5.0(3 Reviews)Half Day Morning Guided Fishing Trip In Port St. Joe
5.0(3 reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fourhour morning inshore fishing trip targeting redfish and cobiaAll fishing gear and equipment provided aboard wellequipped vesselAccommodates up to four guests with experienced local guides
There's nothing quite like getting on the water at first light, and that's exactly what you'll do with this top-rated morning fishing charter in Port St. Joe. Captain Mitch runs a no-nonsense operation that puts you right where the fish are biting, using his years of local knowledge to maximize your chances of bringing home dinner. This 4-hour trip starts at 8 AM when the water's calm and the fish are hungry, giving you the best shot at hooking into redfish, cobia, and whatever else is running in these productive inshore waters. Whether you're a seasoned angler or just getting your feet wet, Mitch provides all the gear and expertise you need for a successful day on the bay.
Your morning starts early, but trust me, it's worth it. The base rate covers two anglers, and you can bring up to four total for an extra $50 per additional person. Mitch's boat is rigged with everything you need - quality rods, reels, tackle, and bait - so you can focus on what matters most: catching fish. He knows these waters like the back of his hand, from the grass flats where redfish cruise to the deeper channels where cobia patrol. The morning bite is typically the strongest, especially during warmer months when the afternoon heat pushes fish deeper. You'll be targeting structure, working the edges of oyster bars, and maybe drifting some live bait if conditions are right. Mitch tailors each trip to the day's conditions and what's been biting lately, so no two trips are exactly the same.
This inshore fishing experience focuses on light tackle techniques that are both effective and fun to fish. You'll be using spinning gear loaded with braided line, perfect for feeling every tap and handling the strong runs these coastal species are known for. Depending on what's biting, Mitch might have you working soft plastics around structure, throwing topwater plugs at first light, or freelining live bait near drop-offs. The shallow, grass-covered flats around Port St. Joe are perfect redfish habitat, so expect to do some sight fishing when conditions allow. For cobia, you'll likely be working deeper edges with heavier jigs or live bait. The beauty of fishing these waters is the variety - one cast might produce a hard-fighting red, while the next could hook you up with a nice flounder or an aggressive bluefish.
"Mitch is a local that knows the water and wants you to enjoy your time in the Bay. He communicated to us the details and will even meet on the Cape if you are staying there. He is a great angler for those that want to get out and get fishing on the Bay with no hassle. I wanted to get my two girls on the water and we caught fish and enjoyed our time. We recommend Mitch and his expertise with fishing this area." - Chris
"Caught some fish. Nice Red! Will take a return trip in the future!" - Henry
"Had a great day with captain Mitch. Enjoyed catching redfish and seeing the bay and intercoastal! Great captain with a wealth of knowledge from the area." - Clint
Redfish are the crown jewel of Port St. Joe's inshore fishery, and for good reason. These copper-colored fighters typically run 18-27 inches in these waters, with some bruiser bulls pushing 30+ inches during their fall spawning runs. Reds feed heavily in the morning hours, cruising shallow flats and oyster bars looking for crabs and baitfish. What makes them so exciting to target is their aggressive strike and bulldogging fight - they'll make several strong runs before coming to the boat. The best months are typically April through November, with late summer and early fall producing the biggest fish.
Cobia are the wildcards that can make your day special. These brown sharks with fins (that's what they look like from a distance) are curious fish that often approach the boat, giving you multiple shot opportunities. They average 20-40 pounds in these waters and fight like freight trains, making long runs and testing your drag system. Spring and early summer are prime time for cobia around Port St. Joe, especially near structure and channel edges. When you hook one, be ready for a battle - they don't give up easy.
Summer flounder, or fluke as many call them, are the pancakes with attitude that live along the sandy bottoms and grass edges. They're ambush predators that bury themselves in the sand, waiting for baitfish to swim by. What's fun about flounder fishing is the technique - you're typically bouncing jigs along the bottom or drifting live bait, feeling for that telltale tap-tap-thump. They're excellent table fare and can reach 20+ inches in these waters, with the biggest fish typically caught in late spring through summer.
Ladyfish are the acrobats of the inshore world, and while they might not be the best eating, they're pure fun on light tackle. These silver torpedoes will jump repeatedly when hooked, putting on a show that's especially exciting for kids or newer anglers. They school up in good numbers and hit everything from live bait to small lures. You'll find them throughout the warmer months, often mixed in with other species around bait schools.
