5.0(1 Reviews)Jacksonville Inshore Redfish and Seatrout Charter
5.0(1 reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fullday inshore charter targets redfish and spotted seatroutCaptain Chad guides trips through St. Johns River backwatersAll gear provided with drinks included for two guests
There's something special about fishing Jacksonville's inshore waters, and Captain Chad knows exactly where to find the best action. This 8-hour charter takes you into the heart of the St. Johns River and Intracoastal Waterway, where redfish cruise the flats and seatrout stack up in the deeper holes. With all gear provided and drinks on ice, you'll spend a full day targeting some of Northeast Florida's most popular inshore species. Whether you're new to saltwater fishing or you've been at it for years, Chad's got the local knowledge to put you on fish.
Your day starts early, heading out to explore Jacksonville's vast network of creeks, backwaters, and grass flats. The beauty of inshore fishing here is the variety – one minute you're sight-casting to tailing redfish in two feet of water, the next you're working a deep creek bend for flounder. Captain Chad runs a well-equipped boat that's built for these waters, with a shallow draft that lets you get into spots where the big boats can't go. The pace is relaxed but productive, with plenty of time to learn techniques and enjoy the scenery. You'll cover a lot of water throughout the day, hitting different spots based on tides, weather, and what's biting. Don't worry about bringing tackle – everything's provided, from rods and reels to bait and terminal gear. Just pack some snacks, sunscreen, and get ready for a solid day of fishing.
Inshore fishing in Jacksonville is all about reading the water and adapting your approach. You'll be using medium-action spinning rods paired with reels spooled with braided line – perfect for feeling those subtle bites and having the backbone to turn a big red away from structure. Live bait is king out here, with shrimp, mud minnows, and finger mullet accounting for most of the action. Captain Chad will also have you throwing artificials when the conditions are right – soft plastics worked along oyster bars, topwater plugs over grass beds during low light, and spoons for covering water when fish are scattered. The key is staying versatile and letting the fish tell you what they want. You'll learn to read the signs – bird activity, bait movement, and structure changes that hold fish. The boat is rigged with quality electronics to mark productive spots and track bait schools, but Chad's local knowledge is what really makes the difference.
"My wife and I had an incredible day on the water and are already looking forward to our next trip. The captain was not only welcoming and easy to talk to, but also incredibly knowledgeable. He went out of his way to make sure every detail was taken care of so we could truly enjoy the experience from start to finish." - Blake
Red Snapper are the crown jewel of Jacksonville's inshore scene, though true red snapper are typically found in deeper offshore waters. What you're really after are the redfish that cruise these flats and creeks. These bronze-colored bruisers are ambush predators that love structure – oyster bars, dock pilings, and grass edges are prime real estate. Reds are most active during moving water, especially the first two hours of incoming tide. They fight hard and smart, using their broad tails to make powerful runs toward the nearest snag. Spring through fall offers the best action, with cooler months bringing larger fish into shallow water. What makes them so popular is their willingness to eat both live and artificial baits, plus they're just plain fun to catch.
Southern Flounder are the masters of camouflage in Jacksonville's inshore waters. These flatfish bury themselves in sand and mud bottoms, waiting to ambush passing baitfish. You'll find them around creek mouths, channel edges, and anywhere current brings food their way. Fall is prime time for flounder fishing, as they stage for their offshore spawning run and feed heavily. They're not the flashiest fighters, but they make up for it on the dinner table. Flounder fishing requires patience and a good feel for your bait – when you feel that subtle tap-tap, count to three before setting the hook. Captain Chad knows the productive spots where these fish concentrate, especially during those key tidal changes.
Tarpon are the silver kings of Jacksonville's waters, and while you might not boat many of these giants, the chance at hooking one makes every cast exciting. These prehistoric fish can reach massive sizes and are famous for their acrobatic jumps when hooked. Summer months bring tarpon into the St. Johns River and nearby waters, where they feed on schools of baitfish. Even juvenile tarpon in the 20-40 pound range will give you a fight you won't forget. They're catch-and-release only, but the experience of battling one of these silver bullets is worth the trip alone. Tarpon have hard, bony mouths, so sharp hooks and solid hooksets are essential.
Sheepshead are the convict fish of Jacksonville's inshore waters, with their distinctive black and white stripes making them easy to identify. These fish are structure-oriented, hanging around pilings, oyster bars, and rocky areas where they feed on barnacles, crabs, and shrimp. They're notorious bait stealers with small mouths and human-like teeth, so you'll need to downsize your hooks and stay alert. Winter is prime sheepshead season, when they move inshore to spawn. Don't let their size fool you – a good sheepshead will surprise you with its fight, and they're excellent table fare with firm, white meat.
