5.0(1 Reviews)Family-Friendly Destin Inshore Fishing Charter
5.0(1 reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Familyfriendly 2hour inshore fishing adventure in Destin watersTarget Sheepshead, Trout, and Redfish with provided gearAll licenses included plus complimentary snacks and drinks
Looking to get your kids hooked on fishing? This 2-hour private charter with Captain Josh hits the sweet spot for families wanting to introduce their little ones to the world of angling. Based out of Destin's crystal-clear waters, this trip focuses on fun over fish counts, though you'll be surprised how many both kids and parents end up reeling in. Perfect for weekend warriors who want quality time on the water without the marathon commitment of longer charters.
Captain Josh knows exactly how to keep young anglers engaged from the moment you step aboard. This isn't your typical "sit and wait" fishing experience – he'll have your crew moving between productive spots in Destin's inshore waters, targeting species that actually bite and fight back. The boat stays close to shore in protected waters, so even the most cautious parents can relax while their kids learn the ropes. All fishing licenses are covered, and the captain provides quality gear sized right for smaller hands. Snacks and drinks keep everyone comfortable, and there's always time for those must-have trophy photos. Parents can join the action too, with fishing opportunities available for an additional fee after the main charter wraps up.
Captain Josh specializes in light tackle inshore fishing, using techniques that give kids the best chance at success. You'll be working with spinning reels loaded with 15-20 pound test line – strong enough to handle decent fish but light enough that young anglers can feel every bump and run. Live bait and cut bait are the go-to choices, presented near structure where hungry fish hang out. Think dock pilings, grass flats, and oyster bars where Sheepshead love to nibble and Redfish cruise looking for an easy meal. The captain reads the water conditions and adjusts tactics throughout the trip, switching between bottom fishing and sight casting depending on what's working. No complicated techniques here – just solid fundamentals that translate to more fish in the boat and bigger smiles on deck.
"This trip was absolutely amazing! Captain Josh did a fantastic job with our kids (7 yr old boy and 10 yr old girl) and showed them exactly how to fish in a way that I am sure has them hooked for life. His patience and demeanor with them was well beyond expectations. I was worried we would have a grouchy old captain based off of my past charter fishing experiences and that was not the case at all. He made sure they stayed busy catching fish after fish after fish. I could not believe how quickly he could put them on another fish almost as if he and the fish had a deal worked out! It was the perfect amount of time too! It wasn't too short nor too long and left us all extremely happy. This was by far the best time we had on our entire trip to Destin! I would post photos, but they are all on my wife's phone sorry, which by the way was also amazing that he took the time to let us take photos of every fish the kids caught (approximately 20!)." - Matthew
Spanish Mackerel are speed demons that kids absolutely love fighting. These silvery missiles typically run 1-3 pounds and make blistering runs that'll have young anglers whooping with excitement. Best action happens during warmer months when schools move through Destin's inshore waters chasing baitfish. They're not picky eaters, hitting everything from small spoons to live shrimp, making them perfect confidence builders for beginning anglers.
Black Drum are the gentle giants of the inshore world, offering steady fights without the chaos that might overwhelm smaller children. These copper-colored bruisers love structure and can push 5-15 pounds in Destin waters. They're year-round residents that feed heavily on crabs and shrimp around oyster beds and bridge pilings. Kids get a real workout reeling these fish up from the bottom, and their distinctive drumming sound adds an extra element of excitement to every hookup.
Sheepshead earn their nickname as "convict fish" thanks to their distinctive black and white stripes, but anglers know them as some of the craftiest fish in the Gulf. These structure-loving fish have human-like teeth perfect for crushing barnacles and small crabs. They're notorious bait thieves that require patience and finesse – exactly the skills Captain Josh loves teaching young anglers. Spring months bring the best Sheepshead action as they move inshore to spawn.
Sea Trout, or Speckled Trout as locals call them, are Destin's bread-and-butter inshore species. These beautiful fish with distinctive spots along their sides typically run 14-20 inches and provide consistent action across grass flats and sandy bottoms. They're cooperative biters that respond well to live shrimp and soft plastics, making them ideal targets for kids learning proper retrieval techniques. Fall and winter months offer the best trout fishing as cooler water temperatures concentrate schools in deeper grass beds.
Redfish are the crown jewel of inshore fishing, and Destin's waters hold some real bulls that'll test any angler's skills. These bronze beauties with distinctive black spots near their tails are powerful fighters that make long runs and hard pulls. Juvenile reds in the 18-27 inch slot limit are perfect for kids to handle, while oversized fish over 27 inches provide photo opportunities before release. Redfish are ambush predators that cruise shallow flats and marsh edges, especially during moving tides when they're actively feeding.
