5.0(1 Reviews)Private 4-Hour Bay Fishing Trip | PM
5.0(1 reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fourhour afternoon inshore fishing charter targeting Speckled Trout and RedfishAll fishing gear, licenses, and bait included for up to 3 guestsRelaxed bay fishing experience in Port St. Joe waters starting 1:00 PM
Looking for the perfect afternoon escape without burning your whole day? This 4-hour inshore charter out of Port St. Joe and Mexico Beach hits that sweet spot between a quick trip and a serious fishing adventure. Starting at 1:00 PM, you'll have plenty of time to sleep in, grab lunch, and still get your lines wet during some of the best fishing hours of the day. Captain Mason runs a top-rated operation that keeps things relaxed but productive—exactly what you want when you're trying to unwind and maybe put some fresh fish on the dinner table.
This isn't your typical cattle-boat charter. With just 3 anglers max, you'll get personalized attention and plenty of elbow room to work your technique. The afternoon timing is no accident—many of our target species feed more actively as the day cools down, and you'll avoid the morning rush of other boats. Port St. Joe Bay and the waters around Mexico Beach offer some of Florida's most consistent inshore action, with grass flats, oyster bars, and deeper channels that hold fish year-round. The laid-back vibe means you can bring your favorite drinks, take your time with each fish, and actually enjoy the experience instead of feeling rushed. Captain Mason provides all your fishing licenses, fresh bait, and quality tackle, so you can focus on what matters—putting fish in the boat.
Inshore bay fishing is all about reading the water and adapting your approach. Depending on conditions and what's biting, you'll likely work with live shrimp, cut bait, and artificial lures around structure. The grass flats are perfect for sight fishing when the water's clear—nothing beats watching a redfish cruise up to your bait in shallow water. Oyster bars and dock pilings hold sheepshead and black drum, while the deeper cuts and channels are prime real estate for speckled trout. Captain Mason knows these waters like the back of his hand and will put you on productive spots while explaining the why behind each move. Whether you're a beginner learning to read your rod tip or an experienced angler fine-tuning your technique, the personalized instruction makes every cast count.
"Amazing day out on the water today! Thank you Captain Mason for a great day! See you again soon!" - Allison
Redfish are the crown jewel of Florida inshore fishing, and Port St. Joe Bay consistently produces quality fish. These copper-colored bruisers typically run 18-30 inches in these waters and fight like they're twice their size. They're most active during moving tides, especially around oyster bars and shallow grass flats. What makes reds so special is their accessibility to anglers of all skill levels—they'll eat live shrimp, cut bait, or well-presented artificials. The afternoon timing of this trip coincides perfectly with their feeding patterns as water temperatures moderate.
Sea Trout (Speckled Trout) are the bread and butter of bay fishing, and these waters hold some beauties. Most fish run 14-20 inches, with occasional gator trout pushing 24+ inches. They prefer grass flats and sandy potholes, especially during cooler parts of the day. Trout are excellent table fare and provide steady action—perfect for keeping kids and beginners engaged. They're also great for practicing different techniques since they'll hit topwater plugs, soft plastics, and live bait with equal enthusiasm.
Southern Flounder are the masters of camouflage and one of the best eating fish in the Gulf. These flatfish typically range 12-18 inches but can grow much larger. They ambush prey from sandy bottoms near structure or current breaks. Flounder fishing requires patience and a good feel for your bait—they often pick up your offering and swim with it before fully committing. The reward is worth the wait, as their sweet, flaky meat makes them a customer favorite for the dinner table.
Black Drum are the gentle giants of the inshore scene, with fish ranging from slot-size juveniles to massive adults over 30 inches. They're bottom feeders with powerful jaws designed for crushing crabs and oysters, so expect a serious fight when you hook one. Black drum are most active around oyster bars and hard bottom areas, and they're surprisingly willing to eat during daylight hours. Their size and strength make them popular with anglers looking for a real tussle.
Sheepshead are the convict-striped tricksters that will test your patience and skill. These bait-stealing masters hang around any kind of structure—docks, pilings, oyster bars—and require quick reflexes and sharp hooks. Most fish run 10-16 inches, but they're thick-bodied and surprisingly strong. Sheepshead are notorious for their light bite and ability to steal bait, but once you figure them out, they provide consistent action. They're also phenomenal eating, with firm white meat that rivals any fish in the Gulf.
