Half Day Shared Fishing Trip in Carrabelle
Shared Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fourhour shared fishing trip targeting Snapper and Grouper speciesAll tackle, bait, and fishing licenses included with expert guidanceAccommodates up to six guests for social inshore Gulf experience
There's something special about fishing the Gulf waters around Carrabelle that keeps anglers coming back season after season. Captain Shawn knows these productive inshore waters like the back of his hand, and he's ready to put you on some serious fish during this 4-hour shared charter. Whether you're flying solo or bringing a small crew, this trip offers the perfect mix of local expertise and top-notch fishing action. You'll be targeting some of the Gulf's most prized bottom fish – Red Snapper, Grouper, and Black Sea Bass – while enjoying the camaraderie that comes with sharing the boat with fellow fishing enthusiasts.
Your fishing day kicks off at 407 Marine Street, where Captain Shawn will have everything dialed in and ready to go. The beauty of a shared charter is the energy – you've got up to 6 anglers aboard, which means plenty of excitement when the fish start biting. Captain Harvey Fishing Charters has built a solid reputation around these parts for putting clients on fish, and Captain Shawn brings that same commitment to every trip. The boat is set up specifically for bottom fishing, with quality tackle and fresh bait provided. Your fishing license is covered too, so you can focus entirely on the fishing. The inshore waters around Carrabelle hold some fantastic structure and ledges where these target species love to hang out, and Captain Shawn knows exactly where to drop the lines.
This trip is all about bottom fishing, which is hands-down one of the most productive ways to target Grouper, Snapper, and Sea Bass in these Gulf waters. You'll be using medium to heavy tackle rigged with circle hooks and sinkers heavy enough to get your bait down to the fish quickly. Captain Shawn typically runs a mix of live and cut bait depending on what's working best – think squid, sardines, and sometimes live pinfish when available. The technique is straightforward but effective: drop your rig to the bottom, reel up a few cranks, and wait for that telltale thump. When you feel a fish pick up your bait, let them run for a second before setting the hook. The circle hooks do most of the work for you, hooking fish right in the corner of the mouth for better survival rates on released fish.
Red Grouper are the bread and butter of this fishery, and for good reason. These chunky bottom dwellers typically run 15-25 pounds around Carrabelle, though bigger fish are always possible. They're most active during the cooler months from October through March, when they move into shallower water to feed. What makes Red Grouper so exciting to catch is their initial run – they'll try to get back to their hole the moment they feel the hook, so you need to muscle them up quickly. Their white, flaky meat is absolutely delicious, making them a customer favorite for the dinner table. You'll find them hanging around rocky bottom and ledges in 40-80 feet of water.
Red Snapper are the crown jewel of Gulf fishing, and Carrabelle's waters hold some beautiful fish. These guys are incredibly smart and can be finicky, but when they're biting, the action is fast and furious. Red Snapper typically range from 16-24 inches around here, with the occasional trophy fish pushing 8-10 pounds. They're most active during summer months, particularly June through August, when the federal season is usually open. What anglers love about Red Snapper is their fight – they're strong, determined fish that will test your drag and your arms. Plus, they're absolutely fantastic eating, with firm, sweet meat that's perfect grilled or blackened.
Lane Snapper might be smaller than their Red cousins, but they make up for it in numbers and attitude. These scrappy little fighters typically run 10-14 inches and are abundant year-round in Carrabelle's waters. They're perfect for keeping kids and novice anglers engaged since they bite readily and put up a surprising fight for their size. Lane Snapper have beautiful pink and yellow coloration with distinct stripes, making them one of the prettier fish you'll catch. They school up heavily, so when you find them, you can often catch them back-to-back.
Gag Grouper are the bulldogs of the bottom, and catching one is always a highlight of any trip. These fish are typically larger than Red Grouper, often running 20-30 pounds, with some real monsters lurking in deeper water. They're most active from November through March, when they move inshore for spawning. Gag Grouper are incredibly strong fish that will test every knot and connection on your tackle. They have a slightly different flavor profile than Red Grouper – still excellent eating, but with a bit more texture to the meat.
Black Sea Bass are often overlooked, but they're fantastic fish to target, especially for newer anglers. They typically run 12-16 inches around Carrabelle and are abundant throughout most of the year. These fish have great personality – they're curious and aggressive, often following hooked fish up from the bottom. Black Sea Bass are excellent table fare, with sweet, white meat similar to Grouper. They're also important for the ecosystem, helping to keep the reef healthy by cleaning up smaller baitfish and crustaceans.
