Apalachicola Bay Inshore Fishing Adventure
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Inshore fishing adventure targeting speckled trout, redfish, and tarponAllinclusive package includes licenses, bait, and highperformance rodsAccommodates up to 6 guests in beautiful Apalachicola Bay waters
When it comes to world-class inshore fishing in Florida's Big Bend, Apalachicola Bay stands out as one of the most productive waters you'll ever wet a line in. This sprawling estuary system offers some of the hottest fishing action on the Gulf Coast, where grass flats, oyster bars, and deep channels create perfect habitat for trophy gamefish. Adventure Coast Boat Rentals has put together an all-inclusive package that takes the guesswork out of your fishing trip - we're talking licenses, bait, tackle, and everything else you need to make the most of these legendary waters.
Apalachicola Bay is a massive shallow water system that stretches over 200 square miles, offering endless fishing opportunities for up to 6 anglers. The bay's unique mix of fresh river water and Gulf saltwater creates an incredibly rich ecosystem that supports massive populations of sought-after gamefish. You'll be fishing everything from shallow grass flats in 2-3 feet of water to deeper channel edges and structure that drops down to 15-20 feet. The beauty of this fishery is its diversity - one minute you're sight-casting to tailing redfish in skinny water, the next you're battling a monster tarpon that just rolled up behind the boat. The water clarity varies depending on tides and recent weather, but the fish are always here and always hungry. Most productive times are early morning and late afternoon when baitfish are most active, but don't count out midday fishing, especially around structure and deeper water.
The fishing techniques in Apalachicola Bay are as varied as the species you'll target. For redfish and trout, we'll focus on working live shrimp under popping corks around grass beds and oyster bars, plus throwing soft plastics on jig heads when the fish are more aggressive. When tarpon are rolling, we switch to heavier tackle and work with live crabs or cut bait near deeper channels and passes. Tripletail fishing is all about patience and precision - these fish love hanging around crab trap floats and channel markers, so we'll drift live shrimp or small crabs right past their noses. The gear setup varies by target species, but expect medium to medium-heavy spinning rods for most situations, with heavier conventional tackle when we're chasing tarpon. Circle hooks are the way to go for most applications, and we'll have a variety of weights and leaders rigged and ready. The key to success here is reading the water and adapting to what the fish want on any given day.
The tarpon fishing in Apalachicola Bay is absolutely legendary, especially from May through September when these silver kings move into the bay to feed on abundant baitfish. These fish average 80-150 pounds and provide some of the most heart-stopping fights you'll experience anywhere. What makes tarpon special here is their willingness to eat - they're not just rolling and teasing, they're actively feeding on crabs, mullet, and pinfish throughout the water column. The best action happens around the deeper channels and passes, particularly on moving water.
Speckled trout are year-round residents that offer consistent action for anglers of all skill levels. These fish range from schoolie 14-inchers up to gator trout pushing 6-7 pounds, with the bigger fish typically found around deeper grass edges and channel drop-offs. Spring and fall offer the most consistent trout action, when cooler water temperatures have them feeding aggressively on shrimp and small baitfish. What anglers love about trout fishing here is the sheer numbers - it's not uncommon to boat 20-30 fish in a morning when they're turned on.
Tripletail are one of the most unique species you'll encounter in these waters, known for floating on their sides near structure like they're dead until prey gets close enough to ambush. These fish average 5-15 pounds and are absolutely delicious table fare. Summer months offer the best tripletail action when they're most active around crab trap floats and channel markers. The fight is different from other species - more bulldogging power than speed, but they'll test your drag system for sure.
Red snapper fishing has made a major comeback in recent years, with healthy populations of these prized bottom fish holding around hard structure and deeper water. During open season, expect fish in the 5-20 pound range that provide excellent table fare. These fish are structure-oriented, so we'll target them around oyster bars, artificial reefs, and channel edges where they ambush passing baitfish.
Florida pompano are the crown jewel of light tackle fishing, with their incredible speed and acrobatic fights making every hookup memorable. These fish average 2-4 pounds but fight like fish twice their size, making blistering runs and jumping clear of the water. Pompano are most active during cooler months when they move into the bay to feed on sand fleas and small crustaceans around sandy bottom areas.
