As a casual fisherman with a small family on board, inshore fishing on the Matanzas River can be a perfect activity for everyone. The calm waters and variety of fishing spots make it an ideal location to introduce your family to fishing while targeting popular species like redfish, trout, and drum. Here are some recommended locations to explore when you have the family with you.
1. Matanzas Docks
https://maps.app.goo.gl/q1QgAD5rRsLdoZTEA
- Location: Located just north of Camachee Cove Marina, on the right side of the Matanzas River. This spot is easily accessible and offers good proximity to the inlet.
- Tides: The tides can be strong here due to its closeness to the inlet.
- Depth: The water depth ranges from 8 to 12 feet, depending on the tide.
- Popular Catches: This spot offers a variety of species, with the most popular catches being mangrove snapper, redfish, and black drum. Redfish, in particular, are common keepers here.
- Boating Traffic: High. This is a busy area, and the heavy boat traffic can make it uncomfortable, especially if you’re in a smaller boat like the 203 FS. You can get some pretty big wakes from other boats here.
- Ease of Access: Very easy to access, as you can tie up to one of the pilings depending on which direction the current is running. There’s no need to anchor, making it a quick and simple spot to fish.
- Best Time to Fish: Early mornings or late afternoons are the best times to fish here. It’s a popular location that fills up quickly, so it’s best to arrive early. If the fish aren’t biting, don’t stay too long—this spot can be hit or miss.
- Recommended Gear: Use a circle hook with no sinker if the current is mild. When the current picks up, switch to a Carolina rig or use a jig head.
- Bait: Live shrimp or cut mullet work best here, with frozen shrimp as a backup.
- Comments: This is a great spot when the fish are active, but if they aren’t biting, it’s best to move on quickly. We’ve wasted some hours here trying to be patient, but it didn’t pay off.
2. Robinson Creek
https://maps.app.goo.gl/x45pu1xUyAmtAC3N7
- Location: Directly across from the first spot, you can either try fishing near the docks or at the bend in the river. Both areas offer good opportunities for fishing.
- Tides: The current here is much slower compared to the main channel of the Matanzas River. However, the water can get shallow the farther you go in, so using a bay boat is recommended.
- Depth: The bend offers deeper water, around 10+ feet, while the area by the docks is shallower, with depths of around 4+ feet.
- Popular Catches: This is a great spot for targeting redfish and flounder, both of which are commonly found here.
- Boating Traffic: Low. Lower traffic makes this a quiet and peaceful fishing spot. You’ll usually see other boats anchored nearby, but it’s not overly crowded.
- Ease of Access: Very easy to access, setting the anchor is also easy here.
- Best Time to Fish: Early mornings are the best time to come here.
- Recommended Gear: Jig heads and popping corks work well in this spot. You can try some topwaters and spoons too, especially near the marshes.
- Bait: Live shrimp and mud minnows are your best options for bait here. Redfish and flounder will bite pretty fast with either of these.
- Comments: This is a solid spot for fishing, but it can get busy. If the docks are full, try fishing the bends in the river or further back into the creek. Watch out when entering and leaving, the mouth of Robinson can get really shallow in low tide. This area can also get very hot in the summer. Not ideal for families, too crowded.
3. Guana River
https://maps.app.goo.gl/JbjS2MXs5AwRSq9r6
- Location: A little farther up north, Guana River is a large area with shallow waters. Guana River has a maximum engine limit of 10 hp, making it a fantastic location for kayak fishing. However, always be mindful of the tides.
- Tides: During low tide, the river is not navigable, so make sure you know the tides before heading out.
- Depth: Very shallow, with most areas being less than 2 feet deep.
- Popular Catches: Redfish and seatrout are the most common catches here.
- Boating Traffic: Low. It’s a very quiet location with lots of space for everyone to spread out.
- Ease of Access: A bit farther north than other spots, but mainly a kayak-friendly location. There are some good ramps nearby, such as Six Mile Landing.
- Best Time to Fish: Early mornings are ideal, but any time can be good here, with plenty of areas to explore.
- Recommended Gear: Lures are popular here, with paddle tails being a go-to choice. Shrimp also works well.
- Bait: Paddle tails, voodoo shrimp, and topwater lures work great.
- Comments: Stick to the tides, as it’s easy to get stuck in the shallows. Always be mindful of tidal changes. The Guana Dam is also a very good spot to try and fish.
4. Vilano Bridge
https://maps.app.goo.gl/FfjR4i6t8wnFBim26
- Location: Located right outside of Camachee Cove, Vilano Bridge is a very popular spot for fishing.
- Tides: Tides can be very strong here due to its proximity to the inlet.
