Family Fishing Charters in Shalimar, Florida
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Familyfocused inshore fishing charter in Choctawhatchee Bay watersCaptain Shaun provides handson fishing lessons for kids under 12Threehour educational adventure accommodates up to six guests total
Looking for the perfect way to introduce your kids to fishing while creating memories that'll last a lifetime? Captain Shaun's inshore fishing charters in Shalimar are designed specifically with families in mind. This isn't your typical "throw a line and hope for the best" trip – it's a hands-on fishing adventure where kids under 12 and their parents learn together in the productive waters of Choctawhatchee Bay. With three hours on the water and a captain who knows how to keep young anglers engaged, you're looking at one of the best family fishing experiences on Florida's Emerald Coast.
Captain Shaun runs a tight but fun ship, accommodating up to six guests for these educational fishing charters. The three-hour timeframe is perfect for younger attention spans while giving everyone plenty of opportunity to get hands-on with different fishing techniques. You'll be working the inshore waters around Shalimar, where the protected bay environment means calmer seas and more comfortable conditions for families. The captain takes time to explain everything – from how to read the water and identify structure to proper casting techniques and fish handling. Parents often find themselves learning just as much as their kids, whether it's understanding tidal movements or picking up tips on bait presentation. The boat is equipped with all the gear you'll need, and Captain Shaun has a knack for adapting his teaching style to match each young angler's experience level.
Inshore fishing around Shalimar means working with lighter tackle that's manageable for smaller hands, but still substantial enough to handle the quality fish swimming in these waters. You'll primarily be using spinning reels with medium-light to medium action rods – perfect for teaching proper casting form without overwhelming young anglers. The techniques vary depending on what's biting and where Captain Shaun finds the fish. Live bait fishing with shrimp or pinfish is always productive, especially when targeting redfish around grass flats or structure. You might also work with artificial lures like soft plastics or spoons, which are great for teaching kids about retrieve techniques and lure presentation. The beauty of Choctawhatchee Bay is its variety – one minute you're casting to visible redfish cruising shallow flats, the next you're working deeper channels for grouper or jigging around structure for jacks. Captain Shaun keeps multiple rods rigged with different setups, so there's always something ready to go when the bite heats up.
Redfish are the stars of these inshore waters, and for good reason. These copper-colored fighters typically run anywhere from 18 to 30 inches in Choctawhatchee Bay, with some real bruisers pushing slot limits. What makes reds perfect for family trips is their willingness to eat and their manageable fight – exciting enough to get kids pumped but not so intense that it becomes frustrating. Spring through fall offers the most consistent redfish action, though these fish are catchable year-round. Kids love watching them cruise the flats in shallow water, and there's nothing quite like seeing a young angler's face light up when they hook their first slot red.
Permit are the wildcards of this fishery – when you hook one, you know you've got something special on the line. These silvery, disc-shaped fish are notoriously picky eaters, but when conditions align, they can provide some of the most memorable fights of the trip. They're typically found around structure and grass beds, often in small schools. While they can be challenging to target specifically, Captain Shaun knows the spots where they show up regularly. A permit on light tackle will test both young and experienced anglers alike.
Crevalle Jacks bring pure power to the equation. These hard-fighting fish aren't much to look at, but they'll give you a workout regardless of size. Jacks are perfect for teaching kids about fish handling and release techniques since they're abundant and resilient. They school up around structure and are aggressive feeders, often providing non-stop action when you locate a good concentration. Summer months tend to produce the best jack fishing, though they're present in decent numbers most of the year.
Gag Grouper add an element of bottom fishing to the mix, typically found around hard structure in slightly deeper water. These fish require different techniques than the shallow water species, making them perfect for teaching kids about varying their approach based on target species. Gags have great table fare, so they're often the fish that families are most excited to take home. The slot limits and seasonal regulations make each legal gag a prized catch.
Bluefish round out the target species list with their aggressive nature and schooling behavior. When you find a school of blues feeding, the action can be fast and furious – exactly the kind of non-stop fishing that keeps young anglers engaged. These toothy predators hit hard and fight well for their size. They're also excellent for teaching proper fish handling since their sharp teeth require careful attention, making it a great learning opportunity about respecting your catch.
Captain Shaun's family-focused fishing charters fill up quickly, especially during peak season when families are looking for that perfect vacation activity. The combination of educational value, hands-on fishing instruction, and productive waters makes this one of the top-rated family fishing experiences in the Shalimar area. Whether you're local parents wanting to give your kids a proper introduction to fishing or visiting families looking to make the most of your Florida vacation, this charter delivers exactly what it promises. The three-hour format keeps things manageable while providing enough time for real fishing education and plenty of opportunities to bend some rods. Check availability and secure your dates early – the best family fishing memories start with booking your spot on the water.
