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Premier 6-Hour Inshore Fishing in Pensacola
- Published Date: July 17, 2025
- Fishing
- Pensacola
- $500 - $700 price range
- Updated Date: October 3, 2025
Summary
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Pensacola's Finest Catches
Family Fishing Trips Pensacola
Night Fishing Trips Pensacola
Pensacola Red Fish Action
Trophy Red fish Fishing Pensacola
Exciting night on the water! Multiple techniques paid off with a nice mixed bag.
Smiles And Big Red Fish in Pensacola.
Day time Red Fish Action
Flounder Action in Pensacola
Family Fishing Trips Pensacola
Night Fishing Trips Pensacola
Pensacola Red Fish Action
Trophy Red fish Fishing Pensacola
Exciting night on the water! Multiple techniques paid off with a nice mixed bag.
Smiles And Big Red Fish in Pensacola.
Day time Red Fish Action
Flounder Action in Pensacola
Family Fishing Trips Pensacola
Night Fishing Trips Pensacola
Pensacola Red Fish Action
Trophy Red fish Fishing Pensacola
Extended Half Day Fishing: Pensacola's Hidden Gems
Ready to wet a line in some of Florida's most productive inshore waters? Captain Jamie's got you covered with this 6-hour morning trip that'll have you casting before the roosters crow. Whether you're chasing redfish in the grass flats or sight-fishing for speckled trout, this extended half-day gives you the time to really dial in your technique and put some serious fish in the cooler. And the best part? You'll be back in time for lunch with your catch of the day!
What to Expect on the Water
We'll meet up at the dock at 8 AM sharp, just as the sun's starting to peek over the horizon. After a quick safety rundown, we'll head out to some of Captain Jamie's favorite honey holes. This isn't your average half-day trip - with 6 full hours on the water, we've got time to really explore and find where the fish are biting. We'll hit a mix of spots, from oyster bars to deep channels, giving you a chance to tangle with a variety of species. And don't worry if you're new to inshore fishing - Captain Jamie's got a knack for teaching and will have you casting like a pro in no time.
Techniques & Tactics
On this trip, we'll be using a mix of live bait and artificial lures, depending on what's working best that day. We might start off throwing topwater plugs for some explosive redfish action, then switch to jigging soft plastics for trout as the sun gets higher. If the bite's tough, we might even break out the popping corks - a Pensacola staple that's deadly on just about everything that swims. And here's a local tip: keep an eye out for diving birds. That often means there's a school of jack crevalle busting bait on the surface - hang on tight if you hook into one of those bruisers!
Species You'll Want to Hook
Redfish: These copper-colored bulldogs are the crown jewel of inshore fishing in Pensacola. They love to hang around structure, so we'll be targeting docks, oyster bars, and grass flats. The "slot" size (18-27 inches) puts up an awesome fight and makes for some fantastic table fare. But don't be surprised if we hook into an oversize bull red - anything over 30 inches and you're in for the battle of your life!
Speckled Trout: Also known as spotted seatrout, these guys are the bread and butter of Pensacola inshore fishing. They're aggressive feeders and will hit just about any lure you throw their way. We'll look for them around grass flats and deeper holes, especially during tide changes. The bigger ones, called "gator trout," can top 5 pounds and put up one heck of a fight on light tackle.
Black Drum: Often overlooked, black drum can be a blast to catch. They love hanging around structure and will eagerly take a live shrimp or crab. The smaller ones (under 15 pounds) are excellent eating, with sweet, white meat that's perfect for blackening. And if we're lucky, we might run into a big bruiser - they can grow over 100 pounds!
Grey Snapper: These crafty fish, also known as mangrove snapper, are some of the tastiest in the bay. They're structure-oriented and love to hang around docks, bridges, and reefs. We'll need to use light leaders and small hooks to fool these guys - they can be pretty finicky. But once you get the hang of it, you can fill the cooler in no time.
Crevalle Jack: Hold onto your rod when one of these freight trains hits! Jacks aren't known for their table quality, but pound-for-pound, they're some of the hardest fighting fish in the bay. We'll look for them busting bait on the surface - if you see a frenzy of splashing, get ready for some serious action.
Why Anglers Keep Coming Back
There's something special about fishing the inshore waters of Pensacola. Maybe it's the way the sun paints the sky as we're heading out, or the thrill of watching a redfish tail in skinny water. Could be the satisfaction of learning new techniques from Captain Jamie, or just the pure fun of feeling that tug on the end of your line. Whatever it is, folks tend to get hooked (pun intended) after just one trip. And with the variety of species we target, each outing is a new adventure. You might come for the fishing, but you'll leave with stories, skills, and maybe even a new obsession.
