Half Day Fishing Trip in Jacksonville
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
4hour inshore charter targeting redfish, trout, and flounderAll equipment, bait, tackle, and licenses includedSuitable for beginners and experienced anglers alike
Four hours on Jacksonville's productive inshore waters with Captain Ty Sikes gives you plenty of time to put some serious fish in the cooler. This isn't just another fishing charter – it's your shot at targeting three of Northeast Florida's most sought-after species: Redfish, Speckled Trout, and Flounder. Whether you're new to saltwater fishing or you've been chasing these species for years, Captain Ty knows exactly where to find them and how to put you on the bite. With everything provided from rods and reels to bait and tackle, all you need to bring is your enthusiasm and maybe some snacks for the cooler.
Jacksonville's inshore waters offer some of the most consistent fishing on Florida's Atlantic coast, and Captain Ty has spent years learning every creek, oyster bar, and grass flat where these fish hang out. Your half-day trip starts early when the fish are most active, and you'll cover multiple spots to maximize your chances of steady action. The beauty of inshore fishing here is the variety – one cast might bring in a bull redfish, while the next could land a keeper trout or a nice flatfish. Captain Ty reads the water conditions, tide movement, and seasonal patterns to put you exactly where you need to be. The boat stays in protected waters, so even if it's a bit choppy offshore, you'll have a comfortable day on the flats and backcountry areas where these species thrive.
Captain Ty runs a fully equipped boat with quality spinning gear perfectly matched for inshore species. You'll be using live bait when it's available – shrimp, finger mullet, and mud minnows are local favorites that these fish can't resist. Artificial lures also play a big role, especially soft plastics worked around structure and grass beds where redfish and trout like to ambush prey. The captain adjusts techniques based on conditions and what's working that day. Sight fishing is a real possibility, especially for reds cruising the shallows, and there's nothing quite like watching a fish eat your bait in clear water. Bottom fishing with live or cut bait works well for flounder, particularly around dock pilings, channel edges, and sandy holes where they lay in wait. All fishing licenses are covered, so you're legal to fish from the moment you step aboard.
Redfish are the backbone of Jacksonville inshore fishing, and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers fight hard and grow big in these waters, with slot-size fish ranging from 18 to 27 inches providing excellent table fare while the oversized bulls offer pure adrenaline. Reds feed year-round but really turn on during fall months when they school up in massive numbers. They're ambush predators that love oyster bars, grass flats, and shallow creek mouths where baitfish get trapped by moving tides. What makes redfish special is their willingness to eat in skinny water – sometimes so shallow their backs are exposed – creating heart-pounding visual fishing opportunities that'll have you talking about the trip for years.
Speckled Trout might be the most popular species among local anglers, and once you hook into a few, you'll understand why. These beautiful fish with distinctive spotted sides are abundant in Jacksonville's grass flats and provide consistent action throughout most of the year. Spring and fall offer the best trout fishing, when cooler water temperatures have them feeding aggressively on shrimp and small baitfish. Trout are structure-oriented, hanging around oyster bars, creek bends, and grass edges where current brings food to them. They hit both live bait and artificials with enthusiasm, and their soft mouths require a delicate touch – something Captain Ty will help you master if you're new to targeting them.
Summer Flounder add variety to your catch and put some of the best-eating fish in Northeast Florida waters right in your cooler. These flatfish are masters of camouflage, burying themselves in sand and mud bottoms while waiting for unsuspecting prey to swim overhead. Flounder fishing requires patience and the right technique – bouncing live or cut bait along the bottom near structure where they hide. Summer months are prime time for doormat-sized fish, though you can catch them year-round in Jacksonville's temperate climate. When a flounder hits, it feels like you've snagged bottom until that distinctive head-shaking fight kicks in. They're not the flashiest fish to catch, but few species beat fresh flounder fillets on the dinner table.
This top-rated half-day charter with Captain Ty Sikes delivers exactly what serious anglers want: knowledgeable guidance, quality equipment, and access to Jacksonville's most productive inshore waters. With only three anglers per trip, you get personalized attention and plenty of room to fish comfortably. The captain's local knowledge and commitment to putting you on fish makes this a customer favorite among both visitors and locals looking to experience world-class inshore fishing. Remember that deposits are non-refundable, so book early to secure your preferred date. Jacksonville's inshore fishing stays strong throughout most of the year, but the best trips fill up quickly, especially during peak seasons when the bite is hottest.
This 17-foot 2010 Ranger flats boat is built for serious inshore fishing around Jacksonville's productive waters. With a Mercury 115HP engine pushing you up to 50 knots, you'll reach the best redfish and trout spots quickly while staying nimble in shallow flats where the big ones hide. The GPS keeps you on target, while the fish finder shows exactly what's swimming below. Radar comes in handy when morning fog rolls across the water. Perfect for up to 3 anglers who want to work the grass flats, oyster bars, and creek mouths where flounder, redfish, and speckled trout like to feed. This boat gets you into skinny water where bigger vessels can't follow, giving you access to those protected fishing spots that produce consistent action along Florida's First Coast.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the crown jewel of Jacksonville's inshore waters, averaging 20-30 inches with that signature copper-bronze color and black spot near the tail. They cruise super shallow flats in 1-4 feet, often with backs exposed, around oyster bars, grass beds, and creek mouths. These fish are year-round residents, but spring through fall offers the most consistent shallow water action. What makes reds special is their bulldogging fight - they'll make powerful runs and use their broad sides against the current. They're also excellent eating when kept within slot limits. You'll find them tailing in skinny water or cruising in small schools. They eat everything from live shrimp to cut bait, but artificial lures like gold spoons and topwater plugs create explosive strikes. Pro tip: when you spot a red in shallow water, cast well ahead of where it's moving and work your bait slowly into its path - spook one and the whole school scatters.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are Jacksonville's bread and butter inshore fish, typically running 14-24 inches with beautiful spotted silver sides. These grass flat specialists love shallow waters from 2-6 feet deep, especially around oyster bars, dock lights, and vegetation edges. They school up in deeper channels during winter but spread out on the flats during warmer months. Spring through fall offers consistent action, with dawn and dusk being prime time. What guests love about specks is their aggressive strikes and acrobatic jumps - plus they're excellent table fare with tender, flaky white meat. They're sight feeders with great hearing, so they'll hammer topwater plugs, soft plastics, and live shrimp. Here's a local secret: work your lure slowly in cooler water, but speed it up when it's warm. Those distinctive "drumming" sounds you hear are male trout calling to females - fish near that noise and you'll usually find a school.
Paralichthys DentatusThese "doormat" flatfish are Jacksonville inshore favorites, running 15-20 inches on average but capable of hitting 26 pounds. They're masters of camouflage, lying buried in sandy bottoms with both eyes on their left side, waiting to ambush baitfish. You'll find them in 3-15 feet of water around structure, channels, and drop-offs. Fall months from September through November offer the best action when they're feeding heavily before winter. What makes flounder special is their unique fighting style - they pull hard and stay down, plus they're fantastic eating with sweet, flaky white meat. My go-to trick is bouncing live mud minnows or finger mullet right along the bottom near oyster bars. When you feel that distinctive tap-tap-pull, give them a few seconds before setting the hook - they grab prey sideways and need time to turn it around.
Jacksonville