Premium 4 Hour Afternoon Fishing Adventure St Augustine
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fourhour afternoon inshore fishing trip in St. Augustine watersTarget Redfish, Trout, and Sheepshead with licensed captain guidanceSmall group experience accommodating up to three guests maximum
There's something magical about fishing the afternoon waters around St. Augustine that keeps anglers coming back season after season. This 4-hour private charter with Reel Spooled Charters puts you right in the heart of some of Florida's most productive inshore waters, where the historic Intracoastal Waterway meets pristine salt marshes. You'll have a USCG Licensed Captain who knows these waters like the back of his hand, plus all the gear and local knowledge you need to make the most of your time on the water. With space for up to 3 anglers, this is the perfect setup for a family outing, couple's adventure, or small group of fishing buddies looking to target some serious fish in one of the most beautiful coastal areas on the East Coast.
Your afternoon starts with meeting your captain at the dock, where you'll get a quick rundown of the game plan based on current conditions and what's been biting lately. The beauty of afternoon fishing in St. Augustine is that the morning boat traffic has settled down, giving you cleaner water and less spooked fish. You'll cruise through the scenic Intracoastal Waterway, watching for birds working baitfish and looking for those telltale signs that indicate feeding fish below. The salt marshes here are absolutely loaded with structure - oyster bars, grass flats, creek mouths, and mangrove shorelines that hold fish year-round. Your captain will position the boat based on tide, wind, and where the fish have been most active, constantly adjusting throughout the trip to keep you on the bite. The afternoon sun angle also works in your favor, making it easier to spot fish in the shallows and read the water conditions.
All your fishing gear is provided, from spinning reels spooled with the right line weight to a selection of lures and baits that match what the fish are eating. Depending on conditions and target species, you might be throwing live shrimp under popping corks near oyster bars, working soft plastic baits along grass edges, or casting topwater plugs over shallow flats during the golden hour. The captain will have you rigged up with circle hooks when using live or cut bait to ensure proper fish handling and release. Light to medium spinning tackle is the norm here - sensitive enough to feel subtle bites but with enough backbone to handle the bigger drum and jacks that patrol these waters. You'll learn how to read the structure, work different depths, and adjust your presentation based on what the fish are telling you. The shallow water fishing here means you'll often see your target before you cast, making for some seriously exciting sight fishing opportunities.
Redfish are the crown jewel of St. Augustine inshore fishing, and these copper-colored bruisers are what most anglers dream about. They cruise the shallow flats and oyster bars in schools, especially during the cooler months when they're most aggressive. A typical red drum here runs 18-27 inches, with some real bulls pushing 30+ inches that'll test your drag and your patience. Fall and winter are prime time, but you can find reds year-round if you know where to look. What makes them so special is their fight - they make long, powerful runs and use their broad sides to bulldoze through the water. Plus, they're beautiful fish with that distinctive spot near the tail.
Bluefish show up in good numbers during their seasonal migrations, typically spring and fall, and they're some of the most aggressive fish you'll encounter. These 2-8 pound eating machines travel in schools and absolutely demolish baitfish when they're feeding. You'll know when you're into blues because the action is fast and furious - multiple hookups are common when you find a feeding school. They hit hard, fight dirty, and make excellent table fare when iced down properly. The key is finding them when they're pushing bait against structure or shorelines.
Black Drum are the heavyweight champions of these waters, with fish ranging from puppy drum around 14 inches up to monster bulls exceeding 40 inches. They love to hang around oyster bars and bridge pilings where they can crush crabs and shellfish. Spring is typically the best time for big drum, but smaller ones are around most of the year. They're powerful fighters that use their size and the current to their advantage, making for memorable battles on lighter tackle.
Summer Flounder are the ultimate ambush predators, lying flat on sandy bottoms waiting for baitfish to swim by. They're masters of camouflage and require a different approach - you'll be bouncing baits along the bottom or working jigs through likely holding spots. A nice keeper flounder in these waters goes 16+ inches, and they're absolutely delicious on the dinner table. Summer and early fall are prime time, especially around inlet areas and deeper channels.
Crevalle Jack might not win any beauty contests, but they're pound-for-pound some of the strongest fish in these waters. These silver torpedoes travel in schools and provide non-stop action when you locate them. They hit topwater lures with explosive strikes and make blistering runs that'll have your reel screaming. While they're not great eating, they're perfect for catch-and-release action and will definitely test your equipment and skills.
