St Augustine Beginner Flats Fishing Adventure

Published Date: September 7, 2025
Fishing

St. Augustine, FL
$300 - $700 price range

Summary

Ready to try your hand at flats fishing in beautiful St. Augustine? This 4-hour trip is perfect for beginners looking to get their feet wet. We'll head out to the shallow flats where you'll learn sight-fishing techniques from an experienced guide. Our main target is the hard-fighting redfish, but depending on the season, you might also hook into speckled trout, snook, or even tarpon. It's a private trip for up to four people, so bring your family or a few friends along. Don't worry about gear or licenses - we've got you covered with quality equipment and all the necessary paperwork. Once you've landed your catch, we'll clean and fillet the fish so you can enjoy a fresh dinner. The calm waters and scenic views make for a relaxing day on the water, even as you're reeling in the big ones. By the end of the trip, you'll have a new appreciation for the art of flats fishing and maybe even a new favorite hobby.

St Augustine Beginner Flats Fishing Adventure

Flats Action Shots

Angler with big 24-inch fish caught in St. Augustine

Powerful redfish hookup!

Redfish caught while fishing in St. Augustine

Redfish Fishing!

Best catch!

A redfish measuring 27 inches caught while fishing in FL

Redfish in St. Augustine, FL

St. Augustine Flats: Beginner's Fishing Paradise

Ready to wet a line in the crystal-clear shallows of St. Augustine? This 4-hour trip is your ticket to experiencing some of Florida's best inshore fishing action. Whether you're a first-timer or looking to sharpen your skills, our seasoned guides will put you on the fish and teach you the ropes of sight fishing in these legendary flats. With a max of four anglers per trip, you'll get plenty of one-on-one instruction as you target redfish, trout, and more in the scenic backwaters of America's oldest city.

What to Expect on the Water

As soon as we push off, you'll notice the calm, shallow waters that make St. Augustine's flats so unique. We'll cruise to prime fishing spots where you can often see fish tailing or pushing water - it's a rush every angler needs to experience. Your guide will set you up with light tackle gear perfect for these waters and show you how to spot, cast to, and hopefully land some of Florida's most sought-after inshore species. Don't worry if you're new to this; we'll break down the basics and have you casting like a pro in no time. And when you hook up, be ready for some drag-screaming action that'll have you grinning from ear to ear.

Sight Fishing 101

Sight fishing is the name of the game on the flats, and it's a technique that'll change the way you think about fishing. Instead of blindly casting and hoping for the best, we'll teach you to spot fish and make precise casts to get their attention. You'll learn to read the water, identify different species by their behavior, and make those soft, accurate casts that are key to success in shallow water. We use top-notch light tackle setups that are perfect for beginners but still pack enough punch to handle big reds and the occasional surprise tarpon. By the end of the trip, you'll have a solid foundation in one of fishing's most exciting and rewarding techniques.

Top Catches This Season

St. Augustine's flats are teeming with game fish year-round, but each season brings its own highlights. In the warmer months, redfish are the stars of the show, often seen tailing in shallow water as they root for crabs. Speckled trout are always a possibility, providing fast action and tasty fillets. As temperatures cool, look for schools of black drum to move in, offering the chance at some real bruisers. And don't be surprised if a snook crashes the party - these hard-fighting linesiders are expanding their range and showing up more frequently in our waters. For the ultimate challenge, summer brings a shot at juvenile tarpon, which will test both your skills and your tackle.

Species You'll Want to Hook

Redfish: The crown jewel of flats fishing, redfish (or red drum) are known for their distinctive spot near the tail and their bulldog fighting style. These copper-colored beauties can range from 5 to 40+ pounds in our waters. They love to cruise the shallows, often revealing their location with a golden tail waving above the surface as they feed. Sight casting to tailing reds is an unforgettable experience that'll get your heart racing.

Speckled Trout: Don't let the name fool you - these aren't your average trout. Speckled sea trout are aggressive predators that provide consistent action throughout the year. They're known for their soft mouths and acrobatic jumps when hooked. While most run in the 1-3 pound range, gator trout pushing 5+ pounds are always a possibility. These fish are not only fun to catch but make for excellent table fare.

Black Drum: Often overlooked by anglers chasing their flashier cousins, black drum are a worthy target in their own right. These powerful fish can grow to massive sizes, with some topping 50 pounds. They're bottom feeders, so we'll target them with natural baits near structure. The fight of a big black drum in shallow water is something you won't soon forget.

Snook: Although St. Augustine is near the northern edge of their range, snook are showing up more frequently in our waters. These ambush predators are known for their explosive strikes and acrobatic fights. Catching a snook on the flats is always a bonus, and their status as a prized gamefish makes them a bucket list species for many anglers.

Tarpon: The silver king is the ultimate gamefish, and while big ones are rare in our flats, we occasionally encounter juvenile tarpon in the 10-30 pound range. These smaller tarpon are still a handful on light tackle, known for their spectacular leaps and long, dogged fights. Hooking one of these on the flats is an experience you'll never forget.

