5.0(2 Reviews)Target Redfish and Seatrout on Jacksonville Waters
5.0(2 reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Sixhour private charter targeting redfish and spotted seatrout inshore.All fishing gear, bait, and fish cleaning services included.Departs 8 AM from Mayport with experienced Captain Chad guidance.
When you're looking for a solid day of inshore fishing in Jacksonville, this 6-hour private charter with Captain Chad hits all the right spots. Starting at 8:00 AM from Mayport Boat Ramp, you'll spend your morning working the productive waters of the St. Johns River and Intracoastal Waterway. This isn't some cookie-cutter trip—Chad tailors every outing to current conditions and what's biting. Whether you're a seasoned angler or just getting your feet wet, you'll leave with a cooler full of fillets and plenty of stories to tell.
Captain Chad keeps things personal with just two anglers per trip, so you're getting the full attention and local knowledge that makes these Jacksonville waters so productive. The boat's rigged for comfort and safety, but more importantly, it's set up to put you on fish. You'll start the day with all your tackle and prepped bait ready to go—no need to hit the bait shop at 6 AM or wonder if you've got the right setup. Chad knows these backwaters like the back of his hand, having grown up fishing this area, and he'll move you between spots based on tides, weather, and where the fish are holding. If you're interested in learning the ropes, he'll even show you how to catch your own bait, which is always a game-changer for future trips. The best part? After you've had your fun, Chad handles all the cleaning and filleting, so you head home with restaurant-quality fillets ready for the pan.
Jacksonville's inshore scene is all about reading the water and adapting your approach. You'll be fishing a mix of live bait and artificials, depending on what the target species are doing. The St. Johns River system offers everything from shallow grass flats perfect for sight-fishing redfish to deeper channels where big seatrout cruise for an easy meal. Captain Chad runs between oyster bars, creek mouths, and structure where these fish love to ambush prey. Expect to throw everything from popping cork rigs with live shrimp to soft plastics worked along drop-offs. The Intracoastal Waterway adds another dimension with its bridges, docks, and current breaks that hold sheepshead and flounder. Tides play a huge role here—moving water means active fish, and Chad times each spot to hit it when conditions are prime. You'll learn to read the signs: nervous baitfish, diving birds, and subtle color changes that signal productive water.
"We hit a bunch of spots throughout the day, and even with the midsummer heat making things a bit challenging, Captain Chad kept us on the fish. He's a great guy—easy to talk to and full of local knowledge, having grown up in the area. Big thanks to you, Captain Chad!" - James
"Just outstanding customer service , safety and incredible knowledge in the charter business. Chad thank you again !!" - Ben
Redfish are the bread and butter of Jacksonville inshore fishing, and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers average 20-30 inches in these waters and fight like they're twice that size. They're year-round residents, but fall and spring offer the most consistent action when they school up in the shallows. What makes reds so exciting is their versatility—you might spot one tailing in two feet of water or hook into a bull red cruising a channel edge. They're not picky eaters, but they're smart, so presentation matters. The slot-size fish (18-27 inches) are perfect for the table, with firm, mild flesh that grills beautifully.
Spotted seatrout are the other half of Jacksonville's inshore slam, and they're pure fun on light tackle. These beautiful fish run anywhere from 14 inches up to gator trout pushing 6-7 pounds. They love grass flats and drop-offs, especially during moving tides when they pin baitfish against structure. Spring through fall offers the best trout fishing, with summer evenings being particularly productive. Seatrout have that classic game fish fight—long runs followed by head-shaking jumps. Their delicate mouth means you need to play them carefully, but that just adds to the excitement. Fresh seatrout is some of the finest eating you'll find in these waters.
Southern flounder might not win beauty contests, but they're masters of camouflage and table fare. These flatfish hang around sandy bottoms, creek mouths, and bridge pilings where they ambush unsuspecting prey. Fall migration brings the biggest fish as they head to deeper water, with some doormat flounder topping 5-6 pounds. They're sneaky—often you won't know you've got one until you start reeling. Flounder fishing teaches patience and bottom-reading skills that make you a better angler overall. They're also fantastic eating, with sweet, flaky white meat that's perfect for any preparation.
Sheepshead are the technical fighters of the bunch, with crushing jaws designed for cracking barnacles and oysters. These black-and-white striped fish hang around structure year-round but are most active in cooler months. They're notorious bait stealers, so hooking one feels like a real achievement. Sheepshead average 2-4 pounds but can push 8-10 pounds in deeper water. Their diet of crustaceans gives them incredibly sweet, firm meat that rivals any saltwater fish. They'll test your rigging skills and patience, but landing a nice sheepshead is always satisfying.
