5.0(1 Reviews)Extended Half-Day Inshore Charter in St. Augustine
5.0(1 reviews)
Private Trip
Six-hour extended charter targets redfish, trout, and flounderCaptain Clay covers productive flats, creeks, and oyster barsSmall group capacity of four anglers maximum
When you're ready to get serious about inshore fishing in Northeast Florida, Captain Clay Philips' 6-hour charter on the Matanzas River delivers the goods. This isn't your typical quick morning trip – we're talking about a full day exploring the best flats, oyster bars, and backwater creeks that make St. Augustine one of the top-rated inshore fishing destinations on the East Coast. With 4 spots max on the boat, you'll get the personal attention and prime fishing time that separates a good day from an epic one.
Captain Clay knows these waters like the back of his hand, and that local knowledge shows from the moment you push off. The Matanzas River system is a maze of shallow estuaries, grass flats, and structure that holds fish year-round – but knowing where to be at what tide stage makes all the difference. With 6 hours to work with, Clay can adjust to the conditions as they unfold, moving from early morning spots to afternoon honey holes as the tide shifts. You'll work everything from pristine flats where redfish tail in inches of water to deeper creek mouths where black drum and sheepshead stack up around structure. The extended time on the water means no rushing – if the fish are biting in one spot, you can stay put and capitalize. If they're not cooperating, there's plenty of time to relocate and try different techniques.
This charter runs on light tackle, which is exactly what you want for inshore fishing in shallow water. Captain Clay switches between live bait and artificials depending on what the fish are telling him. Live shrimp under popping corks work magic on speckled trout over grass beds, while cut bait gets the attention of black drum and redfish around oyster bars. When the fish are aggressive, soft plastics and topwater plugs come into play – there's nothing quite like watching a red blow up on a surface lure in 2 feet of water. The shallow draft boat gets you into spots that bigger offshore rigs can't touch, sliding through creeks and backwaters where the fish feel safe and feed heavily. You'll learn to read the water, spot feeding fish, and present baits in ways that get bites from pressured inshore species.
"Fished with Capt Clay. Worked hard to put us on fish. Expert on the local waters and best spots. We all caught fish. Very chill vibe but still focused on our experience. Would not hesitate to book again." - Greg
Southern flounder are the chameleons of the flats, laying perfectly camouflaged in sandy pockets and creek edges. These flatfish can stretch over 20 inches and put up a surprisingly strong fight for their pancake profile. Fall and winter months are prime time when they stage near inlets before heading offshore to spawn. What makes flounder so rewarding is the technique – you're essentially sight fishing, looking for their telltale outline or the puff of sand they create when they settle. Once hooked, they make strong runs and can be tricky to land with their soft mouths.
Black drum are the bulldogs of the inshore scene, with fish ranging from 2-pound "puppy drum" to 20-plus-pound bulls that will test your drag system. They love structure – oyster bars, dock pilings, creek bends with hard bottom. These fish are year-round residents but really turn on during cooler months when they school up in deeper holes. The fight is all about power and endurance, with big drum making steady, head-shaking runs that remind you why heavy leaders are essential around oysters.
Sheepshead are the pickpockets of the fishing world, notorious for stealing bait with surgical precision. These black-and-white striped convicts hang around any structure with barnacles and oysters, using their human-like teeth to crush shellfish. Winter months bring the best sheepshead action when they move shallow to spawn. Landing one requires patience and quick reflexes – they bite light and spit fast. But their table quality makes the challenge worth it, with sweet, flaky meat that rivals any inshore species.
Redfish are Florida's signature inshore game fish, and the Matanzas River holds some beauties. Slot-size fish from 18-27 inches are common, with bronze backs and distinctive black spots making them unmistakable in shallow water. Spring and fall offer the most consistent action, but St. Augustine's reds bite year-round. They're ambush predators that cruise flats edges and oyster bars, exploding on baits with surprising violence for their size. The fight combines power with cunning – they'll try every trick from jumping to wrapping you around structure.
Blacktip sharks add serious excitement to any inshore trip, showing up when you least expect them. These 2-4 foot speedsters patrol flats edges and creek mouths, often hitting baits meant for other species. Summer months see the most blacktip activity, especially during baitfish runs. They're pure adrenaline on light tackle, making blistering runs and acrobatic jumps that get everyone's attention. Most are released after a quick photo, but the memory of that first run lasts forever.
