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Top-Rated 4-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 Inshore Catches
Reeled in a big one!
Reeled in a beauty on the water today!
Peaceful day on the lake, with a few good catches.
A peaceful day of fishing on the lake.
Battling the Spotted Weakfish on a partly cloudy day - a fishing adventure to remember!
A fantastic catch of a beautiful 18-inch Redfish!
Spent a peaceful day on the water.
Relaxing day on the water.
Reeling in the big one out on the water.
Reeled in a nice one on the water today!
Reeled in a big one!
Reeled in a beauty on the water today!
Peaceful day on the lake, with a few good catches.
A peaceful day of fishing on the lake.
Battling the Spotted Weakfish on a partly cloudy day - a fishing adventure to remember!
A fantastic catch of a beautiful 18-inch Redfish!
Spent a peaceful day on the water.
Relaxing day on the water.
Reeling in the big one out on the water.
Reeled in a nice one on the water today!
Reeled in a big one!
Reeled in a beauty on the water today!
Peaceful day on the lake, with a few good catches.
A peaceful day of fishing on the lake.
Half Day Morning Inshore Fishing in Pensacola
Ready to kick off your day with some rod-bending action in Pensacola's inshore waters? Captain Jamie's got you covered with this 4-hour morning trip that'll have you chasing reds and specks before lunch. Whether you're a seasoned angler or just looking to wet a line with the family, this trip's perfect for getting a taste of what Pensacola fishing's all about.
Trip Overview
Rise and shine, anglers! We're hitting the water at 8 AM sharp, so grab your coffee and let's go fishing. This half-day trip is all about targeting the local favorites - redfish and sea trout. But don't be surprised if we tangle with some black drum, crevalle jacks, or even some tasty grey snapper along the way. With room for up to 4 guests, it's ideal for small groups or families looking to make some memories on the water. The best part? Captain Jamie's got all the gear you need, and you can leave that fishing license at home - we've got you covered.
What to Expect on the Water
Once we push off from the dock, we'll be cruising through Pensacola's rich inshore waters. Expect to fish around grass flats, oyster beds, and maybe even some dock structures - wherever the fish are biting. We'll be using light tackle, perfect for feeling every nibble and head shake. Might throw some live bait, or if the fish are fired up, we could sling some artificial lures. Captain Jamie's always got a few tricks up his sleeve to put you on the fish. And hey, if you're new to this, no worries - he'll show you the ropes and have you casting like a pro in no time.
Why Anglers Keep Coming Back
"We did a night trip with our two kiddos (7 & 9), the trip was mainly for our 7 year old son and it did not disappoint! He said it was the best night of his life 😂 Captain Hoover was absolutely amazing, so good with the kids and so knowledgeable. We will definitely be booking another trip in the future." - Gabral
"Captain Jamie is 100% Addicted to putting you on the fish. Our trip started slow, but Captain Jamie was patient and used his knowledge of the area and found the fish. My two teenage boys and I had a blast. Will be back to fish with Captain Jamie again." - Rob
"Exceptional Fishing Charter Experience with Captain Jamie! From the moment my husband reached out to Captain Jamie to book our fishing charter, the communication was outstanding. He kept us informed about the weather and even recommended rescheduling to ensure the best experience. Captain Jamie was punctual, well-prepared, and had everything needed for a smooth and enjoyable trip. He made us feel completely welcome on his boat with his great sense of humor, patience, and excellent rapport with kids. His knowledge of fishing was impressive, and he tailored our excursion perfectly—from catching large redfish to finding the perfect fish for our dinner. He truly went the extra mile from start to finish. We highly recommend Captain Jamie with Addicted to Scales and Tails for an unforgettable fishing experience!" - Steve
Species You'll Want to Hook
Let's talk about what's swimming around out there. First up, the redfish - these copper-colored bruisers are the crown jewels of inshore fishing. They'll test your drag and your biceps, often tipping the scales at 20-30 pounds. Reds love to cruise the shallows, and when they're tailing in the grass flats, it's a sight that'll get any angler's heart racing.
Sea trout, or speckled trout as we call 'em, are the bread and butter of inshore fishing. These silvery, spotted beauties are known for their aggressive strikes and tasty fillets. They're ambush predators, so we'll be targeting them around structure and drop-offs. When the bite is on, it's not uncommon to catch dozens in a single spot.
Black drum are the bulldogs of the inshore scene. They might not be the prettiest fish in the sea, but what they lack in looks, they make up for in fight. These bottom-feeders can grow to monster sizes, and even the smaller ones will give you a run for your money.
Crevalle jacks are the speedsters of the inshore waters. If you hook into one of these guys, hold on tight! They're known for blistering runs that'll have your reel singing. They're not great for eating, but for pure pound-for-pound fighting power, they're hard to beat.
Last but not least, we've got the grey snapper, also known as mangrove snapper. These crafty little devils are some of the best-eating fish in the Gulf. They're known for their light bite and quick runs, so staying alert is key. When we find a good snapper hole, it's like hitting the seafood jackpot.
Time to Book Your Spot
Alright, folks, let's wrap this up. A morning on the water with Captain Jamie isn't just a fishing trip - it's a chance to make some serious memories and maybe even put some fresh fish on the dinner table. Whether you're looking to bend a rod with the family or just escape the grind for a few hours, this trip's got you covered. The fish are biting, the boat's ready, and Captain Jamie's itching to put you on some keepers. So what are you waiting for? Grab your spot now, and let's go catch some fish!
