Half Day Morning Guided Fishing Trip In Port St. Joe
There's something special about getting on the water early in Port St. Joe. The morning air is crisp, the fish are active, and you've got four solid hours to put some quality catches in the cooler. Captain Mitch knows these inshore waters like the back of his hand, and he's ready to put you on fish whether you're a weekend warrior or just getting your feet wet. This half-day trip starts at 8 AM sharp, giving you prime fishing time when the redfish are cruising the flats and cobia are patrolling the deeper cuts. With all gear included and a boat that's rigged for success, you'll be focused on what matters most – bending rods and filling the fish box.
What to Expect on the Water
This four-hour morning trip is built for up to four anglers, with the base rate covering two people and an extra $50 for each additional angler. Captain Mitch runs a well-equipped inshore boat that's perfect for working the grass flats, oyster bars, and deeper channels around Port St. Joe Bay. You'll be targeting multiple species throughout the trip, which keeps things interesting and your chances high for steady action. The boat comes loaded with quality tackle, live bait, and artificial lures that match what the fish are hitting. Mitch knows when to work the shallow water for redfish, when to move to deeper structure for cobia, and where the ladyfish and bluefish are schooling up. The morning bite is typically the most productive time of day, so you'll be fishing during peak feeding periods when fish are most aggressive.
Proven Techniques & Tactics
Captain Mitch uses a variety of proven techniques depending on conditions and target species. For redfish, you'll be working shallow flats with live shrimp under popping corks or casting soft plastics around oyster bars and grass beds. When targeting cobia, the approach shifts to deeper water structure using live bait or jigs worked near channel edges and drop-offs. The boat is equipped with quality spinning and conventional tackle matched to the species you're after. Mitch provides everything from light tackle for ladyfish to heavier gear for bigger cobia and bull redfish. He'll teach you how to read the water, spot fish movement, and present baits naturally. Live bait fishing with shrimp, pinfish, and crabs is a staple, but artificial lures like paddle tails, spoons, and topwater plugs come into play when fish are actively feeding. The key is staying mobile and adapting to what the fish want on any given day.
Customer Stories
"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
Target Species Breakdown
Redfish are the bread and butter of Port St. Joe inshore fishing, and for good reason. These copper-colored fighters typically range from 18 to 30 inches in these waters, with plenty of slot-size fish perfect for the dinner table. Reds feed aggressively in the morning hours, cruising shallow flats and working oyster bars for crabs and baitfish. They're year-round residents here, but spring through fall offers the most consistent action. What makes redfish so exciting is their fighting ability – they'll make strong runs and use their broad sides to pull drag. Plus, they're excellent table fare when prepared fresh.
Cobia are the wildcards that can turn a good day into a great one. These brown sharks of the inshore world can reach 20 to 40 pounds in Port St. Joe waters, and they're incredibly strong fighters. Spring and early summer are prime time for cobia as they move inshore to spawn. They're curious fish that will often approach the boat, giving you sight-fishing opportunities that get your heart pumping. Cobia hit live bait hard and make powerful runs that test your drag and fighting technique. They're also fantastic eating, with firm white meat that's perfect for grilling or blackening.
Summer flounder add variety to the mix and are excellent table fare. These flatfish typically run 14 to 20 inches in local waters and are masters of camouflage, lying in sandy areas waiting to ambush prey. They're most active during moving tides and respond well to live shrimp or small jigs bounced along the bottom. Flounder fishing requires patience and technique, but landing a nice doormat flounder is always satisfying. They're considered one of the best eating fish in the Gulf, with sweet, flaky white meat.
Ladyfish might be called the "poor man's tarpon," but they fight way above their weight class. These silver bullets typically run 12 to 18 inches and are absolute acrobats when hooked. They'll jump, tail-walk, and put on a show that's especially fun for younger anglers or anyone who enjoys light tackle action. Ladyfish school up in good numbers, so when you find them, you can expect multiple hookups. While they're not great table fare, they're outstanding live bait for larger species and provide non-stop action when the bite is on.
Bluefish round out the target species list and bring their own brand of excitement. These toothy predators typically range from 12 to 20 inches in Port St.
5.0(3 Reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Port St Joe, FL
Four-hour morning inshore fishing adventure targeting redfish and cobia
