Private Kids Fishing Trip in New Smyrna Beach
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Specialized 2-hour inshore fishing designed specifically for childrenHands-on learning includes baiting hooks, casting, and reeling techniquesTarget saltwater species including sharks popular with young anglers
Looking to get your little ones hooked on fishing? This 2-hour private charter in New Smyrna Beach is designed specifically for young anglers, ages 4 and up. We keep things simple, fun, and hands-on so kids stay engaged while learning the basics. Your captain handles all the gear setup and will teach your children how to bait hooks, cast properly, and fight fish like pros. Parents get to kick back and watch the magic happen as their kids experience the pure joy of landing their first saltwater catches.
This top-rated kids fishing adventure takes place in the protected inshore waters around New Smyrna Beach, where the conditions stay calm and the action runs hot. We launch from the Mosquito Lagoon area and fish the flats, grass beds, and structure where juvenile fish love to hang out. The shallow water means less seasickness for sensitive stomachs, and the variety of species keeps things exciting. Your captain knows exactly where to find hungry fish that are perfect size for kids to handle. We provide all rods, reels, tackle, and bait – you just bring the kids and maybe some snacks and drinks. The boat stays close to shore, so cell service is solid if you want to capture those priceless first-fish photos.
We keep the fishing techniques simple but effective for young hands. Most of our action comes from bottom fishing with circle hooks and live or cut bait. Kids learn to feel the bite, set the hook with a steady pull rather than a big jerk, and pump the rod while reeling. We use lighter tackle that's manageable for smaller arms but still strong enough to handle decent-sized fish. Your guide will show them how to hold the rod properly, when to reel and when to let the fish run, and most importantly, how to stay safe around hooks and moving fish. If conditions allow, we might try some light casting with small jigs or live shrimp under popping corks. The key is keeping everyone actively fishing – no long waits or complicated setups that lose their attention.
Black drum are absolute crowd-pleasers for kids because they fight hard and come in perfect sizes for young anglers. These copper-colored bruisers hang around oyster bars and grass flats, especially during cooler months from November through March. They're bottom feeders that love crabs and shrimp, making them fairly easy to hook once you find them. Kids get a kick out of their croaking sounds and the way they bulldoze toward structure when hooked. Most drum we catch run 2-8 pounds – big enough to get the rod tip bouncing but not so massive they're impossible to reel in.
Sheepshead are another customer favorite that keeps kids laughing with their human-like teeth and sneaky bite. These black-and-white striped fish are structure lovers, so we target them around docks, pilings, and oyster beds year-round, with peak action from December through April. They're notorious bait thieves, which actually makes them perfect for teaching kids to pay attention to subtle bites. When a sheepshead grabs your bait, you've got to set the hook quick or they'll clean you out. The reward is a great-eating fish that puts up a solid scrap on light tackle.
Red grouper bring the excitement level up a notch since they're genuine reef fish that can reach keeper size inshore. These reddish-brown bottom dwellers love hard structure and deep holes, especially during summer months when they move into shallower water to spawn. Young red grouper are common around New Smyrna's nearshore reefs and rocky areas, typically running 12-16 inches. They hit hard and dive straight for cover, giving kids a taste of what serious fishing feels like. Even undersized reds make great photo fish before going back to grow up.
Ladyfish are pure fun on light tackle and perfect for building confidence in young anglers. These silver torpedoes school up in huge numbers and attack anything that moves, from live shrimp to small jigs. They're most active during warmer months and provide non-stop action when you find them. Ladyfish jump like mini-tarpon and strip drag like fish twice their size, making every hookup feel like landing a monster. Kids love their acrobatic fights and the way they flash silver in the sunlight. They're catch-and-release fish, but the memories last forever.
Crevalle jack round out our target list as the neighborhood bullies that eat everything and fight dirty. These broad-shouldered bruisers patrol grass flats and channel edges, ambushing bait schools with violent attacks. They're most active during spring and fall migrations but can be caught year-round in our area. Jacks test kids' endurance with their bulldogging runs and refusal to quit fighting. Landing one is a real achievement that builds serious fishing confidence. They're excellent table fare when prepared properly, though most folks prefer catch-and-release to keep the population strong.
