Morning and Afternoon Kids Fishing Adventures!
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Kidfocused saltwater fishing adventure for up to 4 childrenInshore bay and nearshore Gulf fishing based on conditionsNo fishing licenses required, parents welcome to join
Getting your kids hooked on saltwater fishing starts with the right captain and the perfect setup. Old Town Charters has designed this top-rated kids fishing trip to turn your little ones into serious anglers while keeping the fun factor cranked up to eleven. Whether we're working the shallow bays or heading out to nearshore Gulf waters, this adventure gives up to four kids the chance to experience what makes saltwater fishing so addictive. No fishing licenses needed, and parents are more than welcome to come along and watch their kids light up when that first fish hits the line.
This isn't your typical fishing trip where kids get bored after twenty minutes. We tailor everything to keep young anglers engaged from the moment we leave the dock. Depending on weather conditions and where the fish are biting best, we'll either stay inshore working the productive bay systems or venture nearshore into Gulf waters where bigger fish patrol. The morning trips usually offer calmer conditions and more cooperative fish, while afternoon adventures can bring different species into play as feeding patterns shift. Your captain reads the water daily and knows exactly where to put you on fish. We keep the boat moving if the action slows down, and with kid-friendly tackle rigged and ready, there's minimal downtime between hookups. The whole experience runs smoothly because we've learned what works best for young anglers over years of taking families out.
We rig everything with kids in mind, using lighter tackle that lets them feel every fish without wearing out their arms. Circle hooks keep fish hooked better and reduce deep hooking, while our rod selection gives young anglers the right action for different species. In the bays, we'll anchor up on productive structure and use live or cut bait under popping corks - a technique that's visual and exciting for kids since they can watch the cork disappear when fish strike. When conditions allow nearshore trips, we'll drift or anchor over reefs and structure where snapper and other bottom fish concentrate. Bottom rigs keep baits in the strike zone, and we'll adjust weights based on current and depth. The key is keeping things simple so kids can focus on the fun rather than complicated rigging. Fresh bait makes all the difference, and we'll have everything from live shrimp to cut mullet depending on what the target species prefer.
Red Snapper remain the crown jewel of nearshore fishing, and when federal or state seasons allow, these fish provide world-class action for young anglers. They typically run 12-20 inches in our nearshore waters, with occasional bigger fish mixed in. Snapper hit hard and fight smart, using their broad sides to pull drag and test young arms. They're most active during morning hours and late afternoon, making them perfect targets for our kid-focused trips. The excitement on a child's face when they boat their first snapper is exactly why we love running these trips.
Southern Flounder offer a completely different fishing experience, lying flat on sandy bottoms and striking with lightning speed. These ambush predators can reach impressive sizes in our bay systems, with keeper fish running 15-18 inches. Fall months bring the best flounder action as they stage for their offshore spawning runs. Kids love flounder because they feel heavy on the line and provide excellent table fare. The technique involves slow retrieves along bottom structure, teaching young anglers patience and feel.
Sheepshead are the clever thieves of inshore waters, using their strong jaws and sharp teeth to steal bait from unsuspecting anglers. These black-and-white striped fish typically weigh 2-4 pounds in our local waters and provide excellent sport on light tackle. Winter months offer peak sheepshead fishing when they school up around structure. Kids enjoy the challenge because sheepshead require finesse and timing, making each fish caught feel like a real achievement.
Sea Trout are probably the most reliable species for consistent action, especially during warmer months. These spotted beauties average 14-18 inches and strike aggressively at live shrimp and soft plastics. They school up over grass flats and drop-offs, making them perfect targets when you need to keep kids busy. Trout bite year-round in our area, though spring and fall offer the most productive fishing. Their willingness to bite and spirited fights make them customer favorites for family trips.
Redfish are the ultimate inshore prize, with their bronze-colored sides and distinctive spot making them instantly recognizable. Slot-size reds typically run 18-27 inches and provide some of the strongest fights you'll encounter in shallow water. These fish feed aggressively in fall and winter, often tailing in skinny water where kids can actually see them before casting. Nothing beats watching a young angler's excitement when a big red makes its first powerful run toward structure.
This customer favorite trip books up quickly because word spreads fast among families who've experienced quality fishing with professional guides. The combination of no fishing license requirements, kid-focused approach, and consistent fish-producing locations makes this a trending choice for parents wanting to introduce children to saltwater fishing. Whether you choose morning or afternoon, you're getting access to some of the best inshore and nearshore fishing available. Four kids per trip means everyone gets individual attention and plenty of opportunities to get on fish. Book now and give your kids a fishing adventure they'll be talking about for years.
