Whole Day Private Fishing Adventure
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Full-day inshore fishing targeting redfish and speckled troutPrivate charter accommodates up to two guests maximumArtificial lures and live bait options available
Looking for a full-day fishing trip that puts you right in the action? Phil's Charter Service has you covered with our top-rated private inshore adventure through St. Joe Bay and the Intracoastal Waterway. This isn't your typical half-day rush job – we're talking eight solid hours on some of Florida's most productive shallow waters, targeting redfish, sea trout, flounder, and sheepshead with both artificial lures and live bait options. Perfect for couples, fishing buddies, or anyone who wants the undivided attention of an experienced captain without sharing the boat with strangers.
We kick off at 8:00 AM sharp, giving us the prime morning bite when fish are most active in the cooler temperatures. St. Joe Bay offers some of the clearest, most pristine inshore waters on Florida's Pancoast, with grass flats, oyster bars, and deep channels that hold fish year-round. The Intracoastal Waterway adds variety to our day with its mangrove shorelines, dock structures, and tidal creeks where predator fish love to ambush baitfish. You'll have plenty of time to work different spots without feeling rushed – if the bite slows in one area, we simply move to the next honey hole. The shallow draft boat lets us access backwater spots that bigger vessels can't reach, putting you on fish that rarely see pressure from other anglers. Expect a relaxed pace with serious fishing opportunities, plus time to enjoy the scenery and wildlife that make this area special.
We run both artificial lures and live bait depending on conditions and what the fish are telling us. Artificial presentations include soft plastics on jig heads for working grass flats, topwater plugs for early morning surface action, and suspending twitch baits around structure. Live bait fishing involves freelining shrimp in shallow water, using popping corks over grass beds, and bottom fishing with cut bait around oyster bars and channels. All tackle is provided, from light spinning gear perfect for speckled trout to medium-heavy setups that can handle bull redfish. We'll match the technique to the target species and conditions – sight fishing in clear, shallow water when we can see the fish, or blind casting to likely holding spots when visibility is limited. The beauty of a full day is having time to try different approaches and really dial in what's working best.
Redfish are the crown jewel of our inshore fishery, with fish ranging from keeper-sized "rat reds" around 18-27 inches up to oversized bulls that can stretch past 40 inches. These copper-colored bruisers love shallow grass flats, oyster bars, and mangrove shorelines where they cruise looking for crabs and shrimp. Fall through spring offers the most consistent action, though summer fishing can be world-class in early morning hours. What makes reds so exciting is their aggressive strikes and bulldog fighting ability – they'll make screaming runs that test your drag system and stamina.
Sea Trout, or "specks" as locals call them, are abundant throughout our fishing grounds and provide consistent action for anglers of all skill levels. These silvery gamefish with distinctive black spots typically run 14-20 inches, though gator trout over 5 pounds show up regularly in deeper grass beds and channel edges. They're most active during cooler months from October through April, feeding heavily on shrimp and small baitfish. Speckled trout are notorious for their soft mouths, making them a great species for practicing proper hookset technique and fish-fighting skills.
Southern Flounder are the ultimate ambush predators, lying buried in sandy bottoms near grass bed edges, channel drop-offs, and around structure waiting for unsuspecting prey. These flatfish can reach impressive sizes in our waters, with fish over 20 inches providing excellent table fare. They're most active during warmer months and moving tides when baitfish are pushed through their feeding areas. Landing a nice flounder always feels like a bonus catch, and their unique appearance makes for great photos.
Sheepshead are the technical challenge of our target species, with small mouths and incredible bait-stealing abilities that have earned them the nickname "convict fish" for their black and white stripes. These structure-oriented fish hang around oyster bars, docks, and bridges where they feed on barnacles, crabs, and shrimp. Winter months from December through March offer the best sheepshead action when they school up for spawning. They're renowned for their excellent eating quality and provide a fun change of pace from the more aggressive redfish and trout.
