6hr Inshore Fishing Charter with Captain Blake
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Sixhour inshore charter targeting redfish, flounder, and troutCaptain Blake guides trips on St. Johns River and ICWTwoangler capacity with additional guest options available
Looking for a fishing guide who knows these waters like the back of his hand? Captain Blake's got you covered. With years of experience working both the St. Johns River and the Intracoastal Waterway around Mayport, he's dialed in on where the fish are biting year-round. This isn't some cookie-cutter trip – Blake tailors every charter based on what's running hot and what species you're most fired up to catch. Whether you're after slot reds in the creeks or want to tangle with bull drum on the river, this top-rated 6-hour adventure puts you right in the action.
Captain Blake runs a clean operation with a boat that's rigged for comfort and fishing success. You'll launch from Mayport and head to wherever the bite is strongest that day. The beauty of inshore fishing here is the variety – one minute you're working oyster bars for redfish, the next you're drifting creek mouths for spotted trout. Blake reads conditions like a pro, adjusting the game plan based on tides, weather, and seasonal patterns. The charter is sized for 2 anglers to keep things personal and maximize your time on productive water. Need to bring a third or fourth person? No problem – just add $50 per additional angler and Blake will make it work.
Blake's got all the gear you need, from light tackle spinning setups perfect for trout to heavier rods that can handle bull drum when they're staging in the river. Depending on the target species and conditions, you might be throwing live bait around structure, working soft plastics through grass flats, or sight-casting to tailing reds in skinny water. The St. Johns River system offers everything from deep holes where big drum hang out to shallow creeks where redfish cruise the edges. Around Mayport itself, you've got access to jetty fishing for mackerel and sheepshead, plus the chance at tarpon when they're rolling through. Blake knows which spots produce and isn't afraid to move if the action slows down.
Redfish are the bread and butter of Northeast Florida inshore fishing, and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers fight hard and taste even better. Around Mayport, you'll find them in everything from 6 inches of water to 8-foot deep channels. Spring and fall are prime time when big schools move through, but Blake knows how to find them year-round. The slot-sized fish (18-27 inches) are perfect for the dinner table, while the oversized bulls will test your drag and give you a workout you won't forget.
Southern Flounder are the ultimate ambush predators, lying flat on sandy bottoms waiting for baitfish to swim overhead. These flatfish are tricky to target but incredibly rewarding when you dial in the pattern. Fall is when they really turn on as they stage for their offshore spawning run. Blake knows the creek mouths and channel edges where they set up, and he's got the technique down for bouncing jigs just right to trigger strikes. A 3-pound doormat flounder is about as good as it gets for table fare.
Spotted Sea Trout, or "specks" as locals call them, are gorgeous fish with distinctive spots and a reputation for being finicky feeders. They love grass flats and drop-offs, especially during moving water. Winter months can produce some true giants when the big females move into deeper holes, while summer finds them scattered across shallow flats. Blake's got the patience and know-how to put you on quality trout, whether you're working topwater plugs at dawn or bouncing soft plastics through the afternoon.
Black Drum, particularly the massive "bull drum," are absolute tanks that can pull like freight trains. The St. Johns River is famous for its bull drum fishing, with fish over 40 pounds not uncommon. These bruisers love to hang around bridges, docks, and deep bends in the river where they can ambush crabs and other bottom fare. Landing one of these giants on the right tackle is a bucket-list experience that'll have your arms burning and your drag screaming.
Sheepshead are the convict-striped specialists that drive anglers crazy with their bait-stealing abilities. Around Mayport's structure-rich environment – think docks, pilings, and jetties – these fish are masters at picking off fiddler crabs and barnacles. They've got human-like teeth and a knack for stealing bait without getting hooked, but Blake knows the tricks to outsmart them. When you do connect, they're surprisingly strong fighters and make excellent table fare with their firm, white meat.
Captain Blake's 6-hour inshore charter gives you serious time to explore different spots and techniques without feeling rushed. The variety of fisheries around Mayport means every trip offers something different, whether you're a first-timer wanting to learn the ropes or an experienced angler looking to dial in on specific species. With no meals included, you can fuel up before or after and spend maximum time with lines in the water. This customer favorite charter books up fast, especially during prime seasons, so don't wait too long to secure your dates. Blake's local knowledge and commitment to putting clients on fish make this world-class inshore fishing adventure one you'll be talking about long after you head home.
