Does St. Augustine Have Good Fishing? (A Complete Guide)
St. Augustine is one of the most popular fishing locations in Florida. Many anglers want to know how St. Augustine compares to other major fishing destinations.
St. Augustine is a world-class fishery offering great fishing for permit, amberjack, mahi-mahi, grouper, jack crevalle, blue marlin, sailfish, barracuda, snapper, sharks, yellowfin tuna as well as wahoo.
It’s also important to note that St. Augustine is a world-class fishing destination that attracts anglers from different parts of the world. Fishing in St. Augustine is good year-round. The destination provides easy access to numerous spots and allows anglers to enjoy the stunning views of nature and target a large variety of fish species.
St. Augustine Fishing: Species Breakdown
1. Cobia
Cobia fishing in St. Augustine is good year-round. The best time of the year to target cobia in the area is between April and June. Fishing for cobia is also productive between October and November. On the other hand, cobia is less active between January and March, between July and September, and in December.
2. Redfish
Waters around St. Augustine hold great numbers of Redfish. It’s possible to target redfish in the area year-round. Redfish is the most active between May and June and between September and October. There is no bad time to target redfish in the region.
3. King Mackerel
St. Augustine offers good king mackerel fishing. It’s possible to target king mackerel in the area at any time of the year. However, king mackerel gets more active during the colder months. A high king mackerel fishing season in St. Augustine starts in the early fall and ends in the early spring.
King mackerel fishing is the most productive between January and February and between October and December. On the other hand, the worst time of the year to target king mackerel in the region is between April and August.
4. Red Snapper
It’s a great idea to target red snapper in the area. Red snapper is active in local waters year-round. Fishing for red snapper in the region is best between January and May and between September and December.
On the other hand, red snapper fishing is less productive during the summer months. Fishermen often catch red snapper near Vilano Beach Pier and the Pop Warner Reef.
5. Amberjack
Amberjack fishing is good in St. Augustine at any time of the year. However, amberjack is the most active during the summer and fall months. Fishing for amberjack is less productive between January and May and December.
6. Mahi-Mahi
Mahi-mahi fishing is also good in St. Augustine throughout the year. The season to target mahi-mahi in the region begins in March and ends in October. The best time of the year to fish for mahi-mahi in the area is between April and May. Mahi-mahi fishing in St. Augustine is less productive between January and February, in August, and between November and December.
7. Tarpon
A tarpon fishing season in St. Augustine is high between the late spring and the early fall. Summer is the best time of the year to experience tarpon fishing in the region.
8. Jack Crevalle
It’s possible to fish for jack crevalle in the waters around St. Augustine year-round. A jack crevalle fishing season in the region is high between the early spring and the early fall. The best time of the year to target jack crevalle in the area is between April and August. However, fishing for jack crevalle is less productive between January and February and between October and December.
9. Gag Grouper
The best times of the year to fish for gag grouper in the region is in April and between September and November.
On the other hand, gag grouper fishing is less productive between January and March and between May and August, and in December. The Pop Warner Reef is one of the best gag grouper fishing spots in the area.
10. Blue Marlin
St. Augustine is the perfect place to experience blue marlin fishing. Marlin is active between the early spring and the early fall. However, the best time of the year to target blue marlin in the area is between April and June.
The worst times to fish for blue marlin in the region are between January and February and between August and December. The “Rolldown” is one of the top St. Augustine fishing spots to target blue marlin.
Recommended Fishing Charters in St. Augustine
These St. Augustine-based charters have earned great reviews from anglers and will offer you tremendous service. The captains are knowledgeable, friendly, and are sure to put you on fish. By clicking the links below, you will be taken to the charter’s respective profile on Fishing Booker where you can read reviews, learn more about the charter, view photos, and book online at the best rate.
| Recommended Fishing Charters | Location |
| Great White Charters | St. Augustine, FL |
| For What It’s Worth Charters | St. Augustine, FL |
| MisStress Sportfishing Charters | St. Augustine, FL |
| Captain Chris Fishing Charters LLC | St. Augustine, FL |
| Get Schooled Fishing Charters | St. Augustine, FL |
| Local Knowledge Fishing Charters | St. Augustine, FL |
| Bite Me Fishing Charters | St. Augustine, FL |
| Captain Troy Inc | St. Augustine, FL |
| Game On Fishing Charters | St. Augustine, FL |
| Channel Master Sport Fishing | St. Augustine, FL |
| Shark Infested Charters | St. Augustine, FL |
| Rod Bender Fishing Charters LLC | St. Augustine, FL |
| SeaCo Charters – 31′ Contender | St. Augustine, FL |
Does St. Augustine Offer Good Fishing?
1. Inshore
Many anglers choose to fish in the inshore waters of St. Augustine. Inshore fishing is very productive in the region. This type of fishing is recommended to beginners, families, and anglers who have limited time on fishing in St. Augustine. It also makes sense to fish in inshore waters if you are interested in fishing with your kids. Shorter trips are suitable for inshore fishing. Inshore species include black drum, redfish, trout, flounder, as well as tarpon.
2. Nearshore
Nearshore fishing provides anglers with great opportunities as well. There are nearshore reefs in the waters around St. Augustine. The reefs attract plenty of fish. Among the top targeted species in the nearshore waters of St. Augustine are grouper, snapper, mahi-mahi, sailfish as well as wahoo.
3. Offshore
Those anglers, who can spend a full day on the water, can consider booking an offshore fishing trip in St. Augustine. Go to the open waters if you are interested in deep-sea fishing adventures in the region. Offshore waters in St. Augustine allow anglers to target amberjack, cobia, blackfin tuna, billfish, snapper, grouper, mahi-mahi, shark, wahoo, and many other species.
