St Marks Inshore Fishing for Beginners
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Private 6-hour inshore fishing trip in Apalachee Bay watersAll gear, bait, and licenses included for hassle-free experienceTarget trout, drum, jacks, mackerel, and redfish species
Looking for the perfect introduction to Florida's legendary inshore fishing scene? King Charters has you covered with this beginner-friendly 6-hour adventure in the productive waters around Crawfordville. We're talking about Apalachee Bay here – one of the Big Bend's most consistent fishing spots where trout, redfish, and drum are practically jumping in the boat. This isn't some rushed half-day trip where you barely get your line wet. Six hours gives us real time to find fish, teach you the ropes, and maybe even sneak in a few different spots depending on what's biting. With all your gear, bait, and licenses included, you just need to show up ready to learn and have a good time on the water.
This trip is designed for small groups – we're talking three anglers max, so you're not fighting for space or attention from your guide. That's the sweet spot where everyone gets hands-on instruction without feeling crowded. The boat launches from the St Marks area, putting us right in the heart of some serious fish habitat. Apalachee Bay is shallow, grassy, and full of structure that holds baitfish – which means predators aren't far behind. Your guide knows these waters like the back of their hand, from the deeper channels where the drum hang out to the grass flats where trout love to ambush shrimp. We can adjust the game plan based on conditions, tides, and what species are most active. Some days we might spend more time working the mangrove edges for redfish, other days we'll focus on the grass beds for trout. The beauty of a private charter is flexibility – if something isn't working, we move and try something else.
Since this is geared toward beginners, we keep things straightforward but effective. Most of the day you'll be using light spinning tackle – easy to handle but still plenty of fun when you hook into a decent redfish or drum. Live bait is the name of the game here, usually shrimp and small baitfish that we'll rig on jig heads or under popping corks. Don't worry if you've never tied a knot or rigged bait before – that's what your guide is for. We'll show you how to read your rod tip for bites, when to set the hook, and how to fight fish without losing them at the boat. The water around St Marks ranges from super shallow grass flats to deeper creek mouths and channels, so we might switch between wade fishing and casting from the boat depending on conditions. Popping corks are especially deadly here – that popping sound drives trout crazy, and watching the cork disappear when a fish hits never gets old. For redfish, we often fish the mangrove shorelines and oyster bars where they cruise looking for crabs and baitfish.
The species mix in Apalachee Bay keeps things interesting all day long. Spotted sea trout are the bread and butter – they're aggressive, fight hard for their size, and taste great on the dinner table. These fish love the grass flats and respond well to both live shrimp and artificial lures. Black drum are another favorite, especially the slot-sized fish that pull like freight trains. You'll feel them thumping on the bottom before they make their run. Redfish are the crown jewel of inshore fishing here, and when conditions are right, we can target them specifically along the mangroves and shallow flats. Crevalle jacks add some serious muscle to the mix – these fish fight way above their weight class and will test your arms and your drag system. When the conditions align, cobia show up to crash the party, usually around structure or following rays in the shallows.
Spotted sea trout are active year-round but really turn on during the warmer months when shrimp are abundant. Look for them over grass beds in 3-8 feet of water, especially around potholes and edges. They're aggressive feeders that will hit live shrimp, DOA shrimp, and topwater plugs. A good trout bite can make your whole day – when you find a school, they'll often compete with each other to hit your bait first.
Black drum are the workhorses of the bay, available in good numbers most of the year. The bigger fish tend to move in during cooler months, while smaller slot fish are around consistently. They're bottom feeders that love crabs and shrimp, and once you hook one, you'll know it immediately. That head-shaking, bulldogging fight is unmistakable. They're also excellent table fare if you're looking to take some fish home.
Redfish are what dreams are made of in shallow water fishing. These copper-colored bruisers cruise the mangroves, oyster bars, and grass flats looking for easy meals. Spring and fall are prime time, but they're catchable year-round if you know where to look. The thrill of watching a redfish eat your bait in shallow water is something every angler needs to experience. They're strong, smart, and will use every bit of structure to try to break you off.
Crevalle jacks might not win any beauty contests, but they'll give you a workout you won't forget. These fish are pure muscle and attitude, hitting baits hard and making blistering runs that'll have your reel screaming. They often travel in schools, so where you catch one, there's usually more. They're especially active during the warmer months and will hit just about anything you throw at them.
