5.0(4 Reviews)Half-Day Inshore Fishing Charter in St. Augustine
5.0(4 reviews)
Private Trip
Half-day inshore fishing charter on scenic Matanzas RiverTarget redfish, trout, flounder using light tackle techniquesGuided trips accommodate up to 3 anglers, all levels
Captain Clay Philips knows the Matanzas River like the back of his hand, and he's ready to put you on fish during this half-day inshore charter. Whether you're bringing the family for their first taste of saltwater fishing or you're a seasoned angler looking to bend some rods, this trip delivers the goods. The Matanzas River system around St. Augustine offers some of Northeast Florida's most reliable inshore action, with winding creeks, grass flats, and oyster bars that hold fish year-round. You'll fish light tackle in skinny water where every cast has potential, and Captain Clay's local knowledge means you'll be fishing the right spots at the right time.
This half-day adventure keeps things intimate with just three anglers max, so you'll get plenty of personal attention from Captain Clay. The Matanzas River is a maze of productive water - from the main river channel to hidden creek mouths and shallow grass beds that come alive during moving tides. You'll be sight fishing crystal clear flats one minute, then working oyster bars where redfish cruise for crabs and shrimp. The beauty of inshore fishing here is the variety - every spot fishes differently, and Captain Clay reads the water conditions to put you where the fish are feeding. The scenery doesn't hurt either, with historic St. Augustine as your backdrop and plenty of wildlife like dolphins, manatees, and coastal birds keeping things interesting between hookups. This isn't a cattle boat operation - it's quality fishing with a captain who genuinely wants to see you catch fish.
Captain Clay runs a well-equipped boat with quality spinning gear that's perfect for the inshore game. You'll be throwing live shrimp under popping corks, working soft plastics around structure, and maybe even getting some topwater action when conditions are right. The water around St. Augustine fishes best with 15-20 lb test line and medium action rods that have enough backbone to pull fish out of cover but won't overpower smaller species. Depending on what's biting, you might be sight casting to tailing redfish in two feet of water or dropping baits near dock pilings where sheepshead hang out. Captain Clay provides all the gear, but if you've got a favorite rod setup, feel free to bring it along. The key here is staying quiet and making accurate casts - these fish see plenty of pressure, so finesse beats power every time.
"my boys and i had a great time fishing is hit or miss regardless" - Jon. "Capt. Clay was so awesome, friendly, attentive, just a wonderful experience. Caught some sea bass, puffer fish, Sheepshead, very relaxing, definitely will be back" - Gary. "trust me go fishing with clay" - Jim. "Clay was awesome. He was very knowledgeable of the area and knew the spots the fish usually bite. We had a great time on the water and will definitely be using Clay again in the future. Highly recommend!" - Alain.
Redfish are the bread and butter of Matanzas River fishing, and these copper-colored bruisers put up one hell of a fight. They range from slot-sized fish around 20-27 inches to oversized bulls that'll test your drag system. Spring through fall offers the most consistent redfish action, especially during moving tides when they cruise the flats looking for prey. What makes reds so special is their attitude - they eat aggressively, fight dirty, and often travel in schools. When Captain Clay spots a pod of reds tailing in shallow water, your heart will be pounding before you even make the cast.
Southern Flounder are the masters of camouflage in these waters, lying flat on sandy bottoms waiting to ambush baitfish. These flatfish typically run 14-20 inches and are absolute table fare champions. Fall migration brings the best flounder fishing as they move toward inlets, but you can find them year-round around creek mouths and channel edges. They're not the strongest fighters, but they're sneaky - many anglers mistake the initial bite for a snag until the fish starts shaking its head. Captain Clay knows the specific bottom contours and current breaks where flounder set up shop.
Black Drum are the heavyweights of the inshore scene, with fish ranging from puppy drum around 12-16 inches to bull drum pushing 30+ pounds. They're bottom feeders that love crabs and shrimp, often found around oyster bars and bridge pilings. The bigger fish show up in late winter and early spring, while the smaller, better-eating drum are around most of the year. When a big drum takes your bait, there's no mistaking it - they pull like a freight train and use their bulk to bulldoze toward structure.
Sheepshead are the convict-striped tricksters that'll test your hook-setting skills. These bait stealers hang around any hard structure - docks, pilings, rock piles - and they're notorious for picking baits clean without getting hooked. But when you do connect with a good sheepshead, they're surprisingly strong fighters that make multiple runs. They're most active in cooler months and are considered some of the best eating fish in these waters. Captain Clay has the patience and technique to put you on these finicky feeders.
