St. Marks Extended Half Day Fishing Charter
Shared Trip
Inshore Fishing
Sixhour inshore fishing adventure targeting redfish and sea troutCaptain Leigh Wills provides tackle and handson guidanceAccommodates up to four guests on Florida's Forgotten 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 Forgotten Coast. This 6-hour guided fishing adventure launches right from St. Marks and gives you plenty of time to work the productive inshore waters where redfish, sea trout, black drum, cobia, and black sea bass call home. Whether you're a seasoned angler or just getting your feet wet, this top-rated charter delivers the perfect mix of action and scenery that keeps guests coming back season after season.
Your extended half-day starts early when you meet Captain Leigh at the St. Marks launch. This isn't your typical rushed 4-hour trip – with 6 full hours on the water, you've got real time to cover ground and dial in on what's biting. The Nature Coast's grass flats stretch for miles here, creating perfect habitat for multiple species that feed in these shallow, nutrient-rich waters. Captain Leigh provides all the tackle you'll need, from light spinning gear for trout to heavier setups when the cobia show up. Just bring your Florida saltwater fishing license, plenty of sunscreen, and get ready for some hands-on coaching that'll improve your technique whether you're 8 or 80 years old. The boat comfortably handles up to 4 anglers, so you won't feel crowded when that double hookup happens.
St. Marks sits at the heart of some of Florida's most productive inshore fishing grounds, where fresh water meets salt in a maze of grass beds, oyster bars, and deeper channels. Captain Leigh runs a variety of techniques depending on conditions – you might start the morning working live shrimp under popping corks over the flats, then switch to soft plastics when you find schools of feeding redfish. The grass flats here are legendary for holding sea trout, especially during the cooler months when they stack up in deeper potholes. When the tide's moving right, you'll drift the edges where black drum cruise looking for crabs and oysters. The beauty of a 6-hour trip is having time to adjust – if the bite's slow in one spot, there's always another productive area within reach. Captain Leigh keeps his finger on the pulse of seasonal patterns, water temperatures, and bait movements that dictate where fish will be feeding on any given day.
Redfish are the backbone of inshore fishing here, and St. Marks delivers year-round action with these bronze-backed fighters. These fish love the shallow grass flats and oyster bars, especially during falling tides when they cruise the edges looking for fiddler crabs and small baitfish. Slot-sized reds typically run 18-27 inches and put up a classic bulldogging fight that'll test your drag. Fall and spring offer the best numbers, but even summer heat doesn't slow them down if you know where to look.
Sea trout are another customer favorite that thrives in these grass bed systems. These spotted beauties prefer slightly deeper water than reds, holding in 3-8 feet around potholes and channel edges. They're aggressive feeders that'll hammer live shrimp, soft plastics, and topwater plugs during low-light periods. The Nature Coast produces some genuine gator trout over 20 inches, particularly during winter months when they school up in warmer water pockets.
Black drum might not be the prettiest fish in the lineup, but they're absolute powerhouses that'll surprise you with their strength. These bottom-feeders love structure like oyster bars and bridge pilings, where they root around for crabs and mollusks. They're most active during cooler months and can range from puppy drum under 10 pounds to genuine bulls pushing 30-40 pounds that'll make your arms burn.
Cobia are the wild cards that can turn a good day into something special. These brown sharks (as locals call them) show up when water temperatures climb into the 70s, often cruising alone or in small groups near structure or following rays across the flats. They're curious fish that'll investigate a well-placed lure, and once hooked, they make powerful runs that showcase why they're considered premier gamefish.
Black sea bass round out the target list as scrappy bottom dwellers that inhabit deeper structure and rocky areas. They're excellent table fare and fight harder than their size suggests, making them perfect action fish when you want steady bites. These guys are most reliable during cooler months and provide great backup when other species are finicky.
