Afternoon Inshore Trip - St. Augustine, FL
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Halfday inshore fishing targeting trout, redfish, and tarponAll equipment and licenses provided for up to two guestsFamilyfriendly trip welcomes children ages four and older
Captain Chris knows how to make the most of your precious time on the water. This afternoon inshore fishing trip puts you right in the sweet spots around St. Augustine's productive backwaters and nearshore flats. Perfect for families looking to squeeze in some quality fishing without eating up the whole day, you'll be targeting some of Florida's most prized inshore species in waters that have been producing consistent catches for decades. With just two anglers max, this isn't some crowded party boat situation - you get personalized attention and prime fishing real estate.
This trip runs during the golden afternoon hours when the bite often picks up and the crowds thin out. Captain Chris will have you rigged and ready before you even wet a line, handling all the tackle selection and bait prep while you soak in those famous St. Augustine views. The Matanzas River system and surrounding grass flats become your playground, with crystal-clear water that lets you sight-fish when conditions are right. You'll work everything from shallow oyster bars to deeper creek mouths, adjusting tactics as the fish dictate. The relaxed pace means kids as young as four can handle the action without getting overwhelmed, and you'll have time to actually enjoy the experience instead of rushing from spot to spot.
Captain Chris runs a variety of techniques depending on what the fish are telling him that day. Live shrimp under popping corks work magic around structure, while soft plastics on jig heads let you cover water when fish are scattered. The grass flats north of the city hold plenty of trout, especially when worked with topwater plugs during low-light periods. Redfish love the oyster bars and mangrove shorelines, where you'll pitch baits tight to cover and wait for that distinctive thump. The Intracoastal Waterway provides deeper holes perfect for black drum, while the inlet mouth offers shots at tarpon when they're rolling. All gear comes included - rods, reels, tackle, bait, and your fishing license - so you just need to bring drinks, snacks, and your camera for those grip-and-grin shots.
Red Snapper around St. Augustine are primarily juveniles in the inshore waters, but they're scrappy fighters that hit hard and taste even better. These brass-colored beauties love structure and will slam a well-presented shrimp or small pinfish. You'll find them around bridge pilings and rocky bottom in 15-25 feet of water. They're aggressive feeders year-round in our temperate climate, making them reliable targets when other species get finicky. Their pink and gold coloration makes for great photos, and their firm white meat is perfect for the dinner table.
Black Drum are the bulldogs of the flats, using their crushing jaws to pulverize crabs and oysters along the bottom. These copper-colored bruisers can push 30-40 pounds in our waters, and when one grabs your bait, you'll know it immediately. They're most active during moving tides around oyster beds and creek mouths. Spring and fall see the biggest concentrations, but they're catchable year-round. The fight is all about power - they don't jump like tarpon, but they'll test your drag and your patience with their stubborn, head-shaking runs.
Tarpon are the silver kings that make St. Augustine famous among serious anglers. Even the smaller fish you'll encounter inshore - ranging from 20 to 80 pounds - provide heart-stopping action with their aerial displays and powerful runs. They roll through our waters following bait schools, especially during summer months when the water warms up. Live shrimp, crabs, and small baitfish get their attention, but be ready for the fight of your life. These prehistoric gamefish have been around for millions of years, and their fighting ability shows why they've survived so long.
Sea Trout are the bread and butter of inshore fishing here, with their spotted flanks and willingness to hit both live and artificial baits. They school up over grass beds and around creek mouths, making that distinctive drumming sound when they feed aggressively. Winter months can produce some true gator trout pushing 5-6 pounds, while summer brings numbers of smaller fish perfect for kids to catch. They're excellent table fare when kept in the slot, and their relatively easy fight makes them perfect confidence-builders for newer anglers.
Redfish are the crown jewel of our flats fishing, with their copper-bronze sides and distinctive black spot near the tail. These drum family members are incredibly strong for their size, making long runs across shallow flats when hooked. They're sight-fishing targets in clear water, often tailing in inches-deep water while rooting for crabs. The slot-size fish between 18-27 inches provide the best combination of fight and table fare, while the oversized bulls are pure adrenaline on light tackle. They're year-round residents that know every oyster bar and grass bed intimately.
This afternoon inshore trip delivers everything you want from a St. Augustine fishing experience without the early morning wake-up call or full-day commitment. Captain Chris has been putting anglers on fish in these waters for years, and his local knowledge shows in every spot selection and tackle choice. With all gear provided and a maximum of two anglers, you get the personalized attention that makes the difference between a good day and a great day on the water. Whether you're introducing kids to fishing or just want to unwind with some quality angling action, this trip hits all the right notes. Book now and get ready to see why St. Augustine's inshore fishing keeps anglers coming back season after season.
