Full-Day St Marks Fishing Adventure
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Full-day inshore fishing charter targeting Redfish and Spotted Sea TroutCaptain Matt provides all fishing licenses and equipment for guestsEight-hour trip accommodates up to four anglers in St Marks waters
Picture this: you're on the water before most folks even think about coffee, watching the sun paint the St Marks coastline while you're already rigging up for what could be the best fishing day of your year. This isn't your typical half-day trip where you're just getting warmed up when it's time to head back. With Captain Matt's 8-hour charter, you've got the whole day to work these productive waters and really dial in on what's biting. We're talking about fishing the legendary St Marks area where the freshwater meets salt, creating one of Florida's most consistent inshore fisheries. You'll have plenty of time to hit multiple spots, adjust tactics as conditions change, and really get into the rhythm that separates a good day from an epic one.
Captain Matt knows these waters like his own backyard, and he'll put you on fish while teaching you the nuances that make St Marks special. We're launching early to take advantage of those prime feeding windows when redfish are cruising the shallows and sea trout are stacked up on the grass flats. The beauty of an 8-hour trip is flexibility – if the morning bite is slow, we've got time to relocate and find where they're feeding. You might start working dock lights for trout, then move to oyster bars when the tide changes, or even run out to nearshore structure if the mackerel and cobia are showing up. Captain Matt handles all your licenses and gear, but you'll want to bring plenty of food and drinks since we're making a full day of it. Think of it like a fishing marathon rather than a sprint – pace yourself, stay hydrated, and be ready for anything from sight-fishing reds in two feet of water to battling drum that'll test your drag system.
St Marks fishing is all about reading the water and matching your approach to what the fish want. Captain Matt runs quality spinning gear that can handle everything from finicky trout on live shrimp to bull reds that'll spool you if you're not ready. We'll be working both artificial lures and live bait depending on conditions and target species. When the water's clear and fish are spooky, we might throw soft plastics on light jig heads, working them slow over grass beds where trout like to ambush prey. For redfish, it's often about sight-fishing with gold spoons or working cut bait around structure where they're feeding. The tackle setup changes throughout the day – lighter gear for trout and mackerel, then stepping up to medium-heavy action when we're targeting cobia or larger drum. Captain Matt will walk you through each technique, from proper jigging cadence to reading fish on the electronics. The St Marks area offers everything from shallow water sight-fishing to working deeper channels, so you'll get exposed to different methods that'll make you a more complete angler.
Redfish are the crown jewel of St Marks fishing, and these copper-colored fighters are what dreams are made of. They cruise the flats year-round, but fall and spring offer the most consistent action when they're feeding heavily before and after spawning. A good red will strip drag and make multiple runs, using their broad tail to fight in the shallows. What makes them special here is the variety – you might catch slot fish perfect for dinner, then hook into a bull red over 30 inches that'll give you the fight of your life. They're sight-fishing targets in clear water, but also masters of ambush around oyster bars and dock pilings.
Spotted sea trout are the bread and butter of these waters, schooling up on grass flats where they feed on shrimp and small baitfish. Spring through fall offers the best action, with fish ranging from keeper size up to gator trout over 20 inches. What anglers love about trout is their willingness to hit artificials – a well-placed soft plastic can trigger explosive strikes. They're also excellent table fare, with firm white meat that's perfect for the grill. The key is finding the right depth and structure, which changes with tides and seasons.
Spanish mackerel show up when the water warms, typically from late spring through fall, and they're pure adrenaline on light tackle. These speed demons hit fast and fight harder than their size suggests, often jumping clear of the water. They school around bait pods and structure, making them perfect targets when you want consistent action. Captain Matt knows how to find the schools, and when they're biting, you can catch them until your arms get tired.
Black drum are the bulldogs of the inshore world, using their weight and power to test your tackle and technique. St Marks holds some impressive drum, particularly around oyster bars and deeper channels where they root for crabs and shellfish. They're not the prettiest fish, but they're among the strongest fighters you'll encounter inshore. Larger drum are catch-and-release, but smaller ones make excellent eating with proper preparation.
Cobia are the wild cards that can turn a good day into a legendary one. These brown sharks of the flats show up when conditions are right, often following rays or cruising structure. They're sight-fishing targets that require patience and skill, but a hooked cobia will give you a fight you'll remember for years. They're powerful, stubborn, and absolutely delicious, making them one of the most sought-after species in these waters.