Our 22-foot Cape Horn center console is perfect for exploring Choctawhatchee Bay's productive inshore waters. Built in 2007 and powered by a reliable 250HP Yamaha, this fishing machine cruises at 45 knots to get you to the hotspots quickly. The spacious layout comfortably accommodates up to 6 anglers, making it ideal for family fishing adventures. Captain Shaun has equipped this boat with everything needed for successful inshore fishing trips. The fish finder helps locate schools of redfish, speckled trout, and flounder hiding in the grass flats and oyster bars. GPS navigation ensures we hit all the best fishing spots around Shalimar, while the VHF radio keeps us connected for safety and fishing reports. The wireless trolling motor lets us move silently through shallow waters without spooking fish, perfect for sight fishing in the clear bay waters. An onboard icebox keeps your catch fresh and drinks cold during those warm Florida fishing days. Whether you're teaching kids their first fishing techniques or targeting trophy inshore species, this well-maintained Cape Horn delivers a reliable platform for memorable fishing experiences in Florida's emerald coast waters.
Pomatomus SaltatrixBluefish are aggressive predators that show up in our area during cooler months, typically fall through early spring. These blue-green torpedoes average 2-5 pounds but can reach 15+ pounds. They travel in schools and create feeding frenzies when they find baitfish, churning the water like a washing machine. You'll find them in open water, around inlets, and near structure where baitfish gather. What makes them exciting is their attitude - they hit hard and fight dirty with sharp teeth that can slice through light line. They're decent eating when fresh, especially smaller ones. Just watch those teeth when handling them. My local tip: when you find a school, work fast with silver spoons or cut bait. They'll move quickly, but while they're feeding, you can catch multiple fish in minutes.
Caranx HipposCrevalle Jacks are the bulldogs of the bay - tough, aggressive fish that average 3-5 pounds but can hit 20+ pounds. These brassy-green speedsters travel in schools and love chasing baitfish in shallow water around grass beds and sandy flats. They'll also hang around structure like docks and jetties. You can fish for them year-round here, but summer brings the best action when they're actively feeding. What guests love is the raw power - pound for pound, few fish fight harder. They'll test your drag and your arms. Fair warning though, they're not great table fare, so most folks release them. Watch for diving birds - that's your best sign of a feeding school below. My go-to trick: cast a silver spoon past the school and rip it back fast. They can't resist the chase.
Mycteroperca MicrolepisGag grouper are structure lovers that hang around rocky bottoms, reefs, and wrecks in deeper water. These mottled gray fish average around 20 inches but can reach impressive sizes up to 50+ pounds. Younger fish stay closer to shore, while the big ones prefer offshore spots. They're ambush predators with strong jaws, so once hooked, they'll try to drag you straight back to their hole. Best fishing is during cooler months when they move into shallower water. Guests enjoy them because they're excellent eating with firm, white meat that's perfect for the grill. Live pinfish or cut bait works great, but here's the key: once you hook one, keep that rod tip up and reel hard immediately. Don't give them a chance to reach cover, or you'll be retying your rig.
Trachinotus FalcatusPermit are the holy grail of flats fishing - beautiful, silvery fish that can grow up to 3 feet and weigh 60 pounds. These disc-shaped fighters have incredible eyesight thanks to those golf ball-sized eyes that rotate almost 360 degrees. You'll find juveniles in our shallow grass flats and sand bottoms, sometimes in just 2 feet of water despite their tall profile. Adults tend to move offshore to wrecks and reefs. Best fishing runs April through October during spawning season, though we see them year-round in our warm waters. What makes them special is the challenge - they're incredibly spooky and picky eaters. Blue crab is the gold standard bait, but here's my tip: use a small piece on a circle hook and let it sit motionless on the bottom. Any movement and they're gone.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are one of our bread-and-butter targets here in Choctawhatchee Bay. These copper-colored beauties average 20-30 inches and love super shallow water - we're talking 1-4 feet where you can sometimes see their backs. Look for them around oyster bars, grass flats, and dock pilings where they hunt for crabs and shrimp. That distinctive black spot near their tail isn't just for show - it confuses predators into attacking the wrong end. Spring through fall gives you the best action, especially on moving tides. Kids love them because they fight hard but aren't too big to handle, plus they taste great on the dinner table. Here's a local trick: when you see one, don't cast directly at it. Lead them by a few feet and let your bait drift into their path naturally.
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