World-Class Inshore Fishing in St. Marks, FL

Half Day Advanced Fishing Trip In St. Marks

Captain Leigh Wills knows St. Marks waters like the back of his hand, and this 6-hour advanced fishing trip puts that knowledge to work for serious anglers. You're not getting a basic intro here – this is designed for folks who know their way around a rod and want to push their skills further. We're talking trophy redfish, hefty sea trout, and some surprises that'll test your drag system. With room for up to four anglers on each trip, you get personalized attention without feeling crowded. Fair warning though – you need at least two seats booked to get this boat moving, so bring a buddy or be ready to share the deck with fellow fishing enthusiasts.

What to Expect on the Water

This isn't your average half-day charter where you sit and wait for something to bite. Captain Leigh runs an active operation that covers serious ground across St. Marks' diverse fishing zones. You'll work both the shallow flats where redfish cruise in skinny water and the nearshore structure where bigger fish hang out. The boat moves strategically throughout the day, following tides, bait schools, and seasonal patterns that only come from years of local experience. Expect to switch techniques as conditions change – one hour you might be sight-fishing with light tackle, the next you're working deeper water for drum and cobia. All tackle comes included, but you'll need your Florida saltwater license before stepping aboard. Captain Leigh provides the local intel that turns good fishing days into great ones.

Advanced Techniques & Terrain

St. Marks offers some of Florida's most diverse inshore fishing, and this trip takes full advantage of that variety. You'll work oyster bars, grass flats, channel edges, and nearshore structure using techniques that match each environment. Sight-fishing with artificial lures dominates the shallow work – think topwater plugs at dawn and soft plastics worked along drop-offs. When targeting bigger fish in deeper water, expect live bait presentations and heavier tackle that can handle the pull of a good-sized cobia or oversized drum. The captain reads water conditions constantly, adjusting anchor positions and bait presentations based on tide movement and fish behavior. This hands-on approach means you're learning advanced techniques while actually catching fish, not just hearing about them. The boat carries quality gear suited for everything from finesse fishing to battling larger species that call these waters home.

Species You'll Want to Hook

Redfish are the crown jewel of St. Marks fishing, and these copper-colored bruisers provide some of the most exciting sight-fishing opportunities on Florida's coast. They cruise the flats year-round, but spring and fall offer the best action when they school up in impressive numbers. A good red will peel drag and make multiple runs before coming to the boat. What makes them special here is the variety – you'll find slot-sized fish perfect for dinner and oversized bulls that are pure adrenaline on light tackle.

Sea trout, or speckled trout as locals call them, are incredibly popular because they bite consistently and fight above their weight class. These spotted beauties love grass flats and can be targeted effectively from spring through fall. A quality trout in St. Marks runs 2-4 pounds, with occasional specimens pushing 6-7 pounds that'll surprise you with their initial run. They respond well to both artificial lures and live bait, making them perfect for practicing different presentation techniques.

Black drum are the heavy hitters that test your patience and equipment. These bottom-dwellers can reach impressive sizes in local waters, with fish over 20 pounds not uncommon around structure and deeper flats. They're most active during cooler months and provide a completely different fishing experience – think steady, powerful pulls rather than flashy runs. Landing a big drum requires technique and endurance, making them favorites among experienced anglers.

Cobia are the wild cards that can show up anywhere from shallow flats to nearshore structure. These brown sharks (as some call them) are aggressive predators that provide explosive strikes and sustained fights. Spring brings the best cobia action as they move through St. Marks waters during their annual migration. A 30-pound cobia will test every knot and technique you know.

Black sea bass round out the mix as consistent bottom fish that bite when other species are finicky. They're perfect for keeping action going between shots at larger game fish. While smaller than the other target species, they're excellent table fare and respond well to a variety of baits and techniques, making them ideal for practicing precision presentations around structure.

Time to Book Your Spot

Captain Leigh's advanced fishing trips fill up quickly, especially during prime seasons when fish are most active. This 6-hour adventure gives serious anglers the time and expertise needed to target multiple species using techniques that actually work in local conditions. You're getting access to years of local knowledge, quality gear, and fishing spots that produce consistent results. Remember, you need at least two anglers to book, so grab a fishing partner and get ready for some of the best inshore action Florida's Forgotten Coast has to offer. The fish are there – now it's time to go catch them.