St. Augustine Marina

Authorized Yamaha Dealership - Family Owned Since 1954

  • Call For Details : 904 -829 -8155

    Mon – Saturday
    8 AM – 5 PM

    Closed Sunday & Holidays

  • 245 Vilano Rd. St. Augustine, Florida 32084

Fishing The Winter Season in Northeast Florida – Tackle & Bait Recommendations

Offshore fishing, bait, tackle, lures, jigs, repair, rod repair, st. augustine

Fishing In The Northeast Florida Region During Winter

Wahoo is the main target fish in December for this part of the Atlantic, but you’re likely to catch more than just wahoo on your fishing trip, even with the recent weather fluctuations affecting tournaments and charters. Sheepshead are another prized fish for those casting off a charter and Sheepshead can be delectable when properly cooked and prepared – fresh, of course.

If you’re looking to land a Wahoo or Sheepshead in spite of the weather, you may still be in luck. Our Offshore Fishing Room has tackle, lures, rods, reels, line to facilitate your trolling session offshore. For frozen bait, look for frozen mullet. Fiddler crabs can also make for live bait in a pinch if you can find them. Walk through any of the creeks and wetlands near the intercoastal and off Anastasia Island or Crescent Beach and you will find these critters scampering around the shoreline en masse.

While deep sea fishing is most popular during this season, that doesn’t mean that you won’t catch anything worth its weight nearshore, inshore, or off the coast – even those fishing off the Vilano Beach pier can expect to pull Redfish and Bluefish, which are in excellent supply this time of year.

If you’re looking for real time information on what is biting off the coast and offshore, click here and bookmark this page for continuous real time updates on target fish of the season and weather.

Fishing Line, Fishing Rod Repair, Fishing Reel Repair. St. Augustine Marina

 

Offshore fishing, bait, tackle, lures, jigs, repair, rod repair, st. augustine

Florida Sportsman Recommendations

Image Credit / Florida Sportsman, Captain Roger Bump

Florida Sportsman writer and avid angler, Captain Roger Bump, frequently discusses seasonal fishing and local fishing tactics, weather, insights, and locations – even stopping by to interview locals and the staff of St. Augustine Marina back in May.

His forecast for the season focuses on the weather patterns that have ultimately caused some issues for those that have booked charters in hopes to land their own biggest catch of the season. Even tournament participants have been affected by the cooler waters and choppy surface waves.

He advises those in search of Wahoo and Sheepshead to look for charters that focus on the areas where the warmer waters of the Gulf meet the cooler waters of the Atlantic, near wrecks and inlets where they can be found grouped together. 

If you want to land one of these energetic species, you will need stamina and to perservere through thrashing and jumps. Make sure you arrive to your charter or go out on your own watercraft prepared for the day. St. Augustine Marina staff are knowledgable and are happy to help match you with the perfect rig while also rigging and setting up your fishing kit in store.

If you haven’t gone offshore before, stick around and don’t hesitate to ask questions. For those of you experienced fishing offshore or that have been out on many charters, we perform rigging, lure repair, and rod and reel repair services in store so that you can get back on the water as quickly as possible. 

Not only that, but our winter sales are in full swing with discounted items across all departments. If you aren’t sure what to grab, gift certificates are always available in every denomination.

Read the full article here. 

Fishing The Winter Season in Northeast Florida – Tackle & Bait Recommendations

Wahoo is the main target fish in December for this part of the Atlantic, but you're likely to catch more than just wahoo on your fishing trip, even with the recent weather fluctuations affecting tournaments and charters. Sheepshead are another prized fish for those...

Upcoming Fishing Tournaments – Show Off Before The Year Ends!

If you’re a lifelong Floridian or a snowbird returning to Northeast Florida for your winter escape, you understand that nothing can hold us back from hosting exciting events throughout the seasons. Whether it’s pouring rain or blazing sunshine, the fish will be...

The E-Bike For Hunters QuietKat – Electric Off Road Bikes

St Augustine Marina is thrilled to offer the Quiet Kat all-terrain electric bike and we can't imagine another vehicle perfect for navigating the historic coastal byway, zipping down the sidewalks and side streets of downtown, and cruising the beach when you aren't...