This extended half-day fishing trip with Outpost Alpha Fishing Charters gives you the time and expert guidance to experience why the Nature Coast has such a devoted following among serious anglers. Captain Leigh's local knowledge, combined with 6 hours of fishing time and all tackle provided, creates the perfect setup for both beginners and experienced fishermen to enjoy world-class inshore action. The variety of target species means you're never banking on just one type of fish – if the reds aren't cooperating, the trout might be going crazy, or a school of cobia could roll through and make your day. Don't let another season slip by without experiencing what many consider the best inshore fishing Florida has to offer. Book your charter today and get ready to see why St. Marks has earned its reputation as a premier fishing destination.
Hit the productive waters around St. Marks aboard our well-equipped fishing machine designed for serious angling. This motorboat handles Florida's inshore flats with ease, powered by a reliable engine and whisper-quiet wireless trolling motor that won't spook the redfish and sea trout you're targeting. The fish finder helps locate schools while GPS keeps you on productive spots. An icebox keeps your catch fresh and drinks cold during the 6-hour trip. VHF radio and radar ensure safe navigation, especially when morning fog rolls in off the Gulf. The boat comfortably fishes up to 4 anglers and features wheelchair accessibility so everyone can join the action. Captain Leigh knows these grass flats inside and out, positioning you over black drum, cobia, and sea bass holding areas. The stable platform gives you room to work lures and bait while staying comfortable all day on the Nature Coast waters.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the heavyweights of the drum family, typically ranging 5-30 pounds with some giants pushing 50+ pounds. These powerful fish have crushing jaws built for eating oysters and crabs. You'll find them on muddy flats, oyster bars, and around creek mouths in water from 2-15 feet deep. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning - that's when we target them most. They're famous for their drumming sounds you can actually hear underwater. The smaller ones under 15 pounds make great table fare with flaky white meat. My go-to tip: use fresh crab bait on the bottom with a heavy enough weight to stay put. When they pick it up, they'll move off slowly - let them take it before setting the hook.
Centropristis StriataBlack Sea Bass are chunky, hard-fighting members of the grouper family that typically run 1-4 pounds in our waters, though they can reach 8+ pounds. You'll find them around structure - wrecks, pilings, rocky bottom, and jetties in 20-120 feet of water. They're curious fish with gray to black coloring and distinctive white spots on their fins. Spring through fall is prime time when they move closer to shore. What makes them fun to target is their aggressive strike and stubborn fight until they break the surface. They're excellent eating with firm, white meat. Here's a local tip: when you hook one, keep steady pressure and get them up quickly - they'll try to dive back into structure and cut you off on barnacles or rocks.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are the brown sharks that aren't sharks - these solitary predators average 20-40 pounds but can push 50+ pounds. They cruise near the surface around structure like channel markers, wrecks, and crab trap floats, making them perfect sight-fishing targets. Spring and early summer bring the best action when they're moving through our area. What gets anglers fired up is their aggressive take and strong runs - plus they're considered some of the finest eating fish in the Gulf with firm, almost steak-like meat. They're curious fish that will often follow the boat, giving you multiple shot opportunities. Best tip: when you spot one, cast well ahead of where it's swimming and work your lure back slowly - they like to inspect before they commit.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the crown jewel of inshore fishing here, easily recognized by their bronze backs and signature black spots near the tail. They range from 18-35 inches, with slot fish around 20-27 inches being prime targets. These bruisers love super shallow water - grass flats, oyster bars, and marsh edges in 1-4 feet where you'll often see their backs out of water. They're year-round residents but really turn on during fall and spring transitions. What makes them special is their bulldogging fight and excellent table fare with mild, sweet meat. They'll eat almost anything - topwater plugs, soft plastics, live shrimp. Local secret: look for nervous water and mullet getting spooked on the flats - that's usually redfish pushing bait around underneath.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled Trout are one of our most popular inshore targets, averaging 14-18 inches with some reaching 5+ pounds. These spotted beauties love grass flats, shallow bays, and drop-offs in 2-8 feet of water. They're most active during cooler months and low-light conditions like dawn and dusk. What anglers love about trout is their willingness to hit topwater lures and their delicate, flaky white meat that's perfect for the dinner table. They can be finicky, so having the right presentation matters. Winter months bring schools of bigger fish into deeper channels. Pro tip: work your lure slowly and keep it just above the grass - trout will come up to take it, but they won't dig down through weeds to chase it.
undefined, undefined