St Marks Inshore Fishing: 6-Hour Private Charter
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Sixhour inshore fishing adventure in Apalachee Bay watersTarget trout, drum, jacks, mackerel, and redfish speciesAll equipment, rods, reels, and licenses included
If you're looking for some of the best inshore fishing Florida's Big Bend has to offer, you've found the right spot. King Charters runs top-rated private trips out of Crawfordville, targeting the productive waters of Apalachee Bay where the grass flats meet deeper channels. This isn't your typical crowded party boat deal – we're talking about a 6-hour private charter for up to 3 anglers, which means you get personalized attention and can fish at your own pace. The captain knows these waters like the back of his hand and will put you on fish whether you're a seasoned angler or just getting your feet wet.
Your day starts early when you meet the crew at the launch. King Charters provides all the tackle, rods, reels, and even handles your fishing license, so you can roll up with just your cooler and some snacks. The boat heads out into Apalachee Bay, where miles of grass flats create perfect habitat for redfish, trout, and drum. You'll spend most of your time working water that's 2-8 feet deep, sight fishing the flats and targeting structure like oyster bars and creek mouths. The captain reads the tides, wind, and bait activity to keep moving until you find active fish. On a good day, you might hit 4-5 different spots, each offering different opportunities depending on what's biting.
Inshore fishing here is all about reading the water and adapting your approach. You'll use a mix of live bait like shrimp and pinfish, plus artificial lures depending on conditions. When the water's clear and fish are spooky, the captain might have you throwing soft plastics on light jig heads, working them slow over the grass. If there's some chop on the water, you might switch to topwater plugs or spoons to cover more ground. The boat stays positioned using a trolling motor to keep noise down, especially when sight fishing for reds in skinny water. You'll learn to spot fish movement, watch for nervous bait, and recognize the subtle signs that indicate feeding activity.
Redfish are the crown jewel of these flats, and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers average 20-28 inches in St Marks waters and fight like they're twice that size. Spring and fall are prime time when big schools push onto the flats to feed, but you can find them year-round if you know where to look. They're ambush predators that love to cruise oyster bars and grass edges, and when you hook one, get ready for drag-screaming runs and head-shaking jumps.
Sea Trout are your bread-and-butter fish here, especially during cooler months when they school up in deeper grass beds. These spotted beauties typically run 14-20 inches and are suckers for a well-presented shrimp or soft plastic. They're excellent table fare and relatively easy to catch once you locate a school, making them perfect for newer anglers looking to bend some rods.
Black Drum are the heavyweights of the flats, with fish over 30 pounds not uncommon in these waters. They're bottom feeders that love to root around oyster bars and shell beds, creating muddy patches that give away their location. These fish are pure power – no fancy jumps, just bulldogging runs that will test your tackle and patience.
Crevalle Jack might not win any beauty contests, but they'll give you an arm workout you won't forget. These silver torpedoes are aggressive feeders that often travel in schools, and when you find them, the action can be non-stop. They average 3-8 pounds locally and are known for their stamina – perfect for anglers who love a good fight.
Cobia are the wild cards of these trips. These shark-like fish are curious by nature and will often approach the boat, giving you shots at sight fishing. They typically show up in warmer months and can range from 20-40 pounds, making them a legitimate trophy catch. They're also fantastic eating, which makes them a customer favorite when they cooperate.
King Charters has built a solid reputation running these St Marks fishing trips because they deliver consistent results and know how to show customers a good time on the water. The 6-hour format gives you enough time to really explore different areas and target multiple species without feeling rushed. Whether you're planning a guys' trip, want to introduce kids to fishing, or just need to get away from the office for a day, this charter hits the mark. Keep in mind that deposits are non-refundable, so make sure your dates work before booking. The fishing in Apalachee Bay is world-class, and with an experienced captain putting you on fish, you're looking at a day that'll have you planning your next trip before you even get back to the dock.
