4hr Inshore Fishing Charter - Mayport, Florida
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Target redfish, flounder, trout across St. Johns River and ICW watersCaptain Blake provides local expertise for various inshore species yearroundFourhour charter accommodates up to six anglers with flexible pricing
When you're looking for top-rated inshore fishing around Mayport, Captain Blake knows exactly where the fish are biting. This 4-hour charter takes you through some of Northeast Florida's most productive waters - from the winding creeks off the St. Johns River to the structured areas around the Intracoastal Waterway. You'll be fishing prime spots that hold everything from schooling redfish to keeper-sized flounder, all within easy reach of Mayport's convenient launch points.
Captain Blake tailors every trip based on what's running hot and what you're hoping to catch. Some days that means working the grass flats and oyster bars where redfish cruise in skinny water. Other trips, we'll head to deeper creek mouths where flounder stack up on moving tides. The beauty of fishing this area is the variety - you might start the morning sight-casting to tailing reds, then switch gears to bottom fishing for black drum around the river's structure. Blake provides all the tackle you'll need, from light spinning gear perfect for trout to heavier setups when we're after bull drum. The boat comfortably handles up to 2 anglers, though Blake can accommodate up to 6 people for an additional $50 per extra angler. Just bring your fishing license, some snacks, and get ready to put some fish in the boat.
The St. Johns River and ICW system offers world-class inshore fishing with multiple approaches depending on conditions and target species. We'll use live bait like shrimp and finger mullet when the fish are picky, or throw artificials like soft plastics and topwater plugs when they're aggressive. Around Mayport's jetties and inlet, expect to vertical jig for sheepshead or cast spoons at busting mackerel. In the river's deeper holes, we'll anchor up and fish cut bait for black drum that can push 40+ pounds. The creek systems require a different approach entirely - we'll pole through shallow water and sight-cast to redfish feeding in inches of water. Blake reads these waters like a book, knowing which spots produce on incoming tides versus outgoing, and where to find fish when weather pushes them out of their usual haunts.
Redfish are the backbone of Northeast Florida inshore fishing, and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers average 18-27 inches in our area and fight like fish twice their size. Spring and fall are peak times when they school up in massive numbers, but you can catch quality reds year-round. They're incredibly fun on light tackle, making blistering runs and using their broad sides to fight every inch of the way to the boat. What makes redfish special here is the variety of ways to catch them - sight-fishing the flats, working creek mouths on moving water, or finding them schooled up in deeper holes.
Southern Flounder provide some of the most rewarding fishing in our waters, especially during their fall migration when they fatten up before heading to deeper water. These flatfish are masters of camouflage, lying buried in sandy bottoms near creek mouths and channel edges. The best flounder fishing typically runs from September through November, when they're most active and feeding heavily. Keeper flounder here run 15-20 inches, with some real doormat-sized fish pushing 24+ inches. They're excellent table fare and provide a nice change of pace from the hard-fighting drum and reds.
Black Drum are the heavyweights of the St. Johns River system. These bottom-dwellers can reach massive sizes, with fish over 30 pounds caught regularly around structure and deep holes. Peak season runs from late winter through early summer when they move into the river to spawn. What makes black drum fishing so exciting is never knowing if you'll hook a 5-pounder or a 50-pounder - they all bite the same baits. Younger "puppy" drum provide great action on lighter tackle, while the big bulls will test your drag system and your back muscles.
Sea Trout are the perfect species for anglers who love consistent action. These spotted beauties are year-round residents in our grass flats and can be caught on everything from live shrimp to artificial lures. Spring and fall produce the largest specimens, with gator trout over 20 inches a real possibility. They're relatively easy to catch once you find them, making them perfect for newer anglers or when you need to put some fish in the box. Trout also respond well to artificial lures, so you can have a blast throwing topwater plugs during their aggressive feeding periods.
Sheepshead are the technical challenge that keeps seasoned anglers coming back. These black-and-white striped fish have human-like teeth and incredible bait-stealing abilities. They hang around structure like pilings, jetties, and oyster bars, particularly during their spring spawning run from February through April. Landing a quality sheepshead requires perfect timing, sensitive tackle, and a bit of luck. But when you connect with one, they're tremendous table fare and provide bragging rights among the fishing community.
