4-Hour Afternoon Trip - Saint Marks, FL
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fourhour inshore fishing trip targeting multiple speciesGuaranteed catches of flounder, sheepshead, trout, and redfishFamilyfriendly charter accommodating up to two guests
Saint Marks, Florida sits right where the Wakulla and Saint Marks rivers meet the Gulf of Mexico, creating some of the most productive inshore fishing waters you'll find anywhere along the Big Bend. This 4-hour afternoon charter with Viking Coastal Charters puts you right in the heart of it all, targeting four of the area's most prized species. With crystal-clear flats, deep grass beds, and oyster bars stretching as far as you can see, these waters hold flounder, sheepshead, sea trout, and redfish year-round. Captain and crew know exactly where to find them, and with just two anglers max, you'll get the personal attention that makes all the difference between a good day and a great one.
Your afternoon starts around 1 PM when the sun's high and the fish are settling into their feeding patterns. The beauty of Saint Marks lies in its variety – one minute you're working the shallow grass flats for sea trout, the next you're bouncing bottom near structure for sheepshead and flounder. The water here stays relatively calm thanks to the protected nature of Apalachee Bay, making it perfect for anglers who want productive fishing without the rough ride. You'll spend your four hours moving between proven spots, from the famous Saint Marks Lighthouse area to the productive waters around Aucilla River. The captain reads the tides, wind, and fish activity to put you on the best bite, whether that's sight-casting to tailing redfish or working live bait around submerged structure.
Viking Coastal Charters comes equipped with quality spinning gear perfectly matched to these inshore species. You'll be using medium-light to medium action rods that give you the sensitivity to feel those subtle bites while having enough backbone to handle a bull red. Live shrimp is the go-to bait here – it's like candy to everything that swims in these waters. The crew also brings along pinfish, fiddler crabs, and cut bait depending on what's working best. Techniques vary throughout the trip: drift fishing over grass beds for sea trout, anchoring up near structure for sheepshead, and sight fishing the shallows when redfish are tailing. The bottom here ranges from sandy holes to oyster bars, so you'll learn to read the water and adjust your presentation accordingly. Circle hooks are standard to ensure good fish survival, and the crew handles all the rigging so you can focus on fishing.
Sheepshead are the area's most challenging target, and that's exactly why anglers love them. These black-and-white striped fish have teeth like a human and can steal bait faster than you can blink. They love hanging around the pilings and oyster bars throughout Saint Marks, especially during cooler months from November through March. A good sheepshead here runs 2-4 pounds, but 6-pounders show up regularly. They're notorious for their light bite – you'll feel more like a gentle tug than a strike. Once hooked, they use their broad body to fight hard in the current. The key is keeping steady pressure and not giving them a chance to wrap you around structure.
Summer flounder, or fluke as many call them, are the area's premier table fare and a blast to catch. These flatfish bury themselves in sandy bottom near grass edges and creek mouths, ambushing baitfish that swim by. Saint Marks flounder typically run 14-20 inches, with some doormat-sized fish pushing 24 inches or better. Spring through fall offers the best action, particularly when water temperatures hit that sweet spot between 68-75 degrees. They hit live shrimp bounced along the bottom, and the strike feels like you've snagged bottom until the fish starts shaking its head. Their pure white meat makes them a favorite for the dinner table, and the limit allows you to take home a nice mess of fish.
Sea trout are Saint Marks' most reliable fish, and for good reason – they're here year-round and always willing to bite. These spotted beauties love the grass flats and drop-offs throughout the area, feeding heavily on shrimp and small baitfish. Most of your trout will run 14-18 inches, perfect eating size, with occasional gator trout over 20 inches providing some serious excitement. They're most active during moving tides, especially the last two hours of incoming water. Sea trout have a soft mouth, so you'll learn to fight them with finesse rather than force. Their distinctive croaking sound when you bring them to the boat never gets old, and they're absolutely delicious when prepared fresh.
