8-Hour Afternoon Trip - Saint Marks, FL
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
8hour inshore fishing trip targeting cobia and sea bassAll fishing gear, bait, and licenses included with bookingSmall group experience accommodating up to 2 guests maximum
Saint Marks has always been one of those hidden gems along Florida's Big Bend, where the grass flats meet deeper water and create perfect hunting grounds for some serious fish. This 8-hour afternoon charter with Viking Coastal Charters puts you right in the thick of it, targeting everything from hefty cobia to feisty redfish in waters that have been producing trophy catches for decades. You'll be fishing with a captain who knows these flats like the back of his hand, and with only 2 anglers max, you're getting the kind of personalized attention that makes all the difference between a good day and an epic one.
This isn't your typical crowded party boat experience. With Viking Coastal Charters, you're looking at an intimate fishing adventure that kicks off in the afternoon when the fish are active and the crowds have thinned out. The Saint Marks area offers incredible diversity - one minute you're working the shallow grass beds for redfish, the next you're dropping baits in deeper holes where black drum and sea bass stack up. Your captain provides all the tackle, bait, and licenses, so you can focus on what matters most: putting fish in the boat. The afternoon timing is strategic too - many species feed heavily as the day progresses, and you'll often find yourself in the middle of some serious action as the sun starts to drop. Pack your own food and drinks, bring good sun protection, and dress for the weather because you'll be out there making the most of every hour.
Saint Marks fishing is all about reading the water and adapting your approach. Your captain will have you rigged with everything from live bait setups for cobia and sharks to bottom rigs for black drum and sea bass. The inshore waters here are perfect for sight fishing when conditions are right - you might spot a cruising cobia or a school of jacks working baitfish on the surface. Bottom fishing plays a huge role too, especially around the structure and deeper channels where black sea bass and drum like to hang out. Circle hooks are the standard for most presentations, and you'll likely be working with a mix of live and cut baits depending on what the fish are showing interest in that day. The gear is all top-rated stuff that can handle everything from a scrappy sea trout to a monster blacktip shark, so you won't have to worry about being under-gunned when something big decides to eat your bait.
Black sea bass are the bread and butter around Saint Marks, especially over the rocky bottom and artificial reefs. These chunky fighters typically run 1-3 pounds but don't let their size fool you - they'll fight hard and make great table fare. They're most active during cooler months but can be caught year-round, and they love structure where they can ambush smaller fish. Black drum are another customer favorite here, with fish ranging from slot-sized specimens to massive bull drum that can stretch your arms and test your drag. These bottom-dwellers are most active in the fall and winter months, and Saint Marks has some of the most consistent black drum fishing on the Gulf Coast. Sea trout patrol the grass flats year-round, with the best action typically in the early morning and late afternoon. They're aggressive feeders that respond well to both live bait and artificials, making them perfect for anglers of all skill levels.
Redfish are the crown jewel of inshore fishing here, and Saint Marks delivers some world-class action. These copper-colored bruisers love the shallow flats and oyster bars, and when you hook into a slot red or an oversized bull, you'll understand why anglers travel from all over to fish these waters. Fall and spring offer the best redfish action, but you can find them year-round if you know where to look. Blacktip sharks add some serious excitement to the mix, especially during the warmer months when they move into the shallows to feed. These acrobatic fighters will test your tackle and your nerve, often jumping multiple times before you can get them boat-side for a quick photo and release.
Crevalle jacks might not win any beauty contests, but they're pound-for-pound some of the strongest fish you'll encounter in these waters. They travel in schools and when you find them, the action can be non-stop. They're excellent practice fish for testing your drag settings and fighting technique. Cobia are the prize catch that keeps anglers coming back - these brown sharks (as locals sometimes call them) can reach impressive sizes and are known for their curious nature and powerful runs. Spring and fall migrations bring the best cobia fishing, and Saint Marks sits right in their travel corridor along the Big Bend.
Saint Marks offers some of the most consistent and diverse inshore fishing on Florida's Gulf Coast, and this 8-hour afternoon trip gives you the perfect opportunity to experience it all. With Viking Coastal Charters handling the details and providing top-notch equipment, all you need to do is show up ready to fish. The intimate 2-angler setup means you'll get personalized instruction, prime fishing spots, and the kind of attention that turns a good fishing trip into a legendary one. Whether you're targeting your first redfish or hoping to land a trophy cobia, these waters have produced countless memorable catches over the years. Book your spot now and get ready to see why Saint Marks has earned its reputation as one of the Big Bend's premier fishing destinations.
