Quarter Day Fishing Adventure - Jacksonville FL
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Sixhour inshore fishing charter targeting multiple coastal speciesTwoperson capacity with affordable guest additions at $50 eachProfessional guidance suitable for all angling experience levels
Looking for some solid fishing action without burning your whole day? Black Flag Charters has you covered with their quarter day trips that pack serious fish-catching potential into a focused six-hour window. Based right here in Jacksonville, these guys know exactly where to put you on the bite when time's at a premium. Perfect for couples or small groups of two, with room to bring along extra fishing buddies for just fifty bucks a head. You'll be targeting some of the most sought-after species in Northeast Florida waters - king mackerel, sea trout, flounder, and redfish - all while staying close enough to shore that you're back at the dock with plenty of day left over.
This isn't your typical half-day charter where you spend more time running than fishing. Black Flag Charters keeps things efficient by hitting productive inshore spots where multiple species hang out. You'll launch from one of Jacksonville's well-positioned marinas and head to structure-rich areas where the St. Johns River meets the Atlantic. The boat's rigged with quality gear, but feel free to bring your own setup if you've got favorites. Captain knows these waters like the back of his hand - from the jetties and oyster bars to the grass flats and creek mouths where fish stack up depending on tide and season. Expect a mix of drift fishing, anchored bottom fishing, and some light tackle action that keeps everyone engaged regardless of skill level.
You'll be using a variety of approaches depending on what's biting best. For the kings, expect to pull live bait or lures around structure and bait schools - wire leaders are a must with those razor-sharp teeth. Sea trout fishing typically involves working soft plastics or live shrimp around grass beds and sandy pockets. Flounder action happens with bucktails, gulp baits, or live finger mullet worked slow along the bottom near drop-offs and channel edges. Redfish are ambush predators, so you'll be casting to oyster bars, dock pilings, and shallow flats using everything from topwater plugs to cut bait. The captain provides all necessary tackle, but bringing a medium-action spinning rod spooled with 15-20lb braid gives you versatility for whatever decides to bite.
Summer Flounder are the ultimate bottom dwellers and one of the tastiest fish swimming in Jacksonville waters. These flatfish can reach impressive sizes - anything over three pounds is a solid keeper, but don't be surprised if you hook into a five-plus-pound doormat. They're most active during moving tides when baitfish get stirred up along channel edges and structure. Flounder are masters of camouflage, lying buried in sand waiting to ambush prey, which makes the bite feel like you've snagged bottom until that head shake gives them away. Peak season runs from spring through early fall, with the biggest fish showing up during their fall migration to deeper water.
King Mackerel are the speed demons of the offshore scene, but they regularly patrol inshore waters around Jacksonville's jetties and nearshore reefs. These fish are built for speed with torpedo-shaped bodies and can easily hit 20-30 pounds, with occasional giants pushing 40-plus. Kings are schooling fish that follow bait movements, so when you find one, there's usually more around. They're known for spectacular runs and acrobatic jumps that'll test your drag settings and reflexes. Best action typically happens from late spring through fall when water temperatures climb and bait schools are thick. The fight is what keeps anglers coming back - pure adrenaline from hook-up to boat.
Sea Trout are year-round residents that provide consistent action and excellent table fare. These spotted beauties prefer grass flats, creek mouths, and areas with good water flow. A good trout runs 15-20 inches, but Jacksonville waters regularly produce gator trout exceeding 24 inches that are true trophies. They're aggressive feeders that hit both live bait and artificials with enthusiasm. Sea trout are perfect for light tackle fishing - their soft mouths require smooth drags and steady pressure. They're most active during dawn, dusk, and moving tides, making them ideal targets for quarter day trips that time the bite windows right.
Redfish are the crown jewel of inshore fishing, combining brute strength with surprising intelligence. These copper-colored bruisers can range from slot-sized fish around 18-27 inches up to oversized bulls that'll spool you if you're not ready. Reds are structure-oriented fish that love oyster bars, docks, and shallow flats where they root around for crabs and shrimp. They're famous for their bulldogging fights - no fancy jumps, just sustained power that tests your equipment and endurance. Jacksonville's year-round redfish population means consistent opportunities, with fall months typically producing the largest specimens as schools of big fish cruise the flats during their spawning activities.
