Half Day Beginner-Friendly Fishing Trip
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Half-day beginner-friendly inshore fishing trip with Captain RobTarget Redfish, Trout, Flounder, and Sheepshead in calm watersAll equipment included with patient instruction for new anglers
Looking to get your feet wet in the world of inshore fishing? Captain Rob Nevins knows exactly how to make your first time on St. Augustine's waters a memorable one. This 4-hour morning trip is designed specifically for folks who've never held a fishing rod or those who want to brush up on the basics without any pressure. You'll be targeting some of Florida's most popular inshore species in calm, protected waters where the fish are biting and the learning curve is friendly. With all gear provided and patient instruction every step of the way, you're set up for success from the moment you step aboard.
Your day kicks off at 8 a.m. when you'll meet Captain Rob at the marina. The early start isn't just about beating the heat – it's prime time when fish are most active and the waters are typically glassy calm. You'll be fishing St. Augustine's extensive inshore flats and backwaters, areas known for their consistent action and forgiving conditions. Captain Rob takes a hands-on approach to teaching, starting with the fundamentals like proper casting technique, how to feel a bite, and setting the hook. Don't worry about looking like a pro right away – everyone starts somewhere, and these waters are perfect for building confidence. The intimate 2-person capacity means you get plenty of one-on-one attention, and Captain Rob adjusts the pace based on your comfort level. Whether you're 8 or 80, he's seen it all and knows how to make the experience both educational and fun.
You'll be using light spinning tackle throughout the trip, which is perfect for beginners because it's forgiving and lets you really feel what's happening underwater. Captain Rob provides all the rods, reels, tackle, and bait – typically live shrimp, cut bait, and artificial lures depending on what the fish are hitting that day. The techniques you'll learn include basic bottom fishing for species like Black Drum and Flounder, as well as sight fishing for Redfish when conditions allow. Light tackle means even smaller fish put up a good fight, making every catch exciting without being overwhelming. You'll learn to read your rod tip, understand different types of bites, and develop the muscle memory for a proper hook set. Captain Rob also covers the basics of handling fish safely, proper catch-and-release techniques, and how to identify different species. The shallow inshore waters around St. Augustine are ideal for this style of fishing – you can often see the bottom, watch fish react to your bait, and learn to spot productive areas like oyster bars, grass flats, and channel edges.
Grey Snapper are one of the most rewarding fish for beginners to target in St. Augustine's inshore waters. These scrappy fighters typically run 12-16 inches and are known for their aggressive strikes and determined runs once hooked. They're most active during spring and fall months, often found around structure like docks, oyster bars, and rocky areas. What makes them perfect for new anglers is their willingness to bite and their predictable fighting style – strong initial runs followed by steady pressure. Plus, they're excellent table fare if you decide to keep a few within regulations.
Black Drum are the gentle giants of the inshore flats, and they're perfect confidence builders for first-time anglers. These bottom feeders can range from schoolie-sized 2-pounders up to impressive 20+ pound bulls. They're year-round residents in St. Augustine's waters, with peak action typically in cooler months. Black Drum have a distinctive way of fighting – they don't make blazing runs, but they use their broad sides and powerful bodies to create steady, bulldogging resistance that teaches new anglers patience and proper fighting technique. They're also incredibly forgiving when it comes to bait presentation, making them ideal targets when you're still learning the ropes.
Summer Flounder, or Fluke as many anglers call them, are the masters of camouflage and provide some of the most exciting action for beginners. These flatfish typically range from 14-20 inches in local waters and are most active during warmer months from late spring through early fall. What makes Flounder special is their aggressive strike – they'll often hit a bait hard and run with it, giving new anglers that heart-pumping moment of a solid hookup. They're ambush predators that lie buried in sand waiting for prey, so you'll learn to work baits along the bottom and recognize their distinctive bite pattern.
Sea Trout are arguably the most popular inshore species in Florida, and for good reason. These spotted beauties are aggressive strikers that readily take both live and artificial baits. Typically running 14-18 inches in St. Augustine waters, they're found over grass flats and sandy areas year-round, with peak action in spring and fall. Sea Trout are perfect for beginners because they're forgiving when it comes to technique, they fight hard for their size, and they're excellent eating. They also make distinctive sounds when brought to the boat – a croaking noise that always gets first-time anglers excited.
