Fishing spots in St. Johns County

St. Johns County stretches from Ponte Vedra Beach through St. Augustine to Matanzas Inlet, with two inlets, the Tolomato and Matanzas rivers behind the barrier islands, and long surf beaches. Matanzas Inlet, a natural inlet inside Fort Matanzas National Monument, is the standout for redfish, drum and trout, while the free Vilano Beach Fishing Pier near the St. Augustine Inlet gives easy access to the Intracoastal. The St. Johns County Ocean Pier at St. Augustine Beach closed to fishing for piling repairs in 2026, so check before planning a pier session there.

St. Augustine Inlet and Vilano Beach

• Character: A jettied inlet with strong current and the Intracoastal behind it.
• What it suits: Redfish, black drum, sheepshead, flounder, trout.
• Access: The free Vilano Fishing Pier and beach accesses at Vilano Beach; Anastasia State Park on the south side (park fee).

St. Augustine Beach and Crescent Beach

• Character: Surf beaches with sand bars and the St. Johns County Ocean Pier (closed to fishing for repairs in 2026).
• What it suits: Whiting, pompano, bluefish, Spanish mackerel.
• Access: County beach accesses and ramps.

Matanzas Inlet

• Character: An unjettied, natural inlet with oyster bars and fast water.
• What it suits: Redfish, drum, sheepshead, trout, flounder.
• Access: Free, small Fort Matanzas National Monument beach lots on A1A.

Ponte Vedra and the Guana area

• Character: Quieter beaches and the Guana and Tolomato rivers.
• What it suits: Whiting, pompano, redfish, trout.
• Access: Beach accesses and the Guana Tolomato Matanzas reserve (fee areas).

Season	Likely species (shore)	Notes
Spring (Mar-May)	Sheepshead, black drum, redfish, trout, whiting, pompano	Black drum and sheepshead peak.
Summer (Jun-Aug)	Redfish, flounder, mangrove snapper, jacks, tarpon, whiting	Fish dawn; lightning in the afternoons.
Fall (Sep-Nov)	Redfish, flounder, bluefish, jacks, trout	Mullet run and flounder season.
Winter (Dec-Feb)	Sheepshead, black drum, trout, whiting	Fiddler crabs on structure.

• Inlets and piers: Fish-finder and Carolina rigs with 1-4 oz of lead and shrimp, crab or cut mullet.
• Sheepshead: Fiddler crabs on short leaders near pilings, rocks and oyster bars.
• Trout: Live shrimp under a popping cork.
• Flounder: Live mud minnows dragged slowly.
• Surf: Pompano rigs with sand fleas or Fishbites.

• Tides are semidiurnal (two highs and two lows a day) with a range of several feet.
• The inlets run hard; fish the first hours of each tide and the turns.
• River tides arrive later than at the inlets.
• A light westerly wind gives clean surf; northeast blows muddy the beaches.
• Matanzas Inlet's shoals move after storms; scout at low tide.

• Inlet currents are strong; never swim or wade deep near either inlet.
• Sand bars at Matanzas Inlet flood fast on the incoming tide.
• Summer lightning is frequent.
• Shuffle your feet for stingrays; sharks are common near the inlets.
• A1A traffic is fast near the Matanzas lots.
• Beach driving is allowed on some St. Johns County beaches but not at Fort Matanzas.

• Check St. Johns County's pier page before planning a trip to the Ocean Pier; it closed to fishing for repairs in 2026.
• Arrive early at Matanzas Inlet; the two small lots fill fast.
• Buy fiddler crabs before visiting Fort Matanzas; collecting inside the monument is not allowed.
• Vilano pier is free and best on the first two hours of each tide.
• Flounder fishing peaks in October and November around pilings and inlet drop-offs.
• Black drum run in late winter and spring near both inlets.

• Flagler County – Gamble Rogers and Bings Landing to the south.
• Duval County – Jacksonville Beach Pier and the St. Johns River jetties to the north.

• Is the St. Johns County Ocean Pier open for fishing?
  • It closed to fishing for piling repairs in 2026 while the gift shop stayed open; check the county's website for the reopening date.
• Do I need a license at Fort Matanzas?
  • Yes, a Florida saltwater fishing license is required there unless you are exempt; check FWC (myfwc.com).
• Where is the best free spot?
  • The Vilano Beach Fishing Pier on the Intracoastal.
• What is the best time for redfish at Matanzas Inlet?
  • The outgoing tide, especially in fall.
• Can I fish from the boardwalks at Fort Matanzas?
  • No, fishing from park boardwalks and docks is not allowed.

Area	Coast character & access	Best species	Prime season	Go-to methods	Key safety notes	Facilities
Vilano Beach Fishing Pier	Free Intracoastal pier; dawn to dusk	Redfish, drum, sheepshead	Fall to spring	Bottom rigs, fiddler crabs	Strong current, boats	Restrooms, pavilion, parking
Matanzas Inlet	Natural inlet; free small lots; 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.	Redfish, drum, trout, flounder	Fall and spring	Cut bait, popping cork	Fierce current, shifting bars	Restrooms at monument lot
St. Augustine Beach	Surf beach; Ocean Pier closed to fishing in 2026	Whiting, pompano, bluefish	Fall to spring	Pompano rigs	Rip currents	Beach-park facilities