4.8(4 Reviews)Half Day Fishing Trip In Carrabelle, Florida
4.8(4 reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Halfday inshore fishing adventure in Carrabelle watersTarget redfish and snapper with experienced local guidesAccommodates up to 6 guests with customized techniques
Looking for a solid half-day fishing trip that delivers? Our Carrabelle guided fishing charter is built for anglers who want to get on fish without spending the whole day on the water. Whether you're just getting your feet wet or you've been fishing these waters for years, our guides know exactly where to put you on the bite. We're talking redfish, snapper, sea trout, and some surprises that'll have you reaching for your phone to snap a photo. The best part? We adapt everything to what's working that day - because the fish don't read the textbook, and neither do we.
This isn't your typical cookie-cutter charter. When you step aboard with Sidehustle Excursions, you're fishing with guides who live and breathe these Carrabelle waters. We keep groups small - just six anglers max - so everyone gets hands-on attention and prime fishing spots along the rail. The morning starts with a quick rundown of what's been biting lately, then we're off to the honey holes. Carrabelle's inshore waters are a mixed bag of grass flats, oyster bars, and deeper channels where different species hang out. Some days we're sight fishing for reds in skinny water, other days we're dropping baits near structure for snapper. The guides read the conditions and adjust on the fly - that's what separates a good day from a great day.
We fish smart, not hard. Depending on what's happening, you might find yourself throwing live shrimp under a popping cork, working soft plastics along the grass edges, or dropping cut bait near some productive structure. The boat's rigged with quality rods and reels that can handle everything from finicky trout to bull redfish. Live bait is usually the ticket in these waters - we're talking live shrimp, pinfish, and whatever else is working that week. Artificial lures have their place too, especially when the fish are aggressive or when you want to cover water fast. The guides will show you the ropes if you're new to any of these techniques, and if you're experienced, they'll put you right where you need to be to put your skills to work.
"Great trip. Tim and crew were great. And yes we caught fish." - Scott E
Black Sea Bass are the workhorses of this fishery. These chunky bottom dwellers love structure and they're not shy about eating just about anything you drop down to them. You'll find them around rocky bottom, artificial reefs, and deeper channels. They fight harder than their size suggests and they're excellent table fare. Best action is typically in the cooler months when they move inshore, and you can expect fish in the 12-16 inch range with some bigger ones mixed in.
Grey Snapper are the smart guys of the bunch, but that just makes them more satisfying to catch. These fish have serious attitude and they'll test your drag when they make their first run for cover. They're structure-oriented fish, so we target them around docks, bridges, and artificial reefs. Spring through fall is prime time, and the 14-18 inch fish we typically see are perfect for the dinner table. The key is getting your bait down fast before they have time to think about it.
Sea Trout are the bread and butter of Carrabelle's grass flats. These spotted beauties are aggressive feeders and they'll hit everything from live shrimp to soft plastic jigs. They love the shallow grass beds where they ambush baitfish, and the action can be fast and furious when you find a school. The 15-20 inch fish are common, and they're a blast on light tackle. Best fishing is early morning and late afternoon when they're actively feeding.
Redfish are the reason many anglers become obsessed with inshore fishing. These copper-colored bruisers are built like tanks and they fight accordingly. In Carrabelle, you'll find them cruising the shallow flats, tailing in skinny water, or holding around oyster bars and mangrove shorelines. The slot-size fish (18-27 inches) are perfect for keeping, while the oversized bulls provide unforgettable fights. They're year-round residents, but fall and winter often produce the most consistent action.
Tripletail are the wildcards that make every trip interesting. These oddball fish float on their sides near structure, looking like floating debris until you get close enough to see what they really are. They're phenomenal table fare and they put up a surprisingly good fight for their size. You'll typically find them around crab traps, channel markers, and floating grass lines. They're not always around, but when they are, it's like finding a twenty-dollar bill on the sidewalk.
Half-day trips are perfect when you want quality fishing without the full commitment of an all-day charter. You'll get enough time on the water to get into fish, learn some new techniques, and still have part of your day free for other activities. Our guides know these waters inside and out, and they're committed to putting you on fish while showing you a good time. The small group size means personalized attention, and the local knowledge means you're fishing the right spots at the right times. Ready to get your line wet in some of Florida's most productive inshore waters? Give us a call and let's get you set up for a morning you won't forget.