Redfish are the crown jewel of inshore fishing, and even smaller slot-sized fish provide world-class action for new anglers. These copper-colored fighters typically range from 18-27 inches in the slot and are known for their powerful runs and never-give-up attitude. St. Augustine's expansive grass flats and oyster bars provide perfect Redfish habitat year-round, with fall being the prime season when large schools move through the area. What makes Reds special for beginners is their aggressive feeding behavior and the visual excitement of sight fishing – there's nothing quite like watching a Redfish track down your bait in shallow water. Their distinctive black spot near the tail makes them easy to identify, and their reputation as one of Florida's premier gamefish means landing your first Red is always a milestone moment.
Captain Rob's 2023 Stott Craft center console is built for comfortable inshore fishing in St. Augustine's coastal waters. This 21-footer handles beautifully with its reliable Tahatsu engine, cruising at speeds up to 30 knots to get you to the fishing spots efficiently. The wireless trolling motor lets you move quietly through shallow flats where redfish and trout like to feed, while the GPS keeps you on course and the fish finder helps locate schools below. With room for up to 4 anglers, there's plenty of space to cast without tangling lines. The center console design gives everyone easy access to the water and keeps gear organized. Perfect for learning the ropes of inshore fishing while targeting flounder, sheepshead, and other local favorites in St. Augustine's productive backwaters and nearshore structure.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the heavyweights of the inshore waters, running 5-30 pounds with some monsters hitting 50+. They're bottom feeders with powerful jaws built for crushing oysters and crabs. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning in shallow mud flats and oyster bars. What makes them fun is that slow, steady pull - no flashy jumps, just pure muscle. The smaller ones under 15 pounds eat great, but the big bulls are better as photos. Fresh crab is your best bet - it stays on the hook better than softer baits. Pro tip: fish dead low tide around oyster beds. The receding water concentrates baitfish, and drums move in to feed.
Lutjanus GriseusGrey Snapper, or Mangrove Snapper, are clever fish that hang around docks, mangroves, and any structure that gives them cover. They're opportunistic feeders, so they'll ambush whatever comes by. Most run 1-3 pounds inshore, but they're scrappy fighters with excellent table fare - white, flaky meat that's hard to beat. Best fishing is at night or early morning when they're most active. They love live shrimp hooked through the tail, and here's the key: let your bait sit still on the bottom. These fish are smart and spook easily from too much movement. Once you feel that tap, don't jerk - let them take it and set the hook firm but smooth.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the crown jewel of inshore fishing - copper-colored beauties with distinctive black spots near their tails. They cruise shallow flats, oyster bars, and mangrove shorelines in 1-4 feet of water. Fall and spring offer the best action when they school up and feed aggressively. What guests love is their powerful runs and that classic "thump" when they hit. They're also excellent table fare with mild, sweet meat. These fish will eat almost anything, from live shrimp to topwater plugs. Here's what works: look for "tailing" redfish in super shallow water with their backs exposed. Approach quietly and cast past them, then work your bait slowly into their path.
Salmo TruttaSpotted Sea Trout are some of the most reliable fish in our waters, running 14-24 inches with beautiful spots along their sides. They love grass flats and shallow areas, especially around dawn and dusk when they're actively feeding. Spring and fall are peak seasons, but they bite year-round in Florida. What makes them popular is their willingness to hit both live bait and artificials, plus they're fantastic eating with tender, mild flesh. Live shrimp under a popping cork is deadly effective. Local tip: during cooler months, look for them in deeper holes and channels where they school up. Work your bait slowly - trout have soft mouths, so keep steady pressure without jerking too hard.
Paralichthys DentatusSummer Flounder are the "chameleons of the sea" - flatfish that change color to match the bottom perfectly. They're ambush predators lying in sand waiting for baitfish to swim by. Most run 15-20 inches, though bigger ones show up offshore. Fall months, September through November, are when they're most active and easier to catch. What guests love is how they fight differently - more like a heavy weight pulling than jumping. The meat is excellent, white and flaky. Live minnows work great, but here's a local trick: hook your baitfish through the eye socket, not the lips. It keeps them swimming naturally longer, and flounder hit live bait that's moving just right.
St. Augustine