Prepping For Off-Season

Living in Florida, it’s hard to think of winterization as a thing to be regularly done, but boating season ends for everyone at some point. This article features our tried and true tips for prepping your watercraft and engine for your off season months.

Prepping For Off-Season

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Do You Winterize Your Boat / Outboard?

Living in Florida, it is hard to think about winter even during the winter months. There is no dramatic drop in temperature, no snow fall, no changing leaves to remind us that winter is still a season in the south.

For the most part, we continue doing what we’ve been doing all year. For many Floridians, this may also include boating. After all, shrimp come into season in the Fall, Sheepshead can be found lurking around bridges and docks (which just so happen to LOVE shrimp!), and Speckled Trout can be found in clusters in cooler waters.

Whether you’re using your boat to take family and friends on hunting or fishing trips, just cruising the shoreline, or as a utility vessel to check water levels or fish stores, there will come a point where you are done with your vessel for a few months. This is what ‘winterization’ is for, though the terminology itsef seems more appropriate if you live up north.

In fact, it isn’t entirely uncommon to have snowbirds and tourists bring their personal watercraft in to our service department for winterization, to whatever extent, so that they can cover their boat and drop it off where they store it on their way back home.

Not everyone needs to perform extensive winterization, but for the longevity of your boat and outboard (especially if you regularly enjoy saltwater), these recommendations for preparing for the off season (be it during the Winter or another time) could help to mitigate future issues while ensuring that your boat and its motors are in reliable, functional condition when you’re ready to take her back out on the water. The following tips and recommendations come directly from our service technicians, professional fisherman, and through our own experience with videos to show DIY methods and tricks.

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The Basic Checklist - Outboards

No matter the make or model of your outboard engine, wear and tear are only natural. Just like any machine, your motor will benefit from some time off from the water just as you will and the off season opens up a perfect time (particularly here in Florida!) to check in with our service department or your local dealership where you are registered for annual maintenance.

The wait times are less and most regular maintenance or repair work can be completed in significantly less time than you would have to wait during peak season for the same service.

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 When you bring in your outboard for winterization or if you want to perform the task yourself, here is the basic checklist that manufacturers and technicians recommend:

  • Flush the system. This is one of the big tasks that DIY winterizers don’t often think about or want to deal with. This is espeically crucial if you use your outboard on saltwater regularly or have recently to ensure the longevity of your props and other mechanical parts as saltwater inevitably will break them down, especially when allowed to sit for several months! This also provides an opportunity to pre-emptively check your engine for fuel leaks or oil leaks that can be seen as freshwater is run through the system. Inspect the fuel lines for cracks or signs of wear to prevent leaks in the future.
  • Change the oil filter, top off or replace oil. Just like your car, your outboard requires oil as a lubricant to ensure all mechnaisms throughout are able to function without additional heat or friction. Changing the oil, topping it off, and replacing the filter is a maintenance task not explicitly just for winterization.
  • Refresh and check all other fluids. Depending on your watercraft this may include lower unit / transmission fluid, coolant, steering fluid, and outdrive oil.
  • Empty or stabilize fuel. If you have a watercraft with a built in fuel cell or fuel tank, you will want to add fuel stabilizer to prevent the fuel from deteriorating while your boat is in storage and potentially causing problems when you try and start her up later. The other option is to run the fuel out, but this is only viable if there is a miniscule amount left behind. If adding stabilizer, you will want to top off with new, fresh fuel before adding the chemical and running the mixture through your engine prior to storage. When you run your engine, listen closely for anything that may sound ‘off’- such as rattling or gears grinding that could signal issues in the future that could easily be looked into before placing your boat in storage.
  • Protect internal engine components.  You may use a fogging spray that coats internal engine components with an anti-corrosive layer.
  • Grease all moving parts. 

Think of your outboard as your boating ally. Without your engine, you will be rowing or paddling to get to where you need to be. For the amount of time it takes to go the extra mile with annual maintenance and winterization before storing your boat in off season, you could save thousands on replacement parts and labor.

St. Augustine Marina carries genuine / OEM parts, kits, trailer parts, fuses, safety equipment, boat covers and more that make winterization easy for DIYers. If you prefer to leave your watercraft in more capable hands, our service technicianss are more than happy to prep your boat and engine for the off season. No need to make an appointment, call ahead or simply bring her around back! 