Customer Reviews
Magical Night Trip
Gabral Bahena
August 5, 2025
Fish Whisperer Jamie
Captain Jamie is 100% Addicted to putting you on the fish. Our trip started slow, but Captain Jamie was patient and used his knowledge of the area and found the fish. My two teenage boys and I had a blast. Will be back to fish with Captain Jamie again.
Rob Azelton
December 29, 2024
Hooked on Jamie
Exceptional Fishing Charter Experience with Captain Jamie! From the moment my husband reached out to Captain Jamie to book our fishing charter, the communication was outstanding. He kept us informed about the weather and even recommended rescheduling to ensure the best experience. Captain Jamie was punctual, well-prepared, and had everything needed for a smooth and enjoyable trip. He made us feel completely welcome on his boat with his great sense of humor, patience, and excellent rapport with kids. His knowledge of fishing was impressive, and he tailored our excursion perfectly—from catching large redfish to finding the perfect fish for our dinner. He truly went the extra mile from start to finish. We highly recommend Captain Jamie with Addicted to Scales and Tails for an unforgettable fishing experience!
Steve MacFarlane
March 18, 2025
Redfish Bonanza
Awesome trip! We were on fish from the first cast. Each of us caught a 30 inch plus redfish. Jaime was awesome with my kids. They loved it. You can tell he puts in the time scouting to stay on the fish. We will be back!
Ben Gobble
October 1, 2025
Learn more about the species
Black Drum
Black Drum are the heavyweights of our inshore waters, with big ones topping 50 pounds. You'll find them hanging around oyster beds, mud flats, and channel edges in 3-15 feet of water. They use those powerful jaws and throat teeth to crush crabs and shellfish. Spring is prime time when they school up to spawn. Black Drum put up a stubborn, plodding fight - it's like reeling in a tractor. Smaller ones under 15 pounds are great eating, with sweet, white meat. The big ones can be tough and wormy, so we usually release those gently. For bait, fresh peeled shrimp or blue crab on the bottom is hard to beat. Here's a local trick: tap your rod tip on the water to mimic the sound of crabs - it can trigger strikes when the drum are being finicky.
Crevalle Jack
Crevalle Jacks are the bulldogs of Pensacola's waters. These hard-fighting fish typically run 3-10 pounds inshore, but can top 30 pounds offshore. Look for them busting bait schools in open water or around bridge pilings. They're most active in warmer months, especially summer. Jacks aren't known for subtle takes - they absolutely smash lures and peel off drag like no tomorrow. While not the best eating, pound-for-pound they're some of the strongest fish you'll hook. The sheer power of a jack can surprise even seasoned anglers. They often travel in schools, so when you find one, get ready for non-stop action. To target them, look for diving birds over bait schools. Throw metal jigs or topwater poppers into the frenzy and hang on tight. Pro tip: when you see jacks busting bait, don't waste time - they move fast, so get your lure in there quickly!
Grey Snapper
Grey Snapper, also called Mangrove Snapper, are a blast to catch in Pensacola's inshore waters. These fish typically run 1-3 pounds but can get up to 10-15 pounds offshore. Look for them around structure like docks, reefs, and mangroves in 10-30 feet of water. They're crafty hunters with keen eyesight, so light tackle and stealthy presentations are key. Grey Snapper put up a great fight for their size and make excellent table fare with flaky white meat. Late summer and fall are prime times as they gather to spawn. To entice a bite, try live shrimp or small baitfish on a light fluorocarbon leader. My go-to trick is chumming with cut bait to get them fired up, then dropping a hooked bait into the frenzy. Be ready for that telltale thump - these guys hit hard and run for cover fast!
Redfish
Redfish are the rock stars of Pensacola's inshore scene. These copper-colored beauties with the signature tail spot typically run 3-8 pounds in the bays, but bulls over 20 pounds cruise the passes. You'll find them tailing in shallow grass flats or prowling oyster bars and dock pilings. Fall is prime time when big schools push into the bays. Reds are known for powerful runs and dogged fights - hang on when a big one hits! They're also fantastic eating, with a sweet, mild flavor. Sight-fishing for tailing reds in clear shallows is a rush. Gold spoons are redfish candy, but for a real thrill, try topwater plugs. Here's a local secret: on calm mornings, look for subtle V-wakes moving across grass flats. That's often a redfish pushing water - make a quiet cast ahead of it and hold on!
Sea Trout
Sea Trout, or Speckled Trout, are a favorite target in Pensacola's grass flats and channels. Most run 1-3 pounds, but gator trout over 5 pounds aren't uncommon. Look for them over seagrass in 2-6 feet of water, especially near drop-offs or creek mouths. They're ambush predators, so work your lures with a stop-and-go retrieve. Spring and fall are peak seasons as the fish move in to feed. Trout put up a decent fight with head shakes and jumps, and they're excellent eating with delicate, white meat. Locals love targeting them with topwater plugs at dawn for exciting surface strikes. My top tip: when you find a school, work the area thoroughly. Where there's one trout, there's usually more. Try a live shrimp under a popping cork - it's deadly on those days when nothing else seems to work.
About the Addicted to Scales & Tail
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Vehicle Guest Capacity: 4
Manufacturer Name: Yamaha
Maximum Cruising Speed: 36
Number of Engines: 1
Horsepower per Engine: 225
We did a night trip with our two kiddos (7 & 9), the trip was mainly for our 7 year old son and it did not disappoint! He said it was the best night of his life 😂 Captain Hoover was absolutely amazing, so good with the kids and so knowledgeable. We will definitely be booking another trip in the future.