An 8-hour charter with Captain Matt isn't just a fishing trip – it's a masterclass in St Marks fishing that'll leave you with new skills, great memories, and hopefully a cooler full of fish. The extended time on the water means you're not rushed, you can really learn the area, and you've got multiple chances to connect with different species as conditions change throughout the day. Whether you're a seasoned angler looking to explore new waters or someone wanting to really get into inshore fishing
Captain Matt's 2001 Carolina Skiff is your ticket to St Marks' prime fishing waters. This 20-foot workhorse handles like a dream with its Yamaha 115HP engine, cruising at 38 knots to get you to the hot spots fast. Perfect for up to 4 anglers, she's built for the shallow flats where redfish and spotted sea trout love to hang out. The skiff comes loaded with everything you need - GPS to navigate the maze of creeks and channels, fish finder to mark those productive holes, and a wireless trolling motor for sneaking up on spooky fish without spooking them. The onboard icebox keeps your drinks cold and your catch fresh during those long 8-hour days on the water. What makes this boat special is how she handles the skinny water around St Marks. You'll slip into places bigger boats can't reach, right where the fish are feeding. She's stable enough for comfortable casting but nimble enough to chase schools of trout when they're running. Captain Matt knows every oyster bar and grass flat in these waters, and this Carolina Skiff is the perfect platform for putting you on fish all day long.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the heavyweights of the drum family, typically running 10-30 pounds in our waters, though we've seen monsters over 50. These dark, powerful fish love oyster beds, shallow mud flats, and creek mouths where they cruise around crushing crabs and shellfish with those strong jaws. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning - that's when you'll find the best numbers. What guests love about drum fishing is the steady, bulldogging fight and those distinctive drumming sounds they make underwater. The smaller ones under 15 pounds are excellent table fare with firm, white meat. My go-to method is fresh crab on a circle hook fished right on the bottom near oyster bars. Use just enough weight to hold bottom and be patient - when a big drum picks up that crab, you'll know it.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are the ultimate sight-fishing prize, averaging 20-40 pounds with some reaching 60-plus. These brown, shark-looking fish are loners that cruise around structure like buoys, wrecks, and channel markers in 15-50 feet of water. Spring through summer is prime time when they migrate through our area and hang around spawning. What guests love about cobia is the visual aspect - you actually see the fish before you cast, plus they're incredibly strong fighters that make long runs. The meat is top-shelf, firm and white like mahi. Since they're curious fish, they'll often follow your bait or lure before deciding to eat. Here's the key: when you spot one, cast a bucktail jig or live bait well ahead of the fish's path. Let it sink and work it slow - cobia like to inspect their meal before committing, so patience pays off.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the bread and butter of our inshore fishing, running anywhere from slot-sized 18-27 inchers to bull reds over 30 pounds. You'll recognize them by that copper-bronze color and black spot near the tail. These fish love super shallow water - we're talking 1-4 feet around oyster bars, mangrove shorelines, and grass flats. They feed year-round but fall and spring offer the best action when they're most aggressive. What makes reds special is that powerful run when hooked and how they'll eat just about anything - topwater plugs, soft plastics, or live bait. The slot fish are fantastic eating with sweet, firm meat. Bulls are mostly catch-and-release but what a fight! My favorite technique is sight fishing with gold spoons in shallow water. When you see that copper flash, cast past the fish and work the spoon back - the strike is explosive.
Salmo TruttaSpotted Sea Trout are one of our most reliable inshore targets, usually running 14-20 inches and 1-3 pounds, with occasional "gator trout" pushing 5-6 pounds. Look for them over grass flats in 2-8 feet of water, especially around potholes and drop-offs. They're most active during cooler months and low-light periods like dawn and dusk. What makes trout fishing so enjoyable is their willingness to hit both live bait and artificials, plus they're beautiful fish with those distinctive black spots. The meat is soft and flaky - perfect for a fish fry but easy to overcook. During winter they school up in deeper channels, making them easier to target in numbers. Pro tip: use a popping cork with live shrimp about 18 inches below. Work it slow over the grass and listen for that distinctive "pop" when they hit.
Scomberomorus MaculatusSpanish Mackerel are fast, aggressive fish that run 1-2 feet long and weigh 2-8 pounds around St Marks. You'll spot them by their silver sides with yellow spots and that torpedo shape built for speed. These guys travel in schools and love to hunt baitfish near the surface, especially around structure and grass flats in 10-30 feet of water. Spring through fall gives you the best action when they're actively feeding. What makes them so popular is that explosive strike when they hit your lure - they're incredibly fast and put up a solid fight for their size. Plus, they're some of the best eating fish in the Gulf with firm, white meat that's perfect grilled or blackened. Here's a local trick: when you see diving birds, get there fast and throw small silver spoons or jigs right into the feeding frenzy.
St Marks