Half Day Advanced Fishing In St. Marks, FL
Shared Trip
Inshore Fishing
Six-hour advanced fishing trip targeting redfish and sea troutExpert Captain Leigh Wills guides up to four experienced anglersPrivate charter explores St. Marks flats and nearshore waters
Captain Leigh Wills knows these St. Marks waters like the back of his hand, and this 6-hour advanced fishing trip puts you right in the heart of Florida's Forgotten Coast action. We're talking serious angling here - redfish prowling the grass flats, sea trout holding in the cuts, and black drum tailing in the shallows. This isn't your typical tourist charter; it's designed for experienced anglers who want to work the water hard and come home with stories worth telling. With room for up to four anglers, you'll have plenty of elbow room to cast without bumping shoulders, whether you're booking the whole boat or sharing with other serious fishermen.
St. Marks sits right where Big Bend meets the Gulf, creating a perfect storm of fishy habitat that keeps both resident and migratory species coming back year after year. You'll be working everything from shallow grass flats where redfish cruise like copper submarines to deeper cuts where cobia show up looking for an easy meal. Captain Leigh runs a tight ship but keeps things relaxed - he knows when to move spots and when to stick it out, reading the water conditions and fish behavior to put you on the best bite of the day. The boat handles both inshore flats and nearshore structure, so you're never locked into just one type of fishing. Expect to cover water, make plenty of casts, and learn a few tricks that'll make you a better angler long after you head home.
This trip is all about stepping up your game with proven techniques that produce results in these specific waters. We're talking sight fishing for tailing redfish, working live bait under popping corks for sea trout, and bottom fishing with the right rigs for black drum and black sea bass. Captain Leigh brings top-shelf tackle that's perfectly matched to the conditions - medium-heavy spinning setups for the flats work, conventional gear for bottom fishing, and everything rigged with the hooks, weights, and leaders that these fish see every day. You'll learn how to read water color changes, identify grass edges where predators ambush baitfish, and recognize the subtle signs that separate productive water from dead zones. All tackle is included, but bring your Florida saltwater fishing license - it's required and strictly enforced out here.
Redfish are the crown jewel of St. Marks fishing, and these copper-colored bruisers know how to put up a fight. They cruise the grass flats in schools during cooler months and go solo when it warms up, tailing in skinny water as they root around for crabs and shrimp. A good St. Marks red runs anywhere from 18 to 30 inches, with the occasional oversized bull pushing the scales past 40. What makes them special here is how they use the grass - you'll see their backs and tails breaking the surface as they feed, giving you perfect sight fishing opportunities that'll get your heart pumping every time.
Sea trout love the deeper grass beds and channel edges around St. Marks, especially when the tide is moving and stirring up baitfish. These spotted beauties are incredibly aggressive when conditions align - overcast skies, moving water, and bait in the area create perfect trout fishing scenarios. They hit hard and jump like crazy, making every hookup exciting even when you're targeting bigger fish. Spring and fall produce the best numbers, but summer brings the biggest trout as they move into deeper water to beat the heat.
Black drum are the bulldogs of the flats, using their powerful bodies and stubborn attitudes to test every piece of gear you've got. St. Marks drum typically range from 14 to 25 inches, with the occasional heavyweight pushing 30-plus and really making you work for it. They're bottom feeders that love crabs, shrimp, and cut bait, often tailing in shallow water just like redfish but with a completely different fight once hooked. These fish are smart and spooky, requiring quiet approaches and precise presentations to consistently fool them.
Cobia show up around St. Marks during their spring and fall migrations, cruising nearshore waters and following rays as they search for easy meals. These brown sharks (they're actually not sharks at all) are curious fish that'll often swim right up to the boat for a closer look. When you hook a cobia, get ready for long runs and powerful dives - they're one of the strongest fish pound-for-pound in these waters. Spring brings the best cobia action as they move through on their way to spawning grounds further north.
Black sea bass hold around nearshore structure and rocky bottom, making them perfect targets when the inshore bite slows down. These chunky fish are excellent table fare and put up a solid fight for their size. They're not the biggest fish you'll catch on this trip, but they're reliable biters that help fill out a mixed bag when conditions make the flats fishing tough. Most run 12 to 16 inches, with the occasional keeper bass pushing 18 inches and really bending the rod.