This private 2-hour fishing experience accommodates up to 4 guests, making it perfect for families or small groups. Morning trips typically produce the best action, but afternoon slots work great too, especially during summer when kids prefer later starts. The boat stays busy year-round since New Smyrna's inshore fishing is world-class in every season. Your captain provides all fishing equipment, tackle, and bait – just bring sunscreen, drinks, and maybe some crackers for sensitive stomachs. This hands-on fishing adventure creates lifelong memories and often launches serious fishing passions. Book now to secure your preferred date and give your kids their first taste of saltwater fishing success.
Our 25-foot Dorado center console is the perfect fishing platform for introducing kids to saltwater angling around New Smyrna Beach. This 2012 custom boat features a powerful 300HP Suzuki engine that gets us to the fishing spots quickly, while the wireless trolling motor keeps things quiet when we're working the shallows for those exciting shark encounters kids love. The spacious layout comfortably holds up to 4 young anglers with plenty of room to move around safely. Built-in fish finder helps locate the action, while the icebox keeps snacks and drinks cold during our 2-hour adventure. GPS navigation ensures we hit the best inshore spots where redfish, trout, and yes - sharks - are biting. The center console design gives everyone easy access to the water, making it simple for little hands to land their first big catch.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are bottom-feeders that kids love because they put up a solid fight without being too overwhelming. These gray-black fish typically run 5-15 pounds around here, though we occasionally see bigger ones. They hang around oyster beds, shallow flats, and creek mouths where they crush crabs and shellfish with their powerful jaws. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning, making them much easier to find. You'll hear them "drumming" underwater - that's how they got their name. The smaller ones taste great, but anything over 15 pounds gets tough and stringy. My tip: use fresh crab for bait and fish it right on the bottom. They're notorious for stealing bait, so when you feel that steady pull, set the hook hard. Perfect fish for teaching kids patience and proper hook-setting technique.
Caranx HipposCrevalle jack are pure muscle and attitude - they'll give kids a workout they won't forget. These golden bulldogs typically run 3-8 pounds in our waters and travel in aggressive schools that push baitfish to the surface. Look for diving birds and you'll find the jacks underneath, creating chaos. They live in both shallow flats and deeper water, but the action happens when they're feeding on top. Year-round fishing, but summer and fall are prime when baitfish are thick. Kids love the raw power and the way they just won't quit fighting. They're not the best eating, but the fight more than makes up for it. My secret: when you see them busting bait, cast a silver spoon past the school and reel it back fast - they can't resist the chase.
Elops SaurusLadyfish are like mini-tarpon that put on an amazing show for kids - they jump, skip, and go absolutely crazy when hooked. These silver "poor man's tarpon" usually run 1-3 pounds and are found year-round in our bays, canals, and shallow waters. They school up and feed aggressively on small baitfish, making them easy targets on light tackle. While they're not great table fare, kids absolutely love the acrobatic fight they put up - jumping clear out of the water multiple times. They'll hit just about anything moving: shrimp, small jigs, or topwater plugs. Here's what I tell families: use a wire leader because those small teeth are sharp, and be ready for a wild ride. They're perfect for teaching kids how to fight jumping fish and keeping tension on the line.
Epinephelus MorioRed grouper are one of the toughest fighters you'll hook in our waters, making them exciting for kids who want a real battle. These rust-colored bruisers typically run 5-10 pounds, though we see them up to 20+ pounds on good days. They live around reefs, ledges, and rocky bottom in 20-100 feet of water, ambushing anything that swims by. Outside of their winter spawning closure (January-April), they're fair game and always ready to eat. Kids love the aggressive strike and the way they try to dive back to the rocks. Plus, they're some of the best eating fish in the ocean - firm, white meat with a slightly sweet flavor. Pro tip: once hooked, keep steady pressure and don't let them get back to structure, or you'll lose them for sure. Heavy tackle recommended!
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are perfect for kids because they're always hungry and love to bite, though landing them takes some skill. These striped "convict fish" usually run 1-3 pounds around our docks and bridges, feeding on barnacles and small crabs with their weird human-like teeth. They stick tight to structure - pilings, jetties, anywhere with barnacles to munch. Spring months are best when they're most active and feeding heavily before spawning. Kids get excited seeing those distinctive black bars and creepy teeth up close. They're excellent eating too - sweet, white meat that's worth the effort to clean. Here's the trick: they're notorious bait stealers, so use small hooks with fresh shrimp or fiddler crabs, and the moment you feel them nibbling, set that hook fast and firm.
Daytona Beach, FL