Full Day St. Marks Fishing Adventure
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Full-day inshore fishing targeting redfish, sea trout, and bassBeginner-friendly instruction with all gear and equipment providedEight-hour guided trip accommodates up to two guests maximum
Captain Robert knows exactly how to make your first fishing trip in St. Marks something you'll want to repeat. This full-day charter gives you 8 solid hours to learn the ropes without any rush or pressure. You'll work the productive inshore waters around St. Marks, where calm conditions make it perfect for beginners to get comfortable with the basics. All your tackle is provided, so you just need to show up ready to have fun. The target list includes some of Florida's most sought-after species - Redfish, Cobia, Gag Grouper, Florida Pompano, and Black Sea Bass. With only 2 anglers max, you get plenty of one-on-one coaching time to build your confidence on the water.
Your day starts early at the St. Marks boat ramp, where Captain Robert will brief you on safety and give you a rundown of the game plan. The inshore waters around St. Marks offer some of the most consistent fishing on Florida's Gulf Coast, with grass flats, oyster bars, and rocky structure holding fish year-round. You'll spend time learning proper casting techniques, how to work different baits, and the fine art of setting the hook when you get that first bite. Captain Robert keeps things relaxed and fun - no judgment if your first few casts don't go exactly where you planned. The boat is equipped with quality rods and reels sized right for the fish you're after, plus a good selection of live and artificial baits. Expect to move around to different spots throughout the day as conditions and fish activity dictate. This isn't a sit-in-one-spot kind of trip - you'll get to see different types of fishing habitat and learn why certain areas hold fish at different times.
Captain Robert runs a well-equipped boat with spinning reels that are easy for beginners to handle. You'll mostly be using medium-action rods perfect for the size fish you're targeting. Live bait fishing is a big part of the program - pinfish, shrimp, and cut bait work great for most of the species on your target list. You'll also get to try some artificial lures, which can be more active and exciting when the fish are aggressive. Techniques vary depending on what you're fishing for - bottom fishing with weights for grouper and sea bass, free-lining baits over grass flats for redfish, and maybe some drift fishing for cobia if conditions are right. The captain will show you how to read your rod tip for bites, when to set the hook, and proper fighting techniques to land your fish. Don't worry about complicated knots or rigging - that's all handled for you. Your job is to learn the fundamentals and enjoy the experience.
Redfish are the bread and butter around St. Marks, and these copper-colored fighters are perfect for beginners. They typically run 18-27 inches in these waters and put up a solid fight without being overwhelming. Spring through fall offers the best action, with fish feeding heavily over oyster bars and grass flats. What makes reds so special is their willingness to eat and their predictable behavior - you can often sight-fish for them in shallow water on calm days. Cobia show up in good numbers during their spring and fall migrations, offering beginners a chance at a larger, more powerful fish. These brown sharks of the inshore world can reach 30-40 pounds and will test your tackle and technique. They're curious fish that often approach the boat, making for some exciting visual fishing. Gag Grouper hang around the rocky structure and provide excellent table fare along with a good fight. These bottom dwellers require different techniques - you'll learn to fish structure and feel for that distinctive grouper bite. Florida Pompano are the premium eating fish in these waters, with their silver sides and forked tails making them easy to identify. They're often found in small schools and can provide fast action when you locate them. Black Sea Bass round out your target species and are perfect confidence builders - they bite well, fight reasonably, and help beginners get comfortable with the basics of bottom fishing.
This beginner-friendly charter fills up quickly, especially during peak season when weather conditions are most favorable. Captain Robert's patient teaching style and productive fishing spots make this trip a customer favorite for first-timers and casual anglers. You'll come away with new skills, great memories, and hopefully some fish for the dinner table. The 8-hour format gives you plenty of time to really learn without feeling rushed, and the 2-angler limit means you get personalized attention throughout the day. Pack your sunscreen, bring some snacks and drinks, and get ready for a day of learning and fishing in some of Florida's most productive inshore waters. Book now to secure your spot with one of St. Marks' top-rated fishing guides.
