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St. Marks Beginner Fishing: Redfish & Sea Trout
- Published Date: November 19, 2025
- Fishing
- Updated Date: December 13, 2025
Summary
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Rods, Reels, and Smiles
Cast a Line in St. Marks: Half-Day Fishing Fun
Ready to wet a line in some of Florida's most productive inshore waters? Captain Leigh Wills is your go-to guide for a laid-back, beginner-friendly fishing trip in St. Marks. Whether you're looking to bend a rod for the first time or just want a relaxed day on the water with family, this 6-hour adventure is the perfect intro to the rich fishing grounds of Florida's Forgotten Coast. With room for up to four guests, you'll have plenty of elbow room as you learn the ropes and hopefully land your first keeper!
What's the Deal?
Picture this: you're cruising through the scenic waterways of St. Marks, rod in hand, with an experienced captain showing you the ropes. This isn't your grandpa's boring fishing trip - it's a hands-on adventure where you'll actually learn how to fish while having a blast. Captain Leigh knows these waters like the back of his hand, and he's all about making sure everyone on board has a good time, whether you're 8 or 80. You'll hit up grass flats and other fishy spots, targeting a mix of species that'll keep things interesting. And the best part? No need to stress about gear - all the tackle is provided, so you can just show up ready to have fun.
Fishing 101: St. Marks Style
Alright, let's talk fishing. On this trip, you'll get schooled in the art of inshore angling, St. Marks style. Captain Leigh will show you how to work a rod and reel like a pro, teaching you techniques that are perfect for the local waters. You might start off tossing soft plastics along grass edges for trout, or maybe you'll learn how to slow-roll a spinnerbait for redfish. As you cruise the flats, you'll pick up tips on reading the water, spotting fish, and making that perfect cast. And when a fish takes the bait? That's when the real fun begins! The captain will be right there to coach you through the fight and help you land that fish. It's all about learning by doing, and trust me, once you feel that first tug on the line, you'll be hooked for life.
Top Catches This Season
St. Marks is known for its variety of inshore species, and this trip gives you a shot at some real beauties. Redfish are always a crowd-pleaser - these copper-colored bruisers put up a great fight and are delicious to boot. Sea trout are another local favorite, known for their speckled patterns and tasty fillets. If you're lucky, you might even tangle with a black drum, which can grow to impressive sizes in these waters. And don't sleep on the cobia - these powerful fish show up in the warmer months and will test your angling skills. For those who like a challenge, black sea bass hang around structure and offer a fun fight on light tackle. No matter what's biting, Captain Leigh will put you on the fish and make sure you have a blast reeling them in.
Why Anglers Keep Coming Back
There's something special about fishing the waters around St. Marks that keeps folks coming back for more. Maybe it's the way the sun glints off the water as you're working a topwater lure. Or the thrill of watching a redfish tail in the shallows before you make the perfect cast. Could be the satisfaction of learning new skills and putting them to use right away. Whatever it is, this trip has a way of getting under your skin. Captain Leigh's laid-back approach takes the pressure off, so you can focus on enjoying the experience. Whether you're out with family, friends, or flying solo, you'll leave with new memories, new skills, and probably a few fish stories to tell.
Species You'll Want to Hook
Let's break down some of the star players you might encounter on your St. Marks fishing adventure:
Redfish: These copper-colored bulldogs are a favorite among anglers for good reason. They love to hang out in shallow water, often giving themselves away with their distinctive tailing behavior. Redfish put up a stubborn fight, especially around structure, and they're just as fun to catch on artificial lures as they are on live bait. The "slot" size (18-27 inches in Florida) makes for perfect eating, but even the bigger ones are a blast to catch and release.
Sea Trout: Also known as speckled trout, these fish are the bread and butter of inshore fishing in St. Marks. They're aggressive feeders and will hit a variety of lures, making them great for beginners to target. Sea trout love to hang around grass flats and oyster bars, often feeding in schools. When you find one, there's a good chance more are nearby. Their delicate white meat is prized for the dinner table, too.
Black Drum: The often-overlooked cousin of the redfish, black drum can grow to impressive sizes in the St. Marks area. Smaller ones, called "puppy drum," are excellent eating and fight similarly to redfish. The bigger ones can top 50 pounds and will give you a workout on light tackle. They love crustaceans, so fishing with shrimp or crab can be very effective.
