Full Day Offshore Charter St. Augustine FL

Full Day St. Augustine Offshore Charter

Picture this: you're eight hours into the deep Atlantic waters off St. Augustine, lines screaming as something big hits your trolled bait. That's exactly what you'll get with Captain Rick and Ridin Dirty Charters. This isn't your typical half-day trip where you barely get warmed up before heading back to the dock. We're talking a full commitment to the offshore game, where the real fish live and the stories are made. The 2024 center console with twin Yamaha 150HP engines gets you to the fish fast and keeps you comfortable all day long. Whether you're a seasoned angler or this is your first time past the three-mile mark, Rick's got the knowledge and patience to put you on fish while teaching you the ropes.

What to Expect on the Water

Your day starts early because the best fishing happens when most people are still hitting the snooze button. We'll be running full throttle to reach the productive structures where kingfish patrol and amberjack stack up like cordwood. The beauty of St. Augustine's offshore waters is the variety – one minute you're trolling for kings and mahi, the next you're dropping down to the bottom for some heavyweight amberjack action. The twin 150s get us out to the 60-80 foot depths quickly, which means more time fishing and less time traveling. Captain Rick runs a tight ship but keeps things relaxed. He knows these waters like his backyard and isn't shy about sharing decades of local knowledge. The boat's equipped with top-shelf electronics to locate baitfish and structure, plus there's plenty of room for four anglers to fish comfortably without getting tangled up in each other's lines.

Trolling, Jigging, and Bottom

We fish three different ways on this trip because variety is the spice of offshore life. Trolling covers the most water and is your best bet for pelagic species like kingfish, mahi, and sailfish. Rick sets up a proper spread with different lure colors and sizes, adjusting speed based on conditions and what the fish are telling us. When we mark good bottom structure or find fish on the electronics, it's time to break out the jigs and work them vertically through the water column. This technique is deadly on amberjack, cobia, and whatever else is lurking around the wrecks and reefs. Bottom fishing rounds out the arsenal – we'll drop down natural baits for snapper, grouper, and other reef dwellers. All the tackle is premium stuff, not the bargain bin gear you'll find on some boats. Rick provides everything from circle hooks to planers, wire leaders to fluorocarbon. The ice keeps your catch fresh, and there's plenty of storage for whatever we manage to boat during our eight-hour session.

Top Catches This Season

Great Barracuda are the sleek speedsters of St. Augustine's offshore waters, and they're absolutely addictive to catch. These silver bullets can stretch four to five feet and hit trolled baits with explosive strikes that'll get your heart pumping. Spring through fall is prime time, though we see them year-round in these waters. What makes barracuda special is their initial run – they'll scream drag off your reel faster than almost any other fish. Their razor-sharp teeth and aggressive nature make every fight memorable, plus they're surprisingly good table fare when prepared properly. Rick knows exactly where to find the big ones lurking around structure.

Cobia are the ultimate sight fishing target when conditions align. These chocolate-brown bruisers cruise near the surface around buoys, wrecks, and floating debris. Peak season runs from April through September, with May and June being absolutely phenomenal. A good cobia will go 30-50 pounds and fight like a freight train, making long powerful runs that test your tackle and technique. They're curious fish that often come right up to the boat to investigate, giving you shots with both live bait and jigs. The meat is white, flaky, and considered among the best eating fish in the Atlantic. When Rick spots one cruising near the boat, everything else stops – cobia fishing is that addictive.

Red Snapper are the crown jewel of bottom fishing, and St. Augustine's offshore reefs hold some real giants. These crimson fighters are most active during summer months, though we pick them up year-round depending on regulations. A quality red snapper runs 5-15 pounds, with the occasional monster pushing 20-plus. They're smart fish that require finesse – light leaders, sharp hooks, and the right bait presentation. The fight happens in short, powerful bursts as they try to dive back into the structure. Red snapper are legendary table fare, with sweet, firm white meat that's perfect for grilling, blackening, or frying. Rick's been fishing these reefs for decades and knows exactly where the big breeders hang out.

Mutton Snapper are the sporty cousins of red snapper, with beautiful pink and yellow coloration and serious fighting ability. These fish prefer deeper water around hard bottom and structure, making them perfect targets during our offshore sessions. Mutton snapper are notorious for their initial run when hooked – they'll peel line like a fish twice their size. Prime time is late spring through early fall, with summer being peak season. They're excellent table fare with firm, sweet meat that rivals red snapper. The challenge with muttons is getting them away from structure before they cut you off, which makes every hookup an adrenaline rush.

Grey Snapper, also called mangrove snapper, are year-round residents that provide consistent action when the bigger fish aren't cooperating. Don't let their size fool you – these scrappy fighters punch way above their weight class. They're incredibly smart and require stealth tactics, light tackle, and perfect bait presentation. Grey snapper are structure-oriented fish that stack up around wrecks, reefs, and ledges. They're fantastic eating despite their smaller size, with sweet, flaky meat that's perfect for fish tacos or whole fried preparations.