Extended Half Day Jacksonville Inshore Fishing
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Inshore and offshore fishing for multiple species availableAll equipment, licenses, and professional cleaning services includedExpert captain guidance for anglers of all experience levels
When you're looking for a solid fishing charter in Jacksonville that delivers on its promises, El Cazador Fishing Charters has built a reputation that speaks for itself. This extended half-day trip gives you plenty of time to work the waters without committing to a full day, making it perfect for families, first-timers, or seasoned anglers who want to maximize their time on productive fishing grounds. You'll be targeting some of Northeast Florida's most sought-after species including Redfish, Cobia, Red Snapper, and Brook Trout in waters that consistently produce results.
Your day starts with a thorough briefing from Captain who knows these Jacksonville waters like the back of his hand. El Cazador comes fully rigged with top-quality tackle, fresh bait, and all the gear you need to land fish. The boat comfortably handles up to 6 anglers, so there's plenty of room to cast without getting tangled up with your buddies. The extended half-day format gives you roughly 5-6 hours on the water, which is the sweet spot for covering multiple fishing spots and adapting to what the fish are doing that day. The captain will read the conditions, check the tides, and put you on the most productive water based on seasonal patterns and recent activity. You're not just getting a boat ride - you're getting local knowledge that comes from years of working these flats, channels, and nearshore reefs.
The beauty of Jacksonville inshore fishing is the variety of techniques you'll use throughout the day. Depending on what's biting, you might be throwing live shrimp under popping corks for Redfish around oyster bars, or working jigs and soft plastics along grass edges for Trout. When Cobia show up, it's all about sight fishing with live bait or heavy jigs. The captain provides everything from light spinning tackle for finesse presentations to heavier conventional gear when you need to muscle fish away from structure. Live bait is king out here - fresh shrimp, finger mullet, and mud minnows are staples that these fish can't resist. You'll also have artificials on deck for when the fish are aggressive and you want to cover water quickly. The boat's electronics help locate structure and baitfish, but the real magic happens when the captain's experience puts all the pieces together.
Redfish are the backbone of Jacksonville inshore fishing, and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers typically run 18-27 inches in these waters, with the occasional oversized bull pushing 30+ inches. They're most active during moving tides, especially around oyster bars, docks, and shallow grass flats. What makes Redfish so special is their fight - they'll make long, powerful runs and use their broad sides to leverage against you. Fall through spring offers the most consistent action, but you can find them year-round if you know where to look.
Cobia are the wildcards that can make your entire trip. These brown sharks of the inshore world grow fast and fight hard, with fish ranging from 25-40 pounds being common in Jacksonville waters. They're curious fish that will often follow rays and other Cobia, making sight fishing opportunities when conditions are right. Peak season runs from April through June, but stragglers can show up almost any time. When you hook a Cobia, get ready for a battle - they'll make multiple runs and aren't shy about trying to wrap you around whatever structure is nearby.
Red Snapper might seem like an offshore species, but Jacksonville's nearshore reefs and artificial structures hold good numbers, especially during summer months. These fish are smart and structure-oriented, typically holding in 40-80 feet of water around hard bottom and wrecks. They're excellent table fare and provide steady action when you find them. The key is using enough weight to get down quickly and presenting baits right on the bottom where they feed.
Brook Trout (Speckled Trout) are year-round residents that provide consistent action, especially during cooler months. They school up around grass flats, creek mouths, and drop-offs, making them relatively predictable targets. Most fish run 14-20 inches, with occasional gator trout pushing 24+ inches. They're aggressive feeders that will hit both live bait and artificials, making them perfect for anglers who want to stay busy between shots at larger species.
El Cazador Fishing Charters has earned its reputation by putting customers on fish while providing a professional, hassle-free experience. With all gear, bait, licenses, and fish cleaning included, you just need to show up ready to fish. The extended half-day format gives you the best of both worlds - enough time to really fish multiple spots without the commitment of a full day. Whether you're targeting your first Redfish or looking to add a Jacksonville Cobia to your list, this trip delivers the goods. These boats book up quickly, especially during peak seasons, so don't wait around thinking about it. Give them a call and secure your dates - the fish are biting, and your spot on the water is waiting.
Your fishing machine for Jacksonville waters is this reliable 24-foot Pathfinder 2008 motorboat, built to handle both inshore flats and nearshore runs with ease. Powered by a strong 250HP engine that'll get you to the fishing grounds quickly, this boat comfortably seats up to 6 anglers. The wireless trolling motor lets you approach redfish and trout without spooking them, while the GPS keeps you on productive spots and the fish finder shows what's swimming below. A quality livewell keeps your catch fresh throughout the day. Whether you're sight-casting for cobia or dropping lines for snapper, this Pathfinder delivers the stability and features serious anglers need for a successful day on Jacksonville's productive waters.
Salvelinus FontinalisBrook Trout aren't really what we target on our Jacksonville saltwater charters - these are freshwater mountain fish found in cold streams and lakes up north. They're small, colorful trout with olive backs, red spots circled in blue, and wavy lines on their fins. Most run 8-15 inches in pristine, cold water below 68 degrees. They spawn in fall and prefer areas around fallen logs and boulders. While beautiful fish that fight well for their size and taste great, you won't find them in our warm Florida waters. If you're interested in trout fishing with us, we target Spotted Seatrout instead - a completely different saltwater species that loves our grass flats and offers fantastic light-tackle action year-round.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are the "brown sharks" that aren't actually sharks - though that mistake happens all the time with their dark brown color and single dorsal fin. These bruisers average 30-50 pounds and can hit 100+, making them serious trophy fish. We find them around structure like wrecks, buoys, and channel markers in 20-80 feet of water. Spring migration from April through June is prime time when they're moving north along our coast. What draws anglers back? The fight is absolutely brutal - long, powerful runs that'll smoke your reel. They're also fantastic eating with firm, white meat. My go-to tip: look for them following rays or floating near the surface on calm days. A bucktail jig works magic.
Lutjanus CampechanusRed Snapper are the prize of our offshore trips - bright red fish that live around hard bottom, wrecks, and reefs in 60-200 feet. These guys average 2-8 pounds but can push 20+ pounds for real trophies. Summer months offer the best bite when they're most active. What makes them worth the boat ride? First, they fight like bulldogs, trying to get back to structure and break you off. Second, there's no better eating fish in the Gulf - sweet, flaky meat that's restaurant quality. The trick is getting your bait down fast with enough weight. Use circle hooks with live pinfish or cut bait, and when you feel that tap-tap-tap, reel steady - don't jerk.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are what we call "the perfect inshore fish" around Jacksonville. These copper-backed beauties with their signature black spots average 18-28 inches and love our shallow grass flats, oyster bars, and dock lines - sometimes in water so skinny their backs show. Fall through spring offers the best action when they're feeding heavy before and after the spawn. What makes them special? They fight like freight trains, making blistering runs that'll test your drag. Plus, they taste amazing - firm, mild meat that's hard to beat. The key trick here is watching for their tails when they're head-down feeding in the shallows. Cast ahead of where they're moving, not right at them.
Jacksonville Beach, FL