Half Day Beginner-Friendly St. Marks Fishing Trip
Shared Trip
Inshore Fishing
Sixhour guided inshore fishing trip targeting redfish and sea troutBeginnerfriendly instruction with all tackle and equipment provided onboardSmall group experience accommodating up to four guests maximum
Captain Leigh Wills knows exactly how to turn first-time anglers into lifelong fishing fanatics. This top-rated 6-hour inshore adventure takes you through St. Marks' most productive waters, where redfish cruise the grass flats and sea trout stack up in the shallows. Perfect for families and newcomers to the sport, this trip combines hands-on learning with real action – you'll walk away with actual technique and hopefully some fresh fish for dinner. The Forgotten Coast delivers year-round, and with all tackle provided plus room for four guests, you're set up for success from the moment you step aboard.
This isn't your typical tourist fishing trip where you drop a line and hope for the best. Captain Leigh runs a learning-focused charter that gets you actively involved in reading water, understanding fish behavior, and mastering the basics that separate successful anglers from weekend warriors. You'll start early, working the grass flats and shallow structures where St. Marks' best gamefish feed. The pace stays relaxed but productive – plenty of time to ask questions, practice your casting, and actually understand what's happening below the surface. Most guests are surprised how much technique they pick up in just six hours, and the family-friendly atmosphere means everyone from kids to grandparents feels comfortable learning at their own speed.
All your gear comes provided – medium-action spinning rods matched with quality reels that won't fight you while you're learning. Captain Leigh focuses on live bait and artificial lure techniques that work consistently in these waters. You'll learn proper hook sets, how to work soft plastics through grass beds, and the art of sight fishing when conditions allow. The boat stays positioned in productive spots while you practice different retrieves and learn to feel the difference between a bite and bottom contact. Don't worry about bringing anything except your valid Florida fishing license – tackle, bait, ice, and all safety equipment are handled. The captain adjusts techniques based on conditions and your skill level, so beginners get solid fundamentals while more experienced anglers can push their abilities.
Redfish are the crown jewel of St. Marks inshore fishing, and these copper-colored bruisers put up fights that'll test your drag system. They cruise the grass flats in schools during cooler months and patrol shallow edges year-round. What makes reds special is their willingness to eat – they're aggressive feeders that give beginners plenty of chances while still challenging experienced anglers. Most fish here run 18 to 28 inches, perfect eating size with enough pull to make your arms remember the fight.
Sea trout, or speckled trout as locals call them, are the bread and butter of inshore fishing around St. Marks. These spotted beauties love the grass flats and drop-offs, especially during spring and fall when they school up in impressive numbers. They're excellent for learning proper technique since they require a gentle touch – too aggressive and you'll pull the hook right out of their soft mouths. The reward is some of the finest table fare in these waters, with most keepers running 14 to 18 inches.
Black drum might not win beauty contests, but they'll school your arms on what real power feels like. These bottom-huggers can push 30 pounds in St. Marks waters, though most catches run smaller and more manageable for beginners. They're particularly active in winter months when other species slow down, and their willingness to eat cut bait makes them perfect confidence builders for new anglers. The bigger ones are catch-and-release, but smaller drum make excellent table fare.
Cobia are the wildcards that can turn a good day into an legendary one. These brown sharks lookalikes cruise the area from spring through fall, often following rays and other bottom disturbances. When you hook a cobia, you know it immediately – they make long, powerful runs that'll have you questioning your knot-tying skills. Most fish here run 20 to 40 pounds, and they're curious enough to investigate the boat, sometimes giving you multiple shot opportunities.
Black sea bass round out the mix as reliable action when the bite gets tough. These chunky bottom dwellers stack up around structure and rarely refuse a well-presented bait. They're perfect for keeping kids engaged since they bite consistently and fight hard for their size. Most run 12 to 16 inches, and they're outstanding table fare that many locals prefer over more famous gamefish.
