Captain's Choice Morning Fishing - St. Augustine
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Morning inshore fishing targeting Wahoo, Cobia, Mahi, and MackerelAll fishing equipment included with charter bookingAccommodates up to 6 guests on shared trip
There's nothing quite like starting your day with lines in the water off St. Augustine's coast. This captain's choice morning trip puts you in the hands of experienced local guides who know exactly where the fish are biting. You'll spend your morning targeting some of Florida's most sought-after species, from hard-fighting cobia to lightning-fast wahoo. With all tackle and gear included, you just need to bring your appetite for action and maybe some snacks to keep you fueled up between hookups.
Your morning starts early when you meet the crew at the marina. The captain will brief you on the day's game plan based on current conditions, tides, and what's been biting lately. St. Augustine's waters offer a perfect mix of inshore and nearshore fishing opportunities, so you might find yourself working the grass flats for redfish one minute and trolling the blue water for mahi the next. The boat accommodates up to six anglers comfortably, giving everyone plenty of room to fight fish without getting tangled up. Weather and fish behavior dictate where you'll head, but that's what makes it a captain's choice trip - they're putting you on the best bite of the day.
The beauty of this morning charter lies in the variety of fishing methods you'll experience. Depending on conditions and target species, you might be sight casting to tailing redfish in shallow water, trolling spread for pelagic species, or live bait fishing around structure for cobia and mackerel. The crew provides all necessary tackle, from light spinning gear for inshore action to heavier conventional setups for offshore battlers. Circle hooks and proper release techniques are standard practice here, ensuring healthy fish populations for future trips. Your captain will handle rigging and re-baiting, so you can focus on what matters most - setting hooks and landing fish. Live bait, cut bait, and artificial lures all have their place in the arsenal, and the crew knows exactly when to deploy each option.
The redfish around St. Augustine are absolutely legendary. These copper-colored bruisers patrol the shallow flats and oyster bars, often showing their backs as they cruise in just inches of water. Peak season runs from September through November and again in spring, when big schools of reds stack up during their spawning runs. A slot-size redfish will give you a fight you won't forget, making long runs and using their broad sides to pull drag. What makes them special here is the sight fishing opportunities - there's nothing like watching a 30-inch red cruise up to your bait.
Mahi mahi bring the offshore excitement to this trip when conditions allow. These electric-colored fish are pure adrenaline, known for their acrobatic jumps and blazing speed. They travel in schools around floating debris and weed lines, typically 10-30 miles offshore. Spring through fall offers the best mahi action, with peak times during summer months. When you hook into a school of mahi, the action can be non-stop - just keep your bait in the water because where there's one, there's usually a dozen more.
Wahoo fishing off St. Augustine is world-class, especially during winter months when these torpedo-shaped speedsters move closer to shore. Known as one of the fastest fish in the ocean, wahoo can reach speeds over 60 mph and will test both your drag system and your arms. They're structure-oriented fish, often found around wrecks and reefs in 80-200 feet of water. The bite is typically fast and furious - blink and you might miss the strike. Their razor-sharp teeth and blistering runs make every wahoo a trophy, regardless of size.
Cobia are the gentle giants of this fishery, curious fish that often approach the boat for a close look. Spring migration brings massive schools through St. Augustine waters, with fish ranging from 20 to 50 pounds. They're sight fishing targets, often found following rays and sharks in shallow water or cruising around channel markers and buoys. Cobia are incredible fighters, using their broad shoulders and stamina to test your equipment. They're also excellent table fare, making them a favorite among visiting anglers.
Spanish mackerel round out the target list with fast action and great eating. These smaller members of the mackerel family are abundant year-round in St. Augustine waters, though they're most active during warmer months. They school up around structure, bait schools, and temperature breaks, providing consistent action when larger species are being finicky. Their aggressive nature and willingness to hit both live and artificial baits makes them perfect for keeping rods bent throughout the trip.
This captain's choice morning trip delivers exactly what serious anglers are looking for - variety, action, and the expertise of local guides who live and breathe these waters. Whether you're after your first redfish or hoping to add wahoo to your species list, this charter puts you in position to succeed. The all-inclusive tackle package means you can fly in light or just show up ready to fish. Morning trips are especially productive in St. Augustine, taking advantage of cooler temperatures and active fish before the afternoon heat sets in. Don't forget to bring snacks and drinks to keep your energy up - you're going to need it when the fish start biting. Book your spot now and get ready for a morning of top-rated fishing action on some of Florida's best waters.
