Morning Fishing Trip - St. Augustine, FL
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Morning inshore fishing targeting Mackerels, Redfish, Wahoo, and CobiaAll fishing equipment including rods, reels, tackle provided by charterSixperson capacity boat operating from St. Augustine waters
There's nothing quite like getting out on the water early when the fish are still active and the St. Augustine coast is just waking up. This morning fishing adventure with Game On Fishing Charters puts you right in the heart of some of Florida's most productive inshore waters, where Spanish mackerel, redfish, and even the occasional cobia are waiting to test your skills. You'll spend your morning working the flats, channels, and structure around America's oldest city, with all the gear you need already on board and a captain who knows exactly where the fish are biting.
Your morning starts early – and trust me, it's worth the alarm clock. We're talking about prime feeding time when the water's calm and the fish are hungry. You'll be fishing the productive inshore waters around St. Augustine, where the Matanzas River meets the Atlantic and creates some seriously good fishing opportunities. The boat accommodates up to six anglers, so whether you're bringing the whole family or a group of buddies, there's plenty of room to spread out and work different areas. The atmosphere is relaxed but focused – this isn't a party boat situation, it's about putting fish in the box. Captain and crew know these waters like the back of their hands, from the grass flats where redfish cruise to the drop-offs where mackerel school up. You'll be moving around to hit the hot spots, so expect to cover some ground and try different techniques throughout the trip.
All your tackle comes provided – we're talking quality rods and reels spooled with the right line weights for inshore action. The tackle box is stocked with everything from jigs and spoons for the mackerel to live bait rigs for targeting redfish and cobia. Depending on what's biting, you might be casting spoons into breaking fish, working live shrimp around structure, or trolling small lures along the edges. The beauty of inshore fishing here is the variety – one minute you're sight-casting to a tailing redfish, the next you're fighting a king mackerel that crushed a trolled spoon. The captain will set you up with the right gear for each situation and give you tips on technique. If you're new to saltwater fishing, don't sweat it – the crew will get you dialed in. Experienced anglers will appreciate having quality gear without the hassle of bringing their own setup.
Spanish mackerel are the bread and butter of this trip, especially during the warmer months. These silver speedsters travel in schools and when you find them, the action can be fast and furious. They typically run 1-3 pounds and are absolute rockets when hooked – perfect for light tackle fun. Spanish macs are most active from spring through fall, with peak action in summer and early fall when bait schools are thick. What makes them so popular with anglers is their willingness to hit artificial lures and their fantastic table fare when prepared fresh.
King mackerel step up the game considerably. These larger cousins of the Spanish mac can reach 10-30 pounds or more and are known for their blistering runs and aerial displays. Kings prefer deeper water along the edges and are often caught while trolling. Summer and fall are prime time for kings around St. Augustine, when they follow bait schools close to shore. Landing a quality king mackerel is a real accomplishment – they're smart, strong, and absolutely delicious when grilled or blackened.
Redfish are the inshore slam favorite around these parts. These copper-colored bruisers love shallow water structure, oyster bars, and grass flats where they root around for crabs and shrimp. Reds typically range from 18-27 inches (slot size) and are famous for their bulldogging fights – they don't jump much but they'll drag you around the boat. Fall and winter are peak seasons for slot reds, though you can find them year-round in the right spots. What makes redfish special is their accessibility to anglers of all skill levels and their reputation as one of the best eating fish in the Gulf and Atlantic.
Mahi mahi, or dolphinfish, are the wild cards of this trip. When conditions are right and they're in the area, few fish can match their beauty and fighting ability. These golden-green speedsters love floating structure and weed lines, often traveling in schools. Mahi typically show up in spring and summer when the Gulf Stream pushes closer to shore. They're acrobatic fighters that leap repeatedly when hooked and make for outstanding table fare with their firm, white meat.
Cobia are the heavyweights that can really make your day memorable. These brown, shark-like fish cruise shallow waters and are often caught sight-fishing around structure or following rays and sharks. Cobia can reach impressive sizes – 20-40 pounders are not uncommon – and they're curious fish that will often approach the boat for a closer look. Spring and fall migrations bring the best cobia action to Northeast Florida waters. They're powerful fighters with excellent meat quality, making them a top target for serious anglers.
