Top-Rated Apalachicola Fishing | St. George Island

Published Date: July 17, 2025
Fishing

St. George Island
$400 - $850 price range

Summary

Ready for some top-notch inshore fishing in the Sunshine State? Join Catch The Most Charters for a six-hour adventure off St. George Island, Florida. You'll be targeting a variety of species including Spotted Seatrout, Flounder, Sheepshead, Tripletail, and the prized Redfish. If you're lucky and the season's right, you might even land a Red Snapper! This trip is great for all skill levels, from beginners to seasoned anglers. The experienced guides know these waters like the back of their hand and will put you on the fish. Bring along your favorite snacks, drinks, and don't forget the sunscreen – Florida's sun can be intense out on the water. With room for up to six guests, it's perfect for a day out with family or friends. Whether you're after a relaxed day of casting or looking to fill the cooler, you're in for a good time with Catch The Most Charters.

Top-Rated Apalachicola Fishing | St. George Island

Reels and Rods

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Kid Hooked a Shark in Apalachicola, FL

A redfish measuring 16 inches caught while fishing in Apalachicola

Top Apalachicola, FL Inshore Fishing Charter

Apalachicola, FL Offshore Run

Reel in the Big One: Apalachicola Charter Fishing

Get ready to wet a line in some of the most productive inshore waters Florida has to offer. Our Apalachicola Charter Fishing trip takes you right to where the fish are biting off St. George Island. With six full hours on the water, you'll have plenty of time to target a variety of species and maybe even land that trophy catch you've been dreaming about. Whether you're a seasoned angler or it's your first time holding a rod, our expert guides know just how to put you on the fish and make sure you have a blast doing it.

What to Expect on the Water

As soon as we push off from the dock, you'll feel the excitement building. Our captains know these waters like the back of their hand, and they're always up on the latest hot spots. We'll cruise through the pristine estuaries and flats around St. George Island, keeping an eye out for tell-tale signs of fish activity. Depending on the season and what's running, we might start by drifting some live bait for Spotted Seatrout or work the oyster bars for Redfish. If the Flounder are in, we'll break out the jigs and work the bottom. And don't be surprised if we spot some Tripletail lounging near the surface – they're a local favorite and put up one heck of a fight!

Rigs and Techniques

On this trip, we use a mix of light tackle and live bait rigs to give you the best shot at hooking up. Our go-to setup is usually a 7-foot medium action rod paired with a quality spinning reel. We'll rig up with everything from popping corks for trout to bottom rigs for sheepshead. If you're new to inshore fishing, don't worry – our guides will walk you through each technique. We might do some sight fishing for tailing reds in the shallows or work deeper channels for bigger fish. And if the Red Snapper are in season and willing to play, we've got the heavy gear to bring 'em up. Just remember, it's all about reading the water and adjusting your approach, so stay flexible and listen to your guide's tips.

Top Catches This Season

The inshore bite around St. George Island has been on fire lately. Anglers have been limiting out on Spotted Seatrout, with some real gators in the mix. The Redfish action has been steady, especially around the oyster bars and grass flats. We've seen some monster Sheepshead pulled from the pilings, and the Flounder fishing has been picking up as we move into their prime season. A few lucky guests even managed to hook into some Red Snapper on days when we ventured a bit further out. Remember, every trip is different, but that's the beauty of fishing – you never know what might end up on the end of your line!

Species You'll Want to Hook

Spotted Seatrout: These speckled beauties are a staple of inshore fishing in Apalachicola. Known for their distinctive spots and delicate flavor, Spotted Seatrout can be found year-round but really turn on in the spring and fall. They love to ambush bait in grassy areas and around oyster bars. When you hook one, get ready for some acrobatics – they're known for their spectacular jumps and head shakes.

Redfish: Also called Red Drum, these copper-colored brutes are the bulldogs of the flats. They put up a great fight and can grow to impressive sizes. Look for their signature tail fin breaking the surface as they root around in shallow water for crabs and shrimp. Fall is prime time for Reds, but you can catch them year-round. Nothing beats the thrill of sight-casting to a tailing Redfish in skinny water.

Flounder: Masters of camouflage, Flounder lie in wait on the bottom for unsuspecting prey. They might not look like much, but hook into one and you'll feel the power. We target them with jigs and live bait, working sandy bottoms and drop-offs. The fall run can be spectacular, with big doormat-sized fish moving through. And let's not forget – they're some of the best eating fish in the sea.

Sheepshead: With their distinctive black and white stripes and teeth that look like they belong in a dentist's office, Sheepshead are a unique target. They're notorious bait stealers, so finesse is key. We find them around structures like pilings and reefs, where they feed on barnacles and crustaceans. Winter is prime Sheepshead season, and they put up a surprisingly good fight for their size.

Tripletail: These odd-looking fish are a real treat to catch. They often float near the surface, mimicking debris, which makes for some exciting sight fishing opportunities. Tripletail show up in the warmer months and can be found around buoys, markers, and floating structure. They're hard fighters and absolutely delicious on the plate.

