5.0(3 Reviews)Private 3-Hour Inshore Fishing | Beginners Welcome
5.0(3 reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Perfect beginnerfriendly inshore fishing experience with Captain WayneTargets snapper, redfish, grouper in calm bay watersSmall group capacity for personalized family fishing instruction
Looking for the perfect introduction to saltwater fishing? Captain Wayne's private 3-hour morning charter is designed specifically for families and first-time anglers who want to experience the joy of fishing without the pressure. We'll stick to the protected waters of the bay or venture out to nearby gulf reefs where the water stays calm and the fish are hungry. With just three spots on the boat, you'll get personalized attention and hands-on instruction that makes all the difference between a good day and a great one.
This isn't your typical crowded party boat experience. Captain Wayne keeps things relaxed and educational, making sure everyone feels comfortable handling the gear and learning proper techniques. We launch early in the morning when the fish are most active and the weather is at its calmest. The bay offers excellent protection from wind and waves, making it ideal for kids and anyone prone to seasickness. If conditions are right, we might head to the close-to-shore reefs where the action picks up and you'll have shots at bigger fish. The whole trip focuses on building confidence and teaching fundamentals that'll serve you well on future fishing adventures.
All fishing equipment is provided, including rods, reels, tackle, and bait. We primarily use light to medium tackle that's easy for beginners to handle but still has enough backbone for the fish we're targeting. In the bay, we'll focus on bottom fishing with live and cut bait around structure like docks, mangrove edges, and grass flats. Captain Wayne will show you how to read your rod tip, feel for bites, and set the hook properly. If we hit the nearshore reefs, we'll switch to slightly heavier tackle and work the bottom around rocky structure where snapper and grouper like to hide. Don't worry about bringing anything except sunscreen, a hat, and drinks – everything else is taken care of.
"Captain Wayne did a fantastic job taking us to numerous fishing sites. We caught trigger fish, Mahi Mahi, and vermillion snapper. Very successful day. His snapper taco recipe was amazing! Highly recommend him." - Ditmar
"Captain Wayne knows his stuff!! Great trip at a great price!! His boat held all 4 of us easy! He has over 15 years of experience in the area! 10/10 would recommend Captain Wayne and Just add water Charters!!! We will use him next time we are out!" - Hunter
"Wanted to go on a charter boat for my 62nd birthday and captain Wayne was the best!! We had a blast and caught plenty of fish. Highly recommended! Thanks Wayne!!" - Brian
Sea Trout are one of the most rewarding fish for beginners to target. These spotted beauties typically run 14-20 inches in our local waters and have a soft mouth that requires a gentle hookset. They're most active during the cooler months from October through March, feeding heavily in the shallow grass flats during early morning hours. Sea trout fight with quick bursts and jumps, making them exciting for kids and first-time anglers. They're also excellent table fare with white, flaky meat that's perfect for fish tacos.
Red Snapper are the crown jewel of our nearshore reefs and the fish most people dream about catching. These crimson-colored fighters typically weigh 3-8 pounds on our half-day trips, though bigger ones always lurk in the deeper structure. Red snapper are available year-round but fish best during the warmer months when they move into shallower water to spawn. They're notorious for their hard initial run toward the bottom, testing both your drag and your nerves. The meat is premium quality – firm, sweet, and incredibly versatile in the kitchen.
Lane Snapper might be smaller than their red cousins, but they make up for it with aggressive strikes and beautiful yellow and pink coloration. These 8-12 inch fighters are perfect confidence builders for new anglers since they bite readily and fight hard for their size. Lane snapper school up around structure year-round, making them reliable targets when other species are finicky. Kids especially love catching these colorful fish, and they're actually quite tasty despite their smaller size.
Spanish Mackerel bring pure speed and excitement to any fishing trip. These silver bullets typically run 12-18 inches and are known for their blistering runs and acrobatic jumps. They show up in big schools during spring and fall migrations, often creating feeding frenzies that result in multiple hookups. Spanish mackerel have razor-sharp teeth, so Captain Wayne handles all the unhooking for safety. Their rich, oily meat is perfect for smoking or grilling, and many anglers consider them one of the best-eating fish in the gulf.
Grey Snapper, also known as mangrove snapper, are the scrappy underdogs of the snapper family. These bronze-colored fighters are incredibly smart and cautious, making them challenging targets that teach patience and finesse. They typically run 10-16 inches in the bay and are masters at finding the smallest piece of structure to call home. Grey snapper are available year-round and bite best on live shrimp or small crabs. They're surprisingly strong for their size and known for making multiple runs before giving up. The meat rivals red snapper in quality and flavor.