Best Species to Fish for in St. Augustine
Anglers can fish any day of the year and target many fish species in St. Augustine. When fishing in the area, anglers can test their skills against such species as amberjack, barracuda, cobia, mahi mahi, gag grouper, jack crevalle, king mackerel, blue marlin, pompano, redfish, sailfish, red snapper, speckled trout, tarpon, blackfin tuna as well as wahoo.
Best Season & Times to Fish St. Augustine
St. Augustine is a year-round fishing destination. Here, anglers can target species which bite well throughout a year as well as seasonal species which are active during certain times of the year.
The best times of the year to go fishing in the area depends on target species. Generally speaking, fishing in St. Augustine is best between March and June and between September and October. So, the vast majority of species feed actively during these months. That’s why anglers find it easy to catch these species and get the best results in spring and fall.
Spring is the best time of the year to target such species as mahi mahi, amberjack and mangrove snapper. The water is getting warmer and the activity of some fish species increases. Blue marlin and sailfish are the main targets in the early summer. Anglers can also experience fishing in the region during the winter months.
How Does St. Augustine Fishing Compare to the Rest of Florida?
St. Augustine is more than just a fishing destination. Initially, St. Augustine was known as a commercial fishing town. Later, the town became a fishing hotspot. Good weather creates the ideal conditions for fishing in the region. There are large marinas and hidden fishing spots in St. Augustine and its surrounding areas. It’s worth noting that the destination offers good fishing to every type of angler.
Fishing tournaments take place in the region annually. Such fishing tournaments as Wildwood Inshore Fishing Tournament, the Ancient City Game Fish Challenge, and the St. Augustine Kingfish Mayhem are held in the region every year and bring so many anglers together.
Hot Fishing Spots in St. Augustine
Anglers should always plan their fishing adventures in St. Augustine ahead of time. The success of a fishing trip in the area depends a lot on where you choose to go fishing in the region. There are many great fishing spots in St. Augustine.
Anglers usually prefer to go fishing in such places as Vilano Beach Pier, Anastasia State Park, Artificial Reefs, Continental Shelf, the Nine Mile Reef, the Pop Warner Reef, Continental Shelf, the “Rolldown”, etc. All these fishing spots in St. Augustine provide anglers with great opportunities.
Is Nightfishing Good in St. Augustine?
St. Augustine is the place where anglers can enjoy fishing during the day and at night. The vast majority of anglers in the region choose to fish during the day. However, there are anglers who give a preference to night fishing.
It’s worth noting that fishing in St. Augustine offers multiple significant benefits to anglers. Night fishing trips allow anglers to avoid summer heat, increase a chance to catch a trophy fish and give amazing feelings.
Traditionally, anglers fish in inshore waters at night. Docks are great night fishing spots in the city. It’s worth noting that fishing under lights is very interesting and, most importantly, productive.
Night fishing for snook in St. Augustine can provide anglers with the adventures that they won’t forget. When fishing at night, anglers have an opportunity to catch a fish of a lifetime. Keep in mind that monster snook is a good fighter. Anglers also have a chance to catch tarpon and speckled trout during night fishing trips in the city.
However, fishing at night is not easy. That’s why night fishing is not recommended to beginners. So, night fishing trips would be a better choice for experienced anglers.
Is Beach Fishing Good in St. Augustine?
Beach fishing makes it possible for anglers to experience inshore fishing. That’s why some beaches in St. Augustine have become popular inshore fishing spots.
St. Augustine Beach has become a popular fishing spot that attracts so many anglers. There is the St. Johns County Ocean Pier near the beach where anglers can enjoy fishing and target a vast variety of fish species.
Vilano Beach is another good fishing spot in St. Augustine. Here, anglers can enjoy fishing from a well-known Vilano Beach pier.
Tarpon and king mackerel are the main targets for anglers, who choose to fish on beaches in St. Augustine. Anglers can also catch such species as amberjack, barracuda, cobia, grouper, shark as well as snappers when fishing from beaches in the city.
St. Augustine & Fishing Charters
– Is it a good idea?
St. Augustine is a must-visit location for anglers, who are looking for fishing spots in Florida. Here, it’s possible to experience fishing in calm inshore waters or go further offshore to enjoy deep sea fishing.
It’s worth noting that different species of fish can be found in the area. There are species that anglers can target at any time of the year as well as seasonal species. There is always something to catch in the local waters. That means that anglers can go fishing in the region in spring, summer, fall, and winter.
No matter when, where, and how you choose to fish in the region, you’ll have fantastic fishing opportunities. Fishing in St. Augustine provides anglers with long-lasting memories. That’s why fishermen decide to come back to the area again and again.
– Is it a good place for charters?
It’s a great idea to book a fishing charter in St. Augustine. If you book a charter and go deep-sea fishing in St. Augustine, you’ll manage to explore more fishing spots in the area.
When it comes to booking a charter fishing trip in St. Augustine, anglers have many options. Short trips, full-day trips as well as multiple-day trips are available for fishermen in the region. Private charter trips are also available in St. Augustine.
It’s crucial for anglers to pick the right type of fishing charter. It all depends on where you are planning to go and how much time you want to dedicate to your hobby during a St. Augustine fishing trip.
Explore all of your options carefully and pick a fishing charter that meets your budget as well as needs and preferences in the best way. Make sure that you’ll be able to accomplish your goals if you book a fishing charter in St. Augustine.
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