Your ride for this Saint Marks fishing adventure is a well-equipped motorboat built for serious inshore action. With space for just 2 anglers, you'll have plenty of room to work the rods while targeting cobia, black sea bass, black drum, and sharks in these productive coastal waters. The wireless trolling motor lets us slip quietly into shallow spots where the big fish hang out, while the fish finder helps pinpoint schools and structure below. GPS keeps us on the hottest fishing grounds, and the onboard ice box ensures your catch stays fresh for the dinner table. This setup is perfect for working the grass flats, oyster bars, and deeper channels around Saint Marks where the action heats up. The boat handles the shallow inshore zones with ease, getting you close to the structure and cover where these species love to feed. Whether we're drifting over rocky bottom for black sea bass or stalking the flats for cruising cobia, this rig puts you right in the strike zone for 8 solid hours of fishing.
Centropristis StriataThese chunky members of the grouper family are perfect for anglers wanting consistent action around structure. Most run 1-4 pounds, though we occasionally see fish pushing 8+ pounds. You'll find them hanging around wrecks, jetties, and rocky bottom in 20-120 feet of water. Spring through summer is prime time when they move inshore to spawn. They put up a solid fight until they break the surface, then usually give up. The smaller ones make excellent table fare with sweet, flaky white meat. My go-to setup is a medium rod with 20-30 pound line and a simple two-hook bottom rig. Pro tip: once you find a productive spot, work it thoroughly - where there's one black sea bass, there's usually more.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are one of the most prized catches we target - they're like finding gold out there. These brown, shark-looking fish average 30-50 pounds but can exceed 100 pounds. They're usually found alone around reefs, wrecks, and structure in 30-100 feet, though we spot them near the surface during spring migration. May through August is peak season when they move through our area to spawn. What makes them special is the incredible fight they put up and some of the best eating you'll find in the ocean - firm, white meat that's hard to beat. Sight fishing is the name of the game here. Bucktail jigs work great, but any lure will do. My secret: when you see one, approach slowly and drop your bait right in front of its nose - they're curious and will usually investigate.
Caranx HipposCrevalle jacks are the bullies of the flats, and they'll bend your rod double. These brassy-colored bruisers typically run 12-24 inches and 3-5 pounds, but can reach 60 pounds. Look for them around grass beds, reefs, and structure both inshore and offshore. Spring through fall is prime time when they're actively feeding. They're aggressive predators that hunt in schools, often pushing baitfish to the surface where birds work overhead - that's your cue to get over there fast. They fight incredibly hard with powerful runs that'll test your drag. The meat's decent but they're usually better released to fight another day. Silver spoons and fast-moving lures work great. Pro tip: when you find a feeding school, work the edges quickly - these fish won't stay put long.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the heavyweights of the drum family, and they'll test your tackle. Most of our catches run 5-30 pounds, but these bruisers can hit 90+ pounds. They love shallow, muddy flats and oyster beds where they crush crabs and mollusks with powerful jaws. Spring is peak season when they school up for spawning - that's when you'll hear their distinctive drumming sounds underwater. They're incredible fighters that will wear you out, and smaller fish under 15 pounds make great eating. The bigger ones get tough and stringy. Fresh soft crab or cut bait on the bottom works best. Here's a local secret: when you hook one, be ready for company - they often travel in groups and the commotion can bring more to your bait.
Carcharhinus LimbatusBlacktips are the acrobats of the shark world, and they'll give you a show you won't forget. These sleek predators average 4-5 feet but can reach over 9 feet. You'll spot them by those distinctive black-tipped fins cutting through the water. They prefer depths of 30-100 feet around reefs and structure, hunting for mackerel, herring, and sardines. Summer months are best when they're most active in our waters. What makes them exciting is their jumping ability - they can launch 20+ feet in the air when hooked. They're also pretty sociable, so where you find one, you'll often find more. Use heavy tackle with 30-50 pound braided line and circle hooks. My best tip: start chumming with oily fish like mackerel to bring them in close, then use live sardines for bait.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are hands-down one of the most exciting inshore species we target. These copper-colored beauties average 20-30 inches, but we regularly see fish over 40 inches. Look for that distinctive black eyespot near the tail - it's their trademark. They love super shallow water, often with their backs showing, cruising grass flats, oyster bars, and marshy shorelines. Fall and spring offer the best action when they school up. What makes them special is their bulldogging fight and willingness to eat topwater lures - the strikes are explosive. Plus, they're excellent table fare with firm, mild meat. Topwater plugs early morning are hard to beat, but live shrimp under a popping cork works all day. Watch for nervous water and tailing fish - that's your cue to make a quiet approach.
Salmo TruttaSpotted sea trout, or "specks" as we call them, are one of our most popular inshore targets. They typically run 14-24 inches and 1-5 pounds, with their silvery bodies covered in distinctive black spots. You'll find them over grass flats and around structure in 2-10 feet of water, especially at dawn and dusk. Fall and winter are prime when they school up in deeper holes. They're fun fighters with decent jumps, and the meat is excellent - mild, white, and flaky. Just don't overcook it or it gets mushy. Soft plastics on jig heads work great, but topwater plugs at first light can be explosive. My favorite trick is to fish the edges of grass beds during moving water - that's where they ambush baitfish.
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