Kids Trip - Shalimar, FL Fishing Charter
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Kid-friendly inshore fishing with safety gear providedCatch-and-release trip accommodates up to 6 guestsComplete fishing equipment and safety jackets included onboard
Getting your kids started with fishing is one of the best gifts you can give them, and our kids' trip out of Shalimar is designed just for that. This catch-and-release adventure gives young anglers their first real taste of what it's like to feel a fish pull on the other end of the line. We keep things safe, fun, and educational while targeting some of the area's most exciting species. Safety jackets are on board for everyone, and we provide all the fishing gear your little crew needs. With room for up to 6 guests, this trip works perfectly for families or small groups of kids ready to learn the ropes.
This isn't your typical fishing trip - it's built around young anglers who might be holding a rod for the first time. We head out into the inshore waters around Shalimar, where the fish are plentiful and the conditions are usually calm enough for kids to focus on learning. The boat stays in protected waters most of the time, so parents don't need to worry about rough seas or seasickness. Our captain knows exactly where to find fish that are perfect for beginners - species that bite regularly and put up just enough fight to get kids excited without overwhelming them. Since this is catch-and-release, we teach kids about conservation while they're having fun, showing them how to properly handle fish and release them back into their home waters.
We use lighter tackle that's sized right for smaller hands, making it easier for kids to feel connected to what's happening underwater. The rods are shorter and more manageable, and we rig everything with circle hooks to make releases safer for both the fish and the young anglers. Our approach is hands-on but patient - we show kids how to cast, how to feel for bites, and most importantly, how to stay safe around the boat and the water. Live bait and cut bait work best for the species we're targeting, and we'll have kids help with the baiting process when they're ready. The captain and crew are experienced with young fishers, so they know when to step in and help versus when to let kids figure things out on their own.
Redfish are the stars of this show for young anglers. These copper-colored fighters typically run 15-25 inches in our local waters and have this amazing habit of making that first run that gets kids yelling with excitement. They're most active during moving tides, and the shallow grass flats around Shalimar hold plenty of them year-round. What makes reds perfect for kids is their willingness to eat and their predictable fight - strong enough to be fun but not so wild that a young angler loses control.
Mahi Mahi might seem like an odd target for a kids' trip, but when they show up in our area during spring and summer, they're absolute magic for young fishers. These brilliant yellow and green fish are incredibly aggressive feeders, often hitting baits before they even hit the bottom. At 10-20 pounds, they're the right size for kids to handle with some help, and their acrobatic jumps create memories that last forever.
Yellowtail Amberjack are the muscle cars of this trip. These fish live around structure and fight like they mean it, but the smaller ones in the 15-30 pound range are perfect for teaching kids what a real fish fight feels like. They're most active during cooler months, and their aggressive nature means kids usually don't have to wait long for action when we find a school.
Red Snapper are the prize fish that every young angler wants to catch. During open seasons, these bottom dwellers are absolutely gorgeous with their bright red color and make for great photos before release. They're smart fish, so catching one teaches kids about patience and technique. The 12-16 inch fish are perfect for this trip, and their willingness to bite makes them a reliable target.
Gag Grouper round out our target list as the gentle giants that kids love to battle. These fish use their broad tails and strong bodies to test young anglers' skills, but they fight fair and don't make crazy runs. The smaller gags we encounter are perfect teaching fish, showing kids how bottom fish behave differently from the surface feeders like mahi.
This kids' trip books up quickly, especially during school breaks and summer months when families are looking for that perfect introduction to fishing. The combination of safe conditions, kid-friendly gear, and our captain's patience with young anglers makes this the top-rated choice for families in the Shalimar area. Your kids will leave the dock talking about the fish they caught, the techniques they learned, and when they can come back for more. Since we provide everything needed and focus on catch-and-release practices, parents can feel good about giving their kids this world-class fishing experience. Book now and watch your young anglers discover why so many people fall in love with fishing right here in our beautiful Florida waters.