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Winterizing Your Boat

Once boaters have enjoyed their offshore adventures for the season, many will depend on a Bimini Top or canvas boat cover to help keep their boat mostly in good condition while it is in storage, docked, moored, or simply parked on a trailer in the backyard. While a cover is always a wise choice, there are numerous additional tips and winterizing practices to consider if you want to maximize the lifespan of your investment.

Although these suggestions cannot guarantee your vessel’s longevity, they may highlight aspects often overlooked when the off-season arrives. Many of these recommendations involve minimal additional investment; with just a bit of time and effort, your boat will be ready to hit the water when the next season begins. Keep in mind that other considerations based on your chosen storage location and local climate may also play a role and are not covered here.

Key West Boats, 2023 Key West St.Augustine Marina

The Basic Checklist - Boats

If you live in St. Augustine, FL or anywhere in Florida, you have seen what a few days of being exposed to the elements can do to your car, let alone your boat. Even worse, tropical storms and the occassional hurricane may pass through and make a big mess out of something that was minor or unnoticeable to begin with.

Before you put your boat up for the off season, take the time to clean the interior or take your boat in to our service department for detailing. Sure, you will be scrubbing the deck, chucking leaves over the side, and airing out the wells, but you will also be keeping an eye out for any damage to anything that may be visible on the service.

F150 Horsepower V6 on Key West boat, Yamaha, V MAX Sho outboard, Yamaha Outboard dealership, St. Augustine Marina

Keep an eye out for: 

  • Cracks, peeling paint, or loose seals in wells, console areas, and the hull. It is much quicker to get these minor repairs done durinf the off season as most service departments will not be as inundated with boats in need of repairs and maintenance.
  • Make note of any wiring or other electrical issues that could be taken care of during the off season, as these tasks will take more labor than simple maintenance. The off season is the perfect time to address concerns that may not be immediate issues, but are tedious, time consuming, and can end a holiday on the water if they’re ignored for any length of time.
  • Use a pressure washer to clean the exterior and interior if possible. Use a wire brush to clean terminal and cable ends. 
  • Replace wing nuts with lock nuts. 
  • Secure battery terminal cables. 
  • Check all switches, knobs, and fuses. 
  • If your boat has freshwater plumbing, use marine antifreeze if you’re taking your boat up north or into a climate where it may face freezing temperatures. Though not unheard of here in the south, this isn’t always necessary unless we’re facing a particularly cold forecast. This goes hand in hand with drainage, but we discuss this more with outboards.
  • Charge and remove the battery. Before placing your watercraft in storage, check the charge of your battery if you have one. It isn’t a bad idea to store your battery in a separate location, particularly if you plan on keeping your boat docked or outdoors in the humidity. Store your battery in a cold, dry place where it won’t be affected by humidity, rainfall, and drastic temperature changes.
  • Check all other connections, check the steering wheel, cables, and engine cut-off switch.
  • Make sure all safety equipment is up to date and present in your vessel. This includes first aid kits, emergency information guides, and life jackets.
  • Remove any valuables you may have left behind. It is always worth it to check! It is also important to maintain your insurance even during the off season and make sure your registration is current so that you can transition from the off season to peak season without any issues.

If you live in a cold climate, you may elect to have annual maintenance performed in addition to winterizing your watercraft when bringing your boat in for service.

Our service department is open all year round, with capable technicians that will ensure that your boat is in the best shape it can be when you’re ready to take her back out on the water.

 

Stumpknocker 164 Skiff Tiller

Griff Craft are inexpensive flat bottom fishing boats perfect for fishing local waters inshore and nearshore. New and used models available with outboard and trailer!

Griff Craft 14ft Tiller *Limited Time Promo*

Griff Craft are inexpensive flat bottom fishing boats perfect for fishing local waters inshore and nearshore. New and used models available with outboard and trailer!

2024 Key West 230 Bay Reef

We partner with Key West to stock expertly crafted fiberglass center console fishing boats complete with all the features fishermen love and all the space to bring family and friends along for the ride!

New & Used Griff Craft Skiffs

Griff Craft are inexpensive flat bottom fishing boats perfect for fishing local waters inshore and nearshore. New and used models available with outboard and trailer!