Kids Fishing Trip in Fort Walton Beach
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
23 hour inshore fishing trip in Choctawhatchee Bay watersChildfocused experience with catchandrelease fishing activitiesSmall group adventure accommodating up to 4 guests maximum
Getting kids hooked on fishing starts with the right trip, and Fort Walton Beach's Choctawhatchee Bay delivers exactly what young anglers need. This 2-3 hour adventure focuses on fun over fish counts, though don't be surprised when the little ones start reeling in some real keepers. The protected waters of the bay create perfect conditions for teaching kids the basics while keeping everyone comfortable and engaged.
Your family fishing adventure takes place in the calm, productive waters of Choctawhatchee Bay and its surrounding areas. This isn't about filling coolers or breaking personal records – it's about watching your kids light up when they feel that first tug on their line. The bay's shallow flats and grass beds create ideal hunting grounds for teaching young anglers proper casting, bait presentation, and fish handling techniques. Most trips follow a catch-and-release approach, giving kids plenty of chances to experience the fight without worrying about keeping fish alive. That said, when a nice eating-sized sea trout or keeper red comes aboard, you'll have the option to take dinner home. The waters here stay relatively protected from Gulf swells, so even kids prone to seasickness usually do just fine.
Light tackle makes all the difference when fishing with kids, and that's exactly what gets rigged up for these trips. Think spinning reels with smooth drags, rods sized for small hands, and simple rigs that won't tangle every cast. Live shrimp under popping corks work magic in these waters, giving kids that visual excitement of watching the cork disappear. Artificial baits like soft plastics on jig heads come into play around structure, teaching basic retrieve techniques while targeting species that love to ambush prey. The captain handles all the complicated stuff – finding fish, reading water, and re-rigging when needed. Kids focus on the fun parts: casting, feeling bites, and bringing fish to the boat. Circle hooks keep everything safe, and barbless hooks make releases quick and easy for tiny fish that need to grow up.
Southern Flounder might be the ultimate kids' fish in these waters. These flatfish sit perfectly still on sandy bottoms until bait passes overhead, then attack with surprising aggression. Kids love the challenge of feeling the subtle bite and the excitement of seeing these alien-looking fish come aboard. Fall months bring the best flounder action as they stage for their offshore spawning run, with fish ranging from slot-sized keepers to impressive doormat-sized specimens that photograph beautifully before release.
Black Drum provide non-stop action when located, often traveling in schools that keep multiple rods bent simultaneously. These bottom-feeders respond well to cut bait and live shrimp, making them perfect for teaching kids patience and proper hooksets. Smaller drum in the 12-16 inch range fight hard and make excellent table fare, while the bigger bull drum create memories that last a lifetime. Spring and fall see the heaviest concentrations, though resident fish provide year-round opportunities.
Sheepshead earn their reputation as bait thieves, teaching kids to stay alert and react quickly to subtle bites. These convict-striped fish hang around structure like pilings and oyster bars, requiring precise presentations with fiddler crabs or shrimp. Landing a quality sheepshead takes skill, making them a badge of honor for young anglers. Their excellent eating quality adds bonus value to successful catches.
Sea Trout consistently rank as the bread-and-butter species of Choctawhatchee Bay, providing steady action throughout most of the year. These spotted beauties respond to both live and artificial baits, giving kids multiple ways to connect. Grass flats in 3-6 feet of water hold the most fish, with early morning and late afternoon producing the hottest bites. Trout between 15-20 inches make outstanding table fare and realistic targets for young anglers to achieve.
Redfish represent the holy grail of inshore fishing, and Fort Walton Beach waters hold some beauties. These copper-colored fighters provide spectacular battles, often making multiple runs and testing young anglers' drag-fighting skills. Slot-sized reds between 18-27 inches offer the perfect combination of fight and food value, while oversized bull reds create once-in-a-lifetime photo opportunities. Sight-fishing for tailing reds in shallow water adds an exciting visual element that kids absolutely love.
This top-rated kids fishing experience delivers exactly what families need – patience, expertise, and waters that consistently produce fish. Your young anglers will learn proper techniques while creating memories that spark lifelong fishing passions. With trips limited to just 4 guests, each child gets personalized attention and plenty of opportunities to get hands-on experience. Book your 2-hour adventure with Panhandle Fishing Charters and give your kids the gift of their first real fishing success story.
