5.0(3 Reviews)Extended Half Day Fishing Trip in Jacksonville
5.0(3 reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Sixhour inshore fishing trip targeting redfish and cobiaAccommodates up to three guests with professional charter serviceIncludes optional sandbar lunch and private beach dining
Six hours on the water around Jacksonville gives you serious time to chase whatever's biting. This isn't your typical quick morning trip - we're talking about a full day of working the flats, hitting structure, and putting together a cooler full of dinner. Captain Bell knows these waters like the back of his hand, and with just three anglers max, you'll get the personal attention that makes all the difference between a good day and one you'll be talking about for years.
We launch early or mid-day depending on what you're after and what the tides are doing. Jacksonville's inshore fishing is all about reading the water - from the shallow grass flats where redfish cruise to the deeper channels where cobia and king mackerel patrol. You'll cover a lot of ground in six hours, working everything from live bait under corks to throwing artificials at visible fish. The beauty of this extended trip is flexibility - if one spot isn't producing, we've got time to hit three or four more areas without feeling rushed. And when you need a break from fishing, we can pull up to a sandbar for lunch or find a quiet beach to stretch your legs.
This trip runs the full spectrum of inshore techniques. We'll be sight fishing with spinning gear when targeting redfish in skinny water, switching to heavier tackle for cobia around structure, and running live bait for whatever's moving through the area. Captain Bell provides all the gear, but if you've got favorite rods or reels, bring them along. We use circle hooks for most presentations to ensure good releases, and you'll learn how to work everything from soft plastics to topwater plugs. The boat's rigged with a trolling motor for those sneaky approaches in shallow water, plus all the electronics needed to mark fish and navigate the maze of creeks and flats that make Jacksonville fishing so productive.
"It was windy and cold but we managed take home some fish." - David
"Enjoyed our time with Captain Joe" - David
"It was sooooooo cold. Captain Bell was spot on locating fish once.a spot played out off to the next. We fished for the full 6 hours. The captain even loaned me gloves.which I really needed. Awesome fun and our catch made a.great meal. Would recommend." - Wayne Oakley
"Roland got us our goal of redfish over slot size for kiddos .plenty of fish for taco nite. Day was bright sunny mild. Water was stained but Roland worked the tides to keep everyone lined tight. The smiles on everyone's faces are golden. Thanks Charles" - Charles
Redfish are the backbone of Jacksonville inshore fishing, and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers love the grass flats and oyster bars throughout the area. They're most active during moving tides, especially in the cooler months when they school up in predictable spots. What makes reds so special is their willingness to eat just about anything - cut bait, live shrimp, or artificials - and their bulldogging fight that'll test your drag. The slot size fish make excellent table fare, while the oversized bulls provide arm-burning battles you won't forget.
Cobia show up consistently from spring through fall, cruising around structure and following rays in the shallows. These brown sharks, as some locals call them, are curious fish that often come right up to the boat for a closer look. They're suckers for live bait and big jigs, and a 30-pound cobia will give you all the fight you can handle. The meat is phenomenal - firm, white, and perfect on the grill. Peak season runs from April through October, with the biggest fish showing up during the warmer months.
Black drum are the heavyweights of the inshore game around Jacksonville. These bottom-huggers love structure and moving water, making them perfect targets during tide changes around bridges and jetties. They're not the flashiest fighters, but when you hook into a 40-pounder, you'll know it. Fresh shrimp and cut bait work best, and you need to be patient - drum fishing is about persistence. The smaller fish are excellent eating, while the big ones are breeding stock worth releasing.
Tarpon bring the fireworks to Jacksonville waters, especially during summer months. These silver kings roll through the area following baitfish, and when you hook one, everything else stops mattering. They're catch-and-release only, but the fight from even a juvenile tarpon will spoil you for other fish. Look for them around dawn and dusk, often rolling on the surface near creek mouths and along the beaches. Live bait works best, but they'll crush topwater plugs when they're feeding aggressively.
King mackerel add speed and teeth to the mix, typically found around structure in deeper water or along the beaches. These silver bullets make blistering runs and aerial displays that'll have you questioning your drag settings. They're excellent eating when bled and iced immediately, perfect for grilling or making fish dip. Kings respond well to trolled live bait or spoons, and the bite can turn on quickly when conditions are right.
