Morning Inshore Trip - St. Augustine, FL
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
4hour morning inshore fishing trip in St. Augustine watersAll fishing gear provided, guests bring snacks and drinksChildren ages 4+ welcome, accommodates up to 2 guests
Nothing beats the early morning bite along St. Augustine's legendary inshore waters. Captain Chris knows these flats, grass beds, and structure like the back of his hand, and he's ready to put you on some serious fish. This 4-hour morning charter gets you out there when the water's calm and the fish are feeding hard. We're talking about some of Florida's most sought-after species - redfish, sea trout, tarpon, red snapper, and southern flounder - all within casting distance of this historic coastline. Bring the kids too (4 and up welcome), pack some snacks and cold drinks, and get ready for some real Northeast Florida fishing action.
You'll meet Captain Chris bright and early, ready to chase the dawn bite that makes inshore fishing so addictive. St. Augustine's backwater system offers everything from shallow grass flats where redfish cruise in less than three feet of water to deeper channel edges where big sea trout hang out waiting to ambush baitfish. The Matanzas River, Guana River, and countless creeks create a maze of productive water that changes with every tide. Morning trips mean cooler temperatures, less boat traffic, and fish that haven't been pressured all day. Captain Chris reads these waters like a book - he knows which spots fire up on incoming tides, where the bait schools up, and exactly where to position the boat for the best shots. The intimate 2-person capacity means personalized attention whether you're a seasoned angler or picking up a rod for the first time.
All your fishing gear comes included, but the real magic happens in how Captain Chris approaches these inshore grounds. We're talking light tackle fishing at its finest - spinning reels spooled with 15-20 pound braid, medium-light rods that let you feel every head shake and run. Live shrimp under popping corks work magic on the grass flats, while soft plastic paddle tails and jerkbaits cover water fast when fish are scattered. Topwater action can be explosive during those first light hours when sea trout and redfish push baitfish against the shoreline. The boat stays positioned just right - close enough for accurate casts but far enough to avoid spooking fish in skinny water. Captain Chris will have you casting to visible fish, working structure, and reading the water like a pro. The tackle box stays stocked with everything from circle hooks for live bait to weighted hooks for bottom fishing, plus a selection of artificial lures that produce year-round in these waters.
Red snapper around St. Augustine are absolute fighters that'll test your drag and your patience. These chunky, pink-sided beauties love hard bottom and structure, often hanging around bridge pilings and rock piles in 15-30 feet of water. They hit live shrimp and small baitfish hard, then immediately dive for cover. The bite is often best during moving water, and once you hook one, expect a bulldogging fight straight down. Red snapper in these waters typically run 12-20 inches, with the occasional keeper-sized fish that'll make your day. They're notorious bait stealers, so Captain Chris keeps plenty of fresh shrimp on ice.
Southern flounder are the masters of camouflage in St. Augustine's sandy bottoms and creek mouths. These flatfish ambush prey from their sandy hideouts, striking with lightning speed when live bait or properly worked artificials pass overhead. Fall months bring the best flounder action as they stage for their offshore spawn, but summer mornings can produce excellent fishing around creek mouths and channel edges. A properly hooked flounder will make several strong runs before that classic head-shaking fight at boatside. Most fish run 14-18 inches, with doormat flounder over 20 inches always a possibility in these productive waters.
Tarpon fishing near St. Augustine means shots at the silver king in skinny water where every jump and run gets your heart racing. These prehistoric fighters roll through the area during warmer months, often following bait schools into surprisingly shallow water. Even juvenile tarpon in the 20-50 pound range will test your tackle and skills with acrobatic jumps and powerful runs. The key is keeping steady pressure while giving them room to jump - a tight line during a leap usually means a thrown hook. Captain Chris positions the boat for optimal hookset angles and coaches you through the fight of a lifetime.
Sea trout, or spotted seatrout, are the bread and butter of St. Augustine inshore fishing. These aggressive feeders cruise grass flats and channel edges, readily taking both live bait and artificials. Morning hours often bring topwater explosions as trout feed on glass minnows and shrimp in the shallows. The fight is classic - strong initial runs followed by head-shaking attempts to throw the hook. Sea trout in these waters range from schoolie fish around 12-15 inches up to hefty gator trout pushing 20-plus inches that provide arm-burning battles on light tackle.
Redfish are the crown jewel of Northeast Florida inshore fishing, and St. Augustine's waters hold some true bulls. These copper-colored bruisers cruise shallow flats, often with their backs out of water as they root around oyster bars and grass beds. A hooked redfish makes powerful runs toward structure, using its broad tail and bulldog strength to test every knot and connection. Slot-sized fish between 18-27 inches provide excellent table fare, while oversized bulls over 27 inches offer pure adrenaline before their required release. Redfish feed aggressively during moving tides, making morning trips prime time for connecting with these iconic gamefish.
