Quick Inshore Catch & Release in Pensacola
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Twohour inshore fishing charter targets redfish and speckled troutCatch and release trip covers bays, estuaries, and shallow flatsAccommodates two guests with professional guide from Hotspots Charters
Looking for a solid inshore fishing trip without burning the whole day? This 2-hour catch and release charter with Hotspots Charters hits the sweet spot for anglers who want quality fishing action in Pensacola's prime inshore waters. Whether you're a seasoned angler or just getting your feet wet, this top-rated trip takes you straight to where the fish are biting - the shallow flats, grass beds, and structure-rich areas that make the Gulf Coast a world-class fishing destination.
Your captain knows these waters like the back of their hand, and they're not wasting time getting you to the good spots. We're talking about the kind of inshore fishing that made Pensacola famous - working the grass flats around Santa Rosa Sound, drifting the deeper pockets near the pass, and sight-casting to cruising reds in knee-deep water. The boat's rigged with everything you need, from light tackle spinning gear to the bait and terminal tackle that produces results here. This isn't a crowded party boat situation either - with just 2 anglers max, you get personalized attention and plenty of room to work. The catch and release format means you're focused purely on the sport, learning proper handling techniques while keeping these fisheries healthy for the next generation.
Inshore fishing around Pensacola is all about reading the water and adapting your approach. Your guide's got you covered with medium-light spinning setups spooled with 15-20 lb braid - perfect for the structure and cover you'll be working. Depending on conditions and what's biting, you might be throwing live shrimp under popping corks around oyster bars, working soft plastics through grass beds, or pitch-casting to visible fish in the shallows. The beauty of this fishery is the variety - one cast you're bouncing a jig head along the bottom for flounder, the next you're working a topwater plug over a grass flat at first light. Circle hooks are the standard for live bait to make catch and release easier on the fish, and your captain will show you proper handling techniques to ensure every fish swims away strong.
King Mackerel are the speed demons of this fishery, and when they're running near the passes and deeper water edges, you're in for some serious drag-screaming action. These fish can push 20-30 pounds and make blistering runs that'll test your tackle and your skills. Spring through fall is prime time, especially when baitfish are thick near the inlet. The fight is what keeps anglers coming back - pure speed and power that gets your heart pumping.
Redfish are the bread and butter of Pensacola inshore fishing, and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers love the shallow grass flats and oyster bars throughout the area, and they're aggressive feeders year-round. Slot-size reds (18-27 inches) are perfect on light tackle, making strong runs and using their broad sides to fight in the shallows. Fall is absolutely prime time when they school up in big numbers, but you can target them successfully any month of the year around structure and grass edges.
Red Snapper might surprise you in the deeper pockets and around structure closer to shore, especially during their peak seasons. These bottom dwellers are notorious for their hard strike and bulldogging fight, testing your drag system as they try to get back to the rocks. When they're in season and the regulations allow, snapper fishing near inshore reefs and hard bottom areas can be phenomenal. Their bright red coloration and excellent table fare make them a customer favorite when available.
Spanish Mackerel are the perfect light tackle gamefish, showing up in schools around baitfish concentrations throughout the warmer months. These smaller cousins of the king mackerel are lightning fast and acrobatic, often jumping multiple times during the fight. They're suckers for small spoons, jigs, and live bait, making them ideal targets for anglers who love consistent action. When the Spanish are running thick in late summer and fall, you can expect multiple hookups and non-stop excitement.
Southern Flounder are the masters of camouflage, lying in ambush along sandy bottoms, grass edges, and around structure throughout Pensacola's inshore waters. These flatfish can be tricky to pattern, but when you dial them in, they provide excellent sport on light tackle. Fall migration brings some true doormat-sized fish through the area as they head to deeper water. The key is working soft plastics or live bait slowly along the bottom, feeling for that distinctive flounder bite that often feels like you've snagged the bottom.
This 2-hour catch and release trip delivers exactly what serious anglers want - quality fishing time with a knowledgeable guide in some of Florida's best inshore waters. You're not paying for filler time or unnecessary extras, just straight-up fishing action in prime spots that consistently produce fish. The small group size means personalized instruction, better fishing opportunities, and the chance to really dial in your technique. Whether you're looking to introduce someone to inshore fishing or squeeze in some quality angling time during a busy schedule, this charter hits all the marks. Book your spot with Hotspots Charters and see why Pensacola's inshore fishing keeps anglers coming back trip after trip.
