St. Augustine Inshore Fishing Adventure
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
5hour inshore fishing trip targeting Sheepshead and RedfishCaptain Hector provides all equipment and expert guidancePrivate boat accommodates up to 6 guests daily
Captain Hector Marquez knows these St. Augustine waters like the back of his hand, and he's ready to put you on some serious fish. This 5-hour guided inshore trip targets the area's most sought-after species – sheepshead, redfish, black drum, king mackerel, and sea trout. Whether you're a seasoned angler or picking up a rod for the first time, Captain Hector's got the local knowledge and patience to make your day memorable. The boat's fully rigged and ready to go, so all you need to bring is sunscreen and an appetite for some quality fishing action.
You'll meet Captain Hector at 101 Vilano Causeway for either the 8:00 AM or 1:00 PM departure – both trips offer their own advantages depending on tides and what's biting. The boat accommodates up to 6 anglers, making it perfect for families, buddy trips, or corporate outings. Everything's included: rods, reels, tackle, live bait, ice, water, and even your fishing licenses. Captain Hector runs a clean operation and knows how to read the water conditions, so he'll adjust the game plan based on what Mother Nature's serving up that day. The inshore waters around St. Augustine offer incredible variety – one minute you might be sight-fishing redfish in the shallows, the next you're dropping baits around structure for black drum or working live shrimp for sea trout.
Captain Hector's boat comes rigged with quality spinning gear and conventional setups to match whatever bite you encounter. For sheepshead around the docks and pilings, you'll be using lighter tackle with fiddler crabs or sand fleas – these fish have incredible eyesight and can be finicky, but that's what makes them so rewarding to catch. When targeting redfish, expect to throw everything from live shrimp under popping corks to cut bait on the bottom, depending on whether they're cruising the grass flats or holding in deeper water. The king mackerel fishing involves trolling live baits or pulling spoons and diving plugs along the nearshore reefs and wrecks. Sea trout fishing is all about reading the grass beds and working baits at the right depth – Captain Hector knows exactly where these fish stage up based on season and tide. Black drum fishing often means anchoring up near oyster bars or bridge pilings and waiting for these bulldogs to pick up your crab or shrimp offerings.
Sheepshead are the ultimate challenge for any angler visiting St. Augustine waters. These black-and-white striped convicts hang around every piling, dock, and piece of structure you can imagine, but they're notorious bait thieves. They've got human-like teeth designed for crushing crustaceans, and they can pick a fiddler crab clean without moving your rod tip. When you finally hook one, though, they fight like miniature bulldozers and make excellent table fare. Best fishing happens during cooler months when they're spawning near the inlet.
Redfish are hands-down the most popular target for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers can be found year-round in St. Augustine's shallow waters, from the Matanzas River to the backwater creeks. They're aggressive feeders that will hit live bait, cut bait, and artificials with equal enthusiasm. Slot-size fish (18-27 inches) are perfect for the dinner table, while the oversized bulls provide heart-stopping runs that'll test your drag system. Fall and spring offer the best action when schools of reds move through the area.
Black drum might not win any beauty contests, but they're absolute powerhouses that will humble even experienced anglers. These bottom-dwellers can grow massive in local waters – fish over 40 pounds aren't uncommon around the bridge pilings and oyster bars. They're suckers for blue crabs and fresh shrimp, and once hooked, they use their broad sides to bulldoze toward structure. The bigger fish are catch-and-release, but smaller drum make fantastic eating.
King mackerel bring the speed and excitement that gets every angler's blood pumping. These silver bullets patrol the nearshore waters from spring through fall, and when they hit a trolled bait, they'll scream line off your reel like nothing else in these waters. Captain Hector knows the productive areas where kings cruise – usually along temperature breaks, weed lines, and around the offshore structure. Fresh kingfish steaks on the grill are hard to beat.
Sea trout, or spotted seatrout, are the bread-and-butter species that keep rods bent throughout the trip. These beautiful fish with distinctive spots love the grass flats and deeper holes where Captain Hector positions the boat. They're willing biters that hit live shrimp, soft plastics, and topwater plugs, especially during low-light periods. The bigger "gator trout" over 20 inches are prized catches that photograph beautifully and fight surprisingly hard for their size.
