Full-Day Flats Fishing in Apalachicola, FL
Private Trip
Flats/Shallows Fishing
Fullday flats fishing adventure in Apalachicola watersAll equipment and tackle included with expert captain guidanceSmall group experience accommodating up to four guests
Captain Nathan Donahoe knows these Apalachicola flats like the back of his hand, and he's ready to put you on some serious fish. This full-day adventure takes you into the shallow waters where redfish cruise the grass beds, tarpon roll in the deeper channels, and tripletail hang around structure waiting for an easy meal. You'll be sight-casting in crystal-clear water where every hookup feels like a victory. With all your gear provided and room for up to four anglers, this top-rated charter gives you the best shot at landing the fish of a lifetime in one of Florida's most productive fisheries.
Your day starts early when Captain Nathan picks you up at the dock, boat loaded with everything you need for a successful trip. The Apalachicola flats offer some of the most diverse fishing in the Gulf Coast region, with shallow grass beds, oyster bars, and deep channels creating the perfect habitat for multiple species. You'll spend your time poling through skinny water, watching for tailing reds and cruising jacks, then moving to deeper structure where tarpon and tripletail like to hang out. The captain reads the water conditions and adjusts the game plan throughout the day, whether that means working the incoming tide on the grass flats or hitting the channel edges during slack water. Bring your own snacks and drinks since meals aren't included, but everything else from rods to bait is taken care of. The variety here keeps things interesting - one minute you're sight-casting to a school of reds, the next you're fighting a tarpon that's trying to jump into the next county.
Flats fishing is all about stealth and precision, and Captain Nathan has the skills to put you in position for the perfect cast. You'll be using light tackle and artificial lures most of the day, with live bait available when the situation calls for it. The boat gets poled into position quietly, so you don't spook fish in the shallow water. Most of your casts will be sight-fishing opportunities where you can actually see your target before you cast. The captain will call out fish positions and give you direction on where to place your lure - "redfish at two o'clock, cast three feet in front of him." When you're working deeper water for tarpon and tripletail, the techniques shift to more traditional casting around structure and working lures through the strike zone. The gear provided includes spinning reels spooled with appropriate line weights, a selection of proven lures like gold spoons and soft plastics, and live bait when conditions favor it. Learning to read the water and understand fish behavior becomes part of the experience, making you a better angler even after the trip ends.
Tarpon are the kings of these waters, showing up in good numbers during their seasonal migrations. These silver giants can stretch over six feet and put up a fight that'll test every muscle in your body. They love to jump, often clearing the water completely in spectacular displays that make for great photos and better memories. Spring through fall offers the best tarpon action, with fish moving through the area in schools. The bigger fish tend to show up during the warmer months, while the smaller "poons" provide action year-round. What makes tarpon special isn't just their size - it's their attitude. They fight dirty, using their gill plates and acrobatic abilities to throw hooks, making every landed fish a real accomplishment.
Redfish are the bread and butter of flats fishing here, and Apalachicola's reds are known for their size and fighting spirit. These copper-colored bruisers love the grass flats and oyster bars, often feeding in water so shallow their backs are exposed. Slot-sized fish run 18-27 inches, but the real excitement comes from the oversized bulls that can stretch over 40 inches. Reds feed year-round but get more aggressive during the cooler months when they school up for their spawning runs. They're ambush predators that crush lures with authority, and their initial runs can strip line off your reel in a hurry. The satisfaction of sight-casting to a tailing red and watching it eat your lure never gets old.
Crevalle Jack bring the muscle to every fight, pound-for-pound some of the strongest fish you'll encounter on the flats. These schooling fish show up in groups, often pushing bait to the surface in feeding frenzies that create easy targets for anglers. They hit lures hard and fight harder, using their broad sides to leverage against the current. Jacks are year-round residents but become more active during the warmer months when baitfish are abundant. They're not picky eaters, making them great fish for beginning anglers to cut their teeth on. The bigger jacks can reach 15-20 pounds and will give you a workout that rivals any game fish.
