Captain Joe Richard has been a fully licensed fishing guide since 1994. His schedule is flexible, he can launch earlier than 8 a.m. to beat the heat. Or catch an afternoon high tide for shallow water redfish. His skiff is 16 feet long and carries two guests.

He can take up to four people, if clients rent one of the 24-foot Carolina Skiffs from Steinhatchee Marina or Sea Hag Marina, and he can drive all day. These bigger rental boats are inexpensive compared to the rest of Florida. They have lots of casting room, a pull-up Bimini for shade, they’re fast and get good mileage. Each has a modern 4-stroke engine.

Seafavorites Fishing Guide Service also offers a good chance for anglers to catch a variety of fish from a small boat, from shallow flats out to two miles off the coast when the weather is agreeable.

Tackle, bait and fishing license provided. He often takes out fishing buddies, relatives, couples and father-and-son teams.

He mostly drift-fishes over grassy bottoms in 4–8 feet of clear water.  Specializing is Seatrout, but also Redfish, Spanish Mackerel and occasional Bluefish. Unlike some charter boats, his crew can throw artificial baits most of the day. Or, they set out corks with bait. In warm weather he often catches live bait.

Due to the skiff’s size, there is a weight limit of 230 pounds per passenger, for safe weight distribution and stress-free fishing.

Explore these prolific waters with a veteran angler who each month is Florida’s Big Bend regional editor for Florida Sportsman magazine. Contact Seafavorites Fishing Guide Service, and get ready to fish!