Jacksonville Half Day Fishing Charter
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fourhour inshore fishing charter for two guestsTarget king mackerel, flounder, sea trout, and redfishAdditional guests welcome at $50 per person
Looking for some solid fishing action without burning your whole day? Black Flag Charters has you covered with their four-hour half day trips that hit the sweet spots around Jacksonville's inshore waters. Perfect for couples or fishing buddies, this charter gets you out on the water targeting some of Florida's most sought-after species. We're talking king mackerel, redfish, spotted sea trout, and summer flounder – fish that'll put up a real fight and make for great photos. The best part? You can add more people to your crew for just fifty bucks per head, making it easy to bring the whole gang along.
Captain and crew at Black Flag know these Jacksonville waters like the back of their hand. You'll launch from one of the local marinas and head out to where the fish are biting that day – could be the St. Johns River system, the Intracoastal Waterway, or just outside the inlet depending on conditions and what's running. The beauty of a half day trip is you get prime fishing time without the commitment of a full day charter. Four hours gives you plenty of time to hit multiple spots, try different techniques, and hopefully load the cooler with some quality fish. The boat comes rigged with everything you need – rods, reels, tackle, and bait – so you just need to show up ready to fish.
Inshore fishing around Jacksonville means adapting to what the fish want on any given day. Your captain will likely have live shrimp, finger mullet, or mud minnows in the livewell, plus an arsenal of artificial lures. For redfish, you might be sight casting to tailing fish in shallow grass flats or working oyster bars with cut bait. Spotted sea trout love structure, so expect to fish around docks, creek mouths, and drop-offs with popping corks and soft plastics. When the kings are running, you'll troll spoons or slow-troll live bait along the beaches. Summer flounder fishing means bouncing jigs along sandy bottoms or working them around bridge pilings. The crew will set you up with the right gear for each species and show you the techniques that produce results in these waters.
Summer flounder are one of Jacksonville's most popular targets, and for good reason. These flatfish can reach impressive sizes – we're talking fish in the 20-inch range that'll feed the whole family. They're ambush predators that bury themselves in sand and mud, waiting for baitfish to swim by. Best fishing is typically spring through fall, with the bigger females showing up during their spawning runs. What makes flounder so exciting is the way they hit – sometimes it's just a subtle tap, other times they'll slam your bait and take off. Plus, they're some of the best eating fish in these waters.
King mackerel are the speed demons of Jacksonville's offshore and nearshore waters. These torpedo-shaped fish can stretch past three feet and put up an absolute battle once hooked. Kings are known for their blistering runs and aerial acrobatics – they'll strip line off your reel faster than you can believe. Peak season runs from spring through early fall when they're following bait schools along the coast. The trick is finding the right temperature breaks and bait concentrations. When you hook into a smoker king, you'll know exactly why anglers get addicted to targeting these fish.
Sea trout, or spotted seatrout as they're properly called, are the bread and butter of Jacksonville inshore fishing. These beautiful fish with their distinctive black spots are available year-round, though they're most active during warmer months. They school up around grass beds, oyster bars, and creek mouths, making them relatively predictable targets. What anglers love about trout fishing is the variety – you might catch schoolie fish in the 12-15 inch range, or luck into a gator trout pushing five pounds or better. They hit both live and artificial baits with enthusiasm, making them perfect for anglers of all skill levels.
Redfish are probably Jacksonville's most iconic inshore species. These copper-colored bruisers with their distinctive black spots are built for power, not speed. What makes reds so special is their willingness to eat and their fighting ability – they'll pull drag and make long, stubborn runs toward structure. Jacksonville's marshes and grass flats are perfect redfish habitat, and you'll often see them tailing in shallow water, creating some of the most exciting sight fishing opportunities on the East Coast. They're available year-round, though fall and spring typically offer the best action. Whether you hook a slot-sized fish or a bull red over the size limit, you're in for a memorable fight.