Get ready to explore Choctawhatchee Bay aboard our completely custom 2006 Carolina Skiff 198 DLX! This fishing machine is powered by a reliable 2018 Suzuki 115 HP 4-stroke engine and features a raised deck perfect for spotting fish in shallow waters. The boat's equipped with everything needed for a successful kids' fishing adventure - Garmin electronics, fish finder to locate the best spots, GPS navigation, and even 6 LED lights for crystal-clear visibility. Your little anglers will love the wireless trolling motor that lets us sneak up on fish quietly, while the onboard sound system keeps everyone entertained between catches. We've got an icebox to keep drinks cold during those warm Florida afternoons, plus VHF radio and radar for safety. The jack plate allows us to cruise the flats safely, getting into those prime fishing spots where redfish and other species love to hang out. This 4-person capacity skiff is built for family fun on the water, designed to keep kids engaged and smiling while we chase fish around the bay. The custom setup makes it easy for young fishermen to cast their lines and reel in their catches from the spacious, raised platform.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the heavyweights of our bay system, ranging from 5-30 pounds with some real bulls pushing 50+ pounds. These gray-black fish love oyster beds, muddy flats, and bridge pilings where they crush shellfish with their powerful jaws. You'll hear them "drumming" underwater during spring spawning runs when they school up in shallow water - that's prime time for targeting them. The smaller ones under 15 pounds make excellent eating with firm, white meat, while the big ones are better released. Kids get a kick out of their croaking sounds and the strong fight they put up. Spring months are best when they move shallow to spawn in our bay. My go-to technique is fresh crab or clam chunks on a Carolina rig fished right on the bottom near structure.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the crown jewel of our inshore waters - copper-colored fish with distinctive black spots near their tails. Around here, you'll find them in 1-4 feet of water over grass flats, oyster bars, and around mangrove shorelines. They typically run 18-27 inches (slot size), though we see plenty of oversized "bull reds" that make for great photos and memories. Kids love watching their backs fin out of shallow water and the strong fight they put up. They eat almost anything - shrimp, crabs, mullet, and artificial lures. Year-round fishing is good, but fall and spring are peak times when they're most aggressive. These fish make excellent table fare with sweet, white meat. Pro tip: look for "tailing" fish in super shallow water during incoming tides - cast ahead of them and let your bait settle naturally.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are perfect for kids trips - they're abundant in our grass flats, bite readily, and make great table fare. These silver fish with black spots typically run 14-18 inches and love shallow water from 2-6 feet deep over grass beds. They're most active during cooler parts of the day and on moving water. Spring and fall provide the best action, but you can find them year-round in the bay. Kids enjoy their decent fight and the satisfaction of catching dinner - the white, flaky meat is mild and delicious. They school up over grass flats and around creek mouths where they ambush shrimp and baitfish. During colder months, look for them in deeper holes and channels. Best tip: use live shrimp under a popping cork over grass beds, and work it with gentle pops to mimic feeding sounds.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the "convict fish" of our waters with their black and white stripes and human-like teeth that crush barnacles and crabs. These 1-3 pound fish hang tight to any structure - dock pilings, bridge supports, and oyster bars throughout the bay. They're notorious bait thieves, so kids learn patience real quick! Spring months are prime when they school up around structures to spawn. What makes them special is that sweet, flaky white meat that rivals snapper for table fare. You'll find them in 5-15 feet of water, usually suspended at different depths around cover. They fight hard for their size and provide steady action on family trips. Here's the key: use small hooks with fresh shrimp or fiddler crabs, get as close to structure as possible, and set the hook hard the moment you feel weight - they'll steal your bait otherwise.
Paralichthys LethostigmaThese flat, oval-shaped fish are masters of disguise - both eyes sit on their left side and they change color to match the bottom. Around here, you'll find them on sandy and muddy flats in 2-8 feet of water, especially near creek mouths and oyster bars throughout Choctawhatchee Bay. They typically run 15-18 inches and weigh 2-5 pounds, though bigger ones show up in cooler months. Kids love the fight these fish put up - they're strong for their size and make great table fare with sweet, white meat. Fall through early spring is prime time when they're feeding heavy before moving offshore. Pro tip: use live shrimp or small mullet on a slip sinker rig and fish it right on the bottom - flounders won't chase bait very far from cover.
Fort Walton Beach, FL