Cobia: These bruisers show up in the warmer months and are a prized catch. Cobia are known for their powerful runs and can grow to over 100 pounds, though most caught inshore are smaller. They're curious fish and will often investigate anything unusual in the water, making them fun to sight-fish for. Cobia meat is excellent for grilling or searing.
Black Sea Bass: These structure-loving fish might be smaller than some of the other targets, but they make up for it with their feisty attitude. Black sea bass hang around rocks, reefs, and other structure, ambushing their prey. They're a great species for kids or beginners to target, as they're usually eager biters and put up a good fight for their size. Plus, they're absolutely delicious when prepared fresh.
Time to Book Your Spot
Look, whether you're a total newbie to fishing or just want a chill day on the water, this trip with Captain Leigh is the way to go. You'll get hands-on experience, learn some new tricks, and hopefully land a few fish along the way. It's perfect for families, groups of friends, or anyone looking to dip their toes into the world of inshore fishing. The best part? You don't need to worry about a thing - just show up ready to have fun and maybe catch dinner. St. Marks is waiting, and the fish are biting. So why not grab your crew, book your spot, and get ready for a day of fishing you won't forget? Trust me, once you feel that first hit on your line, you'll be planning your next trip before you even get back to the dock.
Learn more about the species
Black Drum
Black drum are real bruisers, ranging from 5 to 30 pounds with some topping 90. You'll find them in shallow, muddy flats and around oyster beds. They love using those powerful jaws to crush shellfish. Spring's your best bet when they school up to spawn. Anglers get a kick out of their size and the drumming sounds they make. For eating, stick to smaller ones under 15 pounds - the big boys get tough and lose flavor. To hook one, use fresh crab or shrimp on the bottom. Here's a local tip: fish the outgoing tide around creek mouths. The drum stack up there to ambush prey getting swept out. Just be ready for a fight when you hook up - these fish pull hard!
Black Sea Bass
Black sea bass are a fun catch around St. Marks. These chunky fish usually run 1-4 pounds, though some monsters hit 8+. You'll find them hanging around structure like wrecks, reefs, and pilings in 30-120 feet of water. They're most active in late spring and summer when they move inshore to spawn. Anglers love targeting them for their strong fight and excellent table fare. To land one, drop your bait or jig right on the bottom - these guys are suckers for squid, clams, or cut fish. A medium rod with 20-30 pound line does the trick. Just watch out for their sharp gill plates when you're unhooking them. The meat is white, flaky, and mild - perfect for a fish fry back at the dock.
Cobia
Cobia are one of our hardest-fighting fish here in St. Marks. Most run 30-50 pounds, but we've seen some push 100. Look for them around buoys, wrecks, and other structures, usually in 30-70 feet of water. Spring's prime time when they migrate through, but you can catch stragglers all summer. Anglers love 'em for their brutal fights and excellent table fare. To hook one, try sight fishing with big jigs or live eels. Here's a local trick: when you spot one, cast well ahead of it and let the bait sink. Cobia are curious and will often investigate a sudden splash. Just be ready when they hit - these fish can empty a reel in seconds!
Redfish
Redfish are a St. Marks favorite, with most running 20-30 inches and some bulls pushing 45+. You'll spot them tailing in shallow flats, often in just 1-4 feet of water. They love hanging around oyster bars and grass edges. Fall's prime time when they school up, but you can catch 'em year-round. Anglers go nuts for their powerful runs and that distinctive tail spot. For eating, smaller ones are best - firm, white meat with a mild flavor. To hook up, try gold spoons or soft plastics that mimic shrimp or baitfish. Here's a local secret: on hot days, look for them under docks or in deeper channels where they go to cool off. Just be ready for a fight - these fish pull like freight trains!
Sea Trout
Sea trout, or speckled trout, are a staple here in St. Marks. Most run 14-24 inches, but we occasionally see some gators over 5 pounds. Look for them in grass flats and shallow waters, especially at night. They're active year-round, but winter's great for finding big schools in deeper holes. Anglers love their aggressive strikes and delicate flavor. To catch 'em, try topwater plugs early, then switch to soft plastics or live shrimp as the day warms up. Here's a pro tip: when you find a school, work the area thoroughly. These fish often hang in groups, so where there's one, there's usually more. Just remember to release the big breeders - they're crucial for maintaining our fishery.
About the Aquasport
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Vehicle Guest Capacity: 4
Manufacturer Name: Mercury
Maximum Cruising Speed: 30
Number of Engines: 1
Horsepower per Engine: 175
