Half Day St. Augustine Nearshore Fishing Charter
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Halfday nearshore fishing targeting snapper, grouper, and cobiaFourhour trips with all gear, bait, and licenses includedWeekend departures at 7:00 AM and 12:00 PM slots
Captain Rick knows these Northeast Florida waters like the back of his hand, and his half-day nearshore charters with Ridin Dirty Charters prove it every weekend. Just a short run from St. Augustine's historic coastline, you'll find yourself fishing productive reefs and wrecks where snapper, grouper, and cobia call home. This four-hour trip gives you serious fishing action without eating up your entire day, making it perfect for families, visiting anglers, or locals who want fresh fish on the dinner table without the full-day commitment.
Your adventure starts bright and early with a 7:00 AM departure or a more relaxed 12:00 PM afternoon trip, both running on weekends when the bite is typically strongest. Captain Rick keeps his charters intimate with just four passengers max, so you're not fighting for rail space or competing with a crowd for the captain's attention. The moment you step aboard, everything's ready to go – top-notch rods and reels, fresh bait that these bottom fish can't resist, and your Florida fishing license is already covered. Whether you're a weekend warrior who knows your way around a rod or someone who's never dropped a line in saltwater, Captain Rick tailors the experience to match your skill level. The productive fishing grounds lie just offshore, meaning less travel time and more lines-in-the-water time targeting the structure where these fish stack up thick.
This isn't your typical cast-and-hope fishing trip. Captain Rick runs a bottom fishing operation that specifically targets the artificial reefs and natural wrecks scattered across the nearshore waters off St. Augustine. These underwater structures act like fish magnets, creating the perfect habitat where snapper and grouper love to hang out. You'll be fishing with conventional tackle designed for bottom fishing – think circle hooks, pyramid sinkers, and fresh cut bait that gets down to where the fish are feeding. The technique is straightforward but effective: drop your rig to the bottom, feel for that telltale thump of a fish picking up your bait, and set the hook when that rod tip starts dancing. Captain Rick reads his electronics like a book, positioning the boat over productive spots where the fish show up on the sounder, and he'll coach you through the fight whether you're battling a scrappy mutton snapper or a stubborn grouper that doesn't want to leave its rocky hideout.
Red snapper represent the crown jewel of this fishery, and these Northeast Florida waters produce some beautiful specimens. These bright red fighters typically run anywhere from 2 to 10 pounds in these nearshore waters, with their peak season hitting hard from June through August when they're spawning over the reefs. What makes red snapper so special isn't just their incredible table fare – they're also one of the smartest fish in the ocean, making every hookup a small victory. They'll test your drag, try to cut you off in the rocks, and generally make you work for every fish that hits the deck.
Mutton snapper bring their own brand of excitement to these charters, especially during their summer runs when they school up in impressive numbers. These fish pack more punch per pound than their red cousins, with their distinctive black spot and yellow fins making them easy to identify in the fish box. Muttons love structure just like reds, but they're more likely to suspend in the water column, which keeps things interesting when you're trying to figure out the right depth to target them.
Grey snapper, better known as mangrove snapper to most Florida anglers, might be the most cooperative fish you'll encounter on this trip. They're year-round residents on these reefs, always willing to bite when presented with the right bait. Don't let their willingness to cooperate fool you though – these fish are excellent table fare and their consistent bite makes them perfect for keeping the action steady between shots at the bigger fish.
Cobia add an element of surprise to every nearshore trip, especially during their spring and fall migrations when they cruise these waters in impressive numbers. These brown sharks of the reef world can show up anywhere from 20 to 50 pounds, and when one picks up your bottom rig, you'll know it immediately. Cobia fight like freight trains, making long runs and testing every component of your tackle setup.
Great barracuda patrol these same reefs, and while they're not typically the target species, they add excitement when they show up. These toothy predators can appear out of nowhere to intercept your bait, and their blistering runs and aerial displays make for memorable photo opportunities before release.
Captain Rick's weekend schedule fills up fast, especially during peak season when the fishing is hot and the weather cooperates. This top-rated nearshore charter delivers exactly what it promises – quality fishing time on productive waters with a captain who knows how to put you on fish. You'll head home with a cooler full of premium table fare and stories about the ones that got away. The four-hour timeframe hits the sweet spot for serious fishing without the commitment of a full day offshore, making it a customer favorite among both locals and visitors to the St. Augustine area. Don't wait until the last minute to secure your spot – book your half-day nearshore adventure with Ridin Dirty Charters and find out why anglers keep coming back to fish these world-class Northeast Florida waters.