Jump aboard this well-equipped 2016 Tidewater center console that's perfect for getting kids hooked on saltwater fishing! With a powerful 200HP Yamaha pushing us to 45 knots, we can quickly reach the best fishing spots whether we're working the protected bay waters or heading out to the nearshore Gulf waters. The spacious layout gives everyone room to cast and fight fish, while the fish finder helps us locate schools of hungry game fish. GPS keeps us on track to productive waters, and radar ensures we stay safe if weather moves in. An onboard icebox keeps drinks cold and preserves your catch for the trip home. This fishing machine handles bay chop and Gulf swells with ease, making it ideal for young anglers learning the ropes. Parents can relax knowing we're fishing from a stable, reliable platform designed for family fishing adventures in these productive coastal waters.
Lutjanus CampechanusRed Snapper are one of the Gulf's premier game fish, typically running 1-2 feet and 5-10 pounds, though bigger ones push 20+ pounds. These bottom dwellers love structure - reefs, rigs, and rocky areas in 30-200 feet of water. They're most active spring through fall when water temps hit that sweet 60-75 degree range. Kids love them because they fight hard and taste even better - that sweet, flaky white meat is restaurant quality. What makes snappers tricky is they're notorious bait thieves with those crushing jaws. My tip: use a tight drag and set the hook the instant you feel weight. They'll try to cut your line on structure, so pull them up and away from cover fast. Fresh squid or cigar minnows work great, but keep that bait right on bottom where they feed.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the ultimate sight-fishing target - bronze-backed beauties with that distinctive black spot near the tail. Kids love spotting their backs in super shallow water, sometimes with fins showing above the surface. Most slot fish run 18-27 inches and 3-8 pounds, perfect for young anglers. They cruise oyster bars, grass flats, and shallow coves in 1-4 feet of water year-round. What makes them special is they eat almost anything and fight like bulldogs, making long runs that get kids screaming with excitement. Plus they're fantastic eating with sweet, firm meat. Fall is prime time when they school up in big numbers. Here's my secret: look for nervous water or birds working, throw a gold spoon or live shrimp ahead of cruising fish, and let it sink to bottom before working it slow. They eat head-down, so bottom presentations work best.
Salmo TruttaSea Trout, or Speckled Trout, are perfect starter fish for kids with their willing bite and beautiful spotted silver sides. Most run 14-18 inches and 1-3 pounds, though we catch some 4-5 pounders that really bend the rod. They love grass flats, shallow bays, and drop-offs in 2-8 feet of water. Spring and fall are prime, but they bite year-round here. What makes them special is they're aggressive feeders that hit topwater lures and live shrimp with equal enthusiasm. The meat is delicate and flaky - great eating but don't overcook it. They school up, so when you find one, there's usually more around. My go-to technique: fish live shrimp under a popping cork over grass beds. The noise draws them in, and that subtle cork movement tells you exactly when to set the hook. Early morning and late evening are magic times.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the "convict fish" of our waters with their black and white stripes, but what really gets people talking are their human-like teeth. Most run 2-4 pounds and 14-18 inches, perfect size for kids to handle. You'll find them around any structure - docks, bridges, pilings, jetties - anywhere barnacles grow. They're year-round residents but really turn on in cooler months when they school up. These fish are notorious bait thieves and excellent table fare with sweet, firm meat similar to snapper. The challenge is they nibble first, trying to steal your bait without getting hooked. Here's what works: use small hooks, keep bait tight to structure, and when you feel them pecking, resist the urge to set immediately. Let them take it, then hit them hard - their bony mouths need a solid hookset.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern Flounder are masters of disguise - these flat, sandy-colored fish blend perfectly with muddy and sandy bottoms in our bays and nearshore waters. Most run 15-18 inches, but we catch some pushing 25+ inches that really get the kids excited. They're ambush predators that bury themselves in soft bottom, waiting to strike. Fall and winter are prime time when they move through our waters. What's cool about flounder is watching them change color to match the bottom, plus both eyes are on one side of their head - kids find that fascinating. They're also excellent eating with sweet, white meat. Here's the key: fish slow with bull minnows or shrimp on a light jig head, and when you feel that subtle tap, count to three before setting the hook. They grab bait sideways first.
Panama City