Your fishing adventure starts aboard a well-equipped motorboat designed for St. Augustine's inshore waters. This nimble vessel features a wireless trolling motor that lets us glide silently through shallow flats where redfish and trout love to feed. The onboard GPS keeps us on course to the hottest fishing spots, while our fish finder reveals what's swimming below. Perfect for two anglers, this boat gets you into those tight spaces where the big ones hide along grass beds and oyster bars. The shallow draft design means we can chase tarpon in the backcountry or work the mangroves for flounder without worrying about running aground. Everything's set up for a productive afternoon on the water - just bring your appetite for some serious fishing action in these historic coastal waters.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the heavyweights of the drum family - most run 5-30 pounds, but they can push 90 pounds. You'll recognize them by their dark color and those crushing jaws built for oysters and crabs. They love brackish water and estuaries, hanging around oyster beds, muddy flats, and creek mouths in anywhere from super shallow water to 100 feet deep. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning - that's when they're easiest to target. After spawning they scatter and get tougher to find. These fish are pure muscle and will give you a serious workout. The smaller ones under 15 pounds are great eating with flaky white meat, but the big ones get tough. They're famous for making those drumming sounds you can actually hear. My local trick: use fresh crab on the bottom - it stays put better than other baits and the drums can't resist it.
Lutjanus CampechanusRed Snapper are bottom dwellers that turn from pink to bright red as they mature, with that distinctive white belly. Most of what we catch runs 1-2 feet and under 10 pounds, but they can hit 35+ pounds. You'll find them around structure in deeper water - think 30-620 feet - though juveniles hang out in shallower, muddy areas. They prefer that 50-70 degree water temperature range. These fish are absolute warriors when hooked - they'll make hard runs straight for cover trying to cut your line on structure. Spring through fall gives you the best action. People love targeting them because they fight hard and taste amazing - mild, nutty flavor that's perfect on the grill. My tip: use heavy weights and multiple hooks with fresh squid or cigar minnows, and be ready to muscle them up fast before they reach cover.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the ultimate inshore target with their copper-red backs and those distinctive black spots near the tail. They range from small "rat reds" around 20 inches up to bull reds over 40 inches and 50+ pounds. These fish love super shallow water - sometimes so shallow their backs stick out. Look for them around oyster bars, grass flats, and marsh edges in 1-4 feet of water. Fall is prime time when they school up, but you can catch them year-round in our waters. What makes them special is they'll eat almost anything and fight like crazy, making long runs and using their broad sides to pull hard. They're also excellent table fare with mild, slightly sweet meat. The eyespots fool predators into attacking the wrong end so they can escape. My local secret: look for nervous water or tailing fish on calm days, and cast past them, then work your bait back slowly.
Salmo TruttaSea Trout, or Speckled Trout as we call them locally, are gorgeous fish with silver sides covered in black spots. They typically run 14-24 inches and 1-5 pounds, with that classic torpedo shape. You'll find them over grass flats and in shallow bays, especially at night when they move up to feed. They like slightly cooler water and will school up in deeper channels during winter. Spring and fall are your best bets when they're most active in the shallows. These fish are popular because they're aggressive feeders, great fighters for their size, and absolutely delicious - white, flaky meat that's tender and mild. They hit topwater plugs, jigs, and live shrimp with enthusiasm. Be careful not to overcook them since the meat is soft and can get mushy. My go-to technique: work the grass flats at dawn or dusk with a popping cork and live shrimp - the sound draws them in from a distance.
Megalops AtlanticusTarpon are the silver kings of inshore fishing - these prehistoric giants average 4-6 feet and 80-100 pounds, but can reach 8 feet and 280 pounds. They're built like torpedoes with massive scales and that signature upturned mouth. You'll find them in shallow coastal waters, estuaries, and around structure, from the flats to deeper channels. They can gulp air at the surface, so don't worry if you see them rolling. Late spring through summer is peak season, especially around the full moon when they spawn. What makes them special is those acrobatic jumps - they'll launch 10 feet out of the water trying to throw the hook. Most folks catch and release since they're bony and not great eating. A medium spinning setup with 5000-7000 reel works fine. My tip: when they jump, bow to the fish by lowering your rod tip - it keeps tension off and prevents them from throwing the hook.
St. Augustine, FL