Fernandina Beach Kayak Fishing Charter
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
6hour kayak fishing adventure in Fernandina Beach watersLight tackle and fly fishing techniques with expert guidanceSmall group experience limited to 2 guests maximum
Looking for a fishing adventure that gets you up close with some of Florida's best inshore species? This 6-hour kayak fishing charter with Amelia On Fly puts you right in the action around Fernandina Beach's productive waters. You'll paddle through pristine backwaters and marsh creeks where redfish, sea trout, and flounder love to hang out. The intimate 2-person capacity means you get personalized attention from guides who really know these waters and how to put you on fish using light tackle and fly fishing techniques.
This isn't your typical powerboat charter - you'll be fishing from stable kayaks that let you slip into skinny water where the big boats can't go. The beauty of kayak fishing around Fernandina Beach is access. You can work oyster bars, grass flats, and creek mouths that hold serious fish without spooking them with engine noise. Your guide will set you up with quality light tackle gear perfectly suited for the conditions. If you're new to fly fishing, don't worry - they'll teach you the basics and have you casting like a pro by the end of the day. The marshes around Amelia Island are loaded with structure and current breaks that attract baitfish, which means predators aren't far behind. You'll learn to read the water, spot fish movement, and present your bait or fly in ways that trigger strikes. Plan to bring snacks and drinks since meals aren't included, but trust me, you'll be too busy catching fish to think much about food.
Amelia On Fly specializes in finesse fishing that really tests your skills as an angler. Light tackle fishing means using rods and reels that let you feel every bump and pull, making even a 15-inch sea trout feel like a monster. You'll be throwing everything from live shrimp under popping corks to soft plastics worked slowly along the bottom. The fly fishing component opens up a whole different world - watching a redfish eat a well-presented shrimp pattern in clear water is something every angler should experience. Your guide will match the gear to conditions, whether that's sight fishing with topwater flies on calm mornings or working deeper structure when the wind picks up. The kayaks they use are rigged for serious fishing with rod holders, tackle storage, and comfortable seating for long days on the water. You'll learn proper kayak positioning to stay on fish without drifting out of the strike zone, plus how to fight and land fish from a seated position without tipping over.
Southern Flounder are the masters of disguise in these waters, lying perfectly camouflaged on sandy bottoms near creek mouths and channel edges. These flatfish can grow over 20 inches and put up a surprising fight for their size. Fall and early winter are prime time for doormat flounder, when they're fattening up before moving offshore to spawn. What makes flounder fishing so addictive is the subtle bite - you'll learn to detect the slightest tap or weight on your line that signals a flounder has grabbed your bait. Once hooked, they make strong runs and love to wrap around structure.
Black Drum might not win beauty contests, but they're absolute bulldogs that will test your tackle and technique. Around Fernandina Beach, you'll find them rooting around oyster bars and bridge pilings, often in schools of mixed sizes. The smaller puppy drum are great fun on light tackle, while the bigger fish can stretch into double digits and provide arm-burning fights. They're year-round residents that feed heavily on crabs and shrimp, making them perfect targets for both bait and fly fishing. The key is getting your offering right to the bottom where they're feeding.
Sea Trout are probably the most cooperative fish you'll encounter, willing to hit everything from live bait to artificial lures and flies. The grass flats around Amelia Island hold good populations of specks that range from schoolie size up to gator trout pushing 25 inches. Spring and fall offer the best action when water temperatures are ideal and baitfish are abundant. Trout have soft mouths, so playing them on light tackle requires finesse - too much pressure and they'll throw the hook. Their aggressive strikes and acrobatic jumps make them a favorite among kayak anglers.
Redfish are the crown jewel of inshore fishing, and the marshes around Fernandina Beach are prime habitat for these copper-colored bruisers. You'll find them tailing in skinny water during high tides, cruising grass flats, and ambushing baitfish around structure. Reds are available year-round but really turn on during fall when they school up for their offshore spawning runs. A slot-sized red on fly gear is pure magic - they make blistering runs that can empty your reel in seconds. The sight fishing opportunities for redfish here are world-class, especially on calm days when you can spot their backs and tails as they feed.
