Hilliard, FL 8 Hour Boat Charter
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Full-day charter targeting Redfish, Black Drum, and FlounderExplore Amelia Island and Timucuan Ecological Preserve watersAll fishing gear and licenses included for convenience
Looking for a solid day of fishing in Northeast Florida waters? This full-day charter with Amelia On Fly puts you right in the heart of some of the region's most productive fishing grounds. You'll be working the waters around Amelia Island, the pristine Timucuan Ecological & Historic Preserve, St. Mary's River, and even portions of the legendary Okefenokee Swamp system. It's an 8-hour commitment that gives you real time to dial in on the bite and target multiple species throughout the day. With gear and licenses handled, you just need to show up ready to fish.
This isn't your typical half-day rush job – you're getting a proper full-day experience that lets the fishing develop naturally. The captain knows these waters like the back of his hand, and you'll be moving between different zones depending on tides, weather, and where the fish are staging. One hour you might be working grass flats for redfish, the next you could be drifting deeper channels for black drum. The Timucuan Preserve offers some of the cleanest water you'll find in the area, while St. Mary's River holds different opportunities altogether. With just two anglers max, there's plenty of room to spread out and work your techniques without crowding. Pack your own food and drinks since meals aren't included – most folks bring a cooler with sandwiches and plenty of water for the long haul.
Amelia On Fly comes equipped with everything you need to target multiple species effectively. You'll be using a mix of live bait and artificials depending on conditions and what's biting. Live shrimp is always a go-to in these waters, especially around structure and grass beds where redfish and sea trout like to hang out. For black drum, you might be dropping cut bait on the bottom near oyster bars or bridge pilings. The tackle setup varies from medium spinning gear for the smaller stuff up to heavier conventional setups when you're targeting bigger drum or working deeper water. Don't worry if you're not familiar with all the techniques – the captain will walk you through everything from proper drift presentation to reading the water for signs of fish. The boat is set up for both sight fishing in the shallows and anchor fishing when you find a productive spot.
Redfish are the bread and butter species here, and these Northeast Florida waters consistently produce quality fish. You're looking at fish ranging from slot-size keepers around 18-27 inches up to oversized bulls that'll test your drag system. These copper-colored fighters love the grass flats and oyster bars throughout the area, especially during moving tides. They're aggressive feeders that'll hit both live bait and well-presented lures, making them perfect for anglers of all skill levels.
Black drum are another regular customer favorite, particularly the bigger specimens that patrol deeper channels and structure. These fish can really surprise you with their size – it's not uncommon to hook into drum pushing 30-40 pounds in these waters. They're bottom feeders that require patience and the right presentation, but when you hook a big one, you'll know it immediately. The fight is more bulldogging power than speed, but they'll definitely make your arms burn.
Southern flounder add a different element to the fishing, requiring more finesse and technique to consistently catch. These flatfish are masters of camouflage, laying buried in sandy bottoms near grass edges and creek mouths. They're ambush predators that require precise bait placement and good feel to detect their often subtle bites. When you do hook up, they put up a surprisingly good fight for their size, and they're absolutely top-tier table fare.
Sea trout round out the slam opportunities, schooling up in grass beds and around structure throughout the system. These spotted beauties are active feeders that'll hit both live bait and soft plastics worked through their preferred habitat. They're perfect for building confidence and keeping the action steady while you're waiting for shots at the bigger species. The better trout in these waters run 15-20 inches and provide excellent light-tackle sport.
Eight hours on the water gives you the time you need to really experience what Northeast Florida fishing is all about. You're not rushing from spot to spot – you can take your time, learn the techniques, and let the day develop naturally. The variety of species keeps things interesting, and the different ecosystems you'll fish offer a real education in reading water and understanding fish behavior. With licenses and gear included, it's a hassle-free way to get after some quality fish in some of the region's most productive and pristine waters. Whether you're looking to put together a slam of multiple species or focus on one particular target, this charter gives you the flexibility and time to make it happen.