Six hours on the water targeting four of Jacksonville's most popular species with an experienced local captain - that's solid value for serious anglers. Black Flag Charters has dialed in the formula for productive quarter day trips that maximize fishing time while keeping things affordable and accessible. Whether you're locals looking for a quick fishing fix or visitors wanting to sample Northeast Florida's renowned inshore action, this trip delivers the goods. The flexible guest capacity means couples can enjoy a private charter experience, or you can bring along friends and family to share the action. Don't wait around - good fishing dates fill up fast, especially during peak seasons when the bite is hottest.
Your fishing adventure awaits aboard our reliable 25-foot Carolina Skiff center console, powered by a robust 175HP Suzuki engine that'll get you to the hottest fishing spots around Jacksonville's waters at speeds up to 40 knots. This 2017 vessel comes equipped with everything serious anglers need - a quality fish finder to locate schools of redfish and sea trout, GPS navigation to mark your productive spots, and an icebox to keep your catch fresh and drinks cold throughout the day. The wireless trolling motor lets you move quietly through shallow waters where flounder hide and king mackerel cruise. Built for comfort and performance, this center console design gives you 360-degree fishing access while accommodating up to four anglers, though we keep groups intimate at just two guests for the best fishing experience. Whether you're casting lines in the backwaters or heading offshore, this well-maintained fishing platform delivers the stability and features you need for a successful day on Jacksonville's productive fishing grounds.
Scomberomorus CavallaKing mackerel are speed demons that'll test your drag and your patience. These torpedo-shaped predators average around 30 pounds but can push past 90. You'll find them in 40-150 feet offshore, often around structure, temperature breaks, or bait schools. Spring through fall offers the best action when water temps hit that sweet spot of 68-84°F. What hooks anglers is their blistering runs - they're built for speed and will strip line like crazy. Plus, they're solid eating with rich, flaky meat. Around Jacksonville, we target them by slow-trolling live bait or pulling spoons and plugs. Here's a local trick: rig your live bait with a stinger hook about 6 inches back from the nose hook. Kings love to hit baitfish from behind, and that rear hook will save you from a lot of short strikes and cut-offs from their razor-sharp teeth.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the ultimate shallow water thrill, often feeding in water so skinny their backs stick out. These copper-colored bruisers with distinctive black spots near their tails typically range from slot-size around 20-27 inches to oversized bulls pushing 40+ inches. They love oyster bars, grass flats, and marsh edges in 1-4 feet of water. Fall and spring offer prime fishing, but they're catchable year-round in our Jacksonville waters. What makes reds special is their aggressive strikes and bulldog fights - they'll drag you into structure if you let them. Plus, slot fish are excellent table fare. The bigger bulls are mainly catch-and-release. Here's my go-to approach: sight-cast topwater plugs or soft plastics ahead of cruising fish. When you spot their backs or tails, cast past them and work the bait into their path. Patience pays off - let them find the bait naturally.
Salmo TruttaSpotted sea trout, or "specks," are one of our most consistent inshore targets around Jacksonville. These silvery beauties with dark spots typically run 14-24 inches and fight harder than their size suggests. You'll find them in 2-8 feet over grass flats, around oyster bars, and in marsh creeks. Spring and fall are peak seasons, but they bite year-round if you know where to look. What anglers love is their willingness to hit topwater lures at dawn and dusk - nothing beats that explosive surface strike. They're also fantastic eating with tender, flaky white meat. During cooler months, they school up in deeper channels and creek bends. My favorite technique is working a soft plastic shrimp or grub under a popping cork. The key is making subtle pops to attract attention, then letting the bait fall naturally. Trout are spooky, so keep noise to a minimum.
Paralichthys DentatusSummer flounder are master ambush predators that lie flat on sandy bottoms, perfectly camouflaged with both eyes on their left side. These "doormat" flatfish typically run 15-20 inches but can hit 26 pounds. You'll find them in 10-40 feet around Jacksonville's inshore waters, especially near structure and drop-offs. Fall through early winter is prime time when they're feeding heavily before moving offshore. What makes flounder special is watching them completely disappear into the sand, then explode on your bait. They're excellent table fare with sweet, white meat. My go-to tip: use a bucktail jig tipped with strip bait or live minnow, and work it slow along the bottom. When you feel that telltale tap, give them a few seconds to fully take the bait before setting the hook - they bite sideways and need time to turn it.
Jacksonville