I have never fished in the Apalachicola Bay nor spent much time around Apalachicola or Saint George Island so was extremely happy to have Chip Bailey take us out on his boat for our day-long excursion. I second Donald B.'s earlier review -- Chip's experience as a marine biologist provides him with in-depth knowledge about Apalachicola Bay that translates into a trip that is both productive from a fishing (catching!) perspective but also educational and interesting.
On our October 11 trip, we caught a wide variety of good fish (redfish, white trout, speckled trout) as well as a few others that we set free. If a particular spot wasn't productive, Chip was always quick (although not impatient) to move to another location. We had a great fishing day and brought back a cooler full of fish, but in addition, Chip took us on a ride up the Apalachicola River. Never having spent any time in this area, it was a real treat to see this piece of unspoiled nature. I cannot say enough good things about the day we spent out on the bay with Chip Bailey and if you're in the area and looking for a great day of fishing with a guide who knows the area and respects the nature found there, you should definitely contact him for a trip.
The whole trip made our vacation to the Forgotten Coast one of the most fun and most memorable!
p.s. I didn't know this before we set out, but Chip will also clean and fillet your catch. A great favor when you're staying in a rental unit with crappy knives. read more