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30A FISHING: LEARNING CENTER
Our 30A Charter Boats: Bay Boats & Flats Boats
Explore our 30A Charter Boats
Shallow Water Expeditions runs two primary types of fishing vessels along the 30A corridor and throughout the Florida Panhandle: Bay Boats and Flats Boats.
Whether you’re bringing the whole family for a half-day on Choctawhatchee Bay or chasing redfish on the flats with light tackle or fly gear, we have the right boat and the right captain for the trip.
On every charter with Shallow Water Expeditions, comfort and safety come first. Full stop.
Bay Boats: Built for the Whole Family
Our Bay Boats are 22–26 ft. deep-“V,” high-sided vessels designed for comfort and stability, and they are the most popular choice for our 30A clients, especially the ones with kids.
These charters run in the calm, shallow waters of Choctawhatchee Bay, where there’s plenty of room to fish, explore, and have fun without going far from shore.
Why the Bay Boat works so well in this fishery:
- Wide hull, maximum stability: The broad beam gives anglers real, planted footing while standing on deck and casting. You’re not fighting the boat, you’re fishing.
- Deep-“V” hull, smooth and dry: Even trips close to shore along 30A can get choppy. The deep-“V” hull cuts through that and delivers the smoothest, driest ride possible to and from the fishing grounds.
- Capacity up to 5 anglers: The go-to choice for families and groups who want to fish together.
Captains who slow down when it counts: Our captains are professionals, and they are not in a hurry. When water conditions are bumpy, we slow down. We take our time to ensure a safe, fun, and dry ride, every single trip.
Flats Boats: For the Dedicated Angler
Our Flats Boats are purpose-built for low, quiet, precise fishing in skinny water, like the shallow grass flats, oyster beds, and creeks where redfish, trout, and other inshore species hold.
Flats Boats accommodate 1–2 anglers maximum, making them the right call for solo anglers, couples, or anyone pursuing serious light tackle or fly fishing in the inshore shallows.
Local Knowledge
Our captains bring over 20 years of local experience to these trips, and these are the platforms that get you where bigger boats simply cannot go.
Which Boat Is Right for My Trip?
| Bay Boat | Flats Boat | |
| Anglers | Up to 5 | 1–2 |
| Best for | Families, groups, bay fishing | Solo, couples, fly fishing |
| Water type | Open bay, choppier conditions | Shallow flats, calm backwater |
| Hull design | 22–26 ft. Deep-“V” | Low-profile, shallow draft |
| Fishing styles | Light tackle, live bait, bay fishing | Fly fishing, light tackle |
Not sure which is right for your group? Call our Booking and Guide Service Manager Jennifer: 850-534-4349
Fishing Trips for Kids and Families Along 30A
We believe any trip you can bring your kids on is a great trip. Most of us at Shallow Water Expeditions have kids ourselves, and we know how important it is to introduce young anglers to the outdoors, and how special those first catches can be.
At Shallow Water Expeditions, we welcome:
- Toddlers
- Teens
- Grandparents
Our Bay Boat charters are designed to be flexible and fun.
Think calm water, easy casting, lots of laughs, and guides who understand that attention spans come in all sizes.
Can’t get the kids up early? Not sure they’ll last a full half-day?
- Try our 2-Hour Afternoon Kid Trip.
All gear is provided, rods, reels, lures, and flies. Florida fishing licenses are covered under our guide’s license. Just bring sunscreen, sunglasses, snacks, drinks, and a camera.
