When gray triggerfish are around St. Augustine
Gray triggerfish fishing out of St. Augustine centers on offshore reefs and wrecks. Two local operators list the fish in different seasons. Inlet, ramp and conditions detail are on the St. Augustine port page, and biology and general technique are in the gray triggerfish guide. For the wider coast, see the gray triggerfish fishing in the Atlantic Southeast and the wider Atlantic Southeast guide.
Winter
Sly-Fox lists triggerfish in winter.
Fall
Fishardy lists them on its fall bottom grounds. Both listings point to the same reef and wreck bottom, covered next.
Where boats run for triggerfish
Boats run to reefs and wrecks offshore, and J-Hook and Long Line list triggerfish from their reef trips. The listed grounds fall into two depth bands, 56 to 80 ft and 97 to 104 ft, and the choice between them is the first decision on any run. Only two distances are listed: Nine Mile Reef at about 9 miles, per Long Line, and Moody Reef at 26 miles east of St. Augustine.
Reefs and wrecks offshore
NOAA NDBC station 41012, St. Augustine, is the nearest listed buoy, and no active replacement is listed. Take wind, wave height and period from the official marine forecast before you run. Chart layers are not for navigation.
| Ground | Structure | Depth (ft) | Position or distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Andy King Reef | Bridge of Lions permit area | 60 | Offshore; 29 52.591 N, 81 09.207 W |
| 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 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 |
| Capo Reef North | n/a | 97 | 29 51 4 N, 80 46 2 W |
| Capo Reef South | n/a | 97 | 29 50 59 N, 80 46 1 W |
| Moody Reef | n/a | 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 |
Grounds at 56 to 80 ft
Andy King Reef sits in the Bridge of Lions permit area at 60 ft. The Nine Mile complex holds most of the rest of this band, including the one listed short-run distance:
- The tug Leon Roddy at 63 ft, about 9 miles off per Long Line.
- North Nine Mile sites 1 to 7, with culverts, dumpsters and rubble, at 56 to 80 ft by site.
- Nine Mile North culverts at 56 ft.
Grounds at 97 to 104 ft
Capo Reef North and South sit at 97 ft. Moody Reef sits at 100 ft, 26 miles east of St. Augustine, which is the one listed long-run distance. Intruder Reefs 1 and 2 are A-6 aircraft frames at 104 ft.
How triggerfish are fished here
Bottom fishing on reef structure
The local method is bottom fishing on the reef structure above, as listed for the operators’ reef trips. Rigs and technique are in the species guide. For the regional picture and other species, see the reef fish guides.
Who fishes for gray triggerfish out of St. Augustine
Five St. Augustine charters list gray triggerfish:
- Long Line Charters, Captain David Ledford. Long Line Charters St. Augustine.
- Fishardy Charters. Fishardy Charters bottom trips.
- Drop Down Sport Fish Charters, Captain Alex. Drop Down Sport Fish Charters.
- For What It’s Worth Charters, Captain Chris Worth. For What It’s Worth Charters.
- Sly-Fox, Captain Red Beard and crew. Departs from the Conch House.
FAQ about gray triggerfish fishing out of St. Augustine
When are triggerfish around St. Augustine?
Sly-Fox lists them in winter, and Fishardy lists them on its fall bottom grounds. Both operators fish reef and wreck bottom.
How far do boats run for triggerfish?
Nine Mile Reef is about 9 miles off, per Long Line. Moody Reef is 26 miles east of St. Augustine. No other distances are listed.
What is the shortest listed run?
Nine Mile Reef, where the tug Leon Roddy sits at 63 ft, is about 9 miles off per Long Line. Andy King Reef has no listed distance.
What depth are the deeper reefs?
Capo Reef North and South are at 97 ft. Moody Reef is at 100 ft. Intruder Reefs 1 and 2, built from A-6 aircraft frames, are at 104 ft.
Where do I check conditions?
NOAA NDBC station 41012, St. Augustine, is the nearest listed buoy, and no active replacement is listed. Get wind, wave height and period from the official marine forecast before you run.
