Hilliard, FL 6 Hour Day Boat Charter
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Sixhour inshore fishing charter exploring Amelia Island watersLight tackle and fly fishing instruction with experienced guidesSmall group experience accommodating up to two guests maximum
Looking for a solid day on the water around Northeast Florida? This 6-hour charter with Amelia On Fly puts you right in the sweet spots where inshore fishing gets real good. We're talking prime waters around Amelia Island, the Timucuan Preserve, St. Mary's River, and even into the edges of the Okefenokee Swamp system. Captain knows these backwaters like the back of his hand, and he's all about teaching you the ropes with fly fishing and light tackle techniques that'll make you a better angler. Perfect for two people who want to learn something new while chasing some top-rated Northeast Florida species.
This isn't your typical run-and-gun charter boat experience. You'll be working pristine inshore waters that most folks never see, from the tidal creeks around Amelia Island to the blackwater systems that feed into the Atlantic. The beauty of this setup is the variety – one minute you're sight-fishing redfish in skinny water, the next you're working structure for black drum or picking apart grass flats for sea trout. Captain specializes in fly fishing instruction, so whether you've never picked up a fly rod or you want to dial in your technique, you'll get hands-on coaching throughout the day. Light tackle spinning gear is also in play, giving you options depending on conditions and what's biting. With just two anglers max, you get personalized attention and plenty of casting opportunities without fighting for deck space.
Here's where things get interesting. Fly fishing these Northeast Florida waters requires a different approach than what you might use up north or out west. We're talking 8 and 9-weight rods, intermediate and sinking lines, and flies that imitate everything from shrimp and crabs to baitfish. Captain will walk you through reading the water, understanding tidal movements, and presenting flies in a way that gets strikes. The light tackle game is equally dialed in – think 2500-size spinning reels spooled with 10-15 pound braid, paired with fluorocarbon leaders and lures that match the forage. You'll learn how to work soft plastics through oyster bars, bounce jigs along drop-offs, and present topwater baits during those magical first and last light periods. All gear is provided, but feel free to bring your own setup if you have preferences.
Redfish are the bread and butter of this fishery, and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers love the shallow grass flats and oyster bars throughout this area. Spring through fall offers the best action, with fish ranging from slot-sized 20-inchers up to bull reds pushing 40+ pounds. What makes them special here is the sight-fishing opportunities – watching a red's back fin and tail working through 18 inches of clear water, then making the perfect cast with a gold spoon or crab pattern fly. They fight dirty, using their broad sides and the current to test your drag system.
Sea Trout are scattered throughout these grass flats and drop-offs, particularly during warmer months. Most fish run 14-18 inches, but the gator trout over 20 inches are what keep you coming back. They're suckers for a well-presented soft plastic or a clouser minnow fly worked just off the bottom. Early morning and late evening produce the most consistent action, especially around creek mouths where baitfish concentrate. Their soft mouths mean you need to keep steady pressure without horsing them – perfect for learning proper light tackle technique.
Black Drum are the sleepers in this system. These bottom-huggers love oyster bars and structure, where they root around for crabs and shellfish. Fish here range from 5-pound juveniles up to 30+ pound adults that'll test your backbone. They're not flashy fighters, but they're strong and stubborn – like trying to pull a cinder block off the bottom. Blue crabs and shrimp patterns work best on the fly, while cut bait and jigs produce on conventional tackle. Peak season runs from late spring through early fall.
Summer Flounder hold along channel edges and sandy bottoms, particularly where current brings baitfish through. These flatfish are ambush predators that require precise presentation – whether you're bouncing a bucktail jig or working a deceiver fly along the bottom. Most keeper fish run 16-20 inches, but the occasional doormat over 5 pounds makes things interesting. They're excellent table fare and fight surprisingly hard for a flatfish, making long runs and using their broad profile to stay pinned to the bottom.
Crevalle Jack are the wildcard species that'll show up when you least expect them. These silver bulldogs travel in schools and hit lures with aggressive strikes that'll rattle your teeth. They're found around structure and baitfish concentrations, particularly during summer months. While they're not great eating, they make up for it with raw power – a 10-pound jack will give you a workout on light tackle. They're perfect for testing your drag and learning how to fight fish that want to run straight to the nearest piling or oyster bar.
