Night Flounder Gigging in St. Augustine
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Nighttime flounder gigging in shallow St. Augustine watersFour to six hour guided trips using specialized lightingFamily-friendly experience suitable for all skill levels
There's something magical about slipping across the shallow flats of St. Augustine after dark, spotlight in hand, hunting for one of Florida's most delicious fish. Flounder gigging isn't your typical casting-and-waiting kind of fishing—it's active, visual, and downright addictive once you get the hang of it. Our 4- to 6-hour night charters put you right in the action, drifting silently through knee-deep water while you scan the sandy bottom for those sneaky flatfish. Perfect for solo anglers looking for something different, this top-rated experience combines the thrill of the hunt with the peaceful rhythm of nighttime on the water. You'll be amazed how quickly the hours fly by when you're locked into the zone, moving from spot to spot under the cover of darkness.
We launch right after sunset when the world transforms and the flats come alive in a whole new way. You'll be fishing from our 16-foot aluminum skiff—shallow draft and whisper-quiet, perfect for sneaking up on wary fish in 2 to 4 feet of water. The setup is pretty straightforward: powerful LED lights mounted on the boat illuminate the bottom like an underwater stage, and you'll be standing at the bow with a multi-pronged gig, scanning for movement below. St. Augustine's grass flats and sandy patches create the ideal habitat for flounder, and on calm nights, the visibility is absolutely incredible. Don't worry if you've never gigged before—most folks pick it up within the first hour, and there's something surprisingly relaxing about the slow, methodical pace. Between flounder, you'll spot sheepshead cruising the shallows, rays gliding past, and all sorts of coastal life that stays hidden during daylight hours. The whole experience feels like you're getting a behind-the-scenes look at what really goes on after dark.
Flounder gigging is all about patience, stealth, and quick reflexes when the moment comes. We provide top-quality multi-tine gigs—basically long-handled spears with several sharp points designed to pin fish to the bottom. The technique is surprisingly simple: spot the fish, aim slightly ahead of where it's facing (they bolt fast when spooked), and strike down quickly with enough force to penetrate the sand. The tricky part is training your eyes to pick out flounder from the background—they're masters of camouflage, often buried with just their eyes and outline visible. We'll position you at the front of the skiff where you have the best view and can move the light to different angles. The boat moves slowly and quietly, either pushed by a trolling motor or poled by hand, depending on conditions. Most successful giggers develop a rhythm: scan left to right, look for unusual shapes or that telltale eye-shine, then get ready to strike. It's a completely different skill set from rod-and-reel fishing, which is exactly why so many anglers get hooked on it. Plus, there's nothing quite like the satisfaction of putting fresh flounder fillets in the cooler through your own hunting skills.
Summer flounder are the stars of the show, and St. Augustine's grass flats provide world-class habitat for these ambush predators. These flatfish typically range from 14 to 20 inches in our waters, with the occasional doormat pushing 24 inches or better. Flounder are most active on moving tides, especially the first few hours after dark when they move onto the shallow flats to feed on small baitfish, shrimp, and crabs. What makes them so exciting to gig is their incredible camouflage—you might drift over a dozen fish before your eyes adjust to spot that first one. Once you dial in what to look for, though, it becomes addictive. They'll bury themselves in the sand with just their eyes exposed, waiting for prey to swim overhead. The key is catching them before they spook, because once they bolt, you'll lose them in a cloud of sand and silt. Fall through early spring offers the best gigging, when cooler water temperatures make flounder more predictable and they hold tighter to structure. Beyond their fighting ability, summer flounder are hands-down one of the best eating fish in Florida waters—sweet, flaky meat that's perfect for everything from fish tacos to beer-battered fillets.
This isn't your average fishing charter, and spots fill up fast, especially during prime gigging season. There's something special about being out on the flats when the rest of the world is winding down—just you, the guide, and the underwater world lit up beneath the boat. Whether you're a seasoned angler looking to try something new or someone who's always been curious about this unique style of fishing, a night spent gigging flounder will give you stories to tell and skills you'll want to use again. The learning curve is gentle enough for beginners, but the technique has enough nuance to keep experienced anglers engaged trip after trip. Plus, you'll head home with some of the finest eating fish Florida has to offer. Don't wait too long to secure your date—the best tides and weather windows book solid, and there's nothing worse than missing out on perfect gigging conditions because you hesitated. Give us a call and let's get you set up for a night on the flats you won't soon forget.
St Augustine