Private Full-Day Nearshore Snapper Fishing
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
8hour nearshore charter targeting snapper and grouper speciesAll gear, bait, and licenses included for up to 3 guestsExpert captain navigates productive Gulf waters near Port St. Joe
Looking for a top-rated fishing charter that puts you on fish without the seasick blues of deep water runs? This 8-hour nearshore adventure off Port St. Joe and Mexico Beach hits the sweet spot. You'll spend your day working productive structure and drop-offs in state waters, where red snapper, gag grouper, and amberjack call home. With everything included except your cooler of drinks, this customer favorite trip keeps things simple so you can focus on bending rods and filling the fish box.
Your captain knows these Gulf waters like the back of his hand, and he's not wasting time on empty holes. This charter targets the kind of structure that holds fish year-round—limestone ledges, artificial reefs, and natural bottom changes that create the perfect ambush spots for snapper and grouper. You'll be fishing in 30 to 60 feet of water, close enough to shore that the ride out won't eat up half your day, but far enough to get into serious fish habitat. The boat accommodates up to 3 anglers, so you're not fighting for rail space or waiting forever for your turn. Bait, tackle, and licenses are all handled, which means you can sleep in instead of hitting the bait shop at dawn. Pack your favorite beverages, some snacks, and get ready for steady action on species that actually taste as good as they fight.
Nearshore fishing is all about precision and knowing when to adapt. Your captain comes equipped with medium-heavy conventional rigs spooled with 30-50 pound test—perfect for pulling red snapper and grouper out of structure before they can cut you off. Bottom fishing is the bread and butter here, using circle hooks with cut bait, live pinfish, or grunt to target the reef dwellers. When the cobia show up cruising the surface or the mahi start busting bait, you'll switch to spinning gear with jigs or live bait on lighter tackle. The key is reading the conditions and adjusting throughout the day. Some days the fish want fresh cut mullet on the bottom, other days they're fired up and hitting anything that moves. Your guide's job is figuring out the daily pattern and putting you on the most productive bite, whether that's slow-pitch jigging over structure or sight-casting to cruising amberjack.
Red snapper are the crown jewel of nearshore fishing around Port St. Joe, and for good reason. These crimson beauties average 3-8 pounds in state waters, though double-digit fish show up regularly around the better spots. They're most active during cooler months from October through March, when they stack up thick on rocky bottom and artificial reefs. What makes them special isn't just the fight—it's the table fare. Red snapper fillets are restaurant-quality eating, with firm white meat that's perfect for everything from fish tacos to blackened presentations.
Gag grouper bring the muscle to this fishery, with most fish running 5-15 pounds and the occasional bruiser pushing 20-plus. These guys are ambush predators that hide in holes and under ledges, waiting to crush anything that swims by. They're trickier to target than snapper since they're more structure-oriented, but when you hook one, you'll know it immediately. That first run toward the rocks will test your drag and your nerves. Gags are excellent eating with a slightly firmer texture than snapper, and they're abundant enough in these waters that you've got a real shot at boxing a few.
Greater amberjack are the speed demons of the nearshore scene, and they'll school up around structure in numbers that'll make your arms sore. Most run 15-30 pounds, but 40-50 pounders aren't rare when conditions align. These fish are pure power on light tackle, making long runs and testing every knot in your setup. They're most cooperative in warmer months from April through September, often cruising just under the surface where you can sight-cast to them. While they're not everyone's favorite on the dinner table, smaller AJs are perfectly good eating when prepared right.
Grey snapper, better known locally as mangrove snapper, might be smaller than their red cousins, but they make up for it with attitude and numbers. These 1-4 pound scrappers are notorious bait thieves with sharp eyes and quick reflexes. They're year-round residents around structure, and when you find a good school, you can catch them until your arms give out. Don't let the size fool you—mangrove snapper are some of the best eating fish in the Gulf, with sweet, flaky meat that's perfect for whole fish presentations.
Redfish round out the target list as the wild card species. While not as structure-dependent as the others, they cruise nearshore waters looking for baitfish and crabs. Most fish run 18-27 inches, right in that slot limit sweet spot. Reds are famous for their bulldogging fight and that distinctive copper color, plus they're fantastic table fare when kept within regulations. They're most active in spring and fall, often showing up in small schools around grass flats and sandy bottom adjacent to the main fishing spots.
