Extended Half Day St. Marks Fishing Adventure
Shared Trip
Inshore Fishing
Six-hour inshore fishing trip targeting redfish and sea troutCaptain Leigh Wills provides tackle and hands-on guidanceAccommodates up to four guests on Florida's Nature Coast
Captain Leigh Wills knows these waters like the back of his hand, and he's ready to put you on some serious fish along Florida's Nature Coast. This six-hour guided trip out of St. Marks gives you plenty of time to work the flats, find the bite, and load up on redfish, sea trout, and whatever else is feeding. Whether you're bringing the kids for their first real fishing trip or you're a seasoned angler looking to explore new water, this top-rated charter delivers the goods. We've got room for up to four anglers, all the tackle you need, and a captain who lives to put fish in the boat.
St. Marks sits right in the heart of some of the best inshore fishing on the Gulf Coast, and Captain Leigh knows every productive spot from the river mouth to the distant grass flats. You'll launch early and spend your day working shallow water structure where redfish cruise the edges and sea trout stack up over sandy holes. The Nature Coast stays relatively untouched compared to other parts of Florida, so you're fishing pristine waters without the weekend crowds. Six hours gives you real time to fish - not just a quick tour - so expect to hit multiple spots as conditions and fish activity dictate. The captain provides all rods, reels, tackle, and bait, plus he'll be right there coaching you through every hookup. Don't forget your Florida saltwater fishing license though - you'll need it before we push off.
This is classic shallow water fishing where stealth and presentation win the day. Captain Leigh runs a quiet boat that can slip into skinny water without spooking fish off the flats. You'll be throwing live bait on light spinning tackle most of the time - perfect setup for feeling every bump and run. Depending on what's biting, you might be sight-fishing to tailing redfish in two feet of water, or working deeper grass beds where the trout like to hang. The captain carries a full selection of artificial lures too, so if the fish want topwater action or soft plastics, you're covered. Poling the flats is an art form, and watching Captain Leigh work his push pole while positioning you for the perfect cast is half the fun. When you hook up, that light tackle really lets you feel what these fish can do.
Redfish are the bread and butter of St. Marks fishing, and these copper-colored bruisers put up a fight that'll test your drag system. They average 18 to 27 inches in these waters, with plenty of slot-sized fish and some real bulls mixed in. Spring through fall offers the most consistent action, but winter can produce some monster reds when they school up in deeper holes. What makes redfish so special is their aggressive nature - they'll eat live shrimp, cut bait, and artificials with equal enthusiasm, and when they take off on that first run, you'll understand why anglers get addicted.
Sea trout are another customer favorite that really shine in St. Marks' grass flats and sandy potholes. These spotted beauties typically run 14 to 20 inches, with some gator trout pushing over 24 inches if you're lucky. They're most active during moving water, especially around dawn and dusk when they feed heavily on shrimp and small baitfish. Sea trout have relatively soft mouths, so playing them requires a gentle touch, but their acrobatic jumps and strong runs make every hookup exciting. The best bite usually happens from April through October when water temperatures stay in their comfort zone.
Black drum might not be the prettiest fish in the bay, but they're absolute bulldogs that will humble even experienced anglers. These bottom-feeders can range from schoolie-sized fish around 12 inches to real monsters exceeding 30 pounds. They love structure and deeper holes where they root around for crabs and mollusks. When you hook a big drum, expect a straight-down fight with powerful head shakes that'll make your arms burn. They're most active during cooler months when they move into shallower water to spawn.
Cobia are the wild cards that can show up anytime and turn a good day into an epic one. These curious fish often approach the boat, giving you sight-fishing opportunities you won't forget. They average 25 to 40 inches in local waters, but 50-inch fish are always possible. Cobia are structure-oriented and love following rays across the flats. When you spot that brown torpedo cruising just under the surface, your heart rate definitely picks up. They're strong fighters with serious stamina, and landing one always calls for high-fives all around.
Black sea bass round out the target list as willing biters that help keep the action steady when other species aren't cooperating. These chunky bottom-dwellers typically run 10 to 16 inches and fight harder than their size suggests. They're year-round residents that love hard bottom, rocks, and artificial reefs. Sea bass are great fish for kids and beginners since they bite aggressively and don't require perfect presentation. Plus, they're excellent table fare if you're looking to take dinner home.
