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Best Holiday Kids Fishing Camp | Marco Fishing Co

Published Date: September 20, 2025
Fishing

Marco Island
$350 - $15,000 price range
Updated Date: October 30, 2025

Summary

Get ready for an awesome holiday break adventure with our 2-day Kids Fishing & Adventure Camp! Your young anglers will dive into the world of fishing, learning essential skills like knot tying and fish ID from our experienced, safety-certified captains. Each day kicks off at 7:30 AM with a quick safety briefing before we hit the local waters for about 4 hours of hands-on fishing fun. But that's not all – we'll wrap up each day with lunch on a private island where kids can hunt for shells, explore, and soak up some sun. It's the perfect mix of learning and outdoor excitement. We've got room for 13 more young adventurers, so don't miss out on this chance to give your kids an amazing holiday experience on the water. And hey, the first 10 sign-ups even score a cool gift box from our sponsors. This camp is all about building confidence, making friends, and creating lasting memories in the great outdoors.

Best Holiday Kids Fishing Camp | Marco Fishing Co

Reeling in the Fun

Angler fishing on boat in Marco Island, Florida

Great catch using multiple techniques in Marco Island waters! Conditions started clear before clouds rolled in.

Person enjoying cruises, fishing, and tours in FL

Great catch using multiple techniques in Marco Island waters!

Nice redfish and grey snapper from today's adventure at Goodland Boat Park!

Great catch using multiple techniques on Marco Island!

2025 Holiday Kids Camp: Fishing Adventure

Get ready for an unforgettable holiday break with Marco Fishing Company's first annual Kids Fishing & Adventure Camp! This two-day extravaganza is designed to give young anglers the time of their lives while learning essential fishing skills from seasoned pros. Set against the backdrop of pristine local waters and a private island, this camp promises to be the highlight of your child's holiday season.

Camp Rundown

Mark your calendars for December 22nd and 23rd, 2025 - it's going to be a blast! Each day kicks off bright and early at 7:30 am with a quick check-in, followed by a crucial 30-minute safety briefing. We don't mess around when it comes to keeping our little anglers safe. After that, it's all about the fish! Our expert guides will school the kiddos on everything from tying the perfect knot to identifying different fish species. We'll cover local fishing regulations too, because we're all about creating responsible future anglers. The real fun begins when we hit the water for a solid 4-hour fishing session. Our licensed captains (who've all passed background checks, so you can rest easy) will be right there to guide your kids every step of the way. To cap off each awesome day, we'll head to a private island for lunch and some good old-fashioned exploration. Shelling, relaxing, and soaking up the sun - it doesn't get much better than that! We'll have your young adventurers back at the dock by 1:00 pm, tired but happy and probably itching to tell you all about their day.

Rods, Reels, and Rascals

Alright, let's talk fishing! We're not just tossing lines in the water and hoping for the best. Our camp is all about teaching kids the real deal when it comes to inshore fishing techniques. We're talking light tackle action that'll have them feeling like pros in no time. We'll show them how to work a popping cork for those wily sea trout, or how to slowly retrieve a soft plastic to entice a monster snook from its hideout. And let's not forget about sight fishing for redfish - there's nothing quite like spotting that copper-colored tail in the shallows and making the perfect cast. We provide all the gear, from rods and reels to lures and bait, so your kids just need to bring their enthusiasm and maybe a lucky hat!

Why Parents Love It

Listen, we know you're thinking, "Sounds great, but is it safe?" You betcha! Safety is our number one priority. Our captains aren't just fishing experts; they're also trained in first aid and have passed rigorous background checks. We keep our groups small to ensure each kid gets the attention they need. Plus, this camp is a tech-free zone. That's right, no screens allowed! It's all about connecting with nature, making new friends, and creating memories that'll last a lifetime. And let's be honest, two full days of outdoor adventure means they'll sleep like logs at night. You're welcome!

Fish Tales

Now, let's talk about the stars of the show - the fish! Our local waters are teeming with some real beauties, and we're going to do our best to introduce your kids to as many as possible. Here's what they might encounter:

Snook: These bad boys are the rockstars of inshore fishing. They're sneaky, they're strong, and boy, do they put up a fight! Snook love to hang out around mangroves and dock pilings, so we'll teach the kids how to cast accurately to get them right where they live. The 'snook pop' when they hit a topwater lure is something your kids won't forget!

Grey Snapper: Don't let their size fool you - these little guys are feisty! They're perfect for teaching kids about using light tackle and feeling for subtle bites. Plus, they're a blast to catch one after another when you find a good spot.

