Family Fishing Fun in Jacksonville Waters
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Private 4hour inshore fishing adventure for familiesTarget redfish, cobia, and sea trout aboard 25' RobaloAll gear, bait, and licenses included with Captain Tom
Captain Tom Wheeler knows exactly what families need for a perfect day on the water. This 4-hour private charter puts you and your crew aboard a well-maintained 25' Robalo bay boat, perfectly sized for intimate family fishing without the crowds. You'll fish the productive waters around Jacksonville, targeting some of the most exciting inshore species Florida has to offer. Kids are not just welcome – they're the stars of the show, with life vests provided and Captain Tom's patient teaching style making sure everyone gets in on the action.
Your adventure kicks off from 4870 Ocean St, where Captain Tom will have everything ready to go. The Robalo bay boat offers plenty of room for up to three guests while still being nimble enough to chase fish in both the scenic St. Johns River and the nearby Atlantic waters. You'll spend your time drifting over grass flats, working structure around docks and bridges, and maybe even making some runs to the inlet mouth where the river meets the ocean. The captain provides all tackle, live bait, and fishing licenses, so you can focus on what matters – having fun and making memories. The boat's shallow draft means you'll access spots where bigger charter boats can't go, giving your family a more personalized fishing experience.
Captain Tom runs a variety of techniques depending on what the fish are doing. You'll likely start with live shrimp under popping corks around grass beds and oyster bars – a deadly combo for redfish and sea trout. When targeting black drum, expect to fish with cut bait on the bottom near bridge pilings and deeper holes. For cobia, the captain might switch to live bait on medium-heavy tackle, especially during their spring and fall runs. The gear is sized appropriately for the target species, but light enough that kids can handle the fish without getting worn out. Circle hooks keep the fish healthy for release, and Captain Tom will show the little ones proper fish handling techniques. Don't be surprised if he breaks out some artificial lures too – spoons, soft plastics, and topwater plugs can produce explosive strikes that'll have the whole family hooked on fishing.
Redfish are the bread and butter of Jacksonville inshore fishing, and these copper-colored bruisers put up a fight that'll test any angler. They average 18-27 inches in these waters, with the occasional bull red pushing 30+ inches. Fall and winter months are prime time, when they school up in massive numbers along the grass flats and creek mouths. What makes reds so special is their attitude – they'll crush a bait with authority and then strip line like there's no tomorrow.
Black drum might not win beauty contests, but they're absolute bulldogs on light tackle. These bottom dwellers hang around structure and can weigh anywhere from 5 to 20 pounds in Jacksonville waters. Spring through fall offers the best action, and they're perfect for teaching kids patience since drum fishing requires waiting for that telltale tap-tap-tap bite. Once hooked, they use their broad sides to fight all the way to the boat.
Sea trout are the perfect family fish – they bite readily, fight well for their size, and make excellent table fare. Most Jacksonville trout run 12-16 inches, with plenty of keepers mixed in. They're most active during cooler months and love live shrimp worked over grass beds. Their soft mouths mean you need to play them carefully, which teaches young anglers proper fish fighting technique.
Cobia are the wildcards that can turn a good trip into a great one. These brown sharks look-alikes cruise the waters from spring through fall, often following rays and sharks. They typically run 20-40 inches in local waters and fight like fish twice their size. Spotting a cobia is half the battle – they're curious fish that will often swim right up to the boat to investigate.
Southern flounder are the masters of camouflage, lying flat on sandy bottoms waiting to ambush prey. Jacksonville's flounder fishery is best from late summer through winter, with fish averaging 14-18 inches. They require patience and finesse – a slow presentation with live bait or soft plastics worked along channel edges and drop-offs. Landing a nice "doormat" flounder is always a trip highlight.
Captain Tom Wheeler's family-friendly approach and top-rated local knowledge make this charter a customer favorite among Jacksonville fishing trips. With all gear, bait, and licenses included, plus the peace of mind that comes with a patient captain who genuinely enjoys working with kids, you're looking at four hours of quality time that beats any theme park. The 25' Robalo gives you access to both river and near-shore Atlantic fishing grounds, maximizing your chances at multiple species. Book now to secure your preferred dates – the best family fishing trips fill up fast, especially during Jacksonville's prime fishing seasons.
