Jacksonville Private Fishing Charters | Learn the Basics
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Private beginnerfocused fishing charter accommodates four guests maximumAll equipment and fishing licenses included with handson instructionInshore waters provide ideal learning environment for fundamental techniques
If you've been wanting to get into fishing but don't know where to start, this private charter is your perfect entry point. We're talking about a hands-on learning experience right here in Jacksonville's prime inshore waters, where you'll get personalized instruction without the pressure of a crowded boat. Our captain knows these waters like the back of his hand and genuinely enjoys teaching newcomers the ropes. With everything provided - gear, licenses, bait, and most importantly, patience - you can focus entirely on absorbing the fundamentals and having a blast doing it.
This isn't your typical "throw a line and hope" kind of trip. We're starting from square one, which means you'll learn why we fish certain spots, how to read the water, and what different fish are looking for. Your captain will show you how to hold a rod properly, feel for bites, and set the hook when the moment's right. We keep groups small at just four people max, so there's plenty of one-on-one time to ask questions and practice techniques. Jacksonville's inshore waters are perfect for beginners because they're protected, productive, and forgiving. You'll be working shallow flats, creek mouths, and structure areas where fish congregate. The boat stays close to shore, so if anyone gets a little queasy, we're never far from calmer water.
We'll have you working with medium-action spinning rods paired with quality reels - nothing too heavy or complicated for your first time out. You'll learn the basics of casting, which is half the battle right there. We'll cover different retrieval techniques like steady retrieves, stop-and-go, and twitching action that drives fish crazy. Bait selection is huge, so we'll explain when to use live shrimp versus cut bait, and why certain lures work better in different conditions. Reading your rod tip and feeling for subtle bites takes practice, but our captain will talk you through every sensation until it clicks. We'll also cover basic knot tying, though we'll have your rigs ready to go so the learning doesn't slow down the fishing. By the end of the day, you'll understand why we position the boat certain ways, how tide and current affect fish behavior, and what to look for when choosing your next fishing spot.
Bluefish are absolute dynamite for beginners because they're aggressive, plentiful, and fight like crazy once hooked. These silver bullets travel in schools and aren't picky eaters, making them perfect confidence builders. They're most active during moving tides and love cut bait or small lures. When you hook into a bluefish, you'll know it immediately - they make screaming runs and jump like miniature tarpon. Spring through fall is prime time, and they typically run 2-5 pounds in our waters.
Summer Flounder, or fluke as locals call them, teach you finesse and patience. These flatfish lie camouflaged on sandy bottoms, waiting to ambush prey. You'll learn to feel their subtle pickup - they don't slam the bait like bluefish. Instead, they inhale it and start swimming away slowly. The key is letting them run a few seconds before setting the hook. They're masters of disguise and can grow surprisingly large, with doormat-sized fish over 20 inches making regular appearances in Jacksonville waters during summer months.
Sea Trout are the bread and butter of inshore fishing here, and for good reason. They're cooperative, tasty, and respond well to artificial lures. You'll find them around grass flats and drop-offs, especially during dawn and dusk. Their bite feels like a series of quick taps, and they have soft mouths, so you'll learn proper drag settings quickly. Peak season runs from spring through early winter, and they're perfect for practicing different retrieval techniques since they can be moody about presentation.
Redfish are the ultimate inshore prize and Jacksonville's signature species. These copper-colored bruisers are built for power, with broad shoulders and serious stamina. They cruise shallow flats and oyster bars, often with their backs out of water. When you hook a red, especially a bull over 27 inches, you're in for a real workout. They make long, determined runs and use their body weight to fight you every inch of the way. Fall is peak season when big schools push through our area during their spawn migration.
Ladyfish might be catch-and-release only, but they're pure entertainment. These silver acrobats jump repeatedly when hooked, giving you great practice fighting jumping fish. They're common year-round and always willing to bite, making them excellent teachers for hook-setting timing and rod control. Kids especially love them because they're flashy and active, plus they're perfect for learning proper fish handling and release techniques.
Learning to fish properly from the start beats developing bad habits on your own, and there's no better classroom than Jacksonville's productive inshore waters. This charter gives you everything needed to get started right - quality instruction, proper gear, and fish-rich waters where success builds confidence. Whether you're looking to pick up a new hobby or finally learn what you've been missing, this beginner-focused trip delivers real skills you'll use every time you wet a line. The captain's passion for teaching shows, and by day's end, you'll understand why so many people get hooked on inshore fishing. Ready to learn from someone who knows these waters inside and out? Book your spot today and discover what Jacksonville fishing is all about.
