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Fall Fishing Heats Up Along Florida's First Coast
Published 6 months, 3 weeks ago
Description
Good morning from St. Augustine, this is Artificial Lure with your Friday, October 10th fishing report—let’s get right to what’s happening on the water.
We’ve got crisp, clear fall weather starting out—expect temps to hover in that sweet spot, light NE breeze, and plenty of cloud breaks for some classic First Coast sunrise action at 7:23 a.m. The sunset’s coming at 6:59 p.m., so plan those outings accordingly. These cooler mornings are triggering hungry fish, especially with a nor’easter recently stirring up the bait pods and making the bite lively along the beaches and inshore creeks.
Tides are running strong today: low at 4:33 a.m., high rolling in around 11:03 a.m., dropping again with a 5:28 p.m. low, and another high at 11:25 tonight. With October’s full moon tides, expect higher-than-normal water and some minor flooding in low-lying spots—so watch your footing in the marsh edges according to both local guides and the NOAA tidal forecast.
Now, on the fishing front: folks inshore are reporting solid catches of redfish, speckled trout, and flounder—especially working the oyster bars and creek mouths around the high tide push. Reds are schooled up and feeding aggressive on live finger mullet and cut menhaden, but don’t overlook soft plastics like Z-Man Paddle Tails or Gulp! shrimp in new penny or white.
Specks are taking popping cork rigs with live shrimp under the Matanzas and Vilano bridges, with best results in the hour either side of high tide. Topwater lures like the MirrOlure She Dog at first light are getting some heart-stopping blowups, especially next to flooded marsh grass.
Flounder are showing up steady at the jetties and inside Salt Run, falling for live mud minnows and Gulp! Swimming Mullets bounced slowly along sandy drop-offs. Some slot fish—14 to 16 inches—are coming over the rail, with the occasional doormat mixed in.
Surf anglers at Butler Beach and Anastasia State Park are hauling in pompano, whiting, and bluefish on fresh shrimp, Fishbites, and sand fleas. There’s been a few red drum from the troughs, particularly on higher tides when they cruise in looking for a meal. The surf’s up to waist high, choppy but fishable, so weight your rigs accordingly.
Offshore, not as many boats running out with the recent nor’easter, but those making it out before the blow found kingfish and the first black drum of the season along the nearshore reefs. If you’re chasing bull reds, the St. Augustine Inlet is a current hotspot, with fish running 30–40 inches—please handle these big breeders with care and practice catch and release.
For artificial lure fans like myself, a quarter-ounce jig with a chartreuse tail or DOA paddle tail is versatile and deadly around docks and channel edges. If you’re targeting trout, don’t skip the classic live shrimp under a popping cork—it’s tough to beat.
Best bets for today: City Marina and the Vilano Pier for easy access, or take a short walk to the inlet rocks on Anastasia Island. The points on either side of the beach, particularly where waves break unevenly, are holding fish thanks to all the stirred-up forage. Trestle Bay Swamp and Butler Beach are known local favorites if you’re feeling adventurous.
Reminder—check local regulations, especially as redfish and flounder rules can shift this time of year.
That’s your Friday report from St. Augustine. Thanks for tuning in—be sure to subscribe for more local tips and daily updates. This has been a quiet please production, for more check out quiet please dot ai.
Great deals on fishing gear https://amzn.to/44gt1Pn
This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI
We’ve got crisp, clear fall weather starting out—expect temps to hover in that sweet spot, light NE breeze, and plenty of cloud breaks for some classic First Coast sunrise action at 7:23 a.m. The sunset’s coming at 6:59 p.m., so plan those outings accordingly. These cooler mornings are triggering hungry fish, especially with a nor’easter recently stirring up the bait pods and making the bite lively along the beaches and inshore creeks.
Tides are running strong today: low at 4:33 a.m., high rolling in around 11:03 a.m., dropping again with a 5:28 p.m. low, and another high at 11:25 tonight. With October’s full moon tides, expect higher-than-normal water and some minor flooding in low-lying spots—so watch your footing in the marsh edges according to both local guides and the NOAA tidal forecast.
Now, on the fishing front: folks inshore are reporting solid catches of redfish, speckled trout, and flounder—especially working the oyster bars and creek mouths around the high tide push. Reds are schooled up and feeding aggressive on live finger mullet and cut menhaden, but don’t overlook soft plastics like Z-Man Paddle Tails or Gulp! shrimp in new penny or white.
Specks are taking popping cork rigs with live shrimp under the Matanzas and Vilano bridges, with best results in the hour either side of high tide. Topwater lures like the MirrOlure She Dog at first light are getting some heart-stopping blowups, especially next to flooded marsh grass.
Flounder are showing up steady at the jetties and inside Salt Run, falling for live mud minnows and Gulp! Swimming Mullets bounced slowly along sandy drop-offs. Some slot fish—14 to 16 inches—are coming over the rail, with the occasional doormat mixed in.
Surf anglers at Butler Beach and Anastasia State Park are hauling in pompano, whiting, and bluefish on fresh shrimp, Fishbites, and sand fleas. There’s been a few red drum from the troughs, particularly on higher tides when they cruise in looking for a meal. The surf’s up to waist high, choppy but fishable, so weight your rigs accordingly.
Offshore, not as many boats running out with the recent nor’easter, but those making it out before the blow found kingfish and the first black drum of the season along the nearshore reefs. If you’re chasing bull reds, the St. Augustine Inlet is a current hotspot, with fish running 30–40 inches—please handle these big breeders with care and practice catch and release.
For artificial lure fans like myself, a quarter-ounce jig with a chartreuse tail or DOA paddle tail is versatile and deadly around docks and channel edges. If you’re targeting trout, don’t skip the classic live shrimp under a popping cork—it’s tough to beat.
Best bets for today: City Marina and the Vilano Pier for easy access, or take a short walk to the inlet rocks on Anastasia Island. The points on either side of the beach, particularly where waves break unevenly, are holding fish thanks to all the stirred-up forage. Trestle Bay Swamp and Butler Beach are known local favorites if you’re feeling adventurous.
Reminder—check local regulations, especially as redfish and flounder rules can shift this time of year.
That’s your Friday report from St. Augustine. Thanks for tuning in—be sure to subscribe for more local tips and daily updates. This has been a quiet please production, for more check out quiet please dot ai.
Great deals on fishing gear https://amzn.to/44gt1Pn
This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI