It’s been one of those St. Augustine weeks where the weather can’t decide whether it’s fall or early spring—low 80s early on, then backing off into the 60s, with just enough chill in the mornings to make you zip the jacket halfway before ditching it by lunch. Nights slipped into the 40s, the skies stayed mostly clear, and the wind behaved just enough to open up some solid windows. The kind of week where you wake up hearing the flags barely flapping and think, “Yeah, we’re fishing today.”
That little drop in water temp did its thing. Seatrout started stacking up in the bends, reds crept tighter to the oysters, and the mullet that hadn’t packed it in yet were getting harassed hard in the creeks. Stop into the local bait and tackle shop in St Augustine this time of year, and you’ll hear the same thing: this section of Florida’s northeast coast lights up in winter—if you know where to look.
If you’ve got a skiff, you’re already spoiled for options. Slide off the trailer at the ramp under the 312 bridge or over at Vilano, and within ten minutes you can be pitching live shrimp to redfish on a negative tide, drifting deep bends for stacked-up trout, or running out the inlet on a calm day for black sea bass and snapper.
No skiff? No problem. Winter’s still good from the walk-up spots—creek mouths off A1A, public docks around Camachee Cove, even the beach itself if you catch the tide right. Kayak guys do well too, especially up in the Tolomato when the wind’s calm and the marsh drains slow.
There’s a lot of different water in play here—grass flats, oyster bars, dredged channels, dock lines, creeks with 6 feet of depth and some with 18 inches. Add in the nearshore reefs just a short run off the beach, and you’ve got a whole winter playground if you’re rigged right and willing to adapt.
This guide goes over what you need to throw, when to fish it, and how to read the local water once that winter clarity kicks in. So whether you’re dead-sticking mud minnows near the Guana outflow or dropping a three-hook rig over Nine Mile Reef, there’s something biting most days if you know how to play the conditions.
Pro Tip: While this guide focuses mostly on inshore creeks, rivers, and nearshore structure, it’s worth noting that St. Augustine Beach Pier does see some winter action. Whiting and drum are the usual suspects, especially on days with light surf and a falling tide. Sand fleas, cut shrimp, or Fishbites on double-drop rigs are your best bet. It’s not the most consistent bite of the season—but if you’re just looking to soak bait with a sunrise view, the pier’s hard to beat.
Top Fishing Spots to Target in Winter
1. Matanzas River
The Matanzas River runs south from the inlet past Anastasia State Park, down through Moses Creek, and all the way to Marineland. It’s a stretch of tidal water that holds fish twelve months a year, but in winter, it gets especially dialed-in. With less boat traffic and cooler water temps, you’ll find more consistent clean water—perfect for sight fishing and finesse presentations.
This area is loaded with fishable terrain. You’ve got grass flats that stay knee-deep even on a negative low, hard shell bars that hold warmth and bait, and a whole network of dead-end creeks where redfish get nosed up on sunny afternoons. Speckled trout school up over sandy potholes, especially when the sun’s been out for a few hours and the shallows start to warm. On colder mornings, look to the deeper bends and edges—particularly near the Summer Haven River junction or where the Matanzas snakes around the Pellicer Creek outflow.
Redfish get tight to oyster lines on a rising tide, and you’ll often see them backing or waking in skinny water if the wind stays light. Incoming tide is prime, especially mid-morning when the water’s creeping in and the bait starts moving. You’ll do best with natural baits—mud minnows, shrimp, or cut mullet—but they’ll eat a well-placed paddletail or jerk shad too if you give it a quiet landing and let it sit for a beat.
Matanzas doesn’t give it up easy every day, but if you know how to read tide, wind, and light, it’s one of the most consistent winter fisheries on this part of the coast.
- Key Areas: Around Devil’s Elbow, Summer Haven River mouth, and creeks near Pellicer Creek.
- Species: Redfish, seatrout, black drum, occasional flounder holdovers.
- Tips: Use light leader (15–20 lb fluoro), free-lined live shrimp or paddletails on 1/8 oz jigheads.