Your Jacksonville fishing adventure starts aboard our fully restored 22' Nautic Star center console, perfect for exploring the productive inshore waters around Jacksonville. This 2009 boat received a complete makeover in 2025 and runs smooth with a reliable 200HP Suzuki that gets us to the best fishing spots quickly. The center console design gives everyone plenty of room to cast and fight fish, with space for up to 4 anglers to fish comfortably. We've got you covered with an icebox to keep your catch fresh and drinks cold, plus GPS and fish finder technology to locate structure and baitfish where the action happens. The boat's shallow draft lets us access those productive backcountry spots where redfish and trout like to hang out. Whether you're learning to read water, practicing different techniques, or just enjoying a day on Jacksonville's beautiful inshore waters, this boat delivers a stable platform for a successful fishing experience.
Pomatomus SaltatrixThese aggressive feeders are known for their razor-sharp teeth and ferocious appetite. Most bluefish run 2-10 pounds around Jacksonville, though larger ones can hit 20+ pounds. They hunt in schools, creating feeding frenzies that churn the water white - we call it a "bluefish blitz." You'll find them along beaches, near jetties, and around baitfish schools from spring through fall. Summer and early fall are prime time when they're thick in our waters. Guests love the hard fight they put up and their excellent table fare when prepared fresh. My tip: use a wire leader since their teeth will cut through regular line like butter, and don't put your fingers near their mouth even when they look done fighting.
Elops SaurusOften called "poor man's tarpon," ladyfish are scrappy fighters that love to jump and thrash when hooked. These silver torpedoes typically run 12-24 inches and put on quite a show with their acrobatic antics. You'll find them in bays, canals, and along beaches year-round, often in schools chasing baitfish. They're perfect for beginners since they're aggressive biters and hit almost anything - live shrimp, jigs, or small topwater plugs. While not great table fare, they're fantastic fun on light tackle and make excellent cut bait for bigger fish like snook. The trick is using a heavy mono or fluorocarbon leader since they have small but sharp teeth that'll cut lighter line. Don't be surprised when they jump repeatedly - just keep steady pressure and enjoy the show.
Sciaenops OcellatusRed drum are the prize of our shallow water fishing, easily spotted by their copper-bronze color and distinctive black spots near the tail. These bruisers typically run 20-35 inches in our area and fight like freight trains in skinny water. They cruise oyster bars, grass flats, and creek mouths in just 1-4 feet of water - sometimes so shallow their backs show above the surface. Year-round fishing with peak action in spring and fall when they school up. What makes them special is the visual aspect - you can often sight-fish to individual reds in clear water. They're also fantastic table fare up to about 27 inches. My favorite trick is using gold spoons bounced along oyster bars during moving tides. The flash drives them crazy, and the single hook makes release easier on the big breeders.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are one of our most popular inshore targets, with their silvery sides covered in distinctive black spots. Most run 14-18 inches and 1-3 pounds, perfect for light tackle action. They love grass flats, oyster bars, and creek mouths in 2-8 feet of water. Best fishing is spring through fall, especially on moving tides at dawn and dusk. What guests really enjoy is their willingness to hit topwater lures - nothing beats watching a trout blow up on a surface plug. They're also excellent eating with sweet, tender meat. My go-to technique is drifting live shrimp under a popping cork over grass beds. The cork noise attracts them, and the natural presentation seals the deal. Just remember to handle them gently since they're more delicate than other species.
Paralichthys DentatusThese flatfish are masters of camouflage, lying on sandy bottoms with both eyes on their left side watching for prey above. Most flounder we catch run 15-18 inches, but keeper-sized fish over 20 inches make for great eating with their mild, flaky white meat. They love structure like oyster bars, channel edges, and grass flats in 10-30 feet of water. Fall months are best when they're feeding heavily before winter. What makes them fun is the challenge - they're ambush predators that inhale bait quickly then try to bury back in the sand. The key is using circle hooks and fishing right on bottom with live mud minnows or finger mullet. Give them a few seconds to really get the bait down before setting the hook.
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