Mahi Mahi occasionally make appearances in Jacksonville's inshore waters, though they're more commonly found offshore. When they do show up, usually following floating debris or weed lines, they provide some of the most exciting fishing you'll find. These colorful fish are incredibly fast and aggressive, often traveling in schools
Captain Chad's 18-foot flats boat is built for serious inshore fishing in Jacksonville's shallow waters. This nimble craft gets you into those tight spots where redfish and seatrout love to hide along the St. Johns River and Intracoastal Waterway. With a powerful 250 HP Mercury for covering water quickly and a whisper-quiet wireless trolling motor for sneaking up on fish, you'll have the perfect setup for stalking your targets. The boat comfortably seats 2 anglers with room to cast and fight fish without getting tangled up. Need to bring a third person? No problem - just add $50 and you're set. The GPS keeps you on the productive spots while the fish finder shows what's swimming below. Whether you're working the grass flats for reds or drifting creek mouths for trout, this boat puts you right where the action is without spooking the fish.
Coryphaena HippurusMahi are offshore speedsters that light up in brilliant golds and blues when hooked. These 10-30 pound fish are pure excitement, known for long runs and acrobatic jumps. While primarily offshore species, they sometimes push closer to Jacksonville's nearshore waters during summer months around floating debris and weed lines. What anglers love is the combination of stunning looks, fierce fights, and excellent table fare - firm, sweet white meat that's hard to beat. They're fast-growing fish that mature quickly, making them a sustainable choice. When we do encounter them, I recommend trolling with ballyhoo or casting to fish under floating objects. My tip: once you hook one, keep it in the water if possible - that's when you'll see their amazing color changes as they flash from gold to green to blue.
Lutjanus CampechanusRed Snapper are prized catches that typically run 15-25 inches and 3-8 pounds around Jacksonville, though bigger ones lurk in deeper structure. These pink-red beauties live around hard bottom, reefs, and wrecks in 30-100+ feet of water. Spring through fall offers the best action when they're most active feeding. What makes them special is their strong fight - they'll dive straight for cover when hooked, testing your drag and patience. Plus, you can't beat the eating quality with that sweet, firm white meat. My tip: use a knocker rig with fresh squid or cigar minnows, and keep steady pressure once you hook up. If you give them slack, they'll wrap you around structure every time. The key is getting them up and away from the bottom quickly.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead earn their "convict fish" nickname with black stripes and a reputation for stealing bait. These 2-5 pound fighters hang around any structure - docks, bridges, jetties, and oyster bars. Winter through early spring is peak season when they school up for spawning around hard structure. What makes them fun is the challenge - they have human-like teeth and will nibble bait clean off your hook if you're not ready. The payoff is some of the best eating fish in our waters with sweet, flaky meat. They're notorious bait thieves, so use small hooks with fresh shrimp, fiddler crabs, or oysters. My trick is to feel for that light pecking, then set the hook hard and fast. Don't wait - they'll clean your hook and leave you wondering what happened. Fish tight to structure where they feed on barnacles.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern Flounder are masters of disguise that lie flat on sandy and muddy bottoms throughout our inshore waters. Most run 12-18 inches, but doormat-sized fish over 20 inches make for memorable catches. You'll find them around creek mouths, channel edges, and shallow flats where they ambush baitfish. Fall and winter months are prime time as they move toward passes for spawning. What guests love is the challenge - these fish have both eyes on one side and can perfectly camouflage against the bottom. They're also fantastic table fare with sweet, flaky white meat. My go-to technique is drifting live mud minnows or finger mullet on a Carolina rig near drop-offs. The key is feeling that subtle tap-tap bite and waiting a beat before setting the hook - they need time to turn the bait.
Megalops AtlanticusTarpon are the silver kings that turn any angler into a kid again. These giants average 50-100 pounds around Jacksonville but can reach 200+ pounds during summer migrations. They patrol shallow flats, deeper channels, and around bridges from May through September. What makes them legendary is the fight - expect multiple jumps and screaming runs that'll test every knot. Most anglers practice catch and release since the meat isn't great, but the memories last forever. They're prehistoric fish that can live 50+ years, so respect is key. My advice: use circle hooks with live crabs or pinfish, keep steady pressure during jumps, and "bow to the king" by dropping your rod tip when they go airborne. This prevents them from throwing the hook during those spectacular leaps.
5.0 out of 5.0My wife and I had an incredible day on the water and are already looking forward to our next trip. The captain was not only welcom...
Jacksonville