Afternoon Inshore Trip - St. Augustine, FL
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Half-day inshore fishing targeting trout, redfish, and tarponAll equipment and fishing licenses included with charterFamily-friendly trip welcomes children ages 4 and older
Captain Chris knows how to make the most of your afternoon on St. Augustine's legendary inshore waters. This quick-hit fishing trip packs serious action into a perfect half-day adventure, targeting some of Florida's most sought-after species in the shallow flats and grass beds where they love to feed. Whether you're a seasoned angler or just getting your feet wet, this intimate 2-person charter gives you the personal attention and local knowledge that makes all the difference between stories and fish in the cooler.
You'll launch from historic St. Augustine and head straight into the productive inshore waters that have made this area a top-rated fishing destination for generations. Captain Chris runs a clean, well-maintained boat equipped with everything you need to target multiple species in a single trip. The afternoon timing is perfect – you'll hit the water when the tide is prime and the fish are actively feeding in the shallows. This isn't a crowded party boat experience; with just 2 guests max, you get personalized instruction, prime fishing spots, and the flexibility to adapt your strategy based on what's biting. The shallow draft allows access to skinny water where bigger fish hunt for baitfish, and Captain Chris knows exactly where to find them based on tide, season, and recent patterns.
All your tackle, rods, and fishing license are included, so you just need to show up ready to fish. Captain Chris provides quality spinning gear perfectly matched to inshore species – medium-action rods that can handle a scrappy redfish but still give you the sensitivity to feel a trout's subtle bite. You'll fish with live bait, soft plastics, and topwater lures depending on conditions and target species. Techniques vary from sight fishing in clear flats to working structure around docks and oyster bars. The captain will teach you how to read the water, spot fish movement, and present your bait naturally. Kids ages 4 and up are welcome, and Captain Chris has a knack for getting young anglers hooked on their first fish. Bring your own snacks and drinks to keep energy up during the action – there's cooler space and plenty of shade when you need a break.
Red Snapper are the crown jewel of many trips, though seasons and regulations change, so Captain Chris stays current on what's legal and when. These hard-fighting fish put up a serious battle and make excellent table fare when they're in season. Black Drum are year-round residents that can surprise you with their size – these bottom-dwellers often exceed 20 pounds and will test your drag system with powerful runs. They're not picky eaters and respond well to cut bait and crabs fished near structure.
Tarpon are the ultimate game fish experience, especially during their peak migration months from April through October. Even juvenile tarpon in the 20-40 pound range will jump repeatedly and make runs that'll have your arms burning. The "silver king" reputation is well-earned – their acrobatic fights create memories that last forever. Captain Chris knows the channels and flats where tarpon stage up, and timing your trip during their peak activity can mean multiple hookups.
Sea Trout are consistent producers and perfect for anglers wanting steady action with excellent eating quality. These spotted beauties relate to grass beds and drop-offs, feeding heavily on shrimp and small baitfish. They hit soft plastics with authority and provide great light-tackle action. Fall and spring offer peak trout fishing, with fish ranging from keeper-sized 15-inchers up to "gator trout" pushing 5+ pounds.
Redfish are the inshore slam favorite – aggressive feeders that crush topwater lures and fight with bulldogging power. St. Augustine's reds are famous for their copper-bronze coloring and the distinctive black spot near their tail. They school up in shallow water, especially during cooler months, creating opportunities for multiple hookups. Slot-sized reds between 18-27 inches are perfect for the dinner table, while oversized "bull reds" over 27 inches provide pure sport before their required release.
This afternoon inshore trip delivers exactly what busy families and visiting anglers need – maximum fishing action in a manageable timeframe with a customer favorite captain who knows these waters inside and out. You'll experience world-class inshore fishing without the commitment of a full day, leaving time for other St. Augustine attractions while still getting your fishing fix. Captain Chris's local expertise, quality equipment, and personal approach create the perfect recipe for both beginners and experienced anglers. The 2-person limit ensures everyone gets hands-on instruction and prime fishing time. Book your spot now and discover why St. Augustine's inshore fishing keeps anglers coming back season after season.
