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Kids Fishing Adventure in Anclote River Park
- Published Date: July 18, 2025
- Fishing
- Tampa, FL
- $125 - $1,250 price range
Summary
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Kids' Catch of the Day
Florida fishing at its finest
Florida's scallop and fishing fun.
Tampa Bay's scallop adventures.
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Explore Tampa's premier fishing
Clearwater FL's top fishing spots.
Florida fishing at its finest
Florida's scallop and fishing fun.
Tampa Bay's scallop adventures.
Florida's snorkeling magic unfolds.
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Explore Tampa's premier fishing
Clearwater FL's top fishing spots.
Florida fishing at its finest
Florida's scallop and fishing fun.
Tampa Bay's scallop adventures.
Florida's snorkeling magic unfolds.
Kids Fishing Adventure on Anclote River
Get ready for a fun-filled day of fishing designed just for kids! This awesome trip on the Anclote River is perfect for young anglers looking to learn the ropes and catch some cool fish. Captain Josh, a seasoned pro with a knack for teaching kids, will lead the way on this exciting adventure. It's a great chance for your little ones to experience the thrill of fishing in a safe, encouraging environment.
Trip Overview
We'll meet up at Anclote River Park at 8 am sharp, ready to set sail for a day of fishing fun. The trip runs until 2 pm, giving us plenty of time to explore different spots and try various fishing techniques. This experience is tailored for kids aged 7-15, with a small group size of 4-6 anglers per trip. It's the perfect setup for personalized attention and a relaxed atmosphere where kids can learn and have a blast. Captain Josh provides all the fishing gear, so no need to worry about equipment. Just bring along sunscreen, snacks, lunch, and drinks – we've got ice and water covered on the boat.
Fishing 101 for Kids
This trip is all about introducing kids to the joy of fishing. Captain Josh will start by showing everyone the basics – how to bait a hook, cast a line, and reel in a catch. We'll use simple, kid-friendly techniques that are easy to grasp but still effective for landing fish. Throughout the day, we'll try different spots along the Anclote River, giving kids a chance to experience various fishing environments. From casting near the shoreline to trying their luck in deeper waters, your young anglers will get a well-rounded intro to inshore fishing.
What Parents Are Saying
"I have gone with captian Josh quite a few times. Not only is he super knowledgeable about fishing honey holes. He is also very entertaining and alot of fun with adults and kids a like. Can I also add how well he works with kids! He is so passionate about passing knowledge on to the next generation. It is very admirable. Nordic is the ONLY charter I use and tell all my friends and family about." - Brett
"Where do I even start! Captain Josh was so caring and loving to my three kids. He understood that this wasn't just any other day for us. My son is on the spectrum and has multiple diagnosis, Josh was very patient with not just my son but my other two girls. The boat is kid friendly as well. I'd give more stars if I could. Thank you for having us and giving my kids this experience!!!" - Rachel Weisberg
"My son had a great time on the fishing trip with Captain Josh! We would definitely book this again in the future." - Jolene
Fish We're After
The Anclote River and surrounding waters are home to a variety of fish species that are perfect for young anglers to target. Here's a rundown of what we might catch:
Southern Kingcroaker: These feisty little fighters are a blast for kids to catch. They're usually found near the bottom and put up a fun fight on light tackle. Kingcroakers are active year-round, making them a reliable target for our trips. Kids love catching these because they're plentiful and the right size for young anglers to handle.
Snook: A prized catch in Florida, snook are known for their strong runs and acrobatic jumps. We often find them hanging around mangroves or structure in the river. While they can be a bit challenging, landing a snook is an unforgettable experience for any young angler. The best time to target them is during the warmer months, from spring through fall.
White Grunt: These tasty bottom-dwellers are another great target for kids. They're not too big, making them manageable for young anglers, but they put up a decent fight. Grunts are curious and often bite readily, which helps keep kids engaged and excited throughout the trip. We can find them year-round, often near rocky areas or reefs.
Sea Trout: Spotted seatrout are a staple of inshore fishing in this area. They're fun to catch and often travel in schools, which means when we find them, everyone on board might get in on the action. Kids love targeting trout because they're active feeders and can be caught using various techniques, from live bait to artificial lures.
Redfish: Also known as red drum, these copper-colored beauties are a favorite among anglers of all ages. Redfish are known for their strong pulls and can often be spotted tailing in shallow water. While bigger ones might be a challenge for kids, the smaller "rat reds" are perfect for young anglers to target. We typically find more redfish in the cooler months, but they can be caught year-round with the right approach.
Why Kids Love This Trip
This isn't just another day of fishing – it's an adventure designed specifically for young anglers. Captain Josh has a way of making fishing fun and accessible for kids of all skill levels. Whether it's their first time holding a rod or they're already junior pros, every child will learn something new and have a great time doing it. The small group size means plenty of one-on-one attention, ensuring each kid gets the guidance they need to succeed.
Beyond just catching fish, this trip is about building confidence, learning new skills, and creating lasting memories. Kids will leave with a newfound appreciation for nature, a sense of accomplishment, and maybe even a new favorite hobby. It's an experience that goes beyond the usual family activities, offering a unique blend of education and excitement that kids will be talking about long after the trip is over.
