Jacksonville Pro Anglers Inshore Charter
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
4hour inshore charter targeting redfish and spotted seatroutAll fishing gear and live bait included with experienced guideCatch cleaning and filleting service provided after trip
There's something special about getting on the water at first light with a captain who knows every twist and turn of Jacksonville's inshore waters. This 4-hour charter with Captain Chad puts you right in the heart of some of Florida's most productive fishing grounds, targeting the species that make inshore angling so addictive. Whether you're bringing the kids for their first real fishing experience or you're a seasoned angler looking to dial in your technique, this trip delivers the kind of consistent action that keeps people coming back season after season.
Your day starts at 8:00 AM sharp, which is prime time for inshore fishing in Jacksonville. Captain Chad knows that early morning bite is when the fish are most active, and he'll have you positioned in the right spots before most anglers even get their coffee. You'll be working the St. Johns River system and the Intracoastal Waterway – two of the most fish-rich environments on Florida's northeast coast. The St. Johns offers structure, grass flats, and deeper channels where big redfish cruise, while the ICW gives you access to oyster bars and shallow water haunts where seatrout and flounder ambush their prey. This isn't a numbers game where you're rushing from spot to spot. Captain Chad takes time to work each area properly, reading the water and adjusting tactics based on what the fish are telling him. With a maximum of just two guests, you get personalized attention and plenty of coaching whether you're learning to read the fish finder or perfecting your hookset timing.
All your gear comes ready to fish – quality rods and reels spooled with appropriate line for inshore work, plus a tackle box full of proven lures and rigs. Captain Chad preps live bait before you arrive, but here's where this trip gets educational: he'll teach you how to catch your own bait if you're interested. Learning to throw a cast net for mullet or knowing how to spot good shrimp holding water are skills that'll serve you well on future fishing trips. The fishing itself covers the full spectrum of inshore techniques. You'll work live bait around structure for redfish, drift grass flats with soft plastics for seatrout, and maybe sight fish in skinny water if conditions are right. Captain Chad matches the technique to the conditions and the bite, so you might find yourself switching between conventional tackle and spinning gear depending on what's working. The beauty of Jacksonville's inshore fishery is its variety – one cast you're bouncing a jig head along the bottom for flounder, the next you're working a topwater plug over a grass flat at sunrise.
Redfish are the backbone of Jacksonville inshore fishing, and these copper-colored fighters are what most anglers dream about when they think Florida fishing. These fish range from slot-size reds around 18-27 inches up to bull reds that can stretch your drag and your arms. Spring and fall see the biggest concentrations, but Jacksonville's redfish bite stays consistent year-round. They're structure-oriented fish that love oyster bars, dock pilings, and grass edges. What makes them so exciting is their willingness to eat and their dogged fight once hooked – a good red will make multiple runs and use every piece of structure nearby to try and break you off.
Spotted Seatrout are the other half of Jacksonville's inshore slam, and they're arguably the prettiest fish swimming these waters. These silvery predators with their distinctive black spots are most active during warmer months, though Jacksonville's relatively mild winters keep some fish biting year-round. Trout are grass flat specialists that suspend over bottom structure to ambush bait. They're finicky eaters that reward precise presentations, making them perfect for anglers who like to think through their approach. A good trout makes a distinctive head-shaking run that's unlike any other inshore species.
Southern Flounder might not win any beauty contests, but they're one of the most rewarding fish to target in Jacksonville's waters. These ambush predators bury themselves in sand and mud, waiting for unsuspecting prey to swim overhead. Fall is prime time for flounder, when they're staging for their offshore spawning run and feeding heavily. They're structure-oriented fish that love channel edges, bridge pilings, and anywhere current creates a feeding advantage. The fight isn't spectacular, but the table fare is outstanding, and there's real satisfaction in outsmarting such a well-camouflaged predator.
Sheepshead are the bait thieves of the inshore world, famous for their ability to steal your offering without getting hooked. These black-and-white striped fish are most active during cooler months, making them perfect winter targets when other species slow down. They're structure fish that rarely venture far from pilings, rocks, or oyster bars. What makes sheepshead so challenging and rewarding is their feeding behavior – they use their human-like teeth to crush crabs and barnacles, requiring precise timing and sharp hooks to convert bites into hookups.
