Expert Guided Port St Joe Bay Fishing Adventures
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Captain Keven leads exclusive 4hour inshore fishing charters.Target Flounder, Redfish, and Trout in three prime bay locations.Small group experience accommodates up to 6 guests maximum.
There's something special about getting out on Port St. Joe's waters with Captain Keven that keeps anglers coming back season after season. This isn't your typical crowded charter boat experience – we're talking about a personalized 4-hour fishing adventure that puts you right in the heart of some of Florida's most productive inshore waters. Whether you're a seasoned angler or just getting your feet wet, this top-rated charter delivers the kind of fishing action that makes for great stories back home. With access to Port St. Joe Bay, Indian Pass Lagoon, and Apalachicola Bay, you'll be targeting the big three that make this area famous: sea trout, redfish, and southern flounder.
Captain Keven knows these waters like the back of his hand, and that local knowledge makes all the difference when you're trying to put fish in the boat. Your morning starts early – that's when the fish are most active and the water's at its calmest. The charter accommodates up to 6 anglers, so whether you're bringing the whole family or a group of fishing buddies, there's plenty of room to spread out and work the water properly. We'll be running between three world-class fishing spots depending on conditions, tides, and where the fish are biting that day. Port St. Joe Bay offers excellent grass flats perfect for sight fishing, while Indian Pass Lagoon provides deeper pockets where bigger fish like to hang out. Apalachicola Bay brings its own magic with extensive oyster bars and drop-offs that hold fish year-round. Captain Keven reads the water constantly, adjusting our approach based on what he's seeing – bait movement, bird activity, tide changes, and water clarity all factor into where we'll spend our time.
This is light tackle inshore fishing at its finest, and we keep things simple but effective. We're primarily working with live bait – shrimp, pinfish, and mullet – rigged on circle hooks to keep everything legal and help with fish survival. Artificial lures have their place too, especially when the fish are aggressive and hitting topwater plugs or soft plastics. The technique changes throughout the trip based on what we're targeting and where we find them. When we're sight fishing for redfish on the flats, it's all about quiet approaches and precise casts. Working the deeper grass beds for trout means covering more water with moving baits. Flounder fishing requires a completely different approach – we're bouncing baits along the bottom near structure and drop-offs where these flatfish like to ambush their prey. Captain Keven provides all the gear you'll need, from rods and reels to tackle and bait. The equipment is well-maintained and matched to the fishing we're doing – medium action spinning gear that's perfect for the size fish we're after. If you've got your own favorite rod, feel free to bring it along, but you won't need to worry about having the right setup.
Sea trout are the bread and butter of Port St. Joe fishing, and for good reason. These spotted beauties are abundant throughout our fishing grounds and provide steady action when other species get finicky. They average 14-18 inches, with plenty of keepers in the mix and the occasional gator trout pushing 20+ inches. Spring through fall offers the best trout action, though they bite year-round when you know where to look. What makes trout fishing so appealing is their willingness to hit both live bait and artificials, plus they're excellent table fare. They school up over grass beds and sandy bottoms, often giving away their location with surface strikes that create quite a commotion.
Redfish are the real prize for many anglers, and Port St. Joe's shallow waters provide perfect habitat for these copper-colored fighters. These fish average 18-27 inches in our area, right in that sweet spot for both sport and the dinner table. Reds are year-round residents, but fall brings some of the best action as they feed heavily before winter. What gets anglers excited about redfish is their aggressive nature – they'll crush a well-presented bait and then peel drag like crazy. Sight fishing for reds on the flats is about as good as it gets, watching their backs and tails break the surface as they root around for crabs and shrimp.
Southern flounder add a different dimension to the fishing, and Captain Keven knows exactly where to find them. These flatfish are masters of camouflage, lying buried in sand and mud waiting to ambush passing prey. They typically run 14-20 inches, with some real doormat-sized fish mixed in during peak season. Fall is prime time for flounder as they stage near passes before heading offshore to spawn. What makes flounder special is the challenge – they're subtle biters that require patience and technique to hook consistently. Plus, there's no better eating fish in these waters, making them a customer favorite for anglers planning a fish fry.
Port St. Joe fishing charters with Captain Keven book up fast, especially during peak season when the fishing is red-hot. This 4-hour trip gives you the perfect taste of what makes this area so renowned among Gulf Coast anglers. You're getting local expertise, access to multiple prime fishing locations, and the chance to target three distinct species that each offer their own unique challenge. Whether you're looking to introduce kids to fishing, celebrate a special occasion, or just get away from the daily grind for a few hours, this charter delivers. The beauty of Fish & Eco Tours is the personal touch – you're not just another group on the water, you're fishing with someone who genuinely wants you to have a great day and make some memories. Don't wait to secure your date, because the best fishing days and optimal tide times fill up well in advance. Book your Port St. Joe fishing adventure now and get ready to experience why this area has earned its reputation as
Get ready to fish the productive waters around Port St. Joe aboard our reliable 23-foot Caribiana Skiff! This 2002 flats boat handles the shallow inshore waters like a champ, powered by a dependable 50HP Honda that'll get you to the hotspots quickly and quietly. With room for up to 6 anglers, there's plenty of space to cast lines and land fish without crowding each other. The onboard GPS keeps us on track to the best fishing grounds, while the fish finder helps locate schools of redfish, trout, and flounder hiding in Port St. Joe Bay, Indian Pass Lagoon, and Apalachicola Bay. This shallow-draft skiff is perfect for sneaking into those skinny water spots where the big reds like to feed. Captain Keven knows these waters inside and out, and this boat gives him the tools to put you on fish consistently throughout your 4-hour charter.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the bread and butter of our inshore fishing here, and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers average 18-32 inches and put up a serious fight in shallow water. Look for that distinctive black spot near their tail - it's their signature mark. They love cruising oyster bars, grass flats, and creek mouths in 1-4 feet of water, sometimes so shallow their backs stick out. Year-round fishing is solid, but spring and fall are prime time when they're most active. What guests love most is watching them explode on topwater baits and their strong, determined runs. Plus, they're fantastic eating with sweet, firm meat. Pro tip: when you spot one tailing in skinny water, cast well ahead and let your bait drift into their path - they spook easily in the shallows.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are one of our most consistent targets in these waters, running 14-24 inches with plenty of fight for their size. You'll find them cruising grass flats and shallow areas, especially early morning and late evening when they're actively feeding on shrimp and baitfish. They love structure around oyster bars and drop-offs in 2-6 feet of water. Spring through fall gives you the best action, though winter can be productive when they school up in deeper channels. What makes trout special is their willingness to hit topwater lures and their excellent table fare - mild, flaky white meat that's hard to beat. Here's a local trick: work your lure slow and steady over grass beds at dawn, and don't set the hook too hard since their mouths are soft.
Paralichthys LethostigmaFlounder are the masters of disguise down here, lying flat on sandy and muddy bottoms waiting to ambush prey. Most run 15-18 inches, but we catch plenty of "doormat" sized fish pushing 5+ pounds. They're bottom dwellers that love creek mouths, channel edges, and anywhere current brings baitfish within striking distance. Fall and winter are your best bets when they're fattening up before moving offshore. What makes flounder fishing fun is the challenge - they inhale your bait and just sit there, so you need to feel for that subtle weight. Their white, flaky meat is some of the best eating you'll find. Here's the key: use a slip sinker rig with live mud minnows or shrimp, and when you feel that tap, count to three before setting the hook. They need time to turn the bait around.
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