Morning trips book up fast, especially during peak season, so don't wait around if you're serious about getting on the water. This top-rated charter gives you everything you need for a successful day of fishing – quality gear, local knowledge, and access to some of the best inshore waters on Florida's Atlantic coast. Just bring your snacks, drinks, and sunscreen, and get ready to bend some rods. Whether you're after a cooler full of Spanish mackerel for the grill or hoping to tangle with a trophy cobia, Game On Fishing Charters has the experience and equipment to make it happen. Book your morning fishing adventure today and see why anglers keep coming back to St. Augustine's productive inshore waters.
Our fully-equipped motorboat gets you out on St. Augustine's productive inshore waters in comfort. With room for up to 6 anglers, she's rigged with everything you need for a successful morning targeting redfish, mackerel, wahoo, and cobia. The fish finder helps locate schools while GPS keeps us on the hottest spots. A multimedia system keeps spirits up during travel time, and the onboard head means no cutting trips short. All tackle, rods, reels, and bait come included - just bring your cooler with snacks and drinks. This boat handles St. Augustine's coastal waters beautifully, giving you stable casting platform whether we're working the grass flats for reds or heading out to structure for bigger game fish.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are solitary brown sharks look-alikes that grow big - averaging 6 feet and 100 pounds when mature. You'll spot them cruising solo near buoys, wrecks, and reefs in 30-70 feet, often just under the surface where sight fishing works best. Spring through summer during their spawning migration offers peak action around here. What guests love is the visual aspect - seeing these giants swim up to the boat - and their powerful, stubborn fight on heavy tackle. The meat rivals grouper for table quality with that firm, white flesh. Key trick: approach them slowly and drop a bucktail jig (4-8 oz) right in front of their nose. Color doesn't matter much, but that precise presentation does.
Coryphaena HippurusMahi Mahi are the most colorful catch you'll see, flashing gold, blue, and green before changing colors dramatically when brought aboard. These fast-growing fish average 15-29 pounds and 39 inches, though they can reach 87 pounds. Look for them around floating debris, weed lines, and current breaks in deeper offshore waters during warmer months. What makes them special is their acrobatic fight and premium table quality - firm, white meat with a mild, sweet flavor that's hard to beat. They're curious fish that often travel in small groups. Best tip: when you hook one, keep the boat positioned near the structure since others usually stick around for multiple hookups on the same spot.
Scomberomorus CavallaKing Mackerel, or "Kings," are the speed demons of our waters, averaging 30 pounds but capable of hitting 90+ pounds. These olive-backed fighters cruise in 40-150 feet of water around wrecks, reefs, and temperature breaks. Spring and fall migrations bring the best action when they're moving through our area in large numbers. What makes them special is their blistering runs - they're nearly as fast as wahoo and will test your drag system. The meat is excellent grilled or smoked, though larger fish can have higher mercury levels. My go-to setup uses two hooks on wire leader - one in the bait's nose, another trailing behind, since Kings typically hit the tail section first when attacking live bait.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish, or Red Drum, are the perfect shallow water predator with their copper-red backs and distinctive black eyespot near the tail. Most fish we catch run 28-33 inches and make their home in 1-4 feet of water around oyster bars, grass flats, and mangrove shorelines. They're year-round residents here, but fall and spring offer prime fishing when they're most active. What anglers love is watching their backs break the surface in skinny water and that bulldog fight once hooked. The meat is sweet and mild, perfect for blackening. Here's the trick: look for "nervous water" - slight surface disturbances where reds are feeding below. Weedless topwater plugs work magic in these shallow haunts.
Scomberomorus MaculatusSpanish Mackerel are fast, silvery fish with distinctive yellow spots that make great targets for our morning trips. These speedsters typically run 1-2 feet long and weigh 8-11 pounds, traveling in large schools near the surface. You'll find them around structures, jetties, and nearshore reefs in 20-40 feet of water. Spring through fall offers the best action when water temps warm up. What guests love most is their aggressive strikes and aerial fights - plus they make outstanding table fare with that mild, flaky meat. Pro tip: when you spot birds diving, get ready - Spanish Mackerel often feed underneath baitfish schools. Light tackle with small spoons or live shrimp works best.
St. Augustine, FL