Full Day Private Fishing Trip in Carrabelle
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Eight-hour private charter targeting snapper, grouper, and sea bassCaptain Shawn provides 24+ years of local Carrabelle fishing expertiseAll bait, tackle, and fishing licenses included for groups
When you're looking for a top-rated fishing adventure along Florida's Forgotten Coast, Captain Harvey Fishing Charters delivers exactly what serious anglers want. This full day private charter puts you and up to three friends on prime fishing grounds around Carrabelle, where Captain Shawn's 24+ years of local knowledge makes all the difference. You'll spend eight solid hours targeting some of the Gulf's most prized bottom fish aboard a comfortable 26' Carver Cabin Cruiser, with everything you need included in the package. No crowds, no rushing – just quality fishing time with a captain who knows these waters like the back of his hand.
Your day kicks off at 407 Marine Street, where Captain Shawn will have the boat prepped and ready to roll. The 26' Carver gives you plenty of room to move around and stay comfortable during the eight-hour trip, with a cabin to duck into if you need a break from the sun. This isn't a cattle boat operation – with just four anglers max, everyone gets personalized attention and prime fishing spots at the rail. Captain Shawn's been working these waters for over two decades, so he knows exactly where to find the fish based on current conditions, seasonal patterns, and what's been biting lately. The private charter setup means you set the pace, whether you want to focus on one particular species or mix it up throughout the day. All your bait, tackle, and fishing licenses are covered, so you just need to bring yourself and maybe some snacks and drinks for the day.
This charter focuses on bottom fishing, which is hands-down the most productive way to target grouper, snapper, and sea bass in these Gulf waters. Captain Shawn runs quality tackle setups with circle hooks and appropriate weights to get your baits down to the structure where these fish live. You'll be fishing over natural and artificial reefs, wrecks, and rocky bottom in 40 to 100+ feet of water, depending on what's producing best. The captain provides both live and cut baits – think pinfish, cigar minnows, and squid – matched to what the target species are feeding on. Techniques vary from straight bottom rigs for grouper to lighter presentations for snapper, and Captain Shawn will coach you through the differences. The key is feeling the bite through the rod tip and knowing when to set the hook versus when to let them run with it. Circle hooks make it easier, but there's still skill involved in working fish up from deep water without losing them to the structure.
Red Grouper are the bread and butter of this fishery, and for good reason. These chunky bottom dwellers hang around rocky ledges and artificial reefs in 60 to 120 feet of water, where they ambush anything that looks like an easy meal. They're notorious for their bulldogging fights, trying to get back to their holes in the rocks, which makes landing a good one feel like a real victory. Peak season runs from late spring through fall, when they're most active and feeding heavily. What makes red grouper so appealing is their excellent table fare – firm, white meat that grills perfectly – plus the challenge of keeping them out of the structure once hooked.
Red Snapper might be the most sought-after fish in the Gulf, and Carrabelle's waters hold some beautiful ones. These crimson-colored fighters are incredibly structure-oriented, stacking up around reefs and wrecks where they feed on smaller fish and crustaceans. When the federal season is open, typically summer months, they're aggressive biters that put up spectacular fights with lots of head shakes and runs. Red snapper are notorious for their sharp teeth and quick reflexes, so Captain Shawn uses the right leaders and techniques to get them boatside. The bonus is their reputation as one of the best eating fish in the ocean, with sweet, flaky meat that's perfect for any preparation.
Lane Snapper offer consistent action when the bigger fish are being picky. These smaller cousins of red snapper are beautiful fish with yellow and pink stripes, and they're usually willing to bite throughout the day. While they might not have the size of reds, they make up for it with numbers and they're still excellent table fare. Lane snapper are perfect for newer anglers to get comfortable with bottom fishing techniques, since they're less line-shy and more forgiving of mistakes. They typically run 10 to 14 inches and are found in slightly shallower water than their red cousins.
Gag Grouper are the prize catch for many anglers, growing larger than reds and putting up even stronger fights. These gray-colored grouper prefer deeper water and more complex structure, making them a real challenge to land. When you hook into a big gag, you'll know it immediately – they make powerful runs straight for the bottom and use every bit of structure to try to break you off. Prime time for gags is during cooler months when they move inshore, and catching one over 20 pounds is a real trophy. Their aggressive nature and incredible strength make them a customer favorite, plus they're outstanding on the dinner table.
Black Sea Bass might not get the same attention as grouper and snapper, but they're incredibly fun to catch and fantastic eating. These feisty fighters are found around the same structure as other bottom fish, but they're often more willing to bite when the fishing gets tough. Sea bass have oversized mouths for their body size and will attack baits aggressively, making them great action fish when you need to keep everyone engaged. They're also one of the more sustainable fisheries in the Gulf, so you can feel good about keeping a mess of them for dinner. Most run 12 to 18 inches, but the occasional jumbo sea bass can surprise you.