Captain Clay's extended half-day charter gives you the best shot at a world-class inshore fishing experience in St. Augustine. With only 4 anglers maximum, you're getting personalized instruction and prime fishing opportunities that larger charters simply can't match. The 6-hour format means you can fish multiple tide stages, explore different areas, and really get dialed in on what's working. Whether you're a seasoned angler looking to up your inshore game or a customer favorite wanting to try something new, this charter delivers the goods. Don't wait – the
This 19' Polar skiff is built for serious inshore fishing in St. Augustine's shallow waters. The reliable 115HP Yamaha engine gets you to the fish fast, cruising at 30 knots to cover more ground during your 6-hour charter. Captain Clay knows these waters inside and out – from the flats and oyster bars to the winding creeks and backwaters of the Matanzas River system. The boat's shallow draft design lets you slip into those tight spots where redfish, speckled trout, and flounder like to hang out. With room for 4 anglers, there's plenty of space to work lures or live bait without getting tangled up. The extended trip gives you time to hit multiple spots as tides change, maximizing your chances at quality fish. Whether you're sight-fishing the flats or working structure for black drum, this skiff handles it all with the stability and speed you need for productive inshore fishing.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the bulldogs of the inshore flats, with their crushing jaws built for oysters and crabs. These dark, powerful fish typically weigh 5-30 pounds in our waters, though giants over 50 pounds show up around spawning time. They patrol oyster bars, muddy flats, and creek mouths where the bottom is loaded with shellfish. Spring brings the best fishing when they school up in shallow water and make those distinctive drumming sounds you can actually hear underwater. Guests enjoy the strong, steady fight and the challenge of outsmarting these smart fish. Smaller ones under 15 pounds make excellent eating. Here's the key: use fresh blue crab or fiddler crab on the bottom, keep your drag loose, and be patient. They'll mouth the bait before committing, so wait for that solid pull before setting the hook.
Carcharhinus LimbatusBlacktip sharks are the acrobats of our inshore waters, known for those spectacular jumps when hooked. These sleek predators typically run 3-6 feet and patrol the deeper edges of our flats and inlet mouths. You can spot them by the black tips on their fins and that classic shark silhouette. Summer months bring the best action when they move inshore chasing baitfish schools. They're incredibly strong fighters that will test your drag and jump repeatedly, making for exciting battles on medium tackle. Most anglers release them, but they're part of what makes our ecosystem so diverse. Use heavy braid with a steel leader and fresh cut bait like mackerel or mullet. When one takes off on that first run, keep steady pressure but let your drag work - they'll tire themselves out with those jumps if you stay calm and fight them smart.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the kings of our shallow water flats, easily spotted by their copper-bronze color and distinctive black spot near the tail. These bruisers typically run 18-27 inches in the slot, but we see plenty of oversized bulls pushing 30-40 inches. They cruise oyster bars, grass flats, and creek edges in just 1-4 feet of water, sometimes so shallow their backs are exposed. Year-round fishing is solid, but fall and spring offer the most consistent action. Guests love their explosive strikes on topwater lures and that signature bulldogging fight. They're also excellent table fare with mild, sweet meat. Here's what works: look for nervous water or tailing fish, make quiet approaches, and use live shrimp under a popping cork or throw topwater plugs early morning. Keep the boat in deeper water and cast up shallow to them.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the convict-striped masters of structure fishing, famous for their human-like teeth and bait-stealing skills. These gray and black barred fish typically run 1-8 pounds and love to hang around dock pilings, oyster bars, and any hard structure where barnacles grow. They use those weird teeth to crush shellfish and will test your patience with their light bites. Winter and spring are prime time when they school up near structures before spawning. Guests love the challenge - they're considered some of the hardest fish to hook consistently. The payoff is sweet, flaky white meat that rivals any inshore species. My secret: use small hooks with fresh fiddler crabs or shrimp, keep your bait tight to structure, and the moment you feel weight, set that hook hard. They'll steal your bait all day if you hesitate.
Paralichthys LethostigmaThese flat, camouflaged predators are a favorite target in the Matanzas River system. Southern flounder typically run 15-18 inches and 2-5 pounds, with both eyes on their left side and mottled patterns that help them blend into sandy and muddy bottoms. They ambush prey from below, feeding on shrimp, crabs, and small fish. You'll find them around oyster bars, creek mouths, and shallow flats in 2-8 feet of water. Fall and winter offer the best action as they move toward inlets to spawn. Guests love their strong fight and excellent table fare - the white, flaky meat is outstanding. My tip: drift slowly with live shrimp on a light jig head, and when you feel that subtle tap, wait a second before setting the hook. They like to grab bait sideways first.
5.0 out of 5.0Fished with Capt Clay. Worked hard to put us on fish. Expert on the local waters and best spots. We all caught fish. Very chill vi...
St. Augustine