Redfish Fishing Trips (Fall/Winter/Spring)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Inshore fishing for redfish, tarpon, and trout with Apalach InshoreSmall group trips accommodate up to two guests maximumSeasonal fishing available during fall, winter, and spring months
When you're ready to trade the sand for some serious action on the flats, Apalach Inshore has exactly what you're looking for. This isn't your typical tourist fishing trip – we're talking about getting after some of the most sought-after species in the Gulf. Captain and crew know these waters like the back of their hand, and they'll put you on fish when the conditions are right. With just two anglers max per trip, you get the kind of personal attention that makes all the difference between a good day and an epic one.
Apalachicola Bay and the surrounding flats offer some of Florida's most consistent inshore fishing, especially during the cooler months. You'll be working the grass beds, oyster bars, and drop-offs where big redfish cruise looking for an easy meal. The boat stays in relatively shallow water – we're talking 2 to 8 feet most of the time – which means you can actually see the fish you're targeting. There's nothing quite like watching a 30-inch red drum slowly approach your bait, then absolutely crush it right in front of you. The guide will position you based on tide, wind, and where the baitfish are stacked up. Some days you'll be sight-casting to tailing reds in knee-deep water, other days you'll be working deeper channels where the trout are holding. Either way, you're in for authentic Florida inshore fishing at its finest.
Most of the fishing happens with live or cut bait – think pinfish, mullet, and shrimp depending on what's available and what the fish are eating. The captain provides all the gear, which typically includes medium-action spinning rods spooled with 15-20 pound test and circle hooks to protect the fish. You'll learn how to work soft plastics along the bottom for trout, how to present live bait to cruising redfish, and when to switch up your approach based on what the fish are telling you. During tarpon season, expect to step up to heavier tackle – we're talking 30-40 pound class gear because these fish can easily hit triple digits. The boat is equipped with a shallow draft hull perfect for getting into the skinny water where the big fish feed, plus all the safety equipment and fish-finding electronics you need for a successful trip.
Redfish are the bread and butter of this fishery, and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers patrol the flats year-round, but fall through spring is when they really shine in Apalachicola Bay. You're looking at fish anywhere from 18 inches up to the low 30s – that slot-size range that fights like hell and tastes even better. Reds are ambush predators that love to hang around structure, so you'll be working oyster bars, grass edges, and drop-offs. What makes them so addictive is their attitude – they'll absolutely crush a well-presented bait and then proceed to strip drag like there's no tomorrow.
Sea Trout are another year-round resident that really turns on during the cooler months. These guys are a bit more finicky than reds, but when you dial in the right depth and presentation, you can have some seriously fast action. Look for trout in the 15-20 inch range, with occasional fish pushing 25 inches or better. They're suckers for live shrimp worked slowly along the bottom, and they have this habit of making long runs that will test your drag system. The bigger females, called "gator trout," are absolute prizes and something every serious inshore angler wants to catch.
Tarpon show up when the water warms, typically late spring into early fall, and these are the fish that will change your perspective on inshore fishing forever. We're talking about fish that can easily hit 100 pounds or more, with the kind of aerial displays that make your heart race. Tarpon don't eat much, so when you get a bite, it's special. They're notorious for their jumping ability and their knack for throwing hooks, which means landing one is a real accomplishment. The fight can last 30 minutes or more, and every second is pure adrenaline.
Tripletail are the wild cards of this fishery – they're not always around, but when they are, they provide some of the most unique fishing you'll find anywhere. These oddball fish like to float near structure, often looking like debris until they suddenly come to life. They're excellent table fare and put up a surprisingly good fight for their size. Finding tripletail requires a keen eye and some patience, but the payoff is worth it.
False Albacore round out the target species list during their seasonal runs. These smaller members of the tuna family are built for speed and will absolutely smoke your drag when they're around. They typically show up when baitfish are thick, and the action can be fast and furious. They're perfect on light tackle and provide a nice change of pace from the bottom-dwelling species.
Apalach Inshore's redfish trips offer the kind of authentic Florida fishing that's getting harder to find these days. With experienced guides who live and breathe these waters, top-quality equipment, and access to some of the most productive flats on the Gulf Coast, you're setting yourself up for the kind of day that reminds you why you love fishing in the first place. The two-angler limit means you get personalized instruction and prime positioning all day long. Whether you're a seasoned angler looking to dial in your inshore game or someone who wants to experience world-class fishing in one of Florida's most beautiful settings, this trip delivers. Don't wait too long to book – the best dates fill up fast, especially during peak season when the fishing is at its absolute best.
Thunnus AlalungaFalse albacore show up here during fall and spring migrations, running 18-25 inches and 20-45 pounds. These bullet-shaped speedsters travel in massive schools in our deeper coastal waters. They're non-stop fighters that never quit moving and will test your drag system. While they're not the best eating due to their dark, oily meat, the fight more than makes up for it. They feed heavily during daylight hours on baitfish schools. Trolling small lures or casting to breaking fish works best. When you hook into a school, work fast - if the first fish gets away, the whole school often follows. Keep your lures 50-90 feet behind the boat when trolling for best results.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are our most reliable year-round target, especially during fall, winter, and spring. They average 20-30 inches and love super shallow water - sometimes so shallow their backs stick out. Look for them around oyster bars, grass flats, and creek mouths in 1-4 feet. That distinctive black spot near their tail makes them easy to identify. They're strong fighters that'll make long runs and eat really well - mild, sweet flavor that's hard to beat. These fish will eat just about anything, but topwater lures in shallow water provide the most exciting strikes. Pro tip: cast past a tailing redfish and work your bait back slowly. They spook easily if you land right on top of them.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are bread-and-butter fish around here, running 14-24 inches and 1-5 pounds typically. They hang around grass flats, oyster bars, and shallow bays in 2-6 feet of water. Fall through spring are prime times when they school up in deeper holes during cooler months. These guys are scrappy fighters and some of the best eating you'll find - white, flaky meat that's perfect for the dinner table. They'll hit topwater plugs, soft plastics, and live shrimp. Best tip I can give is fish the grass edges at dawn and dusk with a popping cork and live shrimp. Let it sit still for 30 seconds between pops - that's when they usually strike.
Megalops AtlanticusThese silver kings are the ultimate bucket list fish around Apalachicola. Most run 80-100 pounds and 4-6 feet long, but giants over 200 pounds show up. They love our shallow bays and channels, especially around grass flats and drop-offs. Best action happens late spring through summer when they migrate through. What makes tarpon special is their fight - they'll jump 10 feet out of the water and can hit 35 mph. Most folks catch and release since they're bony and not great eating. Here's the key: when one jumps, bow to the fish by dropping your rod tip toward the water. Keeps that hook set tight and prevents them from throwing it.
Lobotes SurinamensisTripletail are one of our most unique targets - they look like floating debris until you get close. Most run 18 inches and 2-13 pounds, though they can hit 40 pounds. These oddball fish float near the surface around structure, weed lines, and channel markers. Summer months are best, especially July and August when they spawn. They're surprisingly acrobatic for such a chunky fish and taste fantastic - some say better than grouper or snapper. The trick with tripletail is sight casting - you can usually see them floating on their sides. Cast well past them and work your bait slowly toward the fish. They're easily spooked, so stealth is everything. Live shrimp or crab flies work best.
Apalachicola, FL