A Master Fly Angler from Florida

A Little Something About Me

I am Captain Cullen Traverso, a professional fishing guide proprietor and operator of High Tailin’ based in St. Augustine, Florida. I was born and raised in Florida, and I’ve spent most of my life exploring the local waters. I have 26 years of experience as a master guide. If you want someone who can guide you through Florida’s Intracoastal Waterway and the Atlantic Ocean off St. Augustine, book with my charter service, and I’ll show you all there is to know about saltwater fly fishing and light tackle fishing.

My father got me into fishing when I was around eight to ten years old. He introduced me to inshore fishing. Ever since I have experienced a lot of tight lines with my fishing charter, I have enjoyed taking clients on inshore fishing and backwater voyages. I love taking them to secluded shallow waters to enjoy the serenity of using a fly line or light tackle to catch a boatload of fish.

Anglers at any skill level, whether they’re seasoned pros or beginner anglers, anyone is welcome to explore the beautiful waters of Northeast Florida with me. Rest assured, I have the expertise necessary to provide you with an amazing experience on the water.

What I Love About Fishing and My Favorite Fishing Memory

The thing I love the most about fishing is connecting to nature and constantly discovering and figuring out various fisheries and target species. There is no replacement for time on the water, and every minute spent observing and learning is invaluable knowledge that only betters you as an angler or guide.

When I think about my love for fishing, I’m reminded of one of my favorite memories. When I was eight years old, I remember my dad driving out to the end of a local canal to wade fish after fly tying a MirrOlure on a fly line. After a few casts in, I hooked my first snook. I remember pulling and fighting to keep that snook from breaking me off in the mangroves to land my first one eventually. Knowing that I could manipulate what a fish eats has made me fish brained ever since.

My Favorite Spots to Fish and My Top Targets and Techniques

I think the Florida Keys is still one of my favorite places to fish. That area is among the most challenging and rewarding fisheries because there are infinite areas, tactics, and fish behaviors to learn. It’s one of the most humbling fisheries I’ve had the pleasure of fishing and guiding in.

With High Tailin’, I offer guests the opportunity to fish throughout Northeast Florida. I take them to excellent fisheries such as the Atlantic Ocean, Guana River, Jacksonville, Neptune Beach, Palm Valley, Butler Beach, Crescent Beach, Palm Coast, and the Matanzas River. 

St. Augustine (aka the ‘Nation’s Oldest City’) isn’t only a terrific destination to visit for its fascinating history and scenic sites, but it’s also a fantastic fishing destination. The expansive marshes and creeks make for a unique habitat for a variety of game fish I like to target. The miles and miles of spartina grass provide plenty of life and prey these game fish cannot resist, like redfish, trout, flounder, and drum. If you book your next fishing trip with me, expect to have the chance to catch species like redfish, black drum, cobia, crevalle jack, permit, red snapper, sea trout, sheepshead, tarpon, and tripletail. 

Additionally, oyster-lined flats, shell bank drop-offs, and dock structures provide the much-needed environment for predator fish to thrive. There are some fantastic sight fishing opportunities in the winter and early spring, especially when the cool water becomes clear and you’re using everything in your fly box, including your fly rod, fly line, and flies. There are also many sought-after fishing opportunities with the arrival of flood tides in late spring and fall. As a fly fishing guide, I like sight fishing techniques because they’re very effective in Northeast Florida’s waters. I estimate that around 90% of the fish I’ve caught in the area are because of sight fishing. As a fishing guide, I also teach and use other techniques like jigging, baitcasting, deep sea fishing, and drift fishing.

Book Your Fly Fishing Trip with Captain Cullen Traverso

I like to focus on progression, so when you book your next fly fishing trip with High Tailin’, I will make sure that we work on making you a better fly angler while not sacrificing having fun and a lighthearted experience. I always make a special effort to determine what the client's expectations are and what their skill level is. This is to make your experience with me more tailored and enjoyable. 

We provide a private boat experience on an 18’ Maverick that accommodates up to three guests max for both inshore and backcountry trips. We also have a 16’ Custom Gheenoe LT25 that can take along two guests. You don’t have to worry too much about bringing the necessary equipment as we provide bait and tackle, fishing licenses, water and snacks, a cooler with ice, sunscreen, and photo ops. We advise guests to bring polarized sunglasses, sunblock (non-spray), UV protectant apparel or winter apparel (depending on the season), extra food and drinks, a hat, and a rain jacket.

We welcome everyone, even families, to join us on our saltwater fishing excursions. High Tailin’ also provides trips that allow any angler to enjoy the beautiful nature and wildlife views of the St. Augustine area. 

Experiencing Northeast Florida’s clear waters and flood tides is a must! Fishing for redfish is the most exciting part of our trips as it will leave you with sweaty hands and shaky knees. Next time you're in our area, book your fishing trip with Captain Cullen Traverso from High Tailin’ and level up your fly fishing game! If you want to know more about us, visit our website, Facebook, and Instagram pages.