Night Fishing Trip in St. Augustine, FL
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
4hour night fishing adventure targeting redfish and tarponInshore guided trips with experienced Captain Mike McGeehanSmall group experience limited to 2 guests maximum
When the sun goes down over the Ancient City, the real fishing action heats up. Captain Mike McGeehan and Island Fishing Charters have put together one heck of a night fishing adventure that'll have you chasing some of Florida's most sought-after gamefish under the stars. This isn't your typical sunset cruise – we're talking about four solid hours of serious angling in waters that come alive after dark. With just two spots available per trip, you're getting the personalized attention that makes all the difference between going home with fish stories and going home with actual fish.
Picture this: you're out on the flats and backwaters around St. Augustine as the last light fades, and suddenly the water transforms into a feeding frenzy. That's exactly what Captain Mike has tapped into with this four-hour night fishing experience. The beauty of fishing these waters after dark is that predator fish become more aggressive, moving into shallower areas to hunt baitfish that are easier to ambush in low light. You'll be working the grass flats, oyster bars, and creek mouths where redfish, snook, trout, and even tarpon set up their dinner tables. The small group size means Captain Mike can tailor the trip to your skill level, whether you're a seasoned angler or someone who's never held a rod after sunset. The cooler evening temperatures make for comfortable fishing, and there's something special about the peace and focus that comes with night angling – no boat traffic, no crowds, just you and the fish.
Night fishing requires a different approach than daytime angling, and Captain Mike has the setup dialed in perfectly. You'll be using medium to heavy action rods paired with quality reels spooled with braided line – essential for feeling those subtle bites in the dark and pulling fish out of structure. The key to successful night fishing lies in your bait presentation and lure selection. Live bait like shrimp, pinfish, and mullet are absolute killers after dark, and Captain Mike knows exactly where to source the freshest bait. For artificial lures, you'll be throwing topwater plugs, soft plastics, and suspending jerkbaits that create vibration and sound to help fish locate your offering. Proper lighting is crucial – we're talking red headlamps to preserve night vision and strategically placed boat lights to attract baitfish, which in turn draw in the predators you're after. The captain will position the boat using GPS waypoints and his local knowledge of current patterns, tidal movements, and seasonal fish behavior to put you in the right spot at the right time.
Redfish are the bread and butter of St. Augustine night fishing, and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers love to cruise the shallow flats after dark, often in water so thin you can see their backs breaking the surface. Reds typically range from 18 to 30 inches in these waters, with the occasional bull red pushing 40-plus inches showing up to test your drag system. They're most active during moving tides, especially the last two hours of incoming water when they push into the grass beds to feed on crabs and shrimp. What makes redfish so exciting is their aggressive strike and bulldogging fight – they'll make multiple runs and use their broad sides to fight you all the way to the boat.
Spotted seatrout, or "specks" as locals call them, are another prime target that really turns on after sunset. These beautiful fish with their distinctive black spots are typically found in 2-6 feet of water around grass flats and sandy potholes. St. Augustine trout usually run 14-20 inches, with the occasional gator trout exceeding 24 inches. They're most productive during the warmer months from April through October, and they absolutely hammer topwater lures in low light conditions. The strike of a big trout on a surface plug is something you'll never forget – that explosive hit followed by head-shaking jumps that test both your reflexes and your hook set.
Snook are the crown jewel of Florida inshore fishing, and St. Augustine's population has been steadily growing over the past decade. These ambush predators love structure – docks, bridges, mangrove shorelines, and oyster bars where they can hide and strike unsuspecting prey. Snook are extremely light-sensitive, making night fishing one of the most effective ways to target them. They typically range from 20-35 inches in local waters, and their acrobatic fights include spectacular jumps and gill-rattling head shakes. The challenge with snook is their razor-sharp gill plates and their tendency to run straight back to cover, making them one of the most exciting and frustrating fish to battle.
Tarpon might be the bonus fish of the trip, but when they show up, everything else becomes secondary. St. Augustine sees juvenile tarpon year-round, typically in the 20-50 pound range, with larger fish moving through during their spring and fall migrations. These silver kings are most active on warm nights when baitfish are thick, and they'll often roll and crash bait right on the surface. Hooking a tarpon at night adds an extra element of surprise – you never know when that gentle tap is actually a 40-pound fish about to go airborne. Their jumping ability is legendary, and fighting one in the dark requires total focus and quick reflexes.