This 2020 Carolina Skiff is built tough for Carrabelle's inshore waters where redfish and snapper are waiting. At 21 feet with a reliable 140HP Suzuki outboard, she'll get your group of up to 6 anglers to the best fishing spots quickly, cruising at 40 knots when needed. The GPS keeps us on course while the fish finder helps locate schools and structure below. Whether you're working the grass flats for reds or dropping lines near structure for snapper, this skiff handles shallow water with ease and provides a stable platform for casting and fighting fish. Built for Florida's coastal conditions, she's equipped to make your half-day trip productive and comfortable as you target the abundant species that call these waters home.
Centropristis StriataBlack Sea Bass are scrappy fighters that love hanging around structure like wrecks, jetties, and rocky bottoms in 20-120 feet of water. Most run 1-4 pounds, though we occasionally see bigger males pushing 6-8 pounds. They're active from late spring through fall when they move closer to shore. What makes them fun is their aggressive strike and solid fight until they break the surface. They also make excellent table fare with firm white meat. Here's a local trick: when you're fishing structure, drop your bait to the bottom then reel up a foot or two. These guys are opportunistic feeders but you don't want your rig snagged in the rocks. Medium tackle with 20-30 pound line works well, and they'll hit live bait like squid strips or artificial jigs.
Lutjanus GriseusGrey Snapper, also called Mangrove Snapper, are smart fish that'll test your patience. They typically run 1-3 pounds inshore, with their copper-red coloring and that distinctive dark stripe through the eye. You'll find them around docks, mangroves, and any structure they can use for cover in shallow to moderate depths. They're most active at night and during moving tides. What guests love is the challenge - these fish are picky and the fight they put up once hooked. Plus, they're some of the best eating around with sweet, flaky white meat. My go-to technique is letting live shrimp sink to the bottom near structure, then barely lifting it off. Don't move it too much - they're opportunistic but spook easily. Once you feel that tap, give them a second before setting the hook.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the crown jewel of our shallow water fishing. These copper-colored bruisers with their signature black spots near the tail typically run 20-35 inches and fight way above their weight class. You'll find them in 1-4 feet of water around oyster bars, grass flats, and mangrove shorelines. They're active year-round here, but spring and fall provide the most consistent action. What guests love is watching them cruise the shallows with their backs out of water, plus that explosive strike when they take your bait. They're also excellent eating with firm, mild meat. My local secret: look for nervous water or mullet jumping - that usually means reds are feeding underneath. Cast past them and work your bait back slowly. They'll eat live shrimp, but artificial lures like gold spoons work great too.
Salmo TruttaSpotted Sea Trout are a staple of our inshore fishing, running 14-24 inches and typically 1-5 pounds. These silvery fish with black spots love grass flats and shallow water, especially at night or early morning. Spring through fall offers the best action when they're feeding actively on shrimp, small crabs, and baitfish. What makes them popular with guests is their willingness to hit artificial lures and their excellent table fare - mild, flaky white meat that's perfect for the dinner table. They're not the strongest fighters but make up for it in numbers and eating quality. Pro tip from these waters: work your lure slowly over the grass beds during low light conditions. They'll often follow before striking, so keep your retrieve steady and be ready when they commit.
Lobotes SurinamensisTripletail are one of our most unique catches - weird-looking fish that float on their sides near the surface, mimicking debris. They average 2-13 pounds with a bulky, mottled body and three fins that look like tails. Summer through early fall is prime time when they're most active in our nearshore waters. You'll spot them around weed lines, floating debris, or just cruising near the surface. What makes them special is their acrobatic fight and excellent table fare that tastes similar to grouper or snapper. They're also perfect for sight fishing, which adds excitement. Here's the key: when you spot one, don't cast directly at it - they spook easily. Cast well beyond and slowly work your bait or lure past them. Live shrimp or crab patterns work best, and be patient - they'll ambush when ready.
4.8 out of 5.0
Great trip. Tim and crew were great. And yes we caught fish.
Carrabelle