Offshore Fishing Charter in St Augustine
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Four-hour offshore charter targeting redfish and sea troutCaptain Mike guides trips on 22-foot Pathfinder vesselAll fishing gear included for up to four guests
Captain Mike's 4-hour offshore fishing charter puts you right in the heart of St. Augustine's best fishing waters aboard his 22-foot Pathfinder TRS. This isn't your typical crowded party boat experience – with space for just two anglers, you'll get the personalized attention that makes all the difference between coming home empty-handed and landing the fish of a lifetime. All your tackle and gear are included, so you can focus on what really matters: getting lines in the water and working those prime spots where redfish, sea trout, sheepshead, snook, and tarpon are holding.
Captain Mike knows these waters like the back of his hand, and his Pathfinder TRS is the perfect boat for covering both nearshore grass flats and offshore structure. You'll start your morning departing from St. Augustine's historic waterfront, but don't let the tourist boats fool you – once you clear the inlet, you're heading to fishing grounds that most weekend warriors never see. The 22-foot Pathfinder handles the offshore chop beautifully while being shallow enough to work the backcountry flats where big redfish cruise. Captain Mike reads the tides, weather, and seasonal patterns to put you on fish, whether that means working live bait around structure or sight-fishing the flats. This is hands-on fishing at its finest – you'll learn techniques you can use for years to come while targeting some of Florida's most sought-after species.
Captain Mike comes prepared with quality spinning gear and conventional tackle suited for everything from finicky sea trout to bruising tarpon. Depending on conditions and target species, you might find yourself throwing live shrimp under popping corks, working soft plastics along grass edges, or presenting cut bait around bridge pilings and dock structures. The beauty of fishing St. Augustine waters is the variety – one minute you're sight-casting to tailing redfish in three feet of water, the next you're battling a snook that just crushed a topwater plug near the mangroves. All terminal tackle, bait, and gear are provided, but if you've got a lucky rod or favorite lure, bring it along. Captain Mike's familiar with all the local techniques that work here, from the slow-rolling method that drives sheepshead crazy to the precise presentations that turn on big sea trout during their spring spawning runs.
Redfish are the bread and butter of St. Augustine fishing, and these copper-colored fighters never disappoint. You'll find them cruising the grass flats in schools, tailing in skinny water, or holding around oyster bars where they ambush baitfish. Most reds you'll hook run 18 to 27 inches – perfect eating size – though don't be surprised if you tie into a bull red that'll test your drag and your patience. They're year-round residents, but fall and spring offer the most consistent action. Sea trout are another staple, especially the gator trout that patrol deeper grass beds and channel edges. These spotted beauties are pure fun on light tackle, and when you find a good school, the action can be non-stop. Spring brings the biggest specimens as they move shallow to spawn. Sheepshead might look funny with their human-like teeth, but they're among the smartest fish you'll encounter and absolutely delicious on the table. They stack up around structure during winter months, making them perfect targets when weather keeps you closer to shore. Snook are the glamour species here – aggressive strikes, acrobatic jumps, and a reputation for being finicky that makes every hookup feel earned. Summer evenings around the inlet and ICW bridges can produce heart-stopping topwater action. Tarpon are the ultimate trophy, rolling through St. Augustine waters during their spring and fall migrations. Even a 50-pound silver king will give you a fight you'll never forget, and the bigger fish – some pushing 150 pounds – are pure magic when they go airborne.
St. Augustine's fishing scene is world-class year-round, but the best dates fill up fast with Captain Mike. His local knowledge and commitment to putting clients on fish has built a loyal following among serious anglers who know quality when they see it. Whether you're looking to put dinner on the table with some fresh sea trout and redfish or hoping to check tarpon off your bucket list, this 4-hour charter delivers the goods. The Pathfinder TRS gives you access to both shallow water action and offshore opportunities that bigger boats can't reach, while the two-angler limit ensures you won't spend your day untangling lines or waiting your turn. Book now and get ready to experience why St. Augustine has earned its reputation as one of Florida's top fishing destinations.