Captain Blake's local knowledge and years of experience on these waters give you the best shot at a successful day of fishing. Whether you're a seasoned angler looking for your next personal best or a family wanting to introduce kids to the sport, this charter delivers the goods. The combination of productive waters, diverse species, and Blake's expertise makes this a customer favorite among Mayport fishing charters. Don't wait for the perfect weather - some of the best fishing happens when conditions aren't picture-perfect, and Blake knows how to adjust tactics accordingly. Book your 4-hour adventure and discover why Northeast Florida's inshore fishing scene has such a loyal following.
Captain Blake's 2020 32-foot center console is built for serious inshore fishing around Mayport and the St. Johns River system. Twin 300HP Yamaha engines push this rig up to 50 knots, getting you to the best fishing spots fast whether you're targeting redfish in the creeks, bull drum on the river, or tarpon around Mayport inlet. The boat comes equipped with everything you need - GPS and radar for navigation, fish finder to locate structure and schools, plus a wireless trolling motor for stealthy approaches in shallow water. An icebox keeps your catch fresh and drinks cold during those hot Florida fishing days, and there's even a head onboard for longer trips. With room for up to 6 anglers but optimized for 2, you'll have plenty of space to work different techniques from topwater plugs in the marshes to bottom fishing for sheepshead around the jetties. Captain Blake knows these waters inside and out, adapting each trip based on seasonal patterns and what's biting.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the bruisers of the drum family, running 5-30 pounds but capable of hitting 50-plus. These dark, powerful fish love crushing oysters and crabs with their pharyngeal teeth - you can actually hear them "drumming" underwater during spawning season in spring. We target them around oyster bars, bridge pilings, and deeper holes in the St. Johns where they school up from February through May. They're serious fighters that will test your drag and patience. The meat on smaller fish under 15 pounds is excellent, but the big ones get tough and wormy. Fresh blue crab or cut mullet on the bottom is your best bet - use enough weight to stay down in the current and don't set the hook too early. Let them run with it first.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the holy grail of shallow water fishing here - bronze-backed beauties with distinctive black spots near their tails that'll give you arm-burning fights in skinny water. These fish run 18-27 inches in the slot, preferring oyster bars, grass flats, and creek mouths where they root around for crabs and shrimp. Fall brings the best action as they school up before spawning, but we catch them year-round. They're excellent table fare with firm, mild flesh. What makes them special is sight fishing - watching their backs cruise just under the surface gets your heart pumping. Gold spoons and live shrimp are reliable, but nothing beats a topwater plug at dawn. Cast ahead of cruising fish and let them find your bait - patience pays off with these smart fish.
Salmo TruttaSpotted Sea Trout are the bread and butter of our grass flats fishing, running 14-20 inches on average with beautiful silver sides covered in black spots. These fish love shallow water over grass beds where they ambush shrimp and small baitfish. Best action comes during moving tides, especially early morning and late evening when they're actively feeding. Cool months bring bigger fish as they school up in deeper creek channels. They're great eating with delicate white meat, but don't overcook them or they'll turn mushy. Live shrimp under a popping cork is deadly, but they'll also smash topwater plugs and soft plastics. Work the grass edges and potholes - when you find one, there's usually more nearby. Listen for them feeding on top during low light.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the "convict fish" with their black and white stripes, and they've got human-like teeth that'll creep you out the first time you see them. These 2-5 pounders hang tight around any structure - docks, pilings, jetties - where they pick barnacles and crabs off with surgical precision. Spring is prime time when they spawn around the jetties and bridges near Mayport. They're notorious bait thieves and picky eaters, but once hooked, they fight hard and make excellent table fare with sweet, flaky white meat. The secret is getting your bait right against the structure with a small hook and fresh shrimp or fiddler crab. Watch your rod tip like a hawk - they nibble first, then commit. Set the hook hard when you feel weight.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern Flounder are master ambush predators that bury themselves in sand and mud on the bottom. These flatfish run 15-18 inches typically, with both eyes on their left side - pretty wild looking when you first see one. Around here, we find them in the creeks and shallow waters of the ICW where they hunt shrimp, crabs, and small baitfish. Fall and winter are prime time when they're fattening up before their offshore spawning runs. They're fantastic table fare with sweet, white meat that's hard to beat. The trick is drift fishing with live bull minnows or shrimp on a light jig head - keep it moving slowly along the bottom and feel for that subtle tap. When you hook one, they'll make a strong run but tire quickly.
Jacksonville, FL