Extended Half Day St. Augustine Inshore Trip
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Target redfish, trout, black drum, cobia and sheepshead inshoreSix-hour guided trip accommodates up to three guests maximumAll licenses, gear and comfortable Maverick skiff provided included
Captain Cullen knows these St. Augustine waters like the back of his hand, and he's ready to put you on some serious fish during this 6-hour inshore adventure. You'll be targeting some of the area's most sought-after species including redfish, sea trout, black drum, cobia, and sheepshead aboard his comfortable Maverick skiff. With multiple launch points available from Lighthouse Park to Vilano Beach, we'll pick the spot that gives you the best shot at filling the fish box. All licenses and tackle are covered, so just grab your cooler with snacks and drinks and get ready for some top-rated action on the flats.
This isn't your typical dock fishing experience – we're talking about getting into the heart of St. Augustine's productive inshore waters where the fish actually live and feed. Captain Cullen will have you working the flats during moving tides, pitching baits around oyster bars, and targeting structure where these species love to hang out. The Maverick skiff is perfect for this kind of fishing since it can get into skinny water but still handles the chop when we need to make longer runs. You'll spend the day learning how to read the water, understanding what makes these fish tick, and hopefully landing some memorable catches. With room for up to 3 anglers, there's plenty of space to fish without getting your lines tangled, and Captain Cullen can give everyone the attention they need to improve their technique.
We'll be using a mix of live bait and artificials depending on what the fish are telling us on any given day. Expect to throw everything from soft plastics on jig heads to live shrimp under popping corks. When we're working the flats for redfish, you might be sight fishing with gold spoons or weedless jigs, while the oyster bars call for bottom rigs with cut bait to pull black drum and sheepshead out of the structure. Captain Cullen keeps his tackle box stocked with proven local favorites – think DOA shrimp, Gulp baits, and topwater plugs for when the action gets hot. The beauty of inshore fishing here is the variety of presentations you'll learn. One minute you're making long casts to tailing reds in 2 feet of water, the next you're bouncing baits along oyster-covered bottom in 8-foot holes. All the rods, reels, and terminal tackle are provided, so you don't need to worry about bringing anything except your enthusiasm to learn.
Redfish are the bread and butter of St. Augustine inshore fishing, and these copper-colored fighters will test your drag system. They typically run 18 to 28 inches in these waters, with slot fish being perfect for the dinner table. Spring through fall offers the most consistent action, especially when you find them tailing on the flats during high tide. What makes reds so special is their aggressive nature – they'll crush a well-presented bait and then make multiple powerful runs that'll have your arms burning.
Sea trout are another customer favorite, and the grass flats around St. Augustine hold some quality fish. These spotted beauties average 14 to 20 inches, with the occasional gator trout pushing over 24 inches showing up to make your day. They're most active during cooler months and love to suspend over grass beds in 3 to 6 feet of water. Trout are perfect for light tackle enthusiasts since they'll hit soft plastics and topwater baits with authority, plus they make excellent table fare when kept within regulations.
Black drum might not win any beauty contests, but they'll definitely give you a workout. These bottom dwellers can range from 2 to 20 pounds in local waters, and the bigger ones will drag you around oyster bars like you're not even there. They're year-round residents that love structure, making them a reliable target when other species are being finicky. The thrill comes from never knowing if that tap on the bottom is a 3-pound puppy drum or a 15-pound bull that's about to test your knots.
Cobia are the wild cards of this trip – when they show up, they can completely change your day. These brown sharks (as locals sometimes call them) range from 20 to 40 pounds and are absolute bulldogs on light tackle. They're most common during warmer months and have a habit of following rays and other fish, making sight fishing for them a real rush. Landing a cobia on spinning gear is something you'll be talking about for years.
Sheepshead are the technical challenge of the group, known for their light bites and incredible ability to steal bait. These black-and-white striped convicts average 12 to 18 inches but can push over 20 inches around St. Augustine's bridges and docks. Winter months are prime time for sheepshead, and hooking one requires patience and quick reflexes. They're considered some of the best eating fish in these waters, making the challenge worthwhile.