Half day charters book up fast, especially during peak fishing seasons and weekends. Black Flag Charters has built a solid reputation around Jacksonville for putting clients on fish and providing a professional, enjoyable experience on the water. The four-hour format is perfect for families with kids, couples looking for a fun morning or afternoon activity, or experienced anglers who want to maximize their fishing time without the full day commitment. With the option to add extra guests for just fifty dollars per person, it's an affordable way to get a group out on the water. Don't wait too long to reserve your dates – the best fishing days fill up quickly, and you don't want to miss out on some of Jacksonville's world-class inshore fishing action.
This 2017 Carolina Skiff center console is your ticket to Jacksonville's best inshore fishing spots. At 25 feet with a powerful 175HP Suzuki engine, she'll cruise at 40 knots to get you on the fish fast. The boat handles beautifully in shallow waters where redfish and spotted sea trout love to hang out, while the wireless trolling motor lets you sneak up on wary flounder without spooking them. Everything you need is onboard - GPS to mark productive spots, fish finder to locate schools, and an icebox to keep your drinks cold and your catch fresh. Built for up to four anglers, there's plenty of casting room around the center console. Whether you're targeting king mackerel offshore or working the grass flats for reds, this Carolina Skiff delivers the perfect platform for your Jacksonville fishing adventure.
Scomberomorus CavallaKings are the speed demons of our waters, and they'll test your drag system for sure. These torpedo-shaped fighters average 20-40 pounds, but we regularly see fish pushing 50-60 pounds during peak season. You'll find them cruising in 40-150 feet of water along temperature breaks and around structure. Spring through fall is money time, especially when water temps hit that 72-78 degree sweet spot. What gets people hooked is that first screaming run - they'll peel line like nothing else and jump when they're mad. Plus, they make great table fare when prepared right. The key to landing kings is running two hooks on a wire leader. Hook your live bait through the nose with the first hook, then pin a treble hook near the tail. Kings love to grab baitfish from behind, so that stinger hook back there will nail them when they commit.
Sciaenops OcellatusReds are what inshore fishing is all about - copper-colored bruisers with that signature black spot near the tail. Most of our fish run 18-27 inches, but we get into some bull reds that'll straighten hooks if you're not careful. They love super shallow water, sometimes so skinny their backs stick out, around oyster bars, grass flats, and mangrove shorelines. Year-round fishing here, but fall and winter are prime when they school up and feed heavy. What gets people excited is watching a red crush a topwater lure in 2 feet of water - pure adrenaline. They're also fantastic eating with that mild, sweet flavor. Pro tip: when you're sight-fishing reds in skinny water, cast well ahead of where they're cruising and let your lure sit still. Then give it one tiny twitch when they get close - that subtle movement triggers the bite better than anything.
Salmo TruttaSpotted sea trout, or "specks" as we call them, are one of our most reliable inshore targets. These beauties typically run 14-20 inches with their distinctive black spots and soft white meat that's hard to beat on the dinner table. You'll find them over grass flats, around oyster bars, and in 2-8 feet of water where they cruise looking for shrimp and small baitfish. They bite year-round here, but spring and fall are your best bets when water temps are in the 70s. What anglers love about trout is they're aggressive feeders and great fighters for their size, plus they're perfect for beginners. The secret weapon is a popping cork with live shrimp or a soft plastic underneath. Work it slow with gentle pops - the sound drives them crazy and brings them up from the grass.
Paralichthys DentatusSummer flounder are those fascinating flatfish that live on the bottom with both eyes on their left side - pretty wild when you think about it. They're masters of camouflage, changing colors to match the seafloor while waiting to ambush prey. Most run 15-20 inches, but we catch some nice ones pushing 5-6 pounds. You'll find them on sandy and muddy bottoms in 10-40 feet of water, especially around inshore reefs and structure. Fall is prime time - September through November when they're most active and feeding heavily before winter. What makes them fun is the sneaky bite and solid fight, plus they're some of the best eating fish in these waters. Here's the trick: when you feel that tap-tap, don't set the hook right away. Let them run with it for a few seconds - they bite sideways and need time to turn the bait around.
Jacksonville