St Marks 8-Hour Inshore Fishing Charter
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fullday inshore charter targeting redfish and spotted sea trout.Captain provides all fishing licenses and equipment for guests.Eighthour trip accommodates up to four anglers with dawn departure.
There's something special about St Marks waters that keeps anglers coming back season after season. Captain Matt knows these flats and channels like the back of his hand, and he's ready to put you on some serious fish during this full-day adventure. We're talking 8 solid hours on the water, starting at first light when the fish are most active. You'll be targeting some of Florida's most sought-after inshore species including redfish, spotted sea trout, Spanish mackerel, black drum, and if we're lucky, maybe even a cobia. This isn't your typical half-day trip where you're just getting started when it's time to head back – we're giving you the full experience with plenty of time to dial in your technique and land some real quality fish.
Your day starts early, which is exactly when you want to be fishing these waters. The morning bite in St Marks can be absolutely phenomenal, especially when the tide is moving and the baitfish are active. Captain Matt will have all your gear ready to go, plus he's got your fishing licenses covered, so you can focus on what matters – putting fish in the boat. The beauty of an 8-hour charter is the flexibility it gives you. We can work different spots throughout the day as conditions change, following the fish and adjusting our approach. You'll be fishing everything from grass flats where redfish cruise looking for crabs, to deeper channels where sea trout hang out around structure. Make sure to bring plenty of food and drinks because you're going to work up an appetite out there. The boat can handle up to 4 anglers comfortably, which means everyone gets plenty of room to fish without getting tangled up.
Captain Matt runs a well-equipped boat with quality rods and reels spooled with the right line for these waters. You'll be using a mix of live bait and artificials depending on what the fish are showing us. Live shrimp is always a go-to for sea trout and redfish, but don't be surprised if we switch to cut bait for black drum or start throwing topwater plugs when the Spanish mackerel are busting bait on the surface. The key to success in St Marks is reading the water and adapting your presentation. We'll be fishing shallow flats where you need to be quiet and make long casts, as well as deeper holes where you can get away with a more aggressive approach. Captain Matt will coach you through the different techniques throughout the day, whether you're a seasoned angler looking to fine-tune your skills or a beginner who needs help with the basics. The inshore waters around St Marks offer incredible variety – from sight fishing for tailing redfish to working structure for cobia – and 8 hours gives us time to try it all.
Redfish are the crown jewel of St Marks inshore fishing, and these copper-colored bulldogs will test your drag system. They typically run anywhere from 18 to 30 inches in these waters, with the occasional oversized bull showing up to really make your day memorable. Spring through fall offers the most consistent redfish action, but winter can produce some of the biggest fish of the year. What makes redfish so special is their willingness to eat and their incredible fighting ability – they'll make multiple runs and use their broad sides to pull drag even in shallow water.
Spotted sea trout are another staple that keeps anglers coming back to St Marks. These beautiful fish are abundant throughout most of the year, with the best fishing typically from April through November. They're structure-oriented fish that love grass beds, drop-offs, and oyster bars. A good sea trout will run 15 to 20 inches, but the gator trout – those fish over 24 inches – are what dreams are made of. They're also excellent table fare, making them a favorite among families looking to take home a fresh fish dinner.
Spanish mackerel bring the speed and excitement when they're running. These fish are pure adrenaline, hitting lures with incredible aggression and making blistering runs that will have your reel screaming. They're typically most active during the warmer months, and when you find a school, the action can be non-stop. They're perfect for anglers who want constant action and don't mind working for their fish.
Black drum are the heavyweights of the inshore scene, often exceeding 20 pounds and providing the kind of deep, powerful fight that will leave your arms sore. They're year-round residents but tend to be most active during cooler months. What's really exciting about black drum is that you never know how big the next one might be – they can range from a few pounds to legitimate trophy fish pushing 40 pounds or more.
Cobia are the wildcards that can turn a good day into an epic one. These fish are curious and aggressive, often approaching the boat to investigate. When you hook into a cobia, you're in for a battle – they're strong, smart, and have a habit of making long runs toward structure. Spring migration brings the best cobia fishing to St Marks, but they can show up any time conditions are right.
