5.0(4 Reviews)Sunset Inshore Fishing Charter Pensacola
5.0(4 reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Threehour sunset charter targeting redfish, trout, and mangrove snapperFishing starts at Pensacola Pass, moves to Big Lagoon dock lightsAll gear, bait, and licenses included for two anglers
When the afternoon heat starts beating down and most folks are calling it quits, that's when the real magic happens on Pensacola's inshore waters. This 3-hour sunset charter puts you right in the sweet spot – those golden evening hours when the fish start moving and the bite picks up. Captain Jared knows these waters like the back of his hand, and he's built this trip around what actually works here in the Pensacola Pass and Big Lagoon system. You'll start near the pass while there's still good light, then transition to working the dock lights as darkness settles in. It's smart fishing that takes advantage of how these inshore species behave when the sun goes down.
This isn't your typical tourist fishing trip – it's designed around fish behavior and actual conditions. You'll launch in the late afternoon and head straight to productive water around Pensacola Pass, where the current flow and structure create perfect ambush points for redfish and trout. As the sun starts dropping, Captain Jared reads the water and the fish activity to decide the best move. Sometimes that means staying put if the bite is hot, other times it's a quick run to Big Lagoon where the dock lights create feeding opportunities you won't find during daylight hours. The whole experience flows with what's working that evening, not some rigid schedule. All your gear, bait, and fishing licenses are handled – you just need to show up ready to fish. The boat accommodates two anglers comfortably, with additional spots available for $50 per person if you've got a bigger crew wanting in on the action.
Captain Jared runs a clean operation with quality tackle that's perfectly matched to these inshore species. You'll be fishing with light to medium spinning gear that gives you the sensitivity to feel those subtle trout bites while still having enough backbone to turn a bull redfish away from structure. The bait selection changes based on what's working – sometimes it's live shrimp under popping corks in the grass flats, other times it's free-lining pilchards around the dock pilings. When the sun drops and those lights start glowing, the whole game changes. Baitfish get disoriented by the artificial light, which draws in the predators. That's when you might switch to small jigs or even topwater plugs if the fish are aggressive enough. The key is having a captain who knows when to make these transitions and how to position the boat for the best presentation.
"We booked 2 charters with Captain Jared & had an absolute blast!! He was knowledgable, professional, friendly, and determined to make sure everyone had fun & catching fish!! Will definitely fish with him again next time we're in the Pensacola area!!" - Randi
"Went on a trip with captain Jared I caught a giant shark and a limit of snapper Jared knew all the good spots and had everything ready and clean for us" - Karly
"After being on a boat with captain Jared for hours I can honestly say this is a great guy that hands down knows how to catch just about anything. He goes into detail teaching you how to have best success while your fishing and answers any questions you have. I would recommend to anyone" - Jordan
"Had a great experience with Water Walker Fishing . He is very knowledgeable about fishing in the area. Caught so many fish that I was worn out! My wife even caught her very first fish. We even saw a dolphin! He has a great personality and made our trip memorable!" - Steve
Redfish are the bread and butter of Pensacola's inshore scene, and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers average 18-27 inches in these waters, with plenty of slot fish that'll give you a real fight on light tackle. They love the grass flats around Big Lagoon, especially when the water's moving during tide changes. Reds are ambush predators that cruise the shallows looking for crabs and baitfish, and they'll absolutely crush a well-presented shrimp or small paddle tail. What makes them special here is how they use the structure – you'll find them tucked up against dock pilings, cruising oyster bars, or tailing in the skinny water when conditions are right. They fight dirty too, using their broad shoulders and that famous red drum power to test your drag and your patience.