This nimble motorboat is built for serious inshore fishing around St. Augustine's productive waters. The wireless trolling motor lets you slip quietly into shallow flats where redfish and trout love to feed without spooking them with engine noise. You'll have a GPS to mark those honey holes and a fish finder to locate schools of baitfish that attract the bigger predators. Perfect for two anglers who want to work the grass beds, oyster bars, and creek mouths where flounder hide and tarpon roll. The boat's shallow draft gets you into those back-country spots where the fish are less pressured. Whether you're sight-casting to tailing reds or working live bait around structure, this setup gives you the stealth and electronics needed to put fish in the cooler during your half-day adventure in Florida's historic coast waters.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the heavyweights of our inshore waters, running anywhere from 5-30 pounds with some monsters hitting 90 pounds. These grey-black bruisers love brackish water around oyster beds and muddy flats, but also cruise pier pilings and creek mouths. You'll hear them before you see them - they make drumming sounds that can reach up to 500 Hz during spawning. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning, making them much easier to target. They're bottom feeders with powerful jaws built for crushing shellfish, so fresh soft crabs and crushed mussels work best. The smaller ones under 15 pounds eat great, but the big boys get tough and stringy. These fish are tough fighters that'll test your drag system. Pro tip: use crab bait instead of shrimp - it stays on the hook better and catfish won't steal it as much.
Lutjanus CampechanusRed Snapper are solid fighters that run 1-2 feet on average, though they can hit 35+ pounds. These pink-to-red beauties live around structure in deeper water, typically 30-620 feet down. The meat is outstanding - mild and nutty flavor that's perfect on the table. They're bottom dwellers, so you'll find them near reefs, wrecks, and rocky areas in the Gulf and along our Atlantic coast. Best fishing happens when water temps sit between 50-70 degrees. Young ones hang closer to shore in muddy bottoms, but the big adults are out in the deep stuff. When you hook one, expect a real scrap - they'll try to wrap your line around anything they can find. Here's a local tip: use fresh cigar minnows or live pinfish, and keep that bait right on the bottom where they feed. Heavy weights and strong drag are your friends with these fish.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are our signature inshore species, easily spotted by their copper-red color and distinctive black spots near the tail. Most run 20-30 inches, but they can grow past 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 mangrove shorelines in 1-4 feet of water. They're year-round residents but really fire up in fall and spring. The smaller "slot" fish are fantastic eating with firm, slightly sweet meat. What makes them special is they'll eat almost anything - live shrimp, cut bait, topwater plugs, spoons, and soft plastics all work. They're strong fighters that make long runs when hooked. Here's a guide secret: look for nervous water or subtle wakes in shallow areas - that's often redfish pushing bait or just cruising. Cast ahead of the disturbance and work your lure slowly.
Salmo TruttaSea Trout, or Speckled Trout, are one of our most reliable inshore species, typically running 14-24 inches and 1-5 pounds. These spotted beauties love grass flats and shallow water, especially at night when they move up to feed. They're found in estuaries year-round but head to deeper channels in winter when they school up. The meat is excellent - white, flaky, and mild-flavored, though it's delicate so don't overcook it. Spring through fall are your best bets, with early morning and evening producing the most action. They'll hit artificial lures like soft plastics, topwater plugs, and spoons, plus live shrimp works great. These fish are good fighters for their size and great for kids since they bite readily. Local tip: focus on moving water around grass edges and drop-offs. A slow-sinking twitch bait worked just under the surface can be deadly when they're feeding up in the water column.
Megalops AtlanticusTarpon are the ultimate inshore game fish, averaging 4-6 feet and 80-100 pounds, with giants reaching 8 feet and 280 pounds. These silver kings live in shallow coastal waters, estuaries, and around structure, but can handle everything from freshwater creeks to deep ocean reefs. Late spring through summer is peak season, especially around new and full moons. What makes them special is their aerial show - they'll jump 10 feet out of the water and can swim 35 mph. Most folks catch and release since they're bony and not great eating, plus they're slow-growing fish that can live 50+ years. They'll take live shrimp, pinfish, mullet, and crabs. Fly fishing the flats for rolling tarpon is hard to beat. Here's the key: when they jump, bow to the fish by dropping your rod tip - keeps them from throwing the hook during those wild jumps.
St. Augustine, FL