This afternoon charter strikes the perfect balance between convenience and productivity. You'll fish during prime feeding times, work with an experienced local captain, and target some of the Gulf Coast's most popular species—all without sacrificing your entire day. The small group size ensures personalized attention, while the included licenses, bait, and tackle eliminate the hassle of preparation. Whether you're a local looking for a quick fishing fix or a visitor wanting to experience Florida's renowned inshore fishing, this trip delivers the goods. Captain Mason's repeat customers speak for themselves—book your spot and see why anglers keep coming back to these productive waters.
Step aboard this well-equipped 25' Sea Pro center console that's built for serious bay fishing around Port St. Joe and Mexico Beach. This boat handles the inshore waters like a champ, with everything you need already on deck—rods, reels, tackle, and live bait are all included. The wireless trolling motor keeps things quiet when you're working shallow flats for redfish, while the fish finder helps locate those speckled trout holding near structure. An icebox keeps your drinks cold during the afternoon heat, and GPS navigation ensures smooth runs between fishing spots. Perfect for up to 3 anglers who want to target Gulf coast favorites without dealing with rough offshore conditions. The captain knows these waters inside and out, so you'll spend more time with lines in the water and less time searching for fish.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the heavyweights of our inshore waters, commonly running 5-30 pounds with some bruisers hitting 50+ pounds. These powerful fish love oyster beds, muddy flats, and around any structure in 2-15 feet of water. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning - that's when you'll find the best action. What guests love most is the serious fight they put up, plus that distinctive drumming sound they make underwater. The smaller ones under 15 pounds are fantastic eating with firm, white meat. Here in our bay waters, they're year-round residents feeding on crabs and oysters. Pro tip: use fresh crab or cut bait on the bottom with enough weight to stay put. When you feel that steady pull, don't horse them - let them run and tire out first.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the crown jewel of our inshore fishing, easily identified by their copper-bronze color and that signature black spot near the tail. Most fish we catch run 18-27 inches, perfect for the dinner table. They love super shallow water - sometimes so shallow their backs stick out - cruising oyster bars, grass flats, and mangrove edges. Year-round fishing is solid, but fall is magic when they school up in big numbers. What makes them special is the visual fishing - you can actually see them tailing and cruising the flats. They fight like freight trains and taste even better with sweet, firm meat. My favorite approach is sight-fishing with gold spoons or soft plastics. When you spot one, cast past them and work the lure back into their path - they're curious fish that will investigate.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled Trout are our bread-and-butter fish, running 14-20 inches with those beautiful spotted sides that give them their name. They cruise grass flats and sandy bottoms in 2-8 feet, feeding on shrimp and small baitfish. Best action happens during moving tides, especially early morning and evening. Fall through spring offers the most consistent fishing when water temps cool down. Guests love them because they hit artificial lures hard and make great table fare with tender, flaky meat. They school up, so where you catch one, there's usually more. During cooler months, look for them in deeper holes and channels. My local trick is throwing soft plastics under popping corks over grass beds - that cork splash gets their attention, and the suspended bait looks natural as it moves with the current.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the convict fish of our waters with their black and white stripes, and they're absolute bait thieves with human-like teeth. Most run 1-3 pounds and 14-18 inches, though we see some 6-8 pounders around deeper structure. They're always hanging tight to pilings, bridges, and any barnacle-covered structure where they pick off crabs and oysters. Fall through early spring is best when they're most aggressive and schooled up. Guests get hooked on the challenge - these fish will steal your bait faster than you can blink. The reward is some of the best eating fish in the Gulf with sweet, flaky white meat. My trick is using small hooks with fiddler crabs or shrimp, get right against the structure, and when you feel them nibbling, set that hook hard and fast.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern Flounder are fascinating flatfish that guests love targeting for their unique appearance and excellent table fare. These ambush predators typically run 15-18 inches and hide in sandy or muddy bottoms waiting to strike. You'll find them in our shallow bays and around structure where they camouflage perfectly against the bottom. Fall and winter months are prime time when they're most active and easier to locate. What makes them special is watching both eyes on one side of their head track your bait - it's wild to see. They're phenomenal eating with sweet, white meat that flakes perfectly. My go-to trick is using live shrimp or small mullet on a Carolina rig, and when you feel that subtle tap, count to three before setting the hook - they like to mouth the bait first.
5.0 out of 5.0Amazing day out on the water today! Thank you Captain Mason for a great day! See you again soon!
Port St. Joe