From calm inshore waterways, where the action is focused on tailing Redfish, to legendary battles on the waves offshore, St. Augustine fishing is an experience you can’t miss! Whether you’re a seasoned veteran or pretty new to the sport, the “Ancient City’s” vibrant fishery is sure to provide you with an adventure that fits your needs perfectly.
Right at its doorstep, you’ll be greeted by the rich fishing grounds of the Intracoastal Waterway. Together with the tributary rivers, this makes for an inshore fishery rivaling any other. Additionally, with the St. Augustine Inlet providing the local charter fleet direct access to the ocean, you’ll waste no time in transit if you decide to take your adventure offshore.
Best Fish to Catch in St. Augustine
Rich both in quantity and variety, the surrounding waters provide countless possible targets. There’s no telling what you could find on the end of your line if you just get out on the water to see what’s biting. However, below are some of the most popular local choices – just to tickle your imagination!
Mahi Mahi
Making an appearance at fishing grounds around the world, these bright-colored critters are a mainstay of many top catches lists. To the delight of local anglers and captains, St. Augustine is no exception. Although their numbers are more than healthy, catching a big Mahi Mahi requires you to be ready when the opportunity presents itself. The reward is always worth it!
As is the case with other pelagic species, Mahi Mahi are commonly targeted by trolling their known migration paths offshore. Since they tend to move in large schools, getting one hookup typically means there’ll be more coming shortly after. This makes for some exciting action, as there’ll be enough screaming drags to keep the whole party busy!
Wahoo
Just as the Mahi numbers start to dip towards the end of the summer, a new challenger makes an appearance in St. Augustine’s offshore grounds. Once here, Wahoo will stick around until the spring, giving anglers whiplash each time they make a run for the bait. Combine this ferocity with their impressive size and you start to see why Wahoo is a catch worth bragging about.
The bragging rights, however, don’t come easy. Wahoo aren’t the best targets for novices and trips targeting them specifically are hardly the setting for a relaxing day in the sun. You’ll likely spend the day doing high speed trolling, as you try to cover the largest area possible in pursuit of these elusive daredevils. On the other hand, adrenaline junkies – meet your perfect target!
Red Snapper
If you’re an angler who can’t imagine a perfect fishing trip without the reward of a tasty catch, Red Snapper is the fish for you. Growing to impressive sizes and boasting a bright red color, these bottom dwellers make for amazing photos and even better table fare. All of this makes them one of the most sought-after species in these waters and one of the few that have a closed season.
Unlike the Gulf, however, Red Snapper are only closed for harvesting in federal waters. If you keep within 3 miles offshore, St. Augustine’s Red Snapper are fair game. On the other hand, if you’re on the mission to land bigger specimens in the deepwater reefs, find out the opening date, get on a federally licensed charter, and go after a prize catch!
Tarpon
Considered by many to be the ultimate inshore catch, Tarpon always live up to their “Silver King” nickname. Targeted purely for their game qualities, this fish is so treasured that anglers fortunate enough to reel one in usually aren’t even allowed to take it out of the water. With Tarpon, it’s all about the chase. But what a chase it is!
Like most other inshore species, Tarpon can also be targeted year-round. However, if you’re after the catch of a lifetime, you’re going to want to come to town during the summer months. This is when the big ones are on the move and you have the best chance at taking part in one of those legendary airborne battles. Just make sure to bring your A-game!
Redfish and Black Drum
If you’ve fished the inshore waters anywhere in Florida, it’s highly likely that you’ve already been introduced to Redfish. These feisty critters are reliable year-round targets, giving you a chance at a great catch whenever you decide to visit. Also, no need to worry about the waves when you’re going after Redfish so bring the kids along for the ride!
Another species that you can target on your inshore adventures in St. Augustine is Black Drum. Slightly easier to catch than its red cousin, it’s the perfect target for novice anglers. Winter months are the peak season for these heavyweights so if you’re planning your visit during this time, going on an exploration of the city’s rivers will likely land you an impressive-sized fish!
How to Go Fishing in St. Augustine
The way you go about getting to your targets is going to mostly depend on your preference. Unless you’re going after a specific fish, there’s usually going to be more than one way to accomplish your goal. Read about what each type of fishing brings table below, and make your choice from there.
Fishing With a Charter
Private charter trips are without a doubt one of the most popular experiences for visiting anglers. Thanks to the town’s history and a strong connection to fishing, both commercially and recreationally, the local marinas are home to an impressive charter fleet. The experienced captains operating these boats are able to zero-in on your target as fast as possible.
Apart from maximizing your fishing time, private charters are extremely versatile. Depending on how much time you decide to spend on the water, you can mix it up and try multiple spots or switch between different techniques and targets. This build-your-own adventure approach makes charters especially convenient for families with kids.
