Family Inshore Fishing in Shalimar Waters
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Family-friendly 3-hour inshore fishing charter in Choctawhatchee BayCaptain Shaun provides hands-on fishing lessons for kids and parentsAccommodates up to 6 guests with educational and bonding experience
Looking for a fishing trip that works for the whole family? Captain Shaun's got you covered with this top-rated 3-hour inshore charter specifically designed for kids under 12 and their parents. Based out of Shalimar, Florida, this isn't your typical fishing trip – it's part adventure, part fishing school, and 100% fun. You'll be working the productive waters of Choctawhatchee Bay, where redfish cruise the grass flats and grouper hold tight to structure. With room for up to 6 anglers, this charter strikes the perfect balance between hands-on learning and actually putting fish in the boat.
Captain Shaun knows how to keep young anglers engaged while making sure parents don't feel left out. This 3-hour window gives everyone plenty of time to get comfortable with the gear, learn proper casting techniques, and understand how to read the water without wearing out the little ones. The Choctawhatchee Bay system offers protected waters that are perfect for families – no rough seas to worry about, just miles of grass flats, oyster bars, and structure that holds fish year-round. You'll start with the basics: how to hold a rod properly, setting the hook, and fighting a fish without losing it at the boat. Captain Shaun tailors each trip to the skill level of his crew, so whether you're dealing with first-time anglers or kids who've already caught their share of bluegill from the local pond, everyone learns something new.
This inshore experience focuses on light tackle fishing that's perfect for smaller hands. You'll be using spinning reels spooled with 10-15 pound test – manageable for kids but strong enough to handle the crevalle jacks and redfish that call these waters home. The techniques vary based on what's biting: live shrimp under popping corks for redfish around the grass beds, cut bait near structure for grouper, and small jigs or spoons when the bluefish are schooled up and feeding aggressively. Captain Shaun provides all the gear, but he'll also explain why certain setups work better in different situations. Kids learn to tie improved clinch knots, how to bait their own hooks, and the art of feeling a bite through the rod tip. The bay's shallow waters mean you're often fishing in 3-8 feet of water, so everyone can see what's happening below – sometimes you'll even spot your target before you cast.
Redfish are the bread and butter of Choctawhatchee Bay, and for good reason. These copper-colored fighters typically run 18-27 inches in these waters and are famous for their bulldog runs that'll test any angler's patience. They love hanging around oyster bars and grass flats, especially during moving tides. What makes reds perfect for family trips is their aggressive feeding behavior – they're not overly finicky and will hit live shrimp, cut mullet, or artificial lures. The best action usually happens early morning or late afternoon when they push up shallow to feed.
Permit are the wildcards of this fishery. These disc-shaped fish are notoriously picky eaters, but when you hook one, you'll understand why they're so highly regarded. They average 8-15 pounds in the bay and are incredibly strong for their size. Permit prefer sandy flats and will often be found tailing in skinny water. Captain Shaun loves targeting them because they teach young anglers the importance of patience and proper presentation – skills that translate to all types of fishing.
Crevalle Jacks bring the pure excitement factor. These silver torpedoes hit hard, run fast, and don't give up easily. They school up in good numbers, so when you find them, everyone on the boat usually gets a shot. Jacks range from 2-10 pounds in the bay and are perfect for teaching kids how to fight a fish properly. They're also great for building confidence since they're aggressive feeders that will hit a variety of baits and lures.
Gag Grouper add a different element to the trip. These bottom dwellers hold tight to structure like docks, bridges, and rocky areas. They're ambush predators that require a different approach – dropping bait down to them rather than covering water. Gags in the bay typically run 12-20 inches and provide excellent table fare. They teach young anglers about structure fishing and the importance of getting fish away from cover quickly after the hookup.
Bluefish round out the target list with their schooling behavior and aggressive strikes. These toothy critters are perfect for action-packed fishing when they're feeding on the surface. Blues in Choctawhatchee Bay usually run 1-3 pounds and are excellent for teaching kids about different retrieval speeds with artificial lures. They're also great for explaining the food chain – you'll often see them chasing baitfish right to the surface.
This family-focused charter fills up fast, especially during peak season when the weather's perfect and the fish are cooperative. Captain Shaun's approach to combining education with actual fishing success has made this one of the most popular family trips in the Shalimar area. The 3-hour timeframe is ideal for keeping young anglers engaged without turning the trip into an endurance test. You'll leave with new skills, great memories, and hopefully a cooler with some fresh fish for dinner. The Choctawhatchee Bay system offers world-class inshore fishing that's perfectly suited for introducing the next generation to the sport. Don't wait – check availability and book your family fishing adventure today.
