Full Day Fishing Charter in St. Augustine, FL
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Full day inshore fishing charter targeting multiple speciesAll fishing equipment and gear provided by experienced guidesSmall group experience with maximum two guest capacity
When you're looking for a proper fishing day in St. Augustine, 310 Charters delivers exactly what serious anglers want – a full day on the water with fish that actually bite. This isn't some tourist trap where you'll spend more time taking photos than wetting a line. We're talking about a legitimate 12-hour fishing adventure targeting some of the best inshore species Florida has to offer. The ancient city's waters hold everything from chunky redfish to hard-fighting crevalle jacks, and Captain 310 knows exactly where to find them. You'll launch early, fish hard, and come back with stories worth telling and hopefully a cooler full of dinner.
This full-day charter runs from sunrise to sunset, giving you maximum time to work different spots and adjust tactics as conditions change. The boat holds just two anglers, which means you're not fighting for rod space or waiting your turn to fish prime water. Captain 310 provides all the gear – rods, reels, tackle, bait, everything – so you can travel light and focus on fishing. The day starts early, usually around 6 AM, when the fish are most active and before boat traffic picks up. You'll cover a mix of grass flats, oyster bars, creek mouths, and deeper channels depending on tides, weather, and what's biting. The intimate group size means the captain can tailor the trip to your skill level and preferences. Want to sight-fish for reds in skinny water? We can do that. Prefer bottom fishing for black drum around structure? That works too.
St. Augustine inshore fishing is all about reading water and matching your approach to conditions. We'll use a variety of techniques throughout the day – live shrimp under popping corks for redfish, cut bait on the bottom for black drum, artificials for jack crevalle, and whatever else the fish are telling us they want. The boat carries spinning gear in multiple weights, from light tackle for sheepshead to heavier setups when the jacks show up. You'll learn to work different structures like dock pilings, oyster bars, and grass edges where these fish like to hang out. The captain will show you how to read the water – looking for baitfish, bird activity, and subtle changes in current that often hold fish. This is hands-on fishing where you'll actually learn something, not just hold a rod while someone else does the work. The tackle box includes everything from jigs and soft plastics to live bait rigs and bottom fishing setups.
Southern flounder are the bread and butter of St. Augustine inshore fishing, and these flatfish are masters of camouflage. They bury themselves in sand and mud, waiting to ambush baitfish, shrimp, and crabs. Spring and fall are prime time for doormat flounder, with fish ranging from keeper size at 12 inches up to impressive 20-plus-inch specimens. What makes flounder fishing exciting is the fight – they're strong, stubborn fish that use their flat profile to leverage against you. Plus, they're hands-down some of the best eating fish in these waters. You'll target them around creek mouths, channel edges, and anywhere the bottom transitions from hard to soft.
Black drum are the bulldogs of the inshore world, and St. Augustine's waters hold some real bruisers. These fish can live over 50 years and grow massive – we're talking fish that can pull 30, 40, even 50 pounds. They're bottom feeders with a serious appetite for blue crabs, shrimp, and oysters, which is why you'll find them around oyster bars and rocky structure. The fight is pure power – no jumping or fancy moves, just raw strength that'll test your drag and your back. Winter months are particularly good for big drum, when they move into deeper holes and channels. Younger drum, called "puppy drum," are excellent table fare, while the big breeder fish get released to keep the population healthy.
Sheepshead might be the trickiest fish to hook in these waters, but they're worth the effort. These black-and-white striped fish have human-like teeth designed for crushing barnacles and small crabs off structure. They're notorious bait thieves – you'll feel tiny taps and pecks, then reel up to find your bait gone and no fish on the hook. The key is using small hooks, light line, and lightning-fast reflexes. Peak season runs from late fall through early spring when they school up around bridges, docks, and jetties. A good sheepshead bite can make or break a day, and experienced anglers consider them one of the most challenging inshore species to master consistently.
Redfish are Florida's signature inshore gamefish, and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers fight hard, eat well, and live in every type of inshore habitat St. Augustine offers. Slot-sized reds (18-27 inches) are perfect for the dinner table, while oversized "bull" reds provide arm-burning fights in shallow water. What makes redfish special is their versatility – you can sight-fish for them in knee-deep water or target them with cut bait in deeper channels. They're aggressive feeders that'll hit live shrimp, cut mullet, artificial lures, and just about anything else you throw at them. Fall is prime time when big schools of reds cruise the flats, creating some of the most exciting fishing you'll find anywhere.
