World Class 7 Hour Private Inshore Fishing Charter
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Sevenhour private inshore fishing adventure for up to three guestsTarget tarpon, redfish, trout, and flounder in productive flatsLicense and professional equipment included with experienced skipper
Looking for a full day on the water targeting some of Florida's most prized gamefish? This 7-hour private charter with Salty Jig Charters puts you right in the heart of Santa Rosa Beach's legendary inshore flats. You'll be working the shallow grass beds, oyster bars, and channel edges where tarpon roll, redfish cruise, and speckled trout feed aggressively. This isn't a quick morning trip – we're talking about a serious day of fishing that gives you time to really dial in on different spots and techniques. Your captain knows these waters like the back of his hand and will adjust tactics based on tides, weather, and what's biting that day.
This is prime inshore territory we're talking about – the kind of flats system that makes the Emerald Coast famous among serious anglers. You'll launch from Santa Rosa Beach and head into the extensive network of grass flats, sand holes, and structure that stretches from Choctawhatchee Bay to the nearshore Gulf waters. The boat holds up to three anglers, so whether you're bringing a couple buddies or want the whole boat to yourself, you've got room to spread out and fish comfortably. Your captain provides all the tackle, from light spinning gear for trout to heavier setups when we're sight-casting to big reds. The fishing license is included too, so you just need to show up ready to fish. Seven hours gives us plenty of time to hit multiple spots – if the trout bite dies off on one flat, we'll move to structure for some snapper action or cruise the shallows looking for tailing redfish.
Inshore fishing here is all about reading the water and matching your approach to conditions. We'll be using a mix of live bait and artificials depending on what's working. Popping cork rigs with live shrimp are deadly on speckled trout over grass beds, especially when the water's got some color to it. For redfish, we'll sight-cast with soft plastics or throw topwater plugs early in the morning when they're feeding shallow. The tarpon fishing can get wild – we'll use live pinfish or crabs when we find them rolling, and be ready for some serious runs when you hook up. Your captain will have you rigged with circle hooks for the live bait fishing and will coach you through proper hooksets and fighting techniques. The flats boat lets us get into water that's knee-deep or less, putting you right where these fish live and feed. When we're working structure like oyster bars or channel edges, expect to use heavier jigheads and gulp baits to get down to the snapper and flounder.
The Southern Flounder here are absolute slabs – these flatfish hang around structure and channel edges, especially where current sweeps bait past oyster bars and dock pilings. Best fishing is typically fall through early spring when they're fattening up for their offshore spawn. They're ambush predators that bury in the sand and crush anything that swims by, so live mud minnows bounced along the bottom or gulp shrimp on a jighead work great. Nothing beats the way a big flounder fights – they'll use that flat body like a shield and make powerful runs that'll test your drag. Grey Snapper are year-round residents around any kind of structure, from bridge pilings to oyster reefs. They're smart fish with great eyesight, so light leaders and natural presentations work best. Live shrimp under a popping cork or small jigs bounced along the bottom will get their attention. They fight harder than their size suggests and make excellent table fare. Tarpon are the kings of these flats during summer months, with fish ranging from 30-pound juveniles to monsters over 100 pounds. They're incredible athletes that'll jump repeatedly and make blistering runs that can empty your spool in seconds. The sight of a tarpon rolling on the surface never gets old, and hooking one is pure adrenaline. Sea Trout, or speckled trout as we call them, are the bread and butter of these flats. They school up over grass beds and feed aggressively on shrimp and baitfish. Spring and fall offer the best action, with fish ranging from schoolie size to gator trout over 25 inches. They're beautiful fish with distinct spots and a soft mouth, so you need to play them carefully. Redfish are probably the most popular target – these copper-colored bruisers cruise the shallows year-round and provide some of the most visual fishing you'll ever experience. Watching a big red slowly cruise through inches of water with its back out, then seeing it turn and crush your bait, is what inshore fishing is all about.
Seven hours on these world-class flats gives you a real shot at multiple species and the chance to experience different fishing styles in one trip. Whether you're after the rush of sight-casting to redfish, the steady action of trout fishing, or hoping to tangle with a tarpon, this charter puts you in position to succeed. The Santa Rosa Beach area consistently produces some of the best inshore fishing on the Gulf Coast, and Salty Jig Charters knows how to put you on fish. Don't wait around – the best fishing days book up fast, especially during peak seasons. Grab your crew and get ready for a day of fishing that'll remind you why Florida's inshore waters are legendary among serious anglers.
