Expert-Guided Inshore Fishing in St. Augustine

Half Day Fishing Trip in St. Augustine

Captain Ty Sikes knows these St. Augustine waters like the back of his hand, and this 4-hour inshore charter puts you right in the sweet spots where redfish, speckled trout, and flounder love to hang out. Whether you're a first-timer who's never held a rod or a seasoned angler looking to dial in your technique, this trip delivers the perfect mix of education and action. The historic city's coastal waters are absolutely loaded with fish year-round, and Ty's local expertise means you'll be fishing the right spots at the right times. Everything's included – rods, reels, bait, tackle, even your fishing license – so all you need to bring is yourself and maybe some snacks for the cooler.

What to Expect on the Water

This isn't your typical tourist fishing trip where you're just hoping to get lucky. Captain Ty runs a tight ship and knows exactly where the fish are holding based on tides, weather, and seasonal patterns. You'll be targeting the grass flats, oyster bars, and creek mouths that make St. Augustine's inshore fishing so productive. The boat's rigged with quality gear that's perfectly suited for inshore work – medium-light spinning setups that let you feel every bite and have the backbone to handle bigger fish when they show up. Ty's approach is hands-on but never overwhelming. He'll teach you how to read the water, spot structure, and feel the difference between a bite and bottom contact. The pace is relaxed but focused, giving you time to really learn while maximizing your chances at multiple species. If the fish are biting and time allows, there's even flexibility to extend the trip and make the most of a hot bite.

Techniques and Tackle

Inshore fishing in St. Augustine is all about finesse and reading the conditions. You'll be working with live bait like shrimp and finger mullet, as well as artificial lures that mimic the baitfish these predators are keying in on. Captain Ty will show you how to work soft plastics along the bottom for flounder, drift live shrimp over grass beds for trout, and sight-cast to tailing redfish in the shallows. The tackle setup is perfectly balanced – light enough to feel every tap but strong enough to turn a bull red away from structure. You'll learn proper drag settings, hook-setting techniques, and how to play fish without losing them at the boat. The areas you'll fish range from shallow grass flats in 2-4 feet of water to deeper creek channels and oyster bars. Each spot requires different presentations, and Ty excels at explaining why certain techniques work in specific conditions. It's fishing education at its finest, wrapped up in a fun, productive day on the water.

Top Catches This Season

Black Drum are absolute powerhouses that'll test your drag system and your patience. These bottom-dwellers cruise the oyster bars and deeper channels, often weighing 20-40 pounds or more. They're most active during cooler months from fall through early spring, and they fight like freight trains once hooked. What makes black drum so exciting is their sheer pulling power – they'll take long, sustained runs that'll have your arms burning. Plus, they're excellent table fare when kept within slot limits.

Sheepshead are the technical challenge every angler needs to experience. These black-and-white striped convicts hang around structure like dock pilings, bridges, and oyster bars, using their human-like teeth to crush crabs and barnacles. They're notorious bait stealers with lightning-fast reflexes, so catching one requires perfect timing and sensitive tackle. Peak sheepshead season runs from late winter through early spring when they're staging for their spawning run. Landing a quality sheepshead feels like solving a puzzle – they're that tricky to hook consistently.

Redfish are the superstars of St. Augustine's inshore scene, and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers are available year-round but really turn on during spring and fall transitions. Slot-sized reds in the 18-27 inch range are perfect eating, while the oversized bulls provide pure adrenaline with their bulldogging runs. What makes redfish special is their willingness to eat both live and artificial baits, plus they'll often feed in skinny water where you can sight-cast to individual fish.

Bonnethead Shark might be the smallest member of the hammerhead family, but they're scrappy fighters that add variety to any inshore trip. These mini-hammers cruise the grass flats in small schools, feeding on crabs and small fish. They're most active during warmer months and provide steady action when other species are being finicky. Bonnetheads are perfect for kids or nervous anglers since they're completely harmless, but they still pull hard enough to be exciting.

Blacktip Shark bring the heat when they show up, often launching themselves completely out of the water when hooked. These athletic predators patrol the deeper channels and inlet mouths, especially during summer months when baitfish are abundant. A hooked blacktip will immediately head for open water, making multiple jumps while peeling line off your reel. They're the perfect introduction to shark fishing – big enough to be memorable but manageable enough for most anglers to handle successfully.

Time to Book Your Spot

This 4-hour charter with Captain Ty Sikes offers everything you need for a top-rated St. Augustine fishing experience without any of the hassle. The combination of productive waters, quality equipment, and expert guidance makes this a customer favorite for good reason. Whether you're looking to learn new techniques, introduce someone to fishing, or just enjoy a relaxed morning on the water, this trip delivers consistent results. The small group size – just 3 anglers max – ensures personal attention and plenty of room to fish comfortably. With all gear included and the flexibility to extend if conditions are perfect, you're set up for success from the