If you're planning to hit the waters around St. Augustine today, here’s what you need to know. The weather is looking great, with partly cloudy skies and a high of around 75 degrees Fahrenheit, accompanied by a gentle breeze out of the northeast.
Sunrise was at 7:24 AM, and sunset will be at 6:04 PM, giving you a full day on the water. The tidal conditions are favorable, with a high tide expected around 10:30 AM and a low tide around 4:30 PM. These tidal changes can significantly affect fish activity, especially around the jetties and creeks.
Yesterday saw a good bite, particularly for redfish and sheepshead. Redfish were plentiful, especially around the jetties and in the creeks. Although the numbers of sheepshead have dropped, the ones being caught are of high quality. Inshore, targeting redfish and black drum with lures such as soft plastic worms and creature baits can yield good results. Sheepshead are also biting well on fiddler crabs and shrimp.
For offshore fishing, anglers were catching a variety of species including sailfish, barracuda, snapper, trigger fish, amberjack, and even some mahi-mahi and tuna. Using bait like ballyhoos and sardines has been effective.
Some hot spots to consider include the jetties around St. Augustine, where redfish and sheepshead are plentiful. The Matanzas River and its inlets are also great areas, especially for black drum, which can be caught using cut blue crab or shrimp on a fish-finder rig.
Surf fishing is also at its peak, with pompano running south and offering great action right off the beach. Fresh sand fleas or pieces of shrimp on a light rig will give you the best shot at these delicious fish.
Overall, it's an ideal day for fishing in St. Augustine, with favorable weather and tidal conditions making it a great time to get out on the water.