Jacksonville Fishing Charters with Captain Bishop
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Target Snapper, Grouper, Black Sea Bass, and Sheepshead offshoreCaptain Robbie Bishop provides all gear and fishing licenseChoose from 4hour, 6hour, or 8hour charter options
Looking for a solid day of bottom fishing off Jacksonville? Captain Robbie Bishop knows these Atlantic waters like the back of his hand, and he's ready to put you on some quality fish. Whether you've got four hours to kill or want to make it a full eight-hour adventure, Fishbuster Charters has you covered with everything you need – rods, reels, tackle, and all the local knowledge that separates a good day from a great one. Best part? Leave the fishing license at home because we've got that handled too. Just bring your crew of up to four anglers and get ready to load the cooler.
Captain Robbie runs a tight ship, but don't expect anything stuffy – this is all about having fun while putting fish in the boat. You'll head out into Jacksonville's productive Atlantic waters where the bottom structure holds some serious fish. The boat's rigged with quality gear, so you won't be fighting cheap tackle when a nice grouper decides to test your drag. Depending on which trip length you choose, you'll have plenty of time to work different spots and target various species. The four-hour trips are perfect for families or first-timers who want to get their feet wet, while the eight-hour adventures let serious anglers really dial in on the bite and explore more territory. Captain Bishop keeps things relaxed but focused – he wants you catching fish as much as you do.
Bottom fishing is all about patience and knowing where the fish live, and that's where Captain Bishop's local expertise really shines. You'll be dropping baited rigs down to structure where snapper, grouper, and sea bass like to hang out. The technique isn't complicated, but there's definitely a learning curve to feeling the bite and setting the hook properly when you're fishing in 60-100 feet of water. The captain will walk you through reading your rod tip, managing your drag, and working fish up from the bottom without losing them to the structure. Expect to use circle hooks with fresh bait – it's the most effective setup for these species and helps ensure good hooksets. The boat's fish finder and GPS will keep you on the productive spots, and Captain Bishop knows exactly where to anchor up for the best action.
Red Snapper are the crown jewel of Jacksonville bottom fishing, and when they're biting, you'll know why anglers get so excited about them. These fish fight hard and taste even better, typically running 3-8 pounds in these waters. They're structure-oriented, so expect to find them around ledges and hard bottom areas. The bite is usually best during daylight hours, and they can be picky eaters – sometimes you'll need to downsize your bait or switch up your presentation to get them going. What makes snapper fishing so addictive is their aggressive strike once they commit – no subtle nibbling here.
Black Grouper are the bulldogs of the bottom, and landing a nice one will definitely get your attention. These fish use their powerful bodies and broad tails to try bulldozing back to their holes, so be ready for a tug-of-war. Jacksonville's grouper typically range from 3-15 pounds, with the occasional bigger fish showing up to make your day. They're ambush predators that like to sit tight to structure, so accurate bait placement is key. Grouper season runs most of the year with some closures, but when they're open, they provide some of the most satisfying bottom fishing you'll find in Florida waters.
Sheepshead might not win any beauty contests, but they're hands-down some of the best eating fish in the Atlantic. These black-and-white striped fish are notorious bait thieves with their human-like teeth, perfectly designed for crushing shellfish. Catching them requires a bit of finesse – they're notorious for picking baits clean without getting hooked. But when you dial in the technique and start connecting, sheepshead fishing becomes incredibly addictive. They're most active in cooler months and around structure like bridges, pilings, and reefs where they feed on barnacles and crabs.
Black Sea Bass are scrappy fighters that show up in good numbers around Jacksonville's offshore structure. These fish might not be the biggest on the reef, but they make up for size with attitude – they'll hit baits aggressively and provide steady action when other species are being finicky. Sea bass typically run 1-3 pounds, making them perfect for lighter tackle if you want to feel every head shake. They're also excellent table fare, with firm white meat that's hard to beat. The best part about sea bass is their willingness to bite – when other species shut down, you can usually count on sea bass to keep the action going.