Captain Harvey Fishing Charters offers exactly what serious anglers want – quality fishing time with an experienced captain who knows
The 26' Carver Cabin Cruiser cuts through Gulf waters with confidence, thanks to her reliable MerCruiser 350hp engine that gets you to the fishing grounds quickly. Built in 1986, this proven fishing platform has logged countless trips targeting snapper, grouper, and black sea bass in Carrabelle's productive waters. The flybridge gives you elevated views to spot diving birds and bait schools, while the fish finder pinpoints structure where game fish hold. Between fishing spots, retreat to the comfortable cabin with a real bed for relaxing during the long haul back to port. The onboard icebox keeps your catch fresh and drinks cold throughout the day. GPS navigation ensures efficient travel to Captain Shawn's secret spots developed over 24 years of local fishing. With space for up to 4 anglers, there's plenty of room to fight fish without tangling lines. The cabin cruiser design provides shelter from afternoon Gulf storms and comfortable seating when you need a break from the action.
Centropristis StriataBlack Sea Bass are perfect for anglers wanting steady action and great eating. These dark, plump-bodied fish typically run 1-3 pounds but can reach 5+ pounds around structure. You'll find them on rocky bottoms, around wrecks, and near any hard structure in 40-120 feet of water. Late spring through summer is prime time when they move inshore and school up around structure. What guests enjoy is their willingness to bite and the excellent table fare - sweet, white meat that's hard to beat. They fight well for their size but won't break your back. During spawning season, the males turn bright blue with a distinctive hump on their heads, which is pretty cool to see. Here's a tip: they're bottom huggers, so keep your bait right on the structure. Small pieces of squid, cut fish, or even small jigs work great when they're feeding.
Mycteroperca MicrolepisGag Grouper are among the hardest fighting fish you'll tangle with in our waters. These gray-bodied bruisers with their marbled patterns average 20-30 inches but can reach impressive sizes up to 50+ pounds. They love rocky structure, ledges, and offshore reefs in 60-300 feet of water where they can ambush prey. Spring and summer offer the best opportunities when they move into shallower feeding areas. What makes gags special is their incredible strength - they'll try to drag your bait straight down into the rocks and break you off. The payoff is some of the finest eating fish in the Gulf with firm, white meat. Gags are smart and structure-oriented, so once you hook one, keep your drag locked tight and don't let them get their head down. Live pinfish or large chunks of cut bait work best, and always fish right on the bottom near structure.
Lutjanus SynagrisLane Snapper are great targets for anglers who want consistent action and tasty results. These colorful fish with their distinctive pink and yellow stripes typically run 12-16 inches and 2-4 pounds. They're not as deep as their red snapper cousins - we find them in 40-100 feet around coral patches, rocky areas, and structure with good bottom cover. The best bite happens during their spawning season from March through September when they school up and get aggressive. What makes them fun is they're scrappy fighters for their size and not as line-shy as other snapper species. Plus, they make excellent table fare with sweet, white meat. Lane Snapper often bite at night, so if the day bite slows down, try fishing into the evening hours. They love live or fresh dead shrimp, and small pieces of cut squid work well too.
Epinephelus MorioRed Grouper are some of the most rewarding fish to target in our Gulf waters. These rusty-red beauties with distinctive white spots typically run 5-10 pounds, though we've seen some real bruisers pushing 20+ pounds. They hang around rocky bottoms, ledges, and structure in 30-150 feet of water. What makes them special? They're absolute fighters - once hooked, they'll bulldoze straight for cover trying to wrap your line around anything they can find. The meat is top-notch too, firm and flaky with that sweet taste that comes from their shellfish diet. Spring through fall gives us the best action when they're most active. Here's a local trick: when you hook one, lock that drag down tight and keep steady pressure - don't give them an inch to run back to their hole or you'll be re-rigging.
Lutjanus CampechanusRed Snapper are the crown jewel of our offshore fishing here in Carrabelle. These bright red beauties average 2-4 pounds but can grow much larger - the fight they put up makes every one feel like a trophy fish. You'll find them around structure and hard bottom in 60-200 feet, especially near ledges and artificial reefs. They're most active during our summer season when the Gulf warms up. What guests love about snapper fishing is the combination of steady action and excellent table fare - the white, flaky meat with that mild, sweet flavor is hard to beat. They can be line-shy, so here's what works: use the lightest leader you can get away with, and when the bite slows down, try downsizing your hook. Fresh cut bait like cigar minnows or squid usually does the trick when they're being picky.
Carrabelle