Near Coastal Fishing - St. Augustine, FL
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Coastal fishing targeting Tarpon, Redfish, and Black Drum speciesAll fishing equipment included with familyfriendly accommodationsSmall group experience with maximum two guests aboard
Captain Chris Fishing Charters offers one of St. Augustine's top-rated near coastal fishing experiences, perfect for anglers looking to target multiple species without venturing too far offshore. This customer favorite puts you right in the sweet spot where the Matanzas River meets the Atlantic, giving you access to world-class fishing grounds that have been producing trophy catches for decades. You'll be fishing the productive waters just outside the inlet, where structure, current, and baitfish create the perfect storm for some serious action. With only 2 guests max, this isn't your typical crowded charter - it's an intimate fishing experience where you get personalized attention and plenty of elbow room to work your lines.
Your day kicks off early from the historic St. Augustine inlet, one of Florida's most beautiful launch points. Captain Chris knows these waters like the back of his hand, and he'll have you on fish faster than most guides can get their lines wet. The near coastal zone here is special - you're targeting everything from shallow water redfish to deeper water kings, sometimes within minutes of each other. The boat stays within sight of the Castillo de San Marcos, so you're never too far from shore, but you're definitely in serious fish territory. Pack your own snacks and drinks because once the bite turns on, you won't want to head back to the dock. All your tackle, bait, and fishing gear comes included, so you can focus on what matters - putting fish in the boat. Kids 4 and up are welcome, making this a perfect family fishing trip that introduces young anglers to the sport.
Captain Chris runs a variety of techniques depending on what's biting and where the fish are holding. You'll likely be working with both live and cut bait - expect to see live shrimp, finger mullet, and sardines in the wells. For the bigger predators like tarpon and king mackerel, you might be pulling larger baits or even working some artificials when the conditions are right. The tackle setup varies by target species - lighter spinning gear for the redfish and black drum in the shallows, and heavier conventional rigs when you're dropping baits for red snapper or targeting kings on the troll. The beauty of near coastal fishing is the versatility - one minute you're sight casting to a school of reds, the next you're fighting a tarpon that just crushed your bait near a channel marker. Captain Chris reads the water conditions, tide, and fish behavior to put you on the most productive spots throughout the day.
Red Snapper are the crown jewel of these waters when they're in season. These bottom dwellers love the hard structure and ledges just outside the inlet, and they put up a serious fight on the way to the surface. Snapper fishing here peaks during summer months, and there's nothing quite like the thump-thump of a quality red snapper hitting your bait. They're smart fish that require finesse, but when you connect, you know you've got something special on the other end.
Black Drum are year-round residents that can surprise you with their size and power. These bruisers hang around oyster bars and structure, and they're notorious for testing your drag system. Spring brings the bigger breeding fish into the shallows, some pushing 40+ pounds. They're not the prettiest fish in the ocean, but they'll give you a workout you won't forget. Kids love them because they're relatively easy to hook and provide steady action.
Tarpon are the reason many anglers make the trip to St. Augustine waters. These silver kings show up in good numbers from late spring through early fall, and hooking one near the inlet is pure magic. They're acrobatic fighters that can clear the water multiple times during a fight, and even a 60-pound tarpon will make you question your tackle choices. The near coastal waters provide perfect tarpon habitat, and Captain Chris knows exactly where they stage during different tidal conditions.
King Mackerel patrol the edges of the near coastal zone, especially during their fall migration. These speed demons are built for one thing - eating everything in their path at maximum velocity. When the kings are running, you'll be working live baits or pulling lures at specific depths where the baitfish are thick. A good king mackerel run can turn into non-stop action, with multiple hookups and screaming reels becoming the norm.
Redfish are the backbone of St. Augustine's inshore scene, and they venture into the near coastal waters regularly. These copper-colored fighters are perfectly designed for the grass flats and oyster bars that extend offshore. Fall and winter bring some of the best redfish action, when schools of slot-sized fish cruise the shallows looking for easy meals. They're sight fishing targets when conditions allow, and there's something special about watching a red inhale your bait in clear water.
