St Marks Inshore Fishing for Beginners
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Private 6hour inshore fishing trip in Apalachee Bay watersAll gear, bait, and licenses included for hasslefree experienceTarget trout, drum, jacks, mackerel, and redfish with guides
Looking to get on the water without all the hassle of figuring out gear, licenses, and where the fish are biting? King Charters has you covered with their beginner-friendly inshore fishing trip in Crawfordville, Florida. This 6-hour private charter takes you into the productive waters of Apalachee Bay, where the fishing is consistent and the learning curve is friendly. Perfect for small groups of up to three people, this top-rated experience gives you everything you need to have a successful day on the water – no prior experience required.
Your day starts early with King Charters' experienced captain who knows Apalachee Bay like the back of their hand. This isn't some cookie-cutter trip – it's a private charter designed around your group's pace and interests. The bay offers incredible diversity, from shallow grass flats where redfish cruise to deeper channels where trout and drum hang out. You'll spend six solid hours learning the ropes while actually catching fish, not just practicing casting. The guides take time to explain what they're doing and why, from reading the water to choosing the right bait for conditions. Since it's private, you won't be rushed or feel like you're holding anyone back. The boat stays comfortable for three people max, so there's plenty of room to move around and everyone gets quality time with the rod.
Everything's provided – rods, reels, tackle, bait, and even your fishing license. The guides rig up light to medium tackle perfect for the species you'll target, using live bait and proven artificials that work in these waters. You'll learn basic inshore techniques like sight fishing for redfish in shallow water, working soft plastics around structure, and reading grass lines where trout like to ambush baitfish. The beauty of Apalachee Bay is the variety – one minute you might be casting topwater plugs at breaking fish, the next you're bouncing jigs along the bottom for drum. Guides adjust techniques based on conditions and what's working that day. Tides play a huge role here, and your captain knows exactly when and where to be as water moves in and out of the bay. Don't worry about getting overwhelmed – they start with simple setups and build from there as you get comfortable.
Redfish are the crown jewel of Apalachee Bay and a customer favorite for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers average 20-28 inches and fight like crazy once hooked. Fall through early spring offers the best action when they school up in shallow water, but you can find them year-round. What makes redfish special is how they feed – you'll actually see them tailing in skinny water or cruising grass flats. The guides know specific spots where these fish congregate, and on specialized redfish trips, you'll hit proven areas where big schools gather. When a red takes your bait, get ready for runs and head shakes that'll test your drag.
Sea Trout are probably the most consistent bite in the bay, especially during cooler months from November through March. These spotted beauties typically run 14-18 inches, with bigger gator trout pushing 20-plus. They love grass flats and drop-offs, making them perfect for beginners since they're aggressive and forgiving. Trout hit both live bait and artificials hard, and once you find a school, you can often catch several before they move on. Their distinctive spotted pattern and prominent canine teeth make them easy to identify.
Black Drum provide steady action and are fantastic for learning bottom fishing techniques. These chunky fighters average 12-16 inches in the bay, though larger specimens occasionally show up. They're bottom feeders with excellent noses, so fresh bait works best. Drum are most active during moving tides and can be found around oyster bars and deeper holes. While they don't jump like other species, they use their body weight to make strong runs that'll surprise beginners.
Crevalle Jack are the bay's ultimate action fish – they hit hard and fight even harder. These silver torpedoes school up and create surface explosions when feeding. Size varies widely from small jacks around 2-3 pounds to larger specimens pushing 8-10 pounds. Spring and summer bring the best jack action, especially when baitfish are thick. They're not great table fare, but for pure adrenaline, nothing beats a jack's initial run.
Cobia are the bonus fish that can show up anytime, especially in warmer months. These brown sharks lookalikes are curious and often swim right up to the boat. Most cobia in the bay run 25-35 inches, making them excellent table fare. They're sight fishing opportunities that get everyone excited – spotting that distinctive brown shape cruising near the surface gets hearts pumping. Cobia are smart and can be picky, making them a fun challenge once you've mastered the basics.