This advanced fishing trip delivers exactly what serious anglers are looking for - variety, action, and the chance to learn from a captain who lives and breathes these waters every day. You'll come away with a better understanding of how these fish behave, why they hold in certain spots, and what techniques work best in different conditions. The 6-hour duration gives you time to really work the water without feeling rushed, while the 4-angler maximum keeps things manageable and gives everyone plenty of opportunities to get on the fish. Remember, you need at least 2 seats booked to launch, so grab a fishing buddy and get ready to experience some of the best inshore fishing Florida's Big Bend has to offer. Captain Leigh is already marking waypoints and watching the weather - all you need to do is show up ready to fish.
This fishing machine is built to handle the diverse waters around St. Marks, from shallow grass flats where redfish cruise to the nearshore spots holding cobia and black sea bass. The wireless trolling motor keeps you moving silently through skinny water without spooking fish, while the fish finder helps locate schools and structure below. When fog rolls in off the Gulf, the radar keeps you safe and on course back to port. The GPS navigation system marks your productive spots for future trips, and the VHF radio maintains contact with other boats and marinas. An icebox keeps your catch fresh and drinks cold during the 6-hour adventure. The boat accommodates up to 4 anglers and is wheelchair accessible, making it perfect for groups wanting to target sea trout on the flats or head out deeper for bigger game. Captain Leigh Wills knows these waters inside and out, putting you on fish using advanced techniques that produce results along Florida's Forgotten Coast.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are the brown sharks that aren't sharks - they're solitary hunters that cruise our nearshore waters looking for an easy meal. These fish average 30-50 pounds but can push 100+ pounds, making them serious tackle-busters. Look for them around buoys, wrecks, and channel markers in 20-60 feet of water, especially during their spring migration from March through May. What makes them special is they're curious fish that'll come right up to the boat, plus they're phenomenal table fare with firm, white meat that tastes like a cross between grouper and mahi. The fight is pure power with long runs and head-shaking jumps. Best approach is sight-fishing with bucktail jigs - when you see one, get that lure in front of them quickly because they don't stick around long.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the crown jewel of our shallow water fishing, easily spotted by their copper-bronze backs and distinctive black eyespots near the tail. They run anywhere from schoolie-sized 18-inchers to bull reds pushing 40+ pounds. These fish live in skinny water - 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 school up. What gets anglers fired up is watching them cruise the shallows with their backs out of water, then exploding on topwater plugs. They're also excellent eating when kept in the slot. My secret weapon is a gold spoon worked slowly over shallow grass - the flash drives them crazy and you can cover lots of water quickly.
Salmo TruttaSpotted sea trout, or "specks" as we call them, are beautiful silver fish covered in black spots that love our grass flats and shallow bays. Most run 14-24 inches, though we get some chunky 5+ pounders that'll make your drag sing. They prefer water 2-8 feet deep around seagrass beds and drop-offs, especially during cooler months when they school up in deeper channels. What makes them so popular is their willingness to hit topwater lures at dawn and dusk - nothing beats that explosive strike on a quiet morning. Plus, they're fantastic on the table with delicate, flaky meat. Key tip: fish the grass edges during moving water and don't overlook those deeper pockets during winter when they stack up thick.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the heavyweights of the drum family, running 5-30 pounds with some monsters hitting 90+ pounds. They're built like tanks with powerful jaws that crush oysters and crabs. You'll find them on shallow muddy flats, oyster beds, and around creek mouths where the food is plentiful. Spring during spawning season is when they really fire up and school together, making them much easier to target. What gets people hooked is that drumming sound they make and the way they fight like bulldozers. Smaller ones under 15 pounds are great eating, but the big boys are better for photos. My go-to trick is using fresh blue crab on the bottom - it stays put better than shrimp and the catfish won't steal it as quickly.
Centropristis StriataBlack sea bass are chunky fighters that'll surprise you with their strength until they break the surface. Most run 1-4 pounds, but we see some pushing 8+ pounds around deeper structure. They love hanging around wrecks, rocky bottoms, and old pilings in 20-120 feet of water. Spring through summer is prime time when they move closer to shore. What makes them special is they're born female and turn male as they grow - those big blue-headed males are the real prizes. They make excellent table fare with sweet, flaky white meat. Best tip I can share: once you find one, work that spot thoroughly because they school up tight. Drop your bait right to the bottom and be ready for that initial hard pull.
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