April 2026 — St. Augustine / Northeast FL: Cobia Peak, Snook Beginning to Move. April is a spring month with water in the 66-74°F range — cobia peak; Spanish mackerel and bluefish arrive; spring spawning movements. Here’s the full breakdown of what’s biting, where to fish, and the most productive tactics.
What’s Biting — April 2026
Primary targets this month: Cobia, Redfish, Speckled Trout, Snook.
Cobia
Peak cobia migration. Sight-fishing along the beach, around the offshore wrecks and reefs, the artificial reefs, and following stingrays on the beach in spring, and following stingrays in clear water. Need calm seas (1-2 ft) and sun overhead. 4-6″ bucktails (chartreuse, white, pink), large soft plastic eels, or live eels and pinfish. Cobia often follow first refusals — make a second cast.
Redfish
Redfish in the Tolomato River, Salt Run, Matanzas River, the Guana River, the marshes south of St. Augustine, and the Tolomato bird island flats. Cut bait, gold spoons, and soft plastics on light jigheads.
Speckled Trout
Trout holding in the deep grass flats of the Matanzas, the Tolomato channels, Salt Run, and the back bays of Vilano Beach. Live shrimp under a popping cork, soft plastic jigs in natural colors (root beer, new penny, opening night).
Snook
Snook in St. Augustine Inlet (the Bridge of Lions area and jetty), Matanzas Inlet, the ICW around Bridge of Lions, and the bayfront docks. Live pilchards, scaled sardines, finger mullet. Artificial: white DOA Bait Buster, MirrOdine, walking topwaters at first and last light. Always verify current FWC snook season — slot is 28-33″ with seasonal closures.
Water Conditions & Patterns
Water temperatures are running 66-74°F. Cobia peak; spanish mackerel and bluefish arrive; spring spawning movements. St. Augustine Inlet moves significant water — outgoing tide concentrates bait at the jetty and is the prime snook/tarpon window. The Tolomato and Matanzas Rivers are heavily tide-driven; falling water out of the marsh creeks concentrates redfish at the creek mouths.
Check the NOAA marine forecast and tide charts before launching. Wind direction often matters more than wind speed for inshore fishing — clean water beats churned water nine times out of ten.
Tactics & Tackle for This Month
- Cobia readiness. Keep a heavy spinning rod (8000-class, 40-50 lb braid, 60-80 lb fluoro) ready with a bucktail or live eel — cobia don’t announce themselves.
- Sight-fishing weather. Plan trips around calm seas and sun overhead. Polarized lenses essential.
- Bait migration. Spanish, kings, and predators follow bait pods — watch for diving birds and surface activity.
April Outlook
Peak spring migrations — cobia (Gulf/SE), striped bass (mid-Atlantic), spawning movements everywhere.
Regulations Reminder
Snook: 28-33″ slot (Atlantic and Gulf), one per day; seasonal closures vary by zone — verify FWC. Redfish: 18-27″ slot, one per angler per day (verify FWC zone-specific rules). Seatrout/Speckled Trout: FL: 15-19″ slot, 3 per day (verify zone). TX: 15-25″ slot, 3 per day. LA: 12″ minimum, 15 per day (verify current). Cobia: 36″ fork length, one per harvester (FL state waters — verify current rules). Always verify current state regulations before each trip — slots, bag limits, and seasons change.
Local Resources
Bait & Tackle: Avid Angler (St. Augustine, 904-797-8500); Strike Zone (Jacksonville — close by); Capt. Mike’s Crab Trap (Vilano); North Florida Tackle (Jacksonville Beach).
Public Boat Ramps: Lighthouse Park (Salt Run access), Vilano Beach Ramp, North Beach Park, Devil’s Elbow Fish Camp (Matanzas), Marineland ramp, Fish Island Boat Ramp.
Charter Fishing: $450–$700 inshore (Tolomato/Matanzas); $700–$1,100 nearshore/inlet; $1,000–$1,800 offshore (sailfish, kings, snapper).
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