Half Day AM Inshore Fishing Adventure
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fourhour morning inshore trip targeting trout, redfish, and sheepsheadPerfect for beginners and families with children up to 6 guestsLight tackle fishing in calm waters near Bayou Grande
There's something magical about getting on the water early when the fish are waking up and the Gulf Coast is just coming alive. This top-rated 4-hour morning trip with Twisted Palms Salty Adventures takes you into some of the most productive inshore waters around Bayou Grande and the National Seashore. Whether you're a complete beginner or looking for a relaxed family fishing day, this customer favorite delivers consistent action in calm, protected waters. With light tackle and expert guidance, you'll be targeting everything from feisty Speckled Trout to hard-fighting Redfish while soaking up the best part of the day on the water.
Your morning kicks off in the grass flats around Bayou Grande, where the shallow waters hold plenty of fish and the scenery is pure Gulf Coast gold. Captain adjusts the game plan based on conditions – if the bite's slow on the flats, we'll slide into the back bays or work just inside the jetties where the action picks up. The beauty of this trip is the flexibility and variety. One minute you're sight-casting to tailing Redfish in knee-deep water, the next you're watching kids giggle as they reel in their first Trout on a shrimp. The National Seashore area offers some of the cleanest, most pristine fishing grounds on the coast, and the morning hours mean cooler temps and more active fish. Light tackle keeps the fight fun without wearing out smaller hands, and the protected waters mean everyone stays comfortable even if you're new to being on a boat.
This is all about keeping it simple and effective. We're talking light spinning tackle that anyone can handle – perfect for the whole family. Live shrimp is the go-to bait here, and for good reason. Kids love the instant action when a hungry Pinfish or Trout grabs that shrimp, and it's hands-down the most productive bait in these waters. Depending on what we're seeing, we might switch between popping corks for the grass flats and bottom rigs when we're working structure. The grass flats fishing involves drifting over the shallow areas where Trout and Redfish cruise looking for baitfish and crabs. When conditions call for it, we'll head to deeper pockets in the bays or work the jetty areas where Spanish Mackerel and Pompano patrol. Everything's provided – rods, reels, tackle, and bait – so you just show up ready to fish. The captain handles all the technical stuff while teaching you the basics, making this a world-class learning experience for newcomers.
Redfish are the crown jewel of inshore fishing around here, and these copper-colored fighters put on a show every time. These fish patrol the grass flats year-round, with spring and fall being absolute prime time when they're feeding heavily before and after the spawning runs. What makes Redfish so special is their attitude – they eat aggressively, fight hard, and grow big in these waters. A slot-size Red (16-27 inches) will test your drag and give you a battle you won't forget. They're smart too, often requiring a stealthy approach in the shallow flats where you can actually see them cruising.
Blacktip Sharks bring serious excitement to any inshore trip, especially during warmer months when they move into the shallows to feed and give birth. These sleek predators average 3-5 feet in these waters and are renowned for their spectacular jumps and long runs. What guests love most is the power – even a smaller Blacktip will strip line and get your heart pumping. They're most active during moving tides when baitfish are getting pushed around, making them a trending target for guides who know when and where to find them.
Spanish Mackerel are speed demons that show up in big numbers during spring and fall migrations. These silver bullets rarely exceed 3 pounds but make up for size with pure energy and sharp teeth. They're perfect for kids and beginners because they bite readily and fight above their weight class. Best time to target them is early morning when they're busting bait near the jetties and channel edges. Their firm, white meat makes them a customer favorite for the dinner table too.
Grey Snapper, often called Mangrove Snapper in these parts, are the thinking angler's fish. These wary bottom dwellers require finesse and patience, but reward you with excellent eating and a satisfying fight. They hang around structure year-round but are most active during warmer months when they move into shallower water to spawn. What makes them exciting is the challenge – they're notorious bait stealers that will test your skills and keep you on your toes.
Black Drum are the heavyweights of the inshore scene, with fish over 30 pounds common in these waters. These bottom feeders are most active during cooler months and are famous for their bulldogging fight – they don't jump or run, they just pull straight down with incredible power. Drum fishing requires patience as they're methodical feeders, but hooking into a big one is a best trip memory that lasts forever. They're especially active around structure and during moving tides when crabs and shrimp are on the move.
