5.0(4 Reviews)Half-Day Inshore Fishing Charter in Matanzas River
5.0(4 reviews)
Private Trip
Halfday inshore fishing charter on scenic Matanzas River waters.Target redfish, speckled trout, flounder using light tackle techniques.Accommodates three guests with experienced Captain Clay Philips guiding.
There's something special about working the waters around St. Augustine with a guide who knows every oyster bar, grass flat, and creek bend like the back of his hand. Captain Clay Philips has been putting anglers on fish in the Matanzas River system for years, and his half-day charters are the perfect way to experience some of Northeast Florida's most productive inshore fishing without burning a whole day on the water.
Your adventure starts in the heart of historic St. Augustine, where you'll meet Captain Clay and get rigged up for a morning or afternoon of light tackle fishing. The Matanzas River offers everything an inshore angler could want – winding channels that hold fish year-round, expansive grass flats where reds cruise in skinny water, and oyster bars that attract baitfish and the predators that follow them. Clay knows how to read the conditions and adjust the game plan whether you're dealing with moving water during a tide change or working the flats during slack tide. The boat stays comfortable with just three anglers max, so you'll get plenty of personal attention and coaching if you need it. Don't worry if you're new to inshore fishing – Clay's got the patience to teach proper casting technique and help you feel the difference between a bite and bottom contact.
This isn't heavy offshore fishing where you're cranking up massive fish from deep water. Inshore fishing in the Matanzas River system is all about finesse and reading the water. You'll be using spinning reels spooled with light line, typically throwing soft plastics on jig heads, live shrimp under popping corks, or working topwater plugs when fish are busting bait on the surface. Clay provides all the gear, but if you've got your own favorite rod setup, feel free to bring it along. The key techniques you'll learn include working grass flats methodically, bouncing baits along oyster bars without hanging up, and understanding how tidal movement affects fish behavior. When the bite gets tough, Clay might switch things up with a different bait presentation or move to structure that's holding fish better. The shallow water fishing here means you'll often see your target before you cast to it – nothing beats the rush of watching a big red inhale your lure in two feet of crystal clear water.
"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 stars of the Matanzas River system and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers cruise the grass flats and oyster bars year-round, with fish ranging from slot-size 18-27 inchers up to hefty bull reds that'll test your drag system. Spring through fall offers the most consistent action, but winter can produce some of the biggest fish when they school up in deeper holes. Reds are aggressive feeders that'll crush a well-presented soft plastic or live bait, and their initial run will remind you why they're called "bull" reds. The sight fishing opportunities here are world-class – watching a 25-inch red slowly cruise toward your bait in shallow water never gets old.
Southern Flounder might not win any beauty contests, but they're fantastic table fare and provide some of the most consistent action in the river system. These flatfish hold tight to structure like oyster bars, dock pilings, and channel edges where they ambush passing baitfish. Fall months produce the best numbers as flounder move toward inlets before their offshore spawning run. You'll typically catch them bouncing soft plastics or live bait along the bottom, and their bite feels like you've hooked a wet towel until they realize they're connected – then they'll make surprising runs for fish that spend most of their time lying flat on the bottom.
Black Drum are the heavyweight champions of the inshore scene around St. Augustine. While you might catch smaller "puppy" drum throughout the year, spring brings massive spawning aggregations where 30-40 pound fish become realistic targets. These fish have incredible pulling power and will test both your tackle and your back muscles. They're primarily bottom feeders with a preference for crabs and shrimp, so you'll usually target them with cut bait or fresh shrimp fished near structure. The fight is all about endurance – black drum don't make spectacular jumps, but they'll pull steady and hard until your arms burn.
Sheepshead are the most technically challenging fish you'll encounter on this trip, and landing one consistently separates novice anglers from experienced ones. These black-and-white striped fish have human-like teeth perfectly designed for crushing barnacles and small crabs off structure. They're notorious bait thieves with incredibly light bites that feel like gentle taps on your line. Winter months offer the best sheepshead action as they gather around bridges, docks, and oyster bars in large numbers. When you do hook one, they make strong runs toward structure and will cut your line on sharp edges if you're not careful. Fresh shrimp and fiddler crabs are top baits, but you need to feel every subtle bump and set the hook quickly.
