3-Hour Inshore Fishing Charter in Santa Rosa Beach
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Threehour inshore fishing adventure in Choctawhatchee Bay watersTarget redfish, trout, sheepshead, jack crevalle, and flounder speciesProfessional captain cleans and prepares fresh catch for dinner
Looking for some solid fishing action without burning your whole day? This 3-hour inshore charter with South Walton Guide Service hits the sweet spot. We'll get you out on Choctawhatchee Bay where the fish are biting and the scenery doesn't hurt either. Perfect for families, first-timers, or seasoned anglers who want to squeeze in some quality fishing time. Your captain knows these waters like the back of his hand and will have your catch cleaned and ready for the dinner table before you head home. Five anglers max means plenty of room to cast and everyone gets their shots at the fish.
We launch from Santa Rosa Beach and head straight into some of the most productive inshore waters on the Emerald Coast. Choctawhatchee Bay is our playground – a massive estuary system with grass flats, oyster bars, and deeper channels that hold fish year-round. The bay stays protected from rough seas, so even when it's blowing outside, we can still get after them. You'll spend your three hours moving between different spots, targeting whatever's biting best that day. Could be working the grass beds for trout, bouncing baits around structure for sheepshead, or sight-casting to tailing reds in skinny water. Your captain reads the conditions and adjusts the game plan to put you on fish. The boat's rigged with quality tackle, and we provide everything you need – rods, reels, bait, and tackle. Just bring your fishing license, some snacks, and get ready to bend some rods.
We fish light to medium tackle that matches perfectly with our target species. Most of the time we're throwing live shrimp, cut bait, or small artificials depending on what the fish want. For redfish and trout, we'll often work soft plastics or topwater plugs around grass edges and drop-offs. Sheepshead require a different approach – we'll anchor up near structure and use fiddler crabs or barnacles on small hooks. The key is staying quiet and letting them take the bait. Jack crevalle are opportunistic feeders, so when we find a school, we'll throw whatever's handy – they're not picky. Spanish mackerel love fast-moving baits, so we'll troll small spoons or cast jigs when they're around. Your captain handles the technical stuff like reading the depth finder, working the trolling motor, and positioning the boat. Your job is simple – keep your line in the water and stay ready. We use circle hooks for most live bait fishing, which means better hook-ups and easier releases when needed.
Sheepshead are the craftiest fish in the bay, and catching them requires patience and finesse. These black-and-white striped convicts hang around dock pilings, oyster bars, and any hard structure they can find. They're notorious bait stealers with human-like teeth perfect for crushing crabs and barnacles. Best fishing happens during cooler months when they school up for spawning. What makes them special is the fight – they're pure muscle and will test your drag system. Plus, sheepshead are fantastic table fare with firm, white meat that tastes amazing grilled or fried.
Redfish are the poster child of inshore fishing, and Choctawhatchee Bay holds some beautiful fish. These copper-colored bruisers cruise the grass flats and marsh edges looking for crabs, shrimp, and baitfish. You'll know you've hooked one when that distinctive head shake starts and your drag starts singing. They're available year-round but really light up in fall when they school up in massive groups. Reds are built for the shallow water fight – broad tails and powerful shoulders that'll make your arms burn. The slot-sized fish (18-27 inches) are perfect for dinner, while the big bulls over 27 inches make for great photos before release.
Crevalle jack might not win beauty contests, but they'll definitely test your tackle and your arms. These golden torpedoes travel in schools and attack bait with reckless abandon. When you find them, the action gets wild fast – multiple hook-ups, screaming drags, and pure chaos. They're most active during warmer months and love to ambush baitfish in open water. Jacks are pound-for-pound some of the strongest fish you'll tangle with inshore. They're not great eating, but the fight more than makes up for it. Perfect for kids or anyone who wants to feel what a freight train on the end of their line feels like.
Spanish mackerel bring speed and acrobatics to every fight. These sleek predators have razor-sharp teeth and lightning-fast strikes that'll catch you off guard. They show up in spring and fall, often in large schools that create feeding frenzies on the surface. Mackerel love fast-moving baits and will absolutely destroy a small spoon or jig. The fight includes multiple jumps and blistering runs that'll have you questioning your knot-tying skills. They're excellent on the dinner table too – just make sure to ice them down quickly to maintain that delicate flavor.
