Inshore Fishing - Apalachicola or St. George Island
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Professional Captain Allan guides inshore fishing adventuresTarget multiple fish species using varied fishing techniquesSmall group experience with maximum 4 guests aboard
Picture this: you're casting into crystal-clear waters where the Apalachicola River meets the Gulf of Mexico, with Captain Allan pointing out productive grass flats and oyster bars that hold trophy fish year-round. This top-rated inshore fishing experience puts you right in the heart of Florida's Forgotten Coast, where pristine waters and abundant baitfish create some of the state's best shallow-water angling opportunities. With room for up to four anglers, you'll have plenty of space to spread out and work different techniques while targeting multiple species in a single trip.
Captain Allan runs a professional operation that focuses on putting fish in the boat while teaching you the nuances of inshore fishing along Florida's Big Bend. You'll launch from either Apalachicola Bay or the protected waters around St. George Island, depending on conditions and where the fish are biting best. The shallow grass flats, creek mouths, and structure around both areas offer diverse fishing opportunities that change with the tides and seasons. Expect to move between several productive spots throughout the day, with Captain Allan reading the water and adjusting tactics based on what's working. The boat is equipped with quality rods and reels, though you're welcome to bring your own gear if you prefer. Most trips involve a mix of sight fishing, bottom fishing, and working artificial lures around structure where predator fish ambush baitfish.
This isn't your typical dock fishing trip - you'll learn proven inshore techniques that work specifically in these waters. Captain Allan runs light to medium tackle that's perfect for the species you'll encounter, typically 15-20 lb test that gives you enough backbone for bigger redfish and black drum while still being sporting for pompano and Spanish mackerel. Expect to throw everything from live shrimp under popping corks to gold spoons and soft plastic jigs depending on conditions. The grass flats around St. George Island are perfect for sight fishing with topwater plugs early in the morning, while the deeper channels and oyster bars near Apalachicola produce well with bottom rigs and live bait. You'll also learn how to read the water for subtle signs like nervous baitfish, color changes, and current breaks that hold fish. Captain Allan carries a selection of terminal tackle and knows which presentations work best for each target species throughout the seasons.
Redfish are the bread and butter of inshore fishing here, and for good reason. These copper-colored fighters patrol the shallow grass flats and oyster bars year-round, with fish ranging from 18-inch "slot reds" perfect for the dinner table to bull reds pushing 30+ pounds that'll test your drag system. Fall and winter months produce the biggest fish, while spring and summer offer more consistent action with schooling reds. What makes redfish so exciting is their willingness to eat everything from live shrimp to topwater plugs, plus they put up a sustained fight that'll have your arms burning.
Florida Pompano are considered by many to be the best eating fish in these waters, and they're a customer favorite for their acrobatic fights and beautiful silver flanks. These disc-shaped speedsters prefer sandy bottoms near grass edges and structure, typically in 3-8 feet of water. Spring through fall offers the best pompano action, with peak fishing during their spawning runs in late spring. They're notorious for their soft bite, so you'll need to stay alert, but once hooked they'll make blistering runs and jump repeatedly. Most fish run 1-3 pounds, but the occasional "jumbo" pompano over 4 pounds will really get your heart pumping.
Southern Flounder are master ambush predators that lie buried in sand and mud waiting for unsuspecting prey to swim by. These flatfish are abundant around creek mouths, channel edges, and anywhere current creates feeding opportunities. Fall is prime time for "doormat" flounder as they fatten up before their offshore spawning migration, with fish over 20 inches being common. What's exciting about flounder fishing is the sudden, aggressive strike followed by a determined fight as they try to reach bottom structure. They're also outstanding table fare, making them a prized catch for anglers who like to eat what they catch.
Spanish Mackerel bring non-stop action when they're around, typically from spring through fall when baitfish schools attract these aggressive predators. These sleek speedsters average 1-3 pounds and are known for their lightning-fast runs and aerial displays. They're perfect for light tackle fishing and will hit everything from small spoons to live shrimp. What makes Spanish mackerel so fun is their willingness to bite and their schooling behavior - when you find one, you'll usually find many more. They're also excellent smoked or grilled fresh.
