Bay Fishing Trip - Santa Rosa Beach, FL
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Inshore fishing for redfish and trout in Santa Rosa BeachAll fishing gear provided for up to three guestsTarget multiple species including flounder, snapper, and sharks
Captain Chris knows these Santa Rosa Beach waters like the back of his hand, and he's ready to put you on fish. This top-rated inshore bay fishing adventure targets some of the Gulf Coast's most sought-after species, with redfish and speckled trout leading the charge. You'll work the grass flats, oyster bars, and shallow channels where these fish love to hang out. With all gear provided and room for up to three anglers, this trip delivers the perfect mix of relaxed bay fishing and heart-pumping action when the fish are biting.
Your day starts early, meeting Captain Chris at the dock as the sun's coming up – that's prime time for inshore fishing. The boat's rigged and ready with everything you need: rods, reels, tackle, bait, and a cooler full of ice. You'll cruise out into the protected waters around Santa Rosa Beach, where the calm bay conditions make this trip perfect for anglers of all skill levels. The captain reads the water like a book, looking for baitfish schools, bird activity, and those telltale signs that predator fish are feeding. Don't be surprised if you're switching up techniques throughout the day – one minute you're sight fishing for reds in skinny water, the next you're working a grass flat for trout with soft plastics.
Captain Chris runs a variety of proven techniques depending on what the fish are telling him. You'll likely start with live bait – shrimp under popping corks is a killer setup for trout, while cut bait works magic on redfish and the bonus species lurking around structure. When the fish are aggressive, you might switch to artificials like paddle tails, spoons, or topwater plugs that drive the reds absolutely crazy. The tackle's all medium-action spinning gear that's forgiving for beginners but sensitive enough to feel every tap and tick. You'll be fishing in water from two to eight feet deep, working everything from sandy potholes to oyster-studded shorelines where the big fish ambush their prey.
Redfish are the stars of this show, and Santa Rosa Beach consistently produces some beauties. These copper-colored bulldogs range from slot-sized keepers around 18-27 inches to oversized bulls that'll test your drag and your patience. They're aggressive feeders that hit hard and fight harder, making long runs and using their broad shoulders to tire you out. Spring and fall are peak times when they school up in big numbers, but you'll find them year-round in these productive waters. What makes reds so special is their willingness to eat just about anything – live shrimp, cut mullet, gold spoons, or soft plastics dragged along the bottom.
Speckled trout are the other bread-and-butter species you'll be chasing. These beautiful fish with their spotted flanks and sharp teeth love the grass flats and drop-offs where they can ambush unsuspecting baitfish. They're finicky eaters that require a bit more finesse than redfish, but when you dial in the right presentation, you can catch them all day long. The best trout fishing typically happens during cooler months when they stack up in deeper holes, though you'll find them scattered across the flats in warmer weather. A 15-20 inch trout makes excellent table fare and puts up a respectable fight on light tackle.
Spanish mackerel show up when the water warms up, usually from late spring through early fall. These speed demons are built for one thing – chasing down baitfish at breakneck speed. When a school of spanish mackerel moves through, it's non-stop action with their lightning-fast strikes and acrobatic jumps. They're not huge fish, typically running 12-16 inches, but they make up for size with sheer numbers and attitude. Small spoons, jigs, or live shrimp fished near the surface will draw savage strikes that'll wake up anyone who's dozed off.
Sheepshead are the technical challenge of the group, and Captain Chris knows exactly where to find them around the local structure. These black-and-white striped fish have human-like teeth that make them perfectly adapted for crunching barnacles and oysters off pilings and rocks. They're notorious bait stealers with a bite so light you'll swear something's wrong with your rod. But when you hook a nice sheepshead – and they grow to five pounds or better around here – you've got a fish that fights like it's twice its size and tastes even better on the dinner table.
Grey snapper round out the target species list, though they're more of a bonus catch in these shallow bay waters. When you find them, they're usually around structure or deeper holes where they can dart out to grab a meal before retreating to safety. They're smart fish that seem to learn from every angler who tries to fool them, but Captain Chris has a few tricks up his sleeve for when they're being particularly stubborn.
