The short answer: for a family with kids or first-time anglers, book the Inshore Half Day, a scalloping trip in season, or the Beginners Bottom Fishing half day. All three are private, all three are short enough for young attention spans, and Alyssa spends the day coaching whoever needs it.
Which trip fits your group
Inshore Half Day on the 27′ AmeraCat: 5 hours from 8:00 AM, from $695 for up to 2 people, $75 for each extra person, up to 6. Trout and redfish on the flats, live bait or artificials, and no long run to get there. The catamaran is the boat we recommend for kids, families, first-time anglers and seniors, and this is the trip we point most families toward.
Scalloping, in season (July 1 to Sept 24 in 2026; FWC sets the dates, so check before you book): 4-hour morning (8:00 AM) or afternoon (1:00 PM) trips from $550 for up to 2, $50 per extra person. You snorkel in shallow, clear water over the grass beds, usually 2 to 8 feet, and pick scallops up by hand. No fishing skill needed, and we shuck them for you.
Scalloping runs on the 27′ catamaran, which has a big dive ladder, or on the 35′ as a Luxury trip from $750 for up to 2, with a full private bathroom on board. The Luxury trips are booked by phone.
Beginners Bottom Fishing Half Day on the 35′ center console: 5 hours from 8:00 AM, from $1,300 for up to 4, $100 per extra person, up to 6. An easy introduction to bottom fishing on the bigger boat, with a full private bathroom on board. Booked by phone.
Kids and seniors on board
Kids are welcome on both boats. On the 27′ catamaran, children under 6 years old or 60 pounds or less must wear a life jacket at all times. On the 35′, we ask that kids be 4 or older.
Nobody needs a fishing license; our FWC charter license covers everyone on board. The 35′ has a full private bathroom with a hand-washing station, which matters on a longer day. There’s also a clean guest bathroom at our private launch before and after every trip, and a fish cleaning station so you drive home with fillets.
Grandparents come too. One reviewer wrote that the kindness shown to her 15-year-old grandson “melted my heart” and that the captain would not head in until he had landed a big one. Our reviews are full of 11-year-olds, teenagers and grandkids catching fish.
What to bring for kids
Sunscreen, hats, polarized sunglasses, snacks and drinks other than water, non-skid shoes, and motion sickness medication if anyone gets queasy. For scalloping, add a towel. Leave a small cooler in the car for the cleaned catch, and skip the glass bottles: they’re not allowed on board.
Not sure which trip? Call 352-770-2520 between 5 AM and 9 PM and tell us the ages in your group.
