St Augustine Flats Fishing at Its Finest
Private Trip
Flats/Shallows Fishing
Target redfish on pristine Florida flats with expert guidesAll gear, bait, and fishing licenses included in tripFish cleaning and filleting service provided after trip
There's something special about poling through the crystal-clear shallows of St Augustine's flats, rod in hand, eyes scanning for that telltale copper flash of a redfish tailing in knee-deep water. Our 4-hour flats fishing charter puts you right in the heart of Florida's most productive inshore waters, where sight fishing meets world-class angling opportunities. You'll spend your morning stalking some of the most sought-after gamefish in the Southeast, from bull reds that'll test your drag to speckled trout that dance on the surface when hooked. This customer favorite trip accommodates up to 2 anglers, making it perfect for couples, friends, or anyone wanting a more intimate fishing experience with personalized instruction from our seasoned guides.
Your day starts early when you meet us at the dock, where we'll get you set up with everything you need for a successful flats trip. We're talking top-quality spinning rods rigged with circle hooks, fresh live bait that redfish can't resist, and all the tackle you'll need to land whatever decides to eat your offering. The real magic happens when we pole into those gin-clear flats where the water's barely covering the grass beds. This isn't your typical deep-water fishing – we're hunting fish in water so shallow you can see their backs breaking the surface. Your guide will position the boat using a push pole, keeping things quiet so we don't spook any fish cruising the shallows. The anticipation builds as you spot a school of redfish moving through the grass, and your guide whispers instructions on where to cast. When that fish eats and your rod doubles over, you'll understand why flats fishing has such a devoted following among serious anglers.
Flats fishing is all about stealth and precision, which is why we use specialized flats boats designed for skinny water navigation. These shallow-draft vessels let us access areas where bigger boats can't go, putting you in prime position to target fish that rarely see fishing pressure. Your guide will teach you the art of sight casting – spotting fish before you cast to them rather than blindly throwing bait and hoping for the best. We'll use a combination of live shrimp, pinfish, and artificial lures depending on what the fish are showing us that day. The key to success on the flats is reading the water, understanding tidal movements, and knowing where different species like to feed. Early morning and late afternoon tend to produce the most action, as fish move into the shallows to hunt for crabs and baitfish. Your guide will handle the boat positioning and fish spotting, while you focus on making accurate casts and fighting fish. Don't worry if you're new to this style of fishing – we'll walk you through everything from proper casting technique to how to read the water for signs of feeding fish.
Southern Flounder are masters of disguise, lying buried in sandy bottoms waiting to ambush unsuspecting prey. These flatfish can reach impressive sizes in our local waters, with doormat flounder over 20 inches providing excellent table fare and a surprising fight when hooked. Fall and early winter are prime time for targeting these bottom dwellers, as they move through our flats heading to deeper spawning areas. What makes flounder exciting to catch is their aggressive strike – one second your bait is sitting on the bottom, the next your rod tip is bouncing as a flounder tries to swim away with your shrimp.
Black Drum are the bulldogs of the flats, using their powerful bodies and stubborn nature to test your tackle and patience. These copper-colored bruisers can exceed 30 inches and put up a fight that'll leave your arms sore. Spring through fall offers the best black drum action, with larger fish moving into the shallows during incoming tides to feed on crabs and mollusks. The thrill of hooking a big drum comes from their initial powerful run followed by a dogged fight where they use their broad sides to fight the current. Many anglers target black drum specifically for their fighting ability and excellent eating quality.
Sheepshead are the clever thieves of the inshore waters, known for their ability to steal bait without getting hooked. These black-striped fish have human-like teeth perfect for crushing barnacles and crabs around structure. Winter months bring the best sheepshead fishing as they gather around bridges and docks for spawning. Landing a quality sheepshead requires skill and patience – they're notorious bait stealers, but once hooked, they provide steady pressure and excellent table fare. The challenge of outsmarting these intelligent fish keeps anglers coming back for more.
Sea Trout, or speckled trout as locals call them, are the bread and butter of flats fishing in St Augustine waters. These beautiful fish with distinctive spots along their sides are aggressive feeders that readily take both live bait and artificial lures. Spring and fall produce the best trout fishing, with fish ranging from school-size specks to gator trout over 20 inches. What makes sea trout so popular is their willingness to bite, acrobatic fights that often include surface jumps, and their reputation as one of the finest eating fish in coastal waters. A cooler full of keeper-size specks represents a successful day on the flats.