This world-class inshore fishing adventure delivers everything you want in a bay fishing trip – variety, action, and the chance to learn from a captain who lives and breathes these waters. Whether you're a seasoned angler looking to dial in new techniques or a first-timer who wants to experience the magic of inshore fishing, Captain Chris and Rolling Tide Sportfishing have you covered. The fish are biting, the weather's cooperating, and your spot on this customer favorite trip is just a phone call away. Don't wait – the best fishing days book up fast, and you don't want to miss your chance to get on some of the finest inshore action the Gulf Coast has to offer.
Captain Chris's motorboat is perfectly rigged for chasing redfish and trout in Santa Rosa Beach's productive inshore waters. This fishing machine comes equipped with a fish finder to locate schools and structure, plus GPS to mark your hot spots for future trips. The wireless trolling motor lets you slip quietly into shallow flats without spooking fish, while the onboard ice box keeps your catch fresh throughout the day. With room for up to 3 anglers, there's plenty of space to work the waters for flounder, jacks, snapper, and whatever else decides to bite. The boat handles the calm bays and nearshore runs with ease, getting you to where the fish are holding. All your tackle and gear is provided, so you just need to show up ready to fish these Gulf Coast waters that consistently produce quality catches.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the stars of our inshore fishing - copper-colored bruisers with that signature black spot near the tail. Most fish we catch run 18-28 inches and 3-8 pounds, perfect slot-size fish. They love super shallow water, sometimes so shallow their backs stick out. Look for them around oyster bars, grass flats, and marsh edges in 1-4 feet of water. They bite year-round, but fall and spring are peak times when they school up. What makes them special is that bulldogging fight and the way they'll crush topwater baits in skinny water - nothing beats watching a red blow up on a spoon in two feet of water. Plus, they're excellent eating. My go-to trick: look for nervous water or tailing fish, then make long casts with gold spoons or live shrimp. Stay quiet and work the edges.
Salmo TruttaSpotted sea trout, or speckled trout, are bread-and-butter fish around here. They typically run 14-24 inches and have those beautiful gold spots scattered across their sides. You'll find them over grass flats in 2-8 feet of water, especially near drop-offs and creek mouths. They're active year-round but really fire up in spring and fall. What makes them popular is they're willing biters that put up a decent scrap, and the meat is tender and flaky - though you've got to be careful not to overcook it. They feed heavily at dawn and dusk, and during summer they'll move into deeper water during the day. Best tip I can give: work your lure slowly over the grass beds. They like a subtle presentation, and live shrimp under a popping cork is deadly when they're finicky.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the fish with human-like teeth - seriously, it's wild when you see them. They're chunky fighters that average 2-5 pounds, with those distinctive black bars that earned them the nickname "convict fish." You'll find them around any structure with barnacles - docks, pilings, oyster bars. They spawn February through April, which is prime time, but they bite year-round. What guests love is the challenge - these fish are notorious bait thieves with incredible technique. They'll nibble your bait clean off without you feeling a thing. The payoff is some of the best table fare in the Gulf. The meat is sweet, flaky, and mild. My advice: use fiddler crabs or shrimp on a small hook, keep your bait tight to structure, and set the hook hard the second you feel weight.
Lutjanus GriseusGrey snapper, or mangrove snapper as most folks call them, are smart fish that'll test your patience. They usually run 1-3 pounds inshore, with that distinctive greyish-red color and dark stripe through the eye. These guys love structure - docks, oyster bars, mangrove roots, anywhere they can ambush prey. They're active year-round but really turn on during warmer months. What makes them special is they're incredibly wary and great fighters for their size, plus the meat is sweet and flaky - perfect for the dinner table. They feed mostly at night, so low-light periods are your best bet. Here's the trick: use live shrimp on a light leader, let it sink to the bottom, then barely lift it off. Don't move it too much or you'll spook them.
Scomberomorus MaculatusSpanish mackerel are fast, aggressive fish that typically run 1-3 pounds around here, though bigger ones show up offshore. You'll spot these silver speedsters by their yellow spots and that classic mackerel shape. They love to school up near the surface, especially around structure and baitfish. Spring through fall are prime time when the water warms up - that's when they move into our inshore waters to feed. What makes them fun is that explosive strike and the way they'll rip line off your reel. Plus, they're some of the best eating fish we catch - firm, mild meat that's perfect grilled or smoked. My tip: when you see birds working, get there fast. Use small spoons or live shrimp and keep moving until you find the school.
Santa Rosa Beach, FL