Apalachicola Bay represents some of the finest inshore fishing opportunities on Florida's Gulf Coast, and Adventure Coast Boat Rentals has created the perfect package to experience it all. With everything included from licenses to tackle, you can focus entirely on the fishing while we handle the details. The diversity of species, the productivity of the waters, and the stunning natural beauty of this area combine to create fishing memories that last a lifetime. Whether you're a seasoned angler looking for your next trophy or a family wanting to introduce kids to the sport, these waters deliver consistent action and top-rated experiences that keep customers coming back season after season. Don't wait - the fish are biting and your adventure is just a phone call away.
This fully-equipped motorboat is your ticket to prime fishing grounds across Apalachicola Bay's productive waters. Built for serious anglers, she comes loaded with GPS navigation and fish finder technology to put you right on top of the action where speckled trout, redfish, and tarpon are feeding. The onboard radar keeps you safe during those early morning runs, while VHF radio ensures constant communication with the fleet. What sets this boat apart are the overnight amenities - perfect for multi-day fishing adventures. You'll find a comfortable bed for rest between fishing sessions, hot shower to wash off the salt spray, private toilet, and full kitchen to cook up your fresh catch. Air conditioning provides relief from Florida's heat between trips to the fishing grounds. With space for up to 6 anglers, there's plenty of room to spread out while working different techniques for pompano and triple tail. The boat's design handles Apalachicola's shallow flats and deeper channels with ease, getting you to both backwater spots and offshore structure where the big fish roam. Everything's included in your package - from fishing licenses and premium bait to high-quality rods matched to local species.
Trachinotus CarolinusPompano are like catching silver dollars with serious attitude - these flat, fast fish are some of the best eating in the Gulf. They typically run 1-3 pounds with that classic compressed body and bright yellow fins. You'll find them working the sandy bottoms and grass edges in 8-25 feet, especially where there's current moving bait around. Spring through fall gives you the best shots, particularly on moving tides. Guests go crazy for pompano because they fight way above their weight class and the meat is pure butter - rich, sweet, and perfect for the dinner table. The secret is small hooks and light tackle since they have tiny mouths. I like to use small jigs tipped with shrimp, worked right along the bottom where they're rooting for crabs and mollusks.
Lutjanus CampechanusRed snapper are the gold standard for offshore eating fish - bright red beauties that average 3-8 pounds but can top 20. You'll find them around hard bottom, structure, and reefs in 60-200 feet of water. Summer months offer the best action during our federal season, though state water opportunities exist year-round. These fish are pure fighters - they'll head straight for the bottom trying to cut your line on structure. What guests love most is the combination of great fight and even better table fare. The sweet, nutty white meat is restaurant quality. My advice: use circle hooks with live or cut bait, keep steady pressure when fighting them, and don't let up until they're in the boat. They're notorious for making last-second runs right at the surface.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are our bread and butter fish - beautiful spotted fighters that average 14-20 inches and fight harder than their size suggests. You'll find them over grass flats in 2-8 feet of water, especially around drop-offs and channel edges where they ambush bait. They bite best during moving water on both incoming and outgoing tides. Spring through fall offers the most consistent action, though winter can produce some nice fish in deeper holes. Guests love specks because they're scrappy fighters and make fantastic table fare - sweet, flaky white meat that's perfect fried or grilled. Here's a local trick: work your bait slow and soft around the grass beds. These fish spook easily, so if the bite shuts down, move to fresh water and let that spot rest.
Megalops AtlanticusThese silver kings are the ultimate bucket list fish - massive acrobats that can hit 6+ feet and jump clean out of the water when hooked. Most tarpon we see run 80-100 pounds, though giants over 200 show up. They cruise our shallow flats and deeper channels year-round, but peak season is late spring through summer when they're most active. What makes tarpon special isn't just their size - it's watching one cartwheel through the air trying to throw your hook. We practice catch and release since they're not great eating and take decades to mature. Pro tip: when one jumps, bow to the king - drop your rod tip toward the fish to keep tension loose, or that jump will snap your line every time.
Lobotes SurinamensisTripletail are one of our most unique targets - odd-looking fish that float on their sides near the surface, mimicking debris or weeds. They average 2-5 pounds but can reach 15+ pounds, and they're surprisingly acrobatic for such a chunky fish. Look for them around weed lines, channel markers, and floating structure in 10-30 feet of water. Summer and fall are prime time when water temps stay warm. What makes tripletail special is the sight fishing - you actually see them floating there before you cast. They're also fantastic eating, with firm white meat that tastes like a cross between snapper and grouper. The trick is being sneaky - cast well past them and work your bait slowly into their zone. Spook one and it's gone for good.
Apalachicola