Half Day Afternoon Fishing in St. Marks
Shared Trip
Inshore Fishing
Four-hour afternoon inshore fishing trip targeting redfish and sea trout.Captain Leigh Wills provides all tackle and hands-on guidance included.Private charter accommodates up to four guests on Florida's Forgotten Coast.
Captain Leigh Wills knows these waters like the back of his hand, and he's ready to show you why Florida's Forgotten Coast is a top-rated destination for inshore fishing. This 4-hour afternoon trip puts you right in the heart of some of the best redfish and sea trout action you'll find anywhere along the Gulf. We're talking about crystal-clear grass flats, protected bays, and the kind of fishing that keeps anglers coming back year after year. Whether you're a seasoned angler or just getting your feet wet, this private charter accommodates up to four guests and provides everything you need except your Florida fishing license.
Your afternoon starts at the St. Marks boat ramp, where Captain Leigh will have the boat rigged and ready to roll. The beauty of fishing Florida's Forgotten Coast is the variety – one minute you're sight-casting to tailing redfish in knee-deep grass flats, the next you're working structure for black drum or hunting cobia along the drop-offs. The water clarity here is phenomenal, especially during the cooler months, giving you that visual element that makes inshore fishing so addictive. Captain Leigh runs a clean, well-maintained vessel equipped with quality tackle, and he's genuinely passionate about putting his guests on fish while teaching proper techniques. The pace is relaxed but productive – perfect for families wanting to introduce kids to saltwater fishing or groups of friends looking to escape the crowds of more popular fishing destinations.
We'll be using a mix of live bait and artificial lures depending on conditions and what the fish are telling us. Captain Leigh typically has live shrimp, pinfish, and mud minnows on board, plus a full selection of soft plastics, spoons, and topwater plugs that work magic on these flats. You'll learn how to read the water – spotting nervous baitfish, finding the right depth transitions, and understanding how tide movement affects fish behavior. The grass flats around St. Marks are perfect for wade fishing when conditions allow, giving you that up-close-and-personal experience with your target species. All rods, reels, tackle, and bait are included in your trip, though you're welcome to bring your own gear if you prefer. Captain Leigh uses medium-action spinning rods spooled with braided line – perfect for the structure and cover you'll be fishing around.
Redfish are the bread and butter of St. Marks inshore fishing, and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers love the shallow grass flats and oyster bars scattered throughout the area. Fall and winter months are prime time when reds school up in large numbers, but you'll find quality fish year-round. What makes redfish so special is their aggressive strike and bulldogging fight – they'll test your drag and give you that arm-burning battle that saltwater anglers crave. Most of the reds here run between 20-28 inches, with plenty of slot-sized fish perfect for the dinner table.
Sea trout, or speckled trout as the locals call them, are another customer favorite that thrives in these waters. These beautiful fish with their distinctive spots and sharp teeth prefer slightly deeper grass beds and drop-offs. Spring and fall offer the best trout action, but summer evenings can be phenomenal when they move shallow to feed. Trout are known for their delicate mouths and acrobatic jumps, making them a joy to catch on light tackle. The average trout here runs 14-18 inches, with gator trout over 20 inches always a possibility.
Black drum might not win any beauty contests, but they'll definitely test your tackle and technique. These bottom-dwellers love oyster bars and structure, using their powerful pharyngeal teeth to crush shellfish and crabs. Winter months bring schools of juvenile black drum into the shallows, while larger bulls patrol deeper waters year-round. The fight of a big black drum is something every angler should experience – it's pure power and endurance that'll have you questioning your knot-tying skills.
Cobia are the wild cards that can turn a good day into a legendary one. These brown sharks (as they're often mistaken for) cruise the flats looking for rays and crabs to follow. Spring migration brings the best cobia action, but resident fish are possible any time of year. Cobia are curious fish that will often approach the boat, giving you that sight-fishing opportunity that gets your heart racing. When hooked, they make powerful runs and aren't afraid to use their broad tail to test your equipment.
Black sea bass round out the species list and provide consistent action when other fish are finicky. These smaller but scrappy fighters love structure and will readily take both live bait and artificials. They're excellent table fare and perfect for keeping kids engaged when the action slows on other species. While they might not reach the size of their deeper-water cousins, the black sea bass in these inshore waters are plentiful and always willing to play.
