Florida 3 Hour Inshore Trip
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Threehour inshore fishing adventure in Jacksonville watersTarget redfish, flounder, and sheepshead with expert guidanceSmall group experience accommodating up to two guests
Jacksonville's inshore waters are hands down some of the best fishing spots on Florida's east coast. This three-hour trip with Last Call Fishing Charters puts you right in the action without eating up your whole day. Whether you're visiting for the weekend or you're a local looking to squeeze in some fishing before dinner, this is the perfect bite-sized adventure. Captain and crew know these waters like the back of their hand, and they'll have you hooked up with redfish, flounder, sheepshead, and more before you know it. With space for just two anglers, you get that personalized attention that makes all the difference between going home empty-handed or with a cooler full of fish.
You'll launch from one of Jacksonville's prime fishing spots and head straight to where the fish are biting. The beauty of inshore fishing here is the variety – one cast you might be working a grass flat for redfish, the next you're dropping down on structure for sheepshead. The water stays relatively calm compared to offshore trips, making this perfect for first-timers or anyone who gets a little queasy in big swells. Your captain will read the conditions and adjust the game plan accordingly. Maybe the tide's perfect for working the creek mouths, or perhaps the fish are stacked up around the jetties. Either way, you're in good hands with guides who live and breathe these waters every single day.
This trip is all about versatility and reading the fish. You'll be using medium-action spinning gear perfect for the 15-30 pound fish that call these waters home. Live bait is king here – expect to work with shrimp, finger mullet, and mud minnows depending on what the fish want that day. Your guide will have you rigged up with everything from popping corks for trout to Carolina rigs for bottom fish. Don't worry if you've never tied a Palomar knot or don't know a jig head from a circle hook – the crew handles all the technical stuff while teaching you the basics. You'll fish around docks, oyster bars, grass flats, and maybe even some creek mouths where the baitfish stack up. The key is staying mobile and following the bite, which is exactly what these top-rated captains do best.
Redfish are the crown jewel of Jacksonville inshore fishing, and for good reason. These copper-colored fighters average 20-30 inches and will give you a workout once hooked. Spring through fall offers the most consistent action, though winter can produce some trophy-sized fish when conditions align. What makes reds so special is their aggressive strike and that trademark run toward structure once they feel the hook. You'll find them cruising the shallows, tailing in knee-deep water, or ambushing bait around dock pilings.
Southern Flounder are the masters of disguise, lying perfectly camouflaged on sandy bottoms waiting to ambush passing prey. These flatfish can stretch over 20 inches and provide some of the best table fare you'll find in these waters. Fall is prime time for doormat flounder as they stage near inlets before heading offshore to spawn. The thrill comes from that subtle pickup – flounder don't slam baits like other species, so you need to stay sharp and set the hook at the first sign of weight.
Sheepshead earn their reputation as bait thieves, but that's exactly what makes them so rewarding to catch. These black-and-white striped fish have human-like teeth perfect for crushing barnacles and crabs around structure. Winter months bring the biggest sheepshead as they move shallow to spawn. The challenge is detecting their light bite and setting the hook before they strip your bait and disappear back into the pilings.
Sea Trout provide steady action year-round and are perfect for building confidence on the water. These spotted beauties average 12-18 inches and love grass flats where they can ambush shrimp and small baitfish. Spring and fall offer the most consistent trout fishing, though summer mornings and winter warm spells can produce excellent catches. They're not the strongest fighters, but their willingness to bite makes them a customer favorite for mixed bags.
Black Drum round out the lineup as the bulldogs of the inshore world. These powerful fish can exceed 30 pounds and will test your drag system once hooked. Look for them around oyster bars and creek mouths where they root around for crabs and shellfish. Unlike their smaller cousin the redfish, black drum are all about power over speed, using their weight and stubbornness to wear down anglers. Spring brings the best shot at heavyweight drum as they gather in shallow water to spawn.
Three hours might not sound like much, but when you're working productive waters with an experienced guide, it's plenty of time to get your fish on and create some lasting memories. This world-class inshore experience gives you a real taste of what Jacksonville fishing is all about without the commitment of a full-day charter. Whether you're testing the waters before booking a longer trip or you just want to scratch that fishing itch during a busy schedule, this is your ticket to some of Florida's best inshore action. The boat only takes two anglers, so spots fill up fast – especially during prime fishing seasons. Don't wait until you're standing on the dock wishing you'd called sooner.
