5.0(4 Reviews)Professional Half Day Inshore Fishing Adventures
5.0(4 reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Halfday afternoon charter targets redfish, trout, and snapperAll gear, bait, licenses, and refreshments included onboardFourhour inshore trips accommodate up to four guests
If you're looking for some of the best inshore fishing on Florida's Gulf Coast, you've found it. Captain Corey runs a top-rated half-day afternoon charter that puts you right in the heart of Apalachicola Bay's most productive waters. This isn't your typical tourist fishing trip – we're talking about serious angling in one of the most fish-rich estuaries in the Southeast. With four solid hours on the water and a captain who knows every flat, drop-off, and structure around St. George Island, you're set up for the kind of fishing day that has folks booking their next trip before they even get back to the dock.
Your afternoon starts with a warm greeting from Captain Corey, who's been working these waters long enough to know exactly where the fish are holding on any given day. The boat's rigged with professional-grade tackle, fresh bait, and everything you need for a successful trip – all included in your booking along with your fishing license. We keep groups small at four anglers max, so you're not fighting for space or competing for the captain's attention. Whether you've never held a rod or you're a weekend tournament angler, Corey tailors the trip to match your crew's experience level. The complimentary refreshments keep everyone comfortable while you focus on what matters most – putting fish in the boat. And here's something you don't see everywhere: if a spot isn't producing like it should, we don't waste time hoping things will turn around. We're moving to better action.
Apalachicola Bay offers some of the most diverse inshore fishing you'll find anywhere along the Gulf. We're working everything from shallow grass flats where redfish cruise in skinny water to deeper structure where big trout stack up. The tackle selection matches the target – lighter spinning gear for finicky sea trout, heavier setups when we're hunting bull reds around oyster bars. Corey knows when to fish live shrimp under popping corks for trout, when to throw cut bait at sheepshead around the bridge pilings, and exactly which flats hold the biggest redfish during different tidal movements. St. George Island's backwater areas provide protection from wind while offering structure that holds fish year-round. The bay's connection to both fresh and saltwater creates the perfect environment for multiple species to thrive, giving us options no matter what Mother Nature throws our way.
"Fun trip. Caught fish. Corey had his spots but if one wasn't producing like he thought it should, he wouldn't waste too much time on it & woukd move us to another spot with better action. Would book a trip with Corey again." - Jeff
"Captain Corey got us on plenty of trout and we even caught a huge bull red at the end of the trip. He was very friendly and knowledgeable. He was also very patient with and kind to my son. Highly recommend." - Jeffery
"Captain Cory was a very friendly captain .Keeping us baited at all times.Took all the fish off the hook before we could even get it .We will go back the next time we are down.We loved it." - Melissa
"Captain Corey was so nice, knowledgeable, quick to keep us baited, and even went out of his way to bring the cleaned fish to our home in Port St. Joe that evening. We would highly recommend him to others!" - Ashley
Redfish are the bread and butter of Apalachicola Bay fishing, and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers love the bay's oyster bars and grass flats, where they feed aggressively on crabs and baitfish. You'll find keeper-sized reds year-round, but the real excitement comes when you hook into a bull red – those 30-plus pound fish that'll test your drag and your arms. They're notorious for making long, powerful runs that can take you well into your backing. What makes reds special here is their willingness to eat just about anything you throw at them, from live shrimp to cut mullet, making them perfect for anglers of all skill levels.
Sea trout might be the most technical fish we target, but they're also some of the best eating you'll find. These spotted beauties love the deeper grass flats and can be incredibly finicky about presentation. During cooler months, you'll find them stacked up in deeper holes, while summer brings them shallow to feed. The bigger gator trout – those 20-inch-plus fish – are the holy grail for many anglers. They require precise lure placement and often prefer live bait presented just right. When you hook a big trout, their initial head-shaking run followed by aerial acrobatics makes for some of the most exciting light-tackle fishing you'll experience.
Sheepshead earn their reputation as bait thieves, but once you understand their feeding habits, they become one of the most rewarding species to target. These black and white striped fish hang around structure – bridge pilings, dock posts, and oyster bars – where they use their human-like teeth to crush barnacles and crabs. Winter months are prime time for sheepshead, when they school up in large numbers before heading to spawn. They're incredibly good eating, with firm white meat that's perfect for the dinner table. The key to sheepshead success is feeling for that subtle tap-tap bite and setting the hook immediately.
