Half Day Seasonal Fishing In Jacksonville
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fivehour inshore charter targeting redfish and snook species.Expert guides provide access to Jacksonville's productive fishing grounds.Artificial lure casting techniques for serious anglers only.
If you're tired of casual fishing trips that feel more like sightseeing tours, Blue Cyclone Inland Charters has the remedy. This 5-hour inshore charter is built for anglers who want to fish hard, fish smart, and bring home stories worth telling. Captain and crew know exactly where Jacksonville's redfish are stacked up, where the snook are ambushing bait, and when the sea trout bite turns on like a light switch. You'll spend your time in the most productive backwaters, grass flats, and structure around Jacksonville – places where trophy fish actually live, not just the postcard spots that look pretty but fish poorly.
This isn't your typical "let's see what happens" fishing trip. From the moment you push off, you're working with guides who've dialed in the seasonal patterns that make or break a day on the water. Five hours gives you serious time to cover ground and adapt to what the fish are doing. Maybe the redfish are tailing in skinny water during the morning low tide, or the snook are holding tight to dock lights from the night before. Your captain reads the conditions – water temp, tide movement, bait activity – and positions you where the bite is most likely to pop off. Expect to move between spots, targeting different species as conditions change throughout the day. This charter maxes out at two anglers, so you're never fighting for rod time or waiting your turn to work a hot spot.
Artificial lures are the name of the game here, and for good reason. Jacksonville's inshore fish are incredibly structure-oriented, and throwing artificials lets you work those tight spots without constantly hanging up or spooking fish with heavy sinkers. You'll be casting soft plastics on jig heads, working topwater plugs over grass beds, and bouncing spoons along drop-offs. The guides will match your tackle to the conditions – lighter setups when the water's clear and the fish are finicky, heavier gear when you're pulling big reds out of heavy cover. Spinning reels loaded with 15-20 lb braid are standard, giving you the sensitivity to feel subtle bites while having enough backbone to turn fish away from structure. Expect to do plenty of sight fishing, especially for redfish cruising the flats. Your guide will pole or use the trolling motor to keep you in casting range while staying quiet enough not to blow out the school.
Southern flounder are the masters of disguise in Jacksonville's inshore waters, lying perfectly camouflaged on sandy bottoms and ambushing anything that swims by. These flatfish can reach impressive sizes – 3 to 5 pounders are common, with occasional doormat flounder pushing 6-8 pounds. Fall and early winter are prime time when they're fattening up before their offshore spawning run. What makes flounder fishing exciting is the technique: you're bouncing soft plastics or bucktails along the bottom, feeling for that subtle thump that signals a flounder has inhaled your lure. The bite feels like you've snagged a wet towel, but once they realize they're hooked, these fish put up a surprisingly strong fight.
Snook are Jacksonville's ultimate inshore gamefish, combining explosive strikes with acrobatic fights that'll test your drag system. These fish are incredibly structure-oriented – you'll find them around docks, bridge pilings, mangrove overhangs, and oyster bars where they can ambush passing bait. Snook in this area typically run 20-30 inches, with slot-sized fish being perfect table fare. They're most active during dawn and dusk periods, especially when the tide is moving and pushing bait through their territory. The strike of a snook is unmistakable – a violent explosion that'll nearly rip the rod from your hands, followed by gill-rattling jumps and powerful runs toward structure.
Tarpon bring the big-game excitement to inshore waters, and Jacksonville sees both juvenile tarpon year-round and adult fish during their seasonal migrations. Juvenile tarpon in the 10-40 pound range offer world-class light tackle action, jumping repeatedly and testing your endurance with long, powerful runs. Adult tarpon, when they're moving through in spring and summer, can exceed 100 pounds and provide some of the most challenging fishing you'll ever experience. These silver kings are notorious for their aerial displays – often jumping 6 feet out of the water while shaking their heads violently to throw the hook.
