Half Day Family-Friendly Fishing Trip In St. Augustine
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fourhour inshore fishing trip targeting redfish, trout, and flounderFamilyfriendly experience with patient captain suitable for beginnersAll equipment provided for comfortable morning fishing adventure
Looking for a perfect way to get the family out on the water without the stress of a full-day commitment? Captain Rob Nevins has dialed in the ideal half-day inshore fishing experience right here in St. Augustine's productive backwaters. This 4-hour morning trip kicks off at 8 a.m., giving you plenty of time to hit the prime feeding windows while still having your afternoon free. Whether you're introducing the kids to fishing or just want a relaxed day targeting some of Florida's most reliable inshore species, this trip delivers exactly what families need - patience, expertise, and fish in the cooler.
Captain Rob runs his operation out of St. Augustine's historic waters, where centuries of fishing tradition meet modern techniques. You'll be fishing the calm inshore flats and grass beds where Redfish cruise the shallows, Trout hang around structure, and Flounder lay perfectly camouflaged on sandy bottoms. The beauty of this trip is the protected waters - no rough seas or long runs to fishing spots. Instead, you're working productive areas within minutes of the dock, which means more time with lines in the water and less time bouncing around. Rob's approach is hands-on but never overwhelming, especially when kids are aboard. He'll adjust techniques based on who's fishing, making sure everyone gets their shot at hooking up. The boat is equipped with everything you need, from rods and reels to tackle and bait, so you can focus on the fun part.
Inshore fishing in St. Augustine is all about reading the water and presenting bait naturally. Captain Rob typically runs light spinning tackle that's perfect for family fishing - sensitive enough to feel the subtle bites but forgiving enough that beginners won't get frustrated. You'll be using a mix of live bait like shrimp and finger mullet, plus some proven artificials depending on conditions. The technique varies with the target species: sight fishing for Redfish in shallow water, working grass flats for Trout, or bouncing bottom rigs for Flounder and Black Drum. Rob's big on teaching the fundamentals - how to feel a bite, when to set the hook, and proper fish handling. The gear is sized right for the fish you're targeting, so you'll feel every fight without being overpowered. Kids especially love the immediate feedback of light tackle fishing, where even a 15-inch Trout feels like a real battle.
Grey Snapper are one of the most reliable fighters you'll encounter on this trip. These scrappy fish love structure and will test your drag with their initial run toward cover. In St. Augustine's inshore waters, you'll typically find them around docks, bridges, and oyster bars. They're aggressive feeders and excellent table fare, making them a favorite for families. Most of the Snappers you'll catch run 12-16 inches, perfect eating size. They bite year-round but really turn on during warmer months when baitfish are abundant.
Black Drum are the gentle giants of the inshore world, and St. Augustine's grass flats hold some quality fish. These bottom feeders are perfect for kids because they bite with authority and fight with steady, powerful runs rather than acrobatic jumps. You'll often find them rooting around oyster bars and shallow flats, especially during higher tides. They're incredibly hardy and handle catch-and-release well. The smaller "puppy" drum make excellent eating, while the larger fish are usually released to continue the cycle.
Summer Flounder, or Fluke as many anglers call them, are the masters of disguise. Finding these perfectly camouflaged flatfish is like solving a puzzle - they'll be holding tight to sandy bottoms, waiting to ambush baitfish. The technique for Flounder is all about keeping your bait moving along the bottom, and when they bite, it often feels like you've snagged the bottom until the fish starts shaking its head. St. Augustine's Flounder fishing peaks in summer and early fall, with fish ranging from keeper size to true doormat proportions.
Sea Trout are probably the most cooperative fish you'll target, making them perfect for family trips. These spotted beauties love grass flats and will often feed aggressively in schools. When you find one Trout, there are usually more nearby. They bite a variety of baits and artificials, fight well on light tackle, and are forgiving if your technique isn't perfect. The bite is often subtle - just a little extra weight on the line - so they're great for teaching kids to pay attention to their rod tip.
Redfish are the prize of inshore fishing, and St. Augustine's shallow waters provide perfect habitat. These copper-colored bulldogs are built for power, using their broad tails to make blistering runs through shallow water. You'll often see them tailing in inches of water or cruising just under the surface. The sight fishing aspect makes them exciting for kids and adults alike - there's nothing like watching a Red inhale your bait in clear, shallow water. They're catch-and-release only over 27 inches, but the slot-sized fish fight just as hard and make excellent eating.
