Destin, FL 3 Hour Kids Trip
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Threehour fishing instruction for children in calm bay watersProfessional guides teach basic angling skills to young anglersSmall group experience accommodating up to four guests maximum
Want to get your kids hooked on fishing? This 3-hour inshore trip with First Shot Charters is perfect for young anglers ready to learn the ropes. We'll cruise the calm, protected waters of Choctawhatchee Bay where your little ones can focus on the basics without fighting choppy seas. Captain and crew know exactly how to keep kids engaged while teaching them proper casting, reeling, and fish handling techniques. With a maximum of 4 guests, each child gets plenty of one-on-one attention to build confidence on the water.
Choctawhatchee Bay is a fishing paradise that's tailor-made for kids learning to fish. The protected waters stay calm most days, which means less seasickness and more time with lines in the water. Your captain will position the boat over productive grass flats, oyster bars, and structure where fish love to hang out. Kids will learn to read the water, understand why certain spots hold fish, and get hands-on experience with different baits and lures. The shallow waters here make it easy to see what's happening below, so when a redfish or sheepshead takes the bait, everyone can watch the action unfold. Plan to move around to several spots during the trip - this keeps things exciting and gives kids the best chance to land multiple species.
All fishing gear is provided, specifically sized for smaller hands. Light spinning rods make it easy for kids to cast and fight fish without getting worn out. The crew will rig up with live shrimp, cut bait, and small jigs depending on what's biting. Kids learn the difference between bottom fishing for grouper and sight fishing for redfish cruising the flats. Technique-wise, we keep it simple but effective - proper rod grip, smooth casting motion, and how to set the hook when a fish strikes. Safety gear including life jackets are provided, and the crew maintains constant supervision around all fishing activities. Kids also learn essential skills like baiting hooks, removing fish properly, and understanding catch limits.
Red snapper are the crown jewel of Destin fishing, and kids absolutely love the fight these fish put up. They typically run 2-5 pounds in the bay, perfect for young anglers. Snapper hit hard and pull steady, giving kids that classic fishing thrill without overwhelming them. Best months are June through August when they're most active in shallower water. Gag grouper offer a different kind of excitement - they're ambush predators that hit fast and try to dive back into cover. Kids learn to keep steady pressure and work the fish away from structure. These grouper average 3-8 pounds in the bay and provide excellent table fare. Grey triggerfish are scrappy fighters that test kids' patience and technique. They nibble baits and require good hook-setting skills, making them perfect for building fishing fundamentals. Sheepshead are the ultimate challenge fish for young anglers. They're notorious bait stealers with excellent eyesight, so kids learn stealth and precision. When hooked, sheepshead make strong runs and provide great action. They're most cooperative around oyster bars and dock pilings where they feed on barnacles and crabs. Redfish are every kid's favorite because they're visual hunters you can often see coming. Watching a redfish cruise up to take your bait is pure magic, and their copper-bronze sides flash beautifully when they turn. These fish pull hard and make long runs, giving kids an authentic big-fish experience they'll never forget.
This kids trip fills up fast, especially during summer months and school holidays. Three hours is the perfect length - long enough to learn solid techniques and catch multiple species, but short enough to keep young attention spans engaged. Your kids will come back with new skills, confidence on the water, and probably some great fish stories to share. First Shot Charters has built their reputation on creating positive fishing experiences for families, and this trip delivers exactly that. Don't wait to book - spots are limited to just 4 guests to ensure quality instruction and safety for everyone aboard.
Your fishing adventure starts aboard a 20-foot Cape Horn center console, perfectly sized for families with up to 4 anglers. This well-equipped boat comes loaded with GPS navigation and a fish finder to help locate the best fishing spots in Choctawhatchee Bay's calm waters. The center console design gives everyone easy access to the action while the captain guides your kids through their first fishing experience. Life jackets are provided for safety, and the live bait well keeps your bait fresh and lively throughout the trip. The flybridge gives your captain a great vantage point to spot fish and navigate the bay's productive fishing areas. Built for inshore fishing, this Cape Horn handles the bay's waters smoothly while giving young anglers plenty of room to cast their lines and learn proper techniques. All the electronics and equipment are ready to go, so your family can focus on making great fishing memories together.
Lutjanus CampechanusRed Snapper are the prize catch around here - these beautiful pink-to-red fish average 1-2 feet and 5-10 pounds, though we've seen some pushing 35 pounds. They live on hard bottom structure in 30-200 feet of water, hugging reefs, wrecks, and rocky ledges. Summer through early fall gives you the best shots when they're most active. What makes them special? They fight hard, diving straight for cover when hooked, and the meat is absolutely fantastic - mild, sweet, and perfect for the dinner table. The key trick is getting your bait right to the bottom fast with heavy weights. They won't come up to chase it, so you've got to get down where they live. Use fresh cigar minnows or live pinfish for the biggest ones.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are perfect for kids because they live in shallow water where you can actually see them cruising the flats. These copper-colored fish with distinctive black spots near their tails average 20-30 inches and love water so shallow their backs stick out. Look for them around oyster bars, grass flats, and shallow coves in 1-4 feet of water. Spring through fall are prime, especially early morning and late afternoon when they're feeding. Kids get excited watching these fish "tail" in the shallows, and they eat almost anything - live shrimp, soft plastics, topwater plugs. The fight is memorable too - they'll make long, powerful runs. Pro tip: in really shallow water, approach quietly and cast past them, then work your bait back into their path. Noise will spook them fast.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the "convict fish" with their black and white stripes, and they're perfect for teaching kids patience. These 1-8 pound fish live around any structure - docks, bridges, barnacle-covered pilings where they feed on crabs and shellfish. They're most active in cooler months, especially late winter through spring when they school up to spawn. What makes them interesting? Those human-like teeth and their reputation as master bait thieves. They'll delicately pick at your offering until it's gone. The meat is excellent - white, flaky, and mild. My secret: get as close to structure as possible and use small hooks with fiddler crabs or shrimp. When you feel them nibbling, set the hook hard - their bony mouths are tough to penetrate.
Balistes CapriscusGrey Triggerfish are scrappy little fighters that'll keep your kids busy all day. These tough-skinned fish average 12-17 inches and hit just about anything you drop down. You'll find them around reefs, ledges, and hard bottom in 30-180 feet - they love hanging near structure picking at crabs and small baitfish. They're year-round residents but fish best in warmer months when they're most active. Kids love them because they're aggressive biters and put up a surprising fight for their size. The trick with triggers is they're notorious bait thieves - they'll nibble and pick at your offering. Use a chunk of squid about an inch wide, drop it near other fish like snapper, and triggers will charge in to steal the meal. Reel fast when you feel that first tap!
Mycteroperca MicrolepisGag Grouper are tough customers that'll give your kids a real workout. These bottom dwellers average 20 inches but can grow massive - we've seen 50+ pounders come up from the deep. They love hanging around structure: reefs, wrecks, and rocky bottoms in 40-300 feet. Spring and fall are prime time when they're feeding heavy before and after spawning season. What makes them fun to target? Pure strength - once hooked, they'll try to drag your bait straight back to their hole. The females are lighter gray with marble patterns, males get darker as they mature. My tip: keep that reel locked tight and don't give them any slack. The second they feel that hook, they're heading for the rocks. Great eating too with firm, white meat.
Destin