Crevalle jack are the pit bulls of the inshore world – pure aggression wrapped in a silver, deep-bodied package. These fish hunt in schools, terrorizing baitfish and hitting lures with bone-jarring strikes that'll nearly rip the rod from your hands. They're not much for eating, but the fight is absolutely wild. Jacks will run hard, pull drag, and never give up until they're in the boat. Summer months bring the biggest schools,
Your fishing machine for the day is a well-equipped motorboat built for serious angling in St. Augustine's productive inshore waters. This nimble craft comes loaded with everything you need to target flounder, redfish, crevalle jack, and black drum in the shallows and grass flats. The wireless trolling motor lets you slip quietly into fish-holding spots without spooking your targets, while the GPS keeps you on productive structure and the fish finder shows exactly what's swimming below. An onboard ice box ensures your catch stays fresh from hook to dock. With space for just two anglers, you'll have plenty of room to work the rods and fight fish without bumping elbows. The boat's shallow draft design gets you into those back-country honey holes where the big reds like to hang out, and the reliable engine power means quick runs between fishing spots when the action slows down.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern Flounder are masters of disguise, lying flat on sandy and muddy bottoms where they blend perfectly with their surroundings. These flatfish typically run 15-18 inches and around 5 pounds, though we've seen some push 20+ pounds. They're found in shallow bays, estuaries, and around structure throughout the year, but fall and winter are prime time when they're fattening up before their offshore spawning run. What makes them special is that ambush strike - they'll explode off the bottom to nail a bait. The meat is excellent, white and flaky. My tip: use a slow drift with live shrimp or mud minnows, and when you feel that subtle tap, wait a beat before setting the hook. They like to grab bait sideways first.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the bread and butter of our inshore fishing, and for good reason. These copper-colored beauties with their distinctive black spots typically run 20-30 inches and fight like they're twice their size. They cruise grass flats, oyster bars, and shallow creeks in 1-4 feet of water - sometimes so shallow their backs show. Year-round fishing is good, but fall and spring are prime when they're feeding heavily. What hooks guests is that aggressive strike and powerful run when hooked. They're also excellent table fare with mild, sweet meat. The secret is sight fishing the flats with topwater plugs early morning, or working live shrimp around structure. When you see that wake behind your lure, resist setting the hook until you feel weight - they'll often follow before committing.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the heavyweights of the drum family, commonly running 5-30 pounds with some monsters hitting 50+ pounds. These bottom-feeders cruise oyster beds, muddy flats, and around bridge pilings in both shallow and deeper water up to 100 feet. Spring is magic time when they school up for spawning - that's when you'll hear them drumming underwater. They're famous for their crushing bite and bulldogging fight that'll test your tackle. The smaller ones under 15 pounds are great eating with firm, white meat. Here's the key: use fresh crab or clam on a fish finder rig, keep it on the bottom, and when you feel that steady pull, don't hesitate - their crushers can mangle a hook quickly. They're notorious bait thieves, so stay alert.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the "convict fish" with their black and white stripes, and they're hands-down the best eating fish we target. They average 2-5 pounds but can push 15+ pounds around heavy structure. You'll find them glued to docks, bridge pilings, jetties, and anything covered in barnacles year-round, with spring being peak season. What guests love is the challenge - they're notorious bait thieves with human-like teeth that can strip your hook clean. The reward is incredible table fare with sweet, flaky white meat. The trick is getting right up against the structure with live shrimp or fiddler crabs, keeping your line tight, and setting the hook hard at the first nibble. Don't give them time to steal your bait - they're pros at it.
Caranx HipposCrevalle Jack are pure adrenaline on the end of your line. These silver bullets average 12-24 inches and 3-5 pounds, but fight like fish twice their size with blistering runs and stubborn determination. They roam both shallow flats and deeper water, often in aggressive schools that push baitfish to the surface - look for diving birds as your signal. Summer through fall is prime time when they're most active. Guests love the heart-pounding strikes and relentless fight, plus they're willing biters when other species get finicky. While they're not great table fare, they're fantastic sport. Pro tip: when you spot a feeding school, cast silver spoons or topwater plugs past them and retrieve fast. They can't resist the chase, and that first strike will get your heart pumping.
St Augustine, FL