This beginner-focused trip removes all the barriers that keep people from getting into inshore fishing. With gear, bait, and licenses included, plus knowledgeable guides who actually want to teach, you'll walk away with real skills and hopefully some fish for dinner. Apalachee Bay's diversity means something's always biting, whether you're after the specialized redfish experience or want to sample everything the bay offers. At six hours, there's enough time to try different techniques and locations without feeling rushed. Remember that deposits are non-refundable, so check your schedule before committing. King Charters has built their reputation on putting beginners on fish while teaching proper techniques – exactly what you need for a successful introduction to inshore fishing in Florida's Big Bend region.
This 24-foot Panga motorboat is your ticket to exploring the productive waters around Crawfordville and Apalachee Bay. Powered by a reliable 90-horsepower Suzuki engine, she cuts through the shallows with ease while keeping you comfortable during those 6-hour fishing adventures. The spacious layout gives your small group of up to 3 anglers plenty of room to cast lines and fight fish without getting tangled up. Built-in GPS keeps you on course to the hottest fishing spots, while the fish finder helps locate schools of trout, redfish, and drum hiding in the grass flats and oyster bars. Perfect for beginners who want to learn the ropes of inshore fishing without worrying about navigating these waters solo.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the heavyweights of Apalachee Bay, ranging from 5-30 pounds with some bruiser specimens hitting 90+ pounds. These dark, powerful fish love our oyster beds and muddy flats where they crush shellfish with their strong jaws. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning - much easier to target than when they scatter afterward. You'll find them in surprisingly shallow water, sometimes just a few feet deep. They put up a solid fight and smaller ones under 15 pounds make excellent table fare with mild, flaky meat. Pro tip: use fresh crab or cut mullet on the bottom - they're not shy about taking bait, but you need to get it right where they're feeding near structure.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are the gentle giants of our inshore waters, averaging 20-40 pounds with a distinctive shark-like appearance and brown coloration. They're loners that cruise around structure like channel markers, wrecks, and crab traps in 10-50 feet of water. Spring migration brings the best action when they move through our area heading north. What makes them special is their curious nature - they'll actually come up to investigate the boat. Plus, they're absolutely top-shelf table fare with firm, white meat that's hard to beat. The fight is steady and strong without crazy jumps. Pro tip: when you spot one, don't rush the cast. They're not spooky, so take your time with a bucktail jig or live bait and drop it right in front of them.
Caranx HipposJacks are the bulldogs of the bay - pure muscle and aggression packed into 3-15 pound packages. You'll spot them by their brassy-green backs and that distinctive blunt head profile. They roam both shallow flats and deeper channels, often hunting in schools that push baitfish to the surface. Watch for diving birds - that's your cue to get over there fast. Spring and summer are prime time when they're most active. Guests love them because they hit hard, fight dirty, and never give up. They're like hooking into a freight train. Here's the deal with jacks: once you find a school, work fast with silver spoons or topwater plugs. Keep the lure moving - these fish love the chase and won't hesitate on a fast-moving target.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the stars of our shallow water fishing, easily recognized by their copper-bronze color and distinctive black spots near the tail. Most run 20-30 inches and fight like they're twice that size. These fish love super shallow flats - sometimes so shallow their backs stick out of the water. They cruise oyster bars, grass beds, and mangrove shorelines looking for crabs and baitfish. Fall and spring are peak seasons, but they bite year-round in our area. What makes them special is that explosive strike and bulldogging fight, plus they're excellent table fare. Local secret: look for nervous water or "pushes" on calm days - that's usually a red cruising just under the surface. Cast ahead of them, not right on top.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are one of our most reliable inshore targets, typically running 1-5 pounds with those distinctive black spots covering their silvery sides. They love grass flats and shallow bays throughout Apalachee Bay, especially around dawn and dusk when they feed actively. Spring through fall offers the best action, though they can be caught year-round in our warmer waters. These fish are scrappy fighters that jump and make great runs, plus they're fantastic eating with tender, white meat. They're pretty forgiving for beginners too. Here's a local trick: use a popping cork with live shrimp about 18 inches below - the noise draws them in, and that natural presentation seals the deal.
St. Marks