5.0(1 Reviews)Private 2-Person Inshore Charter with Capt. Dave
5.0(1 reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Private 2person inshore fishing charter with 28year veteran guideTarget redfish, seatrout, and black drum on St. Johns RiverAll equipment, tackle, licensing, and coolers included in rate
Looking for a laid-back fishing experience that follows the rhythm of the tides? Capt. Dave brings 28 years of local knowledge to Jacksonville's prime inshore waters, and he's ready to show you why the St. Johns River and surrounding saltmarsh consistently produce some of Florida's best fishing. This isn't a rushed, cookie-cutter trip – it's a proper inshore charter where Mother Nature sets the schedule and the tides tell us when it's time to head home. You'll fish aboard the Jettywolf, a brand-new 2025 custom-built 20-footer designed specifically for shallow water success. With just two anglers max, you get personalized attention and plenty of elbow room to work the flats and grass beds where the fish actually live.
Your day kicks off between 7-8am, though winter trips might start a bit later depending on conditions. Capt. Dave runs his charters based on the 6-hour tidal cycles that drive fish movement in these waters – and trust me, he's got this timing dialed in after nearly three decades on Jacksonville's flats. The Jettywolf's shallow draft design lets you access spots that bigger boats simply can't reach, putting you right where redfish cruise the grass edges and seatrout ambush baitfish in the cuts. Everything's included – rods, reels, tackle, coolers, ice, safety gear, and your fishing license. Just bring a grocery bag with snacks and drinks, wear soft-soled shoes (no work boots or flip-flops), and dress for the weather. Payment's handled upfront, so there's no awkward money exchange at the dock after a long day in the sun. Fish cleaning is available on a gratuity basis once you're back at the trailer.
Capt. Dave adapts his approach based on what the fish are doing, but you can expect a mix of bottom fishing, casting jig heads, and drifting slip floats with live, natural, and artificial baits. The beauty of inshore fishing here is the variety – one minute you might be sight-casting to tailing redfish in two feet of water, the next you're working a grass flat with a popping cork and live shrimp. The captain uses a combination of techniques that match the conditions, tides, and seasonal patterns. Being able to cast spinning tackle is pretty important for getting the most out of your trip, since a lot of the best action happens when you can accurately place your bait in pockets and along structure. Participants need to be mobile and comfortable moving around the boat, as positioning is key when you're working shallow water where fish spook easily.
"Took the kids 15y and 4yr, both got seasick but Captain Dave not only handled well but with the shorter on open water experience took us up river for sightseeing and a bit of history it was a great end" - Rhonda
Redfish are the bread and butter of Jacksonville inshore fishing, and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers love the grass flats and oyster bars throughout the area, often feeding in water so shallow their backs break the surface. They're aggressive fighters that make screaming runs, and they're excellent table fare. Fall and spring offer the most consistent action, though you can find reds year-round if you know where to look. What makes them special is their willingness to eat just about anything – live shrimp, cut bait, artificial lures – and their habit of cruising predictable routes along the grass lines.
Sea trout are another customer favorite, especially the larger "gator" trout that patrol deeper grass beds and channel edges. These spotted beauties are incredibly fun on light tackle, with a soft mouth that requires finesse to land consistently. They're most active during cooler months and low-light periods, making early morning starts particularly productive. Seatrout are excellent eating when handled properly, and they often school up in numbers that can make for fast action when you find them.
Southern flounder are the masters of camouflage, lying flat on sandy bottoms waiting to ambush passing prey. These flatfish are prized for their mild, flaky meat and their sneaky fighting style – they don't jump or run, but they use their flat profile to create surprising resistance. Fall migration periods bring the largest doormat-sized flounder through Jacksonville's inshore waters, making them a sought-after target for anglers who appreciate both the challenge and the dinner table rewards.
Sheepshead might be the most finicky biters in the marsh, but they're worth the effort for their incredible eating quality and their reputation as tackle busters. These black-and-white striped convicts have human-like teeth and a habit of hanging around oyster bars and dock pilings. They require patience and precise bait presentation, but once you figure out their feeding pattern, they can provide steady action. Winter months are prime time for sheepshead in Northeast Florida waters.
Crevalle jack add pure excitement to any inshore trip with their explosive strikes and bulldog fighting ability. These silver torpedoes travel in schools and attack bait with reckless abandon, often creating surface chaos that gets every angler's heart pumping. While they're not typically kept for the table, jacks are perfect for catch-and-release fun and they're excellent bait for larger predator species. They're most common during warmer months when baitfish schools are thick in the rivers and creeks.
