4-Hour Inshore Fishing in Choctawhatchee Bay
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fourhour inshore fishing adventure in Choctawhatchee Bay watersTarget redfish, speckled trout, snapper, and jack crevalle speciesAll fishing gear and licenses included for four guests
Looking for some solid inshore action without burning your whole day? This 4-hour fishing charter on Choctawhatchee Bay delivers exactly what Northwest Florida anglers dream about. You'll work the flats, grass beds, and structure where redfish, speckled trout, and snapper love to hang out. The bay's protected waters mean comfortable fishing even when the Gulf gets choppy, and with everything from tackle to licenses included, you just show up ready to fish. Captain knows these waters like his backyard and puts you on fish that'll make your day memorable.
Choctawhatchee Bay stretches over 140 square miles of prime inshore habitat, giving us plenty of room to find active fish. We'll launch early and head straight to where the action is – could be shallow grass flats where reds are tailing, deeper channels holding trout, or around structure where snapper and jacks ambush baitfish. The bay connects to several creeks and rivers, creating diverse fishing opportunities within a short boat ride. Water stays relatively calm compared to offshore trips, making this perfect for families or anyone who wants great fishing without the rough ride. You'll fish from a well-equipped center console with all the rods, reels, tackle, and bait needed to hook up. The captain handles navigation and fish-finding while you focus on putting fish in the boat.
We fish light to medium tackle that matches the inshore environment perfectly. Live shrimp under popping corks work magic for trout over grass beds, while cut bait gets redfish attention around oyster bars and mangrove edges. Artificial lures like soft plastics and topwater plugs come into play when fish are actively feeding – nothing beats the strike of a red hitting a gold spoon in shallow water. The boat carries spinning reels spooled with 15-20 pound test, perfect for these species without being overkill. We'll drift fish when conditions allow, anchor up on productive structure, or work shallow flats depending on what the fish want that day. The captain reads water conditions, tide movements, and seasonal patterns to put you where fish are feeding. You'll learn to work different depths from 2 feet on the flats to 15 feet in the channels, adjusting techniques as we move around the bay.
Redfish are the bay's signature species and absolute favorites among anglers here. These copper-colored fighters typically run 18-27 inches in Choctawhatchee Bay, with some bruiser bulls pushing 30+ inches during fall months. They love shallow oyster bars, grass bed edges, and creek mouths where they ambush crabs and baitfish. Spring through fall offers the most consistent action, though winter can produce some of the biggest fish. When a red takes your bait, expect a strong initial run followed by that classic head-shaking fight that makes them so addictive to catch.
Speckled sea trout patrol the grass flats and are perfect for light tackle fishing. These beautiful fish average 14-18 inches but can reach 20+ inches during peak season. They're most active during spring and fall when water temperatures sit in their comfort zone. Trout have paper-thin mouths, so the fight is more about finesse than power – but they make up for it by being excellent table fare. They school up over grass beds and ambush points, making them predictable targets when you know where to look.
Grey snapper, also called mangrove snapper locally, hang around any structure they can find. These scrappy fighters average 12-16 inches and put up a surprisingly strong fight for their size. They're year-round residents but feed most aggressively during warmer months. Snapper are notorious bait stealers, requiring sharp hooks and quick hooksets. They're curious fish that often follow hooked fish to the boat, giving you multiple chances if you're ready with another rod.
Crevalle jacks bring pure excitement to any fishing trip. These silver torpedoes average 15-25 inches but fight like fish twice their size. They travel in schools and when you find them, the action gets fast and furious. Jacks hit hard, run strong, and never give up until they're in the boat. Summer months see the biggest schools, though they're around year-round. They're not great eating but provide some of the most exciting light tackle fishing you'll find in the bay.
Red snapper make occasional appearances during their open seasons, typically in deeper parts of the bay near passes or around hard structure. These prized gamefish average 16-22 inches inshore and are considered the ultimate prize catch. They're smart, strong, and absolutely delicious – the complete package for any angler. When red snapper are biting, everything else becomes secondary.
This 4-hour inshore charter gives you serious fishing time without eating your entire day, perfect for visitors who want to experience Northwest Florida's legendary fishing. Choctawhatchee Bay consistently produces fish year-round, and with all gear and licenses included, you're guaranteed a hassle-free experience. The boat accommodates up to 4 anglers, making it ideal for families or small groups who want personalized attention from an experienced captain. Whether you're after your first redfish, looking to put dinner on the table, or just want to spend quality time on the water, this trip delivers. Book now and get ready to see why Choctawhatchee Bay has earned its reputation as one of Florida's top inshore fishing destinations.
