St. Augustine: Food, Fish, and Pirate Fights

Written by Hunter Leavine

Photos by Mason Irwin & Elijah Fulford

To many, St. Augustine is saltwater taffy, mini golf, bachelorette parties, school field trips to the fort, aged wine…and of course pirates. And they aren’t wrong.

But that’s not all it is.

Behind the curtain lies a wild place. Within the winding creeks and flooded spartina grass lives a natural world of wonder. Marsh hens hide in the mangroves, redfish stalk unsuspecting prey, and spoonbills wade the muddy banks of low tide.

This fall, Drifter set out to show our members that side of St. Augustine. And honestly, it was a huge success.

SETTING

Our accommodations were as fitting and compared to our previous camp…luxurious. The ancient city is one where luxury is never far from reach, and we leaned in—hot tub, pool, golf carts, and a rooftop porch with views of the Atlantic to the east and downtown to the south. It made for the perfect backdrop for drinks and our traditional sunset pizza night.

This was our first time hosting an event in a proper city. Most Drifter trips have been in remote corners of the coast, so it was refreshing to design an experience in a new kind of setting.

At the heart of Drifter is the belief that members should fully engage with the culture of wherever we go, and leave feeling like they’ve truly been there. I often tell people, if Anthony Bourdain were alive and wanted to fish, I’d want him in our club. A guy can dream.

FOOD

We kicked things off with a few local gems. At Black Fly, owner and artist Vaughn Cochran welcomed us with stories of the city, his restaurant, and his art. From there we moved to Grouper Shack, where platters of fresh fish and southern sides fed the crew as we watched the sun fall over the marsh.

On the water, the food didn’t slow down. Fresh fruit, local subs, Publix fried chicken (a Florida must), and a shore lunch of sausage dogs and “Dirty Ashtrays” (Dive Beer with hot sauce, citrus, salt, and pepper) kept everyone fueled.

Dinner highlights included marsh hen poppers and a steak night with incredible cuts from Butcher and the Bean—a shop that somehow blends dry-aged beef with a coffee bar serving cortados.

And then there was pizza night—a Drifter tradition. Local chef and fellow Drifter DeJuan Roy (winner of Guy’s Grocery Games) joined us and turned the evening into something special. Shrimp bruschetta laced with datil peppers, thunder-stealing Italian Sausage stuffed squash blossoms with smoked tomato sauce (sorry, that recipe stays in the vault), and the kind of flavors that reminded us why food is its own language.

Dessert capped things with a stellar key lime pie and affogatos prepared by Zach Burnett of Bold Bean Coffee Roasters..

FISHING (& HUNTING)

Of course, the heartbeat of the trip was fishing.

This stretch of coast is ruled by tides. At low water, the marsh drains and the redfish show themselves in a way few places can match. Copper backs snaked just above the mud. One moment you were admiring the pink splash of a spoonbill, and the next you were casting to a red that looked so shallow it might get stuck.

Then came the flood. With a seven foot tide, the entire fishery transformed. Water spilled over the spartina, and suddenly reds tailed and milled about on what looked like a new planet—chasing crabs, grasshoppers, and critters that usually live beyond their reach. For a few short hours, the marsh became a buffet.

The wind didn’t make things easy. Gusts barreled across the flats and tested our casting (no grades will be posted). But there were plenty of happy, willing fish, and more than enough moments to remind us why we chase these tides.

And then came the marsh hens. Each fall, high water pushes these birds out of the grass, creating one of the most unique Southern traditions—marsh hen hunting. Imagine quail hunting from a skiff, crossed with a Looney Tunes episode. Shotguns cracked, birds scattered, and laughter followed close behind. Some argued it was “too easy,” but the shots-to-birds ratio told another story.

FINAL THOUGHT

All in all, St. Augustine surprised us in all the right ways—equal parts culture, cuisine, and wild marsh.

The team at Historic Coast Outfitters worked hard against the wind, coached our members, and delivered a phenomenal experience. We can’t thank them enough.

Just as the tide rolls in and touches new places, so will we.To new waters.To new cultures.And always, to the next story worth telling.

JOIN THE CLUB. FISH THE WORLD

Interested in joining us on future journeys? Of course you are. Learn more at www.drifterfishclub.com