Kids Fishing Trip - Santa Rosa Beach, FL
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Kids learn essential fishing skills from casting to baiting hooksInshore fishing adventure accommodates up to 4 young anglersFlexible scheduling with option to join 4hour fishing trips
Want to get the little ones hooked on fishing? This kids-focused inshore trip with Rolling Tide Sportfishing is exactly what you need. Based out of Santa Rosa Beach, we've designed this experience to introduce young anglers to everything from casting their first line to fighting their first fish. The Emerald Coast's calm inshore waters make it perfect for kids to learn the ropes without dealing with rough seas or seasickness. Your captain knows these waters like the back of his hand and has the patience to teach proper technique while keeping everyone entertained. We keep groups small at just 4 guests max, so each kid gets plenty of one-on-one attention. Fair warning though - location and timing can shift based on tides, weather, and other bookings, but that flexibility often leads us to the hottest bite of the day.
This isn't your typical "throw a line and hope" kind of trip. Your kids will actually learn to fish the right way. We start with the basics - how to hold a rod properly, cast without tangling everyone's lines, and tie a few essential knots that'll serve them well for years to come. The captain will show them how to bait their own hooks (don't worry, we use easy stuff like shrimp and cut bait, not live worms that freak some kids out). Once we find our first spot, usually in the protected waters around the Sound or near grass flats, it's game on. The inshore fishing around Santa Rosa Beach is perfect for beginners because the fish are plentiful and willing to bite. Kids love the constant action - there's always something tugging on the line. Between catches, there's plenty of time to learn about different species, practice casting, or just soak up some Florida sunshine. If you need a guaranteed time slot instead of our flexible scheduling, your kids are absolutely welcome to join one of our regular 4-hour trips with other anglers.
We provide all the tackle, so don't stress about buying a bunch of gear before you know if your kids are really into fishing. Our rods are sized right for smaller hands - not those heavy offshore sticks that'll wear them out in ten minutes. We mainly use spinning reels because they're way easier for kids to manage than baitcasters. For bait, we stick with proven producers like live or frozen shrimp, pinfish, and cut mullet. The techniques we teach are simple but effective: bottom fishing around structure, casting to visible redfish in shallow water, and drift fishing over grass beds where trout like to hang out. Your captain will adjust tactics based on what's biting that day and what each kid can handle skill-wise. Some might be ready to work a popping cork, while others need to master the basics first. We fish the inshore waters from Destin Pass to Grayton Beach State Park, hitting spots like Choctawhatchee Bay, Santa Rosa Sound, and the shallow flats behind the barrier islands. These protected areas stay calm even when it's blowing outside, plus they hold plenty of fish that are perfect for young anglers to cut their teeth on.
Grey Snapper are probably the most fun fish for kids to catch around here. These feisty little fighters average 12-14 inches and have serious attitude for their size. They hang around any kind of structure - docks, oyster bars, artificial reefs - and they're not picky eaters. What makes them perfect for kids is they bite hard and fight all the way to the boat. You'll find them year-round in our waters, but they're most active during warmer months when they move into shallower areas to spawn. Kids get a kick out of their big eyes and the way they flare their gill plates when you bring them aboard.
Sheepshead might look weird with their human-like teeth, but they're incredibly smart fish that'll teach your kids patience and finesse. These black-and-white striped fish love to hang around pilings, rocks, and oyster beds where they can pick off barnacles and crabs. They're notorious bait stealers, so kids learn to detect subtle bites and set the hook at just the right moment. Winter months from December through March are prime time for sheepshead fishing, when they school up around structure in impressive numbers. Landing one is a real accomplishment because they're such careful feeders.
Sea Trout are the bread and butter of inshore fishing here, and for good reason. These spotted beauties are willing biters that can be caught using multiple techniques, making them ideal for teaching kids different approaches. They love grass flats, especially during moving tides when baitfish get stirred up. Spring through fall offers the best trout fishing, with peak action during dawn and dusk. What kids love most is the aggressive way trout hit lures and baits - there's no question when one's on the line. They also make excellent table fare, so families often take a few home for dinner.
Redfish are the ultimate prize for any young angler. These copper-colored bruisers can grow massive, but the slot-sized fish we typically catch (18-27 inches) are perfect for kids to handle. Reds are incredibly strong fighters that'll drag line and test a young angler's patience. They cruise shallow flats, often with their backs out of the water, creating sight-fishing opportunities that get kids' hearts pumping. Fall months bring the best redfish action as they school up for their annual spawning runs. There's nothing quite like watching a kid's face light up when they boat their first red drum - it's often the moment they become lifelong anglers.
Look, getting kids interested in fishing these days isn't always easy with all the digital distractions competing for their attention. But there's something magical about being on the water, learning real skills, and catching actual fish that beats any video game. This trip gives your children hands-on experience with an activity they can enjoy for
Sciaenops OcellatusRed drum with their copper-bronze backs and signature black eyespots are a real treat in our shallow waters. They run 20-35 inches typically, loving flats just 1-4 feet deep where you can sometimes see their backs. Year-round fishing here, but fall and spring are peak. Kids love spotting them tailing in skinny water and the strong fights they put up. Great table fare too with mild, sweet meat. They eat almost anything - shrimp, crabs, small fish. My go-to trick: look for nervous water or mullet jumping, that usually means reds are feeding below. Use topwater plugs early morning for explosive strikes, or live shrimp under a popping cork when they're spooky.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are a local favorite running 14-24 inches and 1-5 pounds with distinctive spots covering their silvery bodies. They cruise grass flats and shallow bays, especially active at night and during cooler months. These fish are perfect for kids - they fight well but aren't too overwhelming, plus they're fantastic eating with tender, flaky white meat. The key is not to overcook them or they get mushy. Best technique around here is working topwater plugs and soft plastics over grass flats at dawn and dusk. Pro tip: when it gets tough during the day, try trolling slowly through deeper channels where they school up - just idle speed with a spoon or jig.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusThese "convict fish" with their black and white stripes are perfect for teaching kids patience and technique. Running 1-8 pounds and 14-20 inches typically, they hang around any structure with barnacles - docks, bridges, pier pilings. Spring months February through April are prime time when they spawn. Kids get a kick out of their human-like teeth and the challenge they present. They're notorious bait stealers with incredible table fare - sweet white meat that's worth the effort. My tip: use fiddler crabs or shrimp, get tight to the structure, and when you feel that subtle nibble, set the hook hard immediately. They'll steal your bait faster than you can blink if you hesitate.
Lutjanus GriseusAlso called Mangrove Snapper, these greyish-red fish run 10-14 inches inshore, typically 1-2 pounds, but can hit 20 pounds in deeper water. They love structure - docks, piers, reefs, anywhere they can ambush prey. These nocturnal hunters are most active at night and during full moons. Kids love them because they're smart fighters that test your patience, plus they make excellent table fare with sweet, flaky white meat. Here's the key: use live shrimp hooked through the tail, let it sink to bottom, then lift it just off the structure. Don't jerk when you feel that first nibble - they're notorious bait thieves. Wait for the solid pull before setting the hook.
Santa Rosa Beach, FL