St. Augustine Inshore Fishing Charters
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Full-day inshore fishing with Captain Michael targeting redfish, flounder, trout.Small group experience with maximum three guests aboard XScape Fishing.Professional guided fishing adventure through St. Augustine coastal waters.
Looking for a solid day on the water targeting some of Florida's best inshore species? Captain Michael's full-day fishing charters out of St. Augustine put you right in the heart of some seriously productive waters. We're talking about a legitimate 8-hour adventure where you'll work the flats, grass beds, and creek mouths that hold the area's top-rated inshore slam – redfish, sea trout, and flounder. This isn't your typical half-day trip where you barely get warmed up before heading back to the dock. With a full day ahead of us, we've got time to hit multiple spots, adjust our tactics based on conditions, and really dial in on what the fish are doing that day.
Captain Michael runs a tight ship with space for up to 3 anglers, which means you're getting personalized attention without feeling crowded. The boat's rigged specifically for inshore work – shallow draft, quiet trolling motor, and all the tackle you'll need to put fish in the cooler. We'll launch early and spend the day working St. Augustine's renowned inshore waters, from the Matanzas River system to the productive flats around Rattlesnake Island. The gameplan shifts based on tides, weather, and what the fish are telling us, but expect to cover water and fish multiple techniques throughout the day. This is hands-on fishing where you'll learn to read the water, spot feeding birds, and understand why certain areas hold fish at different times.
We fish light tackle here – typically spinning gear in the 2500 to 4000 class loaded with 15-20lb braid. Depending on conditions and target species, we'll bounce between live bait fishing with shrimp and mud minnows, throwing artificials like soft plastics and topwater plugs, and sight fishing when the water's clean enough to spot tailing reds. The beauty of St. Augustine's inshore fishing is the variety – one minute you're bouncing a jig head and gulp shrimp along a creek edge for trout, the next you're making long casts with a gold spoon to cruising redfish on the flats. Captain Michael provides all the gear, but feel free to bring your own rod if you've got a favorite setup. We'll rig everything from popping corks for trout to Carolina rigs for bottom fishing, and I'll walk you through each technique so you understand not just how to do it, but why we're doing it.
Redfish are the bread and butter of St. Augustine inshore fishing, and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers average 18-27 inches in our waters, with plenty of slot fish that fight like they're twice their size. Reds are year-round residents here, but they really turn on during the cooler months when they school up in deeper creek bends and around oyster bars. What makes catching them so addictive is their willingness to eat just about anything – live shrimp, cut bait, soft plastics, even topwater plugs when they're feeding aggressively. Plus, they're excellent table fare if you decide to keep a few within the slot limit.
Sea trout might not have the glamour of redfish, but they're incredibly fun on light tackle and absolutely delicious. These spotted beauties love grass flats and drop-offs, especially around moving water. Spring and fall are prime time for big gator trout – those 20+ inch females that provide serious rod-bending action. Trout are sight and sound feeders, so we'll often fish them under popping corks or with topwater baits early and late in the day. They're also one of the most cooperative species for beginners since they're aggressive feeders and relatively easy to hook.
Summer flounder round out the inshore slam and provide some of the best eating you'll find in these waters. These flatfish are ambush predators that bury in sandy bottoms near structure, waiting to hammer baitfish and crustaceans. Flounder fishing requires patience and technique – we'll typically fish them with live finger mullet or mud minnows on light jig heads, bouncing the bottom around creek mouths and shell bars. Peak season runs from late spring through early fall, and a good flounder day can produce fish from 14 inches all the way up to genuine doormat-sized fish pushing 20+ inches.
A full day with Captain Michael gives you the best shot at experiencing everything St. Augustine's inshore waters have to offer. You're not just buying a fishing trip – you're getting a masterclass in reading water, understanding fish behavior, and learning techniques that'll make you a better angler long after you leave Florida. The combination of productive waters, diverse species, and expert guidance makes this a customer favorite for both novice and experienced anglers. Whether you're looking to put together your first inshore slam or just want to spend a world-class day on the water, this trip delivers. Don't sleep on booking – the best fishing days fill up fast, especially during peak seasons when the bite is hot.
Captain Michael's 17-foot Mitzi is your ticket to St. Augustine's best inshore fishing spots. This reliable 2004 skiff cuts through shallow waters with ease, powered by a dependable 70HP Yamaha that gets you to the fish without disturbing the flats. Built for serious anglers, she's equipped with GPS to navigate the backcountry channels and a fish finder to locate those hiding redfish and trout. The onboard icebox keeps your catch fresh and drinks cold during those hot Florida afternoons. With room for just three guests, you'll have plenty of space to cast and fight fish without bumping elbows. Captain Michael knows these waters like the back of his hand, from the grass flats where reds cruise to the deeper pockets where flounder lay waiting. The Mitzi's shallow draft means access to skinny water spots that bigger boats can't reach, giving you the advantage when targeting spooky inshore species. Whether you're sight fishing or working structure, this setup delivers the perfect platform for a productive day on St. Augustine's productive inshore waters.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the bread and butter of our inshore fishing here in St. Augustine. These copper-colored bruisers love our shallow flats, oyster bars, and marsh creeks in 1-4 feet of water - sometimes so shallow their backs break the surface. Most fish we catch run 20-32 inches, but we see plenty of bull reds over 40 inches that'll test your drag system. Spring through fall offers the best action, especially around moving tides when they're actively feeding. What guests love most is watching these fish "tail" in skinny water and the powerful runs they make when hooked. That distinctive black spot near their tail isn't just for show - it confuses predators. The meat on slot-sized fish is fantastic, mild and sweet. Pro tip: when you see tailing fish, cast well ahead of them and let your bait sink before they approach. Redfish spook easily in shallow water.
Salmo TruttaSpotted sea trout, or "specks" as we call them locally, are some of the most consistent fish we target in St. Augustine's grass flats and shallow bays. They typically run 14-24 inches and about 1-5 pounds, with that beautiful silver body covered in distinct black spots. You'll find them in 2-8 feet of water around oyster bars, creek mouths, and grass beds where shrimp and small baitfish hang out. Dawn and dusk fishing is prime, especially during cooler months when they school up in deeper holes. Trout are scrappy fighters with a soft mouth, so you need to play them carefully. The white, flaky meat is excellent eating - just don't overcook it. Here's a local secret: when the water drops below 60 degrees, look for them in deeper channels and use a slow-sinking soft plastic. They'll be sluggish but concentrated.
Paralichthys DentatusThese "chameleons of the sea" are masters of disguise, lying flat on sandy bottoms with both eyes on their left side watching for prey above. Around St. Augustine, we find them in 15-30 feet of water near structure and drop-offs. Most run 15-20 inches, but we see some real doormat-sized fish pushing 26 pounds. Fall through early winter is prime time when they're actively feeding before their spawning run. What makes flounder special is their sneaky bite - they'll inhale your bait and just sit there. The meat is fantastic, white and flaky. My go-to trick: use a bucktail jig tipped with live minnow and bounce it slowly along the bottom. When you feel that subtle tap, count to three before setting the hook - they need time to turn that bait around in their sideways mouth.
St. Augustine, FL