Night Fishing Trip in St. Augustine, FL
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
4-hour night fishing adventure targeting redfish, trout, snook, and tarponExpert guidance from Captain Mike McGeehan in St. Augustine watersIntimate 2-guest capacity ensures personalized inshore fishing experience
When the sun goes down in St. Augustine, the real action starts heating up. Captain Mike McGeehan knows these waters like the back of his hand, and he's ready to show you why night fishing here is something special. This isn't your typical afternoon charter – we're talking about a 4-hour adventure that puts you right in the middle of some of the best inshore fishing Florida has to offer. The cooler evening temperatures bring the fish up to feed, and that's when things get interesting. You'll be targeting redfish, spotted seatrout, snook, and tarpon in waters that have been producing trophy catches for generations of anglers.
This top-rated charter keeps things intimate with just 2 anglers max, so you're getting personalized attention from Captain Mike throughout the entire trip. We'll be working the flats, mangrove edges, and deeper cuts where these gamefish love to prowl after dark. The boat's equipped with proper lighting systems that won't spook the fish but give you enough visibility to work your baits effectively. You'll feel the difference immediately – there's something about night fishing that changes the whole dynamic. Fish that were boat-shy during the day become aggressive feeders, and the strikes are often more explosive. Captain Mike will have you rigged up with the right tackle for each species we're targeting, and he'll adjust tactics based on what the fish are telling us. Some nights they want live bait presented quietly, other nights they're crushing topwater plugs with reckless abandon.
Night fishing in St. Augustine requires a different approach than daytime tactics, and that's where Captain Mike's experience really shines. We'll be using a mix of live bait – typically shrimp, pinfish, and mullet – along with artificial lures that produce well in low-light conditions. The captain provides all the gear, but if you've got a favorite rod you like to fish, bring it along. We'll be working with medium to medium-heavy spinning setups spooled with braided line for maximum sensitivity and hookset power. Depending on conditions, we might be sight fishing under lights, working structure with jigs, or floating live baits in the current. The key to success is staying quiet and letting the fish come to us. Captain Mike knows exactly where to position the boat to intercept feeding fish without pressuring them. Circle hooks are the standard for live bait fishing, and he'll show you the proper technique for letting the fish hook themselves. For artificial presentations, we'll focus on slow-sinking soft plastics and shallow-running plugs that mimic the baitfish these predators are hunting.
Redfish are the bread and butter of St. Augustine's inshore scene, and night fishing puts you at a serious advantage. These copper-colored bruisers move into shallow water after dark to feed on crabs and shrimp, often in water so skinny you can see their backs cutting the surface. A good redfish will pull drag like a freight train, making multiple runs before you can get them to the boat. They're most active during the warmer months but can be caught year-round in St. Augustine's protected waters. What makes them so special is their aggressive feeding behavior at night – they lose that daytime wariness and become much more willing to eat whatever you put in front of them.
Spotted seatrout, or "specks" as the locals call them, are another prime target species that feeds heavily after sunset. These fish have excellent night vision and use it to hunt baitfish around grass flats and oyster bars. A quality trout will go 20-24 inches and fight with surprising strength for their size. Spring and fall are prime time for bigger fish, but the bite stays consistent through most of the year. What gets anglers hooked on trout fishing is their willingness to hit topwater lures – there's nothing like a big speck blowing up on a surface plug in the darkness.
Snook are the holy grail of inshore fishing around here, and night fishing gives you the best shot at a trophy-sized fish. These ambush predators love to hang around structure – docks, mangroves, bridge pilings – waiting for an easy meal to swim by. A big snook might go 30-plus inches and will test your drag system to its limits. They're most active during the warmer months and become pretty lethargic when water temperatures drop below 60 degrees. The reason anglers get obsessed with snook is their explosive strike and acrobatic fighting style – they'll jump, they'll run, and they'll do everything possible to throw your hook.