Redfish are the undisputed kings of the flats, and the primary reason most anglers book this renowned charter experience. These copper-colored fighters can reach impressive sizes, with bull reds over 30 inches providing battles that anglers remember for years. Year-round fishing opportunities make redfish a consistent target, though fall typically produces the largest specimens as they gather for spawning runs. The excitement of sight casting to tailing redfish in shallow water, watching them crush your bait, then feeling that initial powerful run is what flats fishing is all about. These fish use their broad shoulders and stamina to wage extended battles, often making multiple runs toward deeper water or structure.
Your fishing adventure starts aboard a reliable 2008 Beavertail flats boat, perfectly designed for navigating St. Augustine's shallow waters where redfish, snook, and speckled trout love to cruise. This nimble 16-footer is powered by a smooth 60HP Evinrude that'll get you to the hottest fishing spots quickly, hitting speeds up to 33 knots when needed. The real magic happens when we cut the engine and fire up the whisper-quiet wireless trolling motor – essential for sneaking up on wary fish without spooking them. You'll have everything needed for a successful day: an ice-cold fish box to keep your catch fresh, GPS to mark productive spots, and a fish finder to locate structure and baitfish below. The shallow draft lets us access those skinny water honey holes where bigger boats can't reach, giving you the best shot at sight-fishing trophy reds and maybe even a jumping tarpon.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the heavyweight bruisers of the flats, ranging from 5-30 pounds with some monsters pushing 90 pounds. These powerful fish cruise shallow oyster bars and muddy flats, using their crushing jaws to feast on crabs, oysters, and mollusks. Spring is your best bet, especially during spawning season when they school up and make that distinctive drumming sound you can actually hear underwater. What guests love is the strong, steady fight - no flashy jumps, just pure muscle. The smaller ones under 15 pounds make excellent table fare with sweet, flaky meat. Bigger fish get tough and stringy. Pro tip: fresh blue crab or cut mullet on the bottom works best, and don't be surprised if you feel them before you see them - that drumming vibration travels through your rod.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the star of our shallow water game, bronze-backed beauties with that distinctive black spot near their tail. Most slot fish run 18-27 inches, but we see plenty of oversized bulls pushing 40+ inches on the flats. They cruise water so shallow their backs show, rooting through mud around oyster bars and grass edges. Fall and spring offer the best sight fishing when they're actively feeding in skinny water. What guests love is the visual aspect - watching that copper back cruise by, making the perfect cast, then hanging on when they make their signature bulldogging run. Smaller ones are excellent eating with firm, mild flesh. The key is staying quiet and looking for wakes, tails, or that telltale mud cloud. Cast ahead of moving fish and let your bait settle naturally.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are the bread and butter of our grass flats, averaging 14-24 inches with beautiful silver sides covered in dark spots. They love shallow seagrass beds where they ambush shrimp and baitfish, especially during moving tides. Spring through fall offers consistent action, but dawn and dusk are magic hours. What makes them special is their aggressive strikes on topwater lures - nothing beats watching one blow up on a surface plug. The soft, white meat is delicate and tasty, though you need to handle them gently since they're fragile. Cold fronts in winter push them to deeper channels where they school up tight. My go-to setup is a popping cork with live shrimp about 18 inches below - the sound draws them in and that suspended bait drives them crazy.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the convict fish of the flats with their black and white stripes and human-like teeth that crunch through barnacles and crabs. Most run 1-8 pounds and 14-20 inches, though 20-pounders show up around deep structure. You'll find them hugging dock pilings, bridges, and oyster bars where they pick barnacles clean. Spring brings the best action when they spawn in big schools. Guests love the challenge - these fish are notorious bait thieves with light, finicky bites. The payoff is some of the best eating fish in the water, with sweet white meat. The trick is getting your bait right against the structure and feeling for that subtle weight change. Set the hook hard when you feel them - those teeth can crush your hook if you hesitate.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern flounder are master ambush predators that bury themselves in sand and mud bottoms, waiting for prey to swim by. These flat fish typically run 15-18 inches and weigh around 5 pounds, though some reach over 20 pounds. You'll find them in shallow bays, creeks, and around docks where they hunt shrimp, crabs, and small fish. Fall and winter are prime time when they move toward inlets to spawn. What makes them fun to target is their sneaky nature - they'll often steal your bait before you know it. The meat is excellent, white and flaky. Here's the trick: use a Carolina rig with live shrimp or finger mullet, and when you feel that subtle tap, count to three before setting the hook. They like to mouth the bait first.
St. Augustine, FL