Captain Mike McGeehan has been putting anglers on fish in these waters for years, and his night fishing program represents some of the best inshore action you'll find anywhere along the First Coast. With only two anglers per trip, you're getting a premium experience that larger charter operations simply can't match. The four-hour duration gives you plenty of time to work multiple spots and adjust tactics based on what the fish are telling you. Night fishing isn't just about catching fish – it's about experiencing these waters in a completely
Your night fishing adventure runs aboard our reliable 2005 Pathfinder bay boat, perfectly rigged for chasing redfish, spotted seatrout, snook, and tarpon in St. Augustine's productive inshore waters. This versatile fishing platform features a powerful 150HP Yamaha engine that'll get you to the hotspots quickly, plus essential gear like GPS navigation and a fish finder to locate those holding areas where the big ones hang out. The onboard livewell keeps your bait fresh and frisky throughout the trip. Built for serious anglers, this bay boat handles the shallow flats and deeper channels with ease, giving you access to prime fishing spots under the cover of darkness when these gamefish are most active. Captain Mike knows exactly where to position this boat for the best action, whether you're sight-casting to cruising reds or working structure for hungry trout and snook.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are hands-down our most popular inshore target, and for good reason. These bronze beauties with their signature black spots near the tail typically run 18-30 inches in our shallow waters. You'll find them cruising oyster bars, grass flats, and creek edges in just 1-4 feet of water - sometimes so shallow their backs show above the surface. They feed year-round but really turn on during fall and spring when they school up. What makes reds special is their powerful, bulldogging fight and willingness to eat just about anything. Plus, they're outstanding table fare with mild, sweet meat. The smaller "slot" fish are protected, which keeps the population healthy. Local secret: look for nervous water or "V" wakes in shallow areas - that's usually a red tailing or cruising for crabs. A well-placed live shrimp in their path rarely gets refused.
Salmo TruttaSpotted seatrout, or "specks" as we call them locally, are perfect for anglers wanting consistent action. These beautiful fish average 14-20 inches and 1-3 pounds, with silver sides covered in distinctive black spots. You'll find them over grass flats and sandy bottoms in 2-8 feet of water, especially around creek mouths and drop-offs. They're most active during low-light periods, making our night trips ideal. Cooler months bring schools into deeper holes and channels. What guests love about trout is their willingness to bite and their excellent eating quality - sweet, flaky white meat that's hard to beat. They're also great fighters for their size, with that classic head-shaking battle. My go-to technique is drifting live shrimp under a popping cork over the grass beds. The cork creates noise that draws them in from a distance.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are one of our most exciting inshore targets here in St. Augustine waters. These sleek fish with that distinctive black lateral line typically run 1-3 feet long, though the big females can push 4 feet. You'll find them around mangroves, docks, and creek mouths in both salt and brackish water. They love structure and ambush their prey with lightning-fast strikes. Best fishing is during warmer months when water temps stay above 60 degrees - they're very temperature sensitive. What makes snook special is their explosive fight and those acrobatic jumps when hooked. They're also excellent table fare with firm, white meat. Here's a local trick: cast your live shrimp or pinfish right up against the mangrove roots and let it drift naturally with the current. That's where the big ones hide.
Megalops AtlanticusTarpon are the silver kings of our waters - pure adrenaline on a fishing line. These prehistoric giants typically run 4-6 feet and 80-100 pounds around St. Augustine, though they can reach 8 feet and 280 pounds. You'll find them in shallow coastal waters, around bridges, and near the inlet during their spring and summer migrations. They love warm water and low-light conditions, making our night trips perfect timing. What makes tarpon fishing addictive is their aerial show - they can jump 10 feet out of the water and run at 35 mph. We practice catch and release since they're not great eating due to their bony meat. Pro tip: when a tarpon jumps, bow to the fish by pointing your rod tip toward them. This gives slack and prevents the hook from pulling out during their acrobatics.
St. Augustine