Party Boat Fishing
If you’re in need of fishing buddies and some friendly competition, St. Augustine party boats might be just what you need. It’s a great budget option for anyone looking to hitch a ride to some of the richest local spots to see what’s biting. These boats typically stick to the nearshore waters but if you find the right party boat, you might even get a chance to go into deeper waters.
Fishing from a party boat, however, does mean that you’ll have to sacrifice some of the flexibility enjoyed on private charters. Here, the goal is to get to a productive spot and give everyone an opportunity to get a bite or two. Because of this, you’ll be targeting whatever’s biting rather than going after a specific species.
Kayak Fishing
The anglers who get the most out of kayak fishing trips are those that welcome the challenges that this type of adventure brings with it. This is the most skill-intensive and physically demanding way to get to your targets, but it’s also the one that lets you be the only person responsible for your success on the water.
While many may still consider kayaking to be all about targeting smaller fish, kayak enthusiasts are pushing the limits of what you can accomplish. If you have the necessary skills, this is a great way to get into the nearshore waters and go bottom fishing or jigging for a variety of game species.
Shore Fishing
Not too excited about heading into the waves? St. Augustine has still got you covered. The surrounding waters offer such a great fishery that you don’t even need to get out on the water to land a catch. There’s no shortage of nearby shore fishing spots that will give you great access to the Intracoastal Waterway. Be ready to try several spots however, as the bite can be unreliable.
A great starting point is definitely the Vilano Beach Pier. Popular with locals and visitors alike, it’s the perfect spot to test the bite and target a variety of inshore and nearshore species. However, when fishing from shore, make sure to get a valid license and look up all the relevant information regarding size restrictions and bag limits, before wetting a line.
St. Augustine Fishing Spots
Regardless of what type of trip you choose, you’ll want to know where to take your adventure. St. Augustine’s got plenty of tried and true fishing spots and informing yourself on some of them will help you get a better taste for the area. Here are some that we absolutely must mention.
Vilano Beach Pier: Located just north of the city’s historic district, this spot will be hard to miss. It’s a popular hangout for many visitors who come here to enjoy the sunsets. The scenery isn’t the only thing the pier’s got going for it, though. Being close to the inlet, you’ll see anything from Flounder and Snook to Red Snapper passing through the waters below.
Anastasia State Park: This is a place inshore enthusiasts can’t miss out on. The park is a true paradise for anyone looking for a calm place to get away from the noise. Of course, the setting is only half the story. Salt Run Inlet is a popular Bass and Bluegill spot, further adding to the variety of angling experiences offered in the immediate area.
Artificial Reefs: Exiting the St. Augustine Inlet, the ocean’s sandy floor gradually slopes as you head towards the Continental Shelf. As soon as you get into federal waters, things change as you come across artificial reefs such as the Nine Mile Reef and the Pop Warner Reef further offshore.
Continental Shelf: Once you’re at the Continental Shelf, you’ll have access to the best deep sea fishing grounds St. Augustine has to offer. Not only are the warm current waters pretty much a funnel for the most prized pelagics out there, they also hold multiple deepwater wrecks if you’d like to change the pace. These fishing grounds demand skill but they also reward it handsomely.
When to Go Fishing in St. Augustine
Although there are always going to be fish ready to take your bait in St. Augustine, you’ll want to time your visit so that you have the best shot at your targets. There are also some important dates to keep in mind, such as season openings and annual tournaments.
St. Augustine Fishing Tournaments
If you’re the type of angler who’s best qualities come out under pressure, put your skills to the test by joining in on one of the annual tournaments taking place in St. Augustine. It’s a great way to make a memorable trip even more exciting – especially if luck smiles down on you and sends a beastly fish your way.
Looking to offer something to every type of angler who visits the town, these tournaments cover a wide array of target species. For inshore fanatics, there’s the Wildwood Inshore Fishing Tournament, while the Ancient City Game Fish Challenge focuses on offshore targets. There’s also the St. Augustine Kingfish Mayhem, for those who feel like battling royalty.
St. Augustine Fishing Regulations
There are closed seasons for several popular targets that you need to be aware of if you’re planning on targeting one of them on your trip. These include Grouper, which are closed January through April, Hogfish, closed May through October, and Permit from April through July.
As far as other regulations go, you’ll mainly want to stay informed on rules regarding harvesting, including minimum size and bag restrictions. Also, unless you’re fishing with a licensed charter, you’ll need to make sure you have the appropriate licenses for everyone in your group before dropping a line.
St. Augustine: The Ancient Angling City
First as a commercial fishing town and later as a hub for sportfishing, St. Augustine has kept it’s name on the map by being able to offer everybody an experience that works for them. This still remains true and when you make your way to Ancient City, you’ll have the opportunity to both satisfy your wishes and discover some new ones!
“We’re always eager to hear from you! Have you ever been fishing in St. Augustine? How was it? Let us know in the comments below.”
