2-Hour Inshore Fishing Charter in St. Augustine
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Two-hour inshore charter targeting Redfish and Black DrumSmall group experience with maximum two guests aboardQuick fishing getaway perfect for tight schedules
Looking for a quick fishing fix without burning your whole day? This 2-hour inshore charter with 310 Charters is exactly what you need. We're talking prime St. Augustine waters where the fish are biting and the action stays hot from the moment we push off. Perfect for when you've got a tight schedule but still want to get some serious fishing in. The boat holds up to 2 anglers, so bring your fishing buddy or book a romantic morning on the water with your partner. No need to worry about packing lunch – we're back at the dock before you even work up an appetite.
St. Augustine's inshore waters are legendary among Florida anglers, and for good reason. We're fishing the grass flats, oyster bars, and creek mouths where redfish and black drum love to cruise and feed. The Matanzas River system and surrounding marshes create the perfect habitat for our target species. You'll be casting into skinny water where you can actually see the fish moving – that's the beauty of inshore fishing here. The water clarity is usually solid, especially on the incoming tide, and the structure is diverse enough to keep things interesting. We're not talking about dropping lines and waiting around – this is active fishing where you're reading the water, making targeted casts, and feeling every bump on your line. The scenery doesn't hurt either, with historic St. Augustine as your backdrop and plenty of wildlife to spot between hookups.
We'll be running light to medium tackle – think 7-foot spinning rods with 15-20 pound braid and fluorocarbon leaders. The captain provides all the gear, but feel free to bring your own setup if you've got favorites. Live bait is king out here, and we'll likely be fishing with live shrimp, mud minnows, or finger mullet depending on what's available and what the fish are keying in on. Cut bait works great too, especially for the black drum who can't resist a fresh piece of blue crab or shrimp. We'll be anchoring on productive spots and also doing some drift fishing when the conditions are right. The beauty of inshore fishing is the variety – one minute you're sight casting to a tailing redfish in two feet of water, the next you're working a deeper oyster bar where the sheepshead are stacked up. Expect to use circle hooks for the live bait presentations and maybe switch to jig heads if we need to get down quick in current or deeper water.
Black Drum are the heavyweights of this fishery and they're around year-round, though spring and fall fishing tends to be most consistent. These bruisers can push 20-40 pounds and they'll test your drag system for sure. They love hanging around oyster bars and bridge pilings where they can crunch on crabs and oysters. When you hook into a big drum, you'll know it immediately – they make long, powerful runs and use their broad sides to fight you all the way to the boat. What makes them special is their size and power, plus they're actually great eating if you keep one in the slot.
Sheepshead fishing peaks in the cooler months, roughly November through March, when they move inshore to spawn around structure. These black and white striped fish are notorious bait thieves with their human-like teeth, but that's what makes catching them so satisfying. They typically run 2-5 pounds in these waters, though bigger ones show up regularly. Sheepshead are all about finesse – light tackle, small hooks, and fresh bait presented right against the structure. They're also some of the best eating fish in the ocean, with firm white meat that's perfect for the dinner table.
Sea Trout, or speckled trout as most locals call them, are year-round residents but really turn on during the warmer months. They love grass flats and drop-offs, and they're aggressive enough to hit both live bait and artificials. Most fish run 14-20 inches, perfect for a fish fry, and they fight with lots of head shaking and jumping. What's great about specks is they often school up, so when you find one, there's usually more around. They're also one of the prettier fish you'll catch, with distinctive spots and a golden tint.
Redfish are the crown jewel of inshore fishing, and St. Augustine's waters produce some beautiful fish. These copper-colored bruisers are available year-round but really shine in the fall when they school up in massive numbers. Slot-sized fish typically run 18-27 inches and put up an amazing fight – strong runs, lots of head shaking, and they'll use every oyster bar and grass bed to try to break you off. Bull reds over 27 inches are catch-and-release only, but hooking into a 30-40 inch fish is a memory that'll last forever. Reds are also incredibly photogenic with their bronze sides and distinctive black spots near the tail.
Two hours on St. Augustine's inshore waters with 310 Charters delivers exactly what serious anglers want – quality fishing time without the all-day commitment. Whether you're a local looking for a quick morning bite or a visitor wanting to sample Florida's world-class inshore fishing, this charter hits the sweet spot. The intimate 2-person capacity means personalized attention and more fish time for everyone on board. These short trips book up fast, especially during peak season, so don't wait around if you see an open date that works for your schedule. The redfish and black drum aren't going anywhere, but the good fishing days fill up quick.
Your fishing adventure starts aboard a well-equipped motorboat designed for St. Augustine's inshore waters. This nimble vessel comes loaded with everything you need to target those prized Florida Redfish and Black Drum. The onboard fish finder takes the guesswork out of locating your targets, while the GPS keeps you on course through the coastal shallows. When stealth is key, the wireless trolling motor lets you glide silently into prime fishing spots without spooking the fish. An ice box keeps your catch fresh and your drinks cold during the 2-hour charter. Built for just 2 guests, this boat offers plenty of room to cast, fight fish, and enjoy Florida's productive inshore waters. Perfect for anglers who want maximum fishing time without the crowds.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the heavyweights of our inshore waters, typically running 5-30 pounds but capable of hitting 90+ pounds. These dark, powerful fish love shallow muddy flats and oyster beds where they crush shellfish with their strong jaws. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning - much easier to target than when they scatter afterward. What makes them special is their drumming sound you can actually hear underwater, plus they're surprisingly adaptable fish that'll move into super shallow water or deeper channels. The smaller ones under 15 pounds make excellent table fare with sweet, flaky meat. Pro tip: use fresh crab for bait since it stays on the hook better than shrimp and won't get picked off by catfish as quickly.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are our signature inshore species with that copper-red color and distinctive black eyespot near the tail. Most run 18-27 inches in the slot, but we see plenty of oversized bulls over 27 inches too. These fish love super shallow water - sometimes so shallow their backs stick out. They cruise oyster bars, grass flats, and creek mouths hunting for crabs and shrimp. Year-round fishing is good, but fall and spring are peak times. What guests love is watching them cruise the shallows and that powerful fight once hooked. They're also excellent eating in the slot size with sweet, firm meat. My local trick is to look for nervous water or wakes in skinny water early morning, then pitch a gold spoon or live shrimp ahead of their path.
Salmo TruttaSpotted sea trout, or "specks," are beautiful silvery fish covered in dark spots that typically run 14-24 inches and 1-5 pounds. They love grass flats and shallow waters, especially at night when they move up to feed. These fish are fantastic fighters that hit topwater plugs, jerk baits, and live shrimp with authority. The cooler months are prime time here in St. Augustine when they school up in deeper channels. What makes them special is their delicate, flaky white meat that's prized at the dinner table - just don't overcook it or it gets mushy. During winter, look for them in deeper water up to 15 feet. My best advice is to fish the grass flats right at dawn or dusk with a popping cork and live shrimp - the strikes are explosive.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the convicts of our waters with those distinctive black and gray stripes. Most run 1-8 pounds and 14-20 inches, though you might luck into a 20-pounder. These guys live around any structure - docks, bridges, pilings - feeding on barnacles and crabs. They're notorious bait thieves with human-like teeth that'll strip your hook clean, so you need to set that hook hard when you feel them nibbling. Spring months are best when they gather for spawning. What guests love is the challenge - they're tricky to catch but fight well and make outstanding table fare with sweet, white meat. My go-to trick is getting your bait right against the structure since they rarely venture far from cover, and use barnacle-crusted pilings whenever possible.
St Augustine, FL