Captain Hector's St. Augustine fishing trips deliver the complete package – local expertise, quality equipment, and access to some of Florida's most productive inshore waters. Whether you're after a mixed bag of species or targeting something specific, he's got the knowledge and dedication to make it happen. The 5-hour timeframe gives you plenty of opportunities to work different spots and techniques without feeling rushed. With everything provided and departures twice daily, all that's left is picking your date and getting ready for some quality time on the water. These trips book up quickly, especially during peak season, so don't wait too long to secure your spot for what could be your best fishing day in St. Augustine.
Hit the productive waters around St. Augustine aboard this well-rigged 19' Action Craft Coastal Bay. The reliable 150hp Suzuki gets you to the fishing grounds quickly, while the wireless trolling motor lets you work structure silently without spooking fish. Captain Hector knows where the sheepshead hide around the bridge pilings and the best grass flats for redfish and sea trout. The boat's fish finder helps locate schools, and the GPS keeps you on productive spots. With a livewell for your catch, icebox for drinks, and VHF radio for safety, you're set up right for a solid day of inshore fishing. All tackle, bait, and licenses included – just bring your crew of up to 6 anglers and get ready to bend some rods in these fish-rich Florida waters.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are some of the most underrated fighters in our waters. These gray-black bruisers typically run 5-30 pounds, though we occasionally hook monsters pushing 50+ pounds. They love hanging around oyster beds and shallow muddy flats where they crush crabs and shellfish with powerful jaws. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning - that's when you'll hear their famous drumming sounds underwater. What makes them special is their incredible pulling power and the fact that smaller ones under 15 pounds are fantastic table fare with sweet, flaky meat. My tip: use fresh crab on a Carolina rig and keep your bait right on the bottom. These fish are picky eaters but once hooked, they'll give you a workout you won't forget.
Scomberomorus CavallaKing mackerel are speed demons that'll test your drag system and your reflexes. These silver bullets typically weigh 10-30 pounds but can push 50+ when conditions are right. We find them in 40-150 feet of water along temperature breaks and current edges, especially during warmer months when baitfish are thick. What makes kings special is their blistering runs - they'll peel line off your reel like nothing else out there. The fight is pure adrenaline with spectacular jumps and long screaming runs. They're also excellent eating when prepared fresh, though we recommend releasing the bigger breeders. Pro tip: always use a wire leader and rig live bait with a stinger hook near the tail - kings love to hit from behind and those razor teeth will cut through mono in a heartbeat.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the crown jewel of our inshore fishing, and for good reason. These copper-colored beauties with distinctive black spots near their tails typically run 18-27 inches in the shallows, though bull reds over 40 inches patrol deeper waters. You'll find them tailing in 1-4 feet of water around oyster bars, grass flats, and creek mouths year-round, with fall being particularly hot. What makes reds special is their aggressive strikes and bulldogging fights - they use that broad tail to pull hard and steady. Plus, slot-sized fish are fantastic eating with firm, mildly sweet meat. The real thrill is sight-fishing to tailing reds in skinny water. My best advice: when you see that tail waving, cast past the fish and work your bait back toward them. Patience pays off with these wary feeders.
Salmo TruttaSpotted sea trout, or "specks" as we call them locally, are perfect for anglers who want consistent action with light tackle. These silvery fish with black spots typically run 14-20 inches and 1-3 pounds, making them ideal for kids and beginners. You'll find them over grass flats in 2-8 feet of water, especially during dawn and dusk when they're actively feeding on shrimp and small baitfish. Spring through fall are prime seasons, though they can be caught year-round in our area. What guests enjoy is their willingness to hit artificial lures and their delicate, flaky white meat that's perfect for the dinner table. My go-to technique: work a soft plastic shrimp or paddle tail slowly over the grass beds. Trout have soft mouths, so don't horse them - steady pressure and you'll boat more fish.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the convict fish of St. Augustine - those black stripes make them easy to spot around any structure with barnacles. These 1-8 pound fish have human-like teeth perfect for crushing shellfish off dock pilings and bridge supports. They're notorious bait thieves, so you need to stay sharp and set the hook hard when you feel that telltale nibble. Winter through early spring is when they're most active around our local docks and jetties. What guests love is the challenge - they're smart fish that require skill to hook consistently, plus they make excellent table fare with sweet, white meat. Here's my secret: get your bait as close to the structure as possible and use fresh shrimp or fiddler crab. The moment you feel weight, don't hesitate - set that hook immediately.
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