Captain Cullen's extended half-day trips book up fast, especially during peak season when the fishing is at its best. Six hours gives you enough time to really get into the rhythm of inshore fishing without feeling rushed, and with multiple launch locations available, weather rarely becomes an issue since we can always find protected water. Whether you're a seasoned angler looking to learn local techniques or a beginner wanting to experience world-class inshore fishing, this trip delivers the kind of action that keeps people coming back. The combination of diverse species, scenic waters, and expert guidance makes this one of the top-rated fishing experiences in the St. Augustine area. Don't let another season pass without getting out there – book your trip with High Tailin' and see why these waters have such a renowned reputation among serious anglers.
Captain Cullen's Maverick skiff is built for serious inshore action around St. Augustine's flats and oyster bars. This shallow-water machine handles like a dream when you're chasing redfish through skinny water or working structure for cobia and sheepshead. The boat's stable platform gives you plenty of room to fight fish and cast accurately, whether you're sight-fishing the grass beds or drifting oyster bars for black drum. With space for up to 3 anglers, there's room to move without getting tangled up during the bite. The skiff's shallow draft lets Captain Cullen get you into those productive backwater spots where the big trout hang out. Clean, comfortable, and rigged with everything you need for 6 hours of solid fishing. Just show up ready to fish – the Maverick will get you there.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the heavyweights of the drum family, typically running 5-30 pounds with some giants hitting 90+. They're built for crushing shellfish with powerful jaws, which is why you'll find them around oyster bars and muddy flats where they root for crabs and mollusks. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning - that's when you hear their famous drumming sounds underwater. They're bottom feeders, so fresh crab or cut bait on the bottom works best. Here's the trick: use heavy enough weight to keep your bait down and watch for subtle taps rather than hard strikes. The smaller ones under 15 pounds make great eating, while the big ones are better released. They fight hard and steady, making them a favorite for anglers who like a good tug-of-war.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are the sharks that aren't sharks - these brown, torpedo-shaped fish cruise just under the surface and can easily hit 40-60 pounds. They're loners except during spring migration when they move through our waters heading north. You'll spot them around buoys, wrecks, and floating debris, often mistaken for sharks until you see that distinctive flat head. What makes cobia fishing exciting is the sight-fishing aspect - we'll idle around looking for their dark shadows just below the surface. They're curious fish that'll often approach the boat, giving you multiple shot opportunities. The meat is outstanding - firm and white like shark but without the ammonia. Spring through early summer is prime time here. When you see one, cast a bucktail jig or live bait well ahead of where it's swimming and work it slowly back toward the fish.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the crown jewel of our inshore fishing, easily spotted by their copper-bronze color and signature black spots near the tail. They range from schooling "rat reds" around 18-27 inches to bruiser bulls pushing 40+ inches. You'll find them cruising shallow flats, tailing in inches of water, or holding around oyster bars and mangroves year-round. What makes them special is their aggressive nature - they'll crush topwater plugs, soft plastics, and live shrimp with equal enthusiasm. The slot-size fish are fantastic eating with mild, sweet meat, while the big bulls make for epic photo opportunities. Spring and fall offer the most consistent action, but summer mornings can be phenomenal. Watch for nervous water or actual fish backs - when you spot them, cast ahead and let your lure sink before starting a slow retrieve.
Salmo TruttaSpotted sea trout, or "specks," are the bread and butter of our grass flats fishing. These silver beauties with black spots typically run 14-20 inches and put up a scrappy fight on light tackle. They love shallow grass beds and drop-offs, especially during moving water. Early morning and evening produce the best action, with topwater plugs creating explosive strikes in knee-deep water. What guests really enjoy is how willing they are to bite - trout are aggressive feeders that'll hit shrimp, soft plastics, or live bait. The meat is tender and flaky, perfect for a fish fry. During cooler months, they school up in deeper channels, but summer finds them scattered across the flats. Pro tip: work your lure slowly and let it sink - trout often hit on the fall, so stay ready for that subtle tick.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the convict fish of St. Augustine's waters, sporting black and white stripes and human-like teeth that make them unforgettable. Most run 1-8 pounds, but 20-pounders lurk around dock pilings and bridge structures where they munch barnacles all day. They're notorious bait thieves - they'll nibble your offering clean off the hook if you're not ready. Spring brings the best action when they move shallow to spawn. What makes them special is their excellent table fare - sweet, white meat that's worth the challenge of catching them. The key is getting your bait tight to structure and setting the hook hard the moment you feel weight. Fiddler crabs or fresh shrimp work great, but keep that drag tight because they'll dart straight back to cover once hooked.
Saint Augustine, FL