5.0(9 Reviews)Half Day Morning Fishing Trip In Jacksonville Beach
5.0(9 reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Top Rated
Halfday morning charter targeting redfish and trout speciesAll gear, bait, licenses, and catch cleaning includedCaptain David accommodates all experience levels aboard
Looking for a solid morning on the water targeting some of Florida's most sought-after inshore species? Captain David with Backwater Fishing Adventures has you covered with this top-rated half-day charter out of Jacksonville Beach. Whether you're after the notorious pull of a redfish or hoping to fill the cooler with speckled trout, this trip puts you right where the fish are biting. With all gear, bait, licenses, and fish cleaning included, you just need to show up ready to cast. Perfect for two anglers who want a personalized experience without the crowds of bigger boats.
This morning charter kicks off early when the fish are most active and the water's still calm. Captain David runs a comfortable boat that's perfect for navigating Jacksonville's productive inshore waters - from grass flats to oyster bars and creek mouths where gamefish love to ambush baitfish. The beauty of a half-day trip is you get prime fishing time without committing your whole day, making it ideal for families or anyone wanting to sample what Jacksonville's waters have to offer. You'll cover multiple spots depending on tides, weather, and what's biting, with Captain David reading the water and adjusting tactics throughout the morning. The small group size means plenty of one-on-one instruction for beginners and more fishing time for experienced anglers.
Captain David provides all the rods, reels, and terminal tackle you'll need, rigged and ready for the species you're targeting. Expect to fish with medium-action spinning gear perfect for inshore work - sensitive enough to feel light bites but with enough backbone to handle bigger redfish. You'll primarily be using live and cut bait, with shrimp being the go-to for trout and smaller redfish, while cut mullet or pinfish work great for larger reds and black drum. Depending on conditions, you might also throw some soft plastics on jig heads around structure. The fishing style is typically drift fishing over grass beds, anchored fishing near oyster bars, or sight fishing in shallow water when conditions allow. Captain David knows exactly where to position the boat based on tide movement and will coach you on presentation and timing.
"David is very knowledgeable and hard working. He knows the fishing areas well and put us on fish all day. He goes above and beyond to make your trip productive and fun. Thx David!" - Doug. "Captain David was a great teacher and took us to a couple of different spot. We felt very safe while traveling because of his experience. We caught a variety of fish and we were also provided with drinks and plenty of bait. We learned a lot just from 4 hours on his boat. He also showed us an easy and great way to fillet the fish. I definitely recommend this trip to anyone." - Lesley. "This is our second year with captain Dave and we didn't think it could get better than the first one, but it did!!! He put us on fish the entire time. Between my husband and I, we together probably caught 20-30 fish but we lost count. We will definitely be booking another trip." - Sara.
Redfish are the crown jewel of Jacksonville's inshore scene, and for good reason. These copper-colored fighters typically run 18-27 inches in these waters and are absolute bulldogs when hooked. They love cruising oyster bars and grass flats, especially during moving tides. Fall through spring offers the most consistent action, though you can find them year-round. What makes reds so special is their fight - they'll make powerful runs and use their broad sides to fight you all the way to the boat. Plus, they're excellent table fare when kept within slot limits.
Speckled trout, or sea trout, are the bread and butter of Jacksonville inshore fishing. These beautiful fish with their distinctive spotted pattern typically range from 14-20 inches, with occasional "gator" trout pushing 24+ inches. They're most active during cooler months when water temperatures drop, making morning trips particularly productive. Trout are ambush predators that love grass beds and drop-offs, and they hit baits with aggressive strikes that'll keep you on your toes. Their delicate mouths mean you need to play them carefully, but their sweet, flaky meat makes them a customer favorite for the dinner table.
Black drum are the heavyweights of this fishery, with fish commonly ranging 20-40 inches and providing serious arm-burning fights. These bottom dwellers love oyster bars and structure where they cruise looking for crabs and shellfish. Their powerful, steady runs can test your drag system, and their size makes them popular for photos before release. Peak season runs from late winter through spring when they're most active in shallow water. The drumming sound they make underwater is unmistakable when you've got a school fired up.
Southern flounder round out the slam species and are masters of camouflage. These flatfish typically run 14-18 inches and are ambush predators that bury in sand and mud near creek mouths and channels. Fall is prime time when they're fattening up before their offshore migration. Flounder fishing requires patience and technique - they often mouth baits gently before committing, so Captain David will coach you on when to set the hook. Their unique appearance and excellent eating quality make them a trip highlight when they cooperate.
