St Augustine Shallow Water Fishing Adventure
Private Trip
Flats/Shallows Fishing
Six-hour shallow water flats fishing targeting redfishCaptain provides all gear, bait, licenses, and fish cleaningAccommodates two guests with beginner-friendly guidance included
Captain Dan's 6-hour shallow water fishing charter puts you right in the heart of some of Florida's most productive flats around St Augustine. This isn't your typical deep-sea trip – we're talking about sight fishing in crystal-clear shallows where you can watch redfish cruise the grass beds and spot drum tailing in the distance. With all gear, bait, and licenses included, plus professional fish cleaning at the end of the day, you'll head home with a cooler full of fresh fillets ready for tonight's dinner.
We'll be running a maximum of two anglers, which means plenty of elbow room and personalized attention from Captain Dan. The shallow flats around St Augustine offer some of the most exciting inshore fishing on Florida's east coast, with water depths ranging from just a few inches to about 4 feet. You'll be amazed how these fish use every bit of structure – oyster bars, grass flats, and creek mouths all hold different species throughout the day. Captain Dan knows exactly where to position the boat based on tides, wind, and seasonal patterns. Whether you're comfortable with live bait fishing or want to try your hand at artificials, he'll match the approach to your skill level and what the fish are demanding that day.
Shallow water fishing is all about reading the water and staying quiet. Captain Dan uses a shallow draft boat that can get into skinny water without spooking fish, and he's equipped with both a trolling motor and push pole for those really shallow spots. Live shrimp and finger mullet are the go-to baits here – nothing beats a live shrimp under a popping cork when the trout are feeding, and a well-presented mullet will call in bull redfish from surprising distances. For artificial lures, we'll throw soft plastics on jig heads, topwater plugs during low light periods, and gold spoons when the fish are aggressive. The key is matching your presentation to the conditions – sometimes you need to work a bait slowly along the bottom, other times a fast retrieve triggers explosive strikes.
Southern Flounder are the masters of disguise on these flats, burying themselves in sandy pockets near creek mouths and ambushing unsuspecting baitfish. These flatfish can reach impressive sizes – a 3-4 pound flounder is a solid catch, and the bigger ones will test your drag when they make their initial run. Fall and early winter are prime time for flounder, when they're staging near inlets before their offshore spawn. What makes them so rewarding to catch is their incredible table fare – sweet, flaky white meat that's perfect for frying or grilling.
Black Drum patrol the oyster bars and shallow flats year-round, with spring offering the best action when they move shallow to spawn. These copper-colored bruisers can range from schoolie-sized fish around 2-3 pounds up to monster bulls pushing 40 pounds or more. They're bottom feeders with incredible pulling power, and you'll feel every ounce when one decides to make a run. Blue crab and cut bait work best, fished right on the bottom near structure. The smaller drum make excellent table fare, while the big ones are typically released to continue the population.
Sheepshead are the convict-striped masters of structure fishing around St Augustine. These fish have human-like teeth designed for crushing barnacles and crabs, making them one of the trickiest species to hook consistently. Winter months bring the best sheepshead action when they stack up around bridges, docks, and oyster bars. A successful sheepshead angler needs patience, a sensitive rod, and the ability to detect subtle bites. Fiddler crabs and sand fleas are top baits, presented as close to structure as possible. Once you master the technique, sheepshead provide some of the finest eating fish in these waters.
Sea Trout, or speckled trout, are the bread and butter of flats fishing around St Augustine. These spotted beauties love grass flats, especially during moving tides when baitfish are active. Spring through fall provides consistent trout action, with the best fishing typically occurring during dawn and dusk periods. They're aggressive feeders that will hit both live bait and artificials, making them perfect for anglers of all skill levels. A slot-sized trout between 15-20 inches provides excellent table fare, and the bigger "gator trout" over 20 inches make for great photos before being released.
Redfish are the crown jewel of shallow water fishing in St Augustine. These bronze-backed fighters can be found year-round on the flats, with fall bringing some of the most exciting action when they school up in massive groups. Reds are incredibly adaptable – you'll find them tailing in inches of water, cruising grass beds, and ambushing bait around oyster bars. They're known for their bulldogging fight and their willingness to eat a variety of baits and lures. A slot red between 18-27 inches makes for outstanding table fare, while the oversized bulls provide incredible sport before being released to spawn.
