Damn Good Inshore Fishing Charters In St. George Island

St. George Island is the kind of place where time slows down, and the fishing only gets better. Tucked away on Florida’s Forgotten Coast, this barrier island is a haven for inshore anglers looking to chase redfish, speckled trout, and flounder in waters that stay productive year-round. Early mornings are best spent wading the shallows or pushing a skiff through the back bays, where the glassy water makes it easy to spot tailing reds. A well-placed soft plastic or topwater lure can turn the quiet calm into an adrenaline rush, as a copper-colored bruiser smashes the bait and takes off like a freight train.

For those who prefer a more laid-back approach, the grass flats and oyster bars are prime territory for trout fishing. A popping cork rig with live shrimp or a jig head tipped with a paddle tail will do the trick, especially on an incoming tide. The trick is reading the water—watch for diving birds, nervous baitfish, or slicks forming on the surface, all signs that specks are feeding below. And if you’re working the sandy drop-offs near the passes, don’t be surprised if a flounder takes your bait with a subtle but unmistakable thump. They may not put up a screaming fight, but they more than make up for it at the dinner table.

As the day winds down, the deeper channels and tidal cuts start to light up with feeding fish. Working a jig slowly along the bottom or bouncing a live finger mullet near structure can lead to some serious action as redfish and trout set up in ambush positions. It’s moments like these—standing on the bow, feeling the tug of a big fish, the sun sinking low behind the island—that make St. George Island more than just another fishing spot. It’s a place where the water writes the story, and every cast is a chance to be part of it.

St. George Island is an inshore angler’s dream—untamed grass flats, winding bayous, and oyster bars teeming with redfish, speckled trout, and flounder. One of the most exciting ways to fish these waters is sight casting for reds in the shallows. At sunrise, the water turns to glass, making it easy to spot their tails flicking just above the surface as they root for crabs and shrimp. A well-placed topwater lure or soft plastic, worked with slow, deliberate twitches, can trigger an explosive strike—one that turns a peaceful morning into a battle against pure muscle and instinct.

For a more laid-back approach, drifting the grass flats with a popping cork and live shrimp is a surefire way to connect with speckled trout. The cork’s rhythmic pop mimics baitfish feeding, drawing in hungry trout from below. On a good day, you can find yourself in a non-stop bite, with trout hitting the bait as soon as it splashes down. And if you work the sandy drop-offs near the passes, you might just stumble into a doormat-sized flounder lying in wait. A slow, bumping retrieve with a jig tipped with a scented soft plastic is the best way to tempt these ambush predators into biting.

As the tide shifts, deeper channels and oyster beds become prime hunting grounds. This is where a jig head paired with a paddle tail or live mullet shines. Casting upcurrent and letting the bait sweep naturally toward structure mimics a wounded baitfish, making it an irresistible target for reds and trout setting up in ambush. There’s an art to working these waters, a mix of patience, timing, and knowing when to set the hook. Whether you're wading the shallows, drifting the flats, or working the deeper cuts, St. George Island offers inshore fishing that’s as rewarding as it is unforgettable.

**Inshore Fishing Seasons on St. George Island: Year-Round Action on the Forgotten Coast**

St. George Island, a barrier island gem along Florida’s Forgotten Coast, delivers some of the best inshore fishing in the Gulf. Spring kicks things off with speckled trout and redfish moving into the grass flats and oyster bars, feeding hard after the winter chill. The morning topwater bite is electric, with aggressive strikes echoing across the still water. As baitfish flood the shallows, flounder start staging along sandy drop-offs, and the black drum make their presence known near docks and deep cuts, offering a solid fight for patient anglers.

As summer heats up, so does the fishing. Bull reds roam the passes and deeper channels, ready to test your gear with blistering runs. Meanwhile, tarpon start rolling through the bay, giving fly and light tackle anglers the ultimate challenge. Flounder fishing hits its peak, and tripletail show up near floating debris and crab traps, making for an exciting sight-fishing opportunity. Whether you're wading the flats, drifting a kayak, or casting from the bridge, summer on St. George Island offers non-stop action.

Fall and winter bring a shift, but the bite never slows down. Cooler temperatures push redfish into tight schools along the shallows, making them easy to spot and even easier to hook. Speckled trout stack up in deeper channels, where slow-sinking lures and live shrimp produce some of the biggest fish of the year. As winter settles in, sheepshead take over the docks and pilings, rewarding anglers who can finesse a fiddler crab into the right spot. No matter the season, St. George Island offers something special for those who know where to look—and when to cast.

**What to Catch When Inshore Fishing at St. George Island**

St. George Island is an inshore angler’s paradise, where every season brings a new reason to hit the water. Spring sets the stage with speckled trout and redfish making their way into the grass flats and oyster bars, aggressively feeding after the winter lull. Toss a topwater plug in the early morning, and you’ll get rewarded with explosive blow-ups. Flounder start showing up along sandy drop-offs, while black drum hang tight to deeper channels and dock pilings, ready to give patient anglers a solid fight. It’s the perfect season for light tackle action and filling the cooler.

Summer takes the bite up a notch. Big bull reds move into the passes and deeper cuts, giving you all the drag-screaming runs you can handle. Tarpon start rolling through the bay, a bucket-list catch for those willing to put in the time and effort. Meanwhile, tripletail drift near crab traps and floating debris, offering some of the most exciting sight fishing around. If you’re looking for variety, St. George Island delivers in the summer—whether you’re targeting flounder along the edges, jacks busting bait on the surface, or that one tarpon you’ll never forget.

Fall and winter bring their own rewards. Cooler temperatures push redfish into tight schools in the shallows, making them prime targets for sight casting. Speckled trout move into deeper holes, where slow suspending baits or live shrimp can land you a true gator trout. And as winter sets in, sheepshead take over the dock pilings, providing a challenge for those willing to finesse a fiddler crab into the strike zone. No matter when you go, St. George Island always has something biting—it’s just a matter of dialing in the right spot, the right bait, and the right time.