Morning Inshore Trip - St. Augustine, FL
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.
What to Expect on the Water
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.
Techniques & Tackle
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.
Top Catches This Season
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.
Time to Book Your Spot
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