This world-class nearshore charter delivers exactly what serious anglers want: consistent action on quality fish without the expense and seasickness risk of deep water trips. Your captain's local knowledge puts you on productive water fast, and the 8-hour trip length gives you time to really dial in the bite and fill your coolers. With all gear and licenses included, the only thing left is showing up ready to fish. Port St. Joe's nearshore grounds produce year-round, but the best trips book up quick during peak seasons. Don't wait until the last minute—reserve your spot now and get ready for a day of serious fishing that'll have you planning your next trip before you even hit
Your 25' Sea Pro center console cuts through Gulf waters with the reliability Port St. Joe captains trust. This well-equipped fishing machine handles nearshore runs to snapper grounds with ease, powered by dependable outboards and guided by GPS and fish finder technology. The spacious center console layout gives all three anglers room to work, whether you're dropping lines on red snapper structure or fighting amberjack off the reefs. An onboard icebox keeps your catch fresh and drinks cold during the 8-hour trip, while the wireless trolling motor lets your captain position quietly over productive spots. All rods, reels, tackle, and bait come ready to fish—you might even catch your own live bait depending on conditions. From Mexico Beach waters to Port St. Joe's favorite fishing holes, this boat gets you where the grouper, cobia, and mahi are biting.
Mycteroperca MicrolepisGag Grouper are some of the smartest fish in the Gulf, which makes landing them that much more satisfying. These mottled grey bruisers average 18-24 inches but can stretch past 30 inches and 20 pounds. They hang around rocky bottoms, ledges, and wrecks in 20-80 feet, always near structure where they can ambush prey. Spring and fall offer the best action when they're feeding heavy. What guests love most is the fight - once hooked, they make powerful runs straight for cover. The table fare is excellent too, with firm white meat that's hard to beat. Here's a local trick: once you hook up, lock that drag and horse them up immediately. Give them even a second to think, and they'll wrap you around the nearest rock.
Seriola dumeriliGreater Amberjack are the freight trains of our nearshore waters, and hooking into one will definitely get your attention. These powerful fish commonly run 15-40 pounds, with some real monsters pushing 50+ pounds. They patrol wrecks, reefs, and drop-offs in 40-100+ feet, often cruising in small schools. Spring through fall gives us the best shots at them when they're most active. What makes AJ's special is their incredible strength - they'll make long, powerful runs that'll test your tackle and your arms. The meat is good eating too, though the bigger ones can carry ciguatera. My advice: use heavy tackle and don't mess around once you're hooked up. They'll head straight for the structure, so put maximum pressure on them right from the start.
Lutjanus GriseusGrey Snapper, also called Mangrove Snapper, are crafty fish that'll test your patience and skill. Most run 12-16 inches and 1-3 pounds, though the bigger ones can hit 5+ pounds in deeper water. They love structure - docks, pilings, rock piles, and mangroves in 10-40 feet. These guys are active year-round but really turn on during warmer months. What makes them fun is they're opportunistic feeders but incredibly cautious. You'll see them inspect your bait before deciding. The reward is sweet, mild meat that's perfect pan-fried. My go-to technique: use live shrimp hooked through the tail, drop it to the bottom, then lift it just a foot off. Keep it still - too much movement spooks them every time.
Lutjanus CampechanusRed Snapper are the crown jewel of Gulf fishing, and for good reason. These bright red beauties typically run 16-24 inches and 3-8 pounds in our waters, though we occasionally hook into some real bruisers pushing 15+ pounds. They live around hard bottom, rocky ledges, and artificial reefs in 30-100 feet of water. Summer months are prime time when they're spawning and most active. What makes them special? They fight hard, diving straight for cover when hooked, and the meat is simply outstanding - sweet, flaky, and perfect for the dinner table. Pro tip: when you hook one, keep steady pressure and get them away from structure fast. They'll try to wrap your line around anything they can find.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish aren't typically our main target on this nearshore trip, but when we find them cruising the flats or around structure, they're always a welcome sight. These copper-colored fighters average 20-28 inches and 5-15 pounds, easily identified by those distinctive black spots near the tail. While they prefer super shallow water closer to shore, we sometimes encounter them around nearshore reefs and wrecks in 15-30 feet. They're year-round residents but really active in spring and fall. What's great about reds is their bulldogging fight and excellent table fare - firm, mild meat that's hard to beat. When we do hook up, here's the key: steady pressure without rushing them. They're strong swimmers that'll use any current to their advantage.
Port St. Joe