Half Day Fishing Trip in St. Augustine
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Half-day inshore fly fishing charter targeting redfish and troutCaptain Cullen provides all equipment, licenses, and expert guidanceSmall group experience accommodating up to three guests maximum
Captain Cullen Traverso knows these St. Augustine waters like the back of his hand, and he's ready to put you on some serious fish. Whether you're chasing tailing redfish in skinny water or working structure for monster black drum, this half-day charter gives you the perfect taste of what makes Northeast Florida's inshore scene so legendary. With all gear and licenses covered, you can focus on what matters most – getting your line tight and making memories that'll have you planning your next trip before you even hit the dock.
This isn't your typical cookie-cutter fishing trip. Captain Cullen runs a top-rated operation that adapts to conditions, tides, and what the fish are doing that day. You might find yourself sight-fishing the grass flats on a flooding tide, working oyster bars during the peak incoming, or hitting deeper structure when the bite calls for it. The beauty of St. Augustine's inshore waters is the variety – from the pristine backcountry around the Matanzas Inlet to the productive nearshore reefs just outside the inlet. With room for up to three anglers, this charter strikes the perfect balance between personalized attention and sharing the excitement with your fishing buddies. Captain Cullen's got the local knowledge to read the water, weather, and fish behavior, so you're always fishing the most productive spots at the right time.
This charter specializes in fly fishing, which means you'll experience the pure connection between angler and fish that only comes with presenting flies on light tackle. Captain Cullen provides all the fly rods, reels, lines, and patterns you'll need, whether you're throwing topwater poppers at cruising reds or stripping streamers through deeper channels. The technique varies based on conditions and target species – sight-casting to individual fish in clear water, blind-casting to likely structure, or working schools when the action heats up. Don't worry if you've never fly fished before; Captain Cullen works with anglers of all skill levels and takes pride in teaching proper casting techniques, fly selection, and fish handling. The shallow-draft boat gets you into spots where conventional tackle boats can't reach, opening up world-class fishing opportunities in water that's often less than three feet deep.
Redfish are the crown jewel of St. Augustine's inshore scene, and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers average 20-30 inches in local waters, with plenty of slot fish that pull drag and test your skills. Spring through fall offers the most consistent action, especially during moving tides when reds cruise the oyster bars and grass edges looking for crabs and baitfish. What makes redfish so special is their willingness to eat flies and their tendency to feed in skinny water where you can watch the entire fight unfold. The sight of a red's back and tail breaking the surface as it roots around in the shallows will get your heart racing every time.
Sea trout might not have the glamour of redfish, but they're customer favorites for their aggressive strikes and acrobatic fights. These spotted beauties love grass flats and sandy potholes, especially during warmer months when they school up in good numbers. Most St. Augustine trout run 14-18 inches, with occasional gator trout pushing over 20 inches that'll make your reel sing. They're suckers for well-presented shrimp patterns and small baitfish flies, making them perfect targets for anglers looking to bend rods consistently throughout the trip.
Black drum are the heavyweights of the inshore game, with fish commonly reaching 15-40 pounds in local waters. These bottom-dwellers love structure – oyster bars, dock pilings, and channel edges where they root around for crabs and shellfish. Fall and winter months typically produce the best drum fishing, when cooler water temperatures bring these fish into shallower areas. Landing a big drum on fly tackle is a true test of angling skills, as these fish use their broad sides and bulldogging power to test every knot and connection in your setup.
Sheepshead earn their reputation as bait stealers, but that's exactly what makes them so rewarding to catch on flies. These black-and-white striped convicts have human-like teeth designed for crushing shellfish, and they hang around any structure with barnacles or oysters. Winter months bring the best sheepshead action in St. Augustine, when fish move inshore for their annual spawn. Their light, pecking bites require concentration and quick reflexes, but once you hook up, their determined runs and head-shaking fights make every fish memorable.
Cobia are the wild cards that can show up anytime during the warmer months, usually following rays or cruising structure lines. These brown sharks (as some anglers call them) are pure power, capable of long runs that'll clear your fly line in seconds. Most St. Augustine cobia run 20-40 pounds, with occasional fish pushing 50-plus that provide world-class battles on fly tackle. Their curiosity about flies makes them excellent targets for sight-fishing, and their willingness to eat large patterns gives you a shot at the fish of a lifetime on any given cast.
