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Scenic St Augustine Flats Fishing Adventure
- Published Date: September 7, 2025
- Fishing
- St. Augustine, FL
- $300 - $700 price range
Summary
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Flats Fishing Finds
Customers enjoying their tasty Catch
A big redfish caught in Florida's inshore waters.
Florida Marsh is abundant in Redfish!
Try your luck at catching Redfish
Powerful redfish hookup!
Redfish Fishing!
Best catch!
Redfish in St. Augustine, FL
Florida's Top Redfish fishing
A large redfish reeled off the backcountry waters.
Customers enjoying their tasty Catch
A big redfish caught in Florida's inshore waters.
Florida Marsh is abundant in Redfish!
Try your luck at catching Redfish
Powerful redfish hookup!
Redfish Fishing!
Best catch!
Redfish in St. Augustine, FL
Florida's Top Redfish fishing
A large redfish reeled off the backcountry waters.
Customers enjoying their tasty Catch
A big redfish caught in Florida's inshore waters.
Florida Marsh is abundant in Redfish!
Try your luck at catching Redfish
St. Augustine Flats: Redfish & Scenery Paradise
Ready for a fishing trip that's as much about the views as it is about the catch? Our St. Augustine flats experience is exactly what you're after. We'll spend 4 hours cruising the shallow waters, sight fishing for redfish and soaking in the stunning coastal scenery. It's the perfect mix of action and relaxation, whether you're a seasoned angler or just getting your feet wet. Bring up to three of your favorite people – this private charter is ideal for families or a group of friends looking to make some memories on the water.
What to Expect on the Water
Picture this: you're gliding across gin-clear shallows, the sun warming your back as you scan for the telltale signs of redfish tailing in the grass. Your captain, a local expert who knows these waters like the back of their hand, points out a school of fish just ahead. You make the cast, watch your line go tight, and suddenly you're locked in battle with a hard-fighting red. That's what St. Augustine flats fishing is all about. We'll primarily target redfish, but don't be surprised if we run into some speckled trout, snook, or even the mighty tarpon, depending on when you visit. No need to worry about gear or licenses – we've got you covered with top-notch equipment and all the paperwork sorted. Just bring your sense of adventure and maybe a camera to capture the moment.
Flats Fishing 101
If you've never tried flats fishing before, you're in for a treat. This isn't your typical deep-sea fishing where you drop a line and wait. On the flats, it's all about stealth and sight fishing. We'll be poling through water that's often less than two feet deep, using our elevation on the boat to spot fish before they see us. It's like hunting, but on the water. You'll learn to spot the subtle signs of fish activity – a tail breaking the surface, a push of water, or the dark shape of a cruising red. When we spot our target, it's all about making that perfect, quiet cast to avoid spooking the fish. Don't worry if you're new to this – your captain will guide you through every step, from spotting to casting to fighting your catch. It's a technique that's challenging but incredibly rewarding when you hook up.
Species You'll Want to Hook
Redfish are the stars of the show on St. Augustine flats, and for good reason. These copper-colored beauties are known for their strength and their distinctive black spot near the tail. They love to cruise the shallow grass flats, often in schools, making them perfect for sight fishing. Redfish in this area typically range from 5 to 30 pounds, with the bigger ones giving you a serious fight. The best part? They're around all year, though fall tends to be prime time when they school up in big numbers.
Speckled trout are another favorite on the flats. These spotted predators are known for their delicate bite and acrobatic jumps when hooked. They're most active in the cooler months, from fall through spring. Trout love to hang around grass beds and oyster bars, so we'll target these areas for some fast action.
If you're lucky, we might run into some snook, especially in the warmer months. These hard-fighting fish are like the ninjas of the flats – sleek, powerful, and known for their explosive strikes. Snook love to hang around mangroves and structure, so we'll keep an eye out for them as we move through different areas.
And let's not forget about the silver king – the tarpon. While not as common as redfish or trout, hooking into one of these giants on the flats is an experience you'll never forget. Tarpon in this area can range from 20 to over 100 pounds, and they're known for their spectacular aerial displays when hooked. They're typically around from late spring through summer, and even just seeing one roll on the surface is enough to get your heart racing.
Why Anglers Keep Coming Back
Sure, the fishing is great, but there's something special about the St. Augustine flats that keeps folks coming back year after year. Maybe it's the way the light hits the water at sunrise, turning the whole world golden. Or the moment when you spot a tailing redfish, your heart racing as you make the perfect cast. It could be the thrill of battling a fish in water so shallow you can see every move it makes. Or maybe it's just the peace that comes from being out on the water, surrounded by nature, with nothing but the sound of the breeze and the occasional splash of a fish. Whatever it is, there's a magic to these waters that has to be experienced to be understood. And once you've felt it, you'll be planning your next trip before you even get back to the dock.