Black Drum are the heavyweights of the inshore scene, with fish commonly reaching 20-40 pounds around the deeper oyster bars and channel edges. These powerful fish are year-round residents but fish best during cooler months when they move into shallower waters to feed. What makes black drum special is their incredible pulling power - they won't jump like a tarpon, but they'll make long, sustained runs that'll test your equipment and technique. Larger fish are typically released, but smaller "puppy drum" in the 5-15 pound range are excellent eating and provide outstanding sport on medium tackle.
Captain Allan's inshore fishing trips consistently rank among the best fishing experiences on Florida's Forgotten Coast, combining productive fishing with hands-on instruction that'll make you a better angler. Whether you're a seasoned saltwater fisherman looking to learn new waters or a beginner wanting to experience world-class inshore fishing, this trip delivers the goods. The pristine waters around Apalachicola and St. George Island offer year-round fishing opportunities with multiple species, scenic surroundings, and the kind of
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the bread and butter of our shallow water fishing here around Apalachicola Bay. These copper-colored beauties with their distinctive black spots near the tail typically run 18-28 inches, though we see plenty of slot fish and some real bulls pushing 40+ inches. They love cruising oyster bars, grass flats, and creek mouths in 1-4 feet of water - sometimes so shallow their backs stick out. Fall and spring offer the best action when they school up to feed. What makes them special is that explosive strike and bulldogging fight, plus they're excellent table fare. The key trick I share with guests: when you spot a red tailing in skinny water, cast well ahead of where it's moving and let your bait settle. They spook easy but once hooked, they'll give you a memorable battle.
Scomberomorus MaculatusSpanish mackerel are speed demons that'll test your reflexes and keep the action hot. These sleek, silver fish with yellow spots typically run 1-2 feet long and weigh 2-4 pounds. You'll find schools of them moving through open water around structure, grass flats, and along beaches during warmer months from spring through fall. They're surface feeders, so watch for diving birds or nervous baitfish. What guests love is the nonstop action when you find a school - they hit fast and fight hard with blazing runs. Plus they're great eating when fresh, with mild, flaky meat perfect for the grill. Here's the trick: use small, fast-moving lures like spoons or jigs, and keep them moving. Once you hook one, quickly get another line in the water because where there's one Spanish, there's usually a whole school nearby.
Paralichthys LethostigmaFlounder are the masters of disguise on our muddy and sandy bottoms. These flat, oval-shaped fish with both eyes on their left side typically range 15-18 inches, though we catch some nice doormat-sized ones pushing 5+ pounds. They bury themselves in soft bottom around creek mouths, oyster bars, and deeper holes in 3-15 feet of water. Fall migration time from September through November is prime season when they move toward passes heading offshore. Guests enjoy the challenge of sight fishing for them and they make excellent table fare with that sweet, flaky white meat. The fight's not much to speak of, but finding them is the real skill. Pro tip: look for their outline in the sand or mud, and when drifting, bounce your bait right along the bottom using live mullet or bull minnows on a Carolina rig.
Trachinotus CarolinusPompano are pure gold in these waters - both in color and value on the dinner table. These silvery, compressed fish with bright yellow fins typically run 12-15 inches and 1-3 pounds, though we occasionally land some nice 5+ pounders. They cruise the surf zones and sandy flats near St. George Island, feeding on crabs and mollusks in the wash. Summer and fall are prime time when they move through in schools. What guests love is their reputation as one of the finest eating fish in the Gulf - that buttery, sweet meat commands top dollar in restaurants. They're scrappy fighters too, being part of the jack family. My go-to tip: use small hooks with live sand fleas or small jigs in bright colors like orange or yellow. Keep your bait moving along the bottom where they're rooting around for food.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the heavyweights of the inshore scene, and they'll give you an arm-burning fight. These chunky, dark-colored fish with chin whiskers typically range 5-30 pounds, though we catch some real bruisers over 40 pounds. They hang around oyster bars, muddy flats, and creek mouths where they can crush crabs and shellfish with their powerful jaws. Spring spawning season from March through May is prime time when they school up and make those distinctive drumming sounds. Guests love the challenge of targeting these bottom-dwellers and the strong, steady fight they put up. Smaller ones under 15 pounds are excellent eating, but the big ones get tough and stringy. My best advice: use fresh crab or cut mullet on the bottom with enough weight to stay put. Listen for their drumming - when you hear that sound, you know you're on fish.
Apalachicola, FL