Florida · Northeast
TARPON FISHING
IN ST. AUGUSTINE
St. Augustine is a solid destination for tarpon fishing. Book a charter and target tarpon with local experts.
About Tarpon Fishing in St. Augustine
The Silver King. One of the most exciting gamefish in the world, known for spectacular aerial acrobatics.
The Silver King is arguably the most exciting gamefish in the ocean. Atlantic Tarpon are massive, silver-scaled fish that can exceed 200 lbs, with mirror-like scales the size of silver dollars. When hooked, they launch into spectacular aerial acrobatics — sometimes jumping 6-8 feet out of the water — creating the most thrilling sight in sportfishing. Their oversized, upturned mouth and prehistoric appearance (the species is 100+ million years old) make them instantly recognizable. Tarpon are catch-and-release only in most areas.
Scientific name: Megalops atlanticus
Tarpon Seasonal Calendar — St. Augustine
Month-by-month availability for tarpon in St. Augustine, FL.
How to Catch Tarpon in St. Augustine
Techniques & Bait
Live crabs (blue crabs or pass crabs) drifted in passes and channels during the spring migration is the classic technique. Live mullet, pinfish, and threadfin herring are also top baits. Artificial lures like DOA Baitbusters, large soft plastic swimbaits, and heavy jigs worked near bridges and passes at night produce trophy fish. Fly fishing for rolling tarpon on the flats using large Tarpon Toads, EP baitfish patterns, and Black Death flies (2/0-4/0 hooks) is considered the ultimate fly fishing challenge.
Recommended Tackle
Heavy spinning: 7'6" heavy rod, 6000-8000 reel, 50-65 lb braid, 60-80 lb fluorocarbon leader. Fly: 12-weight rod, large arbor reel with 200+ yards of backing. Circle hooks (5/0-7/0) are required in many areas.
Best Inshore Fishing Spots in St. Augustine
Top spots where local captains target tarpon and other inshore species.
St. Augustine Inlet
St. Augustine Inlet connects the Matanzas River and Intracoastal Waterway to the Atlantic and is the region's primary inshore fishing hotspot. Redfish, flounder, sheepshead, and black drum hold around the jetty rocks, while tarpon and jack crevalle push through the inlet during summer. The strong tidal currents create a natural fish-concentrating funnel.
Matanzas River
The Matanzas River flows through downtown St. Augustine and south through pristine salt marsh habitat teeming with redfish and spotted seatrout. Oyster bars, dock pilings, and grass flats along the river provide year-round habitat for inshore species. The section near the Bridge of Lions and around Vilano is particularly productive.
Guana River Preserve
The Guana River and Tolomato River system north of St. Augustine flows through the Guana Tolomato Matanzas Reserve, offering pristine inshore fishing in protected marsh waters. Redfish, spotted seatrout, and flounder patrol the grass edges and oyster bars in a largely undeveloped setting. Kayak fishing is especially popular in the shallow creeks.
Salt Run
Salt Run is a sheltered tidal lagoon in the heart of St. Augustine near Anastasia State Park, offering easy-access fishing for redfish, spotted seatrout, flounder, and sheepshead. The shallow grass flats and oyster bars are prime wade-fishing territory on lower tides. Its proximity to downtown makes it one of the most convenient fishing spots in the area.
Other Species in St. Augustine
More fish you can target while visiting St. Augustine.
Tarpon Fishing in St. Augustine — FAQ
Tarpon fishing in St. Augustine is productive during .
Tarpon fishing charters in St. Augustine are typically inshore trips. Prices vary by trip duration and group size. Most charters include all gear, bait, licenses, and fish cleaning.
Live crabs (blue crabs or pass crabs) drifted in passes and channels during the spring migration is the classic technique. Live mullet, pinfish, and threadfin herring are also top baits. Artificial lures like DOA Baitbusters, large soft plastic swimbaits, and heavy jigs worked near bridges and passes at night produce trophy fish. Fly fishing for rolling tarpon on the flats using large Tarpon Toads, EP baitfish patterns, and Black Death flies (2/0-4/0 hooks) is considered the ultimate fly fishing challenge.
No — when you book a charter in St. Augustine, your captain provides all required Florida fishing licenses as part of the trip.
Tarpon regulations in Florida include minimum size limits and bag limits that vary by season. Your captain will know the current regulations and ensure compliance.
While targeting Tarpon in St. Augustine, you may also catch Black Sea Bass, Redfish, Sheepshead, Flounder, Speckled Trout. Many charter trips target multiple species for the best action.
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