Half Day St. Augustine Inshore Fishing Charter
Captain Rick's four-hour inshore charter puts you right in the heart of St. Augustine's most productive fishing waters without venturing into rough seas. This top-rated fishing experience targets the calm, sheltered areas where the Matanzas River winds through historic St. Augustine, offering consistent action for redfish, sheepshead, black drum, and sea trout. Perfect for families, first-timers, or anyone who wants great fishing close to shore, this charter runs on weekends with convenient afternoon and evening departures.
What to Expect on the Water
You'll fish the protected inlets and river systems that make St. Augustine famous among inshore anglers. Captain Rick knows every bridge piling, oyster bar, and residential dock where fish love to hang out. The 2024 Contender provides a rock-solid platform that won't have you gripping the rail – even kids and nervous first-timers feel comfortable on this stable boat. We're talking about waters so calm you can actually focus on your technique instead of fighting seasickness. The trip covers prime spots along the Matanzas River where structure holds fish year-round, from the shadow lines under bridges to the grass flats where redfish cruise looking for their next meal. Captain Rick handles all the navigation and positioning, so you just worry about keeping your line tight.
Light Tackle Techniques
This charter specializes in light tackle fishing that puts the fight back in your hands. We're using spinning reels spooled with 15-20 pound test, matched to rods that let you feel every head shake and run. Captain Rick provides all the gear, so don't stress about bringing anything – he's got quality setups for everyone from 8-year-olds to seasoned anglers. Live shrimp, cut bait, and artificial lures make up the arsenal, depending on what's working that day. You'll learn bottom fishing techniques around structure, sight casting to cruising reds, and how to work soft plastics through the grass beds. The beauty of inshore fishing is the variety – one minute you're dropping a shrimp near a dock piling for sheepshead, the next you're casting a gold spoon at a school of trout over a grass flat. Captain Rick walks you through each technique and adjusts his approach based on your experience level.
Target Species You'll Hook
Redfish are the stars of St. Augustine's inshore waters, and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers average 20-30 inches and put up a fight that'll make your arms burn. They love the shallow flats and oyster bars throughout the Matanzas River system, especially during incoming tides when baitfish get pushed into the shallows. Spring through fall offers the most consistent action, but winter can surprise you with some monster bull reds. What makes catching redfish so addictive is their aggressive strike – when a red hits your bait, you know it instantly.
Sheepshead fishing around St. Augustine's bridge pilings is like playing chess with a fish that has human-like teeth. These black and white striped tricksters are notorious bait thieves, but once you hook one, you've got a quality fish that's also excellent table fare. They hang around any structure with barnacles, crabs, or oysters – basically anything they can scrape food off of. The best sheepshead fishing happens during their spawning run from February through April, when fish in the 3-5 pound range become more aggressive and easier to hook.
Sea trout patrol the grass beds and sandy potholes throughout the river system, making them perfect targets for artificial lures. These spotted beauties average 14-18 inches but can surprise you with fish pushing 20+ inches during cooler months. They're active feeders that respond well to soft plastics worked slowly over the bottom or suspending lures twitched near the surface. Trout fishing peaks in fall and winter when water temperatures drop and baitfish concentrate in the protected waters where we fish.
Black drum might not win any beauty contests, but they're powerful fighters that test your tackle and patience. These bottom-dwellers love deeper holes and channel edges where they root around for crabs and shellfish. Most drum run 2-8 pounds, but occasionally you'll tie into a 15+ pound fish that'll make you question your knot-tying skills. They bite year-round but really turn on during spring when they move into shallow water to spawn.
Time to Book Your Spot
This world-class inshore fishing experience books up fast, especially during peak season when the fishing is hot and the weather's perfect. Captain Rick's local knowledge and customer-favorite approach to guiding means return customers often book their next trip before they even get back to the dock. With just four spots available per trip and only weekend departures, your best bet is booking early. Whether you choose the 12:00 PM afternoon departure or the 7:00 PM evening trip, you're guaranteed four hours of productive fishing in some of Florida's most beautiful and fish-rich waters. All gear, bait, and licenses are included – just bring yourself, some snacks, and get ready for the kind of fishing that keeps anglers coming back to St. Augustine year after year.
Private Trip
River Fishing
Flagler Beach, FL
Four-hour inshore fishing charter targeting redfish and sheepshead in calm waters