Get ready to fish the productive waters of Choctawhatchee Bay aboard this well-equipped 23' Sea Pro with tower! This motorboat handles up to 6 anglers comfortably while you target redfish, speckled sea trout, mangrove snapper, and jack crevalle in Florida's prime inshore waters. The wireless trolling motor keeps things quiet when stalking fish in shallow areas, while the GPS navigation system gets you to the hottest fishing spots efficiently. The onboard fish finder helps locate schools and structure where game fish hold. With a spacious deck layout and elevated tower for better sight fishing opportunities, this boat gives you everything needed for a successful 4-hour fishing adventure. All tackle, bait, and fishing licenses are included, so just bring yourself and get ready to bend some rods in one of Florida's most productive bays.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the stars of shallow water fishing here. These bronze-backed bruisers with the distinctive black spots near their tail run 18-30 inches in the bay, though we see some slot busters over 27 inches. They cruise grass flats, oyster bars, and shallow shorelines in 1-4 feet of water - sometimes so shallow their backs show above the surface. Year-round fishing is solid, but fall and spring are prime time when they school up. What makes them special is that aggressive strike and bulldogging fight once hooked. Plus, they're excellent eating with mild, sweet meat. They're not picky eaters but can be spooky in shallow water. Here's the trick: cast well ahead of where you see them cruising and work your bait slowly back toward their path. They'll track it down.
Lutjanus CampechanusRed snappers are deeper water prize fish that we target on longer trips to structure in 60-150 feet. These bright red beauties average 5-15 pounds here, with some monsters pushing 20+ pounds around wrecks and hard bottom. They're year-round residents but summer months during spawning season (May-October) offer peak action. What makes them special is they're true fighters - they'll head straight for cover to break you off, plus they're absolutely top-shelf eating with sweet, firm white meat. They're structure-oriented bottom dwellers, so we fish them around reefs, wrecks, and rock piles. Best tip: use heavy tackle and get them up quick - they'll wrap you around structure in a heartbeat. Fresh cut bait on the bottom works best, and don't be surprised if you hook into a real bruiser.
Caranx HipposJack Crevalle are the bullies of the bay - aggressive, hard-fighting fish that'll test your tackle. These brassy-gold speedsters average 3-8 pounds but can push 15+ pounds out here. Look for them around baitfish schools, often marked by diving birds working the surface. They roam grass flats, channel edges, and deeper holes, usually in 5-20 feet of water. Warm months bring the best action when they're actively feeding. Guests love them for the pure fight - they're like hooking a freight train with fins. Not the best table fare, but the action more than makes up for it. My secret: when you spot birds diving, get there fast and throw anything silver that moves. Cast past the school and retrieve it quickly - jacks can't resist the chase.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are the bread and butter of Choctawhatchee Bay fishing. These silvery fish with black spots all over their sides typically run 14-20 inches and 1-3 pounds in our waters. They love grass flats in 2-6 feet of water, especially around dawn and dusk when they're actively feeding on shrimp and small baitfish. Spring through fall offers the best action, with cooler months finding them in slightly deeper channels. What guests love is their willingness to hit artificial lures and their excellent table fare - white, flaky meat that's not too fishy. They put up a decent fight but aren't line burners. Pro tip: work a soft plastic shrimp or grub slowly along the bottom near grass beds. If you feel that light tap, don't jerk - just lift the rod tip steady.
Lutjanus GriseusAlso called Mangrove Snapper, these copper-red fish with that distinctive dark eye stripe are some of the smartest fish in the bay. You'll find them around docks, rocks, and mangrove roots in 3-15 feet of water. Most run 12-16 inches here, but we catch some pushing 3-4 pounds. They're nocturnal feeders, so early morning and late evening trips produce best results. What makes them fun is they're incredibly wary - one wrong move and they're gone. The meat is white and flaky, perfect for the dinner table. My tip: use a 4J hook with live shrimp hooked through the tail, let it sink to the bottom, then reel up just a foot. No fancy movements - just let it sit and wait for that subtle tap.
Destin