Set out on Pensacola's prime inshore waters aboard this reliable 24' Blazer Bay center console, powered by a smooth 250hp Yamaha that'll get you to the fishing spots at a comfortable 30mph cruise. This 2010 boat is built for Gulf Coast conditions and seats up to 6, though your trip accommodates 2 for plenty of elbow room while working the rods. The center console design gives you easy movement around the deck when fighting fish and provides excellent access to Pensacola's productive bays, grass flats, and estuary waters where redfish and speckled trout like to hang out. Whether you're sight-casting to tailing reds in shallow water or working structure for specs, this boat puts you right where the action is. The setup is perfect for catch and release fishing, with enough deck space to handle fish properly and get them back in the water quickly.
Scomberomorus CavallaKing mackerel are fast, aggressive predators that typically run 15-30 pounds, though some reach 50+ pounds. They cruise open waters from 40-150 feet deep, often around structure and temperature breaks. In Pensacola waters, spring through fall offers the best action when baitfish are thick. What makes kings popular is their blistering runs and aerial jumps - they're built for speed like their wahoo cousins. The meat's rich and oily, great smoked or grilled fresh. These fish have razor-sharp teeth, so always use a wire leader. Pro tip: when trolling, let them take some line before setting the hook. Kings often grab bait by the tail first, and if you set too early, you'll pull it right out of their mouth. Patience pays off with these speedsters.
Lutjanus CampechanusRed snapper are deep-water prizes that live around structure in 60-200 feet of water off Pensacola. These bright red fish typically weigh 5-15 pounds, though 20+ pounders show up regularly. They're year-round residents but bite best during warmer months when they move up to feed. What makes snapper fishing special is the consistent action once you find them, plus they're hands-down some of the best eating fish in the Gulf. Their white, flaky meat is restaurant-quality every time. The challenge is getting your bait to the bottom without smaller fish stealing it first. Here's the trick: use circle hooks with fresh cigar minnows or cut bait, drop fast to beat the bait stealers, and be ready - when snapper hit, they head straight for cover to cut your line.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the bread and butter of our inshore waters here in Pensacola. These copper-colored beauties typically run 18-28 inches and love super shallow water - sometimes so shallow their backs show above the surface. You'll find them around oyster bars, grass flats, and dock pilings in 1-4 feet of water. They feed year-round but really turn on during cooler months when they school up. What guests love about reds is their strong, steady fight and willingness to eat topwater plugs, creating explosive surface strikes. They're also excellent table fare with sweet, flaky meat. My go-to trick is watching for nervous baitfish or "waking" water where redfish push through the shallows. Keep your approach quiet and cast ahead of moving fish.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern flounder are masters of disguise that lie buried in sand and mud waiting to ambush prey. These flatfish typically run 15-18 inches and can reach 5+ pounds in our Pensacola waters. Look for them on sandy bottoms near structure, especially around creek mouths and channel edges during moving tides. Fall and winter are prime time as they fatten up before heading offshore to spawn. What makes flounder special is the challenge of detecting their subtle bite and their excellent table fare - sweet, white meat that's hard to beat. The key is patience and feeling for that gentle tap-tap as they mouth the bait. Pro tip: use a Carolina rig with live shrimp or finger mullet, drag it slowly across the bottom, and when you feel that light bite, count to three before setting the hook.
Scomberomorus MaculatusSpanish mackerel are perfect for anglers wanting fast action and great eating. These silver speedsters with yellow spots typically run 1-3 pounds and travel in large schools near the surface. Around Pensacola, they show up in spring and stay through fall, moving into our inshore waters when baitfish are abundant. What makes them fun is their aggressive strikes on small lures and their acrobatic fights - they're lightning fast and jump like crazy. The meat is mild and flaky, perfect for the dinner table. They're also great for kids since the action stays consistent once you find a school. My best tip is to use small, shiny spoons or jigs and retrieve them quickly. When you hook one, keep fishing the same spot - where there's one spanish, there's usually dozens more.
Pensacola Beach, FL