5 Hour Private Santa Rosa Beach Inshore Fishing
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
5hour inshore fishing targeting Tarpon, Redfish, Flounder, Speckled TroutAll equipment, licenses, and bait provided by experienced skipperPrivate charter accommodates up to 3 guests maximum
Santa Rosa Beach's inshore waters are some of the most productive fishing grounds along Florida's Emerald Coast, and this extended 5-hour charter gives you the time to really work these waters right. Captain and crew at Salty Jig Charters know every grass flat, oyster bar, and drop-off where the fish hang out. With just you and up to two buddies on board, you'll have the flexibility to chase whatever's biting - whether that's sight-fishing for reds in skinny water or working the deeper cuts for speckled trout. This isn't a rushed trip where you're watching the clock; you've got the time to enjoy the hunt and really dial in on what the fish want.
Your day starts early when the fish are most active and the water's still calm. Captain will have all your tackle rigged and ready - live bait in the well, artificials organized, and rods matched to whatever species you're targeting. The beauty of a 5-hour trip is you can cover a lot of ground without feeling rushed. You might start working the grass flats for redfish at first light, then move to deeper structure as the sun gets higher and the trout start feeding. The boat's equipped with everything you need - all fishing gear, tackle, bait, and your Florida fishing license are included. Just bring your drinks, snacks, sunscreen, and camera because you're going to want proof of what you catch out here. The captain knows these waters like his backyard and will put you on fish while sharing local knowledge you won't get from any guidebook.
Inshore fishing around Santa Rosa Beach means adapting to conditions and what the fish are doing. Your captain will have you rigged with everything from popping corks and live shrimp for speckled trout to weedless spoons and soft plastics for working the grass flats where redfish cruise. When the tarpon are rolling, you'll be throwing live crabs or pinfish on circle hooks with just enough weight to get down. The shallow draft boat lets you get into spots where the big boats can't go - those back bays and oyster bars where the reds like to feed. You'll learn to read the water, watch for nervous baitfish, and feel the difference between a trout picking up your bait and a redfish crushing it. Live bait fishing with shrimp under corks is deadly effective here, but don't be surprised if the captain puts artificials in your hands when the fish are aggressive and you want to cover water fast.
Winter Flounder might not be the glamour fish, but they're excellent table fare and fun to catch on light tackle. These flatfish hang around sandy bottoms and grass edges, usually in 2-8 feet of water. They're most active during cooler months, which is perfect timing for Santa Rosa Beach fishing. You'll feel them pick up your bait gently - they're not aggressive biters like reds, so you need to pay attention to your rod tip. What makes them special is how they fight differently than other inshore species, staying down and bulldogging rather than making runs.
Tarpon are the reason many anglers become obsessed with fishing. These silver kings can show up any time from late spring through fall, and when they're around Santa Rosa Beach, you'll know it - they roll on the surface and create a commotion that gets your heart racing. A 50-pound tarpon will test your drag, your arms, and your patience. They jump, they run, and they'll humble you quickly if you're not ready. The fight can last 30 minutes or more, and even after you think you've got them beat, they'll find another gear. Most anglers practice catch and release with tarpon since they're not great eating, but the photos and memories last forever.
Sea Trout, or speckled trout as locals call them, are probably the most consistent fish you'll catch on this trip. They're abundant in the grass flats and around structure, especially during moving tides. Specks range from schoolie size around 12 inches up to gator trout pushing 5-6 pounds. They're aggressive feeders and will hit both live and artificial baits. What makes them a favorite is how they fight - lots of head shaking and runs - plus they're excellent on the dinner plate. Peak times are early morning and late afternoon, but you can catch them throughout the day if you find the right spots.
Redfish are what most anglers dream about when they think Florida inshore fishing. These copper-colored bruisers patrol the grass flats, especially during higher tides when they can get shallow and feed on crabs and baitfish. Reds are visual feeders, so you might actually see them cruising before you cast. When a slot red takes your bait, you'll know immediately - they make powerful runs and use their broad sides to fight you. The slot limit keeps things interesting since you're looking for that perfect 18-27 inch fish to take home, while the oversized bulls provide catch-and-release excitement.