Captain Leigh's beginner-friendly approach has made this one of the most requested trips on Florida's Forgotten Coast, and for good reason. You're getting real fishing education, not just a boat ride with poles. The combination of productive waters, quality instruction, and genuine fish-catching opportunities creates exactly what new anglers need to build confidence and skills. With space limited to four guests, you get personalized attention that larger boats simply can't match. Whether you're planning a family adventure or finally ready to try something you've always wanted to do, this trip delivers the goods. St. Marks' fish are waiting – time to get out there and meet them.
Our fully-equipped fishing machine gets you on the water and into the action around St. Marks' productive grass flats. This motorboat comes loaded with everything you need for a successful day targeting redfish and sea trout - from the fish finder that helps locate schools to the wireless trolling motor that keeps us moving quietly through shallow waters without spooking fish. The onboard icebox keeps your catch fresh and drinks cold, while GPS navigation and radar ensure we can safely navigate these coastal waters even when visibility drops. Stay connected with marine radio communication, and don't worry about accessibility - the boat welcomes wheelchair users so everyone can enjoy Florida's Forgotten Coast fishing. With room for four anglers, you'll have plenty of space to cast, fight fish, and learn proper techniques from Captain Leigh Wills in comfort.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the heavyweights of the drum family, ranging from 5-30 pounds with some monsters hitting 50+. They're dark gray to black with powerful jaws built for crushing oysters and crabs. You'll find them around oyster beds, muddy flats, and creek mouths in water from knee-deep to 30 feet. Spring is best when they school up for spawning. They're famous for their drumming sounds you can actually hear underwater. What guests love is their bulldogging fight - they don't jump but they pull steady and strong. Smaller ones under 15 pounds are great eating. My go-to bait is fresh crab on the bottom - it stays on the hook better than shrimp and the drums can't resist it.
Centropristis StriataBlack sea bass are chunky, gray-to-black fish that typically run 1-4 pounds, though bigger ones push 8+ pounds. Part of the grouper family, they love hanging around structure - think old pilings, oyster bars, and rocky bottoms in 20-60 feet of water. Spring through summer is prime time when they move closer to shore. What makes them fun is they hit hard and fight well until they break the surface. They're excellent eating with firm, white meat. Here around St. Marks, I like using cut bait or small jigs near any kind of structure. Pro tip: once you find one, work that spot thoroughly - they school up and where there's one, there's usually more waiting below.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are big, brown sharks-looking fish that can reach 30-60 pounds and fight like freight trains. They're loners that cruise around structure like channel markers, buoys, and nearshore reefs in 15-50 feet of water. Spring migration from April through June is prime time, though we see them summer through fall too. Guests love them because they're aggressive predators that hit hard, make long runs, and are some of the best eating fish in the Gulf. Their firm, white meat rivals any fish you'll catch. When sight-fishing for them, I use bucktail jigs or live bait. The trick is getting their attention without spooking them - make your first cast count because you usually only get one good shot at each fish.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are copper-colored beauties with distinctive black spots near their tails, typically weighing 5-15 pounds in our shallow waters. They cruise grass flats, oyster bars, and marsh edges in water so shallow their backs sometimes show. Year-round fishing is solid, but fall and spring offer the most consistent action. What makes them special is their willingness to eat topwater lures in skinny water - nothing beats watching a red blow up on a spook or popper. They're also excellent on the table with mild, sweet meat. The key here is staying quiet and making long casts to avoid spoking them. When you see one tailing in the shallows, cast well ahead of where it's moving and let your bait sink naturally.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are beautiful silver fish covered in dark spots, usually running 12-20 inches and 1-3 pounds. They love grass flats and shallow bays, especially around dawn and dusk when they're most active. Cool weather from fall through spring brings the best action as they school up in deeper holes and channels. They're popular because they hit topwater lures with explosive strikes and make excellent table fare with delicate, flaky meat. Around here, look for them over grass in 2-8 feet of water. They're pretty sensitive to noise, so I always tell folks to keep it quiet when we're working the flats. A popping cork with live shrimp underneath is hard to beat for consistent action.
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