Spotted Seatrout are the finesse fish that keep things interesting on this charter. These silvery speedsters are abundant in Pensacola's grass beds, where they hunt in small schools during the cooler evening hours. Most of the trout you'll encounter run 14-20 inches, with the occasional gator trout pushing over 25 inches and really making your day. They're incredibly structure-oriented, relating to grass edges, sand holes, and drop-offs where they can pin baitfish against the bottom. Trout have soft mouths, so the fight is more about finesse than raw power, but they make up for it with aggressive strikes and acrobatic jumps. The evening bite is when they really turn on, especially around lighted docks where glass minnows and small shrimp concentrate.
Grey Snapper, or mangrove snapper as most locals call them, add some bottom fishing variety to the mix. These scrappy fighters typically run 12-16 inches in the inshore waters, though bigger ones lurk around the deeper structure near the pass. They're curious fish with excellent eyesight, which makes them fun to target but challenging to fool. Mangrove snapper love live bait, especially small pinfish or shrimp, and they're notorious for testing your patience with subtle nibbles before committing to a real bite. When you hook one, they make a beeline for the nearest structure
Step aboard the Water Walker, a reliable 25ft Robalo that's built for serious inshore fishing around Pensacola's waters. This 2018 motorboat packs a Yamaha 300HP engine that'll get you from Pensacola Pass to the productive dock lights of Big Lagoon with ease. The onboard GPS keeps you on course while the fish finder helps locate those redfish and spotted seatrout hiding in the shallows. With room for up to 6 anglers and a live bait tank to keep your bait fresh, this boat handles both the evening bite and changing tide conditions. Whether you're casting around grass flats or working structure for mangrove snapper, the Water Walker's shallow draft design lets you access those productive backwater spots where the fish are biting.
Lutjanus GriseusMangrove Snapper are smart, cautious fish that'll test your patience. They typically run 1-3 pounds inshore around Pensacola, with that beautiful greyish-red color and dark eye stripe. You'll find them hanging around structure - docks, piers, mangroves, and rocky bottom. They're most active at night, which makes our sunset trips perfect timing. These fish are notorious for being picky eaters and quick to spook, so keeping your bait still is key. What makes them worth targeting is their excellent table fare - white, flaky meat that's hard to beat. My tip: once your bait hits bottom, lift it just a foot or so and let it sit. Too much movement and they'll swim away. When you feel that tap, give them a second to take it before setting the hook.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the heart-pounding stars of our inshore fishing. These copper-colored bruisers typically run 18-32 inches around Pensacola, with that signature black spot near their tail. They love super shallow water - sometimes so shallow their backs stick out. You'll find them cruising grass flats, oyster bars, and marsh edges in 1-4 feet of water. What makes them special is their power - they'll make long, bulldogging runs that'll test your drag. Plus they're excellent eating with mild, sweet meat. Evening fishing is prime time since they become more aggressive as it cools down. Pro tip: when you hook one, keep your rod tip up and let them run. Try to muscle them in and they'll either break you off or throw the hook.
Salmo TruttaSpotted Seatrout, or "specks" as we call them, are beautiful fish with distinctive black spots scattered across their silver sides. Most run 14-18 inches around here, though we catch some nice ones up to 24 inches. They love grass flats in 2-6 feet of water and become much more active as the sun goes down. During our evening trips, they'll move up shallow to feed under dock lights where baitfish gather. Trout have soft mouths, so they're great for lighter tackle and provide a fun fight without being too aggressive for beginners. The meat is excellent - white and flaky but delicate. Here's the key: don't horse them in. Keep steady pressure but let your drag do the work, or you'll pull the hook right through their soft mouth.
5.0 out of 5.0We booked 2 charters with Captain Jared & had an absolute blast!! He was knowledgable, professional, friendly, and determined to m...
Went on a trip with captain Jared I caught a giant shark and a limit of snapper Jared knew all the good spots and had everything r...
After being on a boat with captain Jared for hours I can honestly say this is a great guy that hands down knows how to catch just ...
Had a great experience with Water Walker Fishing . He is very knowledgeable about fishing in the area. Caught so many fish that I ...
Pensacola, FL