Six hours with Amelia On Fly gives you a real taste of what Northeast Florida inshore fishing is all about. You'll come away with new skills, whether that's your first redfish on fly or finally understanding how to read grass flats and tidal flow. The personalized instruction and access to these world-class fishing grounds make this a customer favorite for both beginners and experienced anglers looking to up their game. Bring sunscreen, polarized sunglasses, and something to drink – everything else is covered. Ready to see what these waters have to offer? Book your charter and get
Hit the productive waters around Amelia Island and the Timucuan Preserve aboard this sleek Hellsbay Waterman-style skiff built for serious inshore fishing. This shallow-draft boat gets you into those skinny flats where big reds and snook like to hide. The wireless trolling motor keeps things whisper-quiet when stalking spooky fish, while the fish finder helps locate structure and baitfish. GPS navigation keeps you on productive spots, and the VHF radio ensures safety on the water. Perfect for two anglers looking to master fly fishing and light tackle techniques in the pristine waters of northeast Florida. Whether you're working the grass flats of the St. Mary's River or exploring the mysterious channels of the Okefenokee, this responsive boat handles it all with the stealth and precision that trophy fishing demands.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the heavyweights of the drum family, running anywhere from 5-30 pounds with some monsters pushing 90. These dark, powerful fish love our shallow oyster beds and muddy flats around Amelia Island, especially during spring spawning when they school up tight. You'll hear them "drumming" underwater - that's how they got their name. They're built like tanks with crushing jaws perfect for crab and oyster shells. Spring's your best bet when water warms and they move shallow. The fight's all brute strength, not flashy but steady pressure that'll test your drag. Keep the smaller ones under 15 pounds for eating - anything bigger gets tough and stringy. Here's the trick: use fresh blue crab and keep your bait right on the bottom. They won't come up for it.
Caranx HipposCrevalle jacks are the ocean's bullies - aggressive, powerful fish that'll test your tackle and your arms. They run 12-24 inches typically, but we hook into some 30+ pounders that'll smoke your drag. Look for diving birds working baitfish - that's where you'll find jack schools pushing mullet and sardines to the surface around our reefs and structures. They hit hard and fight harder, making long runs that'll have your reel screaming. Not great table fare, but pure fun on light tackle. These fish love the chase, so fast-moving lures work best. Spring through fall they're active in our waters. Here's the secret: cast your spoon or plug past the feeding school, then reel it back fast as you can. Jacks can't resist something trying to escape, and that rapid retrieve triggers savage strikes.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the ultimate sight-fishing target in our shallow waters around Amelia Island and the Timucuan preserve. These copper-colored beauties average 20-30 inches with that signature black spot near the tail. They cruise the flats in just 1-4 feet of water, often with their backs showing above the surface. Year-round fishing here, but fall and spring are peak when they school up. What makes them special is they eat everything - live shrimp, topwater plugs, flies, you name it. The fight's pure bulldogging power in skinny water. They're also great eating when kept under the slot. My go-to tip: look for nervous baitfish dimpling the surface or muddy water where reds are rooting around oyster bars. Cast past them and work your bait back slowly - they spook easy in shallow water.
Salmo TruttaSpotted sea trout, or "specks" as we call them, are beautiful silver fish covered in distinctive black spots. They typically run 14-24 inches and 1-5 pounds, though we get some nice 3-4 pounders in the grass flats around Amelia. These fish love shallow seagrass beds and oyster bars where they hunt shrimp and small baitfish. Early morning and evening are magic times, especially on moving water. What guests love is how willing they bite - throw a topwater plug at dawn and hold on. They're also excellent table fare with delicate, white meat that's hard to beat. The trick with specks is to work the grass edges where deeper water meets the flats. They patrol those edges looking for an easy meal, and that's where you want your lure.
Paralichthys DentatusSummer flounder are the masters of disguise on our sandy bottoms, changing colors to match whatever they're lying on. Most run 15-20 inches, but we see some nice ones pushing 5-6 pounds around the deeper channels and inlet mouths. They're ambush predators that bury in sand with just their eyes showing, waiting for baitfish to swim by. Fall's prime time when they're feeding heavy before moving offshore. What makes them special is that fight - they pull sideways and use that flat body like a dinner plate against the current. Plus, they're some of the best eating you'll find. The meat's sweet and flaky, perfect for the dinner table. Pro tip: when you feel that first tap, wait a beat before setting the hook. Flounder bite sideways and need time to turn that bait around.
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