8-Hour Inshore Fishing Adventure in Port St. Joe
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Full-day inshore fishing adventure targeting redfish, trout, and flounderEight hours exploring Port St. Joe Bay and Apalachicola Bay watersProfessional charter accommodates up to six guests with early morning start
Looking for a full day on the water targeting some of Florida's best inshore species? This 8-hour fishing charter takes you deep into Port St. Joe's most productive waters, where redfish cruise the flats, trout hang around grass beds, and flounder lay buried in sandy bottoms waiting for your bait. Starting at first light, you'll have plenty of time to work multiple spots and techniques while our experienced captains put you on fish in Port St. Joe Bay, Apalachicola Bay, and the legendary Indian Pass Lagoon.
We kick off at 8:00 a.m. when the water's still cool and fish are most active. With up to 6 anglers aboard, there's room for the whole crew without feeling cramped. The beauty of an 8-hour trip is having time to adapt - if the bite slows in one area, we're moving to the next hot spot. Port St. Joe Bay offers incredible grass flats perfect for sight fishing reds, while Apalachicola Bay's deeper channels hold bigger trout. Indian Pass Lagoon is where we go when you want to fill the cooler with keeper flounder. Each location has its own personality, and our captains know exactly where to position the boat based on tide, wind, and seasonal patterns.
We'll be running light to medium tackle - think 2500-3000 series spinning reels spooled with 15-20lb braid and fluorocarbon leaders. Depending on conditions, we might start with topwater plugs early morning when reds are busting bait in shallow water. As the sun climbs, we'll switch to soft plastics like DOA shrimp or Z-Man scented baits worked slowly around oyster bars and grass edges. For trout, live shrimp under popping corks is deadly, especially around structure. Flounder fishing means bouncing jigs with gulp baits along channel edges and drop-offs. Our guides provide all tackle and bait, but feel free to bring your lucky rod if you've got one.
Sea Trout are the bread and butter of inshore fishing here, and Port St. Joe delivers some of the most consistent trout action on the Gulf Coast. These spotted beauties love the grass flats and typically range from 14-20 inches, with plenty of keepers hitting the deck. Spring and fall are prime time when water temps sit in that sweet spot between 65-75 degrees. Trout are aggressive feeders and put up a scrappy fight on light tackle. What makes them special here is the sheer numbers - it's not uncommon to boat 20-30 fish in a morning when they're biting.
Redfish are the crown jewel of shallow water fishing, and these copper-colored bulldogs will test your drag system. Port St. Joe's reds typically run 18-27 inches with plenty of slot fish for the cooler and the occasional oversized bull that'll make your arms burn. Peak season runs from late spring through early fall, but these fish are catchable year-round. They school up in massive numbers during fall migrations, creating some of the most exciting sight fishing opportunities you'll find anywhere. Reds are ambush predators that cruise oyster bars and marsh edges looking for crabs and baitfish.
Southern Flounder are the masters of camouflage and one of the best eating fish in these waters. These flatfish can be tricky to locate since they bury in sand and mud waiting to ambush prey, but that's what makes landing one so satisfying. Most of our flounder run 14-18 inches with some doormat-sized fish pushing 20+ inches. Fall migration from September through November is when we see the biggest numbers as they move toward deeper water to spawn. Flounder require patience and technique - you've got to work that bait slow along the bottom and set the hook when you feel that telltale thump.
An 8-hour charter gives you the full inshore experience without rushing from spot to spot. You'll learn techniques that work in these waters, understand how tides and structure affect fish movement, and hopefully head home with a cooler full of fresh fillets. Port St. Joe's inshore fishery is world-class, and Fish & Eco Tours knows exactly how to make the most of your day on the water. Weather can change plans quickly in Florida, so book early to secure your preferred dates and get ready for some of the best inshore fishing the Panhandle has to offer.
Our 23-foot 2002 Caribiana Skiff is built for serious fishing in Port St. Joe's prime inshore waters. This shallow-draft boat cuts through the flats with ease, powered by a dependable 50HP Honda that gets you to the best fishing spots quickly and quietly. The spacious deck comfortably handles up to 6 anglers, giving everyone room to cast and fight fish without getting tangled up. GPS keeps you on course to productive waters while the fish finder helps locate schools of redfish, trout, and flounder hiding in the grass beds and structure. Whether you're working the oyster bars in Apalachicola Bay or stalking reds in the skinny water around Indian Pass, this skiff has the shallow-water capabilities and stable platform you need for a productive day on the water. The reliable Honda runs smooth and quiet, perfect for sneaking up on spooky fish in these crystal-clear Florida waters.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the crown jewel of our shallow water fishing. These copper-colored bruisers with distinctive black spots near their tails average 20-30 inches but can push 40+ inches in our deeper channels. They love cruising oyster bars, grass flats, and shallow bays in just 1-4 feet of water - sometimes so shallow their backs show above the surface. Fall through spring offers the best action when they school up heavily. What gets people hooked is their bulldogging fight and that unmistakable "thump" when they hit your lure. Plus, they're excellent eating with mild, sweet meat. My secret? Look for nervous water or "pushing" baitfish - that's usually redfish feeding underneath. Topwater plugs at first light will give you heart-stopping strikes.
Salmo TruttaSpotted sea trout, or "specks" as we call them locally, are some of the most reliable fish in our waters. These silvery beauties with black spots typically run 14-24 inches and pack solid fights for their size. You'll find them cruising grass flats in 2-6 feet of water, especially around dawn and dusk when they're actively feeding on shrimp and small baitfish. They bite year-round here, but fall and spring produce the most consistent action. What makes them special is their delicate, flaky white meat that's perfect for the dinner table. The key to landing more trout is working your lure slowly along the bottom - they're lazy feeders and won't chase a fast-moving bait very far. Soft plastics on light jig heads work best.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern flounder are the masters of disguise in our sandy bays and channels. These flat, oval-shaped fish typically run 15-18 inches, though we catch plenty up to 25 inches during good years. They bury themselves in sand and mud bottoms, waiting to ambush passing shrimp, crabs, and small fish. Fall is prime time when they're fattening up before their winter offshore migration. What makes them popular is their excellent table fare - sweet, firm white meat that's hard to beat fried or grilled. The trick is fishing slowly along the bottom since they won't move far to take a bait. I always tell clients to use a light jig head with live shrimp or bull minnows and work it right on the bottom. When you feel that "mushy" bite, count to three before setting the hook.
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