This world-class inshore fishing experience offers everything you want in a guided trip – knowledgeable local expertise, quality equipment, productive waters, and the kind of personal attention you only get on a private charter. Captain Leigh's passion for these waters shines through in every trip, and his track record speaks for itself. The afternoon timing is perfect for those who want to sleep in or have morning commitments, plus the lighting conditions are ideal for photography and sight-fishing opportunities. With only four spots available per trip, this intimate setting ensures everyone gets hands-on instruction and plenty of fishing time. Don't forget to grab your Florida fishing license before heading out – everything else is covered. Book your half-day adventure today and discover why St. Marks is quickly becoming a must-fish destination for serious inshore anglers.
Meet your fishing machine for the afternoon - a well-equipped motorboat designed to get you on the redfish and sea trout in St. Marks' pristine inshore waters. This boat comes loaded with everything you need: an advanced fish finder to locate your targets, GPS navigation to hit the best grass flats, and a wireless trolling motor for silent approaches that won't spook the fish. The onboard icebox keeps your drinks cold while you're working the shallows, and VHF radio keeps you connected. Rain or shine, the radar system ensures safe navigation even when visibility drops. Wheelchair accessible and built for up to four anglers, this vessel handles the Gulf's inshore waters with ease. Whether you're after that trophy redfish or filling the cooler with sea trout, this fishing platform puts you right where the action is along Florida's Forgotten Coast.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the heavyweights of our flats, running anywhere from 5-30 pounds with some real giants pushing 50-plus. They're cousins to redfish but built like tanks with powerful jaws made for crushing oysters and crabs. You'll hear them coming - they make actual drumming sounds that carry through the water. Spring is your best bet when they school up for spawning around shallow oyster beds and muddy flats. They're bottom feeders, so fresh crab or cut bait works best. The smaller ones under 15 pounds make excellent table fare with sweet, flaky meat. My go-to trick is using blue crab because it stays on the hook better and catfish won't steal it like they do with other baits.
Centropristis StriataBlack sea bass are solid fighters from the grouper family, typically running 2-4 pounds around our St. Marks waters. You'll find them hanging around structure - old pilings, rocks, and deeper edges where they ambush crabs and small fish. They're gray to black with white-centered scales, and the big males turn bright blue during spawning with a distinctive hump on their heads. Spring through summer is prime time when they move into shallower water. What makes them fun to target is their aggressive strike and determined fight until they break the surface. The meat is excellent eating too - firm and mild. Here's a local tip: once you hook one, keep your bait in the same spot because they often school up and you'll likely find more.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are the ultimate sight-fishing prize - big, brown, shark-looking fish that cruise our waters solo during warmer months. These bruisers average 30-50 pounds and can stretch 4-6 feet long. They're curious fish that'll swim right up to the boat to investigate, which makes for heart-pounding sight fishing opportunities. You'll spot them around structure like buoys, crab traps, and channel markers, usually cruising just under the surface. Spring through fall is prime time as they migrate through our area. They fight like freight trains and the meat is outstanding - firm, white, and perfect for grilling. The trick with cobia is staying calm when you see one coming and making an accurate cast with a bucktail jig or large topwater plug.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the crown jewel of our inshore fishing, easily recognized by their copper-red color and distinctive black spots near the tail. They run 20-35 inches typically, with some real bruisers pushing 40-plus. These fish love our shallow flats - sometimes in water so skinny their backs stick out. You'll find them around oyster bars, grass edges, and anywhere there's structure and current. They're year-round residents but really light up during cooler months when they school heavily. What makes them special is their aggressive nature - they'll crush topwater lures, spoons, and live bait with equal enthusiasm. Plus, they're fantastic eating with mild, sweet meat. Here's my local tip: look for nervous water or tailing fish on the flats during low tide periods.
Salmo TruttaSpotted sea trout are one of our most popular targets, and for good reason. These silvery beauties with black spots run 14-24 inches on average and have some of the best-tasting meat you'll find - soft, white, and delicate. They love our grass flats and shallow areas, especially during dawn and dusk when they're actively feeding on shrimp and small fish. Night fishing can be exceptional too. They're scrappy fighters that hit topwater plugs, jigs, and live shrimp with enthusiasm. The key around here is working the edges of the grass beds where the bottom drops off slightly. Don't overcook them when you get home - that tender meat turns to mush fast. My local secret is using a popping cork with live shrimp about 18 inches below.
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