30A Light Tackle in Santa Rosa Beach

30A Light Tackle is Captain Mark Hotze's small-group fishing operation serving Santa Rosa Beach and the 30A corridor. The defining feature is a firm maximum of four guests, with an emphasis on light tackle, practical instruction and choosing techniques around the day's conditions.

Contact and booking details

Captain Mark's approach

Mark's biography traces his background from Virginia and a mechanical-engineering degree at Virginia Tech through work and fishing in different parts of the world. Time near Hurlburt Field introduced him to the Emerald Coast. The company says it began running its own trips in 2018.

The operator emphasizes teaching anglers how the tackle works, why a technique is being used and how to fight a fish. It also offers offshore fly-fishing outings for customers who already know how to fly fish. Visitors seeking conventional tackle are invited to discuss it in advance.

The boat and trip options

Most trips use an Everglades 243CC with an upper station/tower. The boat has coolers for guests' food and drinks and fish boxes for retained catch. The four-person limit is deliberate and applies to the whole private booking.

Gulf trips are the specialty, with six to eight hours recommended and targets including reef fish and pelagics such as snapper, mahi-mahi, tuna and king mackerel. Inshore light-tackle trips for redfish, trout or tarpon, surf-fishing outings and tagging trips are also described, subject to availability. Ask which options fit the current conditions and your experience.

Published 2026 prices

The service page labels its prices for the 2026 season: six-hour Gulf fishing starts at $1,500, four-hour inshore fishing at $750 and two-hour surf fishing at $300. Prices are for the boat or trip rather than per passenger, with a maximum of four guests. Confirm the specific surf-trip arrangements and any equipment needs.

The operator lists rods, reels, bait, safety equipment, ice-filled coolers and boat fishing-license coverage. Guests bring their own food and drinks, which can go in the onboard coolers.

Where to meet and what to ask

The company advertises a Santa Rosa Beach launch convenient to the 30A communities rather than requiring customers to board in Destin Harbor. The exact ramp or marina is not established in the reviewed pages, so obtain it directly from Captain Mark.

Bring a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen, and discuss children's ages, physical requirements and the weather plan when booking. Request the deposit and cancellation terms with your quote; those details are not fully set out in the reviewed service description.

Details checked September 26, 2026, using the operator’s published information. Rates, boats, meeting points and policies can change; confirm the final trip details directly. Listed species describe possible targets, not a guaranteed catch or an open harvest season.

Sources and photos

• 30A Light Tackle — Official website
• 30A Light Tackle — About
• 30A Light Tackle — 30a fishing charters

Featured photo: Everglades fishing boat on the water. Photo from 30A Light Tackle.