Captain Tom Wheeler's 25' Robalo Cayman is your ticket to Jacksonville's best inshore fishing action. This reliable bay boat packs serious fishing power with a 300 HP Yamaha outboard that'll get you to the hotspots fast, whether you're working the grass flats for redfish or cruising the St. Johns River for sea trout. Built tough for Florida's inshore waters, she seats your family of 3 comfortably with room to move around when the fish are biting. The GPS keeps you on the productive spots while the fish finder shows what's swimming below. Kids stay safe and comfortable with the onboard toilet, plus there's a livewell to keep your catch fresh. Perfect for targeting redfish, black drum, cobia, and flounder in the shallow waters around Jacksonville.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the heavyweights of our inshore waters, commonly running 5-30 pounds but capable of hitting 90+ pounds. These powerful fish have crushing jaws built for oysters and crabs, and you'll hear them "drumming" underwater during spawning season. They love our oyster beds, muddy flats, and creek mouths in both shallow and deeper water up to 100 feet. Spring brings the best action when they school up for spawning - that's when you'll find the most consistent bite. Families enjoy the steady, strong fight they put up, though stick with fish under 15 pounds for the table - the smaller ones taste much better. Pro tip: use fresh crab for bait and fish right on the bottom. The crab stays put and doesn't get picked off by catfish like other baits do.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are the sharks that aren't sharks - these brown, streamlined fish often get mistaken for sharks due to their dorsal fin and size. They're true trophy fish, averaging around 30-50 pounds with some reaching 6 feet and 100+ pounds. You'll find them around structure like reefs, wrecks, and buoys, typically in 30-70 feet of water, though they sometimes cruise shallow waters too. Spring and summer are prime time when they migrate through our area and spawn. What makes them special is they're phenomenal table fare - firm, white meat that tastes like a cross between grouper and mahi. Plus, they're usually solo fish, so hooking one means a serious fight. Since they're curious fish, my favorite technique is sight-fishing with bucktail jigs when you spot them cruising near the surface.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are Jacksonville's signature species - bronze-colored bruisers with distinctive black eyespots near their tails. Most slot fish run 18-27 inches, but we also target the big bulls that can hit 40+ inches and really test your arms. They cruise our shallow flats, oyster bars, and creek mouths in just 1-4 feet of water - sometimes so shallow their backs show above the surface. Year-round fishing is good, but fall brings the best action when they school up. Families love them because they eat almost anything, fight hard, and the smaller ones make excellent table fare with mild, sweet meat. They're also fun to sight-fish when you can see them cruising the flats. Here's my go-to trick: use a gold spoon and work it slow through the grass - the flash drives them wild.
Salmo TruttaSpotted Sea Trout, or "Specks" as we call them, are beautiful silvery fish covered in distinctive black spots. Most run 14-24 inches and 1-5 pounds, making them perfect for lighter tackle and kids. They love our grass flats, shallow bays, and drop-offs where they feed on shrimp and small baitfish. Spring through fall offers the best fishing, especially early morning and evening when they're most active. What makes them special is their delicate, white meat that's fantastic on the table - just don't overcook it or it gets mushy. They're also great fighters with surprising speed for their size. Local secret: try fishing the grass flats at night with a popping cork and live shrimp. The sound drives them crazy and you'll get some explosive strikes.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern Flounder are masters of disguise - these flat, oval-shaped fish have both eyes on one side and can change color to match the bottom. They typically run 15-18 inches and weigh around 5 pounds, though we've seen some hit 20+ pounds. You'll find them in our shallow waters, sandy bottoms, and around oyster bars where they bury themselves and ambush prey like shrimp and small fish. Fall and winter are prime time when adults move closer to shore. Kids love the surprise factor when one suddenly appears from nowhere! The meat is excellent - white, flaky, and mild. Here's a local trick: when you feel that subtle tap, count to three before setting the hook. Flounder often grab bait sideways first, then turn it to swallow.
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