St Marks Inshore Fishing with King Charters
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Private 6hour inshore fishing trip in Apalachee Bay watersAll equipment, bait, and fishing licenses included with charterTarget trout, drum, jacks, mackerel, and redfish species
When you're looking for serious inshore action in Florida's Big Bend, King Charters delivers the kind of fishing that keeps skilled anglers coming back. This 6-hour private trip targets the productive flats and grass beds of Apalachee Bay, where the water holds some of the most consistent populations of redfish, trout, and drum on the Gulf Coast. Your captain knows these waters like the back of their hand – every drop-off, every grass line, and every spot where the fish stack up when conditions are right. With all your tackle, bait, and licenses handled, you can focus on what matters: putting fish in the boat.
This isn't your typical tourist fishing trip. King Charters caters to anglers who know their way around a rod and reel, and the pace reflects that. You'll launch from the St Marks area and head into Apalachee Bay's expansive shallow water system, where crystal-clear flats give way to deeper channels and oyster bars. The boat stays moving, covering water efficiently while your captain reads the conditions – wind direction, tide movement, and bait activity all factor into where you'll make your stops. Expect to fish multiple spots throughout the day, from shallow grass flats where you can sight-cast to cruising reds, to deeper drop-offs where the trout and drum hold. The 3-person capacity keeps the boat from getting crowded, giving everyone plenty of room to work their lines without tangles.
Your captain comes equipped with quality spinning gear spooled with appropriate line for the conditions – typically 15-20 lb test that can handle the grass and structure you'll be fishing around. Live bait is the go-to choice here, with live shrimp, pinfish, and finger mullet making up the core of your offerings. Depending on what's biting, you might also throw artificial baits like soft plastics, spoons, or topwater plugs when the fish are aggressive. The fishing style varies with the target species and conditions – you'll do everything from drift fishing the deeper channels to sight fishing the flats when the water's clear. Your captain adjusts techniques based on tides, with moving water typically producing the best action. During slack tide periods, you might work structure more thoroughly or target specific drop-offs where fish concentrate.
Redfish are the crown jewel of Apalachee Bay, and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers typically run 18-27 inches in these waters, with plenty of slot fish and the occasional oversized bull that'll test your drag system. Spring through fall offers the most consistent action, but winter can produce some of the biggest fish when they school up in deeper water. Reds here are notorious for their aggressive strikes and bulldogging fights – they'll use every oyster bar and grass bed to try to break you off. The sight fishing opportunities are what really get anglers fired up, watching these fish cruise the flats with their backs out of the water.
Sea Trout are the bread-and-butter species that keep your rod bent throughout the trip. The grass flats hold good populations of 14-18 inch fish, with gator trout over 20 inches showing up regularly, especially during cooler months. These fish are structure-oriented, relating to grass edges, sand holes, and drop-offs. They're also one of the most cooperative species when it comes to artificial baits, making them perfect for anglers who like to work soft plastics and topwater plugs. The bite can be subtle, so staying connected to your bait and feeling for that telltale thump is crucial.
Black Drum don't get the glamour of redfish, but they're absolute bulldogs that'll give you a workout. The larger specimens – often called "big uglies" by local guides – can push 15-20 pounds and fight like they're twice that size. They're bottom feeders that love crabs and cut bait, typically found around oyster bars and deeper channels. Spring brings the best drum fishing as they move shallow to spawn, and the bigger fish often travel in schools. Don't be surprised if you hook into multiple drum once you locate a good concentration.
Crevalle Jack are the wildcard species that can show up anywhere and turn your arms to jelly. These silver rockets often hunt in packs, following bait schools and creating surface commotion that's visible from a distance. When jacks move in, the action gets fast and furious – they're not picky about baits and will crush anything that moves. While they're not table fare for most anglers, the pure fighting power makes them a favorite for catch-and-release action. Summer months typically see the most jack activity, especially when baitfish are thick.
Cobia represent the bonus fish that can make your entire trip. These brown sharks (as they're sometimes mistaken for) are curious fish that will often approach the boat, giving you sight-casting opportunities you won't forget. Cobia here typically range from 20-40 pounds, with the occasional monster pushing 50-plus. They're most active during warmer months and are often found around structure or following rays on the flats. When a cobia eats your bait, you'll know it – they make powerful runs and use their broad tails to generate serious pulling power.
