July 22 & 23 2026 Kids Fishing Camp
Shared Trip
Backcountry Fishing
Two-day hands-on fishing camp teaching essential angling skills to kidsFour hours daily guided fishing with cast net and knot trainingIsland lunch break included with morning safety instruction session
Looking for a way to get your kids hooked on fishing? Our two-day kids fishing camp with Marco Fishing Company is the real deal – not just some basic dock fishing, but proper backcountry fishing education that builds lifelong skills. We're talking cast net throwing, knot tying, tide reading, and four solid hours on the water each day targeting some serious gamefish. Plus, our sponsors are throwing in special gifts for the first 10 kids who sign up, so don't sleep on this one.
This isn't your typical summer camp activity. We start early with a 7:30 AM drop-off because that's when the fish are most active and the water's calm. After 30 minutes of safety briefing and hands-on instruction, we're heading out for four hours of guided fishing from 8 AM to noon. Your kids will learn the fundamentals that separate weekend warriors from serious anglers – proper cast net technique, local fish identification, how to read tide charts like a pro, and essential knots that actually hold when a big fish hits. We wrap up each day with lunch on a secluded island before heading back to the dock by 1 PM. It's structured enough to build real skills but relaxed enough that kids actually have fun doing it.
We focus on backcountry techniques that work in shallow water and around structure – the kind of fishing that produces consistent action for young anglers. Kids learn live bait presentation, proper rod handling, and how to work different lures depending on conditions. Cast net training is a major component because nothing beats fresh bait, and we teach the fundamentals of reading water and fish behavior. All fishing gear is provided, but parents need to pack lunch daily (we supply water). The boats we use are perfect for teaching – stable platforms with plenty of room to practice casting without tangling lines. We keep groups small so each kid gets individual attention when they're learning to tie a Palomar knot or figuring out how to read the tide charts we'll be referencing all day.
Snook are the crown jewel of backcountry fishing and July is prime time for these ambush predators. They lurk around mangrove roots and dock pilings, exploding on live bait with gill-rattling strikes that get kids' hearts pumping. These fish are smart and fight hard, making every hookup a learning experience about drag settings and rod angles. Most snook we target run 18-28 inches, perfect size for young anglers to handle with guidance.
Grey Snapper are our bread-and-butter species – curious, aggressive, and always ready to eat. They school up around structure and provide steady action when other fish are being picky. Kids love them because they bite readily and put up a solid fight without being overwhelming. These guys are active all day and teach young anglers about patience and bait presentation since they can be line-shy in clear water.
Goliath Grouper encounters are what fishing dreams are made of. These gentle giants can reach 400+ pounds and seeing one cruise by or watching it inhale a bait creates memories that last forever. We practice catch-and-release with these protected fish, teaching kids about conservation while giving them a taste of what real horsepower feels like on the other end of the line.
Sea Trout are perfect for building confidence in young anglers. They're willing biters that respond well to artificial lures, teaching kids about retrieve speed and lure action. Summer finds them scattered across grass flats where they feed actively in the morning hours. Their soft mouths teach proper drag settings and why you can't just muscle every fish to the boat.
Redfish are the ultimate sight-fishing target for kids learning to read water. These copper-colored bruisers cruise shallow flats with their backs out of the water, creating visual excitement before the fight even starts. They're notorious for long, powerful runs that test knots and teach kids about letting fish tire themselves out rather than trying to force the fight.
This camp fills up fast because parents know we deliver actual fishing education, not just babysitting with rods. Your kids walk away with practical skills they'll use whether they're fishing from shore, boat, or pier for years to come. The island lunch breaks and four hours of guided fishing time make each day feel like a proper fishing adventure rather than a rushed lesson. With only 10 spots available and special sponsor gifts for early registration, you'll want to lock in your dates soon. These July sessions coincide with some of the best fishing conditions of the year, and there's nothing like watching your kid land their first snook or figure out how to throw a cast net properly.
Get ready for some serious fishing action with our fleet of three top-notch motorboats! The star of the show is our sleek 18' Frontier 180 powered by a muscular 115HP Yamaha engine that'll get you to the fish fast and smooth. This compact beauty holds up to 3 anglers comfortably, perfect for intimate fishing adventures. Our second boat is a fishing and family favorite - built tough with a stable hull that won't rock you around when you're fighting that trophy catch. The roomy casting deck gives you plenty of space to work your magic, while the livewells keep your bait fresh and your catch alive. Smart rod storage keeps everything organized so you can focus on what matters - landing fish. The crown jewel is our 2020 Cobia 21 Bay, designed to handle both shallow backwater redfish runs and deeper offshore action. Those wide casting decks mean you and your buddies won't be bumping elbows, and the intelligent storage keeps all your tackle within easy reach. All three boats come loaded with wireless trolling motors for those stealthy approaches when the fish are spooked, GPS navigation to mark your hotspots, and fish finders to locate where they're hiding. Whether you're targeting inshore species in skinny water or heading out for bigger game, this fleet has you covered for two days of prime fishing camp action.
