Full Day Advanced Shark, Trout & Sheepshead Challenge
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Eighthour advanced inshore charter targeting shark, trout, sheepsheadCaptain Mitch guides seasoned anglers through Port St. Joe watersAll fishing equipment included with up to four guests maximum
When you're ready to step up your inshore game, Captain Mitch's 8-hour advanced challenge separates the weekend warriors from the serious stick holders. Starting at 8 AM sharp in Port St. Joe, this isn't your typical half-day fish-and-release trip. We're talking about putting you on hard-fighting lemon sharks, trophy sea trout, and monster sheepshead that'll test every technique in your playbook. Built for experienced anglers who know the difference between a tap and a takedown, this private charter delivers the kind of action that keeps you talking about "that one trip" for years. With all tackle included and room for up to 4 anglers, you'll have everything you need to focus on what matters most – getting tight to some serious fish.
Captain Mitch knows Port St. Joe's inshore waters like the back of his hand, and he's not wasting time on tourist spots. You'll be working the prime structure, grass flats, and drop-offs where these three target species love to hunt. The 8-hour window gives you the luxury of patience – no rushing between spots or cutting short a hot bite because time's running out. Base rate covers two anglers, with additional spots at $50 per person up to four total. This setup keeps the boat from getting crowded and gives everyone plenty of room to work their rods properly. The beauty of this trip lies in the variety – one minute you're finesse fishing for speckled trout in the grass, the next you're locked up with a lemon shark that's testing your drag system. Captain Mitch reads the conditions and adjusts the game plan accordingly, whether that means working deeper channels when the tide's moving or hitting shallow flats during prime feeding windows.
This challenge trip is all about refining your skills with multiple techniques throughout the day. For sheepshead, you'll be working with fiddler crabs and barnacles around structure, learning to feel the subtle difference between a curious nibble and a committed bite. The trout bite often calls for lighter tackle and precise presentations – think soft plastics worked slowly through grass beds or topwater plugs during dawn and dusk feeding periods. When targeting lemon sharks, Captain Mitch switches up to heavier gear and live or cut bait, positioning the boat to work tidal flows and ambush points. All rods, reels, tackle, and bait come included, but experienced anglers often appreciate bringing their favorite setup if they have specific preferences. The captain stocks quality circle hooks for the sharks, sharp trebles for trout lures, and small hooks perfect for sheepshead's finicky feeding style. You'll learn to read fish behavior, adjust retrieval speeds, and recognize bottom composition changes that signal prime holding spots.
Lemon sharks are the heavyweight champions of this trio, and Port St. Joe's shallow bays and channels hold some serious fish. These apex predators prefer water temperatures above 70 degrees, making spring through fall prime time for consistent action. Lemons are ambush hunters that cruise grass flats and channel edges, often following stingray schools or hunting around structure. What makes them special is their intelligence and fight – they'll make blistering runs, then turn and bulldoze toward the boat, testing your drag and technique. Most fish range from 4 to 8 feet, with larger specimens pushing 200+ pounds. The satisfaction of releasing a healthy lemon shark after a 20-minute battle is what separates this trip from basic fishing charters.
Speckled trout represent the technical challenge of this adventure, requiring precise presentations and quick hooksets. Port St. Joe's grass flats hold excellent populations, with fish ranging from keeper-sized 15-inchers up to trophy gator trout exceeding 24 inches. These predators are most active during low-light periods and moving tides, feeding heavily on shrimp, small baitfish, and crabs. Spring and fall offer the most consistent action, though summer dawn and dusk bites can be phenomenal. Trout have soft mouths that require careful handling, and their explosive strikes on topwater lures create some of the most exciting moments on the water. The bigger fish are smart and spooky, making them a perfect test for experienced anglers looking to prove their skills.