Bluefish bring the aggression when they move through Port St. Joe's waters. These toothy predators travel in schools and attack baitfish with a vengeance, creating feeding frenzies that are exciting to fish. They're strong fighters that make good runs, and their razor-sharp teeth add an element of excitement when landing them. Blues are most common during their spring and fall migrations, though some resident fish stick around through summer. They're great on the grill when bled and iced properly.
Your fishing adventure starts aboard a reliable 17' Carolina Skiff, perfectly sized for up to 4 anglers to work the productive inshore waters around Port St. Joe. This well-maintained vessel comes loaded with everything you need - GPS to find the hotspots, fish finder to locate those hiding redfish and cobia, plus an icebox to keep your drinks cold and your catch fresh. All the fishing gear is included, so you can focus on what matters most: getting lines in the water and bringing home dinner. The shallow draft design lets you access those skinny water spots where the big fish like to hang out, while the stable platform gives everyone room to cast and fight fish without getting in each other's way.
Pomatomus SaltatrixBluefish are pure aggression with fins - these blue-green predators with razor-sharp teeth are known for their feeding frenzies that can turn the water into a washing machine. Most run 2-8 pounds, but we see some nice fish pushing 15 pounds. They roam our beaches, bays, and nearshore waters in schools, especially during summer months when they follow baitfish migrations. What gets anglers fired up is their vicious strike and strong, steady fight. They're decent eating when fresh, though smaller "snappers" taste better than the big bruisers. Perfect for beginners since they're not picky - they'll hit just about any bait or lure you throw. Just remember to bring a wire leader or heavy mono - those teeth will cut through regular line like butter. Watch your fingers when unhooking them too.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are the sharks that aren't sharks - these brown, torpedo-shaped fish cruise our waters solo, often mistaken for sharks until you see that single dorsal fin. They're bruisers, averaging 20-40 pounds but capable of hitting 60-plus pounds. Look for them around buoys, wrecks, and structure in 15-50 feet during spring and early summer when they're moving through our area. What makes them special is the sight-fishing opportunity - you'll often spot them just under the surface. They're aggressive predators and excellent table fare with firm, white meat that rivals any fish. The fight is strong and steady, not flashy but determined. My go-to method is a bucktail jig in 4-8 ounces worked around structure. When you see one, get that bait in front of them quick - they're curious but won't stick around long.
Elops SaurusLadyfish might get called "poor man's tarpon," but don't let that fool you - these silver rockets put on a real show. Running 12-20 inches on average, they're built for speed with that streamlined body and deeply forked tail. You'll find them in our bays, around docks, and along beach drop-offs where they school up chasing baitfish. They bite year-round here, but summer months when the water's warm really turn them on. What makes them fun is the aerial display - once hooked, they'll jump and skip across the surface like miniature tarpon. They're great for kids and light tackle enthusiasts. While they're not the best eating, they make excellent cut bait for bigger fish. Pro tip: use a heavy mono leader because they'll thrash and twist something fierce, trying to throw that hook with their acrobatic antics.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the bread and butter of our inshore fishing here in Port St. Joe. These copper-colored fighters with distinctive black spots near their tails love our shallow grass flats, oyster bars, and mangrove shorelines in 1-4 feet of water. Most fish run 20-30 inches, but we regularly see slot fish and some real bulls over 40 inches. They feed year-round, but spring and fall offer the most consistent action when water temps are just right. What guests love is their aggressive strike and bulldogging fight - they'll make multiple runs and test your drag. Plus, they're fantastic table fare with that mild, sweet flavor. The key around here is working the edges of grass beds during moving tides. Keep your presentations quiet - these fish can be spooky in skinny water, so stealth beats power every time.
Paralichthys DentatusSummer flounder are the masters of disguise around here - these flatfish lie on sandy bottoms with both eyes on their left side, perfectly camouflaged waiting to ambush prey. Most run 15-20 inches, but we see some nice doormat-sized fish pushing 4-5 pounds. They're scattered across our flats and around structure in 10-30 feet of water. Fall months from September through November give you the best shot at them when they're actively feeding before their offshore migration. What makes them special is that tricky bite - they'll mouth your bait sideways before committing. The meat is excellent, white and flaky. My local trick: use a circle hook with live minnows and give them a few extra seconds to fully take the bait before setting the hook. They're notorious for short strikes.
5.0 out of 5.0Mitch is a local that knows the water and wants you to enjoy your time in the Bay. He communicated to us the details and will eve...
Caught some fish. Nice Red! Will take a return trip in the future!
Had a great day with captain Mitch. Enjoyed catching redfish and seeing the bay and intercoastal! Great captain with a wealth of k...
Port St Joe, FL