Family charters
Family Fishing Charter Bradenton
Built for kids and mixed-experience groups. Kids’ rods are aboard, everyone is covered by the captain’s licence, and an Egmont Key snorkel stop can be added on request.
From $425 for three hours · priced per boat, not per person · six anglers maximum
Who it suits
Kids and mixed-experience groups.
What is aboard
Kids’ rods, tackle, bait and licences.
On request
An Egmont Key snorkel stop.
With the kids
Planning a Family Fishing Charter in Bradenton
A good family trip is measured in turns on the rod, not pounds of fish. These charters stay in sheltered water close to the dock, use gear sized for small hands and run at whatever pace the youngest person aboard sets. If you’re planning a family fishing charter in Bradenton, the main thing to know is that the day bends around your kids.
There’s no minimum age. Toddlers on their first boat ride and teenagers who want to cast on their own are both welcome.
Where family trips fish
Usually inshore, on the Manatee River and the lower bay. The water is calm and the fish are close. Charlie picks spots where bites come often, and he’ll often fish live bait so the rod bends without anyone needing a perfect cast. When a spot slows down, the boat moves.
There’s plenty to look at between bites. Dolphins are regular visitors on the river, and pelicans and ospreys work the same water you’re fishing. For a lot of younger kids, the boat ride is half the fun.
First fish, first lessons
Charlie has taught a lot of children to fish. He’ll show them how to hold the rod, when to wind and how to keep the line tight once something’s on. Parents who haven’t fished get the same help, so nobody needs any experience.
Kids’ rods are aboard, along with the full-size tackle. He unhooks the fish, and each one either goes back or goes in the cooler for dinner. Cleaning is included.
Grandparents, cousins, everyone
Family charters suit mixed groups. A grandparent who fished decades ago, a parent who never has and a six-year-old who can’t sit still can all share one boat. The charter is private and priced per boat, not per person, for up to six, so bringing the whole family doesn’t change the price.
Not everyone has to fish. Some people come for the ride and the photos, and that’s fine.
More often than not, it’s the grandparents who end up most excited when a fish comes over the side. Fishing has a way of bringing the generations together.
Keeping everyone happy
Comfort decides how long children last on a boat. Charlie watches the wind and chooses water where the boat sits steady. On a private trip there’s no pressure to stay out longer than your family wants, and coming in a little early is never a problem.
Pack snacks your kids actually like, plus hats, sun protection and a change of clothes. Closed-toe shoes with grip beat flip-flops on a wet deck.
For a fuller checklist, see our guide to planning a family fishing trip in Bradenton.
Adding Egmont Key
On a longer trip, a snorkel stop at Egmont Key breaks the day up nicely. The island is a state park at the mouth of Tampa Bay, with an 1858 lighthouse and the ruins of Fort Dade. Ask about it when you book.
A typical family morning
A three hour family trip might start with a short run up the river to a shoreline where trout and small redfish feed on the tide. Kids fish live bait under a float, which bobs and disappears when a fish takes it, so anyone can follow what’s happening. A few fish in, the boat moves somewhere new, maybe a dock where sheepshead hang around the pilings.
Somewhere in there, someone spots a dolphin and the fishing stops for five minutes. That’s fine. Then it’s back to the dock with time to spare, and fish cleaned for dinner if you kept any. A first fish doesn’t need to be big. It just needs to be theirs.
Safety on board
Parents always ask about this, and they should. Captain Charlie is a USCG Merchant Mariner, licensed through Sea School in 2000 and insured. The 2021 Parker 25′ centre console has a Deep-V hull that rides smoothly, twin Yamaha outboards and an EPIRB emergency beacon. Ask about life jacket sizes when you book so there’s one to fit every child.
Charlie keeps an eye on small hands near hooks and fish. Nobody has to touch a fish they don’t want to.
When to go
Inshore fishing is good all year, so any month works for a family trip. Summer mornings are the most popular, partly because they fit around beach afternoons and partly because storms tend to build later in the day. In the cooler months, a slightly later start is often more comfortable for children.
Questions parents ask
Is there a minimum age?
No. Children of any age can come aboard. Tell Charlie their ages when you book so he can choose the right water and trip length.
How long should we book?
Three or four hours suits most families with younger children. Older kids who love fishing often manage six or eight, especially with a snorkel stop.
Do the kids need fishing licences?
No. Everyone aboard, adults included, is covered under the captain’s charter licence.
Where do we meet?
At 801 Riverside Dr E in Bradenton, where parking is free.
In the price
What is Included on a Family Fishing Charter
Rods, reels and tackle
Bait
Ice
Bottled water
Fish cleaning
Kids’ rods
Your fishing licence
The boat
The Boat - 25ft Parker Centre Console with Twin Yamahas
2021 Parker 25′ centre console
Twin Yamaha outboards
Power Pole Move trolling motor
EPIRB emergency beacon
Deep-V hull
Six anglers maximum
Book a trip
Book a Family Fishing Charter in Bradenton
Check availability
Nautical Native Fishing Adventures
801 Riverside Dr E, Bradenton, FL 34208
Free parking on site
We run family trips around