Sheepshead earn their nickname "convict fish" with distinctive black stripes, but anglers know them as the ultimate test of sensitivity and patience. These structure-loving fish have human-like teeth designed for crushing barnacles and crustaceans, making them notorious bait thieves. Port St. Joe's docks, bridges, and oyster bars hold excellent populations year-round, with winter months producing the largest specimens as fish move to deeper structures for spawning. A 3-pound sheepshead fights like a fish twice its size, using short, powerful runs and leverage against structure. The key is detecting their subtle bite – often described as feeling like your sinker touched bottom – then setting the hook immediately. Many veteran anglers consider a successful sheepshead trip the ultimate achievement in finesse fishing, and Captain Mitch's knowledge of local hotspots gives you the best shot at mastering these challenging fish.
This advanced challenge trip fills up fast among serious anglers who understand the value of quality time on proven waters. Eight hours with Captain Mitch gives you the opportunity to target three distinctly different species using various techniques, all while building skills that'll make you a better angler on every future trip. The all-inclusive approach means you're not nickel-and-dimed for tackle, bait, or equipment – just show up ready to fish. Whether you're looking to add new species to your logbook, test your skills against some serious fighters, or simply enjoy a full day of prime inshore action, this charter delivers the goods. Port St. Joe's rich ecosystem and Captain Mitch's local expertise combine to create fishing opportunities that'll challenge even experienced anglers
This 17' Carolina Skiff puts you right where the action is in Port St. Joe's productive inshore waters. Built for serious anglers, she handles up to 4 fishermen comfortably while you work the flats and structure for lemon sharks, trophy trout, and heavyweight sheepshead. The onboard fish finder helps locate schools and structure, while GPS keeps you on productive spots throughout your 8-hour challenge. An icebox keeps your catch fresh and drinks cold during those long battles. All your tackle comes included, so you can focus on reading the water and working your techniques. Captain Mitch knows these waters inside out, positioning you over the best holding areas where these species feed. The shallow-draft design gets you into skinny water where big trout cruise and sheepshead stack up around structure.
Negaprion BrevirostrisThese golden-bronze sharks are some of the hardest fighting fish in our inshore waters around Port St. Joe. Lemon sharks typically range from 3-8 feet in these waters, and they pack serious power when hooked. You'll find them cruising shallow flats, around grass beds, and near creek mouths where they hunt for stingrays, crabs, and baitfish. Spring through fall offers the best action when water temperatures warm up and baitfish are abundant. What guests love about targeting lemons is the raw fight - they'll make long runs, jump, and test every bit of your drag system. These sharks prefer depths of 3-15 feet over sandy bottoms near structure. My tip for landing one: use circle hooks with fresh cut bait, keep steady pressure, and never try to horse them to the boat. Let them tire themselves out first, then enjoy one of the most athletic battles our Gulf waters offer.
Salmo TruttaAlso called speckled trout, these spotted beauties are a mainstay of our Port St. Joe fishing. Most run 14-24 inches and 1-5 pounds, but trophy fish over 6 pounds show up regularly in cooler months. You'll find them over grass flats in 2-8 feet of water, especially around drop-offs and current breaks. Fall through early spring produces the best fishing when they school up in deeper channels and around structure. What makes trout fishing addictive is their willingness to hit topwater plugs at dawn and dusk - few things beat the explosive strike of a big gator trout on a walking bait. They're excellent eating too, with white, flaky meat that's perfect fried or grilled. Key to consistent success: work your lures slowly and pay attention to subtle taps. Trout often hit soft, so stay ready to set the hook on any change in your lure's action.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusThese gray and black striped fish earned the nickname "convict fish" for good reason. Sheepshead typically run 1-8 pounds around Port St. Joe, but we occasionally see monsters pushing 20 pounds. What makes them special? Those human-like teeth they use to crush barnacles and crabs off dock pilings, bridge supports, and any structure they can find. They're year-round residents here, but spring fishing from February through April is prime time when they gather to spawn. Sheepshead are notorious bait thieves - they'll nibble and pick at your offering trying to steal it clean off the hook. The trick is keeping your bait pinned tight and setting the hook hard the moment you feel weight. Their white, flaky meat makes excellent table fare, and the challenge of outsmarting these structure-hugging thieves keeps even seasoned anglers coming back for more.
Port St Joe, FL