6-Hour Jacksonville Inshore Fishing Charter
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Sixhour inshore fishing charter in Jacksonville watersTarget Jack Crevalle, Redfish, Sea Trout, and Southern FlounderProfessional guides provide equipment for groups up to three
Jacksonville's inshore waters offer some of Florida's best year-round fishing, and this 6-hour charter with MARSHRATS puts you right in the action. With extended time on the water, you'll hit multiple spots around the St. Johns River system, Nassau Sound, and the productive flats that make this area famous among serious anglers. Our experienced captains know exactly where to find feeding fish based on tides, weather, and seasonal patterns. You'll be fishing from a well-equipped boat with top-quality gear, targeting four of Northeast Florida's most popular inshore species. The extra hours mean more opportunities to dial in your technique and land that fish of a lifetime.
This charter starts early to maximize your fishing time during the most productive periods. You'll launch from one of Jacksonville's premier marinas and head out to productive waters within minutes. The beauty of inshore fishing here is the variety – one minute you're sight fishing shallow grass flats, the next you're working structure in deeper channels. Your captain will adjust tactics throughout the day based on what's biting and where the fish are holding. Expect to use live bait like shrimp and finger mullet, along with artificial lures including soft plastics, topwater plugs, and spoons. The boat comes equipped with all necessary tackle, but feel free to bring your own gear if you have favorites. With a maximum of 3 anglers, everyone gets plenty of rod time and personalized instruction from the captain.
Jacksonville inshore fishing relies heavily on reading water conditions and adapting your approach. You'll learn to work oyster bars, grass flats, creek mouths, and dock lines using different presentations. Live shrimp under popping corks is a go-to technique for sea trout and redfish, while cut bait works great for flounder in sandy holes and channel edges. When fish are aggressive, topwater action with walking baits and poppers creates explosive strikes from jacks and reds. Your captain will have you using medium-action spinning rods with 15-20 lb braided line, perfect for the structure-rich environment. Circle hooks are standard for live bait fishing, while jig heads and weighted hooks work for soft plastics. The key is staying mobile and covering water until you locate active fish, then working that area thoroughly before moving on.
Sea Trout are the bread and butter of Jacksonville inshore fishing, with keeper-sized fish available year-round. These spotted beauties love grass flats and drop-offs, especially during moving tides. Spring and fall offer the best action for larger gator trout pushing 20+ inches. They're famous for their delicate mouths, so a smooth drag and gentle hookset are crucial. What makes them special is their willingness to hit both live bait and artificials, plus they're excellent table fare when properly handled.
Redfish are the crown jewel of Northeast Florida fishing, with slot-sized fish from 18-27 inches providing heart-stopping fights in shallow water. These copper-colored bruisers are most active during cooler months but can be caught year-round around oyster bars and marsh edges. Bull reds over the slot limit show up in fall and winter, offering arm-burning battles that test your tackle and skills. Their powerful runs and stubborn nature make every hookup memorable, whether you're sight fishing tailing fish or blind casting structure.
Crevalle Jack bring pure adrenaline to any fishing trip, with their incredible speed and bulldogging fights. These silver rockets travel in schools and can appear anywhere from shallow flats to deeper channels. Summer months see the biggest concentrations, often mixed with other species around baitfish schools. Jacks will hit almost anything that moves, making them perfect for testing new lures or getting kids hooked on fishing. Their aggressive nature and acrobatic jumps create some of the most exciting action you'll find inshore.
Southern Flounder are the ultimate ambush predators, lying camouflaged on sandy bottoms waiting for prey to swim by. Fall and winter are prime time for doormat flounder, with fish over 20 inches common around creek mouths and channel edges. They require patience and finesse, slowly bouncing baits along the bottom until you feel that distinctive tap-tap-pull. What makes them special is the challenge – they're masters of disguise and light biters, but once hooked, they provide a unique flat-sided fight. Plus, few fish can match flounder for table quality.
Six hours on Jacksonville's inshore waters gives you the perfect balance of fishing time and variety. You'll experience different techniques, target multiple species, and have plenty of opportunities to improve your skills with guidance from experienced local captains. The MARSHRATS team knows these waters inside and out, from the best tide windows to the most productive seasonal spots. Whether you're a seasoned angler looking to explore new waters or someone wanting to experience Northeast Florida's world-class inshore fishing, this charter delivers the goods. Don't wait – prime dates fill up fast, especially during peak fishing seasons. Book now and get ready to see why Jacksonville consistently ranks among the top inshore fishing destinations on the East Coast.
Get ready to fish the productive waters around Jacksonville aboard our nimble 19-foot East Cape flats boat. This 2023 vessel packs serious power with its 175HP Mercury engine, letting us cover water fast and reach those prime fishing spots where Redfish, Sea Trout, Jack Crevalle, and Southern Flounder are waiting. The shallow-draft design gets you into skinny water where bigger boats can't go, while our GPS and fish finder help locate the best structure and schools. With room for up to 3 anglers, you'll have plenty of space to work your lines without crowding. The boat's speed means more time with lines in the water and less time running between spots during your 6-hour charter adventure.
Caranx HipposJack Crevalle are pure adrenaline on the end of your line. These brassy, muscular fish typically run 12-24 inches in our waters, but the big ones can hit 4 feet and really test your gear. They travel in aggressive schools, hunting baitfish around structures, jetties, and offshore wrecks year-round. Summer months bring the most consistent action when they push bait to the surface. What makes jacks special isn't the eating - they're catch and release fun - but the raw power and stamina. They'll fight until they're completely exhausted. Look for diving birds to locate feeding schools, then cast silver spoons or fast-moving lures right into the chaos. Key tip: retrieve your lure quickly and aggressively - jacks love the chase and won't hesitate on fast-moving baits.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the bread and butter of our Jacksonville inshore fishing, and for good reason. These copper-colored fighters average 20-30 inches but can push well into the 40+ inch range. Look for that distinctive black spot near their tail - it's their signature calling card. They love super shallow water, often feeding in just 1-4 feet around oyster bars, grass flats, and creek mouths. Year-round fishing is solid here, though fall and spring are prime time when they school up. What guests love most is their aggressive strike and bulldogging fight - they'll peel drag and make multiple runs. Plus, slot-sized fish are fantastic eating with firm, mild meat. My go-to trick: target the edges of grass flats on moving water with gold spoons or live shrimp.
Salmo TruttaSpotted sea trout are some of the most consistent fish we target around Jacksonville's grass flats and shallow bays. These speckled beauties typically run 14-24 inches and fight harder than their size suggests. You'll find them cruising oyster bars, dock lights, and grass beds in 2-6 feet of water. Spring through fall offers the best action, especially early morning and evening when they're actively feeding on shrimp and small baitfish. What makes them special is their willingness to hit topwater lures and their excellent table fare - mild, flaky white meat that's hard to beat. Pro tip: when working grass flats, cast your lure past where you see them and work it back slowly. They spook easily but once hooked, they'll make several strong runs before giving up.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern flounder are the masters of disguise lying flat on sandy and muddy bottoms throughout our area. These flat, oval-shaped fish typically measure 15-18 inches but can stretch to over 2 feet. Both eyes sit on their left side, making them one of nature's most unique predators. They bury themselves in sand near creek mouths, channel edges, and around structure in 3-15 feet of water. Fall and winter are prime time as they fatten up before moving offshore to spawn. Guests love flounder because they're challenge fish that require patience, plus they're absolutely delicious - sweet, white meat that's perfect for the dinner table. Best technique: drift live mud minnows or bull minnows on light jigs along bottom transitions. Move slowly and feel for that subtle tap.
Jacksonville