Summer Calendar for Inshore Fishing in St. Augustine, Florida

Last Updated on May 8, 2025 by Eric Bonneman

St. Augustine’s inshore waters offer a wide range of fishing opportunities throughout the summer. From early June through late August, the region’s grass flats, oyster beds, creeks, and river mouths hold a rotation of active fish species that respond to warming temperatures and tidal movement. The marsh systems that feed into the Matanzas River and Intracoastal Waterway host both resident and seasonal fish that feed predictably when conditions align.

The fishing calendar below breaks the season into three distinct parts and gives a detailed look at how species respond to heat, tide, and bait changes. Each month highlights where key fish can be found and when to focus your effort. A species identification section is included for clarity, and a final section offers specific gear and strategy suggestions for those looking to fish smarter through the summer.

Inshore Species Identification

These are the most commonly caught fish inshore during the summer in St. Augustine. Each entry is focused on visual identification in the field.

• Redfish (Red Drum): Bronze to copper upper body with a pale belly. Most have one black spot near the tail base, sometimes more. Thick body and rounded snout with a slightly downward-facing mouth.

• Spotted Seatrout (Speckled Trout): Silvery with small dark spots along the back and tail. Yellow-tinged lower jaw with two prominent canine teeth. Dorsal fin is split and the front lobe is sharply pointed.

• Flounder (Southern or Gulf): Oval-shaped and flat with both eyes on the left side. Brown and mottled on top, white underneath. Tail and body have dark spots. The mouth stretches wide across the head.

• Snook: Silver body with a bold black line running from the gill plate to the tail. Sloped forehead and a long, underslung lower jaw. Tail and fins may carry a yellow tint.

• Tarpon: Large, silver scales and a deep, upturned mouth. Back may have a bluish or olive tone. The tail is sharply forked. Juveniles resemble adults but are much smaller.

• Mangrove Snapper: Compact body, reddish-brown to dark gray in color. Faint vertical bars across the flanks and two noticeable canine teeth in the top jaw.

• Black Drum (Juvenile): Vertical dark stripes along a silver-gray body. Chin barbels are visible. Fins are often dark. Young fish are common inshore.

• Jack Crevalle: Stocky body with a dark spot on the gill cover and a horizontal stripe on the midline. Yellow tint in the tail and fins. Rounded head and blunt snout.

• Ladyfish: Long and slender with a deeply forked tail. The snout is pointed. Bright silver along the sides with small, thin scales.

• Bluefish: Streamlined, slightly humped body with sharp teeth and a forked tail. Coloration shifts from greenish-blue on top to silvery below.

• Catfish (Hardhead and Sailcat): Smooth, scaleless body with whiskers. Sailcats have extended fin rays. Both have sharp spines in the dorsal and pectoral fins.

June

Redfish

June begins with increased flood tide activity, creating perfect conditions for tailing redfish in grassy marsh zones. These tides give sight fishing opportunities in just a few inches of water. On lower tides, redfish fall back to oyster bars, feeder creek mouths, and cut banks where they feed on shrimp and fiddler crabs. This is a strong month for both shallow flats and creek systems.

Spotted Seatrout

Trout are highly responsive to topwater lures at first light. They hold along grass edges and sandbar transitions, striking early before retreating to deeper water. As temperatures climb, the bite shifts to deeper potholes and current breaks where water holds more oxygen. Morning action is often fast-paced with surface plugs, especially in lightly pressured areas.

Flounder

June flounder stage near sandy creek mouths and along the inside edges of shell bars. They often feed on small baitfish that are swept out on the falling tide. With clear water and consistent movement, flounder strike soft plastics and live bait presented close to the bottom. Expect more single fish than schools.

Mangrove Snapper

Smaller snapper begin gathering around nearshore pilings, docks, and seawalls. As water clarity improves, their strike zone tightens, and baits must be placed accurately. Snapper often suspend near shaded vertical structure during strong sunlight hours, especially on a moving tide.

Snook

More snook begin appearing around dock lines and in protected mangrove cuts. Though still somewhat sensitive to water temperature, their presence in St. Augustine has grown. Look for them around shaded structure in the early morning and late evening when the water is moving.

Black Drum

Juvenile black drum continue to feed steadily in the same areas that hold redfish—especially over shell bottom or near deep marsh points. Their bite is less aggressive but reliable with shrimp or cut bait fished slowly along the bottom.

Jack Crevalle

Jacks begin arriving in active schools that chase bait into creek mouths and open flats. Their activity is often surface-driven and fast. Early signs include bait scattering or explosive strikes across shallow water. They respond best to fast retrieves with topwater or flashy jigs.

July

Redfish

The bite remains strong, but redfish now favor early morning and late evening periods. On hot afternoons, they retreat into deeper bends and shaded cuts with better water flow. Flood tide opportunities continue during moon phases, but clear water becomes more important as algae blooms increase.

Spotted Seatrout

Trout are still aggressive early in the day, though the bite moves deeper quickly. Targeting them with shrimp under popping corks or suspending twitch baits around grass edges becomes more effective. Focus on channels with grass, oyster rubble, or cooler inflows from smaller creeks.