Captain Blake's 2020 32-ft center console is built for serious inshore fishing around Mayport's productive waters. Twin 300HP Yamaha engines push this rig up to 50 knots, getting you to the fish fast whether you're heading to the St. Johns River for bull drum and redfish or working the creeks for speckled trout and flounder. The boat's equipped with everything you need - fish finder to mark structure, GPS navigation, radar for those foggy mornings, and a wireless trolling motor for sneaking up on shallow water targets. An icebox keeps your catch fresh and drinks cold during those hot Florida days. With onboard facilities and room for up to 6 anglers, this center console handles everything from light tackle creek fishing to targeting bigger species like tarpon and mackerel around Mayport's jetties and ICW structure.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the heavyweights of the drum family, commonly running 10-30 pounds with some reaching 50+ pounds. They're bottom feeders with powerful jaws built for crushing oysters and crabs. You'll find them around oyster bars, muddy flats, and creek mouths, especially during spring spawning season when they school up and make that distinctive drumming sound. What guests love is the raw power - these fish will test your drag and your back. The smaller ones (under 15 pounds) are great table fare, while the big ones are trophy fish. They're not picky eaters but can be finicky biters. Here's the key: use fresh blue crab or cut bait on a Carolina rig, keep it right on the bottom, and when you feel that steady pull, don't jerk - just lift and reel.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the bronze bruisers of our inshore waters, easily identified by their copper-colored sides and distinctive black spot near the tail. Most run 18-27 inches (slot size), but we catch plenty of oversized bulls in the 30-40 inch range. They love super shallow water - sometimes so shallow their backs are showing - around oyster bars, grass flats, and creek mouths. Year-round fishing is good, but fall and spring are peak times. What guests love is watching them tail in skinny water and that bulldogging fight once hooked. They're also excellent table fare when kept in slot. These fish aren't picky - they'll eat live shrimp, cut bait, or artificials. Pro tip: when sight fishing, cast well ahead of cruising fish and let your bait settle. They spook easily in shallow water, so quiet approaches pay off.
Salmo TruttaSpotted Sea Trout, or "Specks," are beautiful silver fish with distinctive black spots running 14-20 inches and 1-3 pounds typically. They love grass flats and shallow creeks, especially around dawn and dusk when they're actively feeding on shrimp and small baitfish. Spring through fall are best, with cooler months finding them in deeper holes. What makes them special is that aggressive strike on topwater lures and their sweet, flaky meat that's perfect for the dinner table. They're not the strongest fighters, but they make up for it with numbers and willingness to bite. The trick is fishing the grass edges with soft plastics or live shrimp under a popping cork. During summer, target them early morning or late evening when the water cools down and they move shallow to feed.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the "convict fish" with their black and white stripes and human-like teeth. They typically run 2-8 pounds and 14-20 inches, but we catch some real slabs over 15 pounds. These structure lovers hang tight to dock pilings, bridges, and jetties where they feed on barnacles and crabs. Spring is prime time when they're spawning and easier to target. Guests love the challenge - they're notorious bait thieves with a light bite, but once hooked, they fight hard and smart, trying to wrap you around structure. The payoff is some of the sweetest white meat you'll taste. My secret: use live or fresh dead shrimp on a small hook, get as close to structure as possible, and when you feel them pecking, count to two then set the hook hard. They've got tough mouths.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern Flounder are unique flatfish that run 15-18 inches on average, though we catch some pushing 25+ inches. They're masters of camouflage, burying in sandy or muddy bottoms with both eyes on their left side. You'll find them in our creeks and shallow areas year-round, but fall and winter are prime time when they're fattening up before their offshore spawn. What makes them special is that incredible ambush strike - they'll explode off the bottom when your bait drifts by. Plus, they're some of the best eating fish we catch. My tip: use a light jighead with live shrimp or mud minnows, and work it slow along the bottom. When you feel that subtle tap, give it a second before setting the hook - they like to mouth the bait first.
Jacksonville, FL