5.0(4 Reviews)Half Day Redfish And Sea Trout Fishing Trip
5.0(4 reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fourhour bay fishing trip targets redfish and sea troutLight tackle fishing with live bait and artificial luresAll gear provided with ice chest for catch storage
Captain Jr. Holland knows these waters like the back of his hand, and after just one trip with him on Apalachicola Bay, you'll understand why locals say "If Junior's not catching fish, the fish just aren't biting." This 4-hour inshore adventure puts you right in the heart of some of Florida's most productive fishing grounds, where redfish patrol the grass flats and sea trout cruise the deeper channels. Whether you're bringing three generations of family or just looking to get away from it all, Captain Junior tailors every trip to match your crew's experience level and keeps everyone engaged from first cast to last.
Your morning starts at the Apalachicola River, where Captain Junior loads up to four anglers onto his well-equipped boat for a journey through some of the most scenic and fish-rich waters on Florida's Big Bend. The Apalachicola Bay system offers everything from shallow grass flats perfect for sight fishing reds to deeper drop-offs where speckled trout love to ambush baitfish. Captain Junior reads the conditions daily and adjusts the game plan accordingly—if the tide's moving right and the bait's thick over the oyster bars, that's where you'll set up. When the bite slows down, he's already thinking two spots ahead, moving the crew to fresh water where the fish are actively feeding. The beauty of fishing with someone who lives and breathes these waters is that you're not just casting blind—you're fishing with purpose and precision.
Captain Junior keeps it simple and effective with light tackle setups that let you feel every bump, tap, and screaming run. Depending on what the fish want on any given day, you'll fish with live shrimp, pinfish, or cut bait, plus artificial lures when the conditions call for covering water fast. The light tackle approach means when that 25-inch red picks up your bait and makes a run for the nearest oyster bar, you'll feel every second of the fight. All gear is provided and ready to go, including an ice chest to keep your catch fresh for the ride home. The only thing you need to bring is your food, drinks, and maybe a camera—trust us, you'll want proof of the day you had out there.
"Three generations—my mom, my son, and myself—spent a day inshore fishing with Captain Junior, and it was nothing short of outstanding. We've fished with him before, and after this trip, there's no question we'll be booking with him again. From the moment we stepped on the boat, it was clear we were in expert hands. Captain Junior's knowledge of the water is second to none, and his confidence and calm made us feel completely safe and at ease. He's got that rare mix of professionalism and personality that turns a fishing trip into a true adventure. He was absolutely fantastic with my son, patient, kind, and funny enough to keep us all laughing. And when it comes to putting you on the fish, this man knows exactly what he's doing. We hauled in a solid mix of trout, a great batch of reds, and even landed a shark! They say around the bay, 'If Junior's not catching fish, the fish just aren't biting.' After this trip, I believe it. If you're looking for a captain who combines experience, heart, and a little humor, you won't find better than Captain Junior." - Steven
"Gave us a great trip. He told us what to expect, adjusted to a slow start, and put us on lots of white trout, specs, and once the tied changed, some reds. Exactly what we were looking for. We hunted fish all over the Bay. If a spot didn't hold fish we moved until we found a spot that did. Great morning on the water." - Andy
"Thoroughly enjoyed our trip with Captain Junior. Consistently caught fish and had a fun time while doing it. Highly recommend if you want to have a memorable experience. Will definitely be booking with him again!" - Paige
Redfish are the crown jewel of Apalachicola Bay, and for good reason. These copper-colored bulldogs range from schooling rats in the 16-20 inch range all the way up to bull reds that'll test your drag and your patience. The best action typically runs from late spring through fall, when reds move into the shallows to feed on crabs and shrimp around the oyster bars. What makes targeting reds so exciting here is the variety of presentations that work—you might sight cast to a tailing fish in two feet of water in the morning, then switch to bouncing cut bait along a deeper channel edge that afternoon. When a red picks up your bait, there's no mistaking it. They hit hard, run fast, and use every oyster bar and grass bed to try to break you off.
Speckled trout, or "specs" as the locals call them, are the bread and butter of Apalachicola Bay fishing. These beautiful fish with their distinctive black spots love the grass flats and channel edges where they can ambush passing baitfish. The prime season runs from spring through late fall, with some of the biggest fish moving in during the cooler months. What anglers love about targeting specs is how aggressive they can be when conditions are right—a well-placed cast with a live shrimp under a popping cork can produce multiple fish from the same spot. The bigger gator trout, those 20-plus inch fish, are what dreams are made of, and Captain Junior knows exactly where these trophy fish like to hang out.
This top-rated half-day fishing experience fills up fast, especially during peak season when the redfish are schooled up and the trout bite is on fire. Captain Junior's reputation for putting anglers on fish consistently
Captain Jr. Holland's 24-foot Sea Pro center console is built for serious bay fishing in Apalachicola's waters. This spacious boat handles up to 4 anglers comfortably while chasing redfish and trout through the shallows. The 150HP Yamaha gets you to the hot spots quickly, whether you're working the grass flats for speckled trout or sight-casting to tailing redfish in skinny water. The center console design gives everyone room to cast and fight fish without getting tangled up. With plenty of storage for tackle and a cooler for your catch, this rig is perfect for exploring the productive waters where the Apalachicola River meets the Gulf. The boat's shallow draft lets Captain Jr. access those back-country spots where the big fish hide.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the stars of our shallow water fishing here in Apalachicola. These copper-colored bruisers average 20-30 inches with that signature black spot near their tail. They love cruising oyster bars, grass flats, and creek edges in just 1-4 feet of water - sometimes so shallow their backs break the surface. Spring through fall are prime time, but we catch them year-round. What guests love most is the visual aspect - watching a big red cruise up to your bait in clear water gets the adrenaline pumping. They fight hard and taste great too, with firm white meat. Here's my go-to trick: when you spot a red tailing or cruising, cast your shrimp or gold spoon about 10 feet ahead and let it sink to the bottom before giving it a slow twitch.
Salmo TruttaSpotted sea trout are one of our most consistent targets here in Apalachicola Bay. These silvery fish with their distinctive black spots typically run 14-24 inches and put up a solid fight on light tackle. You'll find them cruising grass flats in 2-6 feet of water, especially around oyster bars and creek mouths. They're most active during moving tides, particularly early morning and evening. What makes trout special is their willingness to hit both live shrimp and artificials - they're not picky eaters. The meat is white, flaky, and delicious when cooked right. Pro tip: when you see them tailing in shallow water on calm mornings, approach quietly and cast well ahead of where they're heading. The key is not spooking them in that clear, shallow water.
5.0 out of 5.0Three generations—my mom, my son, and myself—spent a day inshore fishing with Captain Junior, and it was nothing short of outstand...
Gave us a great trip. He told us what to expect, adjusted to a slow start, and put us on lots of white trout, specs, and once the ...
Don’t waste your time…..book this guy!!!! We caught and caught on a slow day because Junior knew the bay! He’s not a Facebook guy ...
Thoroughly enjoyed our trip with Captain Junior. Consistently caught fish and had a fun time while doing it. Highly recommend if y...
Apalachicola