Get ready for some serious fishing action with our fleet of three top-notch motorboats! The star of the show is our sleek 18' Frontier 180 powered by a muscular 115HP Yamaha engine that'll get you to the fish fast and smooth. This compact beauty holds up to 3 anglers comfortably, perfect for intimate fishing adventures. Our second boat is a fishing and family favorite - built tough with a stable hull that won't rock you around when you're fighting that trophy catch. The roomy casting deck gives you plenty of space to work your magic, while the livewells keep your bait fresh and your catch alive. Smart rod storage keeps everything organized so you can focus on what matters - landing fish. The crown jewel is our 2020 Cobia 21 Bay, designed to handle both shallow backwater redfish runs and deeper offshore action. Those wide casting decks mean you and your buddies won't be bumping elbows, and the intelligent storage keeps all your tackle within easy reach. All three boats come loaded with wireless trolling motors for those stealthy approaches when the fish are spooked, GPS navigation to mark your hotspots, and fish finders to locate where they're hiding. Whether you're targeting inshore species in skinny water or heading out for bigger game, this fleet has you covered for two days of prime fishing camp action.
Get ready for some serious fishing action with our fleet of three top-notch motorboats! The star of the show is our sleek 18' Frontier 180 powered by a muscular 115HP Yamaha engine that'll get you to the fish fast and smooth. This compact beauty holds up to 3 anglers comfortably, perfect for intimate fishing adventures. Our second boat is a fishing and family favorite - built tough with a stable hull that won't rock you around when you're fighting that trophy catch. The roomy casting deck gives you plenty of space to work your magic, while the livewells keep your bait fresh and your catch alive. Smart rod storage keeps everything organized so you can focus on what matters - landing fish. The crown jewel is our 2020 Cobia 21 Bay, designed to handle both shallow backwater redfish runs and deeper offshore action. Those wide casting decks mean you and your buddies won't be bumping elbows, and the intelligent storage keeps all your tackle within easy reach. All three boats come loaded with wireless trolling motors for those stealthy approaches when the fish are spooked, GPS navigation to mark your hotspots, and fish finders to locate where they're hiding. Whether you're targeting inshore species in skinny water or heading out for bigger game, this fleet has you covered for two days of prime fishing camp action.
Epinephelus ItajaraGoliath Grouper are the giants of the reef, capable of reaching 8 feet and 800 pounds - though most we encounter are in the 100-200 pound range. These massive fish live around shallow reefs, wrecks, and structure in 20-150 feet of water. They're protected, so it's strictly catch and release, but the experience is something else. Summer months offer the best opportunities when they're more active. What makes them special is that first pull - it's like hooking a submarine. They don't fight long, but that initial run will test everything you've got. You'll need heavy tackle, 50-80 wide reels, and 400+ pound line. These fish have no fear and will come right up to investigate. My advice: anchor close enough to the structure to draw them out, but far enough to pull them away from cover. Bounce your bait to get their attention - they're curious by nature.
Lutjanus GriseusGrey Snappers, also called Mangrove Snappers, are scrappy fish that typically run 10-14 inches inshore, though bigger ones lurk around deeper structure. These copper-red colored fish are opportunistic feeders that love hanging around docks, bridges, and rocky areas where they can ambush prey. They're most active during low-light periods - dawn, dusk, and night fishing can be productive year-round in warmer waters. What guests love about these fish is their willingness to bite and their excellent table fare - sweet, white meat that's hard to beat. They're also great for kids since they're not too big but put up a decent fight. Pro tip: use a 4J hook with live shrimp hooked through the tail, let it sink to the bottom, then reel up just enough to stay off the structure. Be patient - they like to study the bait before committing.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are copper-colored bruisers with distinctive black spots near their tails, averaging 20-30 inches inshore but growing much larger offshore. These fish love super shallow water - sometimes so shallow their backs stick out - around oyster bars, grass flats, and marsh edges. They're year-round targets in warmer climates, with fall and spring being prime time when they're most aggressive. What guests love is their powerful fight and willingness to eat topwater lures, creating explosive surface strikes. They're also excellent table fare with mild, sweet meat. You'll often spot them tailing in skinny water as they root around for crabs and shrimp. Best tip I can share: look for nervous water or copper flashes in the shallows, then work a topwater lure or soft plastic slowly past them. Keep your presentations quiet - they spook easily in shallow water but once hooked, they'll make runs that'll test your drag.
Salmo TruttaSea Trout, or Speckled Trout, are beautiful silvery fish covered in distinctive black spots that typically run 14-24 inches and 1-5 pounds. These fish love grass flats and shallow bays, often in just 2-6 feet of water, especially during warmer months. They're most active at dawn and dusk, with cooler weather pushing them into deeper channels where they school up. What makes them popular is their willingness to hit artificial lures and their delicate, flaky white meat that's perfect on the table. They're also great for beginners since they're not overly spooky. Spring and fall provide consistent action when water temps are in that sweet spot. Here's something that works well: try slow-trolling soft plastics or shrimp imitations over grass flats at idle speed. The key is not to overwork the bait - let it glide naturally and be ready for that subtle bite.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are one of the most sought-after inshore fish, averaging 1-2 feet but capable of reaching over 4 feet. These golden-colored fish with their distinctive black lateral line love hanging around mangroves, docks, and creek mouths in shallow water. They're ambush predators that use structure for cover, making them perfect targets for sight fishing. Spring through fall gives you the best action, especially around new and full moons when they're most active. What makes snook special is their explosive strike and powerful runs - they'll test your drag and try to wrap you around every piling they can find. The meat is excellent eating with firm, white flakes. Here's a tip: work your lure slowly past structure and be ready - when a snook commits, it's game on fast.
Marco Island