Morning Inshore Fishing in St. Marks Florida
Shared Trip
Inshore Fishing
Target redfish, sea trout, flounder, and black drum inshoreFourhour morning trip includes all tackle and fishing licensesAccommodates up to four guests with experienced Captain Leigh Wills
There's something magical about being on the water at first light in St. Marks, watching the sun paint the grass flats gold while you're already working your first cast of the day. Captain Leigh Wills runs these 4-hour morning trips that'll have you fishing some of Florida's most productive inshore waters before the crowds even think about launching their boats. This isn't your typical charter where you're fighting for elbow room – with just 4 anglers max, you get the personal attention that makes all the difference between going home with stories and going home with fish.
Your morning kicks off before sunrise on St. Marks' legendary grass flats, where the shallow water holds some serious fish once you know where to look. Captain Leigh's been working these waters for years, and he knows exactly which flats are holding redfish and sea trout on any given tide. The early start isn't just for show – it's when these fish are most active, cruising the shallows looking for an easy meal. After working the flats, you'll head out into the Gulf of Mexico for some bottom fishing action where black drum, cobia, and black sea bass are waiting. The transition from sight fishing in skinny water to dropping baits in deeper structure gives you two completely different fishing experiences in one trip. All your tackle is provided, and Captain Leigh handles the fishing license requirements, so you can focus on what matters – putting fish in the boat.
On the grass flats, you'll be working with light tackle and artificial lures, making precise casts to structure and drop-offs where redfish and sea trout like to ambush prey. Captain Leigh will have you throwing soft plastics, topwater plugs, and spoons depending on conditions and what the fish are telling him that morning. The water's clear enough that you'll often see your target before you cast, which adds a whole different level of excitement to the fishing. Once you move offshore, it's all about reading the bottom and working live bait or cut bait near structure where the bigger fish hang out. You'll learn how to feel the difference between a nibble and a solid hookup, and Captain Leigh will coach you through fighting fish in different scenarios – from a bulldogging redfish in shallow water to a cobia making runs in open water.
Redfish are the bread and butter of St. Marks fishing, and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers average 20-30 inches in these waters and fight like fish twice their size. They're most active in the cooler morning hours, cruising the grass flats looking for crabs and baitfish. What makes redfish so special is their attitude – they'll crush a lure with authority and then strip drag like they're twice as big as they actually are. The slot-size fish (18-27 inches) make excellent table fare, while the oversized bulls provide pure adrenaline on light tackle. Sea trout are another morning favorite, especially during the warmer months. These spotted beauties are abundant in St. Marks' grass flats and respond well to soft plastics worked slowly near the bottom. They're excellent eating and fun to catch, with a soft mouth that requires finesse to land consistently. Black drum might not win beauty contests, but they're absolute tanks when it comes to fighting power. These bottom-dwellers can exceed 30 pounds in local waters and will test your tackle and your patience. They're most cooperative during cooler months and provide some of the most consistent action when other species are finicky. Cobia are the wildcards of the trip – when they show up, everything else takes a backseat. These brown sharks of the inshore world can push 40+ pounds and make runs that'll have you questioning your drag setting. They're curious fish that often approach the boat, giving you shots at sight fishing for a legitimate trophy. Black sea bass round out the offshore action with their aggressive strikes and excellent table fare. They're reliable producers around structure and provide consistent action when you need a bent rod.
Captain Leigh's morning trips consistently deliver because he understands that good fishing starts with being in the right place at the right time with the right approach. Whether you're a seasoned angler looking to dial in your inshore techniques or a family wanting to experience Florida fishing at its finest, this 4-hour morning adventure covers all the bases. The combination of grass flats fishing and offshore bottom fishing gives you the best of both worlds, and with only 4 spots available, you're guaranteed personal attention from a captain who knows these waters inside and out. Don't wait until the last minute – the best fishing days book up fast, and you don't want to miss out on what could be the highlight of your Florida fishing experience.
