Red Snapper Showdown!
Red Snapper showdown! 2025 Snapper season was a blast!
🎣 Two‑Day Season, All the Excitement
Starting at 12:01 a.m. local time on July 11, 2025, the South Atlantic recreational red snapper season opens — and closes just 48 hours later, at 12:01 a.m. on July 13, 2025. That gives anglers two precious days to fish in federal waters off northeast Florida, including St. Augustine FWC+5FishingBooker+5WJXT+5.
It’s a blink of a season — sometimes dubbed the “flash” red snapper opener — but locals and savvy visitors know how to make the most of it. 2025 marks the latest such short window before the season closes again for another year FishingBookerFederal Register Public Inspection.
🌊 What to Expect from the Catch
Despite the short timeframe, red snapper in this part of the Atlantic can be plentiful and sizeable — making it ideal for catch-and-cook trips. Many experienced charter captains around St. Augustine report excellent catch rates during this window. The fish are firm, flaky, and perfect for grilling, broiling, or pairing with citrus and herbs.
Typical regulations include:
Bag limit: 1 red snapper per person per day (in federal waters) FishingBooker+4safmc.net+4NOAA Fisheries+4Federal Register Public Inspection
State waters (Florida): 2 per person per day, with a minimum size of 20 inches total length NOAA Fisheries+7FWC+7FishingBooker+7
So if you fish in federal waters, expect the tighter one‑fish limit — but those fish tend to be bigger.
🚤 Local Launch Points & Charters
St. Augustine is a hub for Red Snapper charters during the season. Depending on your preference:
Book a federally permitted charter to fish offshore in federal waters—catch under the one‑fish per person recreation limit.
Alternatively, fish in Florida state waters out of nearby marinas to land up to two fish per person, so long as they're 20″ TL or longer.
Many captains specialize in quick targeting around ledges, wrecks, and reef zones typically 30–50 miles offshore, where snapper aggregate during summer.
🍽️ From Boat to Table
Here's how to make the most of your haul:
Keep it simple and fresh — red snapper shine when pan‑fried, broiled, or grilled with lemon, olive oil, and herbs.
Fillet promptly — the flaky white meat cools fast, so ice your catch right away.
Serve local sides — pair with Florida-grown veggies or local grits to round out the experience.
A few snapper per angler can feed a small group beautifully — just one large fish per person in federal waters or two in state waters.
📅 Planning Tips
Mark your calendar: July 11 and 12, 2025 — that’s your window. Outside these dates, harvesting is closed until reopening next year FWC+6FishingBooker+6Facebook+6safmc.netFWC.
Confirm charter credentials: Ensure your captain has the required federal reef fish permit if heading into federal zones.
Bring a descending device: Mandatory gear for snapper/grouper fishing to improve fish survival when releasing non-targets or oversize catch FWCsafmc.net.
📝 Summary Table
TopicDetailsSeason windowJuly 11–13, 2025 (2 days)Bag limitsFederal: 1 fish/day; State (FL): 2/dayMin. sizeState waters: 20″ total lengthBest areas30–50 miles offshore, reefs/ledges near St. AugustineTable fareExcellent — ideal for simple, fresh cooking
Final Thoughts
Yes, the Atlantic red snapper season in 2025 is brief — but when you’re launching from St. Augustine, it can be unforgettable. The fish bite hard, locals know the best spots, and a quick charters trip can turn into a memorable feast. If you're in town, don’t miss your chance to reel in a red snapper or two and savor some of the best table fare the Atlantic coast offers.
Tight lines — and enjoy the catch!
Blog post compiled using official NOAA and South Atlantic Fishery Management Council rules and local reports.
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Summer King Fishin’
Summer time King Fishin”
🎣 Live Bait Trolling for King Mackerel in St. Augustine, FL
When it comes to adrenaline-pumping offshore fishing in Northeast Florida, live bait trolling for King Mackerel (or “Kingfish,” as locals call them) tops the list. Out of St. Augustine, it’s not just a tactic — it’s a tradition.
Whether you're chasing your first smoker king or a tournament-class 40-pounder, trolling live bait along the reefs, wrecks, and nearshore ledges can deliver non-stop action.
🐟 Why King Mackerel?
Kingfish are the apex predators of our coastal waters — sleek, fast, and always ready to strike. From early summer through fall, the waters off St. Augustine to Jacksonville come alive with migrating schools of kings. These fish are aggressive, acrobatic, and known for blistering runs that test both tackle and reflexes.