Captain Cullen's half-day charters fill up fast, especially during prime fishing seasons when the bite is hot and weather conditions are ideal. This customer-favorite trip gives you everything you need for a top-rated fishing experience – expert guiding, quality equipment, and access to some of the best inshore waters on Florida's east coast. Whether you're a seasoned fly angler or someone looking to try something new, this charter delivers the kind of personalized attention and fish-catching action that keeps anglers coming back trip after trip. Don't let another season pass without experiencing what makes St. Augustine's inshore fishing so special – book your spot today and get ready for rods bending and reels screaming in some
Captain Cullen's motorboat cuts through St. Augustine's inshore waters with the precision of a seasoned angler who knows exactly where the redfish and trout are hiding. This nimble 3-person vessel gets you into those shallow backwater spots where the big ones lurk, whether you're working the flood tide flats or sneaking into protected coves during low water. The boat's designed for serious fly fishing - plenty of casting room and stable enough to land that trophy redfish when your reel starts screaming. Captain Cullen handles the navigation while you focus on the fish, positioning you perfectly for those money shots in St. Augustine's most productive inshore waters.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the heavyweights of the drum family, typically running 5-30 pounds but capable of hitting 90+ pounds. These dark, powerful fish love crushing oysters and crabs with their pharyngeal teeth around oyster bars, muddy flats, and creek mouths in 2-15 feet of water. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning - that's when you'll hear their distinctive drumming sounds underwater. They're incredible fighters that will test your drag, but keep fish under 15 pounds for the table since bigger ones get tough and stringy. Pro tip: use fresh blue crab or fiddler crab on a Carolina rig and fish it right on the bottom near structure. They're notorious for subtle bites, so watch your rod tip closely and set the hook hard when you feel that steady pull.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are the bruisers of nearshore waters, often mistaken for sharks with their dark brown coloring and single dorsal fin. These solitary fish average 30-50 pounds and can reach 6 feet long, making them serious tackle-busters. You'll spot them cruising near buoys, wrecks, and structure in 20-60 feet of water, especially during their spring migration from April through June. What makes cobia fishing special is the sight-fishing opportunity - watching a 40-pound fish slowly swim up to your bait gets your heart pumping. They're also top-shelf eating with firm, white meat that rivals any offshore fish. Around St. Augustine, look for them following rays and sharks in cleaner water. A live eel or large bucktail jig worked slowly near the bottom is deadly. Once hooked, they make powerful runs and don't give up easy - definitely a fish that'll test your tackle and skills.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the crown jewel of St. Augustine's shallow water fishing, easily spotted by their bronze backs and signature black spot near the tail. These bruisers typically run 18-32 inches and fight like freight trains in skinny water. You'll find them tailing on oyster bars, cruising grass flats, and hanging around dock pilings in 1-4 feet of water year-round. Fall brings the best action when they school up and get aggressive before winter. What makes reds special is their willingness to eat almost anything and their bulldogging fight in shallow water. They're also excellent table fare with firm, mild meat. The secret here in St. Augustine is working the flood tide around oyster bars with a gold spoon or soft plastic. When you see them tailing with their backs out of water, cast past them and work your lure back slowly - they can't resist it.
Salmo TruttaSpotted sea trout, or "specks" as we call them locally, are beautiful silvery fish with distinctive black spots covering their sides. Most run 14-24 inches and 1-5 pounds, making them perfect targets on light tackle. These fish love grass flats, sandy bottoms, and oyster bars in 2-8 feet of water, especially during moving tides. Fall and spring offer the best action when water temps are in the 60s-70s. They're fantastic fighters with a soft mouth, so keep your drag light. The meat is delicate and sweet - some of the best eating you'll find inshore. Look for them over grass beds at dawn and dusk when they're feeding on shrimp and small baitfish. A soft plastic shrimp or small topwater plug worked slowly over the grass will drive them crazy. Just remember to handle them gently since they're fragile once landed.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the convict fish of St. Augustine waters, sporting black stripes and human-like teeth that crunch barnacles off dock pilings. These 1-8 pound tricksters hang tight to any structure - bridges, oyster bars, and jetties - where they can scrape their favorite meals. Winter through early spring is peak season when they're most aggressive and stack up around deeper structures. What makes them special is their notorious bait-stealing ability and the challenge they present - plus they're fantastic eating with sweet, flaky white meat. The key to landing them is getting your bait right against the structure and setting the hook hard the instant you feel weight. Use fiddler crabs or sand fleas on a light jig head, and don't be surprised when they strip your bait clean before you know what happened.
Saint Augustine, FL