St Augustine Guided Inshore Fishing Trip
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Target snook, redfish, tarpon, and flounder in St. Augustine watersAll fishing equipment and tackle provided by experienced captainSmall group inshore charter accommodates up to 2 guests
St. Augustine's inshore waters offer some of Florida's most productive fishing grounds, and this guided charter puts you right in the sweet spots where redfish and snook love to hunt. You'll fish the flats, mangrove shorelines, and deeper channels that make this historic coastal area a magnet for serious anglers and families alike. With everything from rods to tackle boxes covered, you can focus on what matters most—getting tight on fish and soaking up the Florida sunshine. This intimate 2-person charter gives you plenty of room to cast, fight fish, and learn from a captain who knows these waters like the back of his hand.
Your day starts early when the bite is hot and the water is calm. The captain will pick prime spots based on tides, weather, and what's been biting lately. St. Augustine's maze of creeks, oyster bars, and grass flats creates the perfect hunting grounds for aggressive predators like snook and reds. You'll move between different zones throughout the day—maybe starting shallow for sight fishing redfish on the flats, then working deeper pockets where snook ambush baitfish. The boat stays comfortable with just two anglers, so there's no elbow-bumping or tangled lines. Pack your own snacks and drinks since meals aren't provided, but trust me, you'll be too busy reeling in fish to think much about food. The captain handles everything else, from rigging baits to netting your catches, so you can stay focused on feeling that rod bend.
This charter covers a mix of techniques that keep things interesting all day long. You'll throw live shrimp under popping corks around docks and structure where snook hide in ambush. When the tide's right, expect to work artificial lures like soft plastics and spoons across grass flats where redfish cruise in schools. The captain knows exactly which creek mouths fire up during moving water and where to find those honey holes that consistently hold fish. St. Augustine's inshore waters feature everything from shallow turtle grass beds to deeper channel edges, giving you multiple environments to explore. The boat comes rigged with quality rods, reels, and a tackle selection that matches local conditions perfectly. You might find yourself sight casting to tailing reds in two feet of water one minute, then dropping live bait near mangrove overhangs the next. This variety keeps even experienced anglers on their toes and gives newcomers a real education in reading water and understanding fish behavior.
Redfish are the bread and butter of St. Augustine inshore fishing, and for good reason. These copper-colored fighters average 20-27 inches in the slot limit and put up battles that'll test your drag system. Reds love shallow flats during higher tides, especially early morning and late afternoon when they're actively feeding. You'll spot their bronze backs and distinctive black spots as they cruise in schools or tail in skinny water. What makes catching reds so addictive is their willingness to eat both live and artificial baits, plus that bulldogging fight that gets your heart pumping. Fall and spring offer the most consistent action, though St. Augustine reds bite year-round when you know where to look.
Snook bring a different kind of excitement to every charter. These silver-sided predators with their distinctive black lateral line are pure ambush hunters that love structure. Docks, mangrove overhangs, and creek bends all hold snook waiting to blast whatever swims by. They're notorious for their gill-rattling jumps and line-burning runs toward the nearest obstruction. Snook fishing peaks during warmer months when they're most active, but St. Augustine's relatively mild winters keep them feeding longer than in many other Florida destinations. Landing a slot-sized snook between 28-32 inches gives you serious bragging rights, and their explosive strikes create those fishing memories that last forever.
Tarpon turn every angler into a believer with their acrobatic displays and raw power. St. Augustine sees tarpon from late spring through early fall, with fish ranging from juvenile "poons" around 20-40 pounds up to silver kings pushing triple digits. Even smaller tarpon fight way above their weight class, clearing the water multiple times and testing every knot in your tackle. The sight of a tarpon rolling on the surface gets every angler's pulse racing, and hooking one creates an adrenaline rush that's hard to match. These fish are primarily catch-and-release, but the photos and stories last a lifetime.
Southern Flounder might not jump like tarpon, but they're masters of camouflage and table fare that's tough to beat. These flatfish hide perfectly on sandy bottoms and strike with surprising aggression when live bait passes overhead. Fall months bring the best flounder action as they fatten up before their offshore spawning runs. Finding flounder requires patience and local knowledge of the specific bottom types and depths they prefer. A good flounder bite often means fresh fish for dinner, making them a favorite target for anglers who like to bring home their catch.
