Inshore Fishing in St. Augustine, FL (23′ Pathfinder)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fourhour inshore fishing trips target redfish, trout, and flounderAll gear, licenses, bait, and fish cleaning services includedAccommodates up to four guests aboard 23foot Pathfinder vessel
Looking for a quality day on the water in America's oldest city? Summer School Charters has you covered with top-rated inshore fishing trips that'll put you right where the fish are biting. Our 23-foot Pathfinder is built for these shallow waters, and whether you're bringing the family or a buddy for some serious angling, we've got everything dialed in to make your day memorable. The inshore waters around St. Augustine are some of Florida's best-kept secrets, with grass flats, oyster bars, and creek mouths that hold fish year-round. You'll be targeting the holy trinity of inshore fishing – redfish, sea trout, and flounder – all species that fight hard and taste even better.
Your day starts with everything taken care of – bait, tackle, fishing licenses, bottled water, and ice are all included, so you can focus on what matters most: fishing. The 23-foot Pathfinder is perfect for navigating St. Augustine's diverse inshore waters, from the shallow grass flats where redfish cruise to the deeper creek bends where trout stack up during tide changes. We'll accommodate up to two anglers, which means more elbow room and personalized attention to help you land fish. The boat's shallow draft lets us get into spots where bigger boats can't go, putting you on fish that haven't seen much pressure. Both 4-hour and 6-hour trips are available, giving you flexibility based on your schedule and how serious you want to get about filling the cooler. At the end of the day, we'll clean your catch so you can head home with fresh fillets ready for the dinner table.
Inshore fishing in St. Augustine is all about reading the water and adapting your approach. We'll be using light to medium spinning tackle that's perfect for these species – sensitive enough to feel the subtle bite of a trout but with enough backbone to turn a big red away from structure. Live bait is king out here, and we'll have fresh shrimp, mud minnows, and finger mullet depending on what's working best. Artificial lures play a huge role too – soft plastics rigged on jig heads, topwater plugs for early morning action, and suspending twitch baits for trout in deeper water. The key is staying mobile and hitting multiple spots throughout the trip. We'll work the grass flats on higher tides, target oyster bars and dock pilings on the drops, and time our creek fishing around moving water when the fish are most active. Your captain knows these waters inside and out, from the productive flats near the Matanzas Inlet to the backcountry creeks that hold big fish away from the crowds.
Sea trout are the bread and butter of St. Augustine's inshore scene, and for good reason. These spotted beauties are aggressive feeders that'll hit both live bait and artificials with authority. Spring and fall are prime time, when cooler water temperatures have them feeding heavily in 3-6 feet of water around grass beds and sandy potholes. A good trout will run 15-20 inches and pull drag with surprising power for their size. They're also some of the best eating fish in these waters, with white, flaky meat that's perfect for the grill or fryer. Trout are structure-oriented, so we'll focus on areas where grass meets sand, around dock pilings, and in creek mouths where baitfish get funneled by the current.
Redfish are what legends are made of in Northeast Florida, and St. Augustine's grass flats are redfish heaven. These copper-colored bulldogs can be found year-round, though late summer and fall bring the best action when they school up in massive numbers. Reds are ambush predators that cruise the flats looking for crabs, shrimp, and small fish. A slot-sized red (18-27 inches) will test your drag and your skills, often making blistering runs toward the nearest oyster bar. What makes redfish special is their versatility – they'll eat live shrimp under a popping cork, crush a gold spoon retrieved over the grass, or demolish a topwater plug in shallow water. The sight fishing opportunities are world-class, especially on clear days when you can spot their bronze backs and black-spotted tails from a distance.
Southern flounder are the ghosts of the grass flats, perfectly camouflaged ambush predators that provide some of the most challenging and rewarding fishing in these waters. These flatfish are most active during cooler months, from October through March, when they move into shallow water to feed before their offshore spawning migration. Flounder fishing requires patience and technique – they're notorious for short strikes and light bites that can be easy to miss. But when you connect with a good flounder (anything over 16 inches is a keeper), you'll understand why anglers get obsessed with these fish. They fight with surprising strength, using their flat profile to plane through the water column. Flounder are excellent table fare with sweet, white meat that's perfect for fish tacos or a classic fish fry. We'll target them around creek mouths, channel edges, and anywhere current brings baitfish within striking distance.
St. Augustine's inshore waters offer some of Florida's most consistent and diverse fishing opportunities, and there's no better way to experience it than with Summer School Charters. Whether you're an experienced angler looking to dial in your technique or a newcomer wanting to learn the ropes, our personalized approach ensures everyone has a great time on the water. The 23-foot Pathfinder gives us access to the best fishing spots while providing a comfortable, stable platform for anglers of all skill levels. With everything included and fish cleaning provided, all you need to bring is your enthusiasm and maybe a cooler for the ride home. These trips book
This 23' Pathfinder HPS packs serious fishing power with a Yamaha 250 SHO that gets you to the prime spots fast. The wireless 36V Minn Kota trolling motor lets you sneak up on redfish and trout without spooking them in the shallows. Two 8' Power-Poles drop down instantly to lock you in position when you find fish holding structure. The Humminbird Solix12 shows you exactly what's below while the GPS keeps you on productive water. Standard Horizon VHF keeps you connected, and all safety gear is aboard. Built for St. Augustine's backcountry flats and grass beds where the big reds cruise. This rig handles skinny water like a dream while giving you the range to hit offshore structure when conditions are right. Perfect setup for targeting everything from dock lights to oyster bars.
Sciaenops OcellatusRed drum are the backbone of our inshore fishing here in St. Augustine. These copper-colored bruisers typically range from 20-35 inches in our waters, with that signature black spot near the tail that fools predators. They love super shallow water - sometimes so skinny their backs stick out. Look for them around oyster bars, docks, and grass flats, especially during fall when they school up for their spawning runs. What makes reds special is their fight - they'll drag you around the boat and never give up easy. Plus, slot-size fish make excellent table fare with firm, sweet meat. My go-to trick is sight fishing with gold spoons on the flats during low tide - cast ahead of cruising fish and hang on.
Salmo TruttaSpotted sea trout, or "specks" as we call them locally, are one of our most reliable inshore targets. These silvery fish with their distinctive black spots typically run 14-24 inches and about 1-5 pounds around St. Augustine. You'll find them cruising grass flats and shallow waters, especially at dawn and dusk when they're actively feeding on shrimp and small baitfish. They're great fighters with decent table fare - white, flaky meat that's perfect for the dinner table. Fall and spring are prime times when they school up in our back bays. Pro tip: work a soft plastic shrimp under a popping cork over grass beds during moving water. The trout love that subtle action and sound combination.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern flounder are the ultimate ambush predators in our shallow waters. These flatfish blend perfectly into sandy and muddy bottoms, waiting to grab whatever swims by. Most run 15-18 inches, but we see some nice 3-5 pounders during fall migration when they head offshore to spawn. They're found around creek mouths, channel edges, and anywhere baitfish travel. What's cool about flounder fishing is it's different - you're targeting structure and current breaks rather than chasing schools. The meat is outstanding - white, mild, and perfect for the grill. Best technique is bouncing a jig head with live shrimp or finger mullet along the bottom near drop-offs. Keep your bait moving slowly and feel for that subtle tap.
St. Augustine