Full Day Inshore Fishing in Jacksonville, FL
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Sixhour inshore fishing adventure targeting multiple speciesLight tackle fishing for Redfish, Trout, and Black DrumExpert guides provide coastal habitat exploration experience
Looking for a solid day on the water targeting some of Northeast Florida's best inshore species? This 6-hour charter puts you right in the action with light tackle fishing in Jacksonville's premier shallow water spots. You'll be working the grass flats, oyster bars, and creek mouths where redfish, speckled trout, black drum, and southern flounder call home. With room for up to 2 anglers, this is the perfect setup for a focused fishing experience without the crowds. Whether you're dialing in your technique or just want to bend some rods, these waters deliver consistent action year-round.
Your captain knows these Jacksonville waters like the back of their hand, and they'll put you on fish using proven local techniques. We're talking about working the structure that holds fish - from shallow grass beds in 2-4 feet of water to deeper channel edges where bigger drum patrol. The boat setup is designed for light tackle inshore work, meaning you'll feel every fight and have a blast even with smaller fish. Expect to move between several productive spots throughout the day, adapting to tides, weather, and what the fish are telling us. The beauty of Jacksonville's inshore fishing is the variety - you might start the morning sight-fishing for tailing reds and finish the afternoon working deeper holes for trout and flounder. Your guide will handle the navigation and fish-finding while you focus on making the right casts and working your lures properly.
We're fishing smart here with light spinning gear that lets you feel every bump and makes even average-sized fish feel like monsters. The go-to setup includes 7-foot medium-light rods paired with 2500-3000 series reels spooled with 10-15lb braided line. Depending on conditions and target species, you'll be throwing everything from soft plastic paddle tails on jig heads to topwater plugs and spoons. The shallow water fishing means stealth is key - quiet approaches, long casts, and working baits naturally through the strike zones. Your guide will teach you how to read the water, spot feeding activity, and adjust your retrieve based on what the fish want. Structure fishing around oyster bars requires a different approach than working open grass flats, and you'll learn both techniques during your trip. The tidal movement drives everything here, so timing your presentations with current flow makes all the difference between a good day and a great day.
Redfish are the bread and butter of Jacksonville inshore fishing, and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers average 18-27 inches in our waters and fight like fish twice their size. Spring through fall offers the best action, especially during the morning and evening hours when reds move shallow to feed. You'll find them tailing in skinny water, cruising grass flats, and ambushing bait around structure. What makes redfish so special is their willingness to eat artificial lures and their bulldogging fight that tests your drag system.
Speckled trout, or "specks" as locals call them, are the technical fish that keep you sharp. These spotted beauties typically run 14-20 inches with occasional 3-4 pound fish that'll make your day. Fall and winter months are prime time when specks school up in deeper grass beds and channel edges. They're moody fish that require finesse - the right lure, proper retrieve speed, and subtle presentations. When you dial in the pattern, though, you can catch them consistently. Their soft mouths mean you need to adjust your hookset, but that delicate fight makes them a favorite among light tackle enthusiasts.
Black drum are the overlooked powerhouses of the inshore scene. These bottom-dwellers range from schoolie-sized fish around 12-16 inches up to bruiser 20+ pounders that'll challenge your tackle. They're year-round residents but really turn on during cooler months when they move shallow to feed on oyster bars and shell beds. Black drum have incredible pulling power and use their broad sides to fight you in the current. They're not flashy, but they're reliable producers when other species get finicky with weather changes.
Southern flounder bring the element of surprise to your fishing day. These flatfish masters of camouflage typically measure 14-18 inches, with keeper-sized fish providing excellent table fare. Summer and early fall are peak seasons when flounder move into the shallows to ambush prey. They sit motionless on sandy bottoms near structure, waiting to explode on passing baits. The strike often feels like you've snagged bottom until the fish starts shaking its head. Flounder require patience and proper bait presentation, but they're one of the best eating fish you'll find in these waters.