Captain Mike's 22-foot Pathfinder TRS is built for serious angling in St. Augustine's productive waters. This versatile fishing machine features a wireless trolling motor that lets you slip quietly into shallow redfish haunts without spooking your targets. The onboard fish finder takes the guesswork out of locating schools of sea trout, while GPS navigation ensures you hit all the productive spots from nearshore grass flats to offshore structure. Stay connected with marine traffic using the VHF radio system. The boat's shallow draft design opens up skinny water opportunities where big reds cruise the backcountry, yet handles offshore runs with confidence. Perfect for two anglers who want room to work without crowding, whether you're sight-casting to tailing redfish or working live bait around deeper channels where the trout stack up.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are perfect for anglers wanting consistent action and great eating. These copper-colored beauties typically run 18-27 inches in the slot, with that signature black spot near the tail. They love shallow flats, oyster bars, and mangrove shorelines in 1-4 feet of water - sometimes so shallow their backs stick out. Fall and spring offer the best action when they school up, but they bite year-round. What makes reds special is their steady pull and determination - no flashy jumps, just bulldogging power. They're also excellent table fare with firm, mild white meat. They'll eat cut bait, live shrimp, crabs, and artificials. The beauty is they're not picky eaters. Pro tip: look for nervous water or tailing fish in the shallows during low light periods. When you spot them, approach quietly and cast well ahead of where they're heading - spook the school and the bite shuts down fast.
Salmo TruttaSpotted sea trout, or "specks," are a staple for good reason - they're plentiful, fight well, and make excellent eating. Most run 12-20 inches with those distinctive black spots scattered across silver sides. You'll find them over grass flats in 2-6 feet of water, especially around creek mouths and drop-offs. They're most active during cooler months and bite best on moving tides at dawn or dusk. Guests appreciate their willingness to bite and that satisfying head-shaking fight. The soft, flaky white meat is perfect for the dinner table. They feed on shrimp, small baitfish, and crabs. Topwater plugs at first light can be magic, but soft plastics and live shrimp work consistently. Here's my go-to technique: use a 1/4 oz jig head with a paddle-tail soft plastic and work it slowly along the grass edges. The key is keeping it just above the grass - too high and they won't see it, too low and you'll hang up constantly.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the "convict fish" with those black and white stripes, and they're famous for having human-like teeth that crunch through barnacles and crabs. Most run 1-3 pounds around docks, bridges, and any structure with barnacles. They're year-round residents but really turn on in cooler months when they school up. What guests love is the challenge - these fish are notorious bait thieves with light bites, but once hooked, they put up a scrappy fight. Plus, they're outstanding table fare with sweet, flaky white meat. They feed on crabs, shrimp, and barnacles using those powerful jaws. Here's the key: use small hooks with fresh shrimp or fiddler crabs, and fish right against the pilings. When you feel that subtle tap-tap, don't wait - set the hook hard immediately. Hesitate for even a second and you'll just be reeling in a bare hook.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are one of Florida's most sought-after gamefish, typically running 1-3 feet with that distinctive black lateral line and golden coloring. You'll find them around mangroves, docks, and structure in shallow water where fresh meets salt. They're ambush predators with incredible bursts of speed - that wide tail isn't just for show. Best fishing happens during warmer months when they're active, especially around dawn and dusk. What makes snook special is their hard fight and excellent table fare - firm, white meat that's hard to beat. They're also unique because larger fish are actually females that changed sex as they matured. Here's my tip: get your bait right up against the structure. Snook won't chase far from cover, so that perfect cast into the mangroves often makes the difference between going home empty-handed or with dinner.
Megalops AtlanticusTarpon are the ultimate bucket-list fish - silver giants that can hit 100-200 pounds and jump clear out of the water when hooked. Around St. Augustine, we find them in channels, near bridges, and along the beaches during their spring and summer migration. They're most active from May through September when water temps climb. What hooks anglers is that explosive fight - these fish can leap 10 feet high and make runs that'll test your drag and your patience. Most folks release them since they're bony and high in mercury, but the experience is what matters. They feed on baitfish, crabs, and shrimp, often rolling on the surface when feeding. My advice: when one jumps, bow to the fish by dropping your rod tip. Keeping tension during those aerial shows is how you lose most tarpon - let them have their moment and keep them buttoned up.
St. Augustine, FL