Offshore Fishing Charter in St Augustine
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Fourhour offshore charter targeting redfish and sea troutExpert Captain Mike guides trips on 22foot Pathfinder vesselAll fishing gear included for up to four guests
Captain Mike knows these St. Augustine waters like the back of his hand, and he's ready to put you on fish. This 4-hour offshore charter aboard his 22-foot Pathfinder TRS is perfect for two anglers looking to get serious about fishing without the crowds. You'll target some of Florida's most sought-after inshore species including redfish, sea trout, sheepshead, snook, and tarpon in waters that have been producing consistent action year-round. All your tackle and gear come included, so just bring yourself and get ready for some real fishing.
Captain Mike runs a tight ship with his Pathfinder TRS – it's the perfect platform for working both nearshore structure and offshore opportunities around St. Augustine. You'll launch from the historic waters and head to spots that Mike has been fishing for years, places where the fish actually live instead of just passing through. This isn't a cattle boat operation; with just two anglers max, you get personalized attention and can actually fish instead of waiting in line for a rod. The 4-hour window gives you enough time to work different areas and techniques without feeling rushed. Mike provides all the rods, reels, tackle, and bait you'll need, plus he knows exactly what's working each day based on tides, weather, and recent reports from the water.
You'll be fishing a mix of live bait and artificials depending on what the fish are telling us that day. Mike keeps a good supply of live shrimp, pinfish, and mullet when available, plus he's got the lure selection dialed in for each species you're targeting. For redfish, expect to throw gold spoons and paddle tails around oyster bars and grass flats. Sea trout love a well-presented shrimp under a popping cork, especially around deeper grass edges. When we're after snook, we'll work docks and structure with live bait or jigs, and if tarpon are around, we'll set up with the heavier tackle and live mullet. The Pathfinder's shallow draft means we can get into spots bigger boats can't reach, giving you access to water that doesn't see much pressure. Mike handles the boat positioning and tide reading while you focus on making good casts and working the fish.
Redfish are the bread and butter of St. Augustine fishing, and these copper-colored fighters are available year-round in the area's grass flats and oyster bars. They typically run 18 to 30 inches here, with bigger bulls showing up during their fall spawning runs. Reds are ambush predators that love to cruise shallow water looking for crabs and baitfish, and when they eat, they eat hard. The fight is what keeps anglers coming back – they'll make screaming runs and use their broad shoulders to dig deep.
Sea trout are another staple that respond well to both live and artificial baits around grass beds and drop-offs. Spring and fall offer the best action when water temperatures are in the sweet spot, though you can catch them year-round if you know where to look. These fish have soft mouths, so keeping steady pressure without horsing them is key. A good trout dinner is hard to beat, and the 15 to 20-inch fish we typically see here are perfect table fare.
Sheepshead are the pickpockets of the fishing world, known for their ability to steal bait without getting hooked. They hang around structure like docks, bridges, and oyster bars, feeding on barnacles, crabs, and shrimp. Winter months bring the best sheepshead action when they school up for spawning. These black-and-white striped fish have human-like teeth and require light tackle and patience, but they're excellent eating and a fun challenge for any angler.
Snook are Florida's signature inshore gamefish, and St. Augustine's dock lines and mangrove shorelines hold good numbers of these amber-sided predators. They're most active during warmer months and love to ambush prey around structure. Snook have that distinctive black lateral line and gill plate, plus they fight like fish twice their size with explosive runs and gill-rattling jumps. They're strictly catch and release during certain seasons, but the experience of hooking one is worth the trip alone.
Tarpon are the silver kings that show up seasonally and turn any fishing trip into a memory you'll never forget. These prehistoric fish can range from juvenile tarpon in the backcountry to 100-plus pound adults rolling in nearshore waters during migration periods. When a tarpon eats your bait and goes airborne, everything else stops mattering. They're pure adrenaline on a fishing rod, and Captain Mike knows the spots and timing to give you the best shot at one.
This top-rated St. Augustine fishing charter fills up fast, especially during peak seasons when the fishing is hot and the weather cooperates. Captain Mike's local knowledge and personalized approach make this a customer favorite for both visiting anglers and locals who want to fish with someone who actually produces results. The 4-hour trip length is perfect for getting a real taste of what St. Augustine fishing offers without committing to a full day, and the two-angler limit means you get the attention and water time you deserve. Whether you're looking to learn new techniques, catch your first redfish, or just spend quality time on the water with someone who knows how to find fish, this charter delivers the goods. Book now and get ready to see why St. Augustine fishing keeps anglers coming back year after year.
