Half Day Inshore – Private (4hr AM Trip)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Private 4-hour morning trip targets redfish and speckled troutNew 22-foot flats boat accesses shallow Crawfordville backwatersAll equipment and licenses included for up to 4 guests
If you're looking for a solid morning on the water without burning your whole day, this private inshore trip with Capt. Chase is exactly what you need. Starting at 7:30 AM sharp, you and up to three friends will have four hours of prime fishing time in some of Crawfordville's best shallow water spots. The early start means you'll beat the heat and catch fish when they're most active, plus you'll still have your afternoon free for whatever else you've got planned. This isn't some crowded charter boat situation – it's just your group, an experienced guide, and a brand new 22-foot Micro Draft flats boat that can get into water so shallow other boats can't even think about it.
Capt. Chase knows these waters like the back of his hand, and he's put together a trip that hits all the right notes for both beginners and experienced anglers. You'll be fishing from a top-rated Micro Draft flats boat that's built specifically for this kind of work – stable enough for comfortable casting but with a shallow enough draft to reach those hidden honey holes where the big fish hang out. The flats and backwaters around Crawfordville are perfect for sight fishing, and when conditions are right, you'll actually see your targets cruising before you cast to them. That's when things get really exciting. The morning bite is typically the best part of the day, especially during warmer months when fish move to deeper water as the sun gets higher. Everything you need is included in the $400 group price – rods, reels, tackle, bait, and even your fishing licenses. Just bring some drinks to stay hydrated, sunscreen because the sun reflects hard off the water, and come ready to have a good time.
This trip is all about light tackle fishing, which means you're using lighter rods and smaller baits to match what these inshore species naturally eat. It's way more fun than heavy gear because you can feel every head shake and run, plus it's more effective in shallow water where fish are easily spooked. Capt. Chase will set you up with the right setup for the conditions – whether that's live bait on a jig head, soft plastics worked slowly across grass flats, or topwater plugs that create just enough commotion to trigger strikes. The techniques change based on tide, weather, and what the fish are doing, but that's part of what makes a good guide worth his salt. He'll teach you how to read the water, spot fish, and present your bait in a way that gets bites. The flats boat setup gives you multiple casting angles, and the shallow draft means you can work areas that bigger boats just can't reach. When you hook up, you'll have room to fight the fish properly without bumping into other anglers.
Redfish are the bread and butter of Crawfordville inshore fishing, and for good reason. These copper-colored fighters typically run anywhere from 18 to 30 inches in these waters, with plenty of slot-sized fish that are perfect for the table. Reds love shallow grass flats, oyster bars, and creek mouths where they can ambush baitfish and crabs. They're most active during moving tides, especially early morning when the water is still cool. What makes redfish so exciting to catch is their initial run – they'll peel drag and head straight for the nearest structure, so you've got to be ready. Plus, they're one of the most reliable species in the area, with good numbers year-round and peak action during fall months.
Speckled Trout are the finicky fighters that keep things interesting on every trip. These beautiful fish with their distinctive spotted pattern typically range from 14 to 20 inches, though bigger "gator trout" over 25 inches show up regularly during cooler months. Specks are structure-oriented fish that love grass beds, drop-offs, and areas where fresh and salt water mix. They can be picky eaters, which is why having an experienced guide makes such a difference – Capt. Chase knows how to adjust presentation and bait selection to match their mood. When you hook a good speckled trout, they'll jump and shake their heads like crazy, making them one of the most fun fish to catch on light tackle. Best action typically happens during spring and fall, but they're catchable year-round if you know where to look.
Southern Flounder might not win any beauty contests, but they're absolutely delicious and surprisingly strong fighters. These flatfish are masters of camouflage, lying perfectly still on sandy or muddy bottoms until prey swims by, then attacking with lightning speed. Most flounder you'll catch run between 15 to 20 inches, though doormat-sized fish over 24 inches are always a possibility. They're most active during moving tides when baitfish are stirred up, and they love areas near creek mouths and channel edges. What's really cool about flounder fishing is that it's often sight-based – in clear water, you can actually see them lying on the bottom and cast right to them. Fall is prime time for flounder as they fatten up before their winter migration, but good numbers are around from spring through early winter.
This half-day trip strikes the perfect balance between serious fishing and real-world scheduling. Four hours gives you enough time to hit multiple spots, adjust to what the fish are doing, and still get back to shore before the day gets too hot. At $400 for up to four people, you're looking at $100 per angler for a private charter with an experienced captain, all gear included, and access to some of the best inshore fishing on Florida's Gulf Coast. The free cancellation policy (up to 3 days in advance) means you can book with confidence and adjust if weather doesn't cooperate. Morning trips consistently produce better results than afternoon fishing, especially during summer months, so that 7:30 AM
You'll be fishing from a brand-new 2025 22' Micro Draft flats boat that's built specifically for getting into those shallow backwaters where the big redfish hide. This shallow-draft skiff draws minimal water, so we can slip into spots other boats can't reach. The 115HP Mercury gets us moving at 30 knots to cover water fast, while the wireless trolling motor keeps us whisper-quiet when we're stalking speckled trout in skinny water. The fish finder takes the guesswork out of locating structure and baitfish, and GPS keeps us on the productive spots. With an icebox for your drinks and snacks, plus a multimedia system for tunes between bites, you'll stay comfortable during the entire 4-hour trip. Perfect setup for up to 4 anglers to work the flats around Crawfordville's prime inshore waters.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the bread and butter of our shallow water fishing. These copper-colored fighters typically range 20-30 inches in our waters and are famous for those distinctive black spots near their tail. They love cruising 1-4 feet of water around oyster bars, grass flats, and creek mouths where they hunt for crabs and shrimp. You'll spot them tailing in super shallow water, sometimes with their backs exposed. Fall and spring offer the best action when they school up and feed aggressively. What guests love most is watching them crush topwater lures and then peel drag like a freight train. My go-to trick is using a gold spoon worked slowly along oyster edges - the flash drives them crazy and they'll eat it even when they're spooky.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled Trout around here typically run 14-24 inches and put up a solid fight on light tackle. You'll find them cruising grass flats and shallow backwaters, especially early morning and late evening when they're actively feeding on shrimp and small baitfish. They love water temps between 60-75°F, making spring through fall prime time. What makes them special is their beautiful spotted pattern and that delicate, flaky white meat that's perfect for the dinner table. The key to landing more specks is working your lure slowly near the bottom around oyster bars and grass edges - they're ambush predators that like to strike from below. Their soft mouths mean you need to keep steady pressure without horsing them in.
Paralichthys LethostigmaFlounder fishing is all about patience and knowing the bottom structure. These flatfish average 15-18 inches and are masters of camouflage, burying themselves in sand and mud to ambush prey. You'll find them around creek mouths, channel edges, and anywhere the current washes baitfish past their hiding spots. They prefer cooler months when they move into shallow estuaries to feed. What makes flounder special is their unique appearance - both eyes on one side - and their sweet, firm white meat that's hard to beat on the table. The secret to consistent flounder fishing is using live bull minnows on a Carolina rig and fishing it dead still on the bottom. When you feel that subtle tap-tap, count to three before setting the hook - they need time to turn the bait around.
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