Your fishing adventure starts aboard a well-equipped motorboat designed for serious angling in St. Augustine's productive inshore waters. This 6-person vessel comes loaded with everything you need for a successful morning on the water - a fish finder to locate those schools of Wahoo, Cobia, and Mahi, plus GPS navigation to hit all the best fishing spots along Florida's historic coast. The onboard multimedia system keeps things entertaining between bites, while the toilet ensures comfort during your time on the water. All your fishing gear is included, so just bring your appetite for action and some snacks to fuel up between catches. The captain knows these waters like the back of their hand and will put you on the fish, whether you're targeting speedy Mackerel or battling bigger game species. Perfect setup for anglers who want to focus on fishing without worrying about the details.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are like the submarines of the fishing world - dark brown, shark-like fish that cruise near the surface around structures. These bruisers average 20-40 pounds but can push 60+ pounds and 5 feet long. We find them around wrecks, buoys, and offshore platforms in 30-100 feet of water. Spring migration from March through May gives us phenomenal sight fishing opportunities. What makes cobia special is their curious nature - they'll swim right up to the boat to investigate. They fight like freight trains with long, powerful runs and make excellent eating with firm, white meat similar to shark. Bucktail jigs work great, but live bait like blue runners or eels drives them crazy. My go-to trick: when we spot one, approach slowly and cast well ahead of its path. Don't cast directly at them - they'll spook. Let the bait sink naturally and be ready for that crushing strike.
Coryphaena HippurusMahi are the rainbow warriors of offshore fishing - brilliant gold and green colors that put on a light show when they come to the boat. These fast-growing fish typically run 15-30 pounds and max out around 40 inches, though bulls can hit 50+ pounds. We find them around floating debris, weed lines, and current breaks in 100-400 feet of water. Spring through early fall is prime time when water temps warm up. What guests love about mahi is their aggressive strikes and acrobatic fights - they'll jump, tail-walk, and never give up easy. Plus, they're absolutely delicious with firm, white meat that's perfect for fish tacos. When trolling, I like running ballyhoo behind skirted heads at 8-10 knots. Pro tip: when you hook one, leave the other lines in - mahi travel in schools and where there's one, there's usually more nearby.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are one of our most reliable targets here in St. Augustine. These copper-backed beauties average 20-30 inches and love shallow water from 1-4 feet deep around oyster bars, grass flats, and dock pilings. You'll spot them by their distinctive black eyespot near the tail - nature's trick to confuse predators. Spring through fall gives us the best action, especially on moving tides when they're actively feeding. What makes redfish special is their bulldogging fight and excellent table fare with that mild, sweet flavor. They're not picky eaters either - live shrimp, cut bait, or topwater plugs all work. Here's a local tip: when you see their backs cruising the shallows, cast well ahead of where they're heading and let your bait settle. These fish spook easily in skinny water, so patience pays off.
Scomberomorus MaculatusSpanish mackerel are the speed merchants of the nearshore waters - sleek, silver fish with yellow spots that school up in large numbers. They typically run 1-3 pounds and 12-18 inches, but their blazing speed makes up for their size. We catch them from the surf to 50 feet of water around piers, jetties, and nearshore reefs. Spring through fall is prime time, especially when baitfish are thick along the beaches. These fish are pure action - they'll hit everything from spoons to live shrimp with aggressive strikes. The fight is fast and furious with multiple jumps. They're also fantastic eating - mild, flaky meat that's perfect smoked or grilled. Small jigs and shiny spoons trolled at 4-6 knots work great. Local secret: when you hook one, keep your other lines in the water. Spanish mackerel travel in huge schools, so it's common to have double or triple hookups when you find them.
Acanthocybium SolandriWahoo are the speed demons of the deep - capable of hitting 60 mph and averaging 30-50 pounds with a sleek, torpedo-shaped body. We target them in 100-300 feet of water around weed lines and temperature breaks. July through November is our best window when they're most abundant off our coast. These fish are pure adrenaline - their initial run will scream line off your reel like nothing else. The meat is outstanding too - firm, white, and mild-flavored, often called "ono" meaning delicious in Hawaiian. Their razor-sharp teeth will slice through regular leaders, so we always use wire. High-speed trolling at 12-15 knots with diving plugs or rigged ballyhoo works best. Here's the key: wahoo are often solitary or in small groups, so when we mark one on the sounder or see birds working, we'll make multiple passes through that area to maximize our chances.
St. Augustine, FL