Top Catches This Season
Pensacola's inshore fishing is on fire right now! We've been seeing some monster trout in the 5-6 pound range, hanging around deeper grass edges. The redfish bite has been insane around the docks, especially on the falling tide. And here's a hot tip: the black drum have been stacked up thick around bridge pilings - drop a live shrimp down there and hold on tight! As we move into summer, keep an eye out for those big schools of jack crevalle. They've been showing up earlier than usual this year, and when you find them, it's non-stop action.
Time to Book Your Spot
Listen, I could go on all day about the fishing here in Pensacola, but nothing beats experiencing it firsthand. This extended half-day trip with Captain Jamie is the perfect way to get a real taste of what our inshore waters have to offer. Whether you're a seasoned angler looking to tangle with some big reds or a newbie who's never held a rod, you're in for a treat. And with a 4-person capacity, it's a great option for families or a group of buddies.
So what are you waiting for? The fish are biting, and Captain Jamie's boat is ready to go. Book your spot now and get ready for a morning of rod-bending, drag-screaming action on the waters of Pensacola. Trust me, once you feel that first hit, you'll be hooked for life. See you on the water!
Learn more about the species
Black Drum
Black Drum are the big cousins of redfish, and they can grow huge - I'm talking 90 pounds or more. Most of what we catch inshore are in the 5-30 pound range though. Look for them in shallow, muddy flats and around oyster beds. They love structure, so bridges and pier pilings are good spots too. Spring is prime time when they school up to spawn. Black Drum aren't the prettiest fish, but man, can they pull. It's like hooking a Volkswagen. They're not picky eaters - crabs, shrimp, or cut bait all work well. Here's a tip: if you're after the big ones, use a whole blue crab for bait. Just remember, the bigger drums over 15 pounds tend to be wormy and don't taste as good. The smaller ones though? Some of the best eating fish out there.
Crevalle Jack
Crevalle Jacks are the bulldogs of our inshore waters. They usually run 3-15 pounds, but can get up over 30. Look for them busting bait on the surface - you'll often see birds diving on the commotion. They hang around inlets, beaches, and even up in the bays. Summer and fall are peak seasons. Jacks aren't much for eating, but pound-for-pound, they're some of the hardest fighting fish out there. They'll test your gear and your arms. Fast-moving lures like topwater plugs, spoons, or jigs work great. Here's a local trick: if you see a jack bust bait, cast beyond it and retrieve fast. These guys love the chase and will often hit a lure zipping by. Hold on tight when they do - it's gonna be a wild ride.
Grey Snapper
Grey Snapper, also called Mangrove Snapper, are a staple of inshore fishing here in Pensacola. These copper-red fish typically run 1-3 pounds inshore, but can get up to 20 pounds offshore. Look for them around structure like docks, reefs, and grass flats in 10-30 feet of water. They're most active at dawn and dusk, especially during summer months. Snappers put up a good fight and make excellent table fare with their mild, flaky white meat. To target them, I like using live shrimp on a circle hook. Here's a local tip - thread the shrimp on tail-first to keep it alive longer. Grey Snappers are wary, so use light fluorocarbon leader and let your bait sink naturally. Be ready for a subtle bite - they're notorious bait stealers. Once hooked though, they'll give you a run for your money.
Redfish
Redfish, or Red Drum, are the rock stars of our inshore waters. They typically run 3-10 pounds here, but bulls over 20 pounds aren't uncommon. Look for them tailing in shallow flats, around oyster bars, and near structure in 1-4 feet of water. Fall is prime time when they school up, but you can catch 'em year-round. Reds put up a stubborn fight, often making several strong runs. They're also great eating, with a sweet, mild flavor. Live bait like pinfish or cut mullet works well, but artificial lures are my go-to. Gold spoons, soft plastics, and topwater plugs all produce. Here's a tip: on calm days, cruise the flats and look for their coppery backs or tails breaking the surface. Sight-casting to visible reds is as exciting as it gets.
Sea Trout
Sea Trout, or Speckled Trout as we call 'em, are a favorite target here in Pensacola. They usually run 14-24 inches and 1-5 pounds, though trophy "gator" trout can hit 10 pounds. You'll find them in grassy flats, channels, and around structure in 3-6 feet of water. They're most active at dawn and dusk, especially in fall and spring. Trout put up a good fight with lots of head shakes, and they're excellent eating - mild, flaky white meat. Live shrimp under a popping cork is hard to beat, but artificial lures like soft plastics and topwater plugs work great too. Here's a local tip: on calm mornings, look for subtle surface disturbances. That's often trout feeding on bait. Cast beyond the activity and work your lure through it for some exciting topwater action.
About the Addicted to Scales & Tail
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Vehicle Guest Capacity: 4
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