Captain Harvey Fishing Charters has earned its reputation by consistently putting anglers on fish and providing top-notch service on every trip. This half-day shared charter offers incredible value – you get expert local knowledge, quality tackle, fresh bait, and a fishing license all included in one package. The 4-hour trip length is perfect for targeting these bottom species without wearing yourself out, and sharing the boat with other anglers adds to the fun and excitement. Whether you're a seasoned angler looking to explore new waters or someone
Captain Shawn's 26' Carver Cabin Cruiser is your ticket to some serious Gulf fishing action. This '86 classic runs smooth with its MerCruiser 350hp, getting you to the good spots where Snapper and Grouper hang out in Carrabelle's inshore waters. The boat's got everything you need - fish finder to locate the schools, GPS to navigate the flats, and an icebox to keep your catch fresh and drinks cold. With room for up to 6 anglers, there's plenty of space to work the rails without bumping elbows. The flybridge gives great visibility for spotting bait schools and diving birds, while the cabin provides a break from the sun when needed. Built tough for Gulf conditions, this reliable cruiser handles the chop well and gets you back to the dock safely with a cooler full of fish.
Centropristis StriataBlack Sea Bass are great fish for building confidence - they're cooperative biters that average 1-3 pounds with some reaching 5+ pounds. These plump, dark-colored fish love structure like wrecks, jetties, and rocky bottoms in 20-80 feet of water. Late spring through summer is prime time when they move inshore to spawn. They're scrappy little fighters that put up a good tussle, and the males turn bright blue during spawning season which is pretty cool to see. The meat is sweet and flaky, making them excellent table fare. They'll hit just about anything - squid strips, shrimp, small jigs. Pro tip: use a double-hook bottom rig since they often travel in schools - you'll frequently catch two at once.
Mycteroperca MicrolepisGag Grouper are the smart ones in the grouper family - they average 15-25 pounds and have this mottled gray pattern that helps them blend with rocky structure. You'll find them around reefs, wrecks, and drop-offs in 40-120 feet of water. Spring and fall are your best shots when they're more active and feeding. These fish are crafty fighters that'll try every trick to get back to their holes, making them a real challenge on tackle. The meat is excellent eating with firm, white fillets. Live bait like pinfish or mullet works best, but they'll take cut squid and crab too. Key tip: once hooked, keep your rod tip down and winch them up fast - give them time to think and they'll wrap you around every rock down there.
Lutjanus SynagrisLane Snapper are perfect action fish for our half-day trips - they're aggressive biters that average 1-3 pounds with those distinctive pink stripes running down their sides. You'll find them in 30-100 feet around reefs and sandy bottoms with good structure nearby. They're active year-round but really turn on from spring through fall, especially during their spawning season March to September. What guests love is the steady action - these fish aren't shy about hitting bait and they fight harder than their size suggests. They make excellent table fare too. Best bet is using light tackle with shrimp, squid, or cut bait. Night fishing is when they really feed heavy, so evening trips can be dynamite.
Epinephelus MorioRed Grouper are some of the most reliable fish in our waters, running 5-15 pounds on average with that distinctive rusty red color and white spots. They love hanging around rocky bottoms, ledges, and wrecks in 20-100 feet of water. These fish are aggressive feeders that'll hit live or cut bait hard - shrimp, crab, and squid work great. What makes them special is the fight they put up and that sweet, flaky meat with a shellfish taste that's hard to beat. They're year-round targets, but spring and fall fishing is prime time. Pro tip: once you hook one, keep steady pressure and don't let them run back to the rocks where they'll cut your line every time.
Lutjanus CampechanusRed Snapper are the prize fish most folks dream about catching - those bright red beauties averaging 3-8 pounds but capable of hitting 20+ pounds. They hang around structure in deeper water, typically 60-200 feet, near reefs, wrecks, and rocky bottoms. Summer months are best when they're most active and feeding heavy. These fish are scrappy fighters that'll test your gear, and the meat is absolutely primo - mild, sweet, and perfect for the dinner table. We target them with heavy tackle using live pinfish, cigar minnows, or fresh squid. Here's the key: get your bait down fast and keep it tight to the bottom where they feed.
Carrabelle