5.0(5 Reviews)Jacksonville Inshore Fishing with Captain David
5.0(5 reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Top Rated
Private inshore fishing charter for up to 4 guestsCaptain David guides trips through Intracoastal Waterway and St. Johns RiverAll fishing gear, licenses, and refreshments included in charter
Looking for a solid day on the water in Jacksonville? Captain David's inshore fishing charters will put you right where the fish are biting. We're talking about the kind of fishing that locals have been perfecting for generations – working the grass flats, oyster bars, and creek mouths where Jacksonville's best gamefish love to hang out. With the Intracoastal Waterway and St. Johns River as your playground, you'll get to fish some of Florida's most productive inshore waters without fighting the crowds or dealing with rough seas.
Captain David keeps things personal with just four anglers max per trip, so you're not elbow-to-elbow with strangers trying to fish the same spots. This is your private charter, which means we can adjust the game plan based on what you want to target and how the fish are behaving that day. All your gear comes included – rods, reels, tackle, bait, and even your fishing license – plus we keep cold drinks on board to keep you comfortable. The boat's set up specifically for inshore work, with a shallow draft that lets us slip into those back-country spots where the big fish hide. Captain David's been running these waters for years, so he knows exactly where to find the action based on tides, weather, and seasonal patterns.
Inshore fishing here is all about reading the water and matching your technique to what the fish want. We'll be working everything from live shrimp under popping corks around structure to throwing artificial lures at moving schools. Depending on conditions, you might find yourself sight-fishing tailing redfish in skinny water or drifting live bait along drop-offs for trout and flounder. Captain David runs quality spinning gear that can handle everything from finicky sea trout to bull reds that want to drag you into the mangroves. The beauty of inshore fishing is the variety – one cast you're working a topwater plug at first light, the next you're bouncing a jig head along the bottom. We carry a full arsenal of tackle options, from DOA shrimp and gulp baits to live finger mullet and shrimp, so we can switch up tactics when the bite changes.
"With the weather being against us Captain Day was great and still ended up catching fish!! Great experience I recommend anyone to book this charter…" - Jamarian. "Captain Day knows the right spots." - Jag. "He took great care of us and was very knowledgeable about the area!" - Mark.
Redfish are the crown jewel of Jacksonville inshore fishing, and these copper-colored bruisers are why so many anglers become obsessed with shallow water fishing. They cruise the grass flats and oyster bars year-round, with fall being prime time when schools of slot-sized fish move through the area. What makes reds so special is their attitude – they'll crush a topwater lure in two feet of water and then drag you through every piece of structure they can find. Plus, they're beautiful fish with that distinctive black spot and bronze coloring that photographs perfectly.
Sea trout are your bread-and-butter inshore species, and Jacksonville's grass flats are loaded with them. These spotted beauties love to hang around structure during moving water, and they're suckers for a well-presented soft plastic or live shrimp. Spring through fall offers the best action, with bigger gator trout moving in during cooler months. They're excellent table fare and fight harder than most people expect, especially when you hook into a three or four-pounder.
Summer flounder, or fluke as many call them, are the masters of camouflage and one of the most challenging inshore targets. These flatfish bury themselves in sandy bottoms near drop-offs and structure, waiting to ambush baitfish. The key is keeping your bait moving along the bottom – they rarely chase, but when they hit, it's game on. Flounder season peaks in summer and early fall, and landing a nice doormat is something every inshore angler dreams about.
Bluefish bring the aggression that gets your heart pumping. These toothy predators travel in schools and when you find them, the action can be non-stop. They'll hit just about anything you throw at them, from spoons and jigs to live bait. Blues are most active during their spring and fall migrations, and watching them blow up on topwater lures is pure adrenaline. Just remember to bring wire leaders – these guys will cut through mono in a heartbeat.
Ladyfish might be the most underrated fighters in inshore waters. These silver rockets jump like tarpon and never give up, making them perfect for light tackle fun. They school up in huge numbers during warmer months and will attack anything that moves. While they're not great table fare, ladyfish are fantastic for getting kids hooked on fishing or when you want constant action to keep everyone entertained.
Jacksonville's inshore fishing scene is world-class, and Captain David's local knowledge puts you on fish while others are still searching. Whether you're planning a family trip, celebrating with friends, or just need to get your fishing fix, this charter delivers the goods. The private boat setup means no sharing your fishing spots with strangers, and having all gear and licenses included makes it hassle-free. With consistently positive reviews and a captain who knows these waters inside and out, you're looking at a top-rated fishing experience that keeps anglers coming back. Don't wait for the perfect weather or conditions – as the locals say, the best time to go fishing is whenever you can get on the water.
