Half Day Fishing Trip - Jacksonville Inshore
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Four-hour inshore charter targeting redfish, trout, and flounderAll equipment, bait, tackle, and fishing licenses includedCaptain Ty Sikes guides guests to productive Jacksonville waters
Captain Ty Sikes has been putting anglers on fish in Jacksonville's productive inshore waters for years, and this 4-hour charter is exactly what you need to get your line wet and cooler full. Whether you're a weekend warrior looking to shake off the rust or bringing the family out for their first taste of saltwater fishing, this trip hits all the right notes. You'll target the Holy Trinity of Jacksonville inshore fishing - Redfish, Speckled Trout, and Summer Flounder - in waters that consistently produce quality fish year-round. With a maximum of 3 anglers, you get personalized attention and plenty of elbow room to fish comfortably.
This isn't your typical crowded party boat experience. Captain Ty keeps groups small so everyone gets hands-on instruction and prime fishing spots along the boat. You'll launch from one of Jacksonville's convenient ramps and head straight to where the fish are biting - whether that's grass flats holding trout, oyster bars where redfish cruise, or sandy bottoms where flounder ambush baitfish. The 4-hour window gives you enough time to hit multiple spots and adapt to what's working best that day. Captain Ty reads the water like a book, adjusting locations based on tide, weather, and recent fish activity. Don't worry about bringing anything except your drinks, snacks, and fishing license - everything else is provided and ready to go.
You'll be fishing with quality spinning rods and reels perfectly matched for inshore species, rigged with everything from live shrimp under popping corks to soft plastic baits on jig heads. Captain Ty knows when to switch between live bait and artificials based on conditions and fish behavior. The boat is equipped with a good sonar system to locate structure, bait schools, and fish-holding areas. You might find yourself sight fishing to tailing redfish in shallow water one minute, then drifting live bait along a drop-off for trout the next. The beauty of inshore fishing around Jacksonville is the variety - oyster bars, grass flats, creek mouths, and channel edges all hold different species and require slightly different approaches. Captain Ty walks you through each technique as conditions change throughout the trip.
Summer Flounder are the chameleons of Jacksonville's inshore waters, perfectly camouflaged against sandy and muddy bottoms where they wait to ambush unsuspecting baitfish. These flatfish typically range from 14 to 20 inches in local waters, with some doormat-sized fish pushing 24 inches or more during peak season from late spring through early fall. What makes flounder fishing so addictive is the subtle bite - you'll feel a gentle tap or slight weight on your line, then suddenly your rod loads up as the fish tries to burrow back into the bottom. They're masters of camouflage, changing color and pattern to match their surroundings perfectly. Captain Ty knows the specific sandy holes, channel edges, and structure where these fish stage, and he'll teach you the slow, methodical retrieve that triggers their predatory instincts.
Sea Trout, particularly the beautiful Speckled Trout, are the bread and butter of Jacksonville inshore fishing and arguably the most cooperative species you'll encounter. These silvery fighters with their distinctive spotted flanks typically run 15 to 22 inches in these waters, with gator trout over 25 inches providing world-class battles on light tackle. They're most active during moving tides around grass flats, creek mouths, and drop-offs where they school up to feed on shrimp and baitfish. What anglers love about specks is their willingness to hit both live bait and artificials - you can catch them on everything from live shrimp under a popping cork to paddle-tail soft plastics bounced along the bottom. The bite can be subtle or aggressive depending on their mood, and Captain Ty knows exactly how to read their behavior and adjust tactics accordingly.
Redfish are the premier inshore game fish around Jacksonville, and for good reason. These bronze-backed bulldogs average 20 to 28 inches in local waters, with slot fish providing incredible fights in shallow water. What sets reds apart is their versatility - you'll find them cruising oyster bars, tailing in skinny water, and schooling around structure throughout the year. They're particularly exciting because you can often see them before you cast, whether they're pushing wakes in shallow flats or showing their backs as they root around oyster beds. The fight is pure power - redfish use their broad sides and strong tails to make blistering runs that'll have your drag singing. Jacksonville's year-round fishery means you can target quality reds in any season, though fall and winter often produce the most consistent action as baitfish congregate in the area's numerous creeks and backwaters.
Captain Ty's reputation for putting clients on fish speaks for itself, and this top-rated half-day trip fills up fast during peak seasons. The 3-angler limit means you get personalized instruction and prime fishing real estate without feeling rushed or crowded. Everything's included except your drinks and snacks, so you can focus on what matters - getting tight to some quality Jacksonville inshore fish. Remember that deposits are non-refundable, so pick your date and commit to it. Whether you're looking to introduce kids to saltwater fishing, improve your own technique, or simply spend a morning doing what you love, this trip delivers the goods. Book now and get ready to experience why Jacksonville's inshore waters consistently produce some of Florida's best fishing action.
Captain Ty's 17-foot Ranger flats boat is built for Jacksonville's shallow inshore waters where redfish, trout, and flounder love to hide. This 2010 beauty runs on a reliable Mercury 115HP that'll get you to the fishing grounds fast, hitting speeds up to 50 knots when you need to chase the bite. The shallow draft design lets you sneak into those back-country spots where the big reds cruise the flats. Equipped with GPS to mark your productive holes, radar for those foggy mornings, and a quality fish finder to locate structure and baitfish. Perfect for up to 3 anglers who want to get serious about inshore fishing without the crowd of a bigger boat. Whether you're sight-casting to tailing redfish or working the grass beds for speckled trout, this rig gets you there quietly and efficiently.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the crown jewel of Jacksonville's inshore fishing, averaging 28-33 inches with those distinctive black spots near their tails. These copper-colored bruisers love super shallow water - often in just 1-4 feet around oyster bars, grass flats, and creek mouths. They're catchable year-round but really shine in fall and spring when they're most aggressive. What makes redfish special is their raw power - they'll make drag-screaming runs that test your tackle and nerves. Plus, they're curious fish that will eat everything from topwater plugs to live shrimp. The smaller "slot" fish are great eating with mild, sweet meat. Here in Jacksonville waters, my go-to trick is working gold spoons around oyster beds on moving tides. When you see that red back cruising the shallows, cast well ahead and let them find it.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled Trout are one of our most reliable inshore targets, running 14-24 inches on average with some pushing 5+ pounds. These silvery fish with black spots love grass flats, oyster bars, and drop-offs in 2-8 feet of water around Jacksonville. They're active year-round but really turn on during cooler months when they school up in deeper pockets. What guests love about trout is their willingness to hit artificial lures and their decent fight for their size. They're also some of the best eating fish we catch - white, flaky meat that's perfect for the dinner table. The key to consistent trout fishing here is working the edges where deeper water meets shallow grass. A local secret: on those tough days, try a slow-sinking twitch bait over the grass tops right at dawn or dusk. The bite can be subtle, so stay alert.
Paralichthys DentatusSummer Flounder are the "chameleons of the sea" - these flatfish blend perfectly with sandy bottoms using their amazing color-changing ability. They typically run 15-20 inches around Jacksonville, though bigger ones push 26 pounds. You'll find them lying on sandy flats and near structure in 10-30 feet of water. Fall months from September through November are prime time when they're most active and feeding heavily. What makes them special is their ambush style - they bury in sand with just their eyes showing, then explode on baitfish. The fight is different from other species - more of a bulldogging battle than jumping. They're excellent table fare too. Here's a local trick: when you feel that tap-tap bite, count to three before setting the hook. Flounder bite sideways and need time to turn the bait around.
Jacksonville