Vilano Point Fishing

Vilano Point is the north shore of the St. Augustine Inlet, a sand spit at the end of Vilano Beach where the inlet's north jetty meets the beach. It is a classic inlet spot for big redfish and black drum.

• The north jetty and the inlet edge hold redfish, black drum, sheepshead and flounder
• Bluefish, jacks and Spanish mackerel run through the inlet mouth
• A view straight across to the St. Augustine Lighthouse
• Popular with anglers who drive onto the beach from the Porpoise Point ramp

The point is at the south end of Vilano Beach, reached from St. Augustine over the Vilano bridge and then south through the Porpoise Point neighborhood.

• Beach driving: use the county's Porpoise Point ramp at Genoa Road and Porpoise Point Drive, reopened in April 2026 after a rebuild; a four-wheel-drive vehicle is required on the soft sand
• You cannot drive to the point along the beach from the Vilano Beach ramp; the county has suspended that route
• Fees: a county beach driving pass is required from March through September; walking in is free
• Gates: the county's beach gates close at 7:30 p.m. and reopen at 8 a.m. from May 1 to October 31
• Parking: the county lists no lot at the point; Vilano Beach's beachfront park to the north has a small lot
• Surface: soft sand and then the low, partly buried jetty rocks

The inlet brings in something through every season.

• Spring (Mar-May): redfish and black drum on the rocks, bluefish and the first Spanish mackerel, pompano on the beach side
• Summer (Jun-Aug): flounder, mangrove snapper around the rocks, jacks and ladyfish in the current
• Fall (Sep-Nov): the peak, with the mullet run bringing bull redfish, flounder, bluefish and jacks
• Winter (Dec-Feb): sheepshead and black drum on the jetty, whiting on the beach side

Bring stout tackle for the current and expect to lose rigs on the rocks.

• Redfish and black drum: a fish-finder rig with 2 to 4 oz of lead, cut mullet, blue crab or live finger mullet
• Sheepshead: fiddler crabs or shrimp on a short leader and a 1/0 hook, fished tight to the rocks
• Flounder: a mud minnow or finger mullet on a Carolina rig along the inlet edge
• Bluefish and jacks: metal spoons and bucktails cast into the current seam
• A long-handled net helps, since landing fish over the rocks is awkward

Atlantic tides here run twice a day, and the inlet current is strong on both.

• The best fishing is usually the first half of the outgoing and the last hour of the incoming
• Slack water is the easiest time to fish the rocks without losing rigs
• Clear, green incoming water brings in bait and predators from the ocean
• A northeast wind against an outgoing tide makes steep, dangerous waves at the mouth
• Fall mornings with bait pouring out of the inlet are prime

This is a demanding spot; take it seriously.

• The inlet current is fast and has drowned swimmers; the county advises against swimming in the inlet and posts no lifeguards at the point, so never wade out on the bars at the mouth
• The jetty rocks are low, slippery and awash at high tide; wear studded shoes and do not climb out on them
• Constant boat traffic runs through the inlet; keep lines clear of passing boats
• Rising tide can cut off low sand near the rocks, so watch your way back
• Soft sand walks and no shade; not suited to wheelchairs

There are few facilities at the point itself.

• No restrooms, bait shop or lights at the point; plan to be self-sufficient
• Vilano Beach, a short drive north, has shops, food and a public pier with restrooms
• Bait and tackle shops are in the St. Augustine area
• Carry water and shade in summer
• Trash cans are limited at the point; pack out all line, bait bags and hooks

• October's mullet run is the time for bull redfish on live or cut mullet at the inlet edge
• Fish the slack tide on the rocks, then move to the beach side once the current picks up
• Spanish mackerel blitz early in the morning in spring; keep a spoon rigged
• Check the county's daily beach driving conditions, posted online and at the gates, before driving on, since access changes after storms
• From May through October, plan around the 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. gate hours if you drive on
• Bring heavier lead than you think you need

The beach and access are managed by St. Johns County; the inlet waters are state waters.

• A Florida saltwater fishing license is required unless you qualify for an exemption
• St. Johns County's beach code bans fishing for sharks, chumming and bloodbaiting on the beach and within 600 feet of shore
• Beach driving needs a county pass from March through September; stay in the marked driving lanes and keep to the speed limit
• Flashlights and lanterns are not allowed on the beach during sea turtle nesting season, May 1 to October 31; stay out of roped-off bird and nesting areas
• Check current FWC rules (myfwc.com) for size, bag and season limits before keeping anything