Half Day St. Augustine Inshore Fishing Charter
Private Trip
River Fishing
Fourhour inshore fishing charter targeting redfish and sheepsheadProtected waters ideal for families and all skill levelsAll gear, bait, and licenses included with expert guidance
If you're looking for a solid half-day fishing trip that won't leave you green around the gills, this St. Augustine inshore charter hits the sweet spot. Captain Rick runs a tight ship on his 2024 Contender, targeting some of the most reliable fish in Northeast Florida's protected waters. You'll spend four hours working the Matanzas River system, where redfish cruise the shallows and sheepshead hang around every piece of structure they can find. This isn't about battling massive offshore beasts – it's about consistent action in calm water where everyone from first-timers to seasoned anglers can get their lines wet and actually catch fish.
The beauty of this trip lies in the protected waters of St. Augustine's inshore system. While other boats are fighting swells and seasickness offshore, you'll be tucked into the calm Matanzas River, working bridge pilings, residential docks, and oyster bars where fish love to hang out. Captain Rick knows these waters like his own backyard – every dock that holds fish, every bridge piling that attracts baitfish, and every shallow flat where redfish come to feed. The 2024 Contender provides a rock-steady platform that makes casting easier and fighting fish more enjoyable. With trips running Saturdays and Sundays at noon or 7 PM, you can pick the time that works best for your schedule. The evening trips are especially popular during summer months when the heat dies down and fish start moving more actively.
This charter focuses on light tackle fishing, which means you'll feel every head shake and run these inshore species are famous for. Captain Rick provides all the gear you'll need – rods, reels, tackle, bait, and even takes care of your fishing license. The light tackle approach is perfect for the target species here. You'll be using spinning gear that's sensitive enough to feel a sheepshead's subtle bite but strong enough to pull a bull redfish away from structure. Techniques vary depending on what's biting, but expect to do plenty of bottom fishing around pilings and docks, some sight casting to cruising redfish in shallow water, and working artificial baits around structure where trout like to ambush prey. The captain reads the water and adjusts tactics throughout the trip, so you might find yourself switching between live shrimp under popping corks and soft plastics depending on what the fish want that day.
Redfish are the stars of this show and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers love the shallow waters around St. Augustine, especially near oyster bars and grass flats where they root around for crabs and shrimp. They're active year-round in these protected waters, though fall and spring offer the most consistent action. What makes redfish so special is their fight – they're powerful fish that make long runs and dig hard when they feel the hook. Plus, they're beautiful fish with that distinctive spot near the tail. Most of the reds you'll catch here run between 18-27 inches, perfect eating size that also photographs well for your social media bragging rights.
Sheepshead are the technical challenge on this trip, and catching them consistently separates the novices from the experienced anglers. These black-and-white striped fish have human-like teeth and a habit of stealing bait faster than you can blink. They're structure lovers, hanging tight to bridge pilings, dock posts, and any underwater obstruction they can find. Winter through early spring is prime time for sheepshead as they stage for their spawning runs. The trick is feeling their subtle bite – they don't slam the bait like other species. Instead, they pick it up gently, requiring sharp reflexes and a sensitive touch. Land a few keeper sheepshead and you'll have some of the best eating fish in the ocean, with firm white meat that's perfect for the dinner table.
Sea trout round out the main targets and they're often the most cooperative species on the trip. These spotted beauties love grass flats and sandy bottoms near structure, where they ambush shrimp and small baitfish. Trout are active throughout most of the year in St. Augustine waters, with spring and fall providing the most reliable action. They hit both live and artificial baits aggressively, making them perfect for anglers who want consistent action. The sound they make when you pull them from the water – a distinctive drumming noise – always gets first-time trout catchers excited. Most trout here run 12-18 inches, and while they're not the strongest fighters, their willingness to bite keeps the action steady when other species are being finicky.
Black drum show up as bonus fish throughout the year, especially around structure where they hunt for crabs and shellfish. These bottom dwellers can range from small puppy drum perfect for the cooler to bruiser fish that'll test your tackle and patience. They're powerful fighters that use their broad sides to leverage against the current, making even medium-sized drum feel much larger than they actually are. Finding black drum often means you're fishing the right spots for the other target species, as they all prefer similar habitat around bridges, docks, and oyster bars.