Tarpon are the wildcards of Jacksonville inshore fishing. While you can't keep them, hooking into the silver king is a bucket-list experience. These prehistoric fish can show up anywhere from shallow creeks to deeper channels,
Captain Chad's 18-foot flats boat is built for serious inshore action in Jacksonville's shallow waters. This nimble fishing machine seats two anglers comfortably and can squeeze in a third if needed. The 250 HP Mercury gets you to the fish fast, while the wireless trolling motor lets you sneak up on redfish and seatrout without making a sound. You'll have GPS to mark those honey holes and a fish finder to spot what's swimming below. Perfect for working the St. Johns River flats and Intracoastal backwaters where the big reds like to cruise. The shallow draft design means you can get into skinny water spots that bigger boats can't reach, putting you right where the fish are feeding.
Sciaenops OcellatusRed drum are the ultimate sight-fishing target around Jacksonville. These copper-colored bruisers typically run 18-27 inches in our slot, with plenty of oversized bulls pushing 35+ inches. They love super shallow water - sometimes so shallow their backs stick out. You'll find them on oyster bars, grass flats, and around downed trees in 1-4 feet of water. Fall is prime time, but they bite year-round with morning and evening being best. What makes reds special is that explosive strike and bulldogging fight, plus they're fantastic eating with mild, sweet meat. They're not picky eaters either - live shrimp, cut bait, or artificials all work. Here's my local secret: look for nervous water or "tailing" fish on the flats during incoming tides. Cast past them and work your bait back slowly - reds spook easily in shallow water, so stealth is key.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are the bread and butter of our inshore fishing, and for good reason. Most run 14-20 inches and 1-3 pounds, with occasional "gator trout" pushing 5+ pounds. They cruise grass flats and shallow areas throughout the St. Johns and ICW, especially around points and drop-offs. Spring through fall are prime, but they school up in deeper holes during winter. What makes them so popular is their willingness to hit lures, decent fight, and excellent table fare - tender, flaky meat that's perfect for the dinner table. They're also great for beginners since they're forgiving and plentiful. My go-to approach is working topwater plugs early morning over grass flats, then switching to soft plastics on jigheads as the sun gets higher. The key is matching your retrieve to the conditions - slow and subtle in clear water, more aggressive when it's murky.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusThese "convict fish" are the pickpockets of the inshore world, famous for stealing bait with their human-like teeth. They typically run 2-5 pounds and 14-18 inches, though we catch some hefty 8-10 pounders around the jetties. Look for them around any structure - bridge pilings, docks, and rock piles where they feed on barnacles and crabs. They're year-round residents but fish best in cooler months when they're more aggressive. Anglers love them because they're challenging to hook and absolutely delicious - sweet, firm white meat that's hard to beat. The trick is using small hooks with fiddler crabs or shrimp, getting right up against the structure. When you feel that telltale nibble-nibble, resist the urge to set immediately. Let them take it, then hit them hard - their bony mouths require a solid hookset.
Paralichthys LethostigmaThese flatfish are masters of disguise, burying themselves in sandy and muddy bottoms to ambush prey. Most run 15-18 inches and around 5 pounds, though we see some pushing 25+ inches. They hang out in shallow waters of the St. Johns and ICW, especially around structure and drop-offs. Fall and winter are prime time when they're fattening up before their offshore spawning run. What makes them special is their unique appearance - both eyes on one side and those distinctive spots. They're fantastic eating with sweet, flaky white meat. My tip: use a slow drift with live mud minnows or shrimp on a light jighead, and watch for that subtle tap-tap-tap bite. When you feel it, wait a second before setting the hook - they like to mouth the bait first.
Megalops AtlanticusThe silver king is pure adrenaline on a fishing line. These prehistoric giants typically run 80-100 pounds around Jacksonville, but we hook into 150+ pounders regularly in the St. Johns and ICW. They love deeper channels, bridge pilings, and areas with good current flow. Late spring through early fall is peak season when they're most active in our waters. What hooks every angler is watching a 6-foot fish launch itself 10 feet out of the water - it's something you never forget. They're catch-and-release only, which makes the fight even more special. The battle can last 30 minutes or more with multiple jumps. Here's the key: when they jump, bow to the fish by dropping your rod tip toward them. This keeps slack in the line so they can't throw the hook. Use live mullet or crabs near structure and be ready for the ride of your life.
5.0 out of 5.0We hit a bunch of spots throughout the day, and even with the midsummer heat making things a bit challenging, Captain Chad kept us...
Just outstanding customer service , safety and incredible knowledge in the charter business. Chad thank you again !!
Jacksonville