St Augustine, St Johns County, FL
Clear
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82°F
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Feels 91°
Naples Premier Offshore Fishing Charter
Pattern day — fish are predictable. Work structure and watch the feeding windows.
80-150lb mono leader with crimps
Tarpon require heavy, abrasion-resistant leaders; their mouths are tough and bony
Live baitfish on heavy setup with live bait rig
Inlets are high-energy zones — live bait triggers aggressive strikes from tarpon and snook
Classic walking topwater plug
Inlet current and chop make topwater perfect — walk it for snook and tarpon
40lb fluorocarbon or harder mono leader
Cuts through inlet current; invisible to fish; handles tarpon and snook teeth
St. Augustine Inlet is one of Northeast Florida's premier inshore fishing destinations. The inlet cuts between Anastasia Island and the North Jetty, funneling tidal flow between the Atlantic Ocean and the Tolomato and Matanzas Rivers. This powerful tidal exchange concentrates baitfish and game fish year-round, making the jetties, channel edges, and surrounding grass flats some of the most productive water in St. Johns County.
Fish the oyster bars and grass flat edges on both sides of the inlet. Fall schooling fish are best targeting with gold spoons.
Grass flat edges and sandy potholes hold trout. DOA Shrimp and CAL jigs work best in clear water.
Drift the sandy bottom in the cuts and channels with live shrimp or finger mullet. Slow retrieve is key.
Pack the jetty rocks and bridge pilings. Live fiddler crabs on a 1/4oz jig head, fished vertically against structure.
Roll through the inlet on outgoing tides. Free-line live mullet or blue crabs on the channel edges.
Follow baitfish schools just outside the inlet. Silver spoons at fast retrieve and Gotcha plugs.
The North and South Jetties are the foundation of St. Augustine Inlet fishing. Work both sides of the jetty rocks with jigs and live bait on the tide. The outgoing tide funnels water through the inlet and creates strong current rips — position at the mouth for Tarpon, Snook, and Redfish feeding on the flush. On the incoming tide, fish the backwater flats and oyster bars immediately inside the inlet. The bridge at Vilano Beach also holds Sheepshead and Black Drum tight to the pilings in winter.
St. Augustine Inlet produces Redfish, Spotted Seatrout, Flounder, Sheepshead, Black Drum, Tarpon (spring/summer), Spanish Mackerel, Bluefish, and Pompano. It is one of the most species-diverse inshore spots in Northeast Florida.
St. Augustine waters offer Redfish (Red Drum), Spotted Seatrout, Flounder, Sheepshead, Black Drum, Tarpon, Spanish Mackerel, Cobia, Bluefish, Pompano, Mangrove Snapper, and more. The Matanzas River, Tolomato River, and the inlet jetties hold fish year-round.
The inlet fishes well year-round. Fall (September–November) is excellent for Redfish and Trout. Winter brings Sheepshead to the jetties. Spring (April–June) delivers Tarpon and Cobia. Summer fishing for Trout and Flounder is good in early morning.
Yes — both jetties at St. Augustine Inlet offer walk-in surf access. Anglers catch Redfish, Pompano, Whiting, Sheepshead, and Spanish Mackerel from the rocks. The North Jetty is accessible from Vilano Beach.
Pomatomus saltatrix
Aggressive pelagic fish known for spectacular blitzes. Strong fighter with excellent runs.
Local Notes: One of the best bluefish runs on the East Coast passes through St Augustine Inlet in fall. Poppers, metal spoons, or cut bait — they blitz in large schools.
Centropomus undecimalis
Prized sport fish found around mangroves and inlets. Sensitive to cold temperatures.
Local Notes: Congregate at St Augustine Inlet on strong outgoing tides — ambush feeders at the edges of the current seam. Live pilchards, threadfins, or pinfish.
Paralichthys albigutta
Flatfish common in coastal bays and flats. Excellent eating and popular sport fish.
Local Notes: Flat on the sandy and muddy bottom throughout St Augustine Inlet. Slow-drift live shrimp or finger mullet near bottom.
Lutjanus griseus
Versatile species found from mangroves to offshore reefs. Excellent eating.
Local Notes: Hold in the deeper channel water at St Augustine Inlet. Light fluorocarbon and live shrimp or pilchards.
Scomberomorus maculatus
Fast-swimming pelagic fish with gold spots. Common in spring and fall.
Local Notes: Blitz through St Augustine Inlet on incoming tides chasing bait schools. Trolling spoons or casting Gotcha plugs.
Megalops atlanticus
Large powerful fish known for spectacular jumps. Migrates along Florida coast.
Local Notes: World-class tarpon fishing at St Augustine Inlet during the spring migration (April–July). Live blue crabs and large mullet.
Rachycentron canadum
Large pelagic fish often found near buoys and wrecks. Excellent table quality.
Local Notes: Follow cownose rays and sharks through St Augustine Inlet during the spring migration. Live pinfish or eel on a 8/0 hook.
Scomberomorus cavalla
Large mackerel species prized by anglers. Strong fighter found offshore.
Local Notes: Cruise the mouth of St Augustine Inlet in fall and winter. Live blue runners or Boston mackerel.
Sciaenops ocellatus
Popular game fish with distinctive black spot near tail. Found in shallow coastal waters.
Local Notes: Patrol the channel edges and nearby flats at St Augustine Inlet, especially on falling tides.
Archosargus probatocephalus
Bottom feeder with strong teeth. Found around structures and pilings.
Local Notes: Work the jetty rocks and any barnacle-covered structure at St Augustine Inlet. Fiddler crabs are the go-to.
Cynoscion nebulosus
Popular inshore species with distinctive spots. Found over grass flats and sandy bottoms.
Local Notes: Fish the back-bay side of St Augustine Inlet over grass flats near the mouth on slower tide stages.