Six hours on the water with Captain Leigh gives you a real fishing trip, not just a quick sample of what St. Marks has to offer. You'll have time to learn the water, understand how these fish behave, and hopefully put together some serious action. The Nature Coast delivers world-class fishing without the crowds, and having an experienced local guide makes all the difference between a good day and a great one. Whether you're planning a family outing, a fishing trip with buddies, or looking to explore new water, this charter consistently delivers the goods. Captain Leigh's boat books up quickly, especially during peak seasons, so don't wait too long to secure your dates. Grab your crew, bring your camera, an
Meet your fishing platform for St. Marks waters - a purpose-built motorboat designed to get you on redfish and sea trout. This fishing machine handles Florida's Forgotten Coast with ease, featuring a wireless trolling motor that keeps you quiet when working the grass flats. The fish finder helps locate your targets while GPS navigation guides you to the productive spots. An onboard icebox keeps your catch fresh and drinks cold during the 6-hour trip. VHF radio ensures safe communication, and radar helps when visibility drops. The boat accommodates up to 4 anglers comfortably and offers wheelchair accessibility. Whether you're casting for black drum or tracking down cobia, this setup gives you everything needed for serious inshore fishing along the Nature Coast's scenic waters.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the bulldogs of the flats - powerful fish that can reach 30+ pounds and will test your drag system. Most we catch run 5-15 pounds, which eat much better than the big ones. They're bottom feeders with crushing jaws built for oysters and crabs, so you'll find them around oyster bars, muddy flats, and creek mouths. Spring is prime time when they school up to spawn and make that distinctive drumming sound you can actually hear underwater. These fish are tough fighters that pull hard and steady - no fancy jumps, just pure muscle. They love brackish water and aren't picky about depth, from knee-deep flats to 40+ feet. Fresh crab is the ticket, but here's my go-to tip: use blue crab and pin it right through the back corner of the shell. Keeps bait stealers away and black drum can't resist it.
Centropristis StriataBlack sea bass are chunky fighters that hang around structure in 20-80 feet of water. Part of the grouper family, they typically run 1-4 pounds but can reach 8+ pounds. You'll find them around jetties, wrecks, and rocky bottom during warmer months when they move inshore. What makes them interesting is they all start as females and change to males around 9-13 inches - the bigger blues you see are the dominant males. They put up a solid fight until they break the surface, then give up quick. The meat is excellent - firm white fillets that taste great fried or grilled. Here's a local trick: when you're fishing structure, drop your bait right to the bottom and give it a little bounce every few seconds. These fish are curious and that movement often triggers the bite.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are the sharks of the flats that aren't actually sharks - big brown fish that can hit 50+ pounds and look intimidating until you see that single dorsal fin. Most average 20-40 pounds and fight like freight trains with serious stamina. They're loners that cruise around structure, buoys, and crab traps looking for an easy meal. Spring migration brings the best action when they move through shallow water heading to spawn. What makes them exciting is the sight fishing - you'll often see them cruising just under the surface, and they're curious enough to check out the boat. The meat is outstanding, firm and meaty like a mild shark. They'll eat live bait, bucktail jigs, or big plugs, but aren't super picky about color. Here's the trick with cobia: when you spot one, don't cast right at it. Lead them by 10-20 feet and work your bait back toward them. They spook easy but once interested, they usually commit to the bite.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the crown jewel of shallow water fishing - bronze-colored bruisers with that signature black spot near the tail that can reach 40+ inches and 30 pounds. Most slot fish run 18-27 inches and fight like they're twice that size. They cruise grass flats, oyster bars, and marsh edges in water so shallow their backs show above the surface. What makes them special is they'll eat almost anything - live shrimp, cut bait, topwater plugs, or spoons - and give you that heart-stopping explosion when they strike. The smaller ones are excellent table fare with firm, mild meat. Fall and spring are money times when they school up, but you can find them year-round. They're surprisingly spooky in thin water, so approach quiet and make long casts. Here's my go-to tip: when you see a redfish tailing in the shallows, cast well ahead of where it's moving and work your bait back slowly. They're usually facing into the current while feeding.
Salmo TruttaSpotted sea trout are the bread and butter of our grass flats, running 12-24 inches with some reaching 5+ pounds. These silvery fish with black spots love shallow seagrass beds where they ambush shrimp and small baitfish. They're most active during cooler parts of the day and really turn on under overcast skies. What guests love about trout is they'll hit both live bait and artificials with equal enthusiasm - great for learning different techniques. The meat is delicate and flaky, perfect for the dinner table if you don't overcook it. Fall through spring gives you the most consistent action when they school up in deeper holes and channels. My favorite local trick is working a soft plastic jig real slow over the grass - let it sink down into the holes between patches and give it tiny twitches. The strikes often feel like you just got hung up on grass until the fish starts shaking its head.
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