🛥️ Trolling Setup: Keep It Simple, Keep It Fresh
The go-to strategy for targeting kings here is slow-trolling live bait just offshore. Here’s how the locals do it:
🎯 Bait of Choice:
Live Menhaden (Pogies) – The king of kingfish bait.
Blue Runners, Cigar Minnows, or even Mullet also work.
Pogies are often netted right in the St. Augustine Inlet or just off the beach at sunrise.
🧰 Tackle & Rig:
Light spinning or conventional gear (15–25 lb class)
Stinger rigs made with #4–#6 wire and two treble hooks
Slow troll at 1.5 to 3 knots, using a downrigger, planer, or freeline
🎣 Where to Fish:
9-Mile Reef
Comanche Reef
Elton Bottom
Local wrecks and bait pods just off the beach
Look for surface activity like flipping pogies or diving birds — kingfish are rarely far behind.
🏆 Hot Season, Hot Action
Peak months for king mackerel in this region are May through September, with the bite strongest in summer when water temps hit the mid- to upper 70s.
During tournament season (like the King Buster or SKA events), teams target big fish nearshore and even right off the beach, especially when bait is thick and the tide is right.
🍽️ What About Table Fare?
While kingfish aren’t considered the finest eating of offshore species, they’re fantastic when fresh, smoked, or grilled. If you bleed and ice them quickly, they can be great for:
Fish tacos
Smoked fish dip
Ceviche
Grilled fillets with lemon and butter
🧭 Tips from the Dock
Start early – Pogies are easiest to find right after sunrise.
Use a baitwell – Kings love lively baits; keep them fresh and frisky.
Vary your depths – A mix of surface baits, planers, and downriggers can help you dial in the bite.
Look for clean water – Kings like clarity and moving water. Green, weedy, or stagnant water tends to push them out.
🎣 Book a Trip or Launch Your Own
Plenty of experienced charter captains run live bait trolling trips out of Camachee Cove, Vilano, and the St. Augustine Municipal Marina. Whether you’re an experienced angler or first-timer, you can expect big runs, screaming drags, and a cooler full of memories.
Final Word
Live bait trolling for king mackerel out of St. Augustine is a staple of Northeast Florida fishing — equal parts tradition, excitement, and strategy. It’s the kind of trip that hooks first-timers and keeps locals coming back for more. So next time the bait pods are thick and the tide is right, slow-troll a live pogy and hang on — the kings are biting.
Fall time Redfishing!
Fall Redfish Run In St Augustine
🐟 Light Tackle Redfishing During the Fall Mullet Run in St. Augustine
When the days get shorter and the water starts to cool, something special happens along the northeast Florida coast. The fall mullet run kicks into high gear — and with it comes one of the most exciting inshore fishing opportunities of the year: bull redfish on light tackle.
From rocks and jetties to docks and bridges, the waters around St. Augustine light up with massive redfish that are hungry, aggressive, and ready to test your skills.
🎣 Why Fall is Prime Time for Big Reds
Every fall, schools of finger mullet and larger mullet pour out of the estuaries and into the Intracoastal Waterway and nearshore ocean. Redfish — especially the overslot “bulls” (30–45 inches and up) — follow them in, feeding heavily before winter.
These redfish stack up around:
The rocks at the St. Augustine Inlet
The Bridge of Lions and Vilano Bridge
ICW docks and creek mouths
Matanzas River bends and drop-offs
🧰 Gear & Tactics: Light Tackle, Big Fish
Don’t let the word “light” fool you — battling a 40″ redfish on a medium spinning rod is as fun as it gets inshore.
Recommended Setup:
7’–7'6” medium-heavy spinning rod
3000–4000 size reel
15–20 lb braid with 20–30 lb fluorocarbon leader
Top Baits:
Live mullet freelined or on a fish-finder rig
Cut mullet near structure
Topwater plugs at dawn and dusk (for aggressive strikes)
Paddle tails or jerk shads on a 1/4 oz jighead
The key is to match the hatch — if mullet are around, so should your presentation.
🪨 Where to Fish
Fall redfish follow the bait and love structure. Here’s where to target them:
🧱 Inlet Rocks & Jetties
Big reds cruise the current edges and eddies, ambushing bait. Fish a live mullet close to the rocks — but hold on tight.
🌉 Bridges
Try fishing downcurrent of bridge pilings, especially on the outgoing tide. Bull reds often hang deep, waiting to ambush passing bait.
🛶 Creek Mouths & Docks
On higher tides, reds push into shallower water around docks and grass lines. These fish are more likely to eat artificial lures if they’re fired up.
