Kids First Catch Trip - Indian River County
Private Trip
Familyfriendly fishing trip designed for young children and beginnersTwo to threehour sessions targeting ladyfish and sea troutAll tackle, licenses, and bait included for up to three guests
Getting your little ones hooked on fishing doesn't have to be complicated or stressful. Don Nicely Fishing Charters has designed this kid-friendly inshore experience specifically for families who want to introduce their children to the world of saltwater angling without the pressure of a full-day commitment. Running just two to three hours, this top-rated trip focuses on action-packed fishing in the protected waters of Indian River County, where eager young anglers can learn the basics while targeting some of Florida's most cooperative inshore species. At $250 for up to three guests, you're getting professional instruction, all the gear, licenses, and bait included - plus the peace of mind that comes with a guide who knows exactly how to keep kids engaged on the water.
This isn't your typical grinding session where you're battling big fish all day. Instead, we're talking about smart, strategic fishing designed around short attention spans and building confidence. The Indian River system offers some of the most protected inshore waters on Florida's east coast, which means calmer conditions and less seasickness - crucial when you've got kids aboard. Your guide will position the boat in shallow flats and grass beds where the action stays consistent, using light tackle that even small hands can manage. The beauty of this trip lies in its flexibility - morning sessions beat the heat, while afternoon outings often coincide with moving tides that fire up the bite. Since these are shorter trips, every minute counts, so your guide will have multiple spots scouted ahead of time to ensure the action never stops. The focus stays on teaching proper casting technique, how to feel a bite, and the excitement of fighting their first saltwater fish.
Light spinning tackle is the name of the game here, with 6-7 foot medium-light rods spooled with 10-15 pound test that won't overpower young anglers. Your guide provides everything - rods, reels, terminal tackle, and fresh bait - so families can focus on the fun instead of gear logistics. The techniques are kept simple but effective: live shrimp under popping corks, small jigs bounced along grass edges, and occasionally some topwater action when conditions allow. Kids learn to cast underhand first, then work up to overhead casting as they get comfortable. The Indian River's shallow structure means you're fishing in 2-6 feet of water most of the time, so lost tackle isn't a budget-breaker and fish fights happen fast enough to keep everyone excited. Circle hooks are standard to ensure easy releases and reduce deep hooking, while barbless options help make unhooking quicker and safer for small hands learning fish handling basics.
Ladyfish are absolute dynamite for kids - these silver rockets hit hard, jump like crazy, and fight way above their weight class. Running anywhere from 12-20 inches, they're perfect starter fish because they're aggressive feeders and incredibly acrobatic once hooked. Peak ladyfish action runs from spring through fall, and they school up in the Indian River's deeper channels and creek mouths. Kids love watching them cartwheel out of the water, and they're forgiving fish that'll eat just about any bait you put in front of them.
Sea trout represent the bread and butter of Indian River fishing, offering consistent action year-round with peak numbers during cooler months. These spotted beauties range from 12-18 inches on average, with the occasional keeper-sized fish pushing 20+ inches. They hang around grass flats and drop-offs, making them perfect targets for the light tackle approach. Sea trout have a soft bite that teaches kids to pay attention to their rod tips, and their beautiful golden flanks with distinctive spots make for great photos before release.
Redfish are the holy grail of inshore species, and juvenile reds in the 16-24 inch range frequent the Indian River's shallow waters year-round. These copper-colored fighters are famous for their powerful runs and stubborn attitude, giving kids a real taste of what inshore fishing is all about. They're most active during moving tides and low-light periods, often found tailing in skinny water or cruising grass edges. The distinctive black spot near their tail makes them instantly recognizable, and their willingness to eat live shrimp makes them accessible targets for beginners.
Snook bring the excitement factor up a notch, though they're more seasonal with peak action during warmer months. These ambush predators lurk around structure like docks, bridges, and mangrove shorelines, providing explosive strikes that'll wake up any daydreaming young angler. They're incredibly acrobatic fighters that combine powerful runs with gill-rattling jumps. Their distinctive black lateral line and sloping forehead make them easy to identify, and catching one is considered a rite of passage for Florida inshore anglers.
