5.0(6 Reviews)Apalachicola Fishing Charter | 4 Hour Trip
5.0(6 reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Top Rated
Target powerful Tarpon at dawn with expert guide positioningAfternoon sight fishing for elusive Tripletail species includedFourhour inshore charter accommodates up to four guests
Ready to experience some of Florida's most sought-after inshore fishing? Captain Mark's Apalachicola fishing charter delivers exactly what serious anglers are looking for - a solid mix of trophy hunting and non-stop action. This 4-hour adventure starts before dawn targeting the legendary Silver King, then shifts gears for some of the most challenging sight fishing you'll find anywhere along the Gulf Coast. With room for up to 4 anglers, you'll get the personalized attention that makes all the difference between a good day and an epic one. Whether you're a seasoned angler or looking to level up your fishing game, this charter puts you right where the fish are.
Your day kicks off in the pre-dawn darkness when the water's still and the tarpon are most active. Captain Mark positions the boat in prime feeding areas where these massive fish hunt in the early morning hours. You'll be rigged up with swim baits - the go-to choice for enticing tarpon strikes when they're cruising shallow water. The anticipation builds as you watch your sonar and scan the surface for those telltale rolls and crashes that signal feeding fish. Once the sun climbs higher, the game completely changes. You'll transition into sight fishing mode, polarized glasses on, eyes scanning the water for the distinctive shape of tripletail suspended near structure. These fish are masters of disguise, often looking like floating debris until they move. It takes patience and skill to spot them, then even more finesse to present your bait without spooking them. The whole experience runs about 4 hours, giving you plenty of time to master both techniques while soaking up the natural beauty of Apalachicola Bay.
Captain Mark comes equipped with top-tier tackle designed specifically for these target species. For tarpon, you'll be fishing medium-heavy spinning rods paired with reels that can handle long, blistering runs. The swim baits get rigged on circle hooks with enough weight to keep them in the strike zone without dragging bottom. When it's time to switch over to tripletail, the approach gets more surgical. Lighter tackle, smaller baits, and pinpoint casting accuracy become your tools. Live shrimp, small crabs, or perfectly presented artificials work best when these fish are being picky. The sight fishing element means you're often making casts to specific fish you can actually see - talk about exciting! Captain Mark handles boat positioning and provides coaching on reading the water, spotting fish, and timing your presentations. All the gear is included, from rods and reels down to terminal tackle, so you can focus entirely on fishing instead of worrying about equipment.
"What a great day on the water with Capt.Mark! He put us on some tripletail. They sure are fun to reel in! We got a couple flounder on another trip. Capt.Mark is very knowledgeable about the area and he knows where the fish are. Thanks again Capt! Fish on!" - Gloria. "Mark is an excellent guide, we had a great experience and the guide House is a perfect topper. I recommend the entire package. We're going back." - Rusty. "Capt Mark went above and beyond! I recommend him to anybody wanting to catch triple tail and have a great time." - Junior.
Tripletail are hands down one of the most unique fish you'll encounter in these waters. These oddball-looking fish hover around structure like channel markers, crab traps, and floating debris, often lying on their sides at the surface to mimic dead leaves or seaweed. They typically run 3 to 8 pounds, with occasional fish pushing into the teens. Spring through fall offers the best action, with peak numbers showing up during the warmer months. What makes them so appealing to anglers is their combination of wariness and fight - they're incredibly spooky and require precise presentations, but once hooked, they put up a surprisingly strong battle with lots of head shaking and short runs. The sight fishing aspect adds another layer of excitement since you can actually watch the fish decide whether to eat your bait or swim away.
Tarpon fishing in Apalachicola represents some of the best opportunities on the entire Gulf Coast. These silver rockets range from juvenile fish in the 20 to 40-pound class all the way up to massive adults exceeding 100 pounds. Early morning and late afternoon provide prime feeding windows when tarpon move into shallow water to hunt. What sets tarpon apart is their legendary jumping ability - once hooked, they'll often launch themselves completely out of the water multiple times, shaking their heads violently to throw the hook. The fight can last anywhere from 20 minutes to over an hour depending on the fish's size and attitude. Tarpon season runs roughly from April through October, with peak action during the summer months when baitfish populations are at their highest. Landing one of these fish is considered a badge of honor among serious anglers, and the memories last a lifetime.
