Whole Day Inshore Trip - St. Augustine, FL
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Full day inshore fishing targeting redfish, kingfish, and flounderCaptain Chris provides all gear and guides to local hotspotsFamily-friendly charter welcoming children ages 4 and older
Captain Chris knows these St. Augustine inshore waters like the back of his hand, and he's ready to put you on fish that'll make your day. This full-day charter is built for anglers who want to experience the real deal – productive fishing in some of Florida's most consistent waters. You'll be targeting prime species like Redfish, King Mackerel, Southern Flounder, Red Snapper, and even Tarpon when conditions are right. With just two guests max, you're getting personalized attention and the flexibility to fish the way you want. Pack your lunch and drinks, and get ready for a day of serious angling action.
Captain Chris runs a tight ship and knows exactly where to find fish based on tides, weather, and seasonal patterns. You'll launch from St. Augustine's historic waters and head to his proven hotspots – grass flats for Redfish, structure for Black Drum, and deeper channels where King Mackerel patrol. The beauty of inshore fishing here is the variety. One minute you're sight-casting to tailing Reds in shallow water, the next you're dropping baits near oyster bars for chunky Flounder. Chris provides all the tackle, from light spinning gear for finesse work to heavier setups when you need to muscle fish away from structure. The intimate two-person capacity means you're not fighting for rod time or prime fishing spots on the boat. Kids four and up are welcome, making this a perfect family fishing adventure where everyone gets hands-on coaching.
Captain Chris comes prepared with a full arsenal of inshore techniques that match St. Augustine's diverse fishing opportunities. You'll likely start with live bait – shrimp, finger mullet, or mud minnows depending on what's running. For Redfish, expect to work shallow flats with popping corks or free-line baits near oyster beds and dock pilings. When targeting King Mackerel, Chris will set up with wire leaders and larger baits, often slow-trolling or drift fishing near drop-offs where baitfish congregate. Flounder fishing means working soft plastics or live baits along sandy bottoms and channel edges. The captain switches tactics based on what's biting, so you might find yourself casting topwater plugs at dawn, bouncing jigs at midday, or working cut bait as the tide changes. All rods, reels, tackle, and bait are included, but feel free to bring your own gear if you have favorites. Chris knows how to adapt to different skill levels, so whether you're a seasoned angler or just learning to cast, you'll be fishing effectively.
Redfish are the bread and butter of St. Augustine inshore fishing, and these copper-colored fighters are active year-round in these waters. They cruise shallow flats, hunt around oyster bars, and school up in deeper channels. Most fish run 18-27 inches, with slot-size keepers providing excellent table fare and oversized bulls offering pure adrenaline on light tackle. Spring through fall offers the most consistent action, but winter fishing can be outstanding when you find them stacked in deeper holes. What makes Reds so popular is their willingness to eat various baits and their bulldogging fight that'll test your drag system.
King Mackerel bring the speed and aggression that gets anglers' hearts pumping. These silver bullets patrol St. Augustine's nearshore waters, especially around structure and baitfish schools. Kings typically run 15-30 pounds in these waters, with occasional monsters pushing 40-plus. They hit fast and run hard, making screaming runs that'll have you questioning your knots. Best action happens during warmer months when baitfish are thick, but don't count them out during cooler periods. Their razor-sharp teeth and blistering speed make every hookup an event, and they're fantastic on the dinner plate when prepared fresh.
Southern Flounder are the masters of disguise, lying buried in sandy bottoms waiting to ambush unsuspecting prey. St. Augustine's grass flats, channel edges, and inlet areas hold good populations of these flatfish. They're not flashy fighters, but they're challenging to locate and incredibly rewarding to catch. Most run 14-20 inches, with doormat-sized fish over 24 inches being real trophies. Fall months typically produce the best Flounder action as they stage for their offshore spawning migration. Their pure white meat is considered some of the finest eating fish in these waters.
Red Snapper opportunities depend on regulations and seasons, but when they're available, these crimson gems are absolute prizes. They typically hold around structure in 60-100 feet of water, though juveniles sometimes show up in shallower areas. Snappers are notorious bait thieves with incredible eyesight, making them challenging targets that require finesse and patience. Their distinctive red coloration and excellent table quality make them highly sought after by local anglers.
Tarpon represent the ultimate inshore gamefish experience when they're around St. Augustine waters. These silver kings can range from juvenile fish under 50 pounds to massive adults exceeding 100 pounds. They're incredibly acrobatic fighters, launching themselves completely out of the water multiple times during battles. Tarpon fishing requires heavy tackle and strong nerves – these fish will test every aspect of your angling skills. Most anglers practice catch-and-release with Tarpon due to their poor eating quality and importance to the ecosystem, but the memories last forever.