Capt. Dave's approach to inshore fishing represents what Jacksonville charter fishing should be – relaxed, productive, and tailored to what's actually happening on the water rather than watching the clock. With 28 years of local experience and a boat designed specifically for these waters, you're getting authentic Florida inshore fishing at its
Meet the Jettywolf, your ticket to some serious inshore action around Jacksonville's waters. This custom 20-foot side console by Hanko Metal Works cuts through the shallows like butter with its Suzuki 90HP pushing you to the hotspots. The boat's rigged for success with a state-of-the-art 36V trolling motor that runs whisper-quiet when you're stalking redfish in skinny water, plus a fish finder and GPS to keep you on the fish. What sets this bay boat apart is the fishing room – more space to work than most boats this size, thanks to smart design and layout. The bait well keeps your live shrimp and finger mullet frisky, while the icebox handles your catch and cold drinks. Atlas Jack Plate gets you into water so shallow other boats can't follow, and those spud poles anchor you solid when the tide's moving. Captain Dave's got this boat dialed in for St. Johns River and saltmarsh fishing. Whether you're sight-casting to tailing reds, drifting for trout, or working structure for black drum, the Jettywolf puts you in position to score. The wireless trolling motor means you can sneak up on spooky fish without spooking them, and when it's time to run, that Suzuki gets you there fast. Float-pods add stability and confidence in rough chop, so you can focus on putting fish in the box instead of hanging on.
Caranx HipposCrevalle Jack are the bullies of the inshore waters - bronze-backed bruisers that fight way above their weight class. Most run 3-8 pounds, but the big ones can hit 15-20 pounds and absolutely smoke your drag. Look for them busting bait on the surface, often with birds diving overhead. They roam everywhere from shallow flats to deeper channels, following schools of baitfish. Spring through fall they're most active, especially when the water's warm and baitfish are thick. Guests love the pure adrenaline rush - these fish hit hard and make blistering runs that'll test your equipment. They're not great table fare, so we usually release them to fight another day. Key tip: when you see birds working, get there fast and throw anything silver or white. Cast past the school and rip it back through - they can't resist the chase.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the copper-colored bulldogs of the flats, sporting that signature black spot near their tail. Most slot fish run 18-27 inches, but the big bulls can push 30+ inches and really test your drag. They love super shallow water - sometimes so shallow their backs show above the surface. You'll find them cruising oyster bars, grass flats, and marsh edges, especially on moving tides. They bite year-round here, but fall is magic when they school up thick. Guests go crazy for them because they pull like freight trains and make that classic redfish run that'll strip line in a hurry. Plus, they're fantastic on the table with firm, sweet meat. Pro tip: when you spot one tailing in shallow water, cast your bait well ahead of where they're moving and let them find it - spook them and they're gone.
Salmo TruttaSpotted Seatrout, or "specks," are our bread-and-butter inshore fish with their silver sides covered in black spots. They typically run 12-16 inches, but the big females can hit 20+ inches and 3-4 pounds. You'll find them over grass flats, around oyster bars, and in deeper holes during cold snaps. Spring through fall is prime time, especially on moving tides around dawn and dusk. They're ambush feeders that love to cruise the grass edges hunting shrimp and baitfish. Guests love their scrappy fight and the way they'll blow up on topwater lures. The meat is white, flaky, and mild - perfect for the dinner table. Best tip I can give you: fish the edges where grass meets sand, use a popping cork with live shrimp, and work it slow. When they hit, they'll often hook themselves.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the "convict fish" with their black and white stripes, and they're some of the smartest fish we target. Most run 1-3 pounds, but the big ones can push 8-10 pounds around dock pilings and bridge structures. They've got human-like teeth for crushing barnacles and crabs, which is what they're always hunting. Winter through early spring is when they stack up thick around structures before spawning. They love any hard bottom with barnacles - docks, bridges, jetties, even crab traps. Folks enjoy the challenge because these fish are notorious bait thieves with a delicate bite, plus they're some of the best eating around. Here's the trick: use a small hook with fresh shrimp, get right against the structure, and when you feel them picking at it, don't hesitate - set that hook quick and hard.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern Flounder are flat, diamond-shaped fish that bury themselves in sand and mud bottoms to ambush prey. Most run 15-18 inches around here, but you can find some pushing 25+ inches in deeper holes. They're masters of camouflage - both eyes sit on their left side, and they change colors to match the bottom. Fall through early winter is prime time when they're moving toward inlets to spawn. They hang around creek mouths, channel edges, and anywhere the current washes baitfish by. Guests love them because they're sneaky fighters and make fantastic table fare - sweet, flaky meat that's hard to beat. My tip: when you feel that subtle tap-tap, don't set the hook right away. Let them take it and run a few feet first, then nail 'em hard.
5.0 out of 5.0Took the kids 15y and 4yr, both got seasick but Captain Dave not only handled well but with the shorter on open water experience t...
Jacksonville