Kayak Fishing Adventures in Florida Panhandle
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Expert guides read tides and fishing patterns dailyKayak fishing adventure accommodates up to two guestsLaunch location communicated days before departure
Get ready to paddle into some of the most productive inshore waters the Gulf Coast has to offer. Our top-rated kayak fishing trips put you right where the fish are feeding, away from the crowded boat ramps and into the quiet backwaters where sea trout and redfish love to hang out. With just two anglers per guide, you'll get the personal attention that makes all the difference between coming home with stories and coming home with dinner. Our DKF guides live and breathe these waters – they're out here daily, reading every tide change and tracking fish movement patterns that most weekend warriors never pick up on.
This isn't your typical charter boat experience. We're talking about getting into skinny water areas that big boats can't touch – grass flats, oyster bars, and hidden creek mouths where the fish feel safe to feed. Your guide will scout the best launch spot based on wind, tides, and recent fish activity, then shoot you a text a few days before your trip with the exact location. These aren't random picks either – we're talking about spots that have been producing consistently, whether that's a protected bay on a windy day or a specific flat that's been holding schools of trout. You'll be paddling stable fishing kayaks that let you stand and sight cast when the opportunity presents itself, but they're also comfortable enough to fish from the seated position all day if that's your style. The beauty of kayak fishing is the stealth factor – you can drift right up on feeding fish without spooking them like a noisy outboard would.
We keep the tackle simple but effective for these inshore species. Most of the time, you'll be throwing soft plastics on jigheads – think paddle tail shrimp and baitfish imitations in the 3 to 4-inch range. The key is matching your jighead weight to the current and depth you're fishing. In 2-3 feet of water with light current, a 1/8 ounce head does the trick. When we're working deeper pockets or fighting more tide, we'll bump up to 1/4 ounce to keep good bottom contact. Topwater action can be absolutely lights-out during the early morning and late afternoon sessions – nothing beats watching a redfish blow up on a spook or popper in shallow water. Your guide will have you rigged with the right gear for the conditions, and they'll adjust your setup throughout the day as we move between different types of structure. The casting technique is crucial too – these fish are often in just a few feet of water, so long, accurate casts keep you from bumping bottom or hanging up in the grass.
Sea trout are the bread and butter of Florida Panhandle kayak fishing, and for good reason. These spotted beauties love the grass flats and are aggressive feeders when you find them in the right mood. They typically run anywhere from 14 to 20 inches, with the occasional gator trout pushing over 24 inches that'll give you something to brag about back home. Spring through fall are prime time for trout, especially during the warmer months when they're actively feeding in the shallows. They're structure-oriented fish, so your guide will position you near grass beds, drop-offs, and sandy potholes where they ambush baitfish. What makes trout so much fun on light tackle is their fight – they'll make multiple runs and shake their heads violently trying to throw the hook. Plus, they're excellent eating if you decide to keep a few within the slot limits.
Redfish are the other crown jewel of these waters, and they're what most anglers get truly addicted to. These copper-colored bulldogs can range from slot-sized fish around 18-27 inches all the way up to oversized bulls that'll test your drag system and your patience. Reds are year-round residents here, but they really turn on during the cooler months when they school up in predictable areas. The sight fishing opportunities are world-class – watching a redfish's back fin and tail working through 18 inches of clear water while you're setting up for the perfect cast is what kayak fishing is all about. They're notorious for their powerful runs, especially the bigger fish that will strip line and head for the nearest oyster bar or structure. Reds are also incredibly smart and can be picky eaters, which makes landing one even more satisfying. Most of our customers say hooking their first red on a kayak is a game-changer that keeps them coming back season after season.
The Florida Panhandle's inshore fishing scene is trending upward every year, and kayak fishing gives you access to spots that are virtually untouched by pressure. Our guides' local knowledge and daily time on the water means you're not wasting time figuring out patterns – you're fishing proven areas with techniques that work. Whether you're a seasoned kayak angler looking to explore new water or someone who's never fished from a kayak before, this customer favorite trip delivers the kind of hands-on fishing that creates lasting memories. The intimate setting with just two anglers means you'll learn techniques you can use on your own future fishing adventures, and you'll experience the best that inshore kayak fishing has to offer. Book your spot now and get ready to see why so many anglers consider this the best trip for targeting sea trout and redfish in the Gulf Coast region.
These fishing kayaks are built for serious angling in the Florida Panhandle's productive inshore waters. Designed with stability and functionality in mind, each kayak comfortably accommodates up to 2 anglers and features rod holders, tackle storage, and easy paddling maneuverability to access those hard-to-reach fishing spots where the big ones hide. Your experienced DKF guide knows these waters like the back of their hand, constantly monitoring tidal movements and fish behavior patterns to put you on the best action. They'll scout conditions and let you know the optimal launch site a few days before your trip, whether that's a protected bay, grass flat, or nearshore area where redfish, trout, and other target species are actively feeding. These kayaks handle shallow water with ease, letting you slip into skinny areas that bigger boats can't reach.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the perfect kayak target - they love super shallow water where bigger boats can't reach. These copper-colored bruisers with the telltale black spots near their tails typically range from 20-35 inches in our waters and will test your drag system. Look for them tailing in 1-3 feet over grass flats, oyster bars, and around downed timber during warmer months. Fall brings the best fishing when they school up before winter. They're aggressive feeders that'll smash topwater plugs, gold spoons, and live shrimp. The fight is what hooks most anglers - they make long runs and never give up easy. Here's the key: when you spot a red's back or tail breaking the surface, cast well past them and work your lure back through their zone. They spook easily in skinny water.
Salmo TruttaSpotted sea trout are one of our most reliable inshore targets here in the Panhandle. These silvery fish with distinctive black spots typically run 14-24 inches and put up a solid fight on light tackle from a kayak. You'll find them cruising grass flats in 2-6 feet of water, especially around dawn and dusk when they're actively feeding on shrimp and small baitfish. They bite year-round, but fall and spring offer the best action when water temps are in the 70s. The meat is white, flaky, and excellent eating if you keep a few within slot limits. Pro tip: work a soft plastic shrimp slowly along the bottom of grass edges during moving tides - that subtle presentation triggers more strikes than fast retrieves in our shallow waters.
Destin, FL