Your Jacksonville inshore adventure starts aboard a reliable Carolina Skiff built for serious fishing in shallow waters. This nimble 2-person boat cuts through the backwaters and flats where trophy Redfish and Flounder love to hide. The wireless trolling motor keeps things whisper-quiet when you're sneaking up on those spooky Sheepshead around structure. Fish finder technology helps pinpoint the action while GPS navigation gets you to the hottest spots around Jacksonville's maze of creeks and marshes. Stay connected with VHF radio communication and keep your catch fresh in the onboard ice box. Perfect for targeting inshore species in tight spaces where bigger boats can't go. This shallow-draft skiff handles like a dream whether you're sight fishing the grass beds or working oyster bars for dinner.
Paralichthys LethostigmaThese flat, oval-shaped fish are masters of disguise, burying themselves in sand and mud on shallow bottoms where they ambush shrimp, crabs, and small baitfish. Most run 15-18 inches and around 5 pounds, but we've seen some push over 20 pounds. They're perfect for still fishing or drifting over sandy flats and around creek mouths. What makes them special is both eyes sit on one side of their head - pretty wild to see up close. The meat is sweet and flaky, making them great table fare. Fall and winter are prime time when they move into our inshore waters. Pro tip: use a light sinker and let your bait hit bottom, then lift it just slightly. Flounder won't chase far, so keep that bait right in their strike zone near structure.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the heavyweights of our inshore waters, typically running 5-30 pounds but capable of hitting 90 pounds. These powerful fish love oyster beds, muddy flats, and creek mouths where they crush shellfish with their strong jaws. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning - that's when you'll hear them "drumming" underwater. They're tough fighters that'll test your gear, especially the bigger ones. The smaller fish under 15 pounds make excellent eating with firm, flaky meat. You'll find them in shallow brackish water during warmer months, then deeper channels in winter. They're bottom feeders, so fresh crab or cut bait works best. Here's the trick: use just enough weight to hold bottom and stay patient - they're notorious for picking at bait before committing.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are Jacksonville's signature inshore species, easily recognized by their copper-bronze color and distinctive black eyespot near the tail. Most slot fish run 18-27 inches, but we see plenty of oversized "bulls" pushing 40+ inches and 30+ pounds. They love super shallow water - sometimes so shallow their backs show above the surface. You'll find them around oyster bars, marsh edges, and grass flats feeding on crabs, shrimp, and baitfish. Fall and spring offer the best action, but they bite year-round. They're incredible fighters that make long, powerful runs and great eating when kept in slot. These fish aren't picky - live shrimp, cut bait, spoons, and topwater plugs all work. Here's my tip: look for "tailing" fish with their tails sticking up while feeding - approach quietly and cast past them, then work your bait into their path.
Salmo TruttaSpotted Sea Trout, or "Specks" as we call them, are silvery fish covered in distinctive black spots that love our grass flats and shallow bays. Most run 14-24 inches and 1-5 pounds, making them perfect on light tackle. They're active year-round but really shine during dawn and dusk when they feed aggressively on shrimp and small baitfish. What makes them special is their soft bite and great table fare - the meat is delicate and flaky. You'll find them over seagrass in 2-8 feet of water, often making that telltale "pop" when they hit topwater lures. Winter months see them schooled up in deeper holes. Soft plastics, live shrimp, and topwater plugs work great. Key tip: keep a light drag - their mouths are soft and tear easily, so let them run and tire themselves out before bringing them to the boat.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the "convict fish" of Jacksonville waters with their distinctive black and gray stripes, but what really sets them apart are their human-like teeth designed for crushing barnacles and crabs. Most run 1-8 pounds and 14-20 inches, though 20-pounders do show up around the right structure. You'll find them hugging dock pilings, bridge supports, and any barnacle-covered structure year-round, with spring being peak season. They're notorious bait thieves and incredibly smart - you'll swear they can think their way off your hook. The payoff is some of the best eating fish in our waters with sweet, white meat. These fish won't travel far from cover, so get your bait tight to structure. My go-to tip: set that hook hard the moment you feel weight - they'll steal your bait all day if you hesitate.
Saint Augustine, FL