5.0(1 Reviews)Full Day Inshore Fishing Charter in St Augustine
5.0(1 reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Full day inshore charter targeting redfish, flounder, and tarponAll fishing gear, rods, reels, and tackle includedSmall group experience with maximum 2 guests
St. Augustine's inshore waters are nothing short of spectacular for anglers looking to hook into some serious fish. This full-day charter with Back At It Fishing Charters puts you right in the heart of where the action happens – from grass flats to oyster bars, creek mouths to deeper channels. You'll spend your day working the productive waters that locals have been fishing for generations, targeting everything from aggressive redfish to sneaky flounder. Captain Mike knows these waters like the back of his hand, and he'll put you on fish whether you're casting your first line or you've been at this for decades.
Your day starts early, which is exactly when you want to be out there. The morning bite is often the best bite, especially when you're targeting species like snook and redfish that love to feed in low light. You'll launch from one of St. Augustine's well-positioned ramps and head to wherever the fish are holding that day – could be shallow grass beds, structure-rich areas around docks and bridges, or deeper cuts where baitfish are schooling. The beauty of inshore fishing here is the variety. One cast might get you a hard-fighting red, the next could be a silver king that'll test your drag system. All your tackle is provided, from spinning gear perfect for sight fishing to heavier setups when you need to pull fish out of structure. Just bring your drinks, snacks, and maybe some extra clothes if the weather looks iffy.
Inshore fishing in St. Augustine means adapting to what the fish want on any given day. You'll likely be throwing live bait – shrimp, pinfish, or finger mullet – around structure where these species love to ambush prey. Artificial lures play a huge role too, especially soft plastics worked along grass edges or topwater plugs when fish are busting bait on the surface. The captain will have you casting to visible fish when conditions allow, which is about as good as it gets for any angler. You'll learn to read the water, spot nervous baitfish, and understand how tides affect where fish position themselves. The gear setup varies based on what you're targeting – lighter tackle for smaller species lets you feel every head shake, while you'll want something with more backbone when a big tarpon decides to take your offering.
"Mike is a great guy. Made the effort to get us on fish on a cold day. Super company and looked after the two of us all day. Also provided first class recommendations for food and things to do. A top man." - Joel
Redfish are the bread and butter of St. Augustine inshore fishing, and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers average 18 to 27 inches and fight like they're twice that size. Spring through fall offers the most consistent action, though you can catch them year-round. What makes reds so special is their willingness to eat just about anything and their habit of feeding in shallow water where you can actually see them. Watch for their backs and tails breaking the surface as they root around for crabs and shrimp – it's sight fishing at its finest.
Southern Flounder might not win any beauty contests, but they're absolutely delicious and surprisingly fun to catch once you get the hang of it. These flatfish hang out on sandy bottoms and around structure, typically running 14 to 20 inches with some real doormat-sized fish pushing 5 pounds or more. Fall is prime time for flounder, especially when they're staging for their offshore spawning run. They're ambush predators that require a different approach – slow presentations with live bait or jigs bounced along the bottom.
Snook are the crown jewel of Florida inshore fishing, and St. Augustine sits right in their wheelhouse. These silvery predators with the distinctive black lateral line are incredibly structure-oriented, hanging around docks, bridges, and mangrove shorelines. They're most active during warmer months and absolutely explode on topwater lures during low-light periods. A 28-inch snook is a keeper, but many anglers release these fish to keep the population healthy. Their gill-rattling jumps and powerful runs make every hookup memorable.
Tarpon earn their nickname "silver king" through sheer power and acrobatics. Even juvenile tarpon in the 20 to 40-pound range will test your tackle and your skills with their aerial displays. St. Augustine's waters host these fish primarily from late spring through early fall, with peak action during summer months. They're often found rolling on the surface, giving away their location to observant anglers. While many tarpon are released due to their protected status, the fight alone makes them worth targeting.
Sheepshead are the pickiest eaters in the inshore lineup, but also some of the best table fare you'll find. These black-and-white striped fish have human-like teeth perfect for crushing barnacles and crabs around structure. They're most abundant during cooler months and require finesse – light tackle, small hooks, and a gentle touch to detect their subtle bites. A 3-pound sheepshead is a solid fish, with occasional 5-pounders that'll surprise you with their strength.
St. Augustine's inshore waters offer some of the most consistent and diverse fishing on Florida's east coast, and this full-day charter gives you the time to really experience what makes this fishery special. With all tackle provided and a captain who's dedicated to putting you on fish, you're set up for success whether you're after your first redfish or your fiftieth. The small group size means personalized attention and the flexibility to adjust techniques based on what's working. These productive waters combined with expert local knowledge create the kind of fishing day that keeps anglers coming back season after season.
