power, not speed. You'll find them cruising grass flats in 1-4 feet of water, around oyster bars, and marsh edges where they root for crabs and baitfish. Fall through spring offers the best action when they're actively feeding and easier to spot. What guests love most is watching them eat topwater baits in shallow water - it's visual fishing at its finest, plus they make excellent table fare with mild, flaky meat. The real excitement comes from sight fishing - when you see their backs or tails in skinny water, cast a gold spoon or soft plastic ahead of them and work it slowly. They'll track it down and crush it.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the "convict fish" with their black and white stripes and human-like teeth that can crush barnacles and crabs with ease. These 2-5 pound fighters hang tight around any structure - dock pilings, bridges, and oyster bars where they feed on barnacles and small crabs. Winter and early spring are best when they school up for spawning, making them easier to target in numbers. What makes them fun is their notorious reputation as bait thieves - they'll nibble your shrimp down to nothing if you're not paying attention. Plus, they're some of the finest eating fish in the bay with sweet, firm white meat. The secret is using small hooks with fresh fiddler crabs or shrimp, getting your bait right against the structure, and setting the hook hard the instant you feel weight - they've got tough mouths and will steal your bait otherwise.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern Flounder are masters of disguise - these flat fish bury themselves in sandy or muddy bottoms with both eyes on their left side, waiting to ambush prey. Around Port St. Joe, you'll find them from 15-20 inches typically, though they can reach over 30. They love shallow grass flats, creek mouths, and areas with soft bottom where they can camouflage perfectly. Fall and early winter are prime time when they're feeding heavily before moving offshore. What makes them special is their incredible ability to change color to match their surroundings, plus they're fantastic eating with sweet, flaky white meat. The key to landing one is using live shrimp or small finger mullet on light tackle, letting your bait settle to the bottom, then slowly working it just off the sand.
5.0 out of 5.0Captain Mason was amazing!! He was willing to work with our group with whatever we needed! He did everything he could to make our ...
Port St. Joe