Jacksonville Light Tackle & Fly Fishing Charter
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Light tackle and fly fishing on St. Johns RiverExpert guides assist anglers of all skill levelsSmall group charter accommodates maximum two guests
Get ready to experience some of the best inshore fishing Jacksonville has to offer. Our light tackle and fly fishing charter takes you into the heart of the St. Johns River system, where trophy fish cruise shallow flats and deeper channels. This isn't your typical party boat trip – we're talking about a premium, small-group experience designed for anglers who want to really connect with the water. Whether you're looking to perfect your fly casting technique or want to feel every headshake on ultra-light spinning gear, this Jacksonville fishing adventure delivers the goods.
Picture this: you're standing on the bow of our shallow-draft boat, scanning the grass flats as your guide poles silently through crystal-clear water. The morning sun is just starting to warm up, and you can already see tails flashing in the shallows. That's what makes this trip special – it's all about sight fishing and technical angling. We keep our groups small at just 2 anglers max, so you're not fighting for casting room or your guide's attention. The St. Johns River and its tributaries offer everything from skinny-water flats where redfish cruise in 18 inches of water to deeper grass beds where sea trout stack up. Our guides know these waters like the back of their hand, and they'll put you on fish whether the tide is incoming, outgoing, or dead slack.
We fish two main ways on this charter, and both are absolutely killer when done right. Light tackle means we're talking 2500-3000 series spinning reels spooled with 10-15 pound braid, matched with 7-foot medium-light rods that let you feel every bump and run. You'll be throwing everything from topwater plugs at sunrise to soft plastics rigged weedless for working grass beds. The fly fishing side is where things get really fun – we use 7-8 weight rods with floating lines, throwing everything from Clouser minnows to shrimp patterns and crab flies. Your guide will handle the boat positioning, which is crucial since we're often working water that's only 2-4 feet deep. The key is staying quiet and making accurate casts to specific targets – that stump, that grass edge, or that nervous water where fish are feeding.
The species mix in Jacksonville's inshore waters is what keeps anglers coming back trip after trip. Southern flounder are absolute blast on light tackle – these flatfish are masters of camouflage, lying perfectly still until your bait drifts right over their nose. They hit hard and fight dirty, using their flat bodies to create maximum resistance. Best time to target them is during moving water on sandy bottoms and channel edges, especially in fall when they're staging for their offshore spawn. Most fish run 14-18 inches, but we see plenty of doormat flounder pushing 20+ inches that'll put a serious bend in your rod.
Black drum are the bulldogs of the marsh, and when you hook into a big one, you'll know it immediately. These fish cruise oyster bars and shallow flats looking for crabs and shrimp, and they're not shy about eating a well-presented fly or jig. The smaller ones in the 12-16 inch range are perfect table fare, while the bigger bull drum (we're talking 30+ inches) are pure muscle that'll test your drag system. Spring and fall are prime time, when they move shallow to feed and are more aggressive about taking artificials.
Sea trout, or speckled trout as most locals call them, are probably the most consistent fish we target. These beautiful spotted predators love grass flats and deeper potholes, and they'll absolutely crush a topwater plug during low-light periods. A good trout will pull drag and make multiple runs, and they're notorious for throwing the hook with their soft mouths if you horse them. Peak season runs from late spring through early fall, with the best action happening during moving water over grass beds in 3-6 feet of water.
Redfish are the crown jewel of Jacksonville inshore fishing, and for good reason. These copper-colored fighters are built for shallow water, with broad tails that let them accelerate like rockets when hooked. Sight fishing for reds on the flats is about as good as it gets – watching a 25-inch red slowly cruise toward your perfectly placed shrimp fly, then exploding on it in 18 inches of water. They're year-round residents, but fall brings the best action as they school up for spawning. The slot fish (18-27 inches) are perfect for the dinner table, while the oversized bulls are pure adrenaline that'll run you into the backing.