This half-day family trip with Captain Rob hits all the marks - productive fishing, patient instruction, and the kind of relaxed atmosphere that creates lasting memories. With a 2-person capacity, you get personalized attention and the flexibility to fish at your own pace. The 8 a.m. start time capitalizes on prime feeding periods while keeping the trip manageable for families. St. Augustine's inshore waters offer consistent action year-round, and Rob's local knowledge ensures you'll be fishing the most productive spots for current conditions. Whether you're looking to introduce kids to fishing or just want a stress-free morning on the water, this trip delivers exactly what you're after. Don't wait - prime dates fill up fast
Get ready to explore St. Augustine's prime inshore fishing waters aboard this sleek 2023 Stott Craft center console! This 21-footer cuts through the water at up to 30 knots, getting your family to the best fishing spots quickly. The wireless trolling motor keeps things whisper-quiet when you're sneaking up on those wary redfish and flounder hiding in the shallows. Captain Rob relies on the GPS and fish finder to locate productive structure and schools, while the center console design gives everyone plenty of room to cast and fight fish. The boat's stable platform makes it perfect for kids and beginners to learn proper techniques without feeling cramped. Whether you're drifting over grass flats for trout or working the mangrove edges for reds, this Tahatsu-powered rig handles St. Augustine's inshore waters like a dream, keeping your family comfortable while you make memories and fill the cooler.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the heavyweights of our inshore waters, typically running 5-30 pounds with some pushing 50+ pounds. These bottom-feeders love oyster bars, muddy flats, and creek mouths where they cruise around crushing crabs and shellfish with their powerful jaws. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning, making them easier to locate. You'll hear them "drumming" underwater - a unique sound they make to communicate. What guests love is the solid, steady fight they put up, plus smaller fish under 15 pounds make excellent table fare. The key is getting your bait on the bottom - I prefer fresh crab or cut bait on a circle hook with enough weight to stay down. Watch for muddy water where they're rooting around feeding, and be patient. Once they find your bait, they'll usually commit fully to the bite.
Lutjanus GriseusGrey Snapper, also called Mangrove Snapper, are smart fighters that hang around docks, piers, and rocky structure in 3-15 feet of water. They're opportunistic feeders that usually run 1-3 pounds inshore, with their greyish-red color and distinctive dark eye stripe. These guys are most active at dawn, dusk, and night when they come up to feed. What makes them fun to target is their wariness - they'll inspect your bait carefully before committing. The meat is excellent, white and flaky, making them a favorite for the dinner table. My go-to tip: use a small 4J hook with live shrimp hooked through the tail, let it sink to the bottom, then lift it just off the structure. Keep movement minimal - these fish spook easily, but once hooked, they'll give you a solid fight before coming to the boat.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the crown jewel of our inshore waters, easily spotted by their copper-bronze color and distinctive black eyespots near the tail. These bruisers typically run 18-35 inches and love cruising shallow flats, oyster bars, and mangrove shorelines in just 1-4 feet of water. Year-round fishing is good, but fall and spring offer the most consistent action when they're actively feeding. What gets everyone excited is watching them cruise the shallows with their backs out of water, then exploding on topwater lures. They're tremendous fighters that make long runs and taste excellent when kept within slot limits. The key is staying quiet and making accurate casts ahead of cruising fish. My secret weapon is a gold spoon or topwater plug worked slowly over grass flats during moving tides. Look for nervous water, tailing fish, or muddy spots where they're rooting for crabs.
Salmo TruttaSpotted Sea Trout are perfect for families - they bite readily, fight well, and taste great. These silvery fish with distinctive black spots typically run 14-24 inches and love grass flats in 2-6 feet of water. They're most active during moving tides, especially around dawn and dusk. Spring through fall offers the best action, with winter fish schooling up in deeper channels. What makes trout special is their aggressive strikes on both live bait and artificials. The tender, white meat is prized by locals, though it's delicate so don't overcook it. My favorite setup is live shrimp under a popping cork over grass beds, or throwing soft plastic jigs on light tackle. The trick is working the edges where grass meets sand - that's their highway. Listen for them "popping" shrimp on the surface during calm mornings, then cast just ahead of the disturbance.
Paralichthys DentatusSummer Flounder are the "chameleons" of our flats, changing color to match the sandy bottom where they lie in wait. These flatfish typically run 15-20 inches but can surprise you with doormat-sized specimens over 5 pounds. They're ambush predators that bury in sand and grass edges, especially around structure transitions in 5-25 feet. Fall months from September through November are peak season when they're most active and feeding heavily. Kids love catching them because they bite well and have that unique flat appearance with both eyes on one side. The white, flaky meat is outstanding eating. My best technique is drifting live finger mullet or mud minnows on a circle hook, bouncing bottom slowly. When you feel that subtle tap-tap, don't set the hook hard - let them run with it a few seconds before slowly lifting the rod. They bite sideways, so patience pays off.
St. Augustine