Redfish Fishing Trips (Fall/Winter/Spring)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Inshore fishing for redfish, tarpon, trout, and triple tailSmall group trips with maximum two guests per charterSeasonal fishing opportunities available fall through spring
When you're ready to trade the sandy beaches for some serious fishing action, Apalach Inshore has exactly what you're looking for. Our seasonal redfish trips run from fall through spring, taking advantage of prime fishing conditions when these copper-colored fighters are most active in Apalachicola's rich waters. You'll be fishing with an experienced local captain who knows every grass flat, oyster bar, and creek mouth where big reds like to hang out. With just two anglers per trip, you get the personal attention and prime fishing spots that make the difference between a good day and an epic one.
Your day starts early when the fish are hungry and the water's calm. We'll launch from Apalachicola and head straight to where the action is – could be shallow grass flats where redfish cruise looking for crabs, or deeper channels where trout stack up during cooler months. The beauty of fishing these waters is the variety – one cast you might hook into a slot red, the next could be a gator trout or even a rolling tarpon if conditions are right. Apalachicola Bay's mix of fresh and salt water creates perfect habitat for multiple species, so you never know what's going to hit your bait. The boat rides are short since our best spots are close to the launch, meaning more time with lines in the water and less time burning gas.
We fish light tackle here – typically 7-foot medium action rods paired with 3000-series spinning reels spooled with 15-20 pound braid. The shallow water and structure require finesse, not brute force. Depending on what we're targeting and where we find them, we'll use everything from live shrimp under popping corks to soft plastic paddle tails worked slowly along the bottom. Topwater action can be killer during dawn and dusk, especially when reds are tailing in knee-deep water over grass beds. We also keep cut bait ready for when the bite gets tough – fresh mullet or pinfish chunks can turn a slow day around fast. The captain provides all tackle, but if you have a favorite rod setup, feel free to bring it along. Just make sure it can handle the fight these fish put up in shallow water.
Redfish are the stars of this show, and Apalachicola Bay holds some of the healthiest populations on the Gulf Coast. These bronze beauties range from schoolie reds around 18-24 inches up to bull reds pushing 40+ inches and 30+ pounds. Fall and spring are prime time when they're feeding heavily before and after winter. You'll find them tailing in shallow water, cruising grass flats, and ambushing bait around oyster bars. What makes reds so special is their fight – they'll peel drag, make blistering runs, and use every oyster bar and grass bed to try breaking you off. Plus, they're great eating in the slot size range.
Sea trout are our bread-and-butter fish during cooler months when they school up in deeper grass beds and channel edges. These spotted beauties average 14-18 inches but don't let their size fool you – they hit hard and jump like crazy. Trout have paper-thin mouths, so keeping steady pressure without horsing them is key. They're excellent table fare and respond well to both live shrimp and artificial lures. Best action usually happens around structure changes where deeper water meets shallow flats.
Tarpon show up when water temperatures climb, typically late spring into summer. These silver kings range from juvenile fish around 20-40 pounds up to giants over 100 pounds. Even smaller tarpon are absolute bulldozers, jumping repeatedly and making runs that'll test your tackle and technique. Apalachicola's tarpon are often feeding on schools of baitfish, creating surface action that's pure adrenaline. They're catch-and-release only, but landing one is a memory that'll last forever.
Tripletail are the oddballs of our local waters – they look like floating debris until you get close, then they turn into hard-fighting, acrobatic fish. These guys hang around crab trap floats, channel markers, and debris lines. They're fantastic eating and put up a surprisingly good scrap for their size. Finding tripletail requires sharp eyes and patience, but when you spot one floating on its side, the excitement builds fast.
False albacore, or "albies," are speed demons that show up when baitfish are thick. These mini-tunas hit like freight trains and make blistering runs that'll smoke your drag. They school up and feed aggressively on the surface, creating some of the most exciting sight fishing you'll find. Light tackle is essential since they're line-shy, but once hooked, they'll give you a fight that's hard to believe from a 5-10 pound fish.
