Expert Guided Inshore Fishing Adventures in Port St Joe
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
4hour morning inshore fishing charter in Port St. Joe watersTarget Redfish, Trout, and Snapper with experienced local guideSmall group experience accommodating up to 2 guests maximum
Picture this: You're standing on the deck at sunrise, rod in hand, watching the morning mist lift off St. Joseph Bay's glass-calm waters. That's exactly what you'll get with T-Man's Charters – a solid 4-hour morning fishing trip that puts you right where the fish are feeding. Port St. Joe isn't just another fishing spot on Florida's Gulf Coast; it's where serious anglers come when they want consistent action and multiple species on the same trip. The shallow flats and deeper channels create the perfect storm for some of the best inshore fishing you'll find anywhere.
This isn't your typical crowded party boat experience. With just 2 guests max, you're getting the personal attention every angler deserves. Captain T-Man knows these waters like the back of his hand – every grass flat, every oyster bar, every drop-off where fish like to hang out. You'll start early when the bite is hot, usually around dawn when the water temperature is perfect and the fish are actively feeding. The morning hours are prime time in Port St. Joe, especially during those cooler months when the water clarity is at its best. Don't worry about experience level – whether you're a weekend warrior or someone who's never held a rod, the captain will put you on fish and help you land them. The boat comes equipped with quality tackle, but feel free to bring your own gear if you've got favorites. Most trips focus on the productive flats around St. Joseph Bay and the nearby grass beds where baitfish congregate.
Inshore fishing in Port St. Joe is all about reading the water and adapting your approach. You'll be using light to medium tackle – think 15-20 lb test line that can handle a good fight without spooking fish in the clear, shallow water. Live bait is king here, with shrimp, pinfish, and cut bait being the go-to choices depending on what you're targeting. The captain will set you up with the right rig for the conditions – maybe a popping cork setup over grass beds for trout, or a free-lined shrimp along the mangrove edges for redfish. Artificial lures work great too, especially soft plastics and topwater plugs during the right conditions. You'll learn how to work different structures: drifting over grass flats, anchoring near drop-offs, and sight-casting to cruising fish in the shallows. The technique changes throughout the morning as fish move with the tide and sun position, keeping things interesting and giving you a real education in inshore fishing strategy.
Spanish Mackerel are the speed demons of Port St. Joe's waters, and they put up a fight that'll get your adrenaline pumping. These silver bullets typically run 1-3 pounds and are most active during the warmer months from April through October. They school up around structure and baitfish, making for fast and furious action when you find them. What makes them special is their aggressive strikes – they'll hit spoons, small jigs, and live bait with authority. The best part? Where there's one Spanish Mackerel, there are usually dozens more, so you can often catch multiple fish in quick succession.
Southern Flounder are the masters of disguise, lying flat on sandy bottoms waiting to ambush prey. These flatfish are prized for their excellent table fare and the challenge they present to anglers. Peak season runs from September through November when they're staging for their offshore spawning run. Flounder typically range from 14-20 inches in these waters, with the occasional doormat pushing over 5 pounds. They're structure-oriented fish, so you'll find them around docks, bridge pilings, and channel edges. The strike is often subtle – just a slight tick on the line – which makes them a favorite among anglers who appreciate finesse fishing.
Grey Snapper, also known as mangrove snapper, are the scrappy fighters that keep you honest. These fish are abundant year-round in Port St. Joe but really turn on during the summer months. They average 12-16 inches and are notorious for their wariness and light bites. What makes them exciting is their unpredictability – one minute you're catching them steadily, the next they've gone completely silent. They're structure lovers, hanging around anything that provides cover: docks, rock piles, and grass edges. The reward for your patience is some of the finest eating fish in the Gulf.
Sea Trout are the bread and butter of Port St. Joe inshore fishing, and for good reason. These spotted beauties are active feeders that respond well to both live and artificial baits. Spring and fall are prime times, when water temperatures are in their comfort zone and they're feeding heavily in the grass flats. Trout typically run 14-20 inches here, with the occasional gator trout pushing over 24 inches. They're known for their spectacular strikes on topwater lures, especially during low-light conditions. The fight is steady and determined, and they're excellent table fare when kept within slot limits.
