Half Day Fishing Trip in St. Augustine
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fourhour inshore charter targeting redfish, trout, and flounderCaptain Ty Sikes provides all equipment and fishing licensesSmall group experience accommodates up to three guests
When you're ready to experience some of the finest inshore fishing the Atlantic Coast has to offer, Captain Ty Sikes knows exactly where to put you on the fish. This 4-hour charter out of historic St. Augustine gives you the perfect taste of Florida's legendary inshore waters without eating up your entire day. Whether you're a complete beginner who's never held a rod or a seasoned angler looking to dial in your technique, Ty's got the local knowledge and patience to make sure you're putting fish in the boat. The best part? Everything's included – rods, reels, bait, tackle, even your fishing license. Just bring your drinks, snacks, and maybe a buddy or two since we keep it intimate with just 3 anglers max.
St. Augustine's inshore waters are where the magic happens, and Captain Ty has been working these flats, creeks, and grass beds for years. You'll launch from one of the area's premier marinas and head out into the Matanzas River system or venture toward the inlet depending on conditions and what's biting. The beauty of inshore fishing here is the variety – one cast you might be working a grass flat for speckled trout, the next you're sight-casting to a tailing redfish in knee-deep water. Ty runs a well-maintained boat that's perfect for navigating the skinny water where these fish love to hang out. The trip moves at a comfortable pace, giving everyone plenty of opportunities to get their lines wet while soaking up some of that legendary Florida sunshine. If the fish are really cooperating and Ty's schedule allows, there's even the possibility of extending your trip to keep the action going.
Captain Ty comes prepared with top-quality spinning gear perfectly matched to the species you'll be targeting. Most of the day you'll be fishing with medium-light action rods that give you great feel for those subtle trout bites while still having enough backbone to handle a bull redfish or feisty shark. The tackle box is stocked with everything from live shrimp and finger mullet to an arsenal of artificial lures – soft plastics, topwater plugs, and spoons that have proven themselves in these waters. Ty's approach is all about reading the conditions and adapting. If the water's clear and the fish are spooky, you might be throwing natural baits on light leaders. When they're aggressive, it's time to fire up the topwater action and watch redfish blow up on the surface. The techniques are straightforward enough for beginners to pick up quickly, but there's always something new to learn about working different structures and reading the water.
Black Drum are the bulldozers of the inshore waters around St. Augustine, and when you hook into one, you'll know it immediately. These bottom-dwellers can push 40+ pounds and are notorious for their stubborn, head-shaking fights that'll test your drag system. They love hanging around oyster bars and bridge pilings, crushing crabs and shrimp with their powerful pharyngeal teeth. Fall through spring offers the best action, and there's nothing quite like the satisfaction of wearing down a big drum after a 10-minute battle.
Sheepshead are the pickpockets of the fishing world – they'll steal your bait so cleanly you won't even feel it happen. These black-and-white striped beauties are structure junkies, holding tight to docks, pilings, and oyster beds. They're year-round residents, but winter months bring the biggest crowds as they stage for their spawning runs. Don't let their relatively modest size fool you; pound-for-pound, sheepshead are some of the strongest fighters you'll encounter, and their excellent table fare makes them a favorite target for many anglers.
Redfish are the crown jewel of inshore fishing, and St. Augustine's waters are absolutely loaded with them. These copper-colored bruisers range from slot-sized fish around 20 inches to massive bulls pushing 40+ inches that'll peel line like freight trains. Reds are year-round residents, but fall brings some of the most exciting action when schools of big fish cruise the shallows looking for bait. They're aggressive feeders that'll hit everything from live shrimp to topwater plugs, and their distinctive tail-thumping fight makes every hookup memorable.
Bonnethead Sharks might be the smaller cousins of their more famous relatives, but they're pure fun on light tackle. These 2-4 foot sharks are common in the grass flats and shallow bays, especially during the warmer months when they're actively feeding on crabs and small fish. They're perfect for kids or anyone who wants to experience the thrill of catching a shark without the intimidation factor. Their acrobatic fights and curious nature make them a welcome addition to any trip.
Blacktip Sharks bring the excitement level up a notch with their spectacular aerial displays and lightning-fast runs. These sleek predators patrol the inlet and nearshore waters, especially during the warmer months when baitfish are abundant. Ranging from 3-6 feet, they provide heart-pounding action that'll leave you talking about the experience long after you've returned to the dock. Their aggressive nature and willingness to take both live and artificial baits make them a realistic target throughout much of the year.