Meet the Infamous Hellsbay Waterman mimic – your perfect fishing companion for exploring Amelia Island's pristine waters and beyond. This nimble motorboat handles the shallow flats and winding channels like a dream, getting you into those hard-to-reach spots where the big redfish and black drum love to hide. Built for serious anglers, she's equipped with a wireless trolling motor that keeps things whisper-quiet when you're sneaking up on spooky fish. The GPS navigation system ensures you'll never lose your way through the maze of creeks around Timucuan Preserve, while the fish finder helps you locate structure and baitfish that attract your targets. Stay connected with other boats and marinas using the onboard VHF radio. With room for just two guests, you'll have plenty of casting space and personalized attention from your guide. Whether you're working the grass flats for redfish, drifting oyster bars for black drum, or sneaking into the backcountry creeks of the Okefenokee Swamp, this boat delivers the stealth and maneuverability you need for a successful day on the water chasing Florida's finest inshore species.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the heavyweights of our inshore waters, ranging from 5-30 pounds with some monsters pushing 90 pounds. They're bottom-feeders with powerful jaws built for crushing oysters and crabs, which is exactly where you'll find them - around oyster bars, muddy flats, and creek mouths throughout our local estuaries. Spring spawning season is prime time when they school up and make those distinctive drumming sounds you can actually hear underwater. What guests love is the strong, steady fight these fish put up - they're bulldogs that use their weight against you. Smaller drum under 15 pounds make excellent table fare with firm, white meat. The key to success is getting your bait right on the bottom using fresh blue crab or soft shells. I always tell clients to use just enough weight to hold bottom and be patient - drum aren't in a hurry, but when they commit, you'll know it.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the crown jewel of our inshore fishing, easily recognized by their copper-bronze color and distinctive black spot near the tail. These fish average 20-30 inches in our waters but can grow much larger. They love shallow flats, oyster bars, and marsh edges - often in water so thin their backs show above the surface. You'll find them year-round, but fall and spring offer the most consistent action when they're actively feeding. What guests love about reds is their power and determination - they'll make long runs and use every oyster bar to try breaking you off. Plus, they're excellent table fare with mild, sweet meat that grills perfectly. They're not picky eaters, hitting everything from topwater plugs to live shrimp, but my secret weapon is a gold spoon worked slowly over shallow grass. Pro tip: look for "tailing" fish - when you see that black spot and tail breaking the surface as they root for crabs, make a quiet approach and cast well ahead of where they're heading.
Salmo TruttaSpotted sea trout, or "specks" as we call them locally, are one of the most reliable fish in our area. They typically run 14-24 inches with beautiful silver sides covered in distinct black spots. You'll find them over grass flats in 2-8 feet of water, especially around drop-offs and potholes where they ambush shrimp and small baitfish. Best fishing happens during moving water on the grass flats of Amelia Island and the Timucuan preserve areas. What makes trout special is their willingness to hit topwater lures - there's nothing quite like that explosive surface strike at dawn or dusk. They're also excellent eating with tender, flaky white meat that's hard to overcook. Night fishing can be spectacular when they move shallow to feed. My go-to approach is throwing a popping cork with live shrimp about 18 inches below, but soft plastics on 1/8 oz jig heads work great too. Key tip: work the edges of grass beds where clear water meets slightly stained 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, giving them a unique look that guests always find fascinating. You'll typically find them ranging 15-18 inches, though they can hit 33 inches. They love shallow coastal waters, bays, and estuaries with sandy or muddy bottoms - perfect for our local waters around Amelia Island and the St. Mary's River. Fall and winter are prime time when adults move offshore. What makes flounder special is their ability to change color to match the bottom, plus they're fantastic eating with sweet, flaky meat. My tip: drift fishing with live bull minnows or shrimp on a 1/4 oz jig head works best. Keep your bait moving slowly along the bottom - when you feel that subtle tap, wait a second before setting the hook since they grab prey sideways first.
Fernandina Beach