Captain Chris has built his reputation on consistently putting clients on fish while providing the kind of personalized service you can't get on crowded party boats. This whole-day inshore charter gives you maximum time on the water to experience St. Augustine's diverse fishing opportunities. With all gear provided and room for just two anglers, you're getting premium fishing access at a value that's tough to beat.
Ready to hit the productive inshore waters around historic St. Augustine? Our well-equipped motorboat gets you to where the fish are biting without spooking them thanks to the wireless trolling motor that lets us slip into those shallow redfish haunts silently. The GPS keeps us on the productive spots while the fish finder shows exactly what's swimming below - whether it's a school of drum hugging the bottom or reds cruising the grass flats. Perfect for two anglers who want to focus on catching instead of crowds. Captain Chris knows these waters like the back of his hand and will put you on everything from slot redfish in the backcountry to kingfish along the nearshore structure. The boat handles the St. Augustine inlet and ICW with ease, getting you to both the sheltered marshes and open sound depending on conditions and what's feeding. All tackle provided so just bring your cooler and get ready to fill it.
Scomberomorus CavallaKing Mackerel are speed demons that'll rip line off your reel in a heartbeat. These fish average around 30 pounds but can push 90+ pounds, with females growing larger than males. You'll find them in 40-150 feet offshore, but the big ones often come into harbors and inlets when baitfish are thick. Spring through fall are your best shots when water temps hit 68-84 degrees. What makes kings exciting is their blistering runs - they're matched in speed only by wahoo. The strike is explosive and the fight is all about power and endurance. Plus they're excellent eating with firm, rich meat that's perfect grilled or blackened. Trolling live bait or spoons works great, but here's my secret: use a two-hook rig with one hook in the bait's nose and a trailing treble hook. Kings love to hit the back half of baitfish, and that second hook will nail them every time.
Lutjanus CampechanusRed Snapper are bottom dwellers that'll give you a real fight once hooked. These fish typically run 1-2 feet and weigh under 10 pounds around St. Augustine, though they can grow much larger. You'll find them in 30-620 feet of water near structure and rocky bottoms where they like to hide. They have that distinctive pink-red color that gets brighter as they mature. Spring through fall are your best months when water temps hit that 50-70 degree sweet spot. What makes snapper trips exciting is their scrappy nature - they'll run straight for cover and try to cut your line on any structure they can find. The meat is outstanding too, with that mild, nutty flavor that's perfect grilled with just salt and lemon. Pro tip: when you hook one, keep steady pressure and work them away from structure fast, or they'll wrap you up every time.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the bread and butter of our inshore trips, and for good reason. These copper-colored beauties typically run 20-35 inches and 5-15 pounds, with that distinctive black spot near their tail. You'll find them in 1-4 feet of water around oyster bars, grass flats, and dock pilings - sometimes so shallow their backs stick out. They're year-round residents, but fall and spring offer the best action when they school up. What guests love is their aggressive strikes and bulldogging fights in shallow water. They'll eat just about anything, making them perfect for beginners and kids. The meat is excellent too - mild and sweet, great on the grill. Topwater plugs at dawn create explosive strikes, but live shrimp never fails. Pro tip: when fishing the shallows, approach quietly and keep your shadow off the water. These fish are spooky in skinny water and will bolt if they sense you coming.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern Flounder are the masters of disguise on our flats. These flatfish typically run 15-18 inches and weigh around 5 pounds, though we've seen them push 20+ pounds. You'll spot them buried in sand and mud bottoms in shallow bays, estuaries, and around oyster bars where they ambush prey. What's cool is watching both eyes on the left side of their head track your bait while they stay perfectly camouflaged. Fall and winter are prime time when they move through our area heading offshore. Guests love the challenge of sight-fishing these clever fish - they'll change color to match the bottom perfectly. The fight isn't flashy, but the meat is fantastic - sweet and flaky. Best technique is drifting live shrimp or bull minnows on light jigs near the bottom. Here's the trick: when you feel that subtle tap, count to three before setting the hook. Flounder like to grab bait sideways first, then turn to swallow it.
Megalops AtlanticusTarpon are the ultimate bucket list fish that'll test your skills and endurance. These silver kings typically run 4-6 feet and 80-100 pounds around St. Augustine, but giants over 200 pounds show up regularly. You'll find them rolling in channels, around bridges, and over grass flats in 6-30 feet of water. Late spring through summer is prime time when they migrate through our waters. What makes tarpon special is their explosive jumps - they'll launch 10 feet out of the water trying to throw your hook. The fight can last hours, and their acrobatics are something you'll never forget. We don't keep them since the meat isn't great, but catching one is pure achievement. Live bait like crabs, pinfish, or shrimp works best. My go-to tip: when they jump, bow to the fish by dropping your rod tip toward them. It keeps slack in the line so they can't leverage against it and throw the hook.
St. Augustine, FL