Half Day Fishing Trip In St. Marks, Florida
Shared Trip
Inshore Fishing
Six-hour guided inshore fishing trip targeting redfish and sea troutBeginner-friendly instruction with all tackle provided by Captain Leigh WillsFamily-friendly charter accommodating up to four guests in St. Marks waters
Captain Leigh Wills knows how to make first-time anglers feel at home on the water. His 6-hour guided fishing trips out of St. Marks are designed with beginners in mind, but don't think that means you'll be catching dinkers all day. These waters hold some serious fish, and Leigh's got the local knowledge to put you on them. Whether you're bringing the kids for their first fishing adventure or you're finally ready to try saltwater fishing after years of pond hopping, this trip delivers exactly what you're looking for – relaxed instruction, productive fishing, and memories that'll have you planning your next trip before you even hit the dock.
St. Marks sits right where the river meets the Gulf, creating the perfect mix of shallow grass flats and deeper channels that fish love to call home. Captain Leigh runs a comfortable boat that handles up to four guests, so you're not crowded and everyone gets plenty of personal attention. He provides all the tackle you'll need, from rods and reels to terminal tackle and bait – you just need to show up with your Florida fishing license and maybe some snacks and drinks for the day. The vibe is laid-back and educational, with Leigh taking time to explain everything from reading the water to proper hook-setting technique. This isn't a high-pressure charter where you're expected to know what you're doing – it's about learning and having fun while hopefully putting some quality fish in the boat.
Most of your fishing happens on the shallow grass flats that stretch for miles around St. Marks. These areas are perfect for sight fishing when conditions are right, and Captain Leigh knows exactly where to position the boat to give you the best shots at feeding fish. You'll be using light spinning tackle most of the day – nothing too heavy or complicated for beginners to handle. Live bait like shrimp and pinfish are the go-to options here, though artificial lures work great too once you get the hang of casting and retrieving. The key is staying quiet and making accurate casts to structure like oyster bars, grass edges, and potholes where fish like to ambush prey. Leigh will coach you through reading the water and recognizing the subtle signs that indicate where fish are likely to be holding.
Redfish are the stars of the show in these waters, and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers love cruising the shallow flats, and when you hook into a slot-sized red, you'll understand why they're considered one of the best fighting fish in the Southeast. They typically run 18-27 inches in these waters and hit hard, making long runs that test both your drag and your patience. Fall and spring are prime time for reds, but you can find them year-round if you know where to look. What makes them special is their willingness to eat just about anything you throw at them, plus they fight like fish twice their size.
Sea trout are another customer favorite, especially for folks who like to eat their catch. These silvery predators patrol the grass flats looking for shrimp and small baitfish, and they're aggressive feeders when conditions are right. Most of the trout you'll catch run 14-20 inches, with some nice gator trout mixed in during cooler months. They're excellent table fare and relatively easy to clean, making them perfect for beginning anglers who want to take dinner home. The best trout fishing typically happens during moving water, either incoming or outgoing tide.
Black drum might not win any beauty contests, but they're fantastic fighters and surprisingly good eating when they're in the slot. These bottom-dwellers love oyster bars and structure, where they use their pharyngeal teeth to crush shellfish. You'll typically catch drum in the 14-24 inch range, and they provide steady, bulldogging fights that really test your tackle. They're most active during warmer months and are often caught while targeting other species.
Cobia are the wildcards of this fishery – when they show up, things get exciting in a hurry. These brown sharks look-alikes are curious fish that often follow rays and other cobia, making them prime targets for sight fishing. They can reach impressive sizes, with fish over 30 inches not uncommon in these waters. Spring migration brings the best cobia action, typically March through May, when these fish are moving through on their way north.
Black sea bass round out the target species list and provide consistent action when other fish aren't cooperating. They're structure-oriented fish that live around hard bottom, rocks, and artificial reefs. While they don't get huge, they're scrappy fighters and excellent eating. Sea bass are most active during cooler months and provide reliable backup fishing when weather or tides make the flats tough to fish.
Captain Leigh Wills has built his reputation on creating positive first experiences for new anglers, and this beginner-friendly trip is the perfect way to discover what saltwater fishing is all about. You'll learn proper techniques, explore some of Florida's most productive fishing grounds, and hopefully catch some quality fish along the way. The 6-hour format gives you plenty of time to try different spots and techniques without feeling rushed, and the small group size ensures everyone gets individual attention. Whether you're looking for a fun family activity, planning a couples getaway, or just want to try something new, this trip delivers exactly what beginning anglers need – expert guidance, quality fishing, and a relaxed atmosphere that makes learning enjoyable. Book your spot with Outpost Alpha Fishing Charters and get ready to discover why so many people fall in love with fishing on their first trip to St. Marks.