Our 22-foot Cape Horn center console is perfect for exploring Choctawhatchee Bay's productive fishing grounds. Built in 2007 and powered by a reliable 250HP Yamaha, this boat cruises comfortably at 45 knots to get you to the hot spots quickly. The spacious layout accommodates up to 6 anglers with plenty of room to cast and fight fish. Captain Shaun has equipped her with everything needed for successful inshore fishing - a quality fish finder to locate structure and schools, GPS for pinpoint navigation to proven spots, VHF radio for safety, and a wireless trolling motor for stealthy approaches in shallow water. The onboard icebox keeps your catch fresh and drinks cold during those warm Florida fishing days. Whether you're targeting redfish in the grass flats, speckled trout around oyster bars, or flounder in the channels, this well-maintained Cape Horn provides a stable, dry platform for making memories on the water.
Pomatomus SaltatrixBluefish are pure aggression with fins - these blue-green torpedoes show up in schools and turn the water into a washing machine when they're feeding. Most run 2-10 pounds in our waters, with razor-sharp teeth that'll slice through line if you're not careful. They roam open water and surf zones, following baitfish migrations, with best action typically in fall and winter when they're moving south. What gets people excited about blues is their willingness to eat anything and their explosive strikes on topwater lures. They're also solid table fare when handled right - bleed them immediately and keep them cold. The smaller "snappers" are perfect for kids to catch. Watch for bird activity over schools of bait - that's where you'll find the bluefish blitz. Use a wire leader or heavy fluorocarbon, and try cut bait, spoons, or anything shiny that moves fast. Just be careful of those teeth when unhooking them.
Caranx HipposCrevalle Jacks are the bulldogs of the bay - built like tanks and twice as aggressive. These brassy-gold fighters typically run 3-5 pounds inshore, but don't let the size fool you. They punch way above their weight class and will drag you around the boat. You'll find schools of them around grass flats, shallow reefs, and any structure that holds bait. They're here year-round but really turn on during warmer months when baitfish are thick. What makes jacks fun is their pure aggression - they'll hit anything that moves fast and fight dirty once hooked. The kids love them because they're cooperative and put up a serious scrap. Here's my trick: look for diving birds working the surface. Jacks push bait up from below while birds attack from above. Cast a silver spoon or bright jig into the chaos and hang on tight. They're also great table fare when bled and iced quickly.
Mycteroperca MicrolepisGag grouper are the sneaky heavyweights of our deeper structure fishing. These mottled gray bruisers average 20 inches but can push 3-4 feet and 50 pounds when you find the big ones. They live around rocky bottoms, ledges, and artificial reefs, usually in 30-100+ feet of water. While we focus on inshore fishing, smaller gags do venture into our bay systems around structure. What makes them exciting is the surprise factor - you never know if that tap is a 2-pounder or a 20-pounder until it's halfway to the boat. They're also fantastic eating with firm, white meat that's perfect for the grill. The challenge is their tendency to dive straight back to their hole once hooked. My advice: when you feel that thump, set the hook hard and keep steady pressure. Don't give them an inch or they'll wrap you around every rock down there. Live pinfish and cut bait work best.
Trachinotus FalcatusPermit are the holy grail of flats fishing - a silver ghost that'll test every bit of your patience and skill. These disc-shaped fish average around 20-30 pounds but can hit 40-plus, with tall bodies that seem impossible to fit in 2 feet of water, yet that's exactly where you'll find them. They cruise sand flats and grass beds, using those golf ball-sized eyes that rotate almost 360 degrees to spot danger. Spring through fall gives you the best shot, especially during their spawn from April to October. What draws anglers back is the challenge - permit are notoriously picky and will spook at the slightest wrong move. When you do hook one, they make blistering runs that'll empty your reel fast. Here's the key: live blue crabs are your best bet, and always approach from downwind. Present your bait well ahead of them and let it settle naturally.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are one of our most reliable targets here in Choctawhatchee Bay. These copper-colored beauties with their signature black spots near the tail typically run 20-30 inches and love cruising the shallow flats in just 1-4 feet of water. You'll find them around oyster bars, grass beds, and muddy bottoms where they root for crabs and shrimp. They're active year-round in our area, but fall and spring offer the best action when they school up. What makes redfish special is their strong, bulldogging fight - they'll make long runs and really test your drag. Plus, they're excellent eating with mild, flaky white meat. My tip: when you see their backs breaking the surface or tails waving in shallow water, cast past them and work your bait back slowly. They spook easily but once hooked, you're in for a real battle.
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