Tarpon fishing at night is a completely different animal than chasing them during the day. These silver kings move into the shallows to feed and become much more approachable after dark. Even a smaller tarpon in the 20-40 pound range will give you a fight you won't forget, with multiple jumps and powerful runs. Peak season runs from late spring through early fall, with the biggest concentrations showing up during the summer months. What makes tarpon so special is their size and acrobatics – landing one is considered a milestone achievement for any angler, and doing it at night adds an extra level of difficulty and excitement.
Captain Mike McGeehan has been guiding these waters for years, and his track record speaks for itself. This world-class night fishing experience fills up fast, especially during peak season when the bite is hot. The 4-hour format gives you plenty of time to work different areas and target multiple species without feeling rushed. At just 2 anglers max, you're getting a personalized charter experience that larger boats simply can't match. Whether you're a seasoned angler looking for a new challenge or someone who's never fished at night before, Captain Mike will put you on fish and make sure you have the trip of a lifetime. Don't wait on this one – the best fishing happens when you least expect it,
Hit the waters around St. Augustine aboard this reliable 2005 Pathfinder bay boat, powered by a strong 150HP Yamaha engine that'll get you to the fishing spots fast. Captain Mike knows exactly where to find redfish, spotted seatrout, snook, and tarpon in these productive inshore waters. The boat's equipped with GPS and fish finder to help locate the best structure and baitfish, plus a livewell to keep your catch fresh. Perfect for navigating the shallow flats and grass beds where these species love to hang out. This setup handles the night fishing game well - stable platform for casting and fighting fish in low light conditions. With room for 2 anglers, you'll have plenty of space to work the rods without getting tangled up. The Pathfinder's shallow draft design lets you access those hard-to-reach spots where the big fish feed after dark.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are sight-fishing gold here in St. Augustine's shallow flats and marshes. These copper-colored beauties with the signature black spot near their tail typically run 20-30 inches and put up serious fights in skinny water. You'll find them cruising oyster bars, grass flats, and creek mouths in just 1-4 feet of water. Fall and spring offer prime conditions when they're most active feeding. What guests love is watching their backs break the surface as they tail in shallow water, plus they're fantastic eating with sweet, firm meat. They'll eat almost anything when feeding but can be spooky in clear, shallow water. Best advice: approach quietly, cast well ahead of cruising fish, and use a gold spoon or live shrimp on a jig head.
Salmo TruttaSpotted seatrout are perfect for night fishing here in St. Augustine's grass flats and shallow bays. Most run 14-20 inches with beautiful silver sides covered in black spots. They love sandy bottoms with scattered grass in 2-8 feet of water, especially during cooler months when they school up. Fall and winter provide consistent action as they gather in deeper holes. Trout are scrappy fighters with a soft mouth, so keep steady pressure without horsing them. They're also some of the best eating fish we catch - flaky white meat that's perfect for the dinner table. The key trick is using a popping cork with live shrimp about 18 inches below, working it slowly over grass beds where you see bait activity.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are one of St. Augustine's most prized catches, typically running 1-3 feet with that distinctive black lateral line and golden color. You'll find them hanging around mangroves, docks, and creek mouths in both salt and brackish water. They're ambush predators with lightning-fast strikes that'll test your drag. Spring through fall offers the best action, especially around the new and full moons when they spawn. What makes snook special is their incredible fight - they'll jump, run, and use every trick to shake your hook. They're also excellent table fare with firm, white meat. Pro tip: cast your live shrimp or jig right up against structure and be ready - when a snook hits, it's usually explosive and immediate.
Megalops AtlanticusTarpon are the ultimate bucket-list fish here in St. Augustine waters. These silver kings average 80-100 pounds but can push 200+ with their famous acrobatic jumps that'll have you holding on tight. Look for them rolling in deeper channels, around bridges, and near the inlet during late spring through early fall. They're pure adrenaline - once hooked, expect multiple jumps and blistering runs that can last an hour. Most folks practice catch and release since they're bony and not great eating, but landing one is a lifetime memory. The fight is what draws people from around the world. Local secret: watch for tarpon rolling at the surface during slack tide periods and present live bait just ahead of their path.
St. Augustine