Captain Mike's 22-foot Pathfinder TRS is built for serious angling in St. Augustine's productive waters. This stable platform handles both nearshore flats and offshore runs with ease, getting you to where the redfish and sea trout are biting. The boat's equipped with a wireless trolling motor for silent approaches when stalking fish in shallow water, plus GPS and fish finder technology to locate the best spots. VHF radio keeps you connected for safety and fishing intel. With room for up to four anglers, there's plenty of space to work the waters without crowding. The Pathfinder's shallow draft lets Captain Mike access those hidden backcountry honey holes where trophy reds cruise, while its seaworthy design means you can chase bigger fish in deeper water when conditions are right.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the backbone of our inshore fishing here in St. Augustine. These copper-colored beauties average 20-27 inches in our waters, with that distinctive black spot near their tail. They cruise super shallow water - sometimes with their backs out of the water - around oyster bars, grass flats, and marsh edges. Year-round fishing is good, but fall and spring are peak times when they school up and feed heavily. What makes reds special is their raw power and dogged fight in shallow water. Plus, they're phenomenal table fare with sweet, firm meat. They're not picky eaters either, which makes them great for beginners. Here's my local secret: look for nervous water or "pushes" on calm days - that's usually reds feeding just under the surface. Sight casting to tailing fish is the ultimate experience. Live shrimp or cut bait works, but gold spoons are deadly when they're active.
Salmo TruttaSpotted sea trout are a staple around St. Augustine - beautiful silver fish with distinctive black spots that typically run 14-18 inches, though we get some nice 20+ inch "gator trout" too. They love grass flats in 3-8 feet of water, especially around creek mouths and drop-offs near structure. Fall and spring offer the most consistent action, but they bite year-round if you know where to look. What anglers enjoy about trout is their willingness to hit both live and artificial baits, making them perfect for all skill levels. They're also excellent eating with tender, flaky white meat. The fight isn't overpowering, but they have a soft mouth that requires finesse. My go-to technique is drifting grass flats with live shrimp under a popping cork - the sound attracts them from distance. Just remember to keep steady pressure without horsing them in, or you'll pull the hook right out.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the "convict fish" with their black and white stripes, but don't let their looks fool you - they're fantastic eating and surprisingly strong fighters. Most run 2-5 pounds around our local structure, though we occasionally see 8-10 pounders that'll surprise you. These guys live around any hard structure: bridge pilings, docks, reefs, and jetties where they munch on barnacles and crabs. Winter through early spring is peak season when they school up for spawning. What makes them fun is they're notorious bait thieves with those human-like teeth. The challenge is detecting their subtle bite and setting the hook before they steal your shrimp. The payoff is some of the best table fare in the ocean - sweet, white meat that's hard to beat. Pro tip: use small hooks and fresh shrimp, and watch your rod tip like a hawk. The moment you feel weight, set that hook hard.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are one of our most prized catches around St. Augustine - sleek, golden fish that usually run 18-28 inches and put up a serious fight. You'll find them hugging mangrove shorelines, around dock pilings, and in deeper channels where they ambush baitfish. They love structure and won't venture far from cover. Spring through fall gives you the best action, especially around moving water during tide changes. What makes snook special is their explosive strike and bulldogging runs - they'll test your drag for sure. The meat is outstanding too, white and flaky with a mild taste. Here's the key: get your bait tight to structure. Snook won't chase lures far, so cast within a foot of those mangroves or pilings. Live shrimp and pilchards work great, but don't be afraid to throw topwater plugs early morning.
Megalops AtlanticusThe silver king is what dreams are made of - massive fish that can hit 100+ pounds and jump clean out of the water when hooked. Most of what we see around St. Augustine run 40-80 pounds, which is still plenty to get your heart pumping. These prehistoric fish cruise shallow flats, channels, and around bridges feeding on baitfish and crabs. May through September is prime time when they're most active in our waters. What guests love about tarpon is the pure spectacle - watching a 6-foot fish go airborne is something you'll never forget. They're catch and release only, but the fight is the reward. The key to landing one is keeping steady pressure without overdoing it. When they jump, bow to the fish by dropping your rod tip - it prevents the line from snapping on their gill plates. Live bait works best here.
St. Augustine, FL