Step aboard our fully restored 22' Nautic Star center console and get ready to explore Jacksonville's prime inshore waters. This sweet ride seats up to 4 anglers comfortably and cuts through the Intracoastal Waterway and St. Johns River with ease, powered by a reliable 200HP Suzuki that cruises at a smooth 20 knots. Captain David knows these waters like the back of his hand, and with our onboard fish finder, we'll track down the best spots where the fish are biting. The boat's center console design gives everyone plenty of casting room, while the icebox keeps your drinks cold and your catch fresh. GPS navigation keeps us on course, so you can focus on what matters most – landing that perfect catch. Whether you're bringing the family or a group of fishing buddies, this boat delivers the perfect platform for a day of Jacksonville inshore fishing.
Pomatomus SaltatrixBluefish are aggressive feeders that show up in our waters during warmer months, typically running 3-15 pounds with their distinctive blue-green backs and razor-sharp teeth. These voracious predators travel in schools, feeding heavily on menhaden, sardines, and shrimp throughout the Intracoastal and near-shore waters. They're excellent table fare when fresh - the smaller ones have milder, flaky meat that's perfect for the grill. Guests love the fast action when we hit a school because they fight hard and hit just about anything you throw at them. My go-to trick is using wire leaders since those teeth will slice through mono in a heartbeat, and when you see birds diving, get your lines ready because there's probably a feeding frenzy happening below.
Elops SaurusLadyfish, nicknamed "poor man's tarpon," are silver bullets that provide non-stop action for light tackle enthusiasts. These slender, acrobatic fish typically run 12-20 inches and are found throughout our estuaries, canals, and shallow coastal waters year-round. When hooked, they put on an aerial show with jumps and tail walks that rivals much larger gamefish. While not considered prime table fare, they're fantastic sport fish that hit just about any small lure or live bait you present. Guests especially enjoy them as a warm-up fish or when targeting kids since they're always willing to bite. My trick is using a wire leader because their small but sharp teeth will cut through mono, and when you find one, stick around - they school up tight and you'll usually catch several more in the same spot.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish, or red drum, are the crown jewel of our inshore waters with their copper-bronze coloring and signature black spots near the tail. These powerful fish typically range from 20-35 inches in our shallow flats, oyster bars, and mangrove shorelines, often feeding in water so thin their backs break the surface. They're year-round residents but really turn on during spring and fall when they school up and feed aggressively. Guests love their bulldogging fight and excellent table quality - firm, mild meat that grills beautifully. The sight fishing opportunities are outstanding when conditions are right. My best tip is to look for "tailing" fish in the shallows during moving tides, and approach quietly with live shrimp or cut bait - these fish spook easily but fight like freight trains once hooked.
Salmo TruttaSpotted sea trout, or "specks" as we call them locally, are beautiful silver fish covered in distinctive black spots that typically run 14-24 inches in our grass flats and shallow waters. These popular inshore gamefish feed on shrimp, small crabs, and baitfish, making them perfect targets throughout the Intracoastal Waterway. They're most active during cooler months and low-light conditions, often schooling up in deeper channels during winter. Guests love their spirited fight on light tackle and their reputation as one of the best eating fish in our waters - tender, mild, flaky meat that's restaurant quality. My favorite approach is working the grass flats at dawn or dusk with live shrimp under a popping cork, letting the noise draw them in from a distance.
Paralichthys DentatusSummer flounder are masters of camouflage, lying flat on sandy and muddy bottoms throughout our estuaries and inshore waters. These "doormat" fish typically run 15-20 inches but can grow much larger, with their both eyes positioned on the left side of their flattened bodies. They're ambush predators that blend perfectly with the bottom, waiting for baitfish, shrimp, and crabs to drift by. Fall months from September through November offer the best action when they're feeding heavily before winter. Guests appreciate their excellent table quality - sweet, white, flaky meat that's hard to beat. The key to success is fishing slow along structure with live minnows or strips, keeping your bait right on the bottom where they're waiting.
5.0 out of 5.0With the weather being against us Captain Day was great and still ended up catching fish!! Great experience I recommend anyone to ...
When you go fishing is up to you when fish are biting is up to them
Captain Day knows the right spots.
He took great care of us and was very knowledgeable about the area!
My father in law and I had a great time with David, He was very helpful and knowledgeable Although it rained on us we had a lot of...
Jacksonville