Tripletail are the wildcards of this fishery, strange-looking fish that hover around structure like floating debris. They're ambush feeders that hang motionless near pilings, buoys, or floating grass, waiting for prey to drift within striking distance. These fish are prized for their excellent table fare and their unique appearance - they literally look like a floating leaf until they decide to eat your bait. Tripletail fishing requires patience and precise presentations, but the payoff is worth it. They're most active during the warmer months and can be surprisingly strong fighters despite their laid-back feeding style. Finding tripletail becomes a game of reading structure and understanding their behavior patterns.
This full-day flats experience with Captain Nathan gives you the complete Apalachicola fishing package - multiple species, varied techniques, and productive waters that consistently deliver results. The combination of sight-fishing opportunities and the chance to tangle with world-class tarpon makes this a customer favorite among serious anglers. With all gear included and a captain who knows how to find fish
Your fishing adventure awaits aboard our nimble 18' Skiff, perfectly rigged for working the productive flats around Apalachicola. This shallow-draft boat gets you into those skinny waters where the fish hide, while the wireless trolling motor keeps things whisper-quiet so you won't spook your targets. The GPS keeps us on the productive spots, and the fish finder shows what's swimming below before you drop a line. With room for up to 4 anglers, there's plenty of space to cast without tangling lines. The boat's low profile and responsive handling make it ideal for chasing redfish, trout, and whatever else is biting in these rich coastal waters. All your gear is provided - just bring your appetite for some serious fishing action in one of Florida's prime fishing destinations.
Caranx HipposCrevalle jacks are the bullies of our flats - aggressive, hard-fighting fish that'll test your drag system. Most run 3-5 pounds and 12-24 inches, but we catch them up to 20 pounds around structure. Look for them in schools around grass beds, reefs, and any floating debris where they ambush baitfish. They're year-round residents, but summer brings the most action when they're actively feeding near the surface. What makes jacks exciting is their raw power - they'll strip line and fight dirty, using their broad sides against the current. They're not the best table fare, but the fight more than makes up for it. Here's a local secret: when you see diving birds, there's likely jacks underneath pushing bait to the surface. Cast silver spoons or swimbaits past the school and retrieve them fast - jacks love the chase.
Sciaenops OcellatusRed drum are the bread and butter of our flats fishing here in Apalachicola. These copper-colored beauties average 28-33 inches and love cruising our shallow oyster bars and grass flats in just 1-4 feet of water. You'll spot them by their distinctive black eyespot near the tail and that red-bronze back. Spring through fall are prime time when they're actively feeding on crabs and shrimp in the shallows. What guests love about redfish is their willingness to eat topwater lures and the bulldogging fight they put up - plus they make excellent table fare with mild, flaky white meat. My go-to trick is targeting the edges of oyster bars during moving tides. Cast a gold spoon or shrimp imitation past the school and work it back slowly - reds can't resist that flash and movement.
Megalops AtlanticusThese silver giants are what fishing dreams are made of. Most tarpon you'll hook around Apalachicola run 80-100 pounds, though we've seen monsters pushing 200. They love our shallow flats and grass beds, especially during late spring through summer when they're migrating through. What makes tarpon special isn't just their size - it's watching a 6-foot fish launch itself 10 feet out of the water when hooked. They're pure athletes, hitting 35 mph and jumping repeatedly to throw the hook. While tarpon aren't great eating due to bones and mercury, the fight is legendary. Best tip I can share: when they jump, bow to the fish by dropping your rod tip toward them - keeps that line slack so they can't use their weight against you and snap off.
Lobotes SurinamensisTripletail are one of our most unique targets - oddball fish that float on their sides mimicking debris or leaves. They typically run 2-13 pounds and have this weird three-fin appearance that gives them their name. You'll find them year-round around floating grass lines, channel markers, and structure in 5-30 feet of water. Summer months are peak season when they're most active near the surface. What guests love about tripletail is the sight-fishing challenge and their surprising acrobatics when hooked - plus they're excellent eating, tasting like snapper or grouper. These fish spook easily, so stealth is key. My trick is to cast well past a floating tripletail with live shrimp or a crab fly, then slowly work the bait toward them. Let the fish come to you rather than dropping it right on their head - patience pays off with these weird but wonderful fish.
Tallahassee