Flat-Out Fishing Fun

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Show off your catch with the kids in Fort Myers Beach.

Photo Credit: Capt. Rob Modys, soulmatecharters.com

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Family Flats Fishing in Destin

Photo Credit: Capt. Pat Dineen

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A family shows off their catch in Stuart.

Photo Credit: Capt. Mike Holliday

Looking to go on a kid-friendly fishing trip? Try flats fishing for a fun-filled day of nature, relaxation and hopefully, some catching.

If you’ve been hesitant to take your kids fishing, this is your ideal solution. Flats fishing is perfect for children of all ages: The water is shallow, there’s plenty of marine life to spy and action on the rods keeps boredom at bay.

Destin

Nicknamed the “World’s Luckiest Fishing Village,” Destin offers everything from speckled trout
on the flats to cobia near shore. Try “hook & cook” at Fisherman’s Wharf — bring your catch; they’ll cook it! fishermanswharfdestin.com

The water is shallow, there’s plenty of marine life to spy and action on the rods keeps boredom at bay.

St. Augustine

Discover something new in the nation’s oldest city! Kids will love looking for creatures above and below the water, which is generally only 8 inches to 5 feet deep on the flats. hookedupfishing.net

Fort Myers Beach

Kids will love reeling in trout, ladyfish, snapper and redfish. Bottlenose dolphin are known to swim right up to the boat to say hello in Estero Bay. soulmatecharters.com

Stuart

The areas of Fort Pierce, Stuart, Jensen Beach and Jupiter are synonymous with some of the world’s best inshore flats fishing every month of the year. Hook up with trout, snook and redfish on the grassy flats. stuartinshorefishing.com

The Florida Keys

From Key Largo to Key West, flats fishing here is not only a thrill, it’s also educational, and it’s year round. Glide along the mangroves and keep your eyes open for rays and manatees. Hook & cook at Hog Heaven in Islamorada. keysflatsguide.com

Tampa

Did you know that Tampa Bay is one of the country’s largest estuaries? Not only is it excellent for flats fishing, you just might spot bobcats walking the mangrove shores or manatees surfacing for air. inshoretampabay.com