Tarpon are the wildcards of this fishery, especially during summer months when juvenile tarpon move into Jacksonville's rivers and creeks. These silver kings aren't huge – most range from 10-40 pounds – but they fight like fish twice their size. Tarpon are sight-fishing opportunities that test your casting accuracy and reflexes. When you hook one, expect spectacular jumps and runs that'll have you questioning your knot-tying skills. They're catch-and-release fish that provide pure adrenaline and bragging rights back at the dock.
This charter hits all the marks for a top-rated inshore fishing experience in Jacksonville. Captain Chad's local knowledge, quality equipment, and commitment to putting you on fish makes this a solid choice whether you're planning a family outing or looking to dial in your inshore game. The fact that he cleans and fillets your catch means you're walking away
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the copper-colored bruisers of the flats, easily identified by their distinctive black spots near the tail and bronze-red coloration. They range from slot-size fish around 18-27 inches up to massive "bull" reds over 40 inches. You'll find them in extremely shallow water - sometimes with their backs exposed - around oyster bars, grass flats, and mangrove shorelines. They're year-round residents but are most active in spring and fall. Anglers love them for their powerful runs and excellent table fare when kept in the slot limit. They're not picky eaters, taking live shrimp, cut bait, and artificials equally well. My go-to technique is sight fishing with gold spoons or topwater plugs in shallow water. When you spot one tailing, cast well ahead and work your lure slowly past their nose.
Salmo TruttaSpotted seatrout, or "specks," are one of our most popular inshore targets with their silvery sides covered in distinct black spots. They average 14-20 inches but can reach 5+ pounds. You'll find them over grass flats, around docks, and in deeper holes during cooler months. They're most active during dawn, dusk, and nighttime, especially in spring and fall. What makes them special is their willingness to hit both live bait and artificials, plus they're outstanding table fare - tender, flaky white meat that's perfect for the dinner table. They school up in winter in deeper channels. The secret to consistent success is using popping corks with live shrimp or soft plastic baits. Work the grass edges during moving tides, and don't overlook lighted docks at night - they congregate there to feed on baitfish.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the "convict fish" with their distinctive black and white stripes, and they're famous for their human-like teeth used to crush barnacles and crabs. You'll find them around any structure - docks, pilings, jetties, and bridges where they feed on barnacles and small crustaceans. They typically run 1-4 pounds but can reach 10+ pounds if you're lucky. Spring is prime time when they're most active and feeding heavily. They're excellent eating with sweet, flaky white meat that rivals snapper. The challenge is they're notorious bait thieves with light bites. My best tip: use small hooks with fiddler crabs or shrimp, get as close to structure as possible, and when you feel that subtle nibble, set the hook immediately. They have strong jaws, so don't hesitate.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern Flounder are masters of disguise - these flat, oval-shaped fish blend perfectly into sandy and muddy bottoms where they ambush prey. You'll typically catch them ranging 15-18 inches, though larger ones can hit 30+ inches. They're found throughout our shallow coastal waters, bays, and estuaries, especially around structure and drop-offs. Fall and winter are prime time when they move toward passes and inlets. What makes them special is their unique appearance with both eyes on one side, plus they're fantastic eating - sweet, flaky white meat. The key to landing them is patience since they're notorious bait stealers. Use a Carolina rig with live shrimp or small baitfish, and when you feel that subtle tap, give them a second to fully take the bait before setting the hook.
Megalops AtlanticusTarpon are the silver kings of inshore fishing - massive, acrobatic fish that can reach 6-8 feet and over 100 pounds. They're found in our deeper channels, around bridges, and in the ICW, especially during warmer months from spring through fall. What sets them apart is their jumping ability - they'll leap 10 feet out of the water when hooked, making for an athletic battle you won't forget. Most anglers practice catch and release since they're not great table fare, but the fight alone is worth it. They feed on mullet, shrimp, and crabs in mid-water columns. Here's the key: when a tarpon jumps, bow to the fish by lowering your rod tip toward them. This prevents the line from going tight and breaking when they crash back down. Use circle hooks with live bait for the best hookup ratio.
Jacksonville