Get ready to chase redfish and snook through St. Augustine's productive inshore waters aboard this well-equipped motorboat built for serious fishing. The wireless trolling motor lets you slip quietly into shallow flats where fish spook easily, while the GPS keeps you on productive spots. When the bite heats up, the fish finder shows exactly what's swimming below, and the VHF radio keeps you connected to other boats sharing intel on hot areas. Perfect for two anglers who want to target flounder around oyster bars, work the mangroves for tarpon, or sight-cast to tailing reds in skinny water. This setup gets you into the fish-holding structure that makes St. Augustine's backwaters so productive - from grass flats to creek mouths where sheepshead hang around pilings. The boat handles the shallow draft fishing these species demand while giving you the electronics edge to stay on fish all day.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are our bread-and-butter inshore species, easily spotted by that distinctive black spot near their tail and copper-bronze coloring. Most slot fish run 18-27 inches, but the big bulls offshore can push 40+ inches and 30+ pounds. They love super shallow water - sometimes so shallow their backs stick out - around oyster bars, grass flats, and mangrove shorelines. Year-round fishing here, but fall and winter offer the most consistent action when they school up. What guests love is their powerful, steady fight and those explosive topwater strikes in skinny water. Plus, they're excellent table fare with mild, flaky meat. The sight-fishing aspect is addictive - watching their wakes and tails in shallow water gets everyone's heart pumping. Pro tip: when you see redfish tailing in shallow water, cast well ahead of where they're moving and let your bait sit still - they're feeding head-down and will find it.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the "convict fish" of our waters with those distinctive black and white stripes running down their sides. Most run 2-5 pounds and 14-18 inches, but don't be surprised if you hook into a 10+ pounder around the right structure. They're always found near hard bottom - docks, bridges, jetties, and reef structure where they can feed on barnacles, crabs, and oysters. Winter and spring are prime time when they school up around structure. What makes them challenging and fun is they're notorious bait thieves with human-like teeth that can crush shells. The payoff is some of the best eating fish in these waters - sweet, flaky white meat that's hard to beat. Here's the key: use small hooks with fresh shrimp or fiddler crabs, get tight to the structure, and set the hook hard the second you feel weight - they'll steal your bait if you hesitate.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are one of our most prized inshore targets with their distinctive black lateral line and that classic sloped profile. Around here, most run 18-28 inches, but the big females can push 40+ inches and really test your drag. They're structure lovers - you'll find them around docks, mangroves, bridges, and oyster bars in both salt and brackish water. Spring through fall gives you the best action, especially around the full and new moons when they're most active. What guests love about snook is their aggressive strikes and acrobatic fights - they'll make blistering runs and try to wrap you around any structure they can find. The meat is top-shelf with a clean, firm texture. One local trick: work your lure parallel to the mangrove shoreline rather than casting directly at it - snook often cruise just outside the cover looking for an easy meal.
Paralichthys LethostigmaThese flat, oval-shaped fish are masters of camouflage, burying themselves in sandy or muddy bottoms where they ambush prey. You'll recognize them by their unique feature - both eyes on the left side of their head. Most run 15-18 inches and around 5 pounds, though we've seen some push 20+ pounds. They love shallow coastal waters, bays, and estuaries where they can easily blend into the bottom. Fall and winter are prime time when adults move closer to shore. What makes them special is their incredible ability to change color to match their surroundings - it's like watching nature's magic trick. The meat is excellent eating with a mild, sweet flavor. Pro tip: when drift fishing for flounder, keep your bait moving slowly along the bottom and be patient - they'll study your offering before committing to the bite.
Megalops AtlanticusTarpon are the ultimate bucket-list fish - silver giants that can reach 6+ feet and over 200 pounds, though most we see run 80-120 pounds. These prehistoric beasts love shallow coastal waters, channels, and around structure where baitfish gather. Late spring through summer is peak season when they migrate through our waters. What makes tarpon fishing so special isn't just their size - it's those spectacular jumps that can launch them 10 feet out of the water. Fair warning: their acrobatics often help them throw the hook, so stay ready. While they're edible, most anglers practice catch and release since the meat is bony and can contain higher mercury levels. The real reward is the fight itself. Local tip: when a tarpon jumps, bow to the fish by dropping your rod tip toward them - it gives slack to prevent the line from breaking on their gill plates.
5.0 out of 5.0Mike is a great guy. Made the effort to get us on fish on a cold day. Super company and looked after the two of us all day. Als...
St. Augustine, FL