This charter fills up fast, especially during peak season when both species are most active. Captain Mark's reputation for putting clients on fish speaks for itself, and his local knowledge of Apalachicola's productive waters gives you a serious advantage. The combination of early morning tarpon action and afternoon sight fishing creates a well-rounded day that appeals to different fishing styles and skill levels. Whether you're chasing your first tarpon or looking to add tripletail to your species list, this 4-hour adventure delivers the goods. Don't wait until the last minute - book your trip with Tripletail Charters and get ready for some of the best inshore fishing Florida has to offer.
Your ride for this Apalachicola fishing adventure is our reliable 21-foot Sea Hunt, powered by a strong Yamaha F150 outboard that'll get you to the hotspots quickly and quietly. This boat handles Apalachicola's inshore waters like a dream, whether we're chasing tarpon at first light or hunting tripletail in the afternoon sun. The spacious deck gives all four anglers plenty of room to cast and fight fish without getting tangled up. Our fish finder takes the guesswork out of locating schools, while the GPS keeps us on productive structure and helps navigate the maze of oyster bars and grass flats that make this area so special. The onboard icebox keeps your drinks cold and your catch fresh, plus there's a head for convenience during those longer battles with trophy fish. Built tough for Florida's Gulf Coast conditions, this Sea Hunt cuts through chop smoothly and runs shallow enough to access those back-country spots where the big ones hide.
Megalops AtlanticusTarpon are the ultimate gamefish - silver bullets that can hit 100-200 pounds around here and jump 10 feet when hooked. We target them in shallow bays, channels, and along grass flats, especially at dawn when they're rolling on the surface. Late spring through summer is prime time as they migrate through our waters. These prehistoric fish aren't table fare due to heavy bones, but that's not why you're here. The fight is pure adrenaline - they'll test your drag and your nerves with their speed and aerial displays. Best tip I can share: when they jump, bow to the king by dropping your rod tip toward them. It keeps tension off the line and prevents them from throwing the hook. Patience and a smooth drag are your best friends.
Lobotes SurinamensisTripletail are one of those fish that'll surprise you - they're masters of disguise, floating on their sides to mimic debris or weeds. Around Apalachicola, we find them averaging 2-13 pounds, though they can hit 40+ pounds. These olive-colored fish with their distinctive three-fin tail love hanging around structure and weed lines in 10-50 feet of water. Summer through early fall gives us the best action when water temps stay above 70°F. What makes them special is their acrobatic fight despite that chunky body, plus they're fantastic eating - tastes like snapper or grouper. The key to landing one? Cast past them and work your bait back slowly. They spook easy, so stealth wins the day. Once hooked, watch those razor-sharp gills when handling.
5.0 out of 5.0What a great day on the water with Capt.Mark! He put us on some tripletail. They sure are fun to reel in! We got a couple flounder...
Mark is an excellent guide, we had a great experience and the guide House is a perfect topper. I recommend the entire package. We’...
Rusty Mcilwain, Thank you! You folks were awesome. Looking forward to our next trip.
Capt Mark went above and beyond! I recommend him to anybody wanting to catch triple tail and have a great time.
Junior Pittman, Thank you! You folks were awesome. Looking forward to our next trip.
Capt Mark was great. Prepared, great to get along with, and knows where the fish are. Would fish with him again.
Evan Tucker, Thank you! You folks were awesome. Looking forward to our next trip.i am putting a pi...
Great guide! Family went and had a great time - we will be back!
Caroline Quimby, Thank you! You folks were awesome. Looking forward to our next trip.
Good captain that went above and beyond to put us on fish.
James Knoll, Thank you! You folks were awesome. Looking forward to our next trip.You guys are alwa...
Apalachicola, FL