This fishing machine is built for success in St. Marks' shallow waters and grass flats where redfish and sea trout love to hide. The wireless trolling motor lets you sneak up on fish without spooking them, while the fish finder shows exactly what's swimming below. GPS keeps you on productive spots, and the radar helps navigate those foggy morning runs. The icebox keeps your drinks cold and your catch fresh throughout the trip. With room for four anglers and wheelchair accessibility, everyone can get in on the action. Captain Leigh has this boat dialed in perfectly for chasing drum, cobia, and sea bass around Florida's Forgotten Coast - whether you're casting your first line or looking to improve your technique on these productive inshore waters.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the heavyweights of the drum family, running 5-30 pounds in our waters with occasional giants pushing 50+. These bottom-feeders love oyster bars, muddy flats, and creek mouths where they crush shellfish with their powerful jaws. Spring is your best bet when they school up for spawning - that's when you'll hear their signature drumming sounds underwater. They're bulldogs on the line, making long, stubborn runs that'll test your drag. The smaller fish under 15 pounds are excellent eating, but the big ones get tough and stringy. Fresh blue crab is my go-to bait - it stays on the hook better than shrimp and the catfish won't steal it as quick. Fish it right on the bottom and be patient. When a drum picks up your bait, let them run with it before setting the hook.
Centropristis StriataBlack sea bass are plump, grouper-family fish that typically run 1-4 pounds around St. Marks, though they can hit 8+ pounds. You'll find them around structure - old pilings, rocky bottom, and artificial reefs in 20-80 feet of water. Spring through summer is prime time when they move closer to shore. They're scrappy fighters until they break the surface, then they give up quick. What guests love most is how willing they are to bite - perfect for beginners. The smaller ones make excellent table fare with sweet, flaky white meat. Here's a local trick: use a two-hook bottom rig with squid strips and bounce it right on the structure. They're curious fish, so if you feel that first tap, give it a second - they'll usually come back for a better bite.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are the sharks that aren't sharks - dark brown torpedoes that can reach 40-60 pounds and stretch 4-5 feet long. These solitary hunters cruise around structure like channel markers, reefs, and crab trap floats in 20-50 feet of water. Spring through early summer is prime time during their migration, especially May and June. They're absolute bruisers that'll test your tackle with powerful runs and head-shaking fights. What really gets guests excited is the sight fishing - watching a big cobia cruise just under the surface before smashing your lure. They're also top-shelf eating with firm, white meat that tastes like a cross between grouper and shark. Bucktail jigs in brown or white work great, but here's the secret: when you spot one, cast well ahead and work the lure slow. They're curious but spooky, so patience pays off big time.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the crown jewel of our flats fishing, easily spotted by their copper-bronze backs and distinctive black eyespot near the tail. They range from schooling juveniles around 18-24 inches up to mature bulls pushing 30+ inches and 15-20 pounds. These fish thrive in 1-4 feet of water over grass beds, oyster bars, and muddy shorelines. Year-round fishing is solid here, but fall and spring offer the most consistent action. What guests love is their explosive strikes and bulldogging fights - they'll strip drag and make multiple runs. They're also excellent table fare when kept within slot limits. My favorite technique is sight fishing with topwater plugs early morning when they're tailing in skinny water. The trick is approaching quietly and casting well ahead of their path - they spook easily but strike hard when done right.
Salmo TruttaSpotted sea trout, or specks as we call them, are beautiful silver fish with distinctive black spots covering their sides. Most run 14-20 inches and 1-3 pounds, though bigger ones lurk in deeper water. They love grass flats, especially around drop-offs and channels in 3-8 feet of water. Best action happens at dawn, dusk, and night when they move shallow to feed on shrimp and small baitfish. What makes them special is their aggressive strikes and decent fight for their size. Plus, they're some of the best eating fish in these waters - mild, flaky white meat that's hard to beat. The key is keeping your lure moving but not too fast. A slow-sinking soft plastic shrimp worked just above the grass tops is deadly. When the water's calm, you can actually see their wakes as they chase bait.
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