This private full-day adventure gives you everything serious anglers want – productive waters, varied fishing opportunities, quality time on the water, and the expertise of a local captain who knows where the fish live. With a maximum of just two guests, you'll get personalized instruction, prime fishing spots, and the flexibility to target whatever species are biting best. St. Joe Bay and the Intracoastal Waterway consistently rank among Florida's top inshore fishing destinations, and a full day gives you the best shot at experiencing everything these waters have to offer. Don't settle for crowded party boats or rushed half-day trips when you can have the whole boat and captain's attention for a full eight hours of fishing action.
Get ready to fish the productive waters of St. Joe Bay and the Intracoastal Waterway aboard this well-equipped 23-foot Ranger 2300 Bay boat. The 300HP Suzuki engine delivers plenty of power to reach your fishing spots quickly, while the center console design keeps you and your fishing partner comfortable throughout the day. This boat handles inshore conditions beautifully and gives you the stability needed for casting and fighting fish. The wireless trolling motor lets you position quietly over structure without spooking the redfish and speckled trout that call these waters home. Keep your catch fresh in the onboard icebox while the fish finder helps locate schools and bottom structure. GPS navigation ensures you can mark productive spots and return to them throughout your adventure. Whether you prefer working artificial lures or fishing with live bait, this versatile fishing platform has everything needed for a successful day targeting the diverse species that thrive in these coastal waters.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the stars of our shallow water fishing, cruising the flats in just 1-3 feet of water where you can actually see their copper backs and that signature black spot near the tail. Most run 20-30 inches and 5-15 pounds, putting up strong fights in skinny water. They're here year-round but fall brings the best action as they school up. What guests love is the visual aspect - watching these fish cruise and cast right to them. They're also fantastic on the table with mild, sweet meat. These fish eat almost anything, but my favorite setup is a gold spoon or topwater plug early morning. Here's the key: when you spot one, lead it by a few feet and let your lure sink naturally. They're curious but spook easy, so keep your distance and make accurate casts count.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are the bread and butter of our grass flats, running 14-20 inches on average with plenty of 3-4 pound fish mixed in. They love hanging over seagrass beds in 2-6 feet of water, especially around points and drop-offs. Spring through fall are best, but we catch them year-round - they just move to deeper holes during cold snaps. These fish hit hard and make good runs, plus they're excellent eating with flaky white meat. The bite can be finicky though - they'll hammer topwater plugs at dawn and dusk, but switch to soft plastics during the day. Pro tip: work your lures slow and steady over the grass. If you feel that telltale head shake, don't horse them - their mouths are soft and you'll pull the hook right out.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the ultimate structure fish, hanging tight around any barnacle-covered piling, dock, or bridge in our waters. These gray and black striped "convict fish" typically weigh 2-5 pounds, but we see plenty of 8-10 pounders that'll really test your gear. Spring is when they're most active, especially March through May. What makes them special is those human-like teeth they use to crush barnacles and crabs - plus they're some of the best eating fish we catch. Fair warning though, they're notorious bait thieves with light bites. Here's my trick: use fiddler crabs or live shrimp on a small hook, get as close to structure as possible, and when you feel that subtle nibble, set the hook hard and fast. Hesitate and they'll steal your bait every time.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern Flounder are masters of disguise, lying flat on sandy and muddy bottoms where they blend in perfectly. These flat fish typically run 15-18 inches, though we occasionally land ones pushing 25+ inches. They're ambush predators with both eyes on one side of their head - pretty wild to see up close. Fall and early winter are prime time when they move through our shallow bays heading to spawn offshore. What guests love most is the challenge - these fish are subtle biters and excellent table fare with sweet, white meat. My go-to tip: use a slow drift with live shrimp or mullet on a light jig head, and watch for that slight tap-tap bite. When you feel it, don't set the hook hard - just lift steady and they're usually hooked solid.
Panama City