White marlin fishing out of St. Augustine: when the fish are here
White marlin fishing out of St. Augustine centers on November, the month of the El Pescado Billfish Tournament. The inaugural 1988 event is the documented local record: 26 boats released 6 blue marlin, 1 white marlin and 2 sailfish. The tournament usually runs in November, which is the season the port is known for.
Where boats run out of St. Augustine
Boats run offshore through St. Augustine Inlet. Named structure begins about 9 miles out at Nine Mile Reef and extends 26 miles east to Moody Reef, in 56 to 104 ft of water.
For the water beyond these reefs, see the Atlantic Southeast white marlin picture (see also the wider Atlantic Southeast guide).
Conditions and buoy 41012
NOAA NDBC station 41012 is the nearest NOAA buoy listed for St. Augustine, and no active replacement buoy was found, so plan around the data gap. The NWS marine forecast gives wind speed, wave height and period, and those numbers are what to read.
Grounds and structure off St. Augustine
The named structure off St. Augustine sits at 56 to 104 ft on the way offshore. These are waypoints on the run, not a claim that white marlin hold on any one reef. The table lists the St. Augustine artificial reef GPS coordinates as published.
| Site | Structure | Depth (ft) | Position or distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Nine Mile Reef | Tug Leon Roddy | 63 | About 9 miles off St. Augustine |
| 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 |
| Intruder Reef 1 and 2 | A-6 aircraft frames | 104 | Reef 1 at 29 54 20 N, 80 48 10 W |
| Moody Reef | Reef | 100 | 26 miles east of St. Augustine |
These positions load as waypoints on the Breakpoint chart. Chart layers are not for navigation.
Nine Mile group
Nine Mile Reef is the tug Leon Roddy at 63 ft, about 9 miles off St. Augustine. North Nine Mile Reef sites 1 to 7 are culverts, dumpsters and rubble near 29 54 N, 81 07 W, with listed depths of 56 to 80 ft by site. Nine Mile North Reef is culverts at 56 ft, at 29 54 47 N, 81 07 01 W.
Andy King Reef
Andy King Reef is the Bridge of Lions permit area at 60 ft, at 29 52.591 N, 81 09.207 W.
Capo Reef North and South
Both Capo Reef sites sit at 97 ft, close together near 29 51 N, 80 46 W. North is at 29 51 4 N, 80 46 2 W and South is at 29 50 59 N, 80 46 1 W.
Intruder Reef 1 and 2
Intruder Reef 1 and 2 are A-6 aircraft frames at 104 ft, the deepest named structure listed. Reef 1 is at 29 54 20 N, 80 48 10 W.
Moody Reef
Moody Reef is at 100 ft, 26 miles east of St. Augustine, the farthest named site listed.
How white marlin are fished and who fishes for them
The pages reviewed do not specify local methods. The documented local reference is the 1988 El Pescado catch record: 26 boats released 6 blue marlin, 1 white marlin and 2 sailfish. Those counts come from that one tournament and show no trend.
The El Pescado fleet fishes for white marlin in November, along with owner-operators running their own boats from this port. For the wider billfish picture, see our billfish fishing guides. We can’t promise fish, only a better-informed decision about where to look.
FAQ: white marlin fishing out of St. Augustine
When is white marlin fishing out of St. Augustine at its peak season?
November, per the El Pescado Billfish Tournament. The tournament usually runs in November and was first held in 1988.
How far do boats run from St. Augustine?
Boats run offshore through St. Augustine Inlet. Named structure runs from about 9 miles off at Nine Mile Reef to 26 miles east at Moody Reef.
What reefs are near St. Augustine and how deep are they?
- Nine Mile group: 56 to 80 ft, including the tug Leon Roddy at 63 ft
- Andy King Reef: 60 ft
- Capo Reef North and South: 97 ft
- Moody Reef: 100 ft
- Intruder Reef 1 and 2: A-6 aircraft frames at 104 ft
What buoy covers St. Augustine?
NOAA NDBC station 41012 is the nearest NOAA buoy listed, and no active replacement buoy was found. Read the NWS marine forecast for wind, wave height and period.
What tournament targets white marlin out of St. Augustine?
The El Pescado Billfish Tournament, usually held in November. Its inaugural 1988 event is the documented local catch record.
