5.0(1 Reviews)June Kids Fishing Camp - Two Days of Backcountry Fun
5.0(1 reviews)
Shared Trip
Backcountry Fishing
Two-day fishing camp teaches essential skills like cast nets and knotsFour hours daily guided fishing followed by island lunch breakBeginner-friendly program includes safety instruction and hands-on learning
Looking for something special to get your kids hooked on fishing? Marco Fishing Company's June 17 & 18, 2026 Kids Fishing Camp is exactly what you need. This isn't just another day on the water - it's a hands-on adventure that builds real skills while keeping young anglers engaged and excited. The first 10 kids to register even get a special gift from our sponsors, so you know we're serious about making this memorable. We've designed this camp for kids who've never held a rod and those who already love fishing. Either way, they're going to learn techniques they'll use for years to come.
Your kids will start each morning at 7:30am with our safety briefing and instruction session. We keep it short - about 30 minutes - because we know young anglers are eager to get their lines wet. From 8:00am to noon, we're fishing hard in some of the best backcountry spots around. This isn't dock fishing or pond casting - we're talking real deal saltwater action where kids learn to read the water, understand tides, and feel what it's like when a quality fish hits their line. Around midday, we break for lunch on a local island where everyone can recharge, explore the shoreline, and share their morning catches. We're back at the dock by 1:30pm, giving parents a predictable pickup time and kids enough adventure to talk about for weeks.
We focus on practical techniques that work whether your kid ends up fishing from a pier, boat, or beach later on. Cast net throwing is a big part of what we teach - it's a skill that impresses other anglers and actually catches bait. We also cover fish identification using local species, so they understand what they're catching and why different fish behave differently. Tide chart reading might sound boring, but kids love learning the "secret" of when fish feed best. And knot tying? We stick to the essential ones that actually hold when a big fish is pulling. These aren't classroom lessons - everything gets practiced on the water where it counts. Parents should pack lunch and snacks each day since we provide water but want kids to have their favorite foods to keep energy up during the action.
Snook are the crown jewel of our local waters and what every young angler dreams about catching. These ambush predators love hanging around structure - docks, mangroves, bridges - where they wait for baitfish to swim by. They're most active during dawn and dusk, but we catch them throughout the morning when we're on the water. What makes snook special for kids is their aggressive strike and the way they jump when hooked. A 20-inch snook will give a young angler a fight they'll never forget, and the distinctive black lateral line makes them easy to identify.
Grey Snapper teach kids what consistent action feels like. These fish are always hungry and willing to bite, which keeps the excitement level high when other species are being picky. They school up around rocky bottom and structure, so once you find them, you find a lot of them. Kids love snapper because they're great eating and put up a solid fight for their size. They're also perfect for learning proper fish handling since they're not as delicate as some species but still require respect.
Goliath Grouper encounters are the stories kids will tell for years. These giants can weigh hundreds of pounds and are incredibly curious about young anglers. While we practice catch and release with goliath grouper due to regulations, the experience of hooking into one of these prehistoric-looking fish is something special. They're gentle giants that often approach the boat, giving kids a chance to see a true monster of the deep up close.
Sea Trout are perfect for teaching kids about soft strikes and finesse fishing. Unlike the aggressive hits from snook or snapper, trout often just inhale the bait, so young anglers learn to feel subtle differences in their line. They're beautiful fish with distinctive spots and prefer grass flats where kids can also learn about habitat and why certain fish live in certain areas. Spring through fall is prime time for sea trout, and they're excellent table fare.
Redfish are the ultimate teacher fish for young anglers. They're strong fighters that make long runs, they're big enough to be impressive, and they're forgiving if a kid makes a mistake during the fight. Reds love shallow water where you can actually see them, which adds a sight-fishing element that gets kids really excited. Their copper-bronze coloring and distinctive black spots make them beautiful fish, and they're perfectly suited to the backcountry areas we fish during camp.
This two-day fishing camp gives your kids real skills, lasting memories, and maybe most importantly, confidence on the water. We're not just taking them fishing - we're teaching them how to fish. The techniques they learn throwing cast nets, reading tides, and identifying species will serve them whether they end up fishing local piers or traveling to fish new waters. Marco Fishing Company has built a reputation on delivering authentic fishing experiences, and this kids camp is no different. With only limited spots available and special sponsor gifts for the first 10 registered campers, this fills up fast. Give your young angler the foundation they need to become a lifelong fishing enthusiast - book their spot for June 17 & 18, 2026 today.
Epinephelus ItajaraGoliath grouper are the giants of our reefs - these monsters can reach 8 feet and several hundred pounds. You'll find them around shallow coral reefs, wrecks, and structure in 20-150 feet of water year-round, with the biggest ones showing up during spawning season in summer months. What makes them special is the sheer power of that first run - it'll test every piece of your gear and your grip on the rod. They're protected, so it's strictly catch and release, but getting one to the boat is a bucket-list experience. The fight is intense but usually short-lived since they're ambush predators, not distance swimmers. Here's the key: anchor close enough to the structure to get their attention, but far enough that you can pull them away before they break you off on the reef. Heavy tackle is a must - think 80-wide reels and 400+ pound line.
Lutjanus GriseusGrey snappers, also called mangrove snappers, are solid fighters that run 10-14 inches most of the time, though we occasionally see bigger ones pushing 3-4 pounds inshore. These copper-red fish with that dark eye stripe are nocturnal feeders, so dusk and dawn are prime time. You'll find them around docks, piers, and any kind of structure - they love cover for ambush hunting. They're opportunistic, feeding on shrimp, crabs, and small fish. What guests love is the steady action and excellent eating - white, flaky meat that's hard to beat. They're also great for kids since they're not too aggressive but still fun to catch. 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.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are our bread and butter inshore species, with that distinctive black spot near the tail and copper-red coloring. Most run 20-30 inches, but we see plenty of slot fish and some real bulls over 40 inches. They love super shallow water - sometimes so shallow their backs stick out - around oyster bars, grass flats, and mangrove shorelines. Year-round fishing is good, but spring and fall are peak times when they're most active in the shallows. What makes them special is that explosive topwater strike and bulldogging fight. Plus, they're excellent eating with mild, sweet meat. They're not picky eaters either - live shrimp, cut bait, or artificials all work. Key tip: look for nervous water or tailing fish, then make long, quiet casts ahead of them. They spook easily in shallow water.
Salmo TruttaSea trout, or speckled trout, are a staple of our inshore fishing running 14-24 inches and 1-5 pounds on average. These spotted beauties love grass flats and shallow bays, especially at night when they're most active. Spring through fall gives you the best action, with cooler months finding them schooled up in deeper channels. They're popular because they're great fighters for their size, make excellent table fare with tender white meat, and are perfect for light tackle fishing. Kids especially love them since they're aggressive and relatively easy to hook. The meat is delicate, so don't overcook it. My go-to technique is working topwater plugs and soft plastics over grass flats during low light periods. Try trolling at idle speed along the flats if you're having trouble locating schools.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are one of our most exciting inshore targets, running 1-4 feet on average with that distinctive black lateral line and golden color. These ambush predators love hanging around mangroves, docks, and structure in shallow water where they can dart out with lightning speed. They're most active during warmer months, especially around the new and full moons from May through September when they spawn. What makes them so popular is that explosive strike and strong fight - they'll make several powerful runs before giving up. Plus, they're excellent table fare with white, flaky meat. Here's a tip that works well: when fishing around structure, let your bait sink naturally and give it subtle twitches. Snook are smart and easily spooked, so patience pays off.
5.0 out of 5.0
Marco Island