Jacksonville's inshore fishing scene delivers consistent action across multiple species, making every trip a learning experience and a chance for memorable catches. This full-day charter gives you the time to really dial in techniques, work different water types, and maximize your opportunities with the tides. The 2-angler limit means personalized instruction and plenty of fishing time for both guests. Your experienced guide provides the local knowledge and boat positioning that turns good fishing days into great ones. With light tackle gear enhancing every fight and diverse habitat keeping things interesting, this trip offers the complete Northeast Florida inshore experience. Book your date now and get ready to experience why Jacksonville consistently ranks among Florida's top inshore fishing destinations.
Your inshore fishing adventure starts aboard our 2015 Beavertail Skiff, an 18-foot flats boat built specifically for Jacksonville's shallow coastal waters. Powered by a reliable 115HP Yamaha SHO engine, this nimble craft cuts through the water at speeds up to 35 knots, getting you to the best fishing spots quickly. The shallow draft design lets us access those hard-to-reach backcountry areas where redfish and speckled trout love to hide. When stealth is key, the wireless trolling motor keeps us whisper-quiet as we approach wary fish in skinny water. GPS navigation ensures we can find productive fishing grounds and mark hot spots for future trips. With room for just two anglers, you'll have plenty of casting space and personalized attention from your guide. This boat handles Jacksonville's diverse inshore environments perfectly, from oyster bars to grass flats to creek mouths where the fish concentrate.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the bulldogs of our inshore waters - thick, powerful fish that'll test your drag system. These bottom-feeders cruise oyster beds and muddy flats using their strong jaws to crush crabs, oysters, and clams. Most of what we catch runs 5-15 pounds, but don't be surprised if you hook into a 30-pounder that'll give you a real workout. They're easiest to target during spring spawning season when they school up in shallow water. You'll hear them "drumming" - that's how they got their name. The smaller ones under 15 pounds are excellent eating with firm white meat, while the big ones are better released. Here's the trick: use fresh crab or cut bait on the bottom and be patient. When a drum picks up your bait, let them run with it before setting the hook.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are Jacksonville's signature inshore species - copper-colored beauties with that telltale black spot near the tail. We target them in 1-4 feet of water around oyster bars, grass flats, and creek mouths where they cruise looking for crabs and shrimp. Most slot fish run 18-27 inches, but the bull reds over 27 inches will give you a fight you won't forget. They're here year-round, but fall brings the best action when they school up. What makes them special? They hit everything from topwater plugs to live bait, fight like freight trains, and the slot-sized fish are fantastic on the table with sweet, firm meat. Watch for "tailing" fish in shallow water - that's when their tails stick up while they're feeding head-down. Cast past them and work your bait back slowly.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are the bread and butter of our inshore fishing - beautiful fish with silver sides covered in distinctive black spots. Most run 14-20 inches, but we get some nice 3-4 pounders that'll make your drag sing. They love grass flats and drop-offs in 2-6 feet of water, especially around dawn and dusk. Spring through fall are your best bets, with cooler months bringing schools into deeper holes. What guests love most is how willing they are to hit artificial lures - topwater plugs at sunrise will get your heart pumping when they explode on the surface. The meat is delicate and flaky, perfect for a fish fry. Key tip: work the edges of grass beds with a popping cork and live shrimp, or throw soft plastics on a 1/4 oz jig head. They're aggressive but have soft mouths, so don't horse them.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern flounder are masters of disguise that'll fool you every time. These flat fish bury themselves in sandy or muddy bottoms, waiting to ambush prey like shrimp, crabs, and small baitfish. They're easily recognized by both eyes sitting on their left side and those distinctive dark blotches covering their body. Most run 15-18 inches, but we regularly see keeper-sized fish up to 25 inches in our shallow waters around oyster bars and creek mouths. Fall and winter are prime time when they're moving through our inshore waters. What makes them special? They fight surprisingly hard for a flatfish and make excellent table fare with sweet, flaky white meat. Pro tip: work your bait slow along the bottom - they won't chase it far, but when they hit, you'll know it.
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