2. Tolomato River
The Tolomato River runs north out of downtown St. Augustine, tracing the back side of Vilano and winding past oyster-heavy marshes all the way up to Palm Valley. It’s technically part of the Intracoastal Waterway, but it fishes like a classic tidal river—with deeper holes, long sweeping bends, and creek systems that stay warmer than the open flats during a winter cold snap.
This stretch comes alive when the water drops into the 60s. You’ve got steep drop-offs along the ICW channel edges, a mix of soft and hard bottom, and a ton of old structure—dock pilings, shell mounds, submerged timbers—that all hold heat and bait. It’s a great place to fish when the wind is up or the temps have dipped, especially if you stay tucked into the western banks or inside the creeks near Palm Valley, Sanchez Creek, or the upper reaches of the San Sebastian River junction.
One of the biggest advantages of the Tolomato in winter is the slow-draining marsh. The outgoing tide doesn’t dump all at once, which helps the feeder creeks hold on to just enough warmth and water to keep shrimp and finger mullet in play. That keeps predators like seatrout, black drum, and sheepshead stacked up longer, especially around structure or depth transitions. On a rising tide, redfish will slide back onto the soft mud banks and root around under mullet schools.
- Key Areas: Guana River WMA outflow, San Sebastian River junction, and the Vilano marshes.
- Species: Black drum, seatrout, sheepshead, redfish.
- Tips: Fish fiddler crabs tight to pilings on slack tides for sheepshead. Try Carolina rigs with shrimp or cut crab for drum near channel bends.
3. St. Augustine Inlet
The St. Augustine Inlet sits between the Castillo de San Marcos and Conch Island, acting as the main artery between the inshore marshes and the nearshore Atlantic. It’s not the place for casual drifting—this inlet moves a lot of water, fast—but for winter fishing, that strong tidal flow is exactly what makes it productive. Every tide shift pushes bait through narrow cuts, scours out ambush zones around structure, and sets up a feeding situation that predators know how to take advantage of.
This is where you go when you want to fish heavy. The jetty rocks on both sides—especially the southern tip near the Vilano Beach boat ramp—stack up sheepshead in the colder months. These guys feed vertically, so you want to drop fiddler crabs or shrimp right down the rocks and feel for that subtle tap. Use enough weight to stay pinned in the current. On the incoming tide, they’ll hug the backside of the rocks; on the outgoing, you’ll want to work the eddies and deeper cuts.
Bull reds are another winter target here, especially on the outgoing tide when baitfish are flushing out of the river. Look for them holding near the bridge pilings or sitting just outside the inlet mouth on the sandbar edges and troughs. You’ll need heavier tackle—40 to 60 lb leader, 3–5 oz of weight, and big cut baits like mullet chunks or crab. Bull reds aren’t here to play, and the current will break you off fast if you’re undergunned.
Flounder (when in season—check the current closure dates) also hang near the drop-offs, dock pilings, and inlet mouth transitions. They’re ambush predators that prefer slack or slow-moving tide windows, and they’ll pin a finger mullet or shrimp against the bottom as the water pushes past.
The inlet’s not always forgiving—it’s current-heavy, boat-traffic-prone, and prone to shifting sandbars—but it stays productive when other spots shut down. Anchor smart, fish tight to structure, and pay attention to tide timing. If you get it right, you’ll pull fish off this stretch all winter.
- Key Areas: Vilano Bridge pilings, jetty rocks, and the nearby fishable docks toward Porpoise Point.
- Species: Sheepshead, flounder (check regs), bull redfish.
- Tips: Anchor uptide of structure and float bait back. Use just enough weight to hold bottom. Try vertical jigging shrimp-tipped jigs when tide slows.
4. Nearshore Reefs (3–10 miles out)
On calm winter mornings, when the surf’s down and the wind lays out flat, running 3 to 10 miles off St. Augustine and Vilano puts you right into some of the most dependable reef fishing of the season. These nearshore reefs—especially the public spots like BR-6, BR-7, and Nine Mile—are loaded with structure, and in winter, that structure becomes a magnet for tightly schooled bottom fish trying to stay comfortable as the ocean cools off.