This extended half-day trip gives you the best shot at experiencing everything Jacksonville inshore fishing has to offer. With six full hours on the water and a captain who knows where to find fish in any conditions, you're looking at a day that covers serious ground and fills the cooler. The small group size means personalized instruction, better positioning, and more shots at quality fish. Whether you're looking to learn new techniques, target specific species, or just spend a day doing what you love, this trip delivers. Don't wait - the best fishing days book up fast, especially during peak seasons.
Your Jacksonville inshore adventure starts aboard our trusty 24' Sea Chaser bay boat, a 2001 classic that got a complete makeover in 2020. This fishing machine packs a solid 150HP Mercury outboard that'll get you to the redfish flats and cobia grounds at a smooth 45 knots when conditions are right. Built for serious anglers, she's equipped with everything you need for a successful day chasing Jacksonville's finest gamefish. The fish finder helps locate structure and baitfish while the GPS keeps us on productive spots. When stealth mode is needed for shallow water redfish, the wireless trolling motor lets us slip into skinny water without spooking the fish. The spacious layout comfortably handles up to 3 guests, giving everyone room to cast and fight fish without getting tangled up. The onboard icebox keeps your catch fresh and drinks cold during those hot Florida afternoons. Whether we're working the grass flats for reds, hunting cobia around markers, or targeting whatever's biting that day, this versatile bay boat handles Jacksonville's diverse inshore waters like a champ.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the heavyweights of the drum family, typically running 5-30 pounds but capable of hitting 90+ pounds. You'll find them around oyster beds, shallow muddy flats, and creek mouths in our brackish waters. They're bottom feeders with powerful jaws built for crushing shellfish - that's why fresh crab and cut mullet work so well. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning, making them much easier to locate. What guests love about drum fishing is the steady, bulldogging fight and the sweet meat on smaller fish under 15 pounds. My tip: keep your bait right on the bottom and use enough weight to hold in the current. These fish won't chase food up in the water column.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are brown, shark-looking fish that average 20-40 pounds but can reach 60+ pounds. They're loners that cruise around structure like buoys, wrecks, and channel markers in 20-80 feet of water. Spring and early summer during their migration is peak time, especially when water warms up. What guests love about cobia is they're curious fish that'll come right up to the boat, plus they're some of the best eating fish in the ocean - firm, white meat like mahi. They fight hard and long too. Here's my trick: when you see a cobia, don't get too excited and rush the cast. They'll often circle the boat, so take your time, lead them properly, and use a bucktail jig or live bait.
Scomberomorus CavallaKing mackerel are fast, aggressive fish that average 15-30 pounds but can reach 50+ pounds. We find them in 40-150 feet of water around structure, temperature breaks, and bait schools. They're most active during warmer months when water temps hit 70+ degrees. What anglers love about kings is their blistering speed - they'll scream drag like few other fish. Plus, they're excellent table fare with firm, flaky white meat. The key to landing kings is using a wire leader since they have razor-sharp teeth that'll cut through mono instantly. I like to troll with live bait or spoons, and always rig with two hooks - one in the nose, one trailing back since kings often hit bait from behind.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the bread and butter of our shallow water fishing, running 18-35 inches with that distinctive black spot near the tail. They love super shallow water - sometimes so shallow their backs show above the surface. Look for them around oyster bars, grass flats, and dock pilings in 1-4 feet of water. Fall and spring offer the best action when they're most aggressive. What makes redfish so popular is their willingness to eat just about anything and put up a solid fight in shallow water. They're also great eating with mild, sweet meat. My go-to tip: look for nervous water and tail wakes in skinny areas. When you spot one, cast ahead of where they're moving and let your bait sink naturally.
Megalops AtlanticusTarpon are the silver kings that can grow to 6+ feet and over 200 pounds, though most we see run 80-150 pounds. They cruise shallow flats, channels, and around structure in depths from 3 to 30 feet. Late spring through summer is peak season when they migrate through our waters. What makes tarpon special isn't the eating - we release them all - it's the fight. These fish will jump 10 feet out of the water and can peel 200 yards of line in seconds. The acrobatics alone make it worth the trip. Here's a key tip: when a tarpon jumps, bow to the fish by dropping your rod tip toward them. This gives slack so they can't throw the hook on those spectacular aerial displays.
5.0 out of 5.0It was windy and cold but we managed take home some fish.
Enjoyed our time with Captain Joe
It was sooooooo cold. Captain Bell was spot on locating fish once.a spot played out off to the next. We fished for the full 6 hour...
Roland got us our goal of redfish over slot size for kiddos .plenty of fish for taco nite. Day was bright sunny mild. Water was st...
Jacksonville