Your fishing adventure awaits aboard this beautifully restored 1994 Cape Horn center console, perfect for navigating Santa Rosa Beach's productive inshore waters. This 20-footer packs serious fishing power with its reliable 200HP Yamaha engine, cruising comfortably at 35 knots to get you to those prime redfish and trout spots quickly. The boat's classic center console design gives you 360-degree fishing access, while the flybridge provides an elevated vantage point for spotting schools and structure. Keep your catch fresh in the onboard icebox and stay connected with marine VHF radio communication. With room for up to 3 anglers, this vessel strikes the perfect balance between fishing functionality and comfort for your 7-hour pursuit of tarpon, flounder, and whatever else these rich flats have to offer.
Lutjanus GriseusGrey Snapper, or Mangrove Snapper, are crafty fish that love hanging around structure like docks, rocks, and mangrove roots. They typically run 10-14 inches and 1-2 pounds inshore, but can get hefty in deeper water. These copper-colored fighters are nocturnal feeders, so dawn and dusk fishing pays off. You'll spot them by the dark stripe running through their eye. They're opportunistic predators that'll hit live shrimp, small crabs, and cut bait. Summer months are best when they're actively feeding in the shallows. Anglers enjoy their scrappy fight and excellent table fare - white, flaky meat that's hard to beat. They're smart though, so stealth matters. Here's the key: use a 4J hook with live shrimp hooked through the tail, let it sink to the bottom, then lift it just off the structure. Patience wins with these guys.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the backbone of our inshore fishing, cruising super shallow flats where you can see their copper backs and distinctive black spots. These fish average 20-30 inches, but we see plenty of slot-sized fish and some real bulls pushing 40+ inches. They love oyster bars, grass flats, and marsh edges in 1-4 feet of water - sometimes so shallow their backs stick out. Fall is prime time when they school up and feed heavily. What makes them special is their aggressive strikes and dogged fights, plus they make great table fare with sweet, firm meat. They'll eat almost anything - shrimp, crabs, mullet, you name it. Year-round fishing is solid here, but cooler months bring the biggest schools. Key tip: look for nervous water or tailing fish, then cast your spoon or topwater plug well ahead of them and work it slowly back - redfish are curious but spook easy in skinny water.
Salmo TruttaSea Trout, or Speckled Trout, are spotted beauties that cruise grass flats and shallow waters throughout our area. They typically run 14-24 inches and 1-5 pounds, with distinctive black spots covering their silver sides. These fish love cooler water, so early morning, late evening, and overcast days are prime time. You'll find them over grass beds in 2-6 feet of water, often in small schools. Spring through fall offers the best action, especially when water temps are comfortable. Guests love their willingness to hit topwater lures and their excellent table fare - mild, white, flaky meat that's hard to beat. They're great fighters for their size too. Night fishing under lights can be productive since they're more active after dark. Pro tip: use a popping cork with live shrimp about 18 inches below - the noise draws them in from a distance.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern Flounder are masters of camouflage that bury themselves in sandy and muddy bottoms, waiting to ambush prey. These flatfish typically run 15-18 inches and weigh around 5 pounds, though bigger ones hit 20+ pounds. You'll find them in shallow bays, grass flats, and around structure where they hunt shrimp, crabs, and small fish. Both eyes sit on their left side, making them easy to spot once you know what to look for. Fall and winter are prime time when they're feeding heavily before moving offshore to spawn. Guests love the challenge of sight-fishing for them in skinny water. Their white, flaky meat makes excellent table fare too. Pro tip: when you see that puff of sand or mud, cast just ahead of it and work your bait slowly - they like an easy meal.
Megalops AtlanticusTarpon are the ultimate inshore game fish, averaging 4-6 feet and 80-100 pounds of pure muscle and acrobatics. These silver kings cruise shallow flats, channels, and around structure from late spring through summer when water temps hit the mid-70s. What makes them special isn't the eating - they're catch and release - but the fight. When hooked, they'll jump 10 feet out of the water and make runs that'll test your drag system. You'll find them rolling on the surface in the early morning or late evening. They feed on mullet, crabs, and shrimp, so live bait works best. A 5000-7000 size reel with smooth drag is essential since these fish can swim 35 mph. Local tip: when you see one jump, bow to the fish by dropping your rod tip - it takes pressure off and keeps them buttoned up during those wild aerial shows.
Santa Rosa Beach