Blacktip Sharks add some serious excitement to the mix, especially during warmer months when they cruise the flats and channel edges. These sleek predators typically run 2-4 feet long and are famous for their acrobatic jumps when hooked. They're catch-and-release fish that provide pure adrenaline - nothing gets your blood pumping like watching a blacktip explode from the water on the end of your line. They're also a sign of healthy water, and Captain Clay knows the areas where
Captain Clay's 19-foot Polar skiff is your ticket to some serious inshore action on the Matanzas River. This shallow-water machine is built specifically for working Florida's backcountry flats and oyster beds where the big reds and trout like to hide. The reliable 115HP Yamaha pushes you through skinny water at 30 knots, getting you to the hot spots fast and quiet when it's time to fish. With room for up to 3 anglers, there's plenty of casting space without bumping elbows. The skiff's shallow draft lets Captain Clay slide into those productive backwater pockets that bigger boats can't reach, putting you right on top of feeding fish. Whether you're sight-casting to tailing redfish on the flats or working the grass lines for speckled trout, this nimble platform gives you the perfect setup for light tackle fishing in Northeast Florida's most productive inshore waters.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the heavyweights of our inshore waters, commonly running 5-30 pounds with some bruiser 50+ pounders mixed in. They're easily recognized by their dark coloration and the drumming sounds they make underwater, especially during spring spawning season. You'll find them around oyster beds, shallow muddy flats, and creek mouths where they crush shellfish and crabs with powerful jaws. Spring is absolutely prime time when they school up for spawning - that's when we see the most consistent action. What guests love about drum fishing is the hard pull and bulldogging fight these fish put up on light tackle. The smaller ones under 15 pounds are excellent table fare with firm, white meat. Here's a local trick: fresh blue crab or fiddler crab on the bottom is hard to beat, and don't be afraid to fish super shallow water where you can see their backs.
Carcharhinus LimbatusBlacktip sharks are athletic fighters known for their signature black-tipped fins and spectacular jumps when hooked. Most run 3-5 feet and 20-50 pounds, providing serious action on medium tackle. They cruise our nearshore waters, inlet mouths, and deeper flats, usually in 30-100 feet but sometimes venture into surprisingly shallow water while hunting. Summer months bring the most consistent action when baitfish are thick and sharks are actively feeding. What guests love is the raw power and acrobatics - these sharks will jump clear out of the water multiple times during the fight. While they're catch-and-release only, the thrill of battling a shark is hard to beat. The key is using oily baits like mackerel or live sardines, heavy tackle with circle hooks, and staying patient. Once you hook one, hang on tight because they'll test your drag and your nerves with their explosive runs and jumps.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the crown jewel of our inshore fishing, easily spotted by their copper-bronze color and distinctive black spot near the tail. Most fish run 18-27 inches, but we regularly see slot-busters over 27 inches that put up serious fights. They love our shallow flats, oyster beds, and grass lines in 1-4 feet of water - sometimes so shallow their backs are exposed. Fall and spring offer the most consistent action when they're actively feeding. What makes reds special is their aggressive strikes on topwater lures and their powerful runs when hooked. They're also excellent table fare when kept in the slot. These fish aren't picky eaters - live shrimp, cut bait, and artificial lures all work well. My go-to tip: look for "tailing" fish in shallow water during moving tides, approach quietly, and make accurate casts to avoid spoking them in skinny water.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the "convict fish" of our waters with their distinctive black and white stripes and human-like teeth that can crack barnacles and oysters. They typically run 1-8 pounds and 14-20 inches, with some trophy fish pushing 20 pounds. You'll find them tight to structure - dock pilings, oyster bars, and bridge supports where they feed on crustaceans and shellfish. Winter and early spring are best when they're actively feeding before spawning. Guests enjoy sheepshead for the challenge and the reward - they're notorious bait thieves that require quick reflexes, but they're some of the finest eating fish in our waters with sweet, flaky white meat. The key is getting your bait right on the structure and setting the hook hard when you feel them nibbling. Fresh shrimp or fiddler crabs work great, and don't be surprised when they steal your bait a few times before you hook up.
Paralichthys LethostigmaThese unique flatfish are masters of camouflage with both eyes on their left side and the ability to change color to match the bottom. Most run 15-18 inches and around 5 pounds, though bigger ones show up regularly. They love sandy and muddy bottoms in our shallow flats, oyster bars, and creek mouths where they ambush prey like shrimp, crabs, and small fish. Fall and winter months are prime time when they're actively feeding before their offshore spawn. What makes flounder special is the challenge - they're sneaky biters that require patience and skill to hook properly. Plus, they're some of the best eating fish around with sweet, flaky white meat. My tip: use a slow drift with live shrimp on a light jig head, and when you feel that subtle tap, count to three before setting the hook. They like to grab bait sideways first.
5.0 out of 5.0my boys and i had a great time fishing is hit or miss regardless
Capt. Clay was so awesome, friendly, attentive, just a wonderful experience. Caught some sea bass, puffer fish, Sheepshead, very r...
trust me go fishing with clay
Clay was awesome. He was very knowledgeable of the area and knew the spots the fish usually bite. We had a great time on the water...
St. Augustine