Bluefish are aggressive predators that bring non-stop action when they're around. These toothy customers travel in schools and feed with serious attitude. You'll often see them pushing baitfish to the surface, creating opportunities for topwater action. Blues are most common during cooler months and will hit almost any bait or lure you throw at them. They fight hard with strong runs and head shakes, and their sharp teeth mean you need a wire leader. Great for smoking or making fish cakes, but they need to be bled and iced immediately for best table quality.
Three hours on Choctawhatchee Bay gives you a real taste of what inshore fishing is all about
This 2006 22-foot Pathfinder bay boat is your ticket to prime fishing spots in Choctawhatchee Bay. With its reliable 200HP Yamaha engine pushing you across the water at up to 45 knots, you'll spend more time with lines in the water and less time getting there. The boat comfortably handles up to 5 anglers, making it perfect for family fishing trips or small groups chasing redfish, trout, and sheepshead around Santa Rosa Beach. The onboard fish finder helps locate those productive spots where the fish are biting, while the GPS keeps you on track to the best inshore waters. When you need to get into shallow areas quietly, the wireless trolling motor lets you sneak up on wary fish without spooking them. After landing your catch, the built-in icebox keeps your fish fresh and your drinks cold during the 3-hour adventure. This proven Pathfinder has been working these waters for years and knows how to handle everything from calm bay fishing to reaching those productive spots where the big ones hide.
Pomatomus SaltatrixBluefish are aggressive predators with attitudes to match their razor-sharp teeth. Most weigh 2-10 pounds with muscular builds and blue-green backs that fade to silver. They roam open water and structure areas, especially when chasing bait schools. Fall and spring migrations bring the best action as they move through our area. Guests love the hard strikes and strong fights - these fish don't give up easy. Smaller blues make excellent table fare with mild, flaky meat when handled properly. They'll hit almost any bait or lure when feeding. Pro tip: when you find feeding birds, get there quick and throw cut bait or shiny lures. Use a wire leader - those teeth will cut through mono in a heartbeat. Handle carefully when bringing them in.
Caranx HipposJack Crevalle are the bulldogs of the bay - pure muscle and attitude packed into a brassy, golden package. Most run 3-8 pounds, but we hook some hefty 15+ pounders that'll test your tackle. They travel in schools and love chasing baitfish around structure, grass flats, and open water. Spring and summer are best when they're actively feeding. What makes them special is that relentless fight - they just don't quit pulling. You'll often find them by watching for bird activity where they're pushing bait to the surface. They're not great table fare, but the action is addictive. Pro tip: when you see birds diving, get there fast and throw anything shiny - spoons, jigs, or topwater plugs. Keep your retrieve fast and aggressive.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the kings of shallow water fishing around here. These copper-colored beauties with distinctive black spots near their tails average 3-10 pounds, though we catch some real bulls pushing 20+ pounds. They love cruising grass flats, oyster bars, and shallow bays in just 1-4 feet of water - sometimes so shallow their backs stick out. Spring through fall are prime time, especially on moving tides. What guests love most is watching them blow up on topwater lures in skinny water - it's pure adrenaline. They fight hard, pulling drag and making long runs. The meat is excellent too - mild and sweet. Here's a local trick: look for nervous baitfish or slight wakes in shallow areas. Cast ahead of the wake and work your lure back slowly.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are one of the smartest fish you'll encounter in these waters. These gray and black striped beauties, often called "convict fish," typically run 1-8 pounds and love hanging around any structure they can find - docks, bridge pilings, and oyster bars. What makes them special are those human-like teeth they use to crush barnacles and crabs. They're notorious bait thieves, so you'll need patience and a quick hook set. Best fishing is during cooler months when they're most active. The meat is absolutely delicious - sweet, white, and flaky - making them worth the effort. Pro tip: get your bait as close to structure as possible and keep it pinned tight on the hook. They'll nibble and try to steal it before committing.
Scomberomorus MaculatusSpanish mackerel are speed demons with razor-sharp teeth and beautiful yellow spots along their silver sides. They typically run 1-3 pounds and 12-20 inches, perfect for light tackle fun. These fish travel in schools near the surface, especially around structure and bait pods. Spring through fall are prime seasons when water temps are right. Kids and beginners love them because they bite aggressively and fight hard for their size. The meat is outstanding - mild, flaky, and perfect for the grill. They're fast swimmers, so quick reflexes help when they hit. Pro tip: troll small spoons or jigs at 4-6 mph around structure. When you hook one, work the area hard - where there's one Spanish mackerel, there's usually a whole school nearby.
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