King Charters has built their reputation on putting skilled anglers on fish in some of Florida's most productive inshore waters. The 6-hour format gives you enough time to work multiple areas and adapt to changing conditions, while the private boat setup ensures you're fishing at your own pace without dealing with other people's tangles or inexperience. The captain's local knowledge of Apalachee Bay's seasonal patterns and productive spots is what separates this trip from generic fishing charters.
Your fishing adventure begins aboard our reliable 24-foot Panga motorboat, perfectly suited for navigating the shallow waters and grass flats of Apalachee Bay. This well-designed vessel combines stability with maneuverability, letting you access prime fishing spots where trout, redfish, and drum like to hide. The 90-horsepower Suzuki engine provides smooth, quiet power that won't spook fish in skinny water. Our GPS keeps you on productive fishing grounds, while the fish finder helps locate structure and schools below. With room for up to 3 anglers, there's plenty of space to cast, fight fish, and move around without crowding your fishing buddies. The Panga's shallow draft design makes it ideal for backcountry fishing, getting you into those hard-to-reach spots where the big reds and gator trout hang out.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the heavyweights of Apalachee Bay, typically running 5-30 pounds but capable of hitting 50+ pounds. These bruising fighters love our shallow muddy flats and oyster bars where they crush crabs and shellfish with powerful jaws. Spring brings the best action when they school up for spawning - you'll hear their distinctive drumming sounds underwater. They're bottom feeders, so fresh crab or cut bait fished right on the mud works best. Keep fish under 15 pounds for the table since bigger ones get tough and stringy. Pro tip: when you feel that steady, heavy pull instead of sharp tugs, you've got a drum on. They don't run far but they'll test your drag with that bulldog fight.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are the premium target in our waters, typically running 30-60 pounds with some giants pushing 100+ pounds. These brown, shark-like fish cruise around structure, buoys, and crab traps in 15-50 feet of water. Spring migration from April through June offers the best shot at these solitary hunters. They're curious fish that'll follow the boat, giving you multiple casting opportunities. The white, firm meat rivals any fish in the Gulf - absolutely top-shelf eating. What makes them special is that they're mostly sight-fishing targets that require patience and skill. When you hook one, expect a powerful fight with long runs. Local trick: keep a bucktail jig ready when you spot one swimming near the surface. They rarely refuse a well-placed jig bounced right in front of their nose.
Caranx HipposCrevalle jacks are the bullies of Apalachee Bay, averaging 12-24 inches but capable of hitting 4 feet and 60 pounds. These aggressive predators school up around structure and baitfish, creating some of the most explosive topwater action you'll find. Look for diving birds - that's your signal that jacks are pushing bait to the surface. They'll hit fast-moving spoons, topwater plugs, and just about anything retrieved quickly. Spring through fall brings consistent action. While they're not great table fare, the fight more than makes up for it with blistering runs and stubborn pulls. Pro tip: cast past the school and burn your lure back through - the faster the better. They love the chase and rarely refuse a meal that's trying to escape.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the ultimate sight-fishing target in our shallow waters, cruising flats in just 1-4 feet where you'll see their copper backs and signature black spots near the tail. Most run 20-35 inches and put up serious fights with long runs and head shakes. Year-round fishing is solid, but fall brings big schools into the shallows. They'll crush topwater plugs, gold spoons, and live shrimp equally well. The meat has a mild, sweet flavor that's hard to beat on the table. What makes them special is that explosive strike and the way they'll tail in skinny water like bonefishing. Here's the key: when you spot one, cast well ahead and let your lure sink before starting a slow retrieve. Spook them once and they're gone for good.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are our bread-and-butter inshore fish, averaging 14-24 inches with some reaching 5+ pounds. These spotted beauties cruise grass flats and drop-offs in 2-6 feet of water, especially around dawn and dusk. Spring through fall offers steady action, but cooler months can be dynamite when they school up in deeper holes. Trout hit topwater plugs, soft plastics, and live shrimp with aggressive strikes. The meat is white, flaky, and delicious - just don't overcook it or it gets mushy. They're scrappy fighters that'll jump and make runs, keeping things exciting. Local secret: work your lure slower in cooler water and faster when it's warm. These fish are temperature sensitive, so finding the right retrieve speed makes all the difference.
St. Marks