🕓 Best Time to Go
September through November is prime time.
Dawn or dusk is ideal, especially around moving water.
Outgoing tides tend to concentrate bait and fire up the bite.
Watch for nervous water, mullet flipping, or pelicans diving — if the bait is there, the reds won’t be far behind.
🧊 Catch & Release Tips
Most of these fall fish are breeding-size bulls. While they make for an epic fight, they’re not meant for the cooler. Florida law requires all redfish over 27" to be released.
Here’s how to do it right:
Use circle hooks when fishing bait.
Fight fish efficiently to reduce stress.
Revive the fish boat-side before release.
Keep ‘em wet for a quick photo, then let them swim.
🎯 Final Thoughts
Fall redfishing in St. Augustine isn’t just about numbers — it’s about quality. These overslot bulls on light tackle will leave your arms sore, your reels screaming, and your memory full. Whether you’re fishing from shore, a kayak, or a bay boat, the fall mullet run offers some of the best inshore action of the year.
So tie on a leader, find the bait, and pitch a mullet toward the rocks. You never know — the next bite could be the biggest red of your life.
Need gear advice or want to book a local charter for fall bull reds? Reach out today — the fish are here, and the bite is hot. 🐟🔥
Fall Flounder bite!
Flounder fishin’
🎣 Flounder Fishing in St. Augustine with Halling In Fish Charters
If you’re looking to experience one of Northeast Florida’s most underrated inshore fisheries, flounder fishing with Halling In Fish Charters in St. Augustine should be at the top of your list.
These flat, ambush predators may not be flashy, but they make up for it with delicious fillets and exciting, technique-driven fishing in some of the most scenic waters Florida has to offer.
🐟 What Makes Flounder Fishing Unique?
Flounder are masters of camouflage. They bury themselves in the sandy bottom, lying in wait to ambush passing prey like shrimp, mullet, or fingerling baitfish. Catching them requires a little more finesse and patience than other inshore species — which is exactly what makes it so rewarding.
With Halling In Fish Charters, we specialize in targeting flounder on light tackle, using a combination of natural bait and soft plastics around the best local structure spots.
📍 Where We Fish for Flounder
St. Augustine offers prime flounder habitat, and we know just where to look:
Creek mouths in the Matanzas and Tolomato Rivers
Docks and oyster bars along the Intracoastal Waterway
Mud and sand flats near Vilano and Salt Run
Rocky shorelines and jetties near the inlet
We tailor each trip to the tides and time of year to give you the best shot at a quality catch.
🎣 Our Gear and Techniques
With Halling In Fish Charters, you’ll be using quality light spinning gear — perfect for feeling that signature “thump” when a flounder commits to the bait.
What We Use:
Live mud minnows or finger mullet on a Carolina rig
Gulp shrimp or curly tail soft plastics on jigheads
Slow, bouncing retrieves to tempt flounder from the bottom
We’ll teach you how to feel the bite, give the fish a second to eat, and set the hook with confidence.
🗓️ When’s the Best Time to Fish for Flounder?
While flounder can be caught year-round in St. Augustine, the best fishing tends to be in the spring and fall, especially:
April to early June
September through November (just before their offshore migration)
These cooler months bring bigger fish inshore and increase your chances of landing a true doormat.
🧊 Table Fare Worth Bragging About
Let’s be honest — one of the biggest reasons people love targeting flounder is because they’re absolutely delicious.
Fillets are:
White, flaky, and mild
Perfect for pan-frying, grilling, or even stuffing and baking
A hit with even the pickiest seafood eaters
Our charters include fish cleaning, so you’ll leave with dinner ready to go.
👨✈️ Why Fish with Halling In Fish Charters?
Based out of beautiful St. Augustine, Florida, Halling In Fish Charters is all about putting people on fish and making memories. Whether you're a first-timer or a seasoned angler, we offer a relaxed, professional, and fun experience on the water.
With local expertise and a passion for the fishery, we’ll help you target flounder and other inshore species in the most productive spots — and show you techniques you can use long after the trip ends.
🎯 Book Your Flounder Trip Today!
The flounder are biting, and the conditions are perfect. Whether you're filling a cooler or chasing your first doormat, Halling In Fish Charters is ready to get you hooked up.
📍 St. Augustine, Florida
🌐 hallinginfish.com
📞 Book online to reserve your date today!
Join us for a day on the water and let’s find out why flounder are one of St. Augustine’s best-kept fishing secrets. 🐟🛥️