Black sea bass are the main attraction out here this time of year, and the average size tends to creep up a notch compared to warmer months. You’ll also run into plenty of vermilion snapper (beeliners), porgies, grunts, and—if you’re lucky—a few decent triggerfish hanging near the deeper ledges. Most of these fish are holding tight to relief, so you want to be right on the numbers. A good GPS and bottom machine can be the difference between boxing a limit or drifting over lifeless sand all morning.
You don’t need anything fancy to get them chewing. A basic chicken rig with squid strips or cut Boston mackerel does the trick. Drop it straight down, hit the bottom, and crank up a foot or two. Keep your weight heavy enough to stay vertical in the current—typically 4 to 8 oz depending on conditions. If you’re marking bait and fish mid-column, vertical jigs or slow-pitch setups will get hammered too, especially early in the day before boat traffic builds.
If you’re running out of the Vilano ramp, Nine Mile is a straight shot on most GPS units. On a clear day, you can even see the shoreline from out there. Just make sure you check your safety gear and weather window—conditions can turn fast, and there’s not much shelter once you’re outside the inlet.
These reefs fish well all year, but in winter, the concentrations are tighter, the pressure is lighter, and the payoff can be quick if you’re set up right. Get your drift lined up over the hard bottom, drop bait with sharp hooks, and be ready—this is where you go to fill a cooler when the inshore bite’s sluggish.
- Key Areas: BR-6, BR-7, and Nine Mile Reef.
- Species: Black sea bass, vermilion snapper, triggerfish.
- Tips: Use squid on 3-hook chicken rigs or vertical jigs with scent. A good fishfinder makes all the difference—don’t drop until you mark structure or bait.
More Spots Worth Checking Out
Guana Lake Outflow (Guana Dam)
Just off A1A, south of Ponte Vedra and north of Vilano, the Guana Dam area offers something a little different. This is a managed brackish outflow with tailwater-style behavior—you’ve got spillways, artificial flow, and a unique salinity mix that keeps redfish and trout in the system even when things get cold.
On top of that, it’s one of the only places in the area where you’ve got a real shot at catching bass, trout, and reds in the same general water.
Use a light spinning setup and work the eddy lines and current seams on the outflow side. Soft plastics and shrimp under corks both work, especially during and right after dam releases. It’s shore-accessible, popular with fly guys, and ideal when you want to fish a controlled current on a winter day with wind.
Hospital Creek
This is the creek you run into right behind Camachee Cove, just off the ICW near the Vilano boat ramp. It’s tucked in, narrow, and well-protected from north winds—which makes it a go-to for winter mornings when everything else feels blown out or dead low. The creek itself has a mix of dock structure, sharp corners, and some surprisingly deep pockets, which hold warmer water and keep the bite going longer into the day.
Slow-roll shrimp-tipped jigs or toss mud minnows on a split shot rig and let them sit near current breaks. Don’t be afraid to fish small and patient here—winter fish in Hospital tend to hug tight to structure, especially on the outgoing tide.
Salt Run
South of the inlet and protected by the dunes of Anastasia State Park, Salt Run is a wide, shallow basin that sees a lot of sun and not a lot of wave action—perfect for warming up after a cold snap. This spot comes alive on sunny afternoons, especially on a rising tide when redfish and trout will move up into the shallows to feed.
Focus your efforts around the old fort pier pilings, sandbars near the launch area, and the eastern oyster banks. This is also a sneaky-good spot for sight fishing if the wind lays down and the sun gets high. Try a weedless paddletail or lightly weighted shrimp and make your casts count—this water’s clear and shallow, so stealth makes a big difference.
Porpoise Point Flats
Right across from the inlet’s north side, these shallow flats wrap around the bend behind Vilano Beach and up toward the marshes near the ICW split. On a low tide, they go ankle-deep and expose oyster bars and crab activity that draws in redfish. If you’re on foot or in a kayak, it’s one of the better places to sight-fish on a clean winter low.
