St. Augustine fishing report for the week of October 8, 2026. October is the best month of the year in Northeast Florida, with the fall mullet run, the flounder staging and the first cool mornings. A new moon this weekend should add to the action.
What’s Hitting
Bull redfish are the headline at the St. Augustine Inlet and the nearshore waters, with the fish feeding on mullet. Flounder are staging around the inlet and the bridges before their fall migration, and speckled trout and slot reds are on the marsh edges. Whiting and pompano are in the surf, and sheepshead are starting to appear on the pilings.
Where to Find Them
Fish the inlet on the outgoing tide, where the bulls patrol the channel edge and the rocks. Vilano Beach and the Usina Bridge area hold flounder and sheepshead, and the marsh creeks inside Salt Run and the Matanzas River produce slot reds and trout. The surf at Anastasia State Park is good for whiting.
Tides & Conditions
The new moon this weekend brings stronger tides. The inlet will run hard on the outgoing tide, so be careful with your anchor and keep a safe distance from the breakers. Easterly winds can make the inlet dangerous, so check the forecast and the tide before you head out.
Tackle & Tactics
Live mullet on a heavy circle hook and a fish-finder rig is the standard for bull reds. For flounder, use a jig head with a Gulp minnow bounced along the bottom. In the marsh, a paddle tail on a light jig head or live shrimp under a float is ideal. In the surf, use a double-drop rig with fresh shrimp for whiting.
Local Intel This Week
Public access includes the Salt Run boat ramp at Anastasia State Park, the Vilano Beach fishing pier and the Usina Bridge area, and the Matanzas River ramps, with Crescent Beach for surf fishing. Fish are concentrating around the inlet and the bridge pilings. Check current FWC regulations and seasons before keeping any fish, as bull reds are over the slot and must be released.
This Week’s Tip
When fighting a bull red, keep your rod tip up and use the boat or the current to your advantage. Revive the fish in the water before release, and avoid lifting large reds by the jaw.
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