Redfish are the crown jewel of inshore fishing in Port St. Joe, and these copper-colored bruisers will test your tackle and your patience. They're year-round residents but really shine during the fall months when they school up in large numbers. Reds typically range from 18-27 inches in the slot, with oversized fish over 27 inches providing trophy experiences. What makes them special is their power – they'll make long runs and use their broad tails to fight you every inch of the way. They're sight-fishing targets in shallow water, cruising the flats with their backs and tails visible, creating heart-pounding opportunities for precise casts.
Port St. Joe's inshore waters offer some of the most consistent and diverse fishing opportunities on Florida's Gulf
Jump aboard our nimble 22' Pathfinder and get ready to chase redfish, trout, and snapper through Port St. Joe's productive inshore waters. This fishing machine packs a 150HP Yamaha that'll cruise you to the hotspots at 40 knots, while the 10-foot power pole keeps you locked on structure when the fish are biting. The Minn Kota trolling motor with spot lock lets you hold position over those honey holes without spooking your targets. Navigate the flats and channels with confidence using our GPS system, and locate schools of fish with the onboard fish finder. Whether you're working the grass beds for trout or sight-casting to tailing reds in the shallows, this boat handles it all. Perfect for 2 anglers who want to fish seriously without the crowds.
Lutjanus GriseusGrey snapper, also called mangrove snapper, are smart, structure-loving fish that average 10-14 inches and 1-3 pounds inshore. They hang around docks, rocks, oyster bars, and any cover they can find in our bays and nearshore reefs. Year-round fishing is good, but they're most active during warmer months and around full moons. Guests love them because they're cunning fighters that test your skills and provide some of the finest eating - sweet, white meat that's perfect for any recipe. They're opportunistic feeders but can be picky about presentation. Live shrimp works best, but here's the key: hook it through the tail, not the head, and let it sink naturally to the bottom. Keep movement minimal - these fish are smart and will reject anything that looks suspicious.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are powerful, copper-colored fighters averaging 18-30 inches and 3-15 pounds with distinctive black spots near their tails. They cruise super shallow flats, oyster bars, and grass beds in 1-4 feet of water - sometimes so shallow their backs show above the surface. Year-round fishing is good, but fall and spring offer the most consistent action. Guests love the sight-fishing opportunities and hard fights these fish deliver, plus they make great table fare when kept within slot limits. They'll eat almost anything - crabs, shrimp, mullet, and various lures. Topwater plugs create explosive strikes in shallow water. Here's my best tip: look for "nervous water" or slight wakes in skinny areas, then make long, quiet casts ahead of where you think they're heading.
Salmo TruttaSpotted sea trout are beautiful fish averaging 14-20 inches and 1-3 pounds with distinctive black spots covering their silvery sides. They love grass flats, shallow bays, and soft bottom areas in 2-8 feet of water throughout our region. Spring through fall provides steady action, with dawn and dusk being peak times. These fish are popular because they hit topwater lures with explosive strikes and have tender, flaky white meat that's excellent fried or grilled. They feed on shrimp, small crabs, and baitfish around structure. Artificial lures work great - soft plastics, topwater plugs, and spoons all produce. Local tip: during cooler months, work deeper grass edges slowly with jigs tipped with shrimp. The bigger fish often hold in slightly deeper water where the grass meets sand.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern flounder are flat, bottom-dwelling ambush predators that typically run 15-18 inches and 2-5 pounds in our waters. They bury themselves in sandy or muddy bottoms in shallow bays, grass flats, and around dock pilings waiting to strike. Fall and winter months are prime time when they move through our area heading to deeper water. What makes them special is their unique fighting style and that incredible white, flaky meat - some of the best eating you'll find. Both eyes sit on one side of their head, which always gets folks talking. For best results, drift live mud minnows or shrimp on the bottom using light sinkers. Here's a local trick: when you feel that subtle tap, count to three before setting the hook - they need time to turn the bait around.
Scomberomorus MaculatusSpanish mackerel are fast, aggressive fish that average 1-2 feet and 2-5 pounds in our Gulf waters. You'll spot their silvery bodies with yellow spots as they cruise in schools near the surface around structures, piers, and open flats. Spring through fall offers the best action when water temps warm up. These speedsters put up a solid fight on light tackle and make excellent table fare - mild, flaky meat that grills beautifully. They hit fast-moving lures like spoons and small jigs, plus live bait like shrimp or sardines. My go-to tip: when you see birds diving or bait jumping, get there quick and cast metal spoons through the school. Keep your retrieve fast - these fish love chasing down moving targets.
Port St. Joe, FL