This top-rated St Augustine fishing charter fills up quickly, especially during peak seasons when the fish are most active. Captain Dan's attention to detail – from providing all gear and licenses to cleaning your catch – sets this trip apart from other local charters. You'll spend six solid hours on some of the most productive shallow water fishing grounds on Florida's east coast, with a knowledgeable guide who knows exactly where to find the fish. Whether you're planning a guys' trip, celebrating a special occasion, or just want to put some fresh fish on the table, this charter delivers the complete package. Book now and get ready to experience world-class flats fishing with one of St Augustine's most experienced captains.
Hit the shallow waters of St Augustine aboard Captain Dan's 2008 Beavertail flats boat, perfectly rigged for stalking redfish in Florida's productive backwaters. This nimble 60HP Evinrude-powered craft cuts through the shallows at up to 33 knots, getting you to the fish fast. The wireless trolling motor keeps things whisper-quiet when you're sneaking up on spooked reds, while the GPS and fish finder help locate the hottest spots. With an ice box to keep your catch fresh and room for 2 anglers, this boat is built for serious flats fishing. Captain Dan handles the filleting, so you'll head home with dinner-ready fish after 6 hours on some of Florida's best redfish waters.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the heavyweights of our shallow water fishing, typically running 5-30 pounds but capable of reaching 90 pounds. These powerful fish love oyster beds, muddy flats, and creek mouths around St Augustine. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning, making them easier to target. They're famous for the drumming sounds they make - you can actually hear them underwater. What guests love is their bulldogging fight and how they test your drag. Stick with smaller fish under 15 pounds for the table - they have sweet, flaky meat. The big ones get tough and are better released. Pro tip: use fresh crab or cut shrimp on the bottom near oyster bars, and when you feel that first tap, give them a second to fully take the bait before setting the hook.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the stars of our shallow water fishing around St Augustine. These copper-colored beauties with the signature black spot near their tail typically run 18-30 inches and put up a serious fight. They love super shallow flats, oyster bars, and grass beds in 1-4 feet of water - sometimes so shallow their backs show above the surface. Year-round fishing is good, but fall and spring are prime when they're most active. What guests love is their power and stamina - they'll make long runs and test your drag like no other inshore fish. Plus, they're excellent table fare with mild, sweet meat. They're not picky eaters and will hit everything from topwater plugs to live shrimp. My go-to tip: look for tailing fish in skinny water and cast your bait well ahead of where they're heading - spook them and the game's over.
Salmo TruttaSea Trout, or Speckled Trout as we call them locally, are beautiful fish with spots covering their silvery sides. They average 14-24 inches and 1-5 pounds, making them perfect for light tackle action. You'll find them over grass flats in 2-6 feet of water, especially early morning and evening when they're actively feeding on shrimp and small baitfish. Spring through fall offers consistent action around St Augustine, with cooler months bringing schools into deeper channels. Guests love their aggressive strikes and acrobatic jumps, plus they're fantastic eating with delicate, flaky meat that's perfect for the dinner table. The key is not overcooking them since the meat is tender. Top tip: work a shrimp-tipped jig or topwater plug slowly over the grass beds at dawn or dusk - they'll hammer it when the conditions are right.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the "convict fish" with their black and white stripes and human-like teeth - always gets guests talking. They typically run 1-8 pounds and 14-20 inches, but a 20-pounder is possible. These guys live around any structure - docks, bridges, pilings, and reefs where they munch on barnacles and crabs. Winter through early spring is peak season when they gather to spawn. What makes them fun is they're notorious bait thieves and require perfect timing to hook. The payoff is some of the sweetest white meat you'll find, though those tough scales make cleaning a chore. They're fighters that will test your skills with quick runs toward structure. My advice: use small hooks with fresh shrimp or fiddler crabs, get as close to the pilings as possible, and set the hook hard the moment you feel weight.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern Flounder are fascinating flatfish that range from 15-18 inches, though you might land one up to 33 inches. They're masters of camouflage, burying themselves in sandy or muddy bottoms where they ambush prey like shrimp, crabs, and small fish. You'll find them in shallow coastal waters, bays, and estuaries around St Augustine year-round, but fall and winter offer the best action when they're more active. What makes them special is watching both eyes on the left side of their head scan for food while they lay motionless on bottom. They're excellent table fare with sweet, flaky white meat. My tip: use a slow drift with live shrimp or bull minnows on a light jig head, and be patient - they'll steal your bait if you set the hook too early.
St. Augustine, FL