Captain Robbie Bishop and Fishbuster Charters offer the kind of personalized fishing experience that keeps anglers coming back season after season. With flexible trip lengths, top-notch equipment, and local knowledge that can't be bought, you're setting yourself up for success on Jacksonville's productive waters. The boat handles up to four anglers comfortably, making it perfect for family trips or small groups of friends who want quality fishing without the crowd. Remember that deposits are non-refundable, so make sure your dates work before booking. But trust me – once you experience a day of bottom fishing with Captain Bishop, you'll already be planning your next trip before you even get back to the dock.
Captain Robbie's motorboat is built for serious fishing action off Jacksonville's coast. This well-equipped vessel handles Atlantic waters with ease, featuring a reliable GPS system to navigate to the hottest fishing spots and a fish finder that'll help you locate schools of Snapper, Grouper, and Black Sea Bass. The boat comfortably fits up to 4 anglers, so you can bring your crew without feeling cramped while fighting fish. There's an onboard toilet for those longer 6 to 8-hour trips when you're really getting into the bite. The boat comes loaded with all the tackle and gear you need to target bottom fish around Jacksonville's productive offshore waters. Captain Robbie knows these fishing grounds inside and out, so you'll spend more time with lines in the water and less time searching for fish. Perfect for families or friends looking to get into some quality fishing without worrying about bringing their own equipment or dealing with fishing licenses.
Mycteroperca BonaciBlack grouper are the heavyweights of our reef trips - thick, powerful fish that can reach 100+ pounds, though most run 10-30 pounds. These olive-gray bruisers with dark rectangular blotches live around wrecks, ledges, and rocky structure in 30-300 feet. They move shallower in winter and deeper during summer months. What makes them special is the incredible fight - once hooked, they'll try to bull their way back to cover with surprising strength. The meat is fantastic too - mild, firm, and perfect for grilling. They're ambush predators that inhale their prey whole, so when you feel that tap, reel immediately. My advice: bring heavy tackle with at least 80-pound braid and 100-pound leader. The moment you hook one, keep steady pressure and don't let them get back to the rocks or you'll lose them every time.
Centropristis StriataBlack sea bass are scrappy little fighters that make up for size with attitude. Most run 1-4 pounds, but they're built like small grouper with that classic hump-backed look. You'll find them around structure in 30-120 feet - wrecks, jetties, and rocky bottom are prime spots. Late spring through summer is peak time when they gather inshore to feed. What guests love is how willing they are to bite and the solid fight they give until they hit the surface. They're also excellent table fare with sweet, flaky white meat. Interesting fact - they're all born female and change to males as they grow. Here's my tip: they're bottom huggers but will come up for bait, so work different depths with squid strips or small jigs. A medium rod with 20-30 pound line handles them perfectly, and they'll hit live bait or artificials equally well.
Lutjanus CampechanusRed snapper are the crown jewel of bottom fishing - bright red beauties that average 1-2 feet but can push 35 pounds if you're lucky. We target them in 30-200 feet of water around wrecks, reefs, and hard bottom structure. They're most active during warmer months, especially late spring through fall when they move up from deeper water. What anglers love about snappers is the solid fight they put up - they'll make strong runs for cover and test your drag. Plus, you can't beat the mild, nutty flavor at the dinner table. These fish are true warriors once hooked, so be ready for them to dive for structure and potentially cut your line. Pro tip: use a heavy weight to get fresh squid or cigar minnows down fast, and crank hard once you hook up to keep them off the bottom.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are one of the coolest fish we target - they've got human-like teeth that make for great photos! These gray and black striped fish, nicknamed "convict fish," typically run 1-8 pounds around Jacksonville's structures. You'll find them hanging around bridge pilings, docks, and jetties where they munch on barnacles and crabs. They're active year-round but really turn on in cooler months. What makes them special is that sweet, mild white meat - some of the best eating you'll find. Fair warning though, they're notorious bait thieves with those strong jaws. My tip: get your bait right against the structure and set the hook hard the moment you feel weight. They won't chase bait far from cover, so tight to the pilings is key.
Jacksonville, FL