Crevalle Jack might not win beauty contests, but they'll give you an arm-burning fight that'll make you respect them quickly. These aggressive predators travel in schools and when you find them feeding, the action can be non-stop. Jacks are built like underwater bulldogs - all muscle and attitude. They'll hit hard, run hard, and fight dirty all the way to the boat. While they're not typically kept for eating, they're perfect for anglers who want to test their tackle and experience what a real fish fight feels like. You'll find them around bait schools, especially when the water temperature is warm.
This 5-hour private charter gives you the time and flexibility to really experience what Santa Rosa Beach inshore fishing is all about. You're not sharing the boat with strangers or rushing through spots
Step aboard this beautifully restored 20' Cape Horn center console, your ticket to Santa Rosa Beach's premier inshore fishing grounds. This classic 1994 boat got a complete makeover in 2020 and runs like new with its reliable 200HP Yamaha engine that'll get you to the fishing spots at a smooth 35 knots. The spacious center console design gives you plenty of room to work your lines and fight those famous Florida fish like Tarpon, Redfish, and Speckled Trout. Keep your catch fresh in the onboard icebox while you stay connected to marine traffic with the VHF radio. The flybridge offers great visibility for spotting fish and navigating shallow waters where the big ones hide. With room for up to 4 anglers, this boat strikes the perfect balance between comfort and fishing functionality, making it ideal for serious anglers who want to maximize their time on these productive Gulf waters.
Caranx HipposCrevalle jacks are the bulldogs of our waters - powerful, aggressive fish that average 3-5 pounds but can hit 20+ pounds. They've got brassy green backs with golden sides and will absolutely test your drag. Look for them around structure, grass flats, and anywhere baitfish are getting pushed to the surface - diving birds are your best indicator. They're here year-round but most active in warmer months. Guests love the raw power and that relentless fight they put up. While they're not prize table fare, the action more than makes up for it. Here's the key: when you see birds working, cast a silver spoon or topwater plug past the school and retrieve it fast. These fish love the chase, so don't be subtle about it.
Sciaenops OcellatusRed drum are the crown jewel of our flats fishing, with their copper-bronze backs and signature black spots near the tail. Most fish we target run 20-32 inches, perfect slot-size fish that fight like bulldogs. They cruise super shallow water - sometimes so shallow their backs stick out - around oyster bars, grass flats, and mangrove shorelines. Year-round fishing here, but fall and spring are peak times when they school up. What guests love is sight-fishing to these tailing fish and that powerful, drag-screaming run they make. Plus they're fantastic eating with sweet, firm meat. My go-to technique: look for their tails or backs in skinny water, then make a quiet cast with a gold spoon or soft plastic ahead of where they're heading.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are one of our most reliable inshore targets, running 14-20 inches on average with those telltale black spots covering their silver sides. They love grass flats, shallow bays, and drop-offs in 2-8 feet of water. Spring through fall gives you the best action, especially around dawn and dusk when they're actively feeding on shrimp and small baitfish. Guests love them because they hit hard, fight well for their size, and make excellent table fare - white, flaky meat that's not too fishy. During winter, they school up in deeper channels. My local trick: work a soft plastic shrimp slowly along the bottom of grass beds. These fish can be finicky, so if they're following but not biting, downsize your lure and slow your retrieve.
Megalops AtlanticusThese silver giants are the ultimate bucket-list fish, jumping 6+ feet out of the water when hooked. Most of what we catch runs 4-6 feet and 80-150 pounds, though they can hit 280. Tarpon love our shallow flats, channels, and deeper holes around structure during warmer months - prime time here is late spring through summer. What hooks guests is that aerial show and the stamina of these fish. They'll test your drag for 30+ minutes. While they're not great eating due to their bony meat, the fight and photos make it worthwhile. We practice catch-and-release to protect these ancient fish. Pro tip: when they jump, bow to the fish by lowering your rod tip - keeps them from throwing the hook on those spectacular leaps.
Pseudopleuronectes AmericanusWinter flounder are oddball flatfish that swim sideways with both eyes on their right side. These dark-colored bottom dwellers usually run 10-12 inches, though we occasionally see them pushing 2 feet. They hang out in shallow bays and estuaries, buried in sand or mud waiting to ambush crabs and marine worms. Best fishing happens in cooler months when they move into our inshore waters. What makes them fun is their sneaky bite - they'll nibble your bait before committing, so you need to stay alert. They're also great table fare with sweet, flaky meat. My go-to tip: use big sea worms or clam strips and fish them right on the bottom. When you feel that gentle tapping, give them a second to really take it before setting the hook.
Santa Rosa Beach