Goliath Grouper represent the ultimate inshore big game fish. These massive fish, which can exceed 400 pounds, patrol the deeper structure around St. George Island and provide heart-stopping action when hooked. While they're catch-and-release only, the experience of battling a fish that outweighs most people is something every angler should experience at least once.
Step aboard this reliable 1996 22-foot Aquasport CTMC motorboat, your floating base camp for targeting redfish, sea trout, and sheepshead in Apalachicola Bay's productive waters. Built tough for inshore fishing, this sturdy vessel comfortably handles up to 4 anglers while navigating the shallow flats around St. George Island. The onboard GPS keeps you on course to the hottest fishing spots, while the fish finder helps locate schools holding near oyster bars and grass beds. Perfect for working the backcountry waters where the big reds cruise, this boat gets you into those skinny water honey holes that hold the best fish. Whether you're sight-casting to tailing redfish or dropping baits near structure for grouper, this proven platform gives you the stability and room needed for a successful day on the water.
Epinephelus ItajaraThese massive fish are the giants of our local waters, and hooking one is something you'll never forget. Goliaths can reach 400+ pounds and 6 feet long, though most we see are 100-300 pounds. They live around structure in 20-80 feet - bridges, wrecks, and hard bottom areas where they ambush prey. They're protected, so it's strictly catch and release, but that first pull will test every muscle you have. What guests love is the sheer power - these fish can drag you around the boat if you're not ready. Best times are summer through fall when they're most active. My tip: use heavy tackle with 80-pound test minimum, and when you hook up, hold on tight and try to turn their head before they reach cover.
Lutjanus CampechanusRed Snapper are seasonal visitors here, but when they're around from late spring through summer, they make for some of the best eating you'll find. These fish average 1-2 feet and 5-8 pounds, though bigger ones occasionally show up. They hang around structure in 30-60 feet of water - reefs, wrecks, and hard bottom. What makes them special is their fight and that sweet, firm meat that's perfect for the dinner table. They'll test your skills too, trying to run back to cover when hooked. Here's the key: use fresh squid or cigar minnows, get your bait right to the bottom, and set the hook hard when you feel that telltale tap-tap. These fish have strong jaws, so don't hesitate when you feel them.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the bread and butter of our inshore fishing, known for that distinctive black spot near their tail and bronze-colored backs. Most fish we catch run 18-27 inches, though slot-sized fish around 20-26 inches are what you want for eating. They cruise shallow flats, oyster bars, and grass beds in 1-4 feet of water - sometimes so shallow their backs show. Year-round fishing with spring and fall being peak times. What makes them special is their aggressive strikes and strong runs, plus they're excellent on the table with sweet, firm meat. They'll eat just about anything when hungry. My go-to technique: work gold spoons or soft plastics along grass edges and oyster bars during moving water, and don't be surprised when they blow up on topwater plugs.
Salmo TruttaSpotted sea trout are a mainstay of our grass flats, and they're perfect for anglers wanting consistent action. Most range 14-20 inches and 1-3 pounds, with the occasional 4-5 pounder to keep things interesting. They love shallow grass flats and drop-offs, especially during moving tides. Spring through fall offers the best fishing, with early morning and evening being prime time. What guests enjoy is their willingness to hit both live bait and artificials, plus they make excellent table fare with mild, flaky white meat. They're not the hardest fighters, but they're reliable and fun on light tackle. Pro tip: work the grass edges with live shrimp under a popping cork, or try soft plastics on 1/8 oz jig heads for covering water.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the convict fish of our waters with their black and white stripes, and they're some of the tastiest around. Most run 2-5 pounds and 12-16 inches, perfect for the table. You'll find them hugging any structure - docks, pilings, bridges - basically anywhere with barnacles they can pick off. They're year-round residents but fish best in cooler months when they school up. What makes them tricky is they're notorious bait thieves with those human-like teeth, so you need quick reflexes. The meat is sweet and flaky, making every effort worth it. Here's my secret: use small hooks with fresh shrimp or fiddler crabs, keep your bait tight to the structure, and set the hook fast when you feel that gentle tap.
5.0 out of 5.0Fun trip. Caught fish. Corey had his spots but if one wasn’t producing like he thought it should, he wouldn’t waste too much time ...
Captain Corey got us on plenty of trout and we even caught a huge bull red at the end of the trip. He was very friendly and knowle...
Captain Cory was a very friendly captain .Keeping us baited at all times.Took all the fish off the hook before we could even get i...
Captain Corey was so nice, knowledgeable, quick to keep us baited, and even went out of his way to bring the cleaned fish to our h...
St. George Island