Captain Chris Fishing Charters delivers the kind of personalized near coastal fishing experience that keeps anglers coming back season after season. With a 2-person maximum, you're getting quality time on productive waters without fighting crowds for rod space. The combination of multiple target species, experienced local knowledge, and prime St. Augustine fishing grounds creates the perfect recipe for a memorable day on the water. Whether you're introducing kids to saltwater fishing or you're a seasoned angler looking to add some new species to your list, this charter puts you in the right place at the right time. Book your spot now and see why this near coastal fishing trip is quickly becoming the most requested charter in St. Augustine.
This well-equipped motorboat puts you right in the action for some serious coastal fishing around St. Augustine's productive waters. The wireless trolling motor keeps things quiet when you're sneaking up on those trophy Tarpon and Redfish that cruise these flats. With GPS navigation and a quality fish finder onboard, you'll spend more time with lines in the water instead of searching for the bite. The boat comfortably handles two anglers, giving everyone plenty of room to work their rods without getting tangled up. All your tackle and gear comes included, so just bring your cooler with snacks and drinks for the day. Perfect setup for chasing Black Drum, Redfish, and whatever else is running in St. Augustine's coastal zones. Kids 4 and up are welcome - great way to get the little ones hooked on saltwater fishing.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the heavyweights of the drum family, commonly running 5-30 pounds but capable of hitting 90+ pounds around St. Augustine. These bottom feeders love shallow muddy flats, oyster beds, and creek mouths where they crunch up crabs and shellfish with powerful jaws. Spring during spawning season is prime time - they school up and make those distinctive drumming sounds you can actually hear. People love targeting them because they're strong fighters and smaller ones under 15 pounds make great table fare. Pro tip: use fresh blue crab for bait and fish it right on the bottom. The bigger fish will ignore most other baits, but they can't resist a good crab.
Scomberomorus CavallaKing Mackerel are speed demons that cruise our nearshore waters from spring through fall, averaging 10-30 pounds with occasional giants over 50. These silver bullets patrol depths of 40-150 feet, hunting along drop-offs, wrecks, and temperature breaks. Summer and early fall are prime when baitfish are thick. Anglers chase them for their blistering runs and excellent eating - firm, flaky meat that's perfect grilled or blackened. They'll hit trolled spoons, live bait, or fast-jigged lures. The trick is using a wire leader and rigging live bait with two hooks - one through the nose, one trailing behind. Kings love to hit the tail section first, so that stinger hook back there saves a lot of missed fish.
Lutjanus CampechanusRed Snapper are prized bottom dwellers that turn bright red as they mature, typically running 1-2 feet and 5-10 pounds around St. Augustine. These fighters live near structure in 30-200 feet of water, loving rocky bottoms and wrecks. Spring through fall gives you the best shots when they're most active. What makes them special? They'll give you a solid fight, trying to run straight back to cover, plus they're absolutely delicious - mild, nutty flavor that's hard to beat. The key here is getting your bait down fast with plenty of weight. Use fresh squid or cigar minnows, and once you hook up, keep steady pressure to pull them away from structure before they cut you off on the rocks.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the bread and butter of our inshore fishing, running 18-32 inches and sporting that distinctive black spot near the tail. These copper-colored beauties cruise grass flats, oyster bars, and creek mouths in 1-4 feet of water - sometimes so shallow their backs stick out. Fall and spring offer the best action when they school up heavily. Anglers love them for their bulldogging fights and excellent table fare with sweet, firm meat. They'll eat just about anything but live shrimp and soft plastics work best. The key is sight fishing - look for nervous baitfish, muddy water, or tailing fish. Cast ahead of moving fish and work your bait slowly along the bottom.
Megalops AtlanticusTarpon are the silver kings of our waters, averaging 4-6 feet and 80-100 pounds, though giants over 200 pounds show up regularly. These prehistoric fish cruise shallow flats, bridges, and inlet mouths in 5-30 feet of water. Late spring through summer is peak season when they migrate through our area. What draws anglers? Pure athleticism - they'll jump 8 feet out of the water and make blistering runs that test your drag. Most folks release them since they're bony and not great eating. Success comes from live bait like pinfish or crabs drifted near schools. Here's the secret: when they jump, bow to the fish by dropping your rod tip toward them. It keeps tension off and prevents thrown hooks.
St. Augustine, FL