This Jacksonville light tackle and fly fishing charter isn't just another day on the water – it's your chance to experience world-class inshore fishing with guides who live and breathe these waters. The small group size means personalized instruction whether you're new to fly fishing or looking to up your light tackle game. We're targeting four different species that each fight completely differently, so every hook-up is a new challenge. The St. Johns River system is trending as one of Florida's top inshore destinations, and once you experience the sight fishing opportunities here, you'll understand why. Don't wait for the perfect conditions – good guides make their own luck, and we'll put you on fish regardless of what Mother Nature throws at us. Reserve your spot with North East Florida Angling today and get ready for some serious bragging rights.
Your fishing adventure starts aboard our 2015 18-foot Beavertail Skiffs flats boat, perfectly designed to get you into Jacksonville's shallow fishing spots where the big ones hide. This nimble craft runs on a powerful 115HP Yamaha SHO engine that'll cruise at 35 knots, getting you to prime fishing waters fast. The shallow draft design means we can sneak into skinny water where redfish and trout love to feed. When stealth is key, the wireless trolling motor keeps us whisper-quiet as we approach spooky fish without spooking them. GPS navigation ensures we hit all the hot spots along the St. Johns River and surrounding flats. With room for just 2 anglers, you'll have plenty of casting space and personalized attention from your guide. Whether you're sight-casting with fly gear or working light tackle around structure, this boat puts you in perfect position for success on Jacksonville's productive inshore waters.
Pogonias CromisBlack drums are the heavyweights of the inshore scene, running anywhere from 5-30 pounds with some giants pushing 90. These dark, powerful fish pack crushing jaws that can demolish oysters and crabs. You'll find them around oyster beds, muddy flats, and creek mouths in brackish water - they're not picky about salinity. Spring is the magic time when they school up for spawning and make those distinctive drumming sounds you can actually hear underwater. What makes them special is their raw power and the way they use structure against you. The smaller ones under 15 pounds are fantastic eating. My go-to method is fresh crab on the bottom near oyster bars - they can't resist it, and crab stays on the hook better than most baits when the catfish are around.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the crown jewel of our shallow water fishing, easily recognized by their copper-bronze color and distinctive black spot near the tail. They typically run 18-30 inches in our waters, though we occasionally see monsters over 40 inches. These fish love super shallow flats, oyster bars, and creek mouths - sometimes in water so thin their backs show above the surface. Fall is prime time when they school up and feed aggressively before winter. What makes them special is their power and the way they'll crush topwater lures in skinny water - it's heart-stopping action. They're also excellent table fare when kept at slot size. My favorite technique is sight-casting with a gold spoon or topwater plug to fish you can actually see tailing in the shallows. Move slow and cast ahead of them.
Salmo TruttaSpotted sea trout, or "specks," are beautiful silver fish covered in black spots that love our grass flats and shallow waters. Most run 14-24 inches and fight way above their weight class with spectacular jumps. They're year-round residents in our estuaries, feeding on shrimp, small crabs, and baitfish. Dawn and dusk are prime times, especially during warmer months when they're active in 2-6 feet of water over grass beds. What makes them special is their willingness to hit topwater lures and their delicate, flaky white meat that's perfect for the dinner table. They're also great on fly tackle. The key is working the edges of grass flats with a popping cork and live shrimp, or throwing a topwater plug early morning - when they blow up on the surface, it's pure magic.
Paralichthys LethostigmaThese flat, oval-shaped fish are masters of disguise, burying themselves in sand and mud to ambush prey. You'll spot them by both eyes being on their left side and the scattered light and dark blotches across their backs. Most run 15-18 inches, but we see them up to 33 inches. They hang out on sandy and muddy bottoms in shallow coastal waters, especially around the St. Johns River mouth. Fall and winter are prime time when they're feeding heavily before moving offshore. Guests love the challenge of sight-fishing these sneaky predators, plus they're excellent table fare. The trick is using a slow drift with live shrimp or bull minnows on a light jig head - let it sit on bottom and wait for that subtle tap.
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