Howdy folks, Artificial Lure here with your St. Augustine fishing report for this beautiful Friday morning, May 9th, 2025.

The inshore fishing around St. Augustine has been productive this week, with plenty of action to be had in the flats, creeks, and around the pilings[2]. Redfish, flounder, and black drum are all making a strong showing, so don't miss out!

Sheepshead have finally started to appear, mainly in the river, while the jetties remain hit or miss[1]. We're seeing some good speckled trout catches using live shrimp, and there's even a chance to hook into some bonus bull reds while you're at it[1].

For those targeting flounder, Gulp baits and "various meats" have been working well. If you're looking to mix it up, the sea bass bite on the inshore wrecks is absolutely on fire right now – you can't hit bottom with a jig without getting hooked up[5].

As for hot spots, the Intracoastal Waterway and its many creeks and backcountry estuaries are producing well[4]. Vilano Point has been particularly active this past week[2]. The river and flats around Flagler Beach are also worth checking out if you want to venture a bit south[1].

Local guides like Captain Tommy Derringer, who specializes in super shallow water angling, have been putting clients on fish consistently in the St. Augustine, Palm Coast, and Flagler Beach areas[4]. Several recent fishing charters report success despite challenging tide and weather conditions, so don't let a little adversity keep you off the water[1].

For tackle, light gear is the way to go for inshore fishing. Live shrimp has been the bait of choice for speckled trout, while artificial lures (if I do say so myself) like Gulp baits are working well for flounder.

Remember, the key to success is getting out there early, working the tidal changes, and staying flexible with your approach. The fish are biting, but you might need to put in a little work to find them.

That's all for today, folks. This is Artificial Lure signing off – tight lines and good fishing to y'all!