Sheepshead round out the mix with their human-like teeth and notorious bait-stealing abilities. These black-and-white striped fish hang around structure like dock pilings, bridges, and oyster bars where they pick off crabs and barnacles. Sheepshead fishing is all about finesse and feel—they're famous for nibbling bait clean off hooks before you realize what happened. Winter months offer the best sheepshead action when they school up for spawning, and their firm white meat makes them highly sought after for the dinner table. Catching sheepshead consistently takes skill and patience, making them a favorite challenge for experienced anglers.
St. Augustine's inshore waters deliver consistent action year-round, but the best dates fill up fast with repeat customers who know what they've found. This charter gives you access to prime fishing spots that take years of local experience to
Your St. Augustine fishing adventure starts aboard a well-equipped motorboat designed for serious inshore action. This nimble vessel cuts through Florida's coastal waters while keeping you comfortable during your hunt for redfish and snook. The wireless trolling motor lets your captain position the boat silently over prime fishing spots without spooking wary fish, while the fish finder reveals what's lurking beneath the surface. GPS navigation ensures you hit all the productive waters around St. Augustine's marshes and flats, and the VHF radio keeps you connected for safety. Built for up to 2 anglers, this boat gives everyone plenty of casting room to work the shallows where these gamefish love to hide. The setup handles everything from sight fishing in skinny water to working structure in deeper channels, making it perfect for targeting the diverse species that call these waters home.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are our bread-and-butter inshore species and perfect for anglers of all skill levels. These copper-colored fish with distinctive black spots love super shallow water - sometimes so shallow their backs stick out. Most slot fish run 18-27 inches, with bigger bulls offshore reaching 40+ pounds. You'll find them year-round in our grass flats, oyster bars, and creek mouths, usually in 1-4 feet of water. Fall and spring offer the best action when they school up. What guests love is their powerful fight and willingness to eat almost anything - live shrimp, cut bait, or artificials all work. They make excellent table fare too. Here's a local tip: look for nervous water or tailing fish on the flats during moving tides. Cast beyond them and work your bait back slowly - they spook easily in skinny water.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the convict fish of our waters with their distinctive black and white stripes, but what really sets them apart are those human-like teeth. These 2-5 pound bait thieves love hanging around any structure - docks, bridges, rock piles - in 5-20 feet of water. Prime time is winter months from December through March when they're spawning and most aggressive. What makes them challenging and fun is their notorious ability to steal bait without getting hooked. The payoff is some of the best eating fish in our waters - sweet, white meat that's hard to beat. They're year-round residents but most active in cooler water. My secret: use small hooks with fresh shrimp and keep constant tension. The moment you feel weight, set the hook hard because they'll spit it out faster than you can blink.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are one of our most sought-after inshore species, and for good reason. These ambush predators love hanging around docks, mangrove shorelines, and creek mouths in 2-6 feet of water. They average 18-24 inches, but we regularly see 30+ inch fish that'll test your drag system. The distinctive black lateral line makes them easy to identify. Best fishing is during warmer months from May through October, especially around dawn and dusk. What guests love is their explosive strike and acrobatic fight - they'll jump and make blistering runs toward structure. The meat is firm and sweet, perfect for the table. Pro tip: cast live shrimp or small pinfish tight to mangrove roots and let it drift naturally. Keep steady pressure when fighting them or they'll cut you off in the mangroves.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern flounder are masters of disguise - these flat fish bury themselves in sandy or muddy bottoms where they ambush prey. You'll typically find them in 2-15 feet of water around grass flats, oyster bars, and creek mouths. Most run 15-18 inches, but we catch some real doormat-sized ones pushing 25+ inches during cooler months from October through March when they're most active. What makes them fun is their sneaky bite - they'll grab your bait and just sit there, so you need to feel for that subtle weight change. The meat is excellent, white and flaky. Here's the trick: use light tackle with a slow drift and keep your bait right on the bottom. Bull minnows or finger mullet work best, and don't set the hook too quick when you feel that first tap.
Megalops AtlanticusTarpon are the ultimate bucket-list fish - nothing compares to watching a 100+ pound silver king launch itself 6 feet out of the water. These prehistoric giants cruise our shallow flats and deeper channels from May through September, with peak action in summer months. Most fish we encounter range 60-120 pounds and 4-6 feet long. They feed on everything from crabs to mullet, often rolling on the surface in schools. What makes them special isn't the eating (we release them all) but the fight - pure athleticism that can last an hour. They frequent our inlet mouths, bridges, and grass flats in 4-15 feet of water. Key tip: when they jump, bow to the fish by dropping your rod tip toward them. This keeps slack in the line and prevents them from throwing the hook during their aerial display.
St. Augustine, FL