Cobia are the wildcards of the bay – when they show up, everything else takes a backseat. These brown sharks of the shallows are curious, aggressive, and grow to impressive sizes. They're often found following stingrays or cruising around structure. Sight fishing for cobia in shallow water is as exciting as inshore fishing gets, and landing one is a real trophy
Get ready to chase redfish and trout aboard this reliable 24-foot Panga motorboat! Perfect for your Crawfordville inshore adventure, this fishing machine comes equipped with a smooth 90-horsepower Suzuki engine that'll get you to the hot spots in Apalachee Bay without breaking a sweat. The spacious design gives you and two fishing buddies plenty of room to cast lines and land fish without bumping elbows. Modern GPS keeps you on course to the best fishing grounds, while the fish finder helps locate schools of drum, jacks, and mackerel hiding below. Whether you're targeting speckled trout in the grass flats or hunting redfish along the shoreline, this boat handles shallow waters like a dream. The open layout makes it easy for beginners to move around safely while learning the ropes from experienced guides who know these waters inside and out.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the heavyweight champions of Apalachee Bay, ranging from 5-30 pounds with some giants hitting 90 pounds. These bottom-feeders love oyster beds and shallow muddy flats where they cruise around crushing crabs and shellfish with their powerful jaws. You'll hear them "drumming" underwater during spring spawning season when they school up and become much easier to target. They're fantastic fighters that'll test your drag, but stick to fish under 15 pounds if you plan to eat them - the smaller ones have better flavor and texture. Pro tip: use fresh blue crab on a Carolina rig and keep your bait right on the bottom. They're not picky, but crab tends to avoid the catfish that steal other baits.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are the unicorns of our local waters - big, brown, and often mistaken for sharks at first glance. These solitary fish can reach 40-60 pounds and are some of the best eating you'll find. They cruise around structure like channel markers, buoys, and grass edges, usually near the surface where you can sight-cast to them. Spring migration brings the best shots, especially May through July when they're moving through our area. What makes cobia special is their curiosity - they'll often swim right up to the boat to investigate. They fight hard but steady, not crazy jumpers. The meat is firm and delicious, like a cross between grouper and mahi. Best tip: when you see one, drop a bucktail jig right in front of its face and work it slow.
Caranx HipposCrevalle jacks are the bulldogs of Apalachee Bay - pure muscle ranging from 3-15 pounds that'll test your arms and drag system. These brassy-green fighters love to school up around bait pods, and you'll often spot them by watching for diving birds. They hang around structure, grass flats, and anywhere there's current moving baitfish. While they're not great table fare, they make up for it with aggressive strikes and relentless fights that beginners never forget. You'll find them year-round, but summer brings the best action when they're actively feeding. Silver spoons and topwater plugs work great, but here's the trick: cast beyond the school and burn your lure back fast - they love the chase and will absolutely crush anything moving quickly.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the crown jewel of our inshore fishing here in Apalachee Bay. These copper-colored beauties typically run 20-35 inches and pack serious power with their broad tails. You'll find them cruising super shallow water - sometimes with their backs showing - around grass flats, oyster bars, and marsh edges. Spring through fall is prime time, but they bite year-round in our area. What guests love most is sight-fishing for tailing reds in skinny water and that bulldogging fight once hooked. They're also excellent eating with sweet, firm meat. The key here is watching for those telltale black spots near the tail and being ready with a gold spoon or topwater plug. Local trick: look for nervous baitfish - redfish are usually right underneath pushing them around.
Salmo TruttaSpotted sea trout are one of our most reliable fish in Apalachee Bay, typically running 14-24 inches and 1-5 pounds. They love grass flats and shallow water, especially around structure during cooler months. Spring through fall offers the best action, but they're catchable year-round. What makes trout special is their willingness to hit both live bait and artificials - shrimp, topwater plugs, and soft plastics all work great. They're excellent table fare with mild, flaky white meat that's perfect for beginners to clean and cook. The fight isn't overwhelming, making them ideal for kids and new anglers. Here's a local secret: fish the grass flats early morning or late evening with a popping cork and live shrimp about 18 inches below - works like magic.
St. Marks