St. Augustine's Common Fish

“Get hooked on St. Augustine with this primer on local fish varieties.”

Common Fish Encountered in St. Augustine Fishing Tournaments

Black drum fish — Palm Coast Fishing Charter

Photo courtesy of Palm Coast Fishing

Black Drum

These large, powerful fish are mostly found in inshore waters and provide a challenging catch for novice anglers. The winter months are the prime season for catching Black Drum in St. Augustine.

Flounder caught on Old Salt Charters tour in St. Augustine

Photo Courtesy of Old Salt Charters

Flounder

These flatfish are commonly found near the sandy bottoms of coastal areas and are a favorite catch among local anglers. Fall is the best time to catch Flounder in St. Augustine.

The jack crevalle is one of a wide variety of fish abundant in the St. Augustine area.

Photo courtesy of Inshore Adventures.

Jack Crevalle 

With their aggressive nature and powerful strikes, Jack Crevalle are a thrilling challenge for anglers, commonly found in both nearshore and offshore waters. While April to August marks the peak season, offering the best opportunities to reel in these prized catches, the months of January to February and October to December see a dip in activity. 

Man standing proudly on a boat, holding a large kingfish caught in St. Augustine

Photo courtesy of Fishardy Charters.

Kingfish (King Mackerel)

These renowned, fast-swimming predators typically thrive in offshore waters and are frequently sought after, as prized catches, in tournaments. High season for Kingfish runs from January to February and October to December, while low season spans from April to August. 

Woman proudly displays her Mahi Mahi catch on the Jodie Lynn charter boat

Photo courtesy of Jodie Lynn Sport Fishing Charters.

Mahi Mahi

Also known as dolphin fish or dorado, mahi mahi are colorful and acrobatic fish found in offshore waters.

An angler proudly holds a Red Drum, also known as Redfish, showcasing its distinctive reddish hue and prominent spot near its tail

Photo courtesy of Inshore Adventures.

Red Drum (Redfish)

Abundant in the inshore waters around St. Augustine, redfish are known for their strength and challenging fights. St. Augustine and Ponte Vedra offer prime fishing for redfish, with peak seasons in fall, winter, and spring, especially during the mullet run.

A couple showing off two large red snappers caught during their charter fishing trip with Jodie Lynn Charters

Photo courtesy of Jodie Lynn Sport Fishing Charters.

Red Snapper

Red snapper, known for their vibrant red color and delicious flavor, are a highly sought-after fish in recreational and commercial fishing. Fishing conditions for Red Snapper vary slightly throughout the year  with prime seasons extending from January to May and again from September to December.

Two fisherman display their sheepshead fish, showcasing the fish's distinctive black and white striping

Photo courtesy of Inshore Adventures.

Sheepshead

Known for their distinctive black and white striped pattern, sheepshead are often found around structures such as docks, pilings, and bridges. Spring brings hungry Sheepshead near shore for spawning, while summer sees them chasing crabs in shallow waters. In fall, they return to coastal areas for crustaceans, and winter offers prime fishing around structures with shrimp and crab bait.

Fisherman holding a snook caught during a trip with High Tailin Charters

Photo courtesy of High Tailin Fishing Charters

Snook

While less common than some other species, snook can still be found in the waters around St. Augustine, particularly in warmer months.

A woman displays a trout caught during a fishing trip with Coastal Fish Charters

Photo Courtesy of Coastal Fish Charters

Trout

Speckled sea trout are a popular target for anglers, often found in shallow flats and marshy areas. Trout fishing in St. Augustine is best from March to May and September to November.

Two fishermen displaying a wahoo caught with Get Schooled Fishing Charters

Photo courtesy of Get Schooled Fishing Charters

Wahoo

Found in offshore waters, these fast and powerful fish are prized for their speed and fighting ability, making them a thrilling catch for anglers. Wahoo fishing in St. Augustine experiences moderate fluctuations across the year. Peak season typically falls between January and March, while activity slows down from July to October.