Half Day Family Fishing in St. Augustine
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Halfday inshore fishing trip targeting multiple species.Familyfriendly experience with handson guidance provided.All equipment, licenses, and refreshments included onboard.
Looking for a fishing trip that'll get the kids hooked on the sport? Captain Hector Marquez runs one of the best family-friendly charters out of St. Augustine, and his half-day inshore trips are perfect for introducing young anglers to the water. This isn't some watered-down kiddie trip either – you'll be targeting legitimate fish like Sheepshead, Redfish, Black Drum, King Mackerel, and Sea Trout in some of Florida's most productive inshore waters. The captain knows exactly where to find fish that'll cooperate with smaller hands, and he's got the patience to teach proper techniques while keeping everyone engaged for four solid hours on the water.
You'll meet Captain Hector at 101 Vilano Causeway for either the 8:00 AM or 1:00 PM departure – both times work great for families with different schedules. The boat comfortably handles up to six guests, so you can bring the whole crew without feeling cramped. What really sets this trip apart is how everything's included: rods, reels, tackle, bait, ice, water, and even fishing licenses. The captain brings kid-sized gear when needed and adjusts his approach based on the ages and experience levels in your group. You'll spend time in the protected inshore waters around St. Augustine, hitting structure and grass flats where fish tend to congregate. The areas are calm enough for kids to feel comfortable but productive enough to keep lines tight throughout the trip.
Captain Hector keeps things simple but effective, focusing on bottom fishing and light tackle techniques that work well for younger anglers. You'll be using circle hooks and natural baits like shrimp and small crabs – the kind of setup that gives kids the best chance at hookups without getting overwhelmed by complicated rigging. The captain will show everyone proper casting form, how to feel for bites, and the right way to fight a fish without losing it at the boat. For the Sheepshead and Black Drum, you'll be working structure with heavier sinkers, while the Redfish and Sea Trout action happens on lighter tackle over grass beds. King Mackerel fishing involves a bit more finesse, but the captain adjusts his presentation based on what the group can handle. The key is keeping everyone actively fishing rather than standing around waiting for something to happen.
Sheepshead are the bread and butter of St. Augustine inshore fishing, especially around docks, bridges, and oyster bars. These black-and-white striped fish have incredibly strong jaws designed for crushing shellfish, which makes them fun fighters on light tackle. They're notorious bait stealers, so kids learn quickly to pay attention to their rod tips. Sheepshead run best in cooler months from fall through early spring, and they're excellent eating fish that families love taking home for dinner.
Redfish are the crown jewel of inshore species here, and St. Augustine's grass flats hold some beautiful fish year-round. These copper-colored drum species put up fantastic fights, making long runs and using their broad sides to pull drag. Kids get a real thrill from the way Reds bend rods and make reels sing. They're most active during moving tides, and Captain Hector knows exactly which flats to hit based on water movement and time of year.
Black Drum often get overlooked, but they're perfect for young anglers because they bite aggressively and fight hard without making the crazy runs that can overwhelm kids. These bottom dwellers love crab baits around structure, and the smaller ones in the 2-5 pound range are ideal for children to handle. Larger drum show up in spring and fall, giving more experienced young anglers a chance at something bigger.
Sea Trout are probably the most cooperative fish you'll encounter, making them fantastic confidence builders for first-time anglers. They're willing biters on shrimp and soft plastics, and they're found throughout the inshore waters around St. Augustine. Spring and fall produce the best quality fish, but you can catch them year-round in deeper grass beds and around creek mouths.
King Mackerel add some serious excitement when they're around, typically showing up in spring and fall when baitfish are thick. These speedsters make blistering runs that'll test any angler's skills, and even smaller Kings in the 10-15 pound range provide plenty of action. The captain will adjust tackle accordingly when targeting Kings, often using wire leaders and trolling techniques that give kids a taste of offshore-style fishing without leaving the inshore waters.