Blacktip Sharks add an element of excitement that keeps every cast interesting. These sleek predators patrol the grass flats and channel edges, especially during warmer months when baitfish are abundant. Blacktips typically run 20-40 pounds in these waters
Captain Clay's 19-foot Polar skiff is built for serious inshore action on the Matanzas River. This shallow-draft boat draws just enough water to slip into those skinny spots where the big redfish like to hang out, while the reliable 115HP Yamaha gets you there fast and quiet. The spacious casting deck gives three anglers plenty of room to work lures around oyster bars and grass flats without tangling lines. With a top speed of 30 knots, you'll spend more time fishing and less time running between spots. The boat's stable platform makes it easy to sight-cast to tailing reds in the shallows or work the deeper channels for speckled trout. Everything's set up for light tackle fishing – perfect for feeling every head shake and run these St. Augustine inshore fish are famous for.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the bulldogs of inshore fishing - powerful, stubborn fighters that'll test your drag. These gray-black fish typically run 5-30 pounds, but we hook into some real monsters pushing 50+ pounds around here. You'll find them cruising oyster beds and shallow muddy flats where they crush crabs and oysters with their pharyngeal teeth. Spring is prime time, especially March through May when they school up for spawning. The smaller ones under 15 pounds are great eating - firm, white meat that's perfect for the grill. Bigger fish are better released since the meat gets tough. They're year-round residents in our brackish waters, moving between the shallows and deeper channels. Pro tip: fresh cut crab is deadly, especially blue crab or fiddler crabs. Fish it right on the bottom with just enough weight to hold, and be patient - they can be finicky biters.
Carcharhinus LimbatusBlacktip Sharks are the acrobats of shark fishing - known for their spectacular jumps and those distinctive black-tipped fins. These sleek predators typically run 3-6 feet and 20-50 pounds in our waters. They patrol the deeper channels and inlet areas, especially around structure where baitfish gather. Summer months are prime time when they move inshore chasing schools of mullet and sardines. What makes them special is their explosive fight - they'll jump, spin, and make blistering runs that'll test your tackle and skills. Most folks release them, but smaller ones are decent eating if you're into shark steaks. They can be finicky, often checking out baits before committing. Best approach is fresh oily fish like mackerel or mullet on circle hooks with wire leaders. Start a chum line and be patient - once they show up, the action can be fast and furious. Keep your drag smooth and give them room to run.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the crown jewel of our inshore waters - copper-colored beauties with that signature black eyespot near their tail. These shallow water specialists love cruising the grass flats and oyster bars in 1-4 feet of water, sometimes so shallow their backs are showing. Most slot fish run 18-27 inches, perfect for the dinner table, while the big bulls can push 40+ inches and 30 pounds. They're year-round residents, but fall and winter fishing is spectacular when they school up in big numbers. Guests love their powerful runs and that explosive topwater bite when conditions are right. The meat is mild and sweet - fantastic grilled or blackened. They'll eat just about anything, from live shrimp to topwater plugs. Here's the deal: early morning on the falling tide, work gold spoons or paddle tails along the grass edges. Keep the boat quiet and watch for tailing fish - sight fishing for reds is addictive.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the convict fish of St. Augustine waters - those black and white stripes make them unmistakable around dock pilings and oyster bars. These crafty fish have human-like teeth perfect for crushing barnacles and crabs off structure. Most run 2-8 pounds and 14-20 inches, with occasional giants hitting 15+ pounds. They're structure lovers, hanging tight to bridge pilings, docks, and rock piles year-round. Winter and early spring are best when they school up heavily. Guests love the challenge - they're notorious bait thieves with light bites that'll clean your hook before you know it. The payoff is worth it though - sweet, flaky white meat that's some of the best eating around. My secret: use small hooks with fresh shrimp or fiddler crabs, get as close to structure as possible, and set the hook hard the moment you feel weight. They've got tough mouths.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern Flounder are masters of disguise - these flatfish bury themselves in sand and mud, waiting to ambush prey. You'll recognize them by both eyes being on the left side of their head and those distinctive dark blotches across their body. Most run 15-18 inches and around 5 pounds, though we see some pushing 20+ pounds. They love shallow water with soft bottoms - the muddy flats and creek mouths in the Matanzas are perfect. Fall and winter are prime time when they're fattening up before their offshore spawn. Guests love the challenge since they're sneaky biters and fight hard once hooked. The meat is excellent - sweet and flaky. My tip: use live finger mullet or shrimp on a Carolina rig and work it slow along the bottom. When you feel that subtle tap, give it a second before setting the hook - they like to mouth the bait 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