Flounder

Flounder feeding improves as they stack near bottom structure with good current. Docks, jetty points, and submerged shell all hold fish this month. A slow drag or hop across the bottom with a jighead and soft plastic often triggers bites. Midday low tides can offer some of the best setups if clarity holds.

Tarpon

Tarpon reach peak migration near inlets and along the beach. Calm mornings offer the best opportunity to sight rolling fish. Larger individuals are most active in open water, while smaller juvenile fish hold in backwater creeks with low boat traffic and deeper pockets.

Mangrove Snapper

Snapper feeding is aggressive and consistent this month. Larger fish can be caught on small live baits or fresh shrimp presented tight to pilings and riprap. Their bite often improves with a bit of chum or consistent bait splash to draw them out of the structure.

Snook

Night fishing becomes the best method for targeting snook in July. Residential dock lights attract small baitfish, and snook hunt them with precision. Lures that match size and flash of these baitfish often produce better than live offerings in calm water.

Jack Crevalle

Schools of jacks roam the Intracoastal and open river areas. Their movement is unpredictable, but they give themselves away by surface explosions and birds. Long casts with fast retrieves help reach them before they move on.

Bluefish and Ladyfish

Both species become more common around bait pods and in channels with strong outgoing tide. Though not typically targeted, they add excitement and variety to morning trout or redfish trips. Metal spoons and small plugs often draw strikes.

August

Redfish

Late summer redfish behavior starts to shift toward fall patterns. Some fish begin grouping more consistently, especially near large structure and in deeper marsh lakes. Flood tide fishing remains effective, especially during late afternoon highs. Shallow areas with sparse grass and firm bottom often hold multiple fish feeding actively.

Tarpon

Tarpon remain active into August, though the largest migratory fish begin to thin out. Inlets and bridge passes continue to produce early in the day. Calm, humid mornings give the best chance to present bait before fish move deeper or disappear with boat traffic.

Flounder

Flounder fishing remains steady, particularly in areas with clean water and hard bottom. Afternoon outgoing tides with good current often reveal ambush points. Fish are commonly caught around docks that face deeper drop-offs or channel swing-outs.

Spotted Seatrout

Trout become more heat-sensitive and less aggressive. Focus shifts to deeper troughs and cooler water with tidal flow. Fish can still be caught in numbers, but the pace slows. Soft plastics fished slowly through deeper edges work better than surface lures.

Mangrove Snapper

This is the best month for snapper fishing inshore. Fish are numerous, aggressive, and hungry. Targeting shaded structure with small hooks and fluorocarbon leader produces quality results. Bridge pilings and backwater sea walls near current hold the best numbers.

Snook

Snook stay active through August, especially at night or around water movement near major structures. Rain-cooled mornings can produce surprise bites, especially near culverts and residential drain-outs.

Jack Crevalle and Ladyfish

Both species remain present and aggressive. Afternoon tides often see jacks explode on bait in open water, while ladyfish become a regular catch around sandy creek junctions and docks with deep drop-offs.

Catfish

Hardhead catfish become more common in marsh drains, especially after heavy rainfall. Though not often targeted, they’re a regular part of bait fishing this month and can be avoided by moving to cleaner water.

Fishing Tactics and Gear Suggestions

• Best Time of Day: Early mornings consistently produce the best action in summer. As surface temperatures rise, fish feed less aggressively, so the first two hours after sunrise often provide the best shot at redfish, trout, and tarpon. Evenings can also be productive, especially during overcast conditions or just ahead of a storm front.

• Tide Timing: Incoming tides bring cooler, oxygen-rich water and move baitfish onto the flats. Flood tides, especially near new and full moons, are ideal for redfish tailing in grassy areas. Outgoing tides push baitfish through creek mouths and channel edges, making it easier to target flounder and snapper.

• Artificial Lures vs. Natural Bait: Early in the day, topwater lures and soft plastics are effective for covering water and drawing reaction strikes. As the sun rises, live shrimp, mud minnows, or finger mullet tend to outperform artificials, especially near docks or deeper creek bends.

• Gear Setup: A medium-light spinning rod paired with a 2500–3000 size reel covers most inshore situations. Ten to fifteen pound braid with a fluorocarbon leader provides both strength and stealth. Topwater lures, twitch baits, and jigheads with soft plastics are all common choices during summer.

• Access Options: Boat anglers have access to a broader range of spots, but wade fishing and kayak fishing are effective during flood tides. Grass flats near public landings can produce great action when conditions are right.

The Summer Bite in St. Augustine

Summer inshore fishing in St. Augustine is built around timing, preparation, and knowing where to be when the fish are feeding. The heat, tides, and bait movement all play into daily patterns that reward fishermen who plan their outings around early mornings and active water. Whether you’re sight fishing redfish on the flood, drifting deep for trout, or dropping baits to hidden flounder and snapper, each trip on these waters offers something new.

If you’re heading out this summer, make sure your gear is tuned and your tackle fits the conditions. Whether you need soft plastics for shallow grass, fluorocarbon leaders for clear water, or terminal tackle for mangrove structure, we have what it takes to get you rigged and ready.

Visit us at Avid Angler in St. Augustine for local fishing advice and the gear you need to fish this coastline the right way. From rods and reels to terminal tackle and outdoor wear, we’re here to help you make the most of every trip.