This trip delivers exactly what families need – a legitimate fishing experience that works for kids without sacrificing the quality that keeps parents engaged. Captain Hector's reputation for working with young anglers is well-earned, and his knowledge of St. Augustine's inshore waters means you'll spend time fishing rather than searching. The four-hour format hits the sweet spot for attention spans while providing enough time to try different techniques and locations. With everything included and departures twice daily, it's easy to work into vacation schedules. Book early, especially during peak seasons when family-friendly charters like this fill up fast. Your kids will be talking about their first real fishing trip for years, and you might just discover a new family tradition on the waters around America's oldest city.
Captain Hector's 2004 19' Action Craft Coastal Bay is built for family fishing adventures in St. Augustine's inshore waters. This versatile motorboat runs on a reliable 150hp Suzuki engine and comfortably handles up to 6 anglers. The boat comes fully rigged with GPS navigation and fish finder to locate those productive spots where Sheepshead, Redfish, and Sea Trout like to hang out. A wireless trolling motor lets you glide quietly into shallow areas without spooking fish. The onboard livewell keeps your catch fresh, while the icebox handles drinks and snacks for the crew. All fishing gear, tackle, and bait are provided, plus Captain Hector includes licenses, water, and ice. The VHF radio ensures safe communication, and the experienced first mate helps kids learn proper techniques. Whether you're targeting King Mackerel or Black Drum, this well-equipped fishing machine delivers a solid platform for creating lasting memories on the water.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the heavyweights of the drum family, typically running 5-30 pounds but can hit 90+ pounds. These gray-black bruisers love shallow muddy flats and oyster beds around St. Augustine, using their powerful jaws to crush crabs and shellfish. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning - that's when you'll hear their distinctive drumming sounds underwater. They're fantastic for kids because they fight hard but steady, not too jumpy. The smaller ones under 15 pounds make great table fare with flaky white meat. Pro tip: use fresh crab on a fish finder rig and keep it right on the bottom - they won't chase bait up in the water column.
Scomberomorus CavallaKing Mackerel are the speed demons of our trips, typically weighing 10-30 pounds with some monsters pushing 50+. These silver bullets cruise the offshore waters from 40-150 feet deep, but we often find them closer to inlets during warmer months. They're pure adrenaline - when a king hits your line, you'll know it instantly with blistering runs that test your drag. Great for teaching kids about big fish fights while still being manageable. The meat's excellent grilled or smoked, though we recommend releasing the bigger breeder fish. Best tip I can share: when trolling, use a wire leader with two hooks - one in the bait's nose, one trailing behind. Kings love to bite the tail first.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the gold standard of inshore fishing around St. Augustine. These copper-colored beauties with distinctive black spots near their tail typically run 18-35 inches and fight like freight trains. They love super shallow water - sometimes so shallow their backs stick out - around oyster bars, marsh grass, and creek mouths. Year-round fishing is solid, but fall and spring offer the best action when they school up. What makes them special is that explosive strike and bulldogging fight that gets everyone's heart pumping. The meat on slot-sized fish is sweet and mild. Pro tip: look for nervous water or wakes in shallow areas, then cast ahead of where they're moving with a gold spoon or live shrimp.
Salmo TruttaSea Trout, or Speckled Trout as locals call them, are beautiful spotted fish that typically run 1-5 pounds in our grass flats. They love shallow water around 2-8 feet deep, especially near oyster bars and creek mouths. These fish are most active during cooler months and low-light periods - early morning and evening trips often produce the best action. Kids enjoy their steady fight and the way they jump when hooked. The white, flaky meat is delicious but delicate, so don't overcook it. They school up in winter in deeper channels, making for some fast action. My go-to technique: drift the flats with live shrimp under a popping cork about 18 inches deep.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the convict fish of our waters with those distinctive black and gray stripes. Most run 1-8 pounds, but we occasionally see 20-pounders around the docks and bridge pilings. These guys have human-like teeth perfect for crushing barnacles and crabs off structure. They're year-round residents but really active in cooler months when they school up around jetties and piers. Kids love seeing those weird teeth, and parents love the sweet, mild white meat - some of the best eating fish we catch. Fair warning though: they're notorious bait thieves. Here's the trick - get your bait tight against the pilings and set the hook hard the second you feel weight.
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