Goliath Grouper: Now, we probably won't be landing any of these monsters, but just seeing one of these gentle giants up close is an experience in itself. We might spot them around deep structure, and trust me, your kids' eyes will be as big as dinner plates!

Sea Trout: These speckled beauties are a staple of inshore fishing. They're great for teaching kids about reading the water and finding 'potholes' in grass flats. The best part? When you find one, you've usually found a whole school!

Redfish: Ah, the mighty red drum. These copper-colored fighters are a favorite among anglers of all ages. We'll teach the kids how to spot them tailing in shallow water and how to present a bait without spooking them. Landing a big red is sure to put a smile on any young angler's face!

Book Your Kiddo's Spot Now!

Alright, parents, here's the deal - we've only got 16 spots left for this epic holiday adventure, and they're going fast! The first 10 sign-ups get an awesome gift bag from our pals at Sportsmans Wholesale, Sunshine Ace Hardware, and Guidesly. It's packed with goodies that'll have your kids feeling like real pros. Don't let your young anglers miss out on this chance to make some serious holiday memories. We're talking two full days of fishing, fun, and adventure that'll have them bragging to their friends all year long. So what are you waiting for? Grab your spot now before they're all gone! And if we're all booked up, don't worry - hop on our waiting list and we'll do our best to get your little fisherman on board. Trust me, this is one camp they'll thank you for years to come. Let's make some waves and catch some fish!

Learn more about the animals

Goliath Grouper

Goliath grouper live up to their name - these massive fish can reach 8 feet long and 800 pounds. You'll find them around reefs, wrecks, and other structures in 10-150 feet of water. They're ambush predators, so look for them lurking in caves and crevices. Goliaths are protected, so it's catch-and-release only. But man, what a catch! Hooking one feels like you've snagged a Volkswagen. They put up a stubborn, powerful fight. Best fishing is in summer and fall when they gather to spawn. Use heavy tackle with large live baits like jacks or mullet. My tip: Once hooked, pull hard to get them away from structure fast. Otherwise, they'll hole up and you'll never budge 'em. It's an unforgettable experience battling these gentle giants.

Grey Snapper

Grey snapper, also called mangrove snapper, are abundant around inshore structures. Most run 1-3 pounds, but they can get up to 15-20 pounds offshore. Look for them around docks, reefs, and mangroves in 10-100 feet of water. They're opportunistic feeders, so live shrimp or small baitfish work well. Grey snapper are active year-round but really fire up in summer when the water warms. Anglers love targeting them for their tenacious fight and excellent table fare. Their white, flaky meat is mild and sweet. For the best action, try fishing during low light periods using a small hook and light leader. Grey snapper have excellent eyesight, so stealth is key. Let your bait sink naturally and be ready for a sharp bite.

Redfish

Redfish, or red drum, are one of our most popular inshore species. They typically run 18-27 inches and 3-8 pounds, but bulls over 40 inches aren't unheard of. You'll find them tailing in shallow flats, around oyster bars, and in marshes - often in water so skinny their backs are out. Fall is prime time as they school up to spawn. Reds put up a stubborn, powerful fight and make great eating too. Anglers love sight-casting to them in clear shallows. For best results, use light tackle and natural baits like cut mullet or live shrimp. My go-to trick is to chum a likely area with crushed blue crab, then fish a piece on the bottom. When you see that characteristic copper color and black tail spot, you know you're in for some fun.

Sea Trout

Sea trout, also called speckled trout, are a staple of inshore fishing here. Most run 14-20 inches and 1-3 pounds, but gator trout over 5 pounds aren't uncommon. You'll find them in grassy flats, channels, and around structure in 2-6 feet of water. They're most active at dawn and dusk, especially on moving tides. Sea trout put up a decent fight and make excellent table fare with their mild, flaky meat. Spring and fall are prime seasons as the water temperatures are ideal. Live shrimp under a popping cork is deadly, but artificial lures like soft plastics work great too. Here's a local trick: On calm mornings, look for subtle V-wakes on the surface. That's often a trout cruising for bait. Cast ahead of it and hang on!

Snook

Snook are one of the most sought-after inshore gamefish around here. These powerful predators typically run 24-36 inches long and put up an intense fight. You'll find them hanging around mangroves, docks, and other structures in shallow coastal waters. They love ambushing bait, so look for snook around points and cuts with moving water. Fall and spring are prime seasons as they migrate between inshore and offshore habitats. Anglers prize snook for their hard strikes, acrobatic jumps, and delicious white meat. To land a big one, try using live bait like pinfish or mullet and letting it drift naturally with the current. Just be ready when that line starts screaming - snook will make a beeline for the nearest structure to try and break you off.