Fish slow and quiet—tailing reds will often be belly-crawling through inches of water here. Use 10–12 lb fluoro leaders and light jigs or flies. On a cloudy day, this spot can look lifeless, but once the sun pops and you get some visibility, it’s one of the more exciting areas to cast.
Adjusting Tactics for Colder Weather
Clear Water = Stealth Mode
- Winter clarity means fish are skittish. Downsize your leader, lighten your jigheads, and avoid slapping the water with your cast.
- Long casts and soft presentations help. Try suspending twitchbaits or lightly weighted shrimp under a popping cork.
- When sight fishing reds on the flats or in creeks, a 10 lb fluoro leader and weedless rigged paddletail is your best shot.
Tides Matter More in Winter
- Incoming tide: Brings warmer ocean water and bait, activating the bite. Target shallow mud flats and oyster edges.
- Outgoing tide: Funnels bait out of creeks. Position near mouths, runouts, and structure along the ICW or inlet channel edges.
- If you’re fishing from shore, aim to be there an hour before the peak of the tide change and fish the swing.
Gear/Equipment Tips
Inshore Rod & Reel
- Rod: 7’ medium-light spinning rod (fast tip)
- Reel: 2500–3000 size
- Mainline: 10–15 lb braid
- Leader: 15–20 lb fluorocarbon
- Go-To Rigs:
- 1/8 oz jighead with Z-Man paddletail
- Popping cork + live shrimp on 1/0 circle hook
- Free-lined shrimp on a small kahle hook
- 1/8 oz jighead with Z-Man paddletail
Nearshore/Bottom Fishing
- Rod: 6’6–7’ medium-heavy spinning or conventional
- Reel: 5000–8000 size (high gear ratio preferred)
- Mainline: 30–50 lb braid
- Leader: 40–60 lb fluorocarbon
- Go-To Rigs:
- 3-hook chicken rig with squid strips
- Carolina rig with whole cigar minnow
- 3 oz bucktail jig tipped with cut bait
- 3-hook chicken rig with squid strips
Extra Considerations Before You Go
- Licensing: Make sure you’ve got a valid Florida saltwater license. If you’re fishing from a charter or pier, some are covered.
- Weather Windows: Nearshore runs should be made with calm seas (under 2 ft), especially for smaller boats. Check NOAA marine forecasts before heading out.
- Winter Clothing: Start with layers—cold mornings warm up fast in the sun. Don’t skip gloves and non-slip deck shoes.
- Polarized Glasses: Crucial for reading bottom contours and spotting fish movement, especially on sunny afternoons.
- Tackle Backups: Bring extra jigheads, leaders, and hooks. Oyster bars and reef fish will eat your gear alive if you’re under-rigged.
Final Notes
St. Augustine and Vilano Beach deliver a better winter bite than most give it credit for—it just takes a little local knowledge and a flexible game plan. The fish don’t stop eating when it gets cold; they just shift where and how they do it. That means you’ve got to move with them. If your first spot’s a bust, don’t burn the whole day trying to force a bite. Switch creeks, change depth, or slide out to the reefs if conditions allow. Adaptation beats stubbornness every time.
Tides are everything this time of year. Incoming brings warmth and movement—both good signs. Outgoing concentrates fish and bait into predictable funnels. Either tide can work, but you need to adjust your approach.
Keep an eye on water clarity too. If the water’s blown out or too glassy-clear, scale down your presentation and rig accordingly.
The biggest winter mistake around here is thinking you need to go deep or offshore to catch anything. Some of the best bites happen inside tight creeks no wider than a backroad ditch. Mud banks that got sun at noon can be loaded with reds by 2 p.m., and deeper holes near shell bars can hold schools of trout that won’t move for hours.
If you’re pulling into a backwater creek with clean incoming tide and a livewell full of shrimp, mud minnows, or cut bait, you’re setting up to win. Know your spots, read the water, and stay mobile.
That’s how you make the First Coast fish like it’s mid-spring—even when the air says otherwise.