This 4-hour afternoon charter offers the perfect balance of relaxation and fish-catching action, all while exploring some of the most historic and scenic waters on Florida's coast. With a top-rated captain, quality gear, and access to productive fishing spots that many anglers never see, you're setting yourself up for the kind of day that creates lasting memories. The afternoon timing means you'll finish up around sunset, often with some beautiful photo opportunities as the light gets golden over the marsh. Whether you're looking to
Hit the waters of St. Augustine aboard the Xpress H20 Bay - Redfish SS Edition, a purpose-built 20-foot flats boat that's perfect for chasing redfish and trout through the shallow marshes. This 2015 beauty runs smooth and quiet with its 115HP Yamaha engine, getting you to those productive fishing spots fast while the wireless trolling motor keeps things stealthy when you're working the grass flats. The boat's shallow draft design lets you slip into those tight backcountry areas where the big fish hide. You'll have everything needed for a successful afternoon on the water - an icebox to keep your catch fresh, GPS to mark those honey holes, and a fish finder to locate schools below. With room for up to 3 anglers, there's plenty of space to cast without tangling lines. The stable platform makes fighting fish easier while the captain positions you perfectly for shots at cruising redfish and feeding trout in the Intracoastal marshes.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the heavyweights of our inshore waters, commonly running 15-30 pounds but capable of hitting 50+ pounds. These bottom-dwelling bruisers love oyster bars, muddy flats, and creek mouths throughout the ICW and marsh systems. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning, making them easier to target. You'll hear them "drumming" underwater - a unique sound they make that's unmistakable. What guests love is the bulldogging fight and the challenge of outsmarting a fish with decades of experience. Smaller drum under 15 pounds make great table fare. My go-to trick is using fresh blue crab on a Carolina rig right on the bottom near oyster structure. Be patient - these fish take their time deciding whether to eat.
Pomatomus SaltatrixBluefish are aggressive predators that show up in St. Augustine waters during warmer months, typically running 3-10 pounds with some reaching 20+ pounds. These silver-blue fighters have razor-sharp teeth and aren't shy about using them. You'll find them hunting in schools along the beaches, inlets, and deeper channels of the ICW. They love chasing baitfish to the surface, creating feeding frenzies that are pure chaos. Spring through fall gives you the best shot at them. What makes blues special is their raw power - they fight hard from the hookset to the boat. The meat is excellent when fresh, though smaller fish taste better than the big bruisers. Pro tip: use a wire leader and keep your fingers away from their mouth when handling them.
Caranx HipposCrevalle jack are the bulldozers of our waters, averaging 12-24 inches but capable of hitting 40+ pounds. These brassy-colored fighters roam both shallow flats and deeper channels, often hunting in aggressive schools that push baitfish to the surface. Look for diving birds - that's your jackpot. They're around year-round but most active in warmer months. What makes jacks special is their raw power and endurance. They'll test your drag and your arms with long, powerful runs. While they're not great eating, the fight alone is worth it. The key is matching their aggression - fast retrieves with silver spoons or topwater plugs work best. When you find a school feeding, cast past them and reel fast. They can't resist something running away from them.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the crown jewel of our inshore fishery, running 18-30 inches and fighting way above their weight class. Look for that distinctive black spot near the tail and copper-bronze coloring. These fish love the shallow grass flats, oyster bars, and marsh creeks throughout our ICW system, often in water so shallow their backs show. Year-round fishing with spring and fall being peak times. What guests love most is watching them cruise the shallows and the explosive strikes on topwater lures. They're sight-fishing at its finest. The meat is sweet and mild - perfect for the grill. My local trick is throwing a gold spoon or topwater plug early morning when they're tailing in the grass. Move quietly and cast ahead of where they're heading, not right at them.
Paralichthys DentatusSummer flounder are the masters of camouflage in our local waters, typically running 15-20 inches and weighing 2-4 pounds. These flatfish bury themselves in sandy bottoms near creek mouths, channels, and structure throughout the ICW. Fall months from September through November are peak season when they're most active and easier to catch. What makes flounder special is their excellent table quality - sweet, flaky white meat that's hard to beat. They're ambush predators that strike fast, then try to get back to the bottom. The trick is keeping your bait moving slowly right along the bottom. I like using a bucktail jig tipped with live bait, bouncing it just off the sand. When you feel that subtle tap, give them a second before setting the hook - they bite sideways.
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