Florida Inshore Fishing - Saint Marks, FL
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Inshore fishing charter accommodates up to 4 guests maximumHalf-day and full-day trip options available for bookingAll fishing equipment and gear provided by charter company
St. Marks is hands down one of Florida's best-kept secrets for inshore fishing, and Fightin Bottom Charters knows these waters like the back of their hand. This top-rated charter takes you into the productive flats and grass beds where redfish, sea trout, black drum, and sheepshead call home. You'll fish from a well-equipped boat with everything you need for a successful day on the water - no need to bring anything but yourself and maybe some snacks. The captain and crew have been working these waters for years, so they know exactly where to find the fish when they're biting.
Your day starts early at the St. Marks marina, where you'll meet your captain and get the rundown on what's been biting lately. The boat heads out into the Big Bend's famous grass flats, oyster bars, and creek mouths that make this area a fish magnet. You're looking at crystal clear water most days, with depths ranging from 2 to 8 feet - perfect sight fishing conditions when the weather cooperates. The trip accommodates up to 4 anglers, so you're not crowded and everyone gets plenty of shots at fish. Half-day trips usually run 4-6 hours, while full-day charters give you 8 hours to really work the best spots. The captain will move around based on tides, wind, and where the fish are showing up that particular day.
All the gear is provided, from spinning reels spooled with 15-20 lb test to a full tackle box of jigs, live bait rigs, and topwater plugs. Most of the fishing here is done with live shrimp, pinfish, or cut bait depending on what you're targeting. You'll be casting to oyster bars for sheepshead, working the grass edges for sea trout, and sight fishing for tailing redfish on the flats. The captain will have you using circle hooks for the live bait presentations and may switch you to jigs or spoons when the fish are aggressive. Popping cork rigs are money here too - especially when the trout are suspended over the grass beds. The boat is rigged with a trolling motor for those stealthy approaches to spooky fish, and there's plenty of room to cast without tangling lines with your buddies.
Redfish are the crown jewel of St. Marks inshore fishing, and these copper-colored bruisers average 20-28 inches in these waters. They're most active during moving tides, especially around oyster bars and shallow flats. Spring through fall gives you the best shot at reds, with September and October being absolutely world-class. What makes them so exciting is their aggressive strike and bulldogging fight - they'll peel drag and make long runs that'll get your heart pumping. Plus, they're beautiful fish with that distinctive black spot near the tail.
Sea trout are your bread and butter species here, with good numbers year-round except during the coldest winter months. These spotted beauties typically run 14-20 inches, with some bigger gator trout mixed in during late fall and winter. They love the grass flats and will hit live shrimp under a popping cork or soft plastic jigs bounced along the bottom. Trout have a soft mouth, so you need to play them carefully, but they're excellent eating and always willing to bite when conditions are right.
Black drum are the heavyweights of the inshore scene, with fish ranging from 5-pound "puppy drum" up to 30-pound slabs that'll test your tackle. They're bottom feeders that love crab and shrimp, hanging around structure like oyster bars, bridges, and channel edges. Spring is prime time for big drum, though you can catch them year-round. They're not flashy fighters like redfish, but they use their weight and power to give you a serious workout on medium tackle.
Sheepshead are the trickiest fish to hook but incredibly rewarding when you figure them out. These black-and-white striped convict fish have human-like teeth and love to steal your bait. They're structure fish that live around pilings, oyster bars, and any hard bottom you can find. Fiddler crabs and live shrimp are your best bets, but you need a sensitive touch to feel their light bite. Winter months are peak season for sheepshead, and they're hands down some of the best eating fish in the Gulf.
St. Marks offers some of the most consistent inshore fishing on Florida's Gulf Coast, and Fightin Bottom Charters has the local knowledge to put you on fish. Whether you're a first-timer looking to learn the ropes or an experienced angler wanting to explore new waters, this charter delivers. The boat is comfortable, the gear is top-notch, and the captain knows where to find the fish. Don't sleep on this customer favorite - the calendar fills up fast during peak seasons. Book your inshore fishing adventure today and get ready to see why St. Marks has such a reputation among serious anglers.
This well-equipped motorboat is your ticket to productive inshore fishing around St. Marks' pristine waters. Built for up to 4 anglers, she comes loaded with everything you need for a successful day chasing redfish, trout, and flounder in the shallow flats. The wireless trolling motor lets you slip quietly into feeding zones without spooking fish, while the GPS and fish finder help locate the hottest spots along the coastline. Stay connected with the VHF radio and keep your catch fresh in the onboard ice box. Whether you're working the grass beds or targeting structure near the lighthouse, this boat handles the skinny water perfectly. The stable platform gives everyone room to cast and fight fish comfortably. Perfect for half or full-day adventures exploring St. Marks' legendary inshore fishery.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the heavyweight champions of the inshore waters around St. Marks. These copper-colored bruisers typically run 5-30 pounds, but we've seen them push 50+ pounds in our deeper channels. They're bottom feeders with powerful jaws built for crushing oysters and crabs. You'll find them around oyster bars, grass flats, and creek mouths in 2-8 feet of water. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning - that's when you get multiple hookups. What makes them special is the pure power they bring to the fight, plus the smaller ones (under 15 pounds) make excellent table fare with firm, white meat. Pro tip: use fresh blue crab or fiddler crabs on a Carolina rig, and don't set the hook too quick - let them run with it a bit first since they like to mouth the bait before committing.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the rock stars of our St. Marks flats, and for good reason. These copper-backed fighters typically run 18-27 inches in our shallow waters, with the trademark black spot near their tail that looks like an eye to confuse predators. You'll find them cruising grass flats, oyster bars, and mangrove shorelines in water so shallow their backs stick out. They're year-round residents, but fall and spring offer the best action when they're most active. What guests love is the sight-fishing opportunities and bone-jarring runs when hooked. They're also excellent table fare with firm, mild meat. These fish aren't picky eaters - they'll crush live shrimp, cut bait, or artificial lures like gold spoons and topwater plugs. My favorite trick is using a weedless gold spoon in skinny water - cast past a cruising fish and let it flutter down right in front of them. The strike is usually immediate and aggressive.
Salmo TruttaSea trout, or specks as we call them locally, are the bread and butter of St. Marks fishing. These spotted beauties average 14-18 inches and 1-3 pounds, though we regularly see some pushing 4-5 pounds in our grass flats. They love shallow water from 2-6 feet deep, especially around oyster bars and creek mouths where baitfish concentrate. Fall and winter are prime time when they school up in deeper holes and channels. What makes them popular with guests is their willingness to bite and their delicate, sweet meat that's perfect for the dinner table. They'll hit everything from live shrimp to soft plastics and topwater plugs during low-light periods. Here's a local secret: on calm mornings, work a topwater plug over the grass beds at first light - the strikes are explosive and you'll often find them feeding in just 18 inches of water with their backs showing.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the convicts of our waters with their black and white stripes, but don't let their looks fool you - they're some of the smartest fish you'll encounter. These guys run 2-8 pounds typically, with occasional double-digit surprises around our docks and bridge pilings. They've got human-like teeth perfect for picking barnacles and crabs off structure, which is exactly where you'll find them. Winter through early spring is peak season when they gather near passes for spawning. What guests love most is the challenge - they're notorious bait thieves with light bites that'll test your skills. The reward is some of the best eating fish in our waters with sweet, flaky white meat. My go-to trick is using fiddler crabs on small hooks, and when you feel that subtle tap-tap, set the hook hard and fast before they steal your bait.
Saint Marks, FL