An 8-hour charter with Captain Matt gives you the best shot at experiencing everything St Marks has to offer. You'll have time to work different areas, try various techniques, and really get a feel for what makes this fishery so special. The extended time on the water means you're not rushed – you can take breaks when you need them, enjoy lunch while watching for jumping fish, and still have plenty of time to get back on the bite when conditions are right. This is the kind of trip that creates lasting memories and usually results in booking your next charter before you even get back to the dock. Captain Matt's local knowledge combined with quality equipment and prime fishing time makes this a top-rated choice for serious anglers visiting the St Marks area.
Hit the productive waters around St Marks aboard our reliable 2001 Carolina Skiff, perfect for targeting redfish and spotted sea trout in the shallow flats. This 20-footer handles beautifully with its Yamaha 115HP engine, cruising at 38 knots to get you to the hot spots quickly. The wireless trolling motor keeps things quiet when you're working structure, while the fish finder helps locate schools and bottom changes where fish hold. Captain Matt knows these waters inside and out, from the grass flats to the rocky drop-offs where the big trout like to feed. The boat's shallow draft lets us access backwater areas that bigger vessels can't reach, giving you shots at fish in pristine spots. Ice box keeps your drinks cold and any keeper fish fresh throughout the long day. GPS ensures we can mark productive areas and return to proven honey holes. With space for up to 4 anglers, there's plenty of room to cast without tangling lines, whether you're sight-fishing reds in skinny water or drifting for trout over deeper grass beds.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the heavyweights of the drum family, running 5-30 pounds around here with some bruisers hitting 50+ pounds. These dark, powerful fish love our shallow oyster beds and muddy flats, especially during spring spawning season when they school up tight. You'll hear them before you see them - they make that distinctive drumming sound that gives them their name. What makes them special is that bulldogging fight and how they'll test your tackle on shallow water. The smaller ones under 15 pounds are great eating, but the big ones are better released. Here's my local tip: use fresh crab on a Carolina rig right on the bottom around those oyster bars. The key is letting them run with it before setting the hook.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are the ultimate sight-fishing target, averaging 30-60 pounds and looking like brown sharks cruising just under the surface. These loners hang around structure like channel markers, wrecks, and crab traps in 20-80 feet of water. Spring migration from March through May is peak season when they move through our area heading north. What makes them special is that incredible fight and premium white meat that rivals any fish in the Gulf. They're curious fish that'll often swim right up to the boat. My trick is having a bucktail jig ready when we spot one - cast ahead of them, not behind. Let it sink a few feet then work it steady. They'll either eat it or ignore it completely.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the crown jewel of our inshore fishing, typically 20-35 inches with that signature copper color and black spot near the tail. These fish live shallow - we're talking 1-4 feet around oyster bars, grass flats, and mangrove shorelines. Year-round fishing is solid, but fall and spring offer the best action when they're most active. What guests love most is sight-fishing these bronze beauties and watching them crush topwater baits in skinny water. They fight like freight trains and the smaller slot fish are prime table fare. Here's the deal: look for tailing fish on low tide around oyster beds. Cast past them and work your lure back slowly - spook one and you'll blow out the whole school.
Salmo TruttaSpotted Sea Trout, or "specks" as we call them locally, typically run 14-24 inches and 1-5 pounds in our grass flats. These beautiful fish with their distinctive spots prefer shallow waters around seagrass beds, especially during cooler months when they school up in deeper channels. Dawn and dusk fishing produces the best results year-round, but winter months are prime time when they concentrate. Guests love their willingness to hit topwater plugs and the way they jump when hooked. The meat is white, flaky, and delicious - just don't overcook it. My secret is fishing the grass edges at first light with a popping cork and live shrimp. Work it slow and listen for that telltale "pop" when they hit.
Scomberomorus MaculatusSpanish Mackerel are some of the fastest fish you'll encounter here in St Marks waters, averaging 1-2 feet and 8-11 pounds. These silvery speedsters with their distinctive yellow spots love to school up near the surface, making them perfect targets for our trolling runs. Spring through fall gives you the best action when they're actively feeding on baitfish like sardines and mullet. What guests really love is their aggressive strikes and the way they'll strip line on light tackle - plus they make fantastic table fare with that mild, flaky meat. My go-to trick is watching for diving birds; they'll lead you right to the feeding schools. We'll use small spoons or live shrimp, but keep your drag loose - these fish hit hard and fast.
St Marks