Why Anglers Keep Coming Back

There's something special about fishing the flats that keeps anglers coming back for more. Maybe it's the thrill of spotting a tailing redfish and making that perfect cast. Or perhaps it's the variety - one minute you're sight fishing for reds, the next you're working a topwater for trout. The serene beauty of the St. Augustine backwaters doesn't hurt either. With dolphins, manatees, and a variety of birds often making appearances, it's as much a nature tour as it is a fishing trip. And let's not forget the convenience - no long runs to fishing grounds means more time with lines in the water. Plus, with our catch-cleaning service, you can go from boat to dinner table with ease if you choose to keep a few for the grill.

Time to Book Your Spot

Whether you're looking to catch your first redfish or just want to experience the magic of flats fishing, our St. Augustine Flats Fishing for Beginners trip is the perfect introduction. With all gear provided, expert guidance, and some of the best inshore fishing Florida has to offer, this 4-hour adventure is sure to create lasting memories. Spaces fill up fast, especially during peak seasons, so don't wait to secure your spot. Give us a call or book online today, and get ready to see why St. Augustine is quickly becoming a top destination for flats fishing enthusiasts. Remember, the only bad day of fishing is the one where you're not on the water - so let's get you out there!

Learn more about the species

Black Drum

Black Drum are the heavyweights of our local waters. These cousins to Redfish typically run 5-30 pounds, but monsters over 50 aren't unheard of. You'll find them in brackish estuaries and around oyster beds, using those powerful jaws to crush shellfish. Spring's the hot time as they school up to spawn, making that signature croaking sound. Anglers love 'em for the strong fight and good eating, especially the smaller ones under 15 pounds. They're not picky eaters, but fresh crab is hard to beat as bait. Here's a local trick: fish the bottom with a heavy leader and circle hook. When you feel that telltale thump, resist the urge to set - let the drum hook itself. These guys can put up a stubborn battle, so hang on tight and enjoy the ride.

Redfish

Redfish are the crown jewels of St. Augustine's flats. These copper-colored bruisers, with their distinctive tail spot, typically run 20-30 inches inshore. You'll find 'em in super shallow water, often tailing in just a foot or two as they root for crabs. Fall's prime time as they school up, but you can catch 'em year-round. Anglers love Reds for their hard-fighting spirit and excellent table fare. Here's a local tip: on calm days, cruise the flats and look for their tails breaking the surface. Cast a gold spoon or live shrimp just ahead of them and hang on. When a big one hits in shallow water, it's like hooking a freight train. Just be ready to chase 'em down – these guys can strip a reel in seconds flat.

Sea Trout

Sea Trout, or Speckled Trout, are a staple of St. Augustine's flats. These sleek predators typically run 14-24 inches and love hanging in grass flats and shallow waters, especially at night. Fall and winter are prime, with big schools forming in deeper channels. Anglers prize 'em for their light, flaky meat and the visual thrill of topwater strikes. They're not the biggest fighters, but they make up for it in numbers and taste. Here's a local secret: work a soft plastic jerk bait with a slow, twitching retrieve over grass beds. When you see that flash, pause it – they often hit on the fall. Light tackle adds to the fun, but watch out for their paper-thin mouths when landing 'em. A limit of specks makes for a great fish fry back at the dock.

Sheepshead

Sheepshead are the convicts of our local waters, sporting distinctive black and white bars. These structure-loving fish typically run 1-8 pounds and hang around docks, bridges, and oyster beds. Spring's prime time as they school up to spawn. Anglers chase 'em for the challenge – they're notorious bait stealers with those human-like teeth. The fight's good, and the meat's sweet if you can get past those tough scales. Here's a tip: use a small, strong hook with fiddler crabs or barnacles. Get as close to the pilings as you can without spooking 'em. When you feel that nibble, wait a second, then set the hook hard. It takes practice, but landing a big sheepshead is a real accomplishment. Just watch those teeth when you're unhooking!

Southern Flounder

These flat ambush predators are a unique catch in St. Augustine's waters. Typically 15-18 inches long, Southern Flounder hang out on sandy or muddy bottoms in shallow coastal areas, bays, and estuaries. They're masters of camouflage, blending in to wait for prey. Fall is prime time as they move to spawn offshore. Anglers love 'em for their tasty white meat and the challenge of hooking one. They're notorious bait stealers, so feel for that subtle bite. My go-to rig is a Carolina setup with live bait like bull minnows or mullet. Work it slowly along the bottom, especially near structure. When you feel weight, set the hook hard - flounder have tough mouths. Patience pays off with these sneaky fish, but landing a big one is worth the wait.

About the Beavertail

Vehicle Guest Capacity: 2

Manufacturer Name: Yamaha

Maximum Cruising Speed: 33

Number of Engines: 1

Horsepower per Engine: 70

Ready to dip your toes into flats fishing? This beginner-friendly trip in St Augustine, Florida is the perfect way to get started. Over 4 hours, you'll explore the shallow waters and target hard-fighting redfish, with potential for speckled trout, snook, and even tarpon depending on the season. Your expert guide will teach you sight-fishing techniques as you cast in calm, scenic surroundings. It's a private trip for up to four people, so bring along family or friends to share the fun. No need to worry about gear or licenses - everything's provided, including top-quality equipment and bait. At trip's end, your guide will clean and fillet your catch so you can enjoy the fruits of your labor. Whether you're new to fishing or just new to flats fishing, this trip offers a relaxed introduction to one of Florida's most popular angling styles.

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