Full Day Inshore Fishing Jacksonville
Private Trip
River Fishing
Full 8-hour inshore fishing adventure targeting multiple speciesProfessional tackle, licenses, and equipment included with charterAccommodates up to 3 guests on Jacksonville waters
Jacksonville's inshore waters are some of Florida's most productive fishing grounds, and this 8-hour charter with Captain Cook puts you right in the heart of the action. You'll spend a full day working the flats, creeks, and estuaries that make the First Coast legendary among serious anglers. Whether you're after your first redfish or looking to add another speckled trout to your count, this trip gives you the time and expertise needed to make it happen. Captain Cook provides all the gear, tackle, and licenses – you just bring yourself and get ready to fish.
This isn't a rushed half-day trip where you barely get your line wet. Eight hours on Jacksonville's inshore waters means you can really settle in and fish properly. Captain Cook knows these waters like the back of his hand, and he'll move you around based on tides, weather, and what's biting that day. You might start the morning working shallow grass flats for redfish, then shift to deeper creek mouths when the tide changes. The boat accommodates up to three anglers, so you've got plenty of room to cast without tangling lines. Expect to cover serious ground – from the Nassau Sound area down to the St. Johns River system. The captain adjusts the game plan based on your skill level and what you want to target, whether that's quantity fishing for trout or hunting for that trophy red.
Captain Cook comes equipped with quality spinning and baitcasting setups matched to whatever you're targeting. For redfish and trout, you'll typically fish with medium-light to medium action rods paired with 2500-4000 series reels spooled with 15-20 lb braid. Live bait is king in these waters – expect to fish with shrimp, finger mullet, and mud minnows depending on what's available and what the fish want. Artificial lures play a big role too, especially soft plastics like paddle tails and jerk baits worked around structure. You'll learn to read the water, looking for signs like nervous bait, bird activity, and subtle current changes that indicate feeding fish. The captain will show you how to properly work different bottom types, from sandy potholes in grass beds to oyster bars and creek bends where predators ambush prey.
Southern Flounder are the masters of camouflage in Jacksonville's inshore waters. These flatfish bury themselves in sand and mud bottoms, waiting to ambush unsuspecting baitfish. Fall and winter months offer the best flounder action as they move toward inlets preparing for their offshore spawning run. You'll typically find them in 3-8 feet of water near creek mouths and around structure. A slow drift with live finger mullet or shrimp near the bottom is deadly effective. What makes flounder fishing exciting is the subtle bite – often just a slight tap or the line going slack as they grab your bait and swim toward you.
Tarpon show up in Jacksonville waters during the warmer months, typically from late spring through early fall. While you might not boat a 100-pounder on the flats, these "juvenile" tarpon in the 10-40 pound range are pure dynamite on medium tackle. They love to roll and feed in the early morning and late afternoon around creek mouths and deeper holes. Live crabs, shrimp, and small mullet will get their attention, but they're notorious for their hard mouths and acrobatic fights. Even a 20-pound tarpon will give you a show you won't forget.
Sheepshead are the convict fish of the inshore world, with their distinctive black stripes and world-class bait-stealing abilities. They're most active during cooler months around structure like docks, bridges, and oyster bars. These fish have human-like teeth designed for crushing shellfish, which makes them masters at picking baits clean without getting hooked. Fiddler crabs and barnacles are their favorite food, and matching that with small hooks and light leaders is the key to success. Don't let their reputation fool you – a 3-4 pound sheepshead will surprise you with how hard they pull.
Sea Trout, particularly the spotted variety, are Jacksonville's bread and butter inshore species. They're active year-round but peak during spring and fall transitions. These fish love grass flats in 2-6 feet of water, especially areas with sandy potholes and current flow. Live shrimp under a popping cork is the classic approach, but they'll also hammer soft plastic jigs and topwater plugs during active feeding periods. Speckled trout are fantastic eating fish, and their willingness to bite makes them perfect for anglers of all skill levels.
Redfish are the crown jewel of Jacksonville's inshore scene. These copper-colored bruisers patrol the flats, creeks, and shorelines looking for crabs, shrimp, and small fish. Fall months are prime time as schools of "bull" reds move through the area, but slot-sized fish are available year-round. You'll find them tailing in shallow water during low light periods, cruising grass edges on moving tides, and holding near structure during slack water. Redfish fight with bulldogging power and rarely give up easily. Their distinctive spotted tails and bronze coloration make them one of the most beautiful fish in these waters.
