MisStress Sportfishing Charters has the deepest customer record of any boat in St Augustine, and that record is what puts it near the top of our ranking. Captain Guy Spear has run charters here since 1990, more than 30 years on this water, and he fishes a versatile 27 foot center console from the inshore creeks to 35 miles offshore. With nearly 500 reviews and a perfect captain and crew rating, it is the most trusted boat in the port for an angler who wants one captain who knows where the fish are.
The verdict and where it ranks
At 8.0 MisStress is a strong choice and ranks second in St Augustine, the customer favorite of a tight top tier. It sits just behind Knot Tied Down, and the gap is boat, not crew. MisStress fishes a smaller, single engine center console, while Knot Tied Down runs a larger sportfisher with the range and comfort for the long offshore day, which counts for a lot on the Atlantic side. What MisStress has that nothing else here matches is the depth and consistency of its record under one owner captain. For more boat and range, Knot Tied Down or Endless Summer are the step up; for a cheap walk on seat, the Sea Love party boat is far less per person. The full field is on the St Augustine ranking.
The boat
The MisStress is a 27 foot Customized Aquasport, built in 1980 and restored in 2017, running a single Honda 250 horsepower four stroke with a cruising speed near 25 knots. It is rigged for serious fishing, with Garmin electronics, outriggers, and a live bait well, and the restoration keeps an older hull in good order. The honest limit is what a 27 foot single engine boat can do. It fishes the inshore and the nearer offshore ground well and reaches 35 miles out on a settled day, but it is a small, open boat, so the longest runs to the bluewater in a building sea are not its strongest ground, and a single engine carries less margin than the twin engine boats. For a half day or three quarter day, it is well matched to the trip.
The fishing and what you target
The boat’s range, from the Intracoastal to 35 miles offshore, is the appeal, and the target list follows it. Inshore there are speckled trout, redfish, flounder, and black drum on light tackle, and offshore the boat works for sailfish, mahi mahi, cobia, king mackerel, and barracuda, with snapper, grouper, and black sea bass on the bottom year round. Captain Guy matches the day to the season and the conditions rather than promising one catch, which is part of why the reviews are so steady. Atlantic red snapper are abundant off St Augustine but the federal season is very short and was closed by a court order for 2026, so confirm the status with NOAA Fisheries, and shallow water grouper, including gag and red, are closed January 1 to April 30 each year.
Trips and prices
MisStress prices by inshore or offshore and by length, all whole boat for up to 3 anglers with additional anglers extra: an inshore trip is $470 for 4 hours or $570 for 6, and an offshore trip $520 for 4 hours or $670 for 6, with free cancellation up to 3 days out. The license, all gear, live bait, and catch cleaning are included, which is a full package, and a customary tip is extra. These are among the most affordable private rates in the port, which together with the record is the heart of the appeal. Confirm the per angler add on for a group of four or five. Our cost guide breaks down what each tier buys.
The crew
The crew is the whole story, and it is the strongest in the port. Across nearly 500 reviews the captain and crew rating is a perfect 5.0, with reviewers consistently describing a captain who knows where the fish are and puts anglers on them, trip after trip. Captain Guy runs every charter himself, so the local knowledge is first hand and the experience is consistent, the same captain meeting you at the dock every time. That depth and consistency are what put the captain and crew and track record scores at the top of the field, and they are the reason to book the boat despite its size.
Booking and what to know
Book direct or through FishingBooker, and book ahead in summer, since a single boat with this reputation fills fast. Tell Captain Guy whether you want an inshore or an offshore trip so the plan and the price line up, and keep the group to five. The boat departs St Augustine. Bring food, drinks, sunscreen, a hat, and a cooler with ice for your fillets; the boat covers the rods, gear, live bait, license, and cleaning.
How we scored it
MisStress scores 8.0: the deepest, most consistent customer record in St Augustine under a 30 year owner captain, with affordable posted rates and an inshore to offshore range, held just below the top boat by a small, single engine 27 foot hull that cannot reach the long offshore ground the bigger boats do. Captain and crew and track record are its standout factors. See how we scored this boat and the St Augustine ranking for the field.