5.0(1 Reviews)June 24 & 25 2026 Kids Fishing Camp
5.0(1 reviews)
Shared Trip
Backcountry Fishing
Two-day hands-on fishing camp for young anglers with guided instructionLearn cast netting, fish identification, tide reading, and knot tying skillsIncludes four hours daily fishing plus island lunch break
Your young angler is about to experience two days of pure fishing magic with Marco Fishing Company's kids camp. This isn't your typical fishing trip – it's a hands-on adventure designed to turn curious kids into confident anglers. The first 10 campers get a special gift from our sponsors, but honestly, the real treasure is watching your child master skills they'll use for life. From learning to read tide charts to throwing a perfect cast net, this top-rated fishing camp builds the foundation every serious angler needs.
Each day kicks off at 7:30am with drop-off and 30 minutes of safety briefings and instruction. We keep it simple but thorough – teaching essential knots, explaining how tides affect fish behavior, and showing kids how to identify the local species they're about to target. By 8:00am, we're on the water for four solid hours of guided fishing where kids put their new skills to work. The beauty of this setup is that we're not just casting lines and hoping – we're teaching them to think like fish and understand why we're fishing specific spots at specific times. Around midday, we anchor up at a local island for lunch and exploration time. Kids can stretch their legs, share stories about their catches, and recharge before we head back to the dock by 1:30pm. Parents handle lunch and snacks while we provide water and all the fishing expertise your young angler needs.
We focus on backcountry fundamentals that work whether you're fishing from a dock, boat, or shoreline. Cast netting is a game-changer – most kids have never seen live bait caught this way, and learning to throw a net properly gives them confidence and a skill that separates good anglers from great ones. We teach the essential knots every angler should know: the improved clinch, the Palomar, and basic loop knots for live bait fishing. Tide reading is huge here – understanding when fish feed and where they move based on water movement turns fishing from luck into strategy. We use light tackle appropriate for young hands, typically spinning reels with 10-15 pound test line. Live bait fishing dominates our approach since it's most effective for the species we're targeting, but we'll also work on artificial lures when conditions are right. The shallow waters and grass flats we fish are perfect for teaching kids to spot fish movement and understand structure.
"My son had the most amazing time with Jamie during his time at the fishing camp. He had a great experience and learned lots! We'll definitely be back next year!" - Blair Morello
Snook are the crown jewel of our local waters and absolute customer favorites for young anglers. These silver-sided fighters typically run 18-28 inches in our area and have this distinctive black lateral line that makes them easy to identify. June is prime time for snook – they're active, feeding heavily, and positioned in the shallows where kids can sight-fish for them. When a snook hits, it's pure electricity – they jump, make runs, and give kids that heart-pounding fight that creates lifelong fishing addicts. We find them around structure, under docks, and cruising the grass flats during moving tides.
Grey Snapper bring the action when other species slow down. These scrappy fighters school up around structure and compete for bait, which means fast fishing that keeps kids engaged. They're perfect for teaching proper hook-setting technique since they have a tendency to steal bait if you're not paying attention. Most of our grey snapper run 12-16 inches, just right for young anglers to handle confidently. They're also excellent table fare, so kids get the satisfaction of bringing home dinner when regulations allow.
Goliath Grouper encounters are the stuff of fishing legends. These gentle giants can exceed 200 pounds and create memories that last forever. While we practice catch and release with these protected fish, hooking into a goliath gives kids a story they'll tell for years. The initial hit feels like you've snagged the bottom, then suddenly the "bottom" starts swimming away. We fish for them around ledges and structure using heavy tackle and circle hooks for safe releases.
Sea Trout are perfect for building confidence in young anglers. They're willing biters, beautiful fish with distinctive spotted patterns, and they respond well to both live bait and artificial lures. Most sea trout we catch range 14-20 inches, and they're abundant in the grass flats we frequent. Kids love the visual aspect of trout fishing – watching them cruise the shallows and learning to make accurate casts to feeding fish. They're also forgiving fighters that don't typically throw hooks, giving young anglers time to enjoy the battle.