This top-rated half-day charter with Captain Ty Sikes represents some of the best value fishing you'll find along Florida's east coast. With all gear provided, expert local guidance, and access to some of the most productive inshore waters in the state, it's the perfect way to experience what makes St. Augustine fishing so special. The intimate 3-angler limit ensures everyone gets plenty of personal attention and fishing time, while the 4-hour duration gives you a solid taste of the action without overwhelming first-timers
Step aboard this nimble 17-foot Ranger flats boat and get ready to work St. Augustine's productive inshore waters. The Mercury 115HP pushes this 2010 beauty up to 50 knots, getting you to the fish fast and covering more water when the bite slows down. Built for shallow water fishing, she's your ticket to those skinny flats where the big speckled trout and redfish love to hunt. The GPS keeps you on the productive spots while the fish finder shows you what's swimming below. When morning fog rolls in off the coast, the radar keeps you fishing safely. Perfect for a small crew of 3 anglers who want to get serious about targeting flounder, trout, and reds in the waters around this historic fishing town. This boat handles the skinny stuff with ease, letting you reach those back-country spots where the fish haven't seen many lures.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the heavyweights of our local waters, ranging from 5-30 pounds with some monsters pushing 90 pounds. These grey-black bruisers have powerful jaws built for crushing oysters and crabs. You'll find them around oyster beds, muddy flats, and creek mouths in 2-10 feet of water. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning - that's when we see the most action. They're famous for making drumming sounds you can actually hear underwater. What guests love is the strong, steady fight they put up. Smaller ones under 15 pounds make excellent table fare with sweet, flaky meat. My go-to tip: use fresh crab on a circle hook and fish it right on the bottom. They're picky eaters, so be patient and keep your bait still.
Carcharhinus LimbatusBlacktip sharks are the acrobats of our shark fishing, famous for their spectacular jumps when hooked. They average 3-5 feet but can reach 6+ feet and really test your tackle. You'll find them around artificial reefs and nearshore waters in 30-100 feet, especially during warmer months. What makes them special is their aerial show - they'll jump clear out of the water multiple times during the fight. They're also pretty social, often showing up in groups when conditions are right. The black-tipped fins make them easy to identify. We typically release them, but the experience is what guests remember. Key is using oily bait like mackerel or bluefish chunks and heavy tackle - at least 30-pound test. Once hooked, keep steady pressure and enjoy the show, but watch out - they've been known to jump right into the boat!
Sphyrna TiburoBonnethead sharks are the smallest hammerheads you'll encounter here, with their distinctive shovel-shaped heads and shy personalities. Most run 2-3 feet long, though we've seen some push 4 feet. They're completely harmless and actually pretty timid compared to other sharks. You'll find them in shallow bays and near grass flats, often traveling in small schools. Summer months bring the best action when water temps climb. What's cool is they're one of the few sharks that eat seagrass along with crabs and shrimp. The fight is surprisingly strong for their size - they're scrappy little things. We always release them since they're not great eating. Best bet is fresh blue crab cut in half with the hook through a leg joint. They're picky, so give them time to take the bait before setting the hook.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the gold standard of our inshore fishing, easily spotted by their copper-bronze sides and distinctive black spots near the tail. Most fish we catch run 18-27 inches and put up a serious scrap. They love super shallow water - sometimes so shallow their backs show above the surface. Look for them around oyster bars, grass flats, and marsh edges in 1-4 feet of water. Fall and spring are money seasons when they school up and feed aggressively. Guests love the visual fishing - you can actually see them cruising the flats. They hit everything from topwater plugs to live shrimp and make excellent table fare with mild, sweet meat. Pro tip: when sight fishing, cast ahead of moving fish and let your bait settle before they get there. They spook easily in skinny water.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the striped convicts of St. Augustine's waters, sporting black bars on their silver bodies and human-like teeth that'll surprise you. Most run 1-4 pounds, but we catch plenty in the 6-8 pound range around docks and bridge pilings. They're structure huggers, feeding on barnacles and crabs right against the concrete. Winter through early spring is peak season when they're thick around every piling. What makes them fun is they're notorious bait thieves - you'll feel them pecking before they commit. The meat is top-notch, sweet and white, though they're tough to clean. Here's the key: get your bait tight to structure and use a sharp hook set the moment you feel weight. They'll steal your bait all day if you're not quick on the trigger.
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