Sea trout are the bread-and-butter species that keep action consistent throughout the trip. These spotted beauties love grass flats and deeper holes adjacent to shallow water, where they feed aggressively on shrimp, small fish, and crabs. Jacksonville's sea trout typically range from 14-20 inches, with occasional "gator trout" exceeding 24 inches and 5 pounds. They're most active during moving tides and low-light periods, making them perfect targets for topwater lures at dawn and soft plastics throughout the day. The bite of a good sea trout is distinctive – a solid thump followed by headshakes that you can feel through the rod.
Redfish are the superstars of Jacksonville inshore fishing, offering both numbers and size that keep anglers coming back. These copper-colored bruisers can be found in water so shallow their backs are out of the water, or holding in deeper channels and oyster bars. Jacksonville reds typically range from 18-30 inches, with upper slot and oversized fish providing serious pulling power. What makes redfish special is their versatility – they'll eat topwater plugs, soft plastics, spoons, and live bait with equal enthusiasm. During cooler months, schools of redfish stack up in deeper water, creating opportunities for multiple hookups that'll have you questioning whether your drag is set correctly.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the backbone of our inshore fishing - copper-colored bruisers with distinctive black spots near their tails. Most slot fish run 18-27 inches, but we see plenty of oversized bulls pushing 35+ inches that'll really test your drag. These fish live in skinny water - oyster bars, grass flats, and creek mouths from 1-8 feet deep. Year-round fishing is solid, but fall and spring offer the best action when they're feeding heavily. What makes reds special is their power and that signature tail-walking fight, plus they're fantastic table fare with sweet, firm meat. You'll often see them tailing in shallow water, making for exciting sight fishing opportunities. Key tip: when you spot a tailing red, cast well ahead and let your bait settle before working it slowly into their feeding zone.
Salmo TruttaSpotted sea trout are a bread-and-butter inshore species that'll keep your rod bent all day. These speckled beauties typically run 12-18 inches with some nice ones pushing 20+ inches. They love grass flats, oyster bars, and drop-offs in 3-12 feet of water. Dawn and dusk are magic times, but they'll bite all day in cooler months. What makes them popular is their willingness to hit artificials and their excellent eating quality - sweet, flaky white meat that's perfect for the dinner table. They school up tight in winter, making for some fast action. My go-to technique is working a soft plastic shrimp or jig head slowly over grass beds. Listen for that distinctive croaking sound when you land one - it means you're in a good school.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are the ultimate inshore challenge - they're moody, structure-loving fish that'll test your skills. These silver-sided beauties average 18-24 inches, but the big girls can push 35+ inches and really bend your rod. Look for them around docks, mangroves, jetties, and bridge pilings in 2-10 feet of water. They love current breaks and ambush points. Spring through fall are your best bets, especially during moving tides. What makes them addictive is that explosive strike and bulldogging fight - they'll run straight for cover every time. Plus, they're catch-and-release only, so it's all about the sport. Here's the key: present your lure just upcurrent of structure and let it drift naturally into their strike zone.
Paralichthys LethostigmaThese flatfish are masters of disguise - they'll bury themselves in sand and mud, waiting to ambush prey with both eyes on one side of their head. Most run 15-18 inches, but we see some pushing 25+ inches in deeper holes. They love shallow bays, creek mouths, and sandy bottoms from 2-15 feet deep. Fall and winter are prime time when they're feeding heavy before moving offshore. What makes them special is that perfect ambush strike and their excellent table fare - sweet, flaky meat that's hard to beat. My tip: work your jig or live bait slow along the bottom near structure changes. When you feel that subtle tap, don't set the hook right away - let them run with it a second, then stick 'em.
Megalops AtlanticusTarpon are pure adrenaline on the end of your line - 4-6 foot silver kings that'll jump clear out of the water when hooked. These prehistoric fish can live 50+ years and weigh 80-200 pounds, making every hookup a memory maker. We find them rolling in deeper channels, around bridges, and staging in the river systems. Late spring through summer is prime time when they're most active. What gets anglers hooked is those aerial displays - nothing beats watching a 100-pound fish cartwheel through the air. They're catch-and-release only since the meat's bony and tough. Pro tip: when they jump, bow to the fish by lowering your rod tip toward them - keeps that line slack and prevents them from throwing the hook during their acrobatics.
Jacksonville, FL