St Augustine Guided Redfish and Snook 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 two guests
St. Augustine's inshore waters offer some of Florida's best fishing action, and this intimate 2-person charter puts you right in the middle of it all. You'll fish alongside an experienced captain who knows these waters like the back of his hand, targeting some of the most sought-after species on the East Coast. From shallow grass flats to deeper creek mouths, every spot we hit has been hand-picked for consistent action. This isn't your typical crowded fishing trip – with just two anglers aboard, you get personalized attention and plenty of room to work. The captain provides all your tackle, rods, and lures, so you can focus on what matters: landing fish and having a great time on the water.
Your day starts early when you meet your captain at the dock, ready to chase whatever's biting best that morning. St. Augustine's inshore scene is all about reading the water – some days we're working the grass flats for redfish, other times we're hitting structure for snook and sheepshead. The beauty of this fishery is its variety. You might start the morning sight-casting to reds in skinny water, then switch gears and work live bait around dock pilings for snook. The captain keeps things moving based on tides, weather, and fish activity, so no two trips are exactly alike. Expect to cover different types of water throughout the day, from shallow flats where you can see bottom to deeper cuts where the big fish ambush baitfish. The intimate 2-person setup means you're not competing for the captain's attention or waiting your turn to fish prime spots.
We fish a mix of artificial lures and live bait depending on conditions and target species. For redfish, you'll often be throwing gold spoons, soft plastics, or topwater plugs early in the morning when they're feeding aggressively in the shallows. Snook fishing usually involves working live shrimp or pilchards around structure – think dock pilings, bridge abutments, and creek mouths where these fish love to ambush prey. The captain sets you up with medium-action spinning gear that's perfect for the fight these fish put up without being too heavy for the techniques we use. When targeting flounder, we'll often drift live mud minnows or finger mullet along sandy bottoms and drop-offs. Tarpon require a step up in tackle – heavier rods and stronger drags to handle their powerful runs and jumps. The key to success here is matching your approach to the conditions, and your captain handles all those decisions so you can focus on making good casts and fighting fish.
Redfish are the bread and butter of St. Augustine inshore fishing. These copper-colored bruisers typically run 20-30 inches and put up a serious fight, especially in shallow water where they can use their broad tails to full advantage. Best action happens during moving tides when they're actively feeding on crabs and shrimp in the grass. What makes reds so popular is their willingness to eat both artificials and live bait, plus they're beautiful fish with that distinctive black spot near their tail. Fall and spring offer the most consistent action, but you can catch them year-round in these waters.
Snook are the glamour species that every angler wants to tangle with. These silver-sided fighters are ambush predators that love structure, and St. Augustine has plenty of it. They're notorious for their gill-rattling jumps and powerful runs toward whatever cover they can find. Most snook here run 24-32 inches, and they're incredibly line-shy, which makes landing one feel like a real accomplishment. Summer months bring the best snook action, especially around dawn and dusk when they're most active. They're catch-and-release only, but the fight alone makes them worth targeting.
Tarpon bring the real excitement when they show up during their seasonal migrations. These silver kings can range from 30-pound "babies" to 100-plus-pound giants that will test your tackle and your endurance. When a tarpon eats your bait, everything changes – they'll jump repeatedly, make long runs, and generally turn your fishing trip into a rodeo. Peak tarpon season runs late spring through summer, and hooking even one during your trip creates memories that last a lifetime. Many anglers consider tarpon the ultimate inshore gamefish, and St. Augustine sits right in their migration path.
Southern Flounder might not be the flashiest fish, but they're excellent table fare and fun to catch using finesse techniques. These flatfish hide in sandy areas and ambush small baitfish, requiring a more subtle approach than redfish or snook. Most flounder here run 14-18 inches, and they have a unique way of fighting – they don't run like other species, but they use their flat bodies to create resistance, almost like pulling up a dinner plate. Fall months offer the best flounder action as they move toward inlet mouths preparing for their offshore spawning runs.
Sheepshead are the technical challenge of the bunch. These black-and-white striped fish have human-like teeth designed for crushing crabs and barnacles off structure. They're notorious bait stealers with incredibly light bites, earning them the nickname "convict fish" for their stripes and their thieving ways. Most sheepshead here run 12-16 inches, and they're excellent eating. Winter months offer the best sheepshead fishing when they stack up around structure for their spawning season. Landing sheepshead consistently requires patience and skill, making them a favorite target for experienced anglers looking for a challenge.