Captain Chris's morning inshore trips deliver exactly what Northeast Florida fishing is all about - quality fish, personalized service, and memories that'll have you planning your next trip before you even hit the
Our motorboat is perfectly rigged for St. Augustine's inshore waters where redfish and trout love to hide. The wireless trolling motor keeps things quiet when we're sneaking up on shallow flats, while the GPS helps us navigate the maze of creeks and oyster bars that make this area so productive. The fish finder is your best friend out here - it'll show you exactly what's swimming below in those grass beds and drop-offs. Built for two anglers, this boat gets you into those skinny water spots where the big fish feed without spooking them. Morning trips are prime time in these waters, and this setup gives you every advantage to make the most of St. Augustine's legendary inshore fishing. All your tackle is provided - just bring your appetite for catching fish and maybe some snacks for the ride.
Lutjanus CampechanusRed Snapper are some of the most sought-after fish in our waters, and for good reason. These beauties turn from pink to deep red as they mature, typically running 1-2 feet and 5-10 pounds, though we've seen some real giants hit 35+ pounds. They're bottom dwellers that love structure - reefs, wrecks, and rocky areas in 30-200 feet of water. The cooler months from October through March give us the best action when they move into shallower areas. What makes them special? They fight hard, they're absolutely delicious with that sweet, nutty flavor, and landing one always feels like a real achievement. My tip: use fresh cigar minnows or live pinfish, drop it right to the bottom, and when you feel that thump, set the hook quick - they'll try to run straight back to cover and cut your line.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the heart of our inshore fishing here in St. Augustine. These copper-colored bruisers typically run 18-28 inches and 3-8 pounds, with those signature black spots near the tail. They're built for shallow water living - oyster bars, grass flats, and creek edges in 1-4 feet of water where you can sometimes see their backs. Year-round fishing is solid, but fall brings the best action when they school up. What makes them special is that powerful fight and their willingness to eat just about anything. Plus, they're fantastic on the table with firm, sweet meat. Guests love the visual aspect - actually seeing these fish cruise the shallows. My local secret: early morning low tides around oyster bars with live shrimp on a 1/4 oz jig head. Cast past where you see them feeding and work it back slowly - redfish are opportunistic but spook easily in skinny water.
Salmo TruttaSea Trout, or Speckled Trout as we call them locally, are a staple of our inshore fishing. These spotted beauties typically run 14-18 inches and 1-3 pounds, with some reaching 5+ pounds. They have that distinctive speckled pattern and love hanging around grass flats, oyster bars, and creek mouths in 2-8 feet of water. Spring through fall gives us consistent action, but they really turn on during moving tides. What guests love is their willingness to hit topwater lures and their excellent table fare - sweet, flaky white meat that's hard to beat. They can be finicky though, so variety helps. My go-to local trick: work live shrimp under a popping cork around grass beds during the last two hours of incoming tide. Keep the cork pops subtle - just enough to get their attention. When the bite is tough, switch to a soft plastic on a 1/4 oz jig head and work it slow.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern Flounder are masters of camouflage and one of our most unique catches. These flatfish typically run 15-18 inches, though we see some pushing 3 feet. What makes them fascinating is those eyes on one side of their head - usually the left - and their ability to change color to match the bottom. You'll find them buried in sand, mud, or shell bottoms in shallow bays, creeks, and around oyster bars. Fall and early winter are prime time when they're moving toward deeper water. Guests love the challenge of spotting them and the surprise of that sudden strike. Plus, they're excellent eating with sweet, flaky white meat. Here's my local trick: drift slowly over sandy flats with a live mud minnow or shrimp on a light jig head, keeping it just off the bottom - when you feel weight, don't jerk, just lift steady and firm.
Megalops AtlanticusTarpon are the ultimate inshore game fish and a true bucket list catch. These silver giants typically run 4-6 feet and 80-100 pounds around here, though they can hit 200+ pounds. What sets them apart? Pure athleticism - they'll jump 6-10 feet out of the water and peel line like nothing else. We find them in shallow flats, around bridges, and near inlet mouths in 3-15 feet of water. Late spring through early fall brings the best action when water temps hit the 75-80 degree sweet spot. Guests go crazy for the aerial show and that powerful fight that can last an hour. They're catch and release only due to their bony meat. My St. Augustine tip: look for rolling fish early morning or late evening around the inlet, use live crabs or large pinfish, and when they jump, bow to the fish - drop your rod tip to give slack or they'll throw the hook on you every time.
St. Augustine, FL