Captain Wayne's beginner-friendly charter fills up quickly, especially during peak season and weekends. With over 15 years of local experience and a genuine passion for teaching, he's built a reputation for turning first-time anglers into lifelong fishing enthusiasts. The private boat ensures you won't feel rushed or intimidated by more experienced anglers, and the small group size means everyone gets plenty of hands-on instruction. Whether you're planning a family
Meet "Just Add Water," your floating fishing headquarters for exploring the bay and nearshore gulf waters! This 26-foot NauticStar center console is built for serious angling with twin 150 HP Yamaha engines that'll get you to the fish fast. Whether you're targeting mangrove snapper in protected bay waters or heading to close-shore reefs for vermillion snapper and grouper, this boat has everything you need. The spacious deck comfortably handles up to 3 anglers with plenty of room for casting and fighting fish. Two live bait tanks keep your bait frisky, while the fish finder helps locate schools and structure below. After a successful morning on the water, rinse off the salt with the freshwater shower and keep your catch fresh in the icebox. The wireless trolling motor lets you silently approach spooky fish in shallow water, and GPS navigation ensures you'll find those productive spots again. Complete with a full head for comfort during longer trips, this rig is perfect for families and beginners ready to experience real saltwater fishing.
Lutjanus GriseusMangrove snapper are the locals' favorite - smart, scrappy fish that'll test your skills around any structure. These copper-colored snappers with the dark eye stripe typically run 12-16 inches inshore, though bigger ones lurk in deeper water. They love docks, bridges, mangroves, and rocky areas where they can ambush prey. Year-round fishing is good, but they really turn on during summer months. What keeps people coming back is their fighting spirit and excellent table quality - white, flaky meat that's hard to beat. They're also clever fish that'll humble overconfident anglers. My advice: use the smallest hook you can get away with and let live shrimp swim naturally. Don't rush the hookset - let them take it and run first.
Lutjanus SynagrisLane snappers are great starter fish that'll keep the kids busy while we're working the reefs. These colorful little guys with their pink bodies and yellow stripes average 10-14 inches and fight harder than you'd expect for their size. They hang around coral and rocky areas in 20-80 feet, often mixed in with other snapper species. Spring through fall are your best bets when they're most active. What's nice about lanes is they're not as finicky as other snappers - they'll hit cut bait, shrimp, or small jigs pretty readily. They make excellent table fare too with sweet, white meat. The trick is using smaller hooks since their mouths aren't huge. A #2 or #4 circle hook with fresh shrimp usually does the job.
Lutjanus CampechanusRed snapper are the prize of our offshore reefs and what many folks dream about catching. These deep red beauties average 1-2 feet and 5-10 pounds, though we've seen some push 20+ pounds. They hang around structure in 30-100 feet - rocky bottoms, artificial reefs, and ledges. Summer months are prime time when they're most active and feeding heavy before spawning season. What gets people hooked is the fight - they'll make strong runs straight for cover trying to break you off. Plus, there's nothing better on the dinner table with that sweet, mild flavor. Here's the key: once you hook one, keep steady pressure and don't let them get back to the rocks. Fresh squid or live pinfish work best.
Salmo TruttaSpotted sea trout are one of our most reliable catches in these shallow bay waters. These silver-sided beauties with black spots run 14-24 inches and typically weigh 1-5 pounds. You'll find them cruising grass flats and around structure in 2-8 feet of water. They're most active during cooler months and love feeding early morning or late evening. What makes them special is their willingness to hit both live bait and artificial lures, plus they put up a solid fight with some nice runs. The meat is white, flaky, and delicious - just don't overcook it. Pro tip: when using live shrimp, hook it through the tail and let it swim naturally near the bottom. They're ambush feeders, so patience pays off.
Scomberomorus MaculatusSpanish mackerel are speed demons that'll test your reflexes and keep everyone on their toes. These streamlined silver bullets with yellow spots typically run 1-2 feet and 2-4 pounds. They travel in schools near the surface around reefs, grass lines, and bait balls. Warmer months are when they really fire up, especially when we find diving birds. What makes them fun is the explosive strikes and blistering runs - they're legitimately one of the fastest fish out here. Plus they're fantastic eating with firm, mild meat that's perfect on the grill. The secret is keeping your lures moving fast. Small spoons, jigs, or live sardines trolled at good speed work best. When you see the birds diving, get ready for some fast action.
5.0 out of 5.0Captain Wayne did a fantastic job taking us to numerous fishing sites. We caught trigger fish, Mahi Mahi, and vermillion snapper. ...
Captain Wayne knows his stuff!! Great trip at a great price!! His boat held all 4 of us easy! He has over 15 years of experience i...
Wanted to go on a charter boat for my 62nd birthday and captain Wayne was the best!! We had a blast and caught plenty of fish. Hig...
Destin