- Depth: 10+ Feet of depth here.
- Popular Catches: Black Drum, Redfish, and Seatrout are commonly caught here. You can also catch some Pompano as well.
- Boating Traffic: High. Sometimes you won’t find a spot to anchor. Although it’s a no-wake zone at the bridge, you’ll still have to deal with many wakes from passing boats.
- Ease of Access: Easy to get to, but anchoring in the current can be a challenge.
- Best Time to Fish: Early morning or late evening is best.
- Recommended Gear: The current is strong here, so if you want to stay on the bottom, bring some weights. Carolina rigs are a good choice, but be cautious as it’s easy to get snagged by the concrete.
- Bait: Live shrimp works best, but cut mullet and small blue crabs are also popular options.
- Comments: Stay closer to the main channel and come early to secure a spot. It will fill up by noon.
5. 312 Bridge
https://maps.app.goo.gl/LJdweeXq45ptawd7A
- Location: Right outside the Freedom Boat Club shipyard location, just south of the Bridge of Lions.
- Tides: The current is strong here, so be sure your anchor is secure.
- Depth: The water is very deep in spots, with depths of 25+ feet.
- Popular Catches: Black drum and catfish are commonly caught here.
- Boating Traffic: Medium. This is a no-wake zone, so it’s fairly relaxing.
- Ease of Access: Easy to access, but the strong current means anchoring securely is important.
- Best Time to Fish: Early morning. The bite tends to slow down in the afternoon.
- Recommended Gear: Weights are essential due to the strong current. Jig Heads and Carolina rigs work well for targeting bottom feeders.
- Bait: Live shrimp or frozen shrimp are the best options.
- Comments: Not the most productive spot, but it’s a quiet place for a relaxing day with frozen shrimp. Usually go to this location if we just want to relax.
6. Bridge of Lions
https://maps.app.goo.gl/5zDLMtfoXWLXcRg19
- Location: Definitely the prettiest location on this list, offering great views of downtown St. Augustine.
- Tides: Tides can be strong here. If you tie off to the pylon, be careful during tide changes as the current can pull you into the bridge.
- Depth: Very deep near the pylons, with depths of 30+ feet at high tide.
- Popular Catches: Redfish, black drum, and trout are frequently caught here.
- Boating Traffic: High. Expect a lot of traffic near this scenic location.
- Ease of Access: Tying up to the pylons makes this an easy spot to fish.
- Best Time to Fish: Slack tide has proven to be the best time for bites.
- Recommended Gear: You’ll need some weight to keep your bait down in the deep water. Circle hooks work well for quick catches.
- Bait: Live or frozen shrimp and mullet are great options.
- Comments: This is the best spot if you’re trying to escape the sun. Go in the afternoon and park under the bridge for some shade.
7. St. Augustine Inlet
https://maps.app.goo.gl/bQnCTSLLixAFPy8y6
- Location: On the south side of the inlet, near the jetty rocks, this area offers access to deeper waters and a variety of fish species.
- Tides: The tides are strongest here, especially near the inlet. Only fish when the conditions are calm, as the currents can get very powerful and make fishing challenging.
- Depth: The water reaches depths of 30+ feet in the channel, which makes this a good spot for targeting larger fish.
- Popular Catches: You can catch a variety of species here, including redfish, snook, and even tarpon during the right seasons. Pompano and sheepshead are also common around the jetty rocks.
- Boating Traffic: High. With lots of boat traffic, including larger vessels creating bigger wakes, fishing can be less peaceful at times.
- Ease of Access: Easy to access, but you should make sure to plan your trip around the tides. This area is best approached on a calm day when the currents are manageable.
- Best Time to Fish: Early mornings and slack tides offer the best conditions, as the water is quieter and the currents are less intense.
- Recommended Gear: Lightweight setups work well during slack tides, but you’ll need heavier gear and weights when the current picks up to keep your bait on the bottom.
- Bait: Live shrimp is the most effective bait here, especially when targeting a wide range of species. Cut mullet can also be a good option for bigger catches like tarpon.
- Comments: The St. Augustine Inlet can get dicey when the current is strong, so plan your trip during calmer conditions. This spot can be very rewarding with the right timing, but it’s best to go around slack tide to avoid the rough waters.
Conclusion
Fishing on the Matanzas River offers a wide range of opportunities for both newcomers and seasoned fishermen. Whether you’re casting lines from piers, exploring the creeks, or fishing near the bridges, there’s always something to catch. If you’re sticking to the shade, the Bridge of Lions is your best bet for a relaxing, cooler fishing experience. And if none of these spots work out, there are always some great local charters that can help get you on the fish and ensure a successful day on the water.