Our kid-friendly motorboat is perfect for introducing young anglers to the waters around Shalimar. This well-equipped vessel comfortably handles up to 6 passengers and comes loaded with everything needed for a safe, fun day on the water. The fish finder helps locate schools of fish while the wireless trolling motor keeps things quiet when we're sneaking up on our targets. GPS and radar ensure we stay on course, and the VHF radio keeps us connected. An ice box keeps drinks cold, and there's even a toilet onboard for convenience. All fishing gear is provided, plus safety jackets for the kids. We focus on catch-and-release fishing, so young ones learn proper conservation while experiencing the excitement of their first catches in these productive inshore waters.
Coryphaena HippurusMahi are the rainbow rockets of offshore fishing - absolutely gorgeous with their electric blues and golds that flash like a light show when hooked. These fast-growing fish typically run 15-30 pounds but can hit 50+. They're surface dwellers that love hanging under floating debris, weed lines, and around current breaks in blue water. Summer months bring them closest to our Gulf waters when the temperature's right. What makes them special is that explosive topwater strike and their acrobatic fight - they'll jump and run like crazy. The meat's firm and sweet, perfect on the grill. Pro tip: when you hook one, keep trolling because mahi travel in schools. Where there's one, there's usually more following right behind.
Lutjanus CampechanusRed snapper are the crown jewel of Gulf bottom fishing - beautiful red fish that average 2-8 pounds with occasional teens that really get folks excited. They live around hard bottom, reefs, and structure in 30-200 feet of water, with the bigger ones holding deeper. Summer's our season when federal waters open, though dates change yearly. What makes snapper special is they're smart fighters that'll try every trick to get back to their rocky hideouts, plus they're absolutely delicious table fare with sweet, flaky meat. Kids love the steady action since they school up good. Here's what works: fresh cut bait on the bottom, but here's the trick - when you feel that tap-tap-pull, set the hook hard and get their head up fast. Let them get back to the rocks and you'll lose them every time.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are perfect for kids because they're feisty fighters that live in shallow water where we can sight-fish them. These copper-colored beauties average 18-27 inches and love hanging around oyster bars, grass flats, and dock pilings in 1-4 feet of water. You'll spot them by their distinctive black spots near the tail - nature's fake-out to confuse predators. Fall through spring are prime time when they school up in cooler water. Kids love the visual excitement of watching their backs break the surface while feeding. They'll eat just about anything - shrimp, crabs, small baitfish. Here's a local trick: look for mullet jumping or birds working an area. That usually means reds are feeding underneath, pushing bait to the surface.
Seriola LalandiYellowtails are the bulldogs of the reef - incredibly strong fish that'll test your tackle and your patience. They typically run 15-25 pounds, but we see 40+ pounders that can really humble an angler. These guys live around rocky structure, reefs, and wrecks in deeper water, usually 60+ feet down. Spring and fall are best when they move up to feed more aggressively. What kids love about yellowtails is the raw power - once hooked, they'll make long runs and try to wrap you around anything they can find. The meat's excellent, especially the collar grilled Japanese-style. Local secret: use live pinfish or sardines, but here's the key - once you hook up, pump and wind, don't just crank. They'll break you off every time if you horse them.
Mycteroperca MicrolepisGag grouper are the bulldozers of the reef system - powerful ambush predators that average 5-15 pounds but can push 30+ pounds when you find a good one. They love rocky bottom, ledges, and structure in 40-120 feet of water where they can hide and wait for prey to swim by. Fall and winter are prime time when they move shallower to feed before spawning season. What makes gags exciting is that sudden thump when they inhale your bait, then the immediate battle as they try to drag you back to their cave. They're excellent eating with firm white meat that's perfect fried or grilled. Here's the deal with gags: once you hook one, lock down that drag and horse them up immediately. Give them an inch and they'll dive straight into the rocks and cut you off every single time.
Shalimar, FL