This St. Augustine fishing charter delivers exactly what serious anglers are looking for – quality fishing with personalized service in some of Florida's most productive inshore waters. The 2-person limit ensures you get the captain's full attention and plenty of fishing time without crowds. All
You'll fish the productive waters around St. Augustine aboard a well-equipped motorboat designed for serious inshore action. This nimble vessel features a wireless trolling motor that lets your captain position you silently over redfish flats and snook hangouts without spooking the fish. The onboard GPS keeps you on productive spots while the fish finder reveals what's swimming below. With VHF radio for safety communication, this boat handles St. Augustine's shallow backwaters and coastal areas where trophy redfish cruise the grass beds and snook lurk around docks and mangroves. The setup accommodates two anglers comfortably, giving you plenty of room to cast and fight fish without crowding. Your captain knows these local waters inside and out, from the salt marshes to the Matanzas Inlet, putting you on fish whether they're feeding in skinny water or deeper channels. All fishing gear is provided, so you just need to bring snacks and drinks for your day chasing Florida's premier inshore gamefish.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are our bread and butter species - bronze-colored beauties with those signature black spots near their tails. Around St. Augustine, most fish run 18-27 inches in the slot, though we see plenty of oversized bulls pushing 35+ inches. They love our shallow grass flats, oyster bars, and creek mouths in just 1-4 feet of water. Fall and spring offer the best fishing, but they bite year-round. What makes reds special is their powerful runs and that distinctive copper color. They're also fantastic table fare - mild, sweet meat that grills perfectly. The trick is sight-fishing the flats on low tide when you can spot their backs or wakes. Use a gold spoon or soft plastic and make long, quiet casts ahead of cruising fish. Work it slow and steady - when they eat it, hang on tight.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the convict fish of our waters - those black and white stripes make them unmistakable around docks and pilings. Most run 2-5 pounds and 14-18 inches, perfect pan-size fish. You'll find them hugging structure year-round, but winter through spring is prime time when they're thick around our bridges and jetties. They're famous for those human-like teeth and being notorious bait thieves. What guests love is the challenge - they require finesse and quick reflexes. Plus they're outstanding eating with sweet, flaky white meat. The secret is using small hooks with fiddler crabs or shrimp, getting right tight to structure. Feel that subtle tap-tap? Set the hook hard immediately - wait even a second and they'll steal your bait and disappear back into the pilings.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are the ultimate inshore gamefish around St. Augustine - sleek, silver fish with that distinctive black lateral line running down their sides. Most range 18-28 inches, though trophy fish over 35 inches cruise our waters. Look for them around mangroves, docks, and creek mouths where they ambush baitfish. Spring through fall gives you the best action, especially around dawn and dusk. What guests love most is their explosive strike and acrobatic fight - they'll jump, run, and test your drag like few other fish. They're also excellent table fare with firm, white meat. My go-to trick is working a topwater plug tight to structure right at first light. Cast past the cover and work it back slow - when they blow up on it, wait a beat before setting the hook or they'll throw it.
Paralichthys LethostigmaThese flat fish are masters of disguise, burying themselves in sandy or muddy bottoms where they ambush prey. Most run 15-18 inches and around 5 pounds, but we've seen some push 25+ inches. You'll find them in shallow bays, around creek mouths, and near structure during cooler months - they're most active fall through early spring. What makes them special is watching one materialize from what looked like empty bottom, plus they're fantastic eating with sweet, white meat. The key trick here in St. Augustine is fishing the moving water during tide changes with live shrimp or small baitfish on a light jig head. Keep your bait moving slow along the bottom and be ready - their bite can be subtle but the fight is surprisingly strong for a flatfish.
Megalops AtlanticusThese silver giants are pure adrenaline on the end of your line. Most tarpon we see range 50-120 pounds and 4-6 feet long, though some monsters push 200+ pounds. They cruise our shallow flats, channels, and around bridges feeding on baitfish. Summer months bring the best action, especially May through September when they're most active in our waters. What makes tarpon special isn't the eating - they're all catch and release - it's those heart-stopping jumps when hooked. Watching a 100-pound fish launch 8 feet out of the water never gets old. The key to landing one is keeping your rod tip down during those jumps and letting them run when they want to. Use circle hooks with live crabs or mullet, and remember - bow to the king when they jump or you'll lose them every time.
St. Augustine, FL