Full Day Family Shark, Trout & Sheepshead Adventure
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Eighthour private inshore fishing charter targeting multiple speciesFamilyfriendly trip accommodates up to four guests with provided equipmentProfessional captain guides safe fishing experience in Port St. Joe
Looking for a fishing trip that'll get the whole crew fired up? Captain Mitch's 8-hour inshore adventure out of Port St. Joe is exactly what you need. This isn't your typical charter where the kids get bored after an hour – we're talking about a full day targeting some of the Gulf's most exciting species: lemon sharks, spotted sea trout, and sheepshead. The captain knows these waters like the back of his hand and has a knack for making everyone feel comfortable, whether you're a seasoned angler or someone who's never held a rod. Starting at 8 AM sharp, you'll have plenty of time to dial in on the bite and watch the family bonds strengthen with every cast.
Port St. Joe's inshore waters offer some of the most diverse fishing on the Gulf Coast, and Captain Mitch knows exactly where to find the action. You'll be fishing the grass flats, around structure, and near the passes where these species love to hang out. The boat comes fully rigged with everything you need – rods, reels, tackle, bait, and all the safety gear. The base rate covers two anglers, but you can bring up to four people total for just $50 per extra person, making it a solid value for families. The captain's approach is hands-on but relaxed – he'll teach you the techniques, help with the hooksets, and make sure everyone gets their turn at the rod. Don't worry about bringing anything except sunscreen, drinks, and snacks since meals aren't included.
This trip covers a variety of fishing methods depending on what we're targeting and where the fish are holding. For sheepshead, we'll be using light tackle with small hooks and cut bait, working around pilings, rocks, and other structure where these guys like to pick at crabs and barnacles. When we're after sea trout, expect to throw live shrimp under popping corks or work soft plastics along the grass edges – the captain will show you how to work the bait to trigger those aggressive strikes. The lemon shark fishing is where things get really exciting. We'll use heavier tackle with chunk bait or live pinfish, and when one of these bruisers takes off, you'll feel every ounce of their power. The captain provides all the gear, but if you have favorite rods or reels, feel free to bring them along. Circle hooks are standard for the sharks to ensure safe releases, and the captain will handle all the leader work and rigging.
Sheepshead are the technical challenge of this trip – these black and white striped convicts are notorious bait thieves with mouths full of human-like teeth. They hang around any kind of structure, especially dock pilings and rock piles, where they crush crabs and scrape off barnacles. The best action usually happens during the cooler months from November through March when they move inshore to spawn. What makes them so addictive to catch is their incredible bite detection – you'll feel them nibbling and picking at your bait before they commit. When you finally hook up, they'll make short, powerful runs and try to wrap you around whatever structure they can find. Most sheepshead in these waters run 2-4 pounds, but the occasional 6-pounder will test your drag and patience.
Spotted sea trout are the bread and butter of inshore fishing around Port St. Joe, and for good reason. These beautiful fish with their distinctive spots and canine teeth provide consistent action year-round, though spring and fall offer the best opportunities for bigger fish. They love the grass flats and drop-offs, especially during moving tides when baitfish get pushed around. What anglers love most about trout is their aggressive strikes – when they hit a topwater lure or shrimp, there's no mistaking it. They'll often jump and shake their heads, putting on a real show. The slot-sized fish (15-20 inches) are perfect for the dinner table, while the bigger gator trout (over 25 inches) are trophy fish that'll have you talking for years.
Lemon sharks are the real showstoppers on this trip. These bronze-colored predators can reach 6-8 feet in these waters and provide some of the most heart-pounding fights you'll experience on light tackle. Unlike their more aggressive cousins, lemons are relatively docile and perfect for families since they're easier to handle during release. They're year-round residents but really fire up during the warmer months when baitfish are abundant. What makes them so special is their intelligence – they'll often follow the boat, check out the baits, and sometimes even take multiple offerings. When a lemon takes your bait and makes that first screaming run, stripping drag like it's nothing, you'll understand why shark fishing becomes an obsession. The captain ensures safe handling and release, so you get all the excitement with peace of mind.
Captain Mitch's full-day family adventure is exactly what Port St. Joe fishing is all about – variety, excitement, and memories that'll last a lifetime. With three completely different species to target, everyone in the group will find something that gets their heart racing. The 8-hour trip gives you plenty of time to master different techniques, and the captain's patient teaching style means even first-timers will be setting hooks like pros by the end of the day. At $50 per extra person beyond the base two-angler rate, it's tough to beat the value for a fully equipped, guided experience. The inshore waters around Port St. Joe are firing year-round, so don't wait – grab your crew and book this top-rated charter for a day of fishing you'll be talking about long after you're back on dry land.
Your fishing platform for the day is a nimble 17' Carolina Skiff that cuts through Port St. Joe's shallow waters with ease. Built for serious angling, this motorboat handles up to 4 anglers while staying stable when you're fighting that stubborn sheepshead or tracking a cruising lemon shark. The GPS keeps you on productive fishing spots, while the fish finder shows what's swimming below. An onboard icebox keeps your drinks cold and your catch fresh during the full 8-hour adventure. Captain Mitch stocks all the rods, reels, and tackle you'll need, so you can focus on reading the water and working the flats for sea trout. The shallow draft design gets you into those back-country honey holes where the big fish hide, making every cast count in these productive inshore waters.
Negaprion BrevirostrisLemon sharks are one of the most exciting inshore species we target around Port St. Joe's shallow bays and grass flats. These golden-yellow beauties typically range 3-6 feet and are surprisingly gentle for a shark species. They love cruising in 2-8 feet of water over sandy bottoms and sea grass beds, especially during warmer months from spring through fall. What gets families hooked is their incredible fight - they'll make long runs and put serious bend in your rod. Plus, they're docile enough for kids to handle safely with proper guidance. The meat is firm and mild, great for the dinner table. Pro tip: use cut bait like mullet or pinfish on a circle hook, fish the incoming tide when they're actively hunting, and always keep your drag loose - they'll snap your line if you try to muscle them.
Salmo TruttaSpotted sea trout, or "specks" as we call them locally, are the bread and butter of our Port St. Joe inshore trips. These silvery fish with distinctive black spots typically run 14-20 inches and 1-3 pounds, though we occasionally hook 5-pounders that'll surprise you. They love grass flats, shallow bays, and drop-offs in 3-15 feet of water. Best fishing happens spring through fall, especially early morning and evening when they're feeding actively. Families love them because they fight well for their size, hit a variety of lures, and the white, flaky meat is some of the tastiest around - just don't overcook it or it gets mushy. My go-to technique: work a soft plastic shrimp or paddle tail slowly over grass beds during moving tides. The key is staying quiet and making long casts to avoid spoking them.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are smart, crafty fish that'll test your patience and skill. These "convict fish" with their black and white stripes typically run 1-8 pounds around Port St. Joe's docks, bridges, and barnacle-covered pilings. They've got human-like teeth perfect for crushing crabs and barnacles, making them notorious bait thieves. Spring through fall offers the best action when they're active in 5-25 feet of water. What makes them special? They fight hard, they're tricky to hook, and the white, flaky meat is some of the best eating you'll find. My tip: use small hooks with fresh shrimp or fiddler crab, keep your bait tight to structure, and set the hook hard the moment you feel that telltale nibble. They'll steal your bait all day if you're not quick.
Port St Joe, FL