Hit the waters of Apalachee Bay aboard our reliable 24-foot Panga motorboat, perfectly rigged for your 6-hour inshore fishing adventure. This spacious fishing platform runs smooth with a dependable 90-horsepower Suzuki engine that'll get you to the hot spots where trout, redfish, drum, and mackerel are biting. The boat comes equipped with GPS navigation to pinpoint prime fishing locations and a fish finder that takes the guesswork out of locating schools below. With room for up to 3 anglers, you'll have plenty of space to cast lines and fight fish without crowding each other. The open deck design gives everyone easy access to the action whether you're targeting reds in the shallows or working structure for bigger drum. This setup handles Apalachee Bay's varied conditions with ease, from grass flats to deeper channels where the fish stack up.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the heavyweights of Apalachee Bay, typically running 5-30 pounds but capable of hitting 90+ pounds. These powerful fish love oyster beds and muddy flats in 2-15 feet of water, using their crushing jaws to demolish crabs and shellfish. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning, making them much easier to target. What makes them special is their bulldogging fight - once hooked, they'll use every ounce of that muscle to stay put. Keep fish under 15 pounds for the table; bigger ones get tough and stringy. Pro tip: use fresh blue crab on a fish finder rig and let it sit on the bottom near oyster bars - the scent drives them crazy and crab won't get picked off by catfish like shrimp will.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are one of our most prized catches - dark brown, shark-like fish that can reach 40-60 pounds in our waters. These loners prefer structure like reefs, wrecks, and channel markers in 15-50 feet, though we spot them cruising shallow flats too. Spring migration from March through May offers the best shot at these fish as they move through our area to spawn. What makes cobia special is their incredible table quality - firm, white meat that rivals any restaurant fish - plus their powerful fight. They're curious fish that'll often approach the boat. Sight fishing is key here. When you spot one, drop a bucktail jig right in front of its nose and work it slowly. Cobia are followers, so be patient and keep that jig moving naturally.
Caranx HipposCrevalle jacks are the bullies of the bay - aggressive, hard-fighting fish that'll bend your rod in half. These brassy-colored bruisers typically run 3-15 pounds and travel in schools, often found around structure or chasing baitfish in 5-30 feet of water. They're active year-round in our warm Gulf waters, but summer brings the best action. What guests love is their willingness to hit almost anything and their bulldog fight that tests your tackle. They're not great table fare, but they're pure fun on light tackle. Watch for diving birds - that's your jackpot sign that jacks are pushing bait to the surface. When you find them, work fast. Cast silver spoons or topwater plugs and retrieve them quickly. Jacks love the chase, so the faster you work your lure, the more fired up they get.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the crown jewel of our inshore waters, and it's easy to see why. These copper-colored fighters average 18-28 inches with that signature black spot near the tail. They cruise super shallow water - sometimes so shallow their backs show above the surface. You'll find them around oyster bars, grass flats, and creek mouths in 1-4 feet of water year-round. What makes reds special is their aggressive strikes and powerful runs that'll test your drag. Plus, they're fantastic eating with firm, mild meat. Spring and fall are peak times when they school up heavily. Here's my local secret: look for "nervous water" on calm days - those subtle ripples often mean a school of reds is pushing baitfish just under the surface. Cast past them and work your bait back through.
Salmo TruttaSpotted sea trout, or "specks" as we call them, are one of our most reliable targets in Apalachee Bay. These silvery beauties with distinctive black spots typically run 14-20 inches and love grass flats in 2-8 feet of water. They're most active during cooler months and low-light periods like dawn and dusk. What guests love about trout is their willingness to hit topwater lures and their excellent table fare - white, flaky meat with a mild flavor that's hard to beat. They school up and once you find one, you'll usually find more. My go-to trick is working a soft plastic shrimp under a popping cork over grass beds. The popping sound calls them in from a distance, and that slow-sinking shrimp sealed the deal every time.
St. Marks