Redfish are world-class fighters that turn kids into serious anglers overnight. These copper-colored bruisers are famous for their powerful runs and stubborn fighting style. June finds them tailing in shallow water, creating sight-fishing opportunities that teach kids to approach fish quietly and make precise casts. Redfish typically run 20-28 inches in our waters, and their distinctive black spot near the tail makes them instantly recognizable. They're also incredibly hardy fish that handle catch and release well, allowing us to photograph the big ones before sending them back to fight another day.
This renowned kids fishing camp fills up fast, and for good reason. Your young angler will leave with real skills, new confidence, and stories that'll have them begging for the next fishing trip. The combination of hands-on instruction, quality time on the water, and the chance to target some of our area's best game fish makes this a world-class experience that pays dividends for years to come. With only limited spots available and special sponsor gifts for the first 10 kids registered, now's the time to secure your child's place in
Epinephelus ItajaraGoliath grouper are the giants of our reefs - these monsters can reach 6-8 feet and several hundred pounds. You'll find them around wrecks, reefs, and structure in 20-150 feet of water. They're protected, so it's strictly catch and release, but what a thrill it is. These fish are curious and will actually follow divers around. Summer months offer the best action when they gather for spawning. Guests love the raw power - that first pull will test your gear and your grip on the rod. You'll need heavy tackle, 50-80 class reels, and 400+ pound line. Here's my tip: anchor far enough from structure to pull them away, but close enough they'll come investigate your bait. Bounce big baits like rays or jacks off the bottom to get their attention.
Lutjanus GriseusGrey snapper, or mangrove snapper as we call them, are smart little fighters that'll keep you honest. Most run 10-14 inches around the docks and structures, though we occasionally see 3-4 pounders. They love hanging around rocks, piers, and mangroves where they can ambush bait. These guys are active year-round but really turn on during warmer months. What guests love is their willingness to bite and that sweet, white meat that's perfect for dinner. They're nocturnal feeders, so late afternoon and evening trips produce best. Here's the trick: use a 4/0 hook with live shrimp hooked through the tail, let it sink to the bottom, then reel up just a bit. Don't jerk when they bite - let them take it and reel steady.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the bread and butter of our shallow water fishing. These copper-colored beauties with the distinctive black spot near their tail average 20-30 inches and fight like bulldogs. You'll find them in 1-4 feet of water around oyster bars, grass flats, and mangrove shorelines - sometimes so shallow their backs stick out. They bite year-round but fall and spring offer the best action when they school up. What guests love is watching them cruise the shallows and that powerful run when hooked. Plus, they're excellent eating with mild, sweet meat. My favorite method is sight-fishing with topwater plugs early morning - nothing beats watching a red blow up on a surface lure. Work it slow and steady; they'll crush it when ready.
Salmo TruttaSea trout, or specks as locals call them, are perfect for kids and beginners. These spotted beauties average 14-18 inches and put up a decent scrap. You'll find them over grass flats and shallow bays, usually 2-8 feet deep. They're most active during cooler months and bite best on moving water around dawn and dusk. What makes them popular is their willingness to bite artificials and they taste great - mild, flaky white meat that's hard to mess up. During winter they school up in deeper channels. My go-to technique is slow-trolling soft plastics or shrimp imitations over the grass flats. Keep your presentation subtle - these fish can be finicky. A 1/4 oz jig head with a paddle tail works magic when worked slowly along the bottom.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are some of the most sought-after inshore gamefish around here. These sleek fighters typically run 18-30 inches, with that distinctive black lateral line making them easy to spot. You'll find them hanging around mangroves, docks, and shallow flats in 1-6 feet of water. They love structure and ambush prey from cover. Best fishing happens during warmer months when water temps stay above 60°F. What makes snook special is their explosive strike and bulldog fight - they'll make multiple runs and try to cut you off in the mangroves. The meat is fantastic too, white and flaky. My tip: use live shrimp or small jigs near structure, but be ready to turn them quick before they wrap you up in the roots.
5.0 out of 5.0My son had the most amazing time with Jamie during his time at the fishing camp. He had a great experience and learned lots! We'll...
Marco Island