This half-day morning trip perfectly balances action, education, and pure Gulf Coast fun. Whether you're introducing kids to fishing, looking for a relaxed morning on the water, or want to target multiple species without committing to a full day, this renowned experience delivers. The early start means cooler weather, more active fish, and you're back by lunch with stories to tell and maybe some fish to clean. With Twisted Palms Salty Adventures' expert guidance and these productive waters, you're set up for success from the moment you step aboard. Remember, deposits are non-refundable
Our 27' Tidewater center console is built for productive inshore fishing around Bayou Grande and the National Seashore. Twin 200HP Yamahas get you to the grass flats quickly and quietly, while the spacious deck gives everyone room to cast without tangling lines. Top-shelf Garmin electronics help us locate those trout holes and redfish haunts, plus radar keeps us safe if morning fog rolls in. The center console design means 360° fishing access – no fighting for the best spots. Whether we're working the flats for specks or targeting sheepshead around structure, this boat handles the shallow bay waters with ease. Built-in icebox keeps your catch fresh and drinks cold during the 4-hour trip. Perfect setup for families wanting to introduce kids to Gulf Coast fishing – stable platform, quality gear, and room for up to 6 anglers to learn the ropes in calm, protected waters.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the heavyweights of our inshore waters, with most running 5-15 pounds though we hook monsters over 30 pounds around oyster beds and muddy flats. These dark, powerful fish have crushing jaws designed for eating crabs and oysters, and they'll test your drag when hooked. Look for them in 2-10 feet of water around structure during spring spawning season when they school up and make that distinctive drumming sound. They're most active on moving tides in brackish areas where creeks meet the bay. While the bigger ones are tough eating, keeper-sized drums under 15 pounds have mild, firm meat. The key to drum fishing is getting fresh crab or cut bait right on the bottom - use enough weight to stay put, and when you feel that slow, steady pull, don't horse them or they'll break you off in the structure.
Carcharhinus LimbatusBlacktips are exciting catches that show up around our jetties and deeper grass flats, usually in 6-30 feet of water. These sharks average 3-5 feet but can hit 6+ feet, and you'll know them by those black-tipped fins. They're actually pretty social and tend to get worked up when there's bait around, which makes for some wild action. Summer months bring the best blacktip fishing when they move closer to shore chasing schools of mackerel and sardines. Guests love the fight these sharks put up - they're known for jumping clean out of the water and making long runs. While most folks release them, smaller ones are decent eating. Pro tip: use a heavy braided line and circle hooks, and when you're chumming, throw in some oily fish like sardines to really get their attention.
Lutjanus GriseusGrey snapper, also called mangrove snapper, are some of the smartest fish we target around docks, jetties, and oyster bars. These copper-red fish with the dark eye stripe typically run 10-14 inches inshore, weighing 1-3 pounds, though bigger ones lurk in deeper water. They're structure lovers - any dock piling, rock pile, or mangrove root system will hold them. Night fishing during warmer months is when they really turn on since they're naturally nocturnal feeders. Guests appreciate both the challenge and the reward - they're spooky and require finesse, but the white, flaky meat is restaurant-quality. My best advice: use a 4/0 circle hook with live shrimp hooked through the tail, let it sink to the bottom, then reel up just enough to stay off the structure. Patience is key with these guys.
Sciaenops OcellatusRed drum are what most folks call redfish around here, and they're one of our most popular targets in the shallow waters around Bayou Grande. These copper-colored fish with the distinctive black spot near their tail typically run 18-28 inches inshore, though we occasionally see bigger ones pushing 30+ pounds. They love hanging around oyster bars, grass flats, and anywhere from 1-4 feet deep where they can cruise looking for crabs and shrimp. Spring through fall gives us the best action, especially on moving tides. What makes reds special is their strong, steady fight and excellent table fare - that mild, sweet meat is hard to beat. Here's a local tip: when you see them tailing in skinny water, cast your shrimp or soft plastic well ahead of where they're heading, not right at them.
Scomberomorus MaculatusSpanish mackerel are some of the fastest fish we catch around here, hitting speeds that'll strip line off your reel before you know what happened. These silvery speedsters with yellow spots typically run 1-2 feet long and 2-4 pounds, though we see bigger ones offshore. They school up near the surface around jetties, grass flats, and anywhere baitfish are thick, especially in spring and fall when they're migrating through. What makes them fun is that lightning-fast strike and the way they'll jump and run. Plus, they're outstanding on the table - mild, flaky meat that's perfect grilled or smoked. The trick with Spanish mackerel is using light tackle with shiny spoons or small jigs, and when you find one, there's usually a whole school nearby, so work the area fast.
Pensacola, FL