Red Snapper: While we primarily focus inshore, when conditions are right and regulations allow, we might venture out for some Red Snapper action. These deep-water denizens are known for their fierce fights and excellent table fare. The season is limited, but when it's on, it's some of the most exciting fishing you can experience in the Gulf.

Why Anglers Keep Coming Back

There's something special about fishing the waters around St. George Island that keeps folks coming back year after year. Maybe it's the thrill of watching a big red crush a topwater lure in skinny water. Or the satisfaction of outsmarting a wily old trout. Could be the way the sun paints the sky as it sets over the bay after a full day of fishing. Whatever it is, once you experience it, you'll be hooked. Our guests often tell us that their trip with Catch The Most Charters wasn't just about the fish – it was about the memories made, the skills learned, and the connection to nature that you just can't get anywhere else.

Time to Book Your Spot

If you're itching to get out on the water and experience some of the best inshore fishing the Forgotten Coast has to offer, now's the time to lock in your date. Our Apalachicola Charter Fishing trips fill up fast, especially during peak seasons. Whether you're looking to fill the cooler with some tasty fillets or just want to enjoy a day on the water with family and friends, we've got you covered. Remember, we can accommodate up to four guests, so grab your fishing buddies and get ready for a day you won't forget. Don't forget to pack some snacks, drinks, and sun protection – we'll take care of the rest. Give us a call or book online today, and let's get you on the fish!

Learn more about the species

Goliath Grouper

Goliath Grouper live up to their name - these massive fish can grow over 8 feet long and weigh up to 800 pounds. You'll find them lurking around reefs, shipwrecks, and other structures in waters up to 150 feet deep. They're ambush predators, gulping down everything from crustaceans to smaller fish. Goliaths are catch-and-release only these days, but hooking into one is an experience you won't forget. Use super heavy tackle - we're talking 80-wide reels and 600-pound test line. Big live baits like jack crevalle work well. Be ready for an intense, but usually short fight. These fish will try to dive straight back into their hidey-hole, so you've got to turn them quick. A local trick is to "bounce" your bait off the bottom to get their attention. Just remember, they're protected, so handle with care and release quickly.

Red Snapper

Red Snapper are prized catches in our local waters, usually hanging out near reefs and structures 30 to 600 feet deep. These fish can grow up to 3 feet long and weigh over 30 pounds, though most we catch are in the 1-2 foot range. They put up a great fight and taste delicious, with a mild, slightly sweet flavor. Spring through fall is prime time for Red Snapper, with spawning season from May to October. To land one, use heavy tackle and bait like cigar minnows, squid, or live pinfish. Drop your line right to the bottom where these fish like to hide. Red Snapper are smart and will try to break you off in the structure, so be ready for a battle. A local tip: chum the water to get them feeding, then present your bait naturally in the chum slick. It's a thrill when you hook into one of these hard-fighting, great-eating fish.

Redfish

Redfish, or Red Drum, are one of our most popular inshore species. They're easy to spot with that copper-red color and black spot near the tail. Most "slot" reds run 18-27 inches and 3-8 pounds, but bull reds can top 40 inches and 50 pounds. You'll find them in super shallow water - sometimes with their backs out of the water - around oyster bars, grass flats, and mangroves. They feed by smell, so live or cut bait works great, but they'll also hit artificial lures. Redfish put up a stubborn fight, often making several strong runs. They're most active in the fall when they school up to spawn. Here's a local trick: look for "tailing" reds in shallow water, their tails sticking up as they root for crabs in the bottom. Sight-casting to these fish is a rush. Redfish are fun to catch and make excellent table fare - firm, mild, and versatile for cooking.

Sea Trout

Sea Trout, also called Speckled Trout, are a favorite inshore target here. They're sleek, silvery fish with distinctive spots and usually run 1-5 pounds, though some gators can top 10. You'll find them in grass flats, around oyster bars, and near drop-offs, often in just a few feet of water. They're most active at dawn and dusk, especially on moving tides. Sea Trout put up a good fight on light tackle and taste great on the grill. Live shrimp under a popping cork is a classic setup, but artificial lures like soft plastics and topwater plugs work well too. These fish have soft mouths, so go easy on the hookset. A local tip: look for slicks on the water's surface - that's often a sign of feeding trout. They're fun to catch and make for some fine eating, just don't overcook 'em or they'll get mushy.

Sheepshead

Sheepshead are crafty little thieves, famous for their human-like teeth and bait-stealing skills. You'll find them around pilings, jetties, and oyster bars, using those chompers to scrape off barnacles and crabs. They typically run 1-8 pounds, but can get up to 20. Spring is prime time when they gather to spawn. Sheepshead are a blast to catch and make great table fare, but they can be tricky. Use light tackle, small sharp hooks, and natural baits like fiddler crabs or oysters. The bite is super subtle - you might just feel a little "tick." Set the hook fast and firm, or they'll strip your bait clean off. Here's a local secret: scrape some barnacles off the pilings to chum them up. It'll bring them in and get them feeding. Once you figure out their tricks, you'll be hooked on sheepshead fishing.

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