Jacksonville's inshore fishing scene is as good as it gets on Florida's east coast, and this full-day trip with Captain Cook gives you the best shot at experiencing it all. Eight hours on the water means you're not watching the clock – you're fishing until you've had your fill. The captain's local knowledge, quality equipment, and flexibility to adjust based on conditions make this a top-rated choice for serious anglers. Whether you're a Jacksonville local looking to learn new spots or a visitor wanting to experience world-class inshore fishing, this
Captain Carson's 22' Tidewater is your ticket to Jacksonville's best inshore fishing spots. This sleek motorboat packs a reliable 200 HP Evinrude that'll get you to the productive flats and winding creeks where the fish are biting. Built for serious anglers, she's equipped with a fish finder to locate schools and GPS to navigate the maze of backwater channels. The spacious deck comfortably handles up to 3 guests with room to move around when fighting that trophy redfish. An onboard icebox keeps your catch fresh and drinks cold during those long summer days on the water. Whether you're working the grass beds for spotted sea trout or targeting flounder around structure, this boat handles Jacksonville's shallow waters with ease. Quality tackle and safety gear are standard, so you can focus on what matters most – putting fish in the cooler and enjoying Florida's First Coast fishing at its finest.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are Jacksonville's signature species - bronze-backed beauties with that distinctive black spot near the tail. These fish run anywhere from slot-sized 18-27 inchers up to bull reds over 40 inches that'll test your tackle. They love super shallow water, often feeding with their backs out of the water on oyster bars, grass flats, and creek mouths. Year-round fishing is good, but fall is prime time when they school up for their spawning runs. What makes them special is their power and the sight-fishing opportunities - watching a big red cruise the shallows and eat your bait is pure excitement. They're great table fare in the slot, with firm, mild meat. Key tip: when you spot them tailing in shallow water, cast well ahead and let your bait settle naturally - spook them and they're gone. Gold spoons and live shrimp are hard to beat.
Salmo TruttaSpotted Sea Trout, or "specks" as we call them, are one of our most popular inshore targets. These silvery fish with black spots typically run 14-24 inches and 1-5 pounds, perfect for light tackle action. They love grass flats, oyster bars, and deeper holes in estuaries where they feed on shrimp and small baitfish. Spring through fall are prime, especially early morning and evening when they're actively feeding. What makes them great is their willingness to hit both live bait and artificials, plus they make good eating with tender, flaky white meat. They can be spooky in shallow water, so a quiet approach helps. My go-to trick is working a soft plastic shrimp or jig head slowly through the grass beds - let it fall and hop it back up. During cooler months, look for schools in deeper channels where they winter over.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the "convict fish" with their distinctive black and white stripes, but what really sets them apart are their human-like teeth. These 1-8 pound fish hang tight to structure - docks, pilings, jetties, anywhere with barnacles and oysters to munch on. They're most active in cooler months from fall through early spring when they move to spawn around passes and inlets. Anglers love targeting them because they're notorious bait thieves with a delicate bite, making them a real challenge. Plus, they're some of the best eating fish around with sweet, white meat. The trick is getting your bait right against the structure and being ready for that subtle tap - they'll steal your shrimp or fiddler crab clean off the hook if you're not paying attention. Use a small hook and set it hard when you feel them.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern Flounder are masters of disguise - these flat, oval-shaped fish blend perfectly into sandy and muddy bottoms where they ambush prey. Most run 15-18 inches and around 5 pounds, but you can find them up to 33 inches. Both eyes sit on their left side, giving them that distinctive look. They hang out in shallow coastal waters, estuaries, and around creek mouths where the bottom is soft. Fall and winter are prime time when they move toward passes and inlets. What makes them fun to target is their sneaky nature - one minute you're drifting over empty bottom, next you've got a nice flatfish on. They're excellent table fare with sweet, white meat. My tip: use a slow drift with live mud minnows or shrimp on a light jig head, and keep your bait moving just off the bottom.
Megalops AtlanticusTarpon are the silver kings of inshore fishing - massive fish that can reach 6+ feet and over 100 pounds. These prehistoric fish have been around for 125 million years and are built for spectacular jumps when hooked. You'll find them rolling in deeper channels, around bridges, and near passes, especially during their spring and summer migrations. They prefer waters with good current flow and plenty of baitfish. What draws anglers is the sheer power and acrobatics - watching a 100-pound tarpon launch itself 10 feet in the air is something you never forget. They're catch-and-release only due to their tough, bony meat and conservation status. Best fishing is early morning or late afternoon with live bait like mullet or crabs. Here's the key: when they jump, bow to the fish by pointing your rod tip toward them - it keeps slack in the line so they can't throw the hook.
Jacksonville