Redfish represent the crown jewel of Saint Marks fishing, and these waters hold some true giants. The area's slot-sized reds (18-27 inches) provide consistent action, while oversized bull reds over 35 inches cruise the flats and deep holes. These copper-colored fighters are famous for their blistering runs and never-give-up attitude. During warmer months, you'll spot them tailing in skinny water, their backs and tail fins breaking the surface as they root for crabs and shrimp. A hooked red will test your tackle and skills, often making multiple runs toward structure or deep water. The bigger fish are catch-and-release only, but the slot reds make outstanding table fare and provide plenty of fight on appropriate tackle.
Saint Marks offers world-class inshore fishing just 30 minutes south of Tallahassee, making it accessible for both locals and visitors. This 4-hour afternoon trip gives you prime fishing time when the fish are most active, and Viking Coastal Charters' intimate 2-person limit ensures you get maximum water time and personal instruction. The area's year-round fishery means there's never a bad time to book, though spring and fall typically offer the most consistent action
Your fishing adventure starts aboard our well-equipped motorboat, perfectly sized for up to 2 anglers seeking the legendary inshore waters around Saint Marks. This nimble craft comes loaded with everything you need to land those prized Flounder, Sheepshead, Sea Trout, and Redfish that call these productive flats home. The wireless trolling motor lets us glide silently through shallow waters without spooking fish, while our fish finder pinpoints exactly where they're hiding. GPS keeps us on course to the hottest spots, and the onboard ice box ensures your catch stays fresh for the dinner table. Built for serious anglers who want to get up close with Florida's premier inshore species, this boat handles the backcountry channels and grass flats like a dream. Whether you're sight-casting to cruising Reds or working structure for Sheepshead, you'll have all the tools and space needed for a productive day on the water.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the bread and butter of our inshore fishing around Saint Marks. These copper-colored bruisers with distinctive black spots near their tails typically run 20-30 inches in our waters. You'll find them cruising grass flats, oyster bars, and shallow creeks in just 1-4 feet of water - sometimes so shallow their backs show above the surface. They're year-round residents here, but fall and spring offer the most consistent action when they're feeding heavy. What guests love is their strong, steady fight and willingness to hit both live bait and artificials. The meat is firm with a mild, sweet flavor that's hard to beat. These fish aren't picky eaters, but topwater plugs early morning can produce explosive strikes. Watch for nervous water or tailing fish - that's your cue to make a cast.
Paralichthys DentatusSummer Flounder are the masters of camouflage on our local flats. These flatfish typically run 15-20 inches and lie buried in sand waiting to ambush baitfish. Both eyes sit on their left side, making them perfectly adapted for bottom life. They're active hunters that will chase down prey when needed, feeding on everything from small fish to crabs. Fall months from September through November give you the best shot at landing one. What guests love most is their excellent table fare - mild, white meat that's hard to beat. They put up a decent fight and their unique appearance always gets kids excited. Here's a local trick: use a sliding sinker rig with live minnows or strips of squid, and don't set the hook too quick. Let them run with the bait a few seconds first.
Salmo TruttaSpotted sea trout, or "specks" as we call them, are perfect for families since they're willing biters and great eating. These silvery fish with dark spots typically range 14-20 inches and love our grass flats and shallow bays. They're most active during cooler months when they school up in deeper channels. Early morning and evening produce the best action, especially around structure or drop-offs near grass beds. What makes them special is their soft bite - you need to stay alert or they'll steal your bait. They fight decent for their size and the meat is tender with a mild flavor. Just don't overcook them or they'll turn mushy. My go-to technique is drifting live shrimp under a popping cork over grass flats. When you find one, there's usually more nearby, so work the area thoroughly.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are some of the smartest fish you'll target around Saint Marks. These gray and black striped "convict fish" average 2-5 pounds and hang tight around any structure - docks, bridges, and rocky areas where they munch on barnacles and crabs. What makes them special? Those human-like teeth that can crush shellfish with ease. They're notorious bait thieves, so you need to stay sharp and set the hook hard when you feel that telltale nibble. Spring through fall offers the best action when they're most active. The meat is white, flaky, and delicious - definitely worth the challenge. Pro tip: get your bait right against the pilings and use fiddler crabs or shrimp. These fish won't venture far from cover, so precision beats power every time.
Tallahassee