Captain Robert's restored 2002 Scout bay boat is perfect for exploring St. Marks' productive inshore waters. This 24-foot fishing machine packs a reliable 200HP Yamaha that'll get you to the hot spots quickly, cruising at speeds up to 42 knots. The wireless trolling motor lets you slip quietly into shallow flats where redfish and sea trout like to feed without spooking them. With GPS navigation and a quality fish finder onboard, you'll spend more time with lines in the water and less time searching. The spacious deck gives you and one other angler plenty of room to cast and fight fish comfortably. Whether you're targeting bass in the grass beds or working structure for cobia, this well-equipped bay boat handles St. Marks' varied fishing grounds with ease. The captain keeps all the gear ready, so you just need to show up and get ready to learn some new techniques while catching Florida Gulf Coast favorites.
Centropristis StriataBlack sea bass make perfect starter fish - they're eager biters and fairly easy to catch once you find them. These chunky, dark fish usually run 1-3 pounds around here, though we occasionally see some pushing 5+ pounds. They love hanging around structure like rocks, wrecks, and old pilings in 20-80 feet of water. Late spring through summer is prime time when they move inshore to feed and spawn. Males turn bright blue during spawning season and develop a distinctive hump on their heads. They put up a solid scrap on light tackle and make excellent table fare with sweet, white meat. Here's the trick: use a two-hook bottom rig with squid strips or cut bait, and don't set the hook too hard - their mouths are soft and you'll pull the hook right out. Let them load up the rod first.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are some of the hardest fighting fish you'll encounter out here. These brown, shark-looking fish average 20-40 pounds but can push 60+ pounds. We typically find them around structure like buoys, wrecks, and crab traps in 15-60 feet of water during spring and early summer migrations. They're curious fish that often follow rays and sharks, so we do a lot of sight fishing for them. When hooked, they make powerful runs and aerial jumps that'll test your tackle. The meat is outstanding - firm, white, and buttery. Spring through early fall is prime time when they move through our waters. Pro tip: when you spot one, cast a bucktail jig or live bait well ahead of where it's swimming - they're easily spooked but aggressive feeders once they commit.
Trachinotus CarolinusFlorida pompano are the ultimate prize for their buttery, rich meat that commands top dollar at restaurants. These silvery, flat-sided fish typically run 12-16 inches and 1-3 pounds, but their fight is way stronger than their size suggests - they're part of the jack family and pull hard. You'll find them along sandy beaches and grass flats, especially where there's good current moving shrimp and crabs around. Summer and fall are prime seasons when they school up and feed aggressively. They're picky eaters with small mouths, so we use small hooks with live shrimp, sand fleas, or small jigs. The key is using light tackle to feel their subtle bites. Local tip: look for clean, moving water over sandy bottom - they follow the tide lines hunting for food, and a small yellow or orange jig bounced along bottom often triggers strikes.
Mycteroperca MicrolepisGag grouper are classic bottom fighters that'll test your drag and determination. These gray, mottled fish usually run 15-25 inches around our local structure, but larger ones lurk in deeper water. You'll find them around rocky bottoms, ledges, and artificial reefs where they ambush crabs and small fish. They're available year-round, but spring and fall fishing is typically best when they're more active. What makes them special is the instant battle - once hooked, they dive straight for cover trying to cut your line on rocks or coral. The payoff is some of the finest eating fish in our waters with sweet, flaky white meat. My advice: keep your drag locked tight and don't give them an inch when they hit - the first few seconds determine whether you land them or lose them to structure.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are perfect for beginners - they're forgiving and fun to catch. You'll typically find them in 1-4 feet of water around oyster bars, grass flats, and shallow coves where their copper-colored backs often show above the surface. Most fish we catch run 20-28 inches, but don't be surprised if we hook into a bull red pushing 40+ inches. They hit everything from topwater plugs to live shrimp, and their drag-peeling runs make for exciting fights. The meat is excellent - mild and flaky when prepared right. Spring through fall offers the best action, especially on moving tides. Here's a local tip: when you see them tailing in shallow water, cast past the fish and work your bait back slowly - they spook easily in skinny water but can't resist a well-placed offering.
Carrabelle, FL, United States