The boats we keep are chosen for protected inshore water rather than for the open Gulf. Apalachicola Bay is shallow, and a shallow-draft hull that can cross a flat without incident is more useful here than something built to punch through offshore swell. What follows describes the types we run and what comes with them.
Skiffs
Small flat-bottomed or shallow-vee skiffs, suited to two or three people, are the workhorses for fishing the flats and the creek mouths. They draw very little water, which is exactly what you want in a bay where the difference between a good afternoon and an expensive one is a foot of depth over an oyster bar. They are open boats with limited shade and limited dry storage, so they suit a half-day better than a long one in high summer.
Centre-console boats
The larger centre-console boats take a family or a group of four to six comfortably, with more freeboard, more storage, a bimini top for shade and a more capable outboard. They are the sensible choice for a full day, for anyone carrying coolers and gear, and for parties that include children. They still draw little enough to work the bay, but they are less at home right up on the shallowest flats.
What is included
- Safety equipment to the required standard: life jackets sized for everyone aboard, throwable device, signalling equipment and a first-aid kit.
- Anchor and ground tackle appropriate to the boat and the bottom here.
- A chart of the bay with the channels, markers and the main oyster bars marked.
- A pre-departure briefing covering the boat itself, the local hazards and the forecast for the day.
What is not included
Fishing tackle, bait, ice, food and drink are not provided; the town has everything within a short drive. Fishing licences are the responsibility of the individual and are straightforward to obtain. Fuel policy, deposits and capacity limits are explained when we discuss a specific boat, because they differ between the two types.
Availability is confirmed by email; we do not take bookings or payments through this site.