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Autumn's Abundance: Fall Fishing Heats Up in St. Augustine
Published 6 months, 1 week ago
Description
Artificial Lure here with your Friday, October 17, 2025 St. Augustine fishing report! Fall is dialing up some of the best action of the year, so let’s get you set for a productive day on the water.
Conditions: The morning dawned clear and crisp, with sunrise at 7:29 a.m. and sunset riding in at 6:52 p.m. Temps started in the low 60s, working their way into the mid-70s by the afternoon. Winds are light, around 8 knots out of the northeast, perfect for both nearshore and inshore casting. Expect a moderate chop on open water but glassy runs up the creeks.
Tide Report: The tide is up early, cresting at 5:54 a.m. about 5.05 feet before dropping to a low of 0.85 feet at 11:55 a.m. Another high pushes in at 6:10 p.m. These solid swings mean moving water throughout the day—always good for hungry fish on the prowl. Early-morning and late-afternoon bites are typically hot around the tide changes.
Fish Activity and Catches: According to locals and recent reports, the fall run is shifting gears. The mullet run’s tapering off but still pushing good numbers of reds and snook into the creeks and flats. Bull reds have been caught around the Matanzas Inlet and up at the Vilano Bridge—most fish running in the 28 to 40-inch range, with several slot-sized reds schooling at the drop-offs. Speckled trout are thick in deeper edges of Salt Run and around oyster bars at first light. Flounder catches have picked up near the St. Augustine Municipal Marina, with most fish hitting just at the legal limit.
Off the beaches, whiting and pompano are biting on the rising tide, especially near Butler Beach and Crescent Beach. Surf anglers are reporting good numbers using clam and shrimp, as well as Fishbites strips. Spanish mackerel are showing sporadically when the bait schools push in tight.
Best Bait and Lures: Right now, nothing beats live or fresh cut mullet for bull reds and snook around inlets and drop-offs. If you’re working the marsh edges or creek mouths, toss a 1/4-oz jighead rigged with Gulp shrimp or paddle tails in white or chartreuse. Topwater plugs (Rapala Skitterwalk and Heddon Super Spook Jr) are dynamite at first light for trout and slot reds. Flounder are responding well to live mud minnows and scented soft plastics bounced slowly along the bottom.
For beach fishing, try sand fleas, shrimp, or Fishbites E-Z Clam—crafted locally in St. Augustine, these stay on the hook during heavy surf and attract anything from pompano to drum. Whiting bite best on the classic two-drop rig baited with shrimp or clam. Fishbites E-Z Shrimp is also a reliable alternative for steady surf action.
Hotspots to Hit:
- Matanzas Inlet: Always killer for reds and flounder when the outgoing tide sweeps bait out of the creeks.
- Salt Run: Early morning trout bite off oyster bars and grass edges, with bonus reds cruising the deeper bends.
- St. Augustine Municipal Marina: Productive edges for flounder and drum; also a good base for heading upriver or out the inlet.
- Vilano Bridge pilings: Big drum and reds holding around the structure—target them near dusk with crab or mullet.
- Butler Beach: The afternoon incoming tide produces steady surf action for whiting and pompano.
Quick Tips:
- Focus your efforts around major tide changes for the best bite windows.
- Bring a mix of artificials and natural bait to adjust for changing conditions.
- Don’t forget to double-check local harvest rules for slot limits and closed seasons.
Thanks for tuning in to today’s St. Augustine fishing report! For more local tips, tackle news, and real-time updates, make sure to hit subscribe. 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 Ar
Conditions: The morning dawned clear and crisp, with sunrise at 7:29 a.m. and sunset riding in at 6:52 p.m. Temps started in the low 60s, working their way into the mid-70s by the afternoon. Winds are light, around 8 knots out of the northeast, perfect for both nearshore and inshore casting. Expect a moderate chop on open water but glassy runs up the creeks.
Tide Report: The tide is up early, cresting at 5:54 a.m. about 5.05 feet before dropping to a low of 0.85 feet at 11:55 a.m. Another high pushes in at 6:10 p.m. These solid swings mean moving water throughout the day—always good for hungry fish on the prowl. Early-morning and late-afternoon bites are typically hot around the tide changes.
Fish Activity and Catches: According to locals and recent reports, the fall run is shifting gears. The mullet run’s tapering off but still pushing good numbers of reds and snook into the creeks and flats. Bull reds have been caught around the Matanzas Inlet and up at the Vilano Bridge—most fish running in the 28 to 40-inch range, with several slot-sized reds schooling at the drop-offs. Speckled trout are thick in deeper edges of Salt Run and around oyster bars at first light. Flounder catches have picked up near the St. Augustine Municipal Marina, with most fish hitting just at the legal limit.
Off the beaches, whiting and pompano are biting on the rising tide, especially near Butler Beach and Crescent Beach. Surf anglers are reporting good numbers using clam and shrimp, as well as Fishbites strips. Spanish mackerel are showing sporadically when the bait schools push in tight.
Best Bait and Lures: Right now, nothing beats live or fresh cut mullet for bull reds and snook around inlets and drop-offs. If you’re working the marsh edges or creek mouths, toss a 1/4-oz jighead rigged with Gulp shrimp or paddle tails in white or chartreuse. Topwater plugs (Rapala Skitterwalk and Heddon Super Spook Jr) are dynamite at first light for trout and slot reds. Flounder are responding well to live mud minnows and scented soft plastics bounced slowly along the bottom.
For beach fishing, try sand fleas, shrimp, or Fishbites E-Z Clam—crafted locally in St. Augustine, these stay on the hook during heavy surf and attract anything from pompano to drum. Whiting bite best on the classic two-drop rig baited with shrimp or clam. Fishbites E-Z Shrimp is also a reliable alternative for steady surf action.
Hotspots to Hit:
- Matanzas Inlet: Always killer for reds and flounder when the outgoing tide sweeps bait out of the creeks.
- Salt Run: Early morning trout bite off oyster bars and grass edges, with bonus reds cruising the deeper bends.
- St. Augustine Municipal Marina: Productive edges for flounder and drum; also a good base for heading upriver or out the inlet.
- Vilano Bridge pilings: Big drum and reds holding around the structure—target them near dusk with crab or mullet.
- Butler Beach: The afternoon incoming tide produces steady surf action for whiting and pompano.
Quick Tips:
- Focus your efforts around major tide changes for the best bite windows.
- Bring a mix of artificials and natural bait to adjust for changing conditions.
- Don’t forget to double-check local harvest rules for slot limits and closed seasons.
Thanks for tuning in to today’s St. Augustine fishing report! For more local tips, tackle news, and real-time updates, make sure to hit subscribe. 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 Ar