Time to Book Your Spot
Ready to experience the best of St. Augustine flats fishing? Whether you're looking to bend a rod on some hard-fighting reds or just want to soak in the stunning coastal scenery, this trip has you covered. Remember, we're limited to four guests max, so it's the perfect intimate experience for you and your crew. All the gear is provided, so all you need to bring is your sense of adventure (and maybe a snack or two). Don't let this opportunity slip away – the fish are waiting, and the flats are calling. Book your trip now and get ready for a day on the water you won't soon forget. Just remember, those deposits are non-refundable, so make sure you're ready to commit to an awesome day of fishing. See you on the flats!
Learn more about the animals
Black Drum
Black Drum are the heavyweights of the drum family, typically 5-30 pounds but can hit 90 pounds. Look for them around oyster beds, mudflats, and brackish estuaries. They love crunching on crustaceans with their powerful teeth. Spring's your best bet, as they school up to spawn. Anglers dig Black Drum for their strong pulls and tasty meat (stick to smaller ones under 15 pounds for better flavor). They're not picky eaters, so fresh crab, shrimp, or clams on the bottom usually do the trick. Here's a local secret: listen for their distinctive drumming sound. Black Drum make a croaking noise to communicate, especially during spawning. If you hear it, you're in the right spot. Just remember to use tough line – their crushing jaws can make short work of lighter tackle.
Redfish
Redfish, or Red Drum, are the stars of our flats fishing here in St. Augustine. These copper-colored beauties typically run 20-30 inches in the shallows, with bigger bulls lurking near offshore structure. Look for them tailing in water as shallow as 1-2 feet, often around oyster bars and grass flats. Fall is prime time as they school up to spawn. Anglers love Reds for their hard-pulling fights and that distinctive tail spot. They'll hit a variety of lures, but it's hard to beat a live shrimp or mullet on the bottom. Here's a local secret: on calm days, cruise the flats and look for pushes of water. That's often a Redfish moving through, giving away its position. Cast ahead of the push, and get ready for an arm-stretching battle. Just remember to check regulations, as slot limits help protect this popular gamefish.
Sea Trout
Sea Trout, also called Speckled Trout, are a favorite inshore target here in St. Augustine. They typically run 14-24 inches and 1-5 pounds, with some monsters pushing 10 pounds. Look for them around grass flats and shallow waters, especially at night. They're most active in cooler months when they school up in deeper channels. Anglers love Sea Trout for their aggressive strikes and delicate, flaky meat. Live shrimp under a popping cork is a classic approach, but artificial lures like soft plastics and topwater plugs can be deadly too. Here's a local trick: on calm mornings, watch for subtle V-wakes on the surface. That's often a Sea Trout cruising for bait. Cast ahead of the wake, and hold on tight – their hits can be explosive. Just remember to handle them gently if you're releasing, as they're more fragile than some other inshore species.
Sheepshead
These striped "convict fish" are a blast to catch and even better to eat. Sheepshead usually run 1-8 pounds, hanging around docks, bridges, and any structure with barnacles. They've got human-like teeth perfect for crushing shellfish, which makes them tricky to hook. Spring's prime time as they move to spawn. Anglers love the challenge – Sheepshead are notorious bait stealers. For the best shot, use light tackle and small hooks baited with fiddler crabs or pieces of shrimp. Get as close to the structure as you can without spooking them. Here's a pro tip: when you feel a nibble, wait a second before setting the hook. Sheepshead often test the bait first. That pause lets them commit, improving your hookup rate. Once you land one, you're in for some of the best-tasting fillets around – sweet, white meat that's hard to beat.
Southern Flounder
These flatfish are masters of camouflage, blending into sandy or muddy bottoms where they ambush prey. Typically 15-18 inches long, they can reach up to 33 inches and 20 pounds. You'll find them in shallow coastal waters, bays, and estuaries. Southern Flounder are most active in fall as they move to deeper waters to spawn. Anglers love targeting them for their delicate, mild-flavored meat. They put up a good fight too, especially on light tackle. To catch one, try drifting or still fishing near the bottom with live bait like mullet or shrimp. A local tip: when you feel a bite, wait a few seconds before setting the hook. Flounder often grab prey sideways before repositioning it to swallow headfirst. That pause can mean the difference between landing one and coming up empty.
About the Beavertail
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Vehicle Guest Capacity: 2
Manufacturer Name: Yamaha
Maximum Cruising Speed: 33
Number of Engines: 1
Horsepower per Engine: 70