Captain Rick's 2024 25-foot Contender is built for serious fishing off St. Augustine's productive reefs and wrecks. Twin 150HP Yamahas power this center console fishing machine through Northeast Florida's nearshore waters with authority. The boat handles four anglers comfortably while targeting snapper, grouper, and cobia on the bottom structure. GPS navigation and radar keep you positioned over the best fishing spots, while the fish finder marks exactly where dinner is waiting below. Outriggers spread your lines wide when trolling, and the wireless trolling motor lets you drift quietly over structure without spooking fish. Whether you're dropping baits on reef ledges or working around sunken wrecks, this Contender puts you in prime position to load the cooler. The setup handles both weekend warriors looking for a quick fishing fix and experienced anglers who know these waters hold some serious fish. Four hours gives you plenty of time to work the productive bottom without burning your whole day on the water.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are one of the most rewarding fish we target on these nearshore trips. These brown, shark-looking fish average 20-40 pounds around our local wrecks and reefs, though we've landed some pushing 60 pounds. They hang around structure in 30-100 feet of water, often cruising just below the surface during spring and summer months. What guests love about cobia is the strong, steady fight they put up - no fancy jumps, just pure muscle. Plus, they're hands-down some of the best eating fish in these waters with firm, white meat that tastes great grilled or blackened. Since they're usually loners, we often sight-fish for them. My go-to tip: when you see one following the boat, drop a bucktail jig right in front of its nose - color doesn't matter much, but that natural presentation will usually seal the deal.
Sphyraena BarracudaThese silver torpedoes are some of the most exciting predators you'll encounter on our nearshore trips. Great barracuda typically run 2-4 feet long around St. Augustine, though we've seen some push 5 feet. They cruise our reefs and wrecks in 30-80 feet of water, especially during warmer months from late spring through early fall. What makes them special is that explosive speed - they'll hit a lure at 35 mph and give you a wild fight with their powerful runs. The meat's decent eating when properly prepared, but most folks target them for the pure adrenaline rush. Here's a local trick: when you hook one, keep steady pressure but don't horse it - they'll tire quickly, and that's when big ones might jump right at the boat, so stay alert and use a net.
Lutjanus GriseusGrey snapper, also called mangrove snapper, are one of the smartest fish we target around our nearshore structure. These copper-colored fighters typically run 1-4 pounds inshore, though we catch some real nice ones up to 8 pounds on the deeper reefs. They love hanging around docks, wrecks, and rocky bottom in 20-100 feet of water, feeding most actively at dawn, dusk, and night. Guests appreciate them because they fight well for their size and make excellent table fare - that white, flaky meat is hard to beat. They're also year-round residents, so we catch them in all seasons. The trick with grey snapper is being subtle - they're extremely cautious and will inspect your bait closely. My advice: use a small 4/0 hook with live shrimp hooked through the tail, let it sink naturally, and be patient. When you feel that tap, wait a second before setting the hook.
Lutjanus AnalisMutton snapper are a prized catch on our nearshore reefs, known for their beautiful olive-to-pink coloration with distinctive blue lines around the head. Most fish we see run 15-20 inches, but we've pulled some real trophies up to 30 inches from our deeper spots. They prefer rocky bottom and coral areas in 80-200 feet of water, with the best fishing typically in summer and fall when they move closer to shore. What sets muttons apart is their strong fight - they'll make powerful runs toward the bottom when hooked. They're also top-shelf table fare with firm, sweet meat. These fish can be finicky, so here's a key tip: use the lightest weight possible and let your bait drift naturally in the current. When you see that pink flash coming up through the clear water, that's your mutton snapper - keep steady pressure and lead it away from the reef.
Lutjanus CampechanusRed snapper are the crown jewel of our nearshore bottom fishing trips. Most fish we catch run 2-8 pounds, though bigger ones around 15-20 pounds show up on our deeper wrecks and reefs. They live in 60-200 feet of water around hard structure, and summer through early fall gives us the best action when they're most active. What makes red snapper so popular is simple - they fight hard on the way up and taste even better on the plate. That sweet, flaky white meat is restaurant-quality every time. They're also smart fish, so presentation matters. My best advice: use the freshest bait you can get, keep your weights as light as possible, and when you hook one, get it up and away from the structure fast. They'll head straight back to the rocks and cut you off if you give them the chance.
Flagler Beach, FL