Apalachicola's inshore fishing is some of Florida's best-kept secrets, combining healthy fish populations with relatively light fishing pressure. Our fall through spring season targets the prime months when redfish are most active and weather conditions are most comfortable. With only two anglers per trip, spots fill up fast, especially during peak season. Whether you're a seasoned angler looking for your next personal best or someone wanting to experience world-class inshore fishing for the first time, these trips deliver the goods. The combination of diverse species, beautiful scenery, and expert local knowledge makes for fishing memories you'll be talking about for years. Give us a call and let's get you on the water – the fish are waiting.
Thunnus AlalungaFalse albacore, or "albies," are our speed demons - bullet-shaped fish that hit 20-25 mph and fight like they're twice their size. Most run 5-15 pounds but pack serious punch. They show up in fall when baitfish are thick, often feeding in big schools that create surface chaos. You'll find them in deeper water off the coast following temperature breaks and bait concentrations. What guests love is the non-stop action when you find a feeding school - it's fast and furious fishing. They're also excellent eating, similar to tuna with firm, flavorful meat. The trick is staying with the school since they move constantly. When you hook the first one, get it in quick - if it runs off, the whole school often follows. Small lures work best; they're picky eaters.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are our local celebrities with those distinctive black spots near their tails and copper-bronze backs. Most run 20-30 inches around here, perfect slot-size fish. They love super shallow water - sometimes so shallow their backs stick out - around oyster beds, grass flats, and marsh edges. Fall through spring fishing is outstanding when they school up. What makes reds special is their attitude - they'll crush topwater lures, fight like bulldogs, and the meat is fantastic. Sweet, firm flesh that's great grilled or blackened. They're smart fish that spook easy in skinny water, so stealth matters. Here's my secret: look for nervous water or tailing fish on low tide mornings. Cast past them and work your bait back slowly - they can't resist.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are our bread-and-butter inshore fish, running 14-24 inches and fighting way above their weight class. They love grass flats in 2-6 feet of water, especially around oyster bars and drop-offs. Fall through spring are prime time when they school up in deeper pockets during cooler months. What guests love about trout is how willing they are to bite - topwater plugs, soft plastics, and live shrimp all work great. The meat's excellent too - white, flaky, and mild-flavored, though it's delicate so don't overcook it. These fish are pretty predictable once you learn their patterns. Pro tip: focus on the edges where grass meets sand or mud. That's where they ambush shrimp and baitfish. Dawn and dusk are magic hours.
Megalops AtlanticusThese silver kings are the ultimate bucket-list fish - watching a 100-pound tarpon launch 6 feet out of the water will get your heart pumping every time. Most fish we catch run 50-150 pounds and put up fights that can last over an hour. They cruise our shallow flats and deeper channels from late spring through early fall, following baitfish migrations. What makes tarpon special isn't just their acrobatics - they're ancient fish that can live 50+ years. Since the meat's not great eating, it's all about the fight and photos. My tip: when they jump, bow to the king by dropping your rod tip toward the fish. Keeps that hook from popping out during their aerial show. These prehistoric giants have been testing anglers for millions of years.
Lobotes SurinamensisTripletail are one of our most unique fish - they float on their sides near the surface, looking like floating debris or weeds. Most run 2-13 pounds but can get up to 40. They're loners that cruise near weedlines, structure, and floating objects year-round, though summer's peak season. What makes them exciting is the sight-fishing aspect - you spot them first, then make a perfect cast. They're surprisingly acrobatic for such a chunky fish and the meat rivals grouper or snapper. Be careful of those razor-sharp gill plates when handling them. The key is being sneaky - cast well past the fish and work your bait toward them. They're ambush feeders that will slam a well-presented shrimp or crab pattern. Patience pays off with these odd-looking but delicious fish.
Apalachicola, FL