When Blackfin Are Off St. Augustine
Blackfin tuna fishing out of St. Augustine runs fall, winter and spring, according to Sly-Fox season lists. Gulf Stream trolling runs spring, summer and fall, so spring and fall fall in both windows.
Inlet and conditions context is on the St. Augustine port page. For the picture beyond this port, see blackfin along the Atlantic Southeast (see also the Atlantic Southeast fishing guide).
How Far St. Augustine Boats Run for Blackfin
Boats run to Gulf Stream trolling water. Sly-Fox 8 to 10 hour trips reach 30 to 45 miles offshore, and that distance sets your fuel and range plan. The named reef structure in the next section lies along the same run, nearshore first and then deeper.
- 30 to 45 miles: the offshore range of Sly-Fox 8 to 10 hour trips
- 56 to 80 ft: nearshore reef band
- 97 to 104 ft: deeper reef band farther out
Grounds and Structure Off St. Augustine
The named structure off St. Augustine falls into two depth bands: 56 to 80 ft nearshore and 97 to 104 ft farther out. These are named, charted reefs that local boats reference on the run toward Gulf Stream trolling water.
| Name | Structure | Depth (ft) | Position or Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nine Mile Reef | tug Leon Roddy | 63 | About 9 miles off St. Augustine per Long Line |
| North Nine Mile Reef sites 1 to 7 | concrete culverts, dumpsters, rubble | 56 (listed depths run 56 to 80 by site) | Near 29 54 N, 81 07 W |
| Nine Mile North Reef | concrete culverts | 56 | 29 54 47 N, 81 07 01 W |
| Andy King Reef | Bridge of Lions permit area | 60 | Offshore; 29 52.591 N, 81 09.207 W |
| Capo Reef North | reef | 97 | 29 51 4 N, 80 46 2 W |
| Capo Reef South | reef | 97 | 29 50 59 N, 80 46 1 W |
| Moody Reef | reef | 100 | 26 miles east of St. Augustine |
| Intruder Reef 1 and 2 | A-6 aircraft frames | 104 | Reef 1 at 29 54 20 N, 80 48 10 W |
These coordinates plot in Chart Contours in the Breakpoint app. Chart layers are not for navigation.
Nine Mile and nearshore sites
Working outward from the inlet, Nine Mile Reef comes first. It holds the tug Leon Roddy in 63 ft, about 9 miles off St. Augustine per Long Line. North Nine Mile Reef sites 1 to 7 sit near 29 54 N, 81 07 W, with concrete culverts, dumpsters and rubble in listed depths of 56 to 80 ft by site. Nine Mile North Reef is concrete culverts in 56 ft, and Andy King Reef sits in the Bridge of Lions permit area in 60 ft.
Capo, Moody and Intruder
The deeper band starts at Capo Reef North and South, both in 97 ft. Moody Reef sits in 100 ft, 26 miles east of St. Augustine. Intruder Reef 1 and 2 are A-6 aircraft frames in 104 ft, with Reef 1 at 29 54 20 N, 80 48 10 W. This band lies on the run toward Gulf Stream water.
How Blackfin Are Fished From St. Augustine
The local method is trolling in Gulf Stream water. Spreads, baits and fish behavior are covered in the blackfin tuna guide.
Conditions numbers
NOAA NDBC station 41012 is the nearest NOAA buoy, and it has no active replacement, so there is no closer one to check. Take these numbers from the official NWS marine forecast before the run:
- Wind speed and direction
- Wave height
- Wave period
Who Fishes Blackfin Out of St. Augustine
Two local charters list blackfin tuna:
- Sly-Fox charters from Conch House: Captain Red Beard and crew. 8 to 10 hour trips reach 30 to 45 miles offshore.
- Endless Summer Charters
FAQ: Blackfin Tuna Out of St. Augustine
When is blackfin tuna fishing out of St. Augustine best?
Fall, winter and spring, according to Sly-Fox season lists. Gulf Stream trolling runs spring, summer and fall, so spring and fall overlap. Both windows point to the same trolling water 30 to 45 miles out.
How far offshore do St. Augustine boats run for blackfin?
30 to 45 miles. Sly-Fox 8 to 10 hour trips from Conch House reach that range in Gulf Stream trolling water, and the deeper reefs at 97 to 104 ft sit along the way.
What is the nearest NOAA buoy to St. Augustine?
NDBC station 41012, which has no active replacement. Read wind, wave height and period from the official NWS marine forecast before you run.
Where are Capo Reef North and South?
Both sit in 97 ft. Capo Reef North is at 29 51 4 N, 80 46 2 W, and Capo Reef South is at 29 50 59 N, 80 46 1 W. They plot in Chart Contours. Chart layers are not for navigation.
What other tuna can I target from Northeast Florida?
See Breakpoint’s tuna fishing guides for the rest. Blackfin run fall, winter and spring from this port, on a 30 to 45 mile run to Gulf Stream trolling water.
