Captain's Choice Afternoon Fishing - St. Augustine
Looking for a solid afternoon on the water in St. Augustine? Game On Fishing Charters runs a top-rated Captain's Choice trip that puts you right where the fish are biting. This isn't some cookie-cutter charter - your captain reads the water and weather conditions that day to take you to the hottest spots around these legendary Florida waters. Whether we're working the grass flats for redfish or heading out to structure for cobia, you'll be fishing productive water with a crew that knows these grounds like the back of their hand.
What to Expect on the Water
Your afternoon kicks off with a relaxed departure from St. Augustine's historic harbor. The captain sizes up conditions and makes the call on where to spend your time - could be shallow water sight fishing, could be working deeper structure, or maybe hitting some productive drop-offs depending on what's been producing. This customer favorite approach means you're always fishing the best available water instead of sticking to some rigid plan that might not match the day's conditions. The boat handles six anglers comfortably, so whether you're bringing the family or a group of fishing buddies, there's plenty of room to spread out and work different techniques. All your tackle, rods, and terminal gear comes with the trip, but feel free to bring your favorite setup if you've got one. Pack your own food and drinks since this is a BYOB operation - most folks bring a cooler with sandwiches and cold beverages to keep everyone fueled up during the action.
Techniques and Tackle Setup
St. Augustine's diverse fishery means we're switching up tactics throughout the trip. In the shallows, you'll be sight casting with spinning gear and artificial lures - think gold spoons, topwater plugs, and soft plastics worked around oyster bars and grass edges where redfish love to cruise. When we move to deeper structure, we'll set up with heavier tackle for bottom fishing and slow trolling. The boat carries quality conventional and spinning outfits matched to whatever species we're targeting. Your captain handles all the rigging, from setting up Carolina rigs for bottom fish to tying on the right jigs for working structure. Live bait gets deployed when the bite calls for it - fresh shrimp, pilchards, or whatever's available at the dock that morning. The key here is staying flexible and letting the fish tell us what they want. Some days they're hammering artificials, other days live bait is the only game in town. That's why having an experienced local captain makes all the difference on these world-class fishing grounds.
Species You'll Want to Hook
Mahi-mahi are the crown jewel of offshore fishing around St. Augustine, and when they're in, it's game on. These fish show up in spring and summer, typically relating to floating debris, weed lines, or temperature breaks a few miles offshore. Mahi are notorious for their acrobatic fights - expect multiple jumps and screaming runs that'll test your drag system. They're also excellent table fare, which is why they're such a customer favorite. The fish here range from small schoolies around five pounds up to bull dolphins pushing 30-plus pounds. The bite usually heats up mid-morning and can stay hot through the afternoon, especially when you find the right piece of structure or floating kelp.
Wahoo are speed demons that'll humble even experienced anglers with their blistering runs. These torpedo-shaped predators patrol the offshore waters year-round but peak during cooler months when baitfish are thick. Wahoo hits are violent and instantaneous - one second you're trolling along peacefully, the next your reel is screaming and line is disappearing at an alarming rate. They're renowned for their razor-sharp teeth, so wire leaders are mandatory. Most St. Augustine wahoo run between 20-40 pounds, though the occasional 50-plus pound fish shows up to make your day. Their white, flaky meat is considered some of the best eating in the ocean.
Cobia are the bulldogs of the inshore scene, known for their curious nature and powerful fights in shallow water. Spring migration brings these fish through St. Augustine in good numbers, often following rays and sharks along the beaches. Cobia are sight fishing at its finest - you'll spot their dark shapes cruising just under the surface, then pitch a jig or live bait ahead of their path. They're notorious for following lures right to the boat before deciding whether to eat, which keeps things exciting. These fish fight hard and dirty, using their broad tails and stubborn nature to test your tackle. Most cobia here run 20-40 pounds, with the occasional beast pushing 50-plus.
Redfish are the bread and butter of St. Augustine's inshore fishery, available year-round in the extensive grass flats and oyster bar systems. These copper-colored fighters are perfect for anglers who love sight fishing in skinny water. Reds cruise the flats looking for crabs, shrimp, and small baitfish, often betraying their presence with wakes or tailing behavior. They're not the fastest fish in the water, but they make up for it with dogged determination and the ability to use structure to their advantage. The slot-size fish here typically run 18-27 inches and provide fantastic light tackle action. Bull reds over 27 inches are catch-and-release only, but these giants can push 40-plus pounds and provide arm-burning fights in shallow water.
Time to Book Your Spot
St. Augustine's fishing scene delivers year-round action, but the Captain's Choice format means you're always fishing the best available opportunities for the conditions. This trending trip style has become popular because it maximizes your time on productive water instead of forcing techniques that might not match the day's bite. The afternoon timing is perfect for beating the morning charter rush while still giving you prime fishing hours when many species are most active. With all tackle included and a experienced local captain calling the shots, you just need to show up ready to fish. Book your spot with Game