Book Your Kid's Fishing Adventure
Ready to give your kids an awesome day on the water? This trip is more than just fishing – it's about making memories, learning new skills, and having a ton of fun in the process. At $125 per child, it's an investment in an experience they'll never forget. Spots fill up fast, especially for our weekend trips, so don't wait to book. Give Captain Josh a call to check availability and reserve your spot. Whether your kid is a first-timer or a budding angler, this trip is sure to be a highlight of their year. Let's get your young fishers out on the water and start making some awesome fishing memories!
Customer Reviews
Fishing Fun for All
Brett Morris
November 11, 2023
Captain of Kindness
Where do I even start! Captain Josh was so caring and loving to my three kids. He understood that this wasn't just any other day for us. My son is on the spectrum and has multiple diagnosis, Josh was very patient with not just my son but my other two girls. The boat is kid friendly as well. I'd give more stars if I could. Thank you for having us and giving my kids this experience!!!
Rachel Weisberg - Tipler
September 9, 2023
Hooked on Adventure
My son had a great time on the fishing trip with Captain Josh! We would definitely book this again in the future.
Jolene Vaughn
July 19, 2023
Learn more about the species
Redfish
Southern kingcroakers are a fun catch for kids just getting into fishing. These bronze-colored fish with a dark lateral line are usually found in the surf zone and around piers. Most run 9-12 inches, though they can reach up to 20 inches. Kingcroakers love sandy or muddy bottoms where they can root for crabs and shrimp. Spring and summer are best, but you can catch them year-round in our warm waters. Kids get a kick out of the croaking sound they make - it's actually their swim bladder vibrating! For bait, fresh shrimp or small pieces of squid work great. Use a light spinning rod with 10-pound test line and a simple bottom rig. A good tip is to look for them in troughs between sandbars during low tide. While not as glamorous as some other fish, kingcroakers put up a decent fight for their size and make good eating too.
Sea Trout
Snook are one of our most exciting inshore gamefish. These sleek, powerful predators love to hang around mangroves, docks, and bridge pilings. Most run 20-28 inches, but trophy fish over 40 inches aren't unheard of. Snook are ambush feeders, so they'll often sit motionless in the shadows before exploding on their prey. Spring and fall are prime seasons as they move between inshore and nearshore waters. Kids love their acrobatic leaps and powerful runs. Live pilchards or pinfish are top baits, but artificial lures like jerkbaits work well too. A good tip is to fish the outgoing tide, when snook often stage at points and creek mouths to ambush bait being flushed out. Just remember, snook are catch-and-release only from December through February to protect spawning fish. When you can keep them, they make excellent eating - firm, white meat with a mild flavor.
Snook
Sea trout are a blast for kids to catch and great eating too. These silvery fish with spots all over hang out in grass flats and channels, usually in 3-6 feet of water. Most run 14-20 inches, though gators over 5 pounds aren't uncommon. Sea trout are ambush predators, so look for them around drop-offs and points. They're most active at dawn and dusk, especially on moving tides. Spring and fall are peak seasons, but you can catch them year-round here. Kids love how aggressively they hit topwater lures - watching a trout explode on a lure is exciting stuff. For best results, try a popping cork rig with live shrimp. Let it sit, then give it a sharp pop every few seconds. The trout can't resist. Just be sure to release the big breeders over 20 inches so we keep plenty around for the future.
Southern Kingcroaker
Redfish are a blast to catch and a favorite among our younger anglers. You'll find these copper-colored beauties cruising the shallows, often in water just a few feet deep. Look for them around oyster bars, grass flats, and mangroves. Redfish typically run 20-30 inches, though the big boys can top 40 inches and 30 pounds. They put up a great fight and are known for their powerful runs. Spring and fall are prime seasons, but you can catch them year-round here. Kids love spotting their distinctive tail spots and watching them "tail" in shallow water. For bait, live shrimp or cut mullet work well. My go-to artificial is a gold spoon - redfish can't resist that flash. Just remember to fish it slow and steady along the bottom. These fish make excellent table fare too, with a mild, sweet flavor that's hard to beat.
White Grunt
White grunts are perfect for introducing kids to saltwater fishing. These feisty little battlers are abundant on nearshore reefs and around structure in 10-30 feet of water. Most run 6-12 inches, though they can reach up to 18 inches. Grunts are schooling fish, so when you find one, you've usually found a bunch. They'll bite year-round but are most active in warmer months. Kids get a kick out of their "grunting" sound when caught - it's amplified by their air bladder. For bait, small pieces of squid or cut shrimp work great. Use light tackle and small hooks for best results. A good tip is to look for diving birds, which often signal grunt schools feeding near the surface. These fish make excellent eating too, with sweet, flaky white meat. Just be careful of the sharp gill plates when unhooking them.
About the Carolina Skiff
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Vehicle Guest Capacity: 6
Manufacturer Name: Mercury
Maximum Cruising Speed: 42
Number of Engines: 1
Horsepower per Engine: 150
I have gone with captian Josh quite a few times. Not only is he super knowledgeable about fishing honey holes. He is also very entertaining and alot of fun with adults and kids a like. Can I also add how well he works with kids! He is so passionate about passing knowledge on to the next generation. It is very admirable. Nordic is the ONLY charter I use and tell all my friends and family about.