This half-day St. Augustine inshore charter delivers exactly what it promises – productive fishing in comfortable conditions with a captain who knows where the fish live. Whether you're a family looking for a fun day on the water or experienced anglers who prefer staying close to shore, this trip offers the perfect balance of action and accessibility. The four-hour timeframe is ideal for maintaining everyone's interest without wearing out the kids or less experienced anglers. Captain Rick's local knowledge and quality equipment stack the odds in your favor, while the protected waters ensure you'll spend more time fishing and less time hanging over the rail. With weekend availability and two departure times, it's easy to work this charter into your St. Augustine vacation plans. Book your spot now and get ready to experience some of the best inshore fishing the Ancient City
Captain Rick's 2024 25' Contender is built for serious angling in St. Augustine's productive inshore waters. Twin 150HP Yamahas deliver reliable power while the wireless trolling motor lets you drift silently into those prime redfish spots along the Matanzas River. The center console design gives all four anglers plenty of room to work, whether you're pitching live shrimp under docks or casting toward bridge pilings where sheepshead like to hang out. GPS and fish finder take the guesswork out of finding structure, while radar keeps you safe when afternoon storms roll in. This fishing machine handles everything from shallow grass flats to deeper channel edges, making it perfect for targeting trout, flounder, and those trophy reds that cruise the protected waters around St. Augustine's historic waterways.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the heavyweights of our inshore waters, typically running 5-30 pounds but capable of hitting 90+ pounds. These powerful fish love oyster beds, muddy flats, and around bridge pilings where they crush shellfish with their strong jaws. You'll hear them "drumming" underwater during spring spawning season when they school up - that's prime time for targeting them. They're bottom feeders, so fresh crab or cut bait right on the bottom works best. Keep smaller ones under 15 pounds for the table since bigger fish get tough and lose their flavor. Here's a local tip: use blue crab because it stays on the hook better than shrimp and doesn't get stolen by catfish as much. Their fight is steady and strong, perfect for testing your drag system.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are our signature species here in St. Augustine - copper-colored bruisers with that distinctive black spot near their tail. Most slot fish run 18-27 inches, but we see plenty of oversized bulls pushing 30+ inches that'll test your drag. They love super shallow water, sometimes with their backs showing above the surface on the flats. What makes them special is their explosive topwater strikes and bulldogging fights that'll wear you out. The meat on slot-sized fish is excellent - mild and firm. Spring and fall are peak times when they're actively feeding in the shallows. Look for them around oyster bars, grass edges, and dock pilings. My go-to trick is using live shrimp under a popping cork near structure, but don't overlook topwater plugs early morning - the strikes are something you'll never forget.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled Trout are a staple of our grass flats, running 14-24 inches and 1-5 pounds on average. These spotted beauties love shallow water over seagrass where they ambush shrimp and small baitfish. They're most active during cooler months and low-light periods like dawn and dusk. What guests love is their willingness to hit topwater plugs and soft plastics, plus they're fantastic table fare with delicate, flaky white meat. Be careful not to overcook them since the meat is softer than other inshore species. They school up in winter in deeper channels, but during warmer months you'll find them scattered across the flats. Try working a shrimp-tipped jig along the grass edges, and don't be afraid to fish at night with a popping cork - that's when the bigger ones feed.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the "convict fish" with their distinctive black stripes and human-like teeth that they use to scrape barnacles off pilings. Most run 1-8 pounds, but 20-pounders show up around our docks and bridges. They're notorious bait thieves, nibbling to loosen your hook before committing. Spring months are best when they school up for spawning. What makes them special is the challenge - they require finesse and quick hook sets. The payoff is some of the best eating fish in our waters with sweet, white meat. Get your bait tight to structure since they rarely venture far from cover. My trick is using fiddler crab on a small hook with just enough weight to reach bottom. Watch your rod tip closely and set hard when you feel that telltale tap-tap-tap.
Flagler Beach, FL