This half-day morning charter delivers everything you want from a Jacksonville fishing experience - variety, action, and professional guidance from someone who knows these waters inside and out. With only two spots available, you're guaranteed personal attention and plenty of rod time. Captain David's commitment to putting clients on fish, combined with his teaching approach and local expertise, makes this a world-class choice for both newcomers and seasoned anglers. The fact that he handles all the details from licenses to fish cleaning means you can
Your morning fishing adventure starts aboard a well-equipped motorboat designed for Jacksonville's inshore waters. This nimble vessel comes loaded with everything you need to target redfish and trout in the shallows - an ice box keeps your catch fresh, while the fish finder helps Captain David locate the best spots where these game fish are holding. The wireless trolling motor lets you move quietly through the grass flats and oyster bars without spooking the fish, perfect for sneaking up on those tailing redfish in skinny water. With room for just two anglers, you'll have plenty of space to cast and fight fish without getting tangled up. The boat's shallow draft gets you into those back-country spots where the big ones like to feed, making it ideal for exploring Jacksonville Beach's productive inshore fishery.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the heavyweights of our inshore waters, ranging from 5-30 pounds with some monsters hitting 50+ pounds. These powerful fish cruise shallow muddy flats, oyster beds, and around dock pilings where they crunch crabs and shellfish with crushing jaws. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning - that's when we find the best action. What guests love is the raw power these fish bring. They're not flashy jumpers, but they'll bend your rod and test your drag like nothing else in the shallows. Smaller ones under 15 pounds make great table fare. The secret is fresh crab - blue crab halves or fiddler crabs work best. Fish them right on the bottom and be patient. When a big drum picks up your bait, there's no mistaking that slow, heavy pull.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the crown jewel of our inshore fishing - bronze-colored bruisers with that signature black eyespot near the tail. They range from 18-inch "rat reds" to 35+ inch bulls, and they're built for power. You'll find them tailing in 1-4 feet of water around oyster bars, grass flats, and dock lines. Fall and spring offer the best fishing when they school up and feed aggressively. What makes reds special is their fight - they make long, powerful runs that'll test your tackle. Plus, they're excellent eating with mild, sweet meat. The excitement of sight fishing to tailing reds in skinny water never gets old. My secret weapon is a gold spoon worked fast over grass beds, or live shrimp under a popping cork near structure. Remember: when you hook one, keep your rod tip up and let them run.
Salmo TruttaSpotted Sea Trout, or "specks" as we call them, are perfect for anglers wanting consistent action and great table fare. These silvery fish with distinctive black spots typically run 14-20 inches and love our grass flats in 2-6 feet of water. They're most active during dawn and dusk, especially in warmer months. What makes trout fishing fun is their willingness to hit both live bait and artificials - they're aggressive feeders that provide steady action for all skill levels. The white, flaky meat is some of the best eating you'll find inshore. My favorite setup is a popping cork with live shrimp underneath, worked over grass beds. Pro tip: don't horse them to the boat. Trout have soft mouths, so keep steady pressure but let your drag do the work. A gentle hand lands more fish than brute force.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern Flounder are masters of disguise - these flat fish bury themselves in sand and mud with both eyes on one side, waiting to ambush prey. Most run 15-18 inches, but we catch some pushing 25+ inches around Jacksonville's flats. They love shallow sandy bottoms near structure like docks and oyster bars, especially during cooler months when they move inshore to feed. What makes them special is their camouflage ability and the challenge of spotting them. The meat is excellent - white, flaky, and mild. My go-to technique is drifting live shrimp or mullet on the bottom with a slip sinker rig. Key tip: when you feel that subtle tap, give them a few seconds to fully take the bait before setting the hook. They're not aggressive strikers like other species.
5.0 out of 5.0David is very knowledgeable and hard working. He knows the fishing areas well and put us on fish all day. He goes above and beyo...
David was a great guide and coach. He really knows the backcountry, puts you on the fish and helped improve my casting. Highly rec...
Despite the windy conditions, Captain Dave put us on the fish, making it an unforgettable trip for me and my son!
great trip all around
Captain David was a great teacher and took us to a couple of different spot .We felt very safe while traveling because of his expe...
We had a great trip. Will certainly look to book again in the future. The captain put us on a lot of fish and challenged us to sta...
He was very knowledgeable about the tides, waters and habits of fish! We caught our limit and then some (which we threw back). Wou...
This is our second year with captain Dave and we didn’t think it could get better than the first one, but it did!!! He put us on f...
Jacksonville, FL