This family charter fills up fast, especially during peak season when visiting families discover what locals already know – Captain Josh runs one of the top-rated kids' fishing programs in Destin. The 2-hour timeframe hits the perfect balance, giving everyone enough water time to learn and catch fish without testing young attention spans. With all gear, licenses, and refreshments include
This reliable 22-foot Century motorboat is your family's ticket to some serious fish-catching action in Destin's productive inshore waters. Built in 2007, this 4-passenger vessel comes equipped with everything you need for a successful fishing adventure - a wireless trolling motor keeps things quiet when you're sneaking up on those spooky Redfish, while the GPS and fish finder help locate the hottest spots where Sheepshead and Trout are biting. The boat's size is perfect for getting into those shallow backwater areas where the big fish like to hide, yet stable enough to keep everyone comfortable while they're learning to cast and reel. Captain Josh knows these waters inside and out, and with all the fishing gear, snacks, and drinks provided, your crew can focus on what matters most - hooking up with some great catches and making memories on the water.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the gentle giants of the inshore waters, and they make perfect targets for family fishing trips. These fish typically range from 5-30 pounds and love hanging around oyster beds, shallow mud flats, and creek mouths in 2-10 feet of water. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning, making them much easier to find and catch. What makes them special is their powerful, steady fight - not flashy, but they'll test your drag and give everyone a workout. They're also famous for their drumming sounds, which you can actually hear underwater. The smaller ones under 15 pounds are great eating with sweet, flaky meat. Here's what I always tell folks: use fresh crab or cut bait on the bottom, and when you feel that subtle tap-tap-tap, don't set the hook right away. Let them take it and run a bit first - Black Drum are notorious for spitting the bait if you rush them.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the signature species of our shallow Gulf waters, and they're absolutely perfect for family fishing adventures. These copper-colored bruisers typically run 18-27 inches and 3-8 pounds in the shallows, with that distinctive black spot near their tail. You'll find them cruising oyster bars, grass flats, and marsh edges in water so shallow their backs sometimes show - usually 1-4 feet deep. Fall and spring are prime time when they school up and feed aggressively, but we catch them year-round. What makes Redfish special is their powerful, bulldogging fight and the fact that they'll eat almost anything - live shrimp, cut bait, or artificial lures. They're also great eating when kept at legal size. The secret to consistent success is watching for nervous water, tailing fish, or copper flashes in the shallows. Keep your approach quiet, cast beyond the fish and work your bait back to them. Redfish spook easily in skinny water, so stealth beats speed every time.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled Trout are perfect starter fish for kids learning to fish - they're aggressive, fun to catch, and scattered all over our grass flats. These silvery fish with dark spots typically run 12-16 inches and 1-2 pounds, though we see some nice 3-4 pounders too. They love shallow grass beds, sandy holes, and drop-offs in 2-8 feet of water year-round, but they're most active during dawn and dusk. What makes them great for families is their willingness to bite and their sporty fight with plenty of head shaking. They're also excellent table fare with tender, white meat that's not too fishy for picky eaters. The key to catching them consistently is working your bait slowly - whether it's live shrimp under a popping cork or soft plastics on a jig head. During summer, fish the deeper grass edges during the day, but when it cools off, they'll move shallow and feed aggressively in just a couple feet of water.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the convict fish of Destin waters - those black and white stripes make them easy to spot around any structure. These crafty fish typically run 1-3 pounds and 12-16 inches, but they can grow much larger. You'll find them hugging dock pilings, bridge supports, and jetties in 5-20 feet of water, especially during cooler months from fall through early spring when they're most active. What guests love about Sheepshead is their challenging nature - they're notorious bait thieves with those human-like teeth, so landing one feels like a real accomplishment. Plus, they're some of the best eating fish in the Gulf with sweet, white meat. The trick with these guys is to use small hooks with fresh shrimp or fiddler crabs, keep your bait right against the structure, and set the hook the instant you feel any weight. They'll steal your bait in a heartbeat if you're not paying attention.
Scomberomorus MaculatusSpanish Mackerel are fast-moving silver bullets that'll give your kids a real taste of action fishing. These streamlined fish typically run 1-3 pounds and 14-20 inches, but their speed makes up for their size - they're some of the fastest swimmers in the Gulf. You'll find them in schools near the surface around structure, piers, and open water flats, especially during warmer months from spring through fall. What makes them fun to target is their aggressive strikes and acrobatic fights - they'll jump and make long runs that get everyone excited. The meat is excellent too - mild, flaky, and perfect for grilling. Here's a local trick: when you see diving birds or surface commotion, that's usually Spanish Mackerel busting baitfish. Get your lures in there quick with small spoons or jigs, and you'll often hook up fast before the school moves on.
5.0 out of 5.0This trip was absolutely amazing! Captain Josh did a fantastic job with our kids (7 yr old boy and 10 yr old girl) and showed them...
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