Sheepshead might not win any beauty contests, but they're fantastic fish for teaching kids patience and finesse. These black-and-white striped convicts hang around structure year-round, with winter being prime time for bigger fish. They're notorious bait thieves with incredible bite detection skills, so they teach young anglers to watch their rod tips closely and set the hook quickly. Their human-like teeth are always good for a laugh, and they're excellent table fare for families who want to take dinner home.
This customer favorite fills up quickly, especially during school breaks and weekends when families have more flexibility. The short duration makes it perfect for testing the waters with kids who might not be ready for longer trips, while the professional instruction ensures everyone learns something valuable about saltwater fishing. With all gear, licenses, and bait included, plus the expertise of a guide who specializes in family-friendly trips, you're looking at exceptional value for introducing the next generation to Florida's world-class inshore fishing. Call ahead to lock in your preferred time slot and discuss the best meeting location based on current conditions - your kids' first saltwater fishing adventure
Our 2019 18-foot Carolina Skiff is built for getting kids their first taste of saltwater fishing success. This shallow-draft flats boat draws just inches of water, letting us slip into those protected backcountry spots where ladyfish and sea trout love to hang out. The 70HP Yamaha gets us there quietly, while the Garmin fishfinder helps locate schools of baitfish that attract hungry game fish. With room for three anglers, there's plenty of space for young fishermen to cast without tangling lines. The live bait well keeps our shrimp and pilchards frisky, and the GPS ensures we can navigate Indian River's maze of creeks and flats safely. Perfect for morning or afternoon trips when the bite is hot and the Florida sun isn't too intense.
Elops SaurusLadyfish are the perfect starter fish for kids - they're eager biters that'll hit almost anything you throw at them. These silver rockets run 12-24 inches and are found year-round in our bays, canals, and near bridges. They're called "poor man's tarpon" because they jump and fight like crazy when hooked, giving kids that first taste of real saltwater action. While they're not great eating, they're pure fun and build confidence for young anglers. Plus, they make excellent cut bait for bigger fish. Use small jigs, shrimp, or even pieces of cut bait. When you hook one, hold on tight - they'll jump and thrash trying to throw the hook.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the perfect starter fish for kids with their copper-colored backs and signature black spots near the tail. These 20-40 inch bruisers cruise super shallow flats, sometimes with their backs out of the water. Year-round fishing here, but fall and spring are prime when they're most active. Families love them because they fight hard but fair, and that distinctive look makes every catch feel special. They're also great eating with mild, sweet meat. Watch for nervous water and tail wakes in the shallows - that's your sign. Use gold spoons or soft plastics, and don't be afraid to fish water so shallow you think it's too skinny.
Salmo TruttaSea trout, or speckled trout as we call them locally, are perfect for families with their willingness to bite and manageable 14-24 inch size. They cruise grass flats and shallow bays feeding on shrimp and small baitfish. Cooler months are best when they school up in deeper channels. Kids love them because they fight well on light tackle without being overwhelming. The spotted silver sides make for great photos, and they're excellent table fare with delicate white meat. My go-to tip: work the grass edges at dawn or dusk with a popping cork and live shrimp. Keep it slow and steady - they like to follow before they commit.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the "convict fish" with those black and white stripes, running 1-8 pounds around our docks and bridges. They've got human-like teeth for crushing barnacles and crabs off structure. Spring months are prime time when they're spawning and more aggressive. These guys are notorious bait thieves - they'll nibble and pick at your offering trying to steal it clean. What guests love is the challenge and the reward - they're some of the best eating fish we have with sweet, flaky white meat. My trick: use fiddler crabs and get your bait tight to the pilings. When you feel that tap-tap-tap, set the hook hard and fast.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are one of our most prized inshore targets, running 18-48 inches with that signature black lateral line and golden color. They love structure - mangroves, docks, bridges - in both salt and fresh water around here. Spring through fall gives you the best action, especially during new and full moons when they spawn and get aggressive. What makes snook special is that explosive strike and bulldog fight in shallow water. They're also great eating with firm white meat. Pro tip: get your bait right against the structure - they rarely venture far from cover. Use a fluorocarbon leader since they've got sandpaper mouths that'll cut regular line.
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