Our fishing machine is built for serious angling on Florida's Forgotten Coast. This motorboat handles the shallow grass flats of St. Marks with ease, thanks to its wireless trolling motor that lets you sneak up on redfish and sea trout without spooking them. The fish finder helps locate schools while GPS keeps you on productive spots. When visibility drops, radar keeps you safe heading back to port. Stay connected with VHF radio and keep your catch fresh in the onboard icebox. With room for up to 4 anglers and wheelchair accessibility, this boat gets everyone on the water comfortably. Whether you're working the sunrise flats or heading offshore into the Gulf for bottom fish, this rig has the features and reliability to make your morning fishing trip productive from first light to dock.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the heavyweights of our inshore waters, running 5-30 pounds with some bruisers pushing 50+. These powerful fish have crushing jaws built for shellfish and make that distinctive drumming sound you'll hear underwater. They love shallow muddy flats, oyster bars, and creek mouths where the food is plentiful. Spring spawning season is prime time when they school up and are easier to find. Smaller drum under 15 pounds eat the best - anything bigger gets tough and stringy. They're strong fighters that'll test your drag on light tackle. Fresh blue crab or cut mullet on the bottom works great, but here's what I've learned: fish the incoming tide around oyster beds, and don't set the hook too quick - let them eat it good before you lean into them.
Centropristis StriataBlack sea bass are chunky, gray to black fish with white-centered scales that make great table fare. Most run 1-4 pounds, though they can hit 8+ pounds. These grouper family members love structure - wrecks, rocks, and reefs in 30-120 feet of water. We target them during our offshore portion when they're most active from late spring through summer. They put up a solid scrap until they break the surface, then come up easy. The meat is firm and flaky - perfect for the dinner table. Best fishing is with cut bait on a two-hook bottom rig, but they'll also hit jigs. Here's a local trick: once you find them on structure, work different depths around the same spot - bigger males hold deeper while smaller ones stay higher in the water column.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are dark brown, shark-looking fish that get big fast - averaging 20-40 pounds with some monsters over 50. These loners cruise alone or in small groups around structure like buoys, wrecks, and channel markers in 20-60 feet of water. Spring migration through summer is prime time, especially during spawning season. They're sight-fishing targets that'll come right up to the boat if you're patient. Cobia are bulldogs that make powerful runs and fight dirty near structure. The white meat is firm and tastes amazing - some of the best eating in the Gulf. They'll eat live bait, jigs, and even topwater lures when they're fired up. Pro tip: when you spot one, don't cast right at it - lead them by 10 feet and work your bait in front of their path. They're curious and will usually investigate if you don't spook them.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish, or red drum, are the crown jewel of our inshore fishing with their copper-bronze color and signature black spots near the tail. These bruisers average 18-30 inches and love super shallow water - sometimes their backs stick out while they're "tailing" in 6 inches of water. They cruise grass flats, oyster bars, and marsh edges hunting crabs and baitfish. Fall and spring offer the best action when they're most active in the shallows. Reds are incredible fighters that make blistering runs and never give up. The meat is sweet and firm - excellent table fare in the slot size range. They'll eat live shrimp, cut bait, and artificials like gold spoons or topwater plugs. Here's my go-to trick: look for nervous baitfish or muddy water from feeding reds, then cast past them and work your bait back slowly.
Salmo TruttaSpotted sea trout, or "specks" as we call them, are beautiful silver fish with black spots and canine teeth. They average 1-3 pounds but can push 5+ pounds in deeper water. These fish love grass flats, sandy bottoms, and drop-offs where they ambush shrimp and baitfish. Dawn and dusk are prime time, especially in spring and fall when they're most active. They're fantastic eating with delicate, flaky white meat. Trout are scrappy fighters that jump and make long runs. Live shrimp under a popping cork is hard to beat, but soft plastics on jig heads work great too. Local tip: when working grass flats at first light, listen for them "popping" shrimp on the surface - cast to the sound and you'll usually connect. Don't horse them in; their mouths are soft and they'll pull the hook.
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