This top-rated kayak fishing experience combines the best of Fernandina Beach's inshore fishery with expert guidance and techniques you'll use for years to come. Whether you're looking to master fly fishing or just want to catch fish in some of Florida's most beautiful waters, this charter delivers. The small group size ensures personalized instruction and maximum time with rods in the water. Six hours gives you plenty of opportunity to work different areas as conditions and tides change throughout the day. Don't miss out on this customer favorite - the calendar fills up fast, especially during peak fishing seasons. Book your adventure with Amelia On Fly and discover why kayak fishing has become the go-to method for serious inshore anglers.
The Hobie Pro Angler Tandem is your ticket to exploring Fernandina Beach's prime fishing waters without the noise of an engine. This stable kayak seats two anglers comfortably and comes loaded with built-in rod holders, tackle storage, and all the gear you need for a successful day on the water. The pedal-drive system lets you keep your hands free for casting while you silently glide through shallow flats where the redfish and trout love to feed. Perfect for light tackle and fly fishing, this kayak gets you into those skinny water spots that bigger boats can't reach. Whether you're working the marsh creeks or drifting along the jetties, you'll have everything within arm's reach for a productive 6-hour fishing adventure around Amelia Island's legendary inshore waters.
Pogonias CromisThe heavyweights of our local waters, Black Drum are powerful fighters that'll test your drag system. These grey-black fish cruise oyster bars and muddy shallows, using their crushing jaws to crack open crabs and oysters. Most range 5-15 pounds, but 30+ pounders show up regularly around structure. Spring is peak season when they school up for spawning - you can actually hear them drumming underwater. They love shallow flats during high tide, especially around oyster beds and creek mouths. What makes them special is the pure power - they fight dirty, using their broad sides and staying deep. Fresh blue crab or cut mullet works best on a Carolina rig. Pro tip: when you hook one, keep steady pressure but don't horse them - they'll use those oysters to cut your line if you're not careful.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the ultimate sight-fishing target in our shallow waters. These copper-colored bruisers with the distinctive black spot cruise grass flats, oyster bars, and creek mouths in just 1-4 feet of water. Most slot fish run 18-27 inches, but bigger bulls over 30 inches show up year-round. They're available in all seasons, though fall and spring offer the most consistent action. What makes them special is watching them tail in skinny water - pure adrenaline when you spot that bronze back. They fight hard, making long runs and using their broad sides. Plus, slot-sized fish are fantastic eating. Live shrimp or cut bait works great, but topwater plugs and spoons create explosive strikes. Key tip: approach quietly and cast well ahead of cruising fish - they're surprisingly spooky despite their size.
Salmo TruttaSpotted sea trout are the bread and butter of our grass flats fishing. These silvery fish with dark spots love shallow water over seagrass beds, usually in 2-6 feet. They typically run 14-20 inches and 1-3 pounds, perfect for light tackle. Best action happens during warmer months, especially early morning and evening when they're feeding actively on shrimp and small baitfish. They're scrappy fighters with a decent jump, plus they make outstanding table fare - white, flaky meat that's hard to beat. Look for them around drop-offs near grass beds or along channel edges. A live shrimp under a popping cork is deadly, but they also crush soft plastics worked slowly. The trick is making long casts and working lures with subtle twitches - they spook easily in shallow water.
Paralichthys LethostigmaThese flat, oval-shaped fish are masters of disguise, burying themselves in sand and mud to ambush prey. Both eyes sit on their left side, and they can change color to match the bottom perfectly. Around here, you'll find them in 2-8 feet of water on sandy flats, especially near creek mouths and oyster bars. Most run 15-18 inches and 3-5 pounds, though we've seen some push 8 pounds. Fall and winter are prime time when they're moving toward inlets to spawn. They make excellent table fare with sweet, white meat. The key is fishing slowly - drift a live finger mullet or shrimp on a light jig head right along the bottom. Watch your line closely because they hit soft and try to bury back down immediately.
Fernandina Beach