St Marks Inshore Fishing With Captain Matt
Looking for some solid inshore action around St Marks? Captain Matt Roberts has been running these waters for years, and he knows exactly where the redfish like to cruise and where those speckled trout hang out waiting for an easy meal. This four-hour charter gives you plenty of time to work the flats, grass beds, and oyster bars that make this stretch of Florida's Big Bend so productive. Whether you pick the morning bite or prefer an afternoon session, you'll be fishing with top-notch gear and a captain who genuinely wants to put fish in the boat. The charter handles up to four anglers, so bring your fishing buddies or make it a family outing. St Marks has that old Florida vibe - no high-rises blocking the horizon, just miles of productive water and fish that haven't seen every lure in the tackle box.
What to Expect on the Water
Captain Matt runs a well-equipped boat that's perfect for working St Marks' shallow inshore waters. You'll launch from the historic St Marks area and head out into the maze of grass flats, creek mouths, and structure that holds fish year-round. The boat comes rigged with quality rods, reels, and tackle - no need to worry about bringing your own gear unless you've got a lucky rod you can't fish without. These four-hour trips give you real fishing time, not just a quick ride around the bay. Morning charters usually start around sunrise when the water's calm and the fish are active, while afternoon trips let you sleep in and still get some great fishing. The shallow water here means you'll sight-fish a lot, watching redfish tailing in inches of water or spotting trout busting bait in the grass beds. Captain Matt knows how to read the conditions - wind, tide, water temperature - and adjust the game plan to keep you on fish.
Techniques and Tackle
Inshore fishing around St Marks is all about versatility. Some days you'll be throwing soft plastics on jig heads, working them slow through the grass for trout. Other times you might be pitching live shrimp under mangroves for redfish or casting topwater plugs at first light when everything's feeding shallow. The water here ranges from super skinny flats where you can see bottom in two feet of water to deeper grass beds and oyster bars where bigger fish like to ambush prey. Captain Matt stocks the boat with a variety of baits and lures - paddle tails, spoons, topwater plugs, and live bait when conditions call for it. The key to success here is staying quiet and making accurate casts. Redfish spook easily in shallow water, and trout can be picky about presentation. You'll learn to work structure, read water color changes, and time your retrieves to match what the fish want. The tackle is light enough to feel every bite but strong enough to pull fish out of heavy cover when needed.
Species You'll Want to Hook
Redfish are the bread and butter of St Marks inshore fishing, and these copper-colored fighters never disappoint. They cruise the grass flats in schools, especially during cooler months, and you'll often spot their backs or tails breaking the surface as they root around for crabs and shrimp. A good St Marks red runs anywhere from 18 to 30 inches, with some real bulls pushing the slot limit. They hit hard and make long runs, especially in shallow water where they can use their broad tails for leverage. Spring and fall are prime time, but summer mornings and winter warm spells can produce some epic redfish action. What makes catching them so addictive is the visual aspect - you'll actually see the fish before you cast, then watch them track down your lure.
Spotted seatrout, or "specks" as locals call them, are the other main target around St Marks. These silvery fish with distinctive black spots love the grass beds and deeper potholes throughout the area. Trout are more temperature sensitive than reds, so they move around with the seasons, but when you find them, they're usually in good numbers. A typical St Marks trout runs 14 to 20 inches, with bigger gator trout possible during cooler months. They're fun to catch because they jump when hooked and have a soft mouth that keeps you honest with your drag setting. Trout bite best during moving water, especially around creek mouths and channel edges where baitfish get swept along with the current.
Sheepshead are the wildcard species that keeps things interesting around St Marks' abundant oyster bars and dock pilings. These black-and-white striped fish are notorious bait stealers with human-like teeth that can crunch through crabs and barnacles. They're incredibly structure-oriented, so you'll find them tight to pilings, rock piles, and oyster beds. Sheepshead average 12 to 16 inches around St Marks, but the bigger ones can push 4 to 5 pounds and provide a serious fight on light tackle. They're excellent table fare with firm, white meat that tastes similar to snapper. The challenge with sheepshead is detecting their subtle bite - they're masters at stealing bait without moving your rod tip.
Time to Book Your Spot
St Marks offers some of the most consistent inshore fishing on Florida's Gulf Coast, and Captain Matt Roberts knows how to make the most of every trip. Whether you're an experienced angler looking to explore new water or a family wanting to introduce kids to saltwater fishing, this four-hour charter delivers the goods. The combination of multiple target species, beautiful scenery, and a captain who genuinely cares about your success makes this a top-rated fishing experience. Morning and afternoon slots fill up quickly, especially during prime season, so don't wait to secure your dates. Captain Matt provides all the gear, knows where the fish are biting, and has the local knowledge that separates a good trip from a great one. Book your St Marks inshore adventure today and see why ang