If COVID allows we are planning on spending Christmas to New Years in St. Augustine, FL. For you folks in the know, is there any decent saltwater fishing to be had that time of year and if so, what species? Is there a certain guide or captain you would recommend? I've never done a guided fishing trip nor caught a saltwater fish as we don't have any here in the northland.

there is a bait shop there named avid angler stop in or call ahead for info . there is some good guides that work there part time

Bwana,
I am a member of GON Forum (Ga Outdoors News) and checked St Augustine reports. Looks like I have a couple of recommendations:
Conch House Marine & Comanche Cove Marine. Capt Billy with Endless Summer Charters and Robert on the Jody Lynn I have never fished out of that area and know nothing about the marinas or these guides. I’m just passing this information on from the GON forum this is information from last summer so not sure how current it is right now. Hope this helps good luck and be safe.
PS I was stationed in Grand Forks North Dakota 1980 to 1984 in the USAF. B-52 weapons officer radar navigator. When I wasn’t flying or pulling alert tours I was hunting and fishing my butt off thoroughly enjoyed it and would love to get back up there one of these days. Family comes from Wisconsin and Minnesota so it’s not too far from the homeland. A funny story when legendary comedian red Skelton got off an airplane in North Dakota he remarked that it’s one of the few places he doesn’t have to look up to see the sky! Have a good one

i can add that both boats are very well keep up and have a good cap. & crew . they both use the machine shop were i work for their prop. shaft work and a few other needs . both are off shore boats. fishing is going to basted on the weather you mite have 30s with rain &wind or 80s and sunshine. inshore is the same

Both of those boats catch fish. They are big boats and will be for offshore trips. If you are thinking about staying inshore(trout, Redfish, etc) I would look at other options

Thanks for the inputs folks, I much appreciate it.

GAGoober-What Ol' Red said is true, you can see the weather coming for quite some time but it makes for some great sunsets!

BwanaND: I wanted to pass this along to you.
I was hired some years ago to move a high dollar luxury vehicle from Montana to St Augustine, Florida - all expenses paid, plus $2,000.00 cash!
I poo-poo'ed that much cash as I had never been down SE before and wanted to see it.
Well it took me 3 (three!) days to get to St Augustine, Florida and I was exhausted once I got there - and I love to drive!
The wealthy people that hired me put me up in one of their four homes for resting for two nights and as I recuperated they toured me of St. Augustine and their two huge yachts and homes (Ft. Meyers and somewhere else I forget).
I absolutely LOVED that town and the beaches and inland waterway - I even got to pet a Manatee in one of their yacht basins.
Great seafood there and pleasing weather when I was there in late March.
By the way I want to go back there and tour that area.
I also took only $1,000.00 cash for my troubles and they MADE me take 2 firearms they used to keep on their seagoing yachts for protection from Caribbean pirates.
One gun was an unfired S&W Model 66 2" pistol!
Anyway I loved that town and its history and I hope you enjoy your visit as much as I did.
Drive careful if you are driving.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

Hey Bwana,
Here’s the places I hunted & fished when I lived in ND:
Deer Gun- Souris River near Bantry. Sheyenne nearMaddock. Sheyenne R near Aneta. Deer Archery - Turtle R headwaters near Kolden Dam. Fishing/ Devils lake, Ashtabula, Golden lake, Larimore dam, Turtle River , Red River (that was so much fun. Walleyes saugr & catfish). Duck & grouse / Huns near Stump Lske. I LOVED IT SO MUCH !

varmint if you or any body else on the fire comes to town give me a holler

VarmitGuy - quite the adventure.

GAGoober - I've fished a number of those places, but haven't hunted any of those locales to date. Maybe someday.

44mc - thanks for giving me a place to start

Due to the whole COVID thing we decided to pull the plug but am hoping to make the same trip Christmas 2021.

BW if i aint dead give me a heads up on what you want to do and i will try to get you some info before you land here

What an awesome offer and thanks!

not a prob. my family has been here sense this town started