Kid-Friendly Inshore Fishing in Jacksonville
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fourhour private fishing charter targeting redfish and sea troutAll equipment, bait, and fishing licenses included with tripKidfriendly experience with Captain Tom Wheeler in Jacksonville waters
Getting your kids hooked on fishing starts with the right captain and the perfect first trip. Captain Tom Wheeler runs some of the best family-friendly charters in Jacksonville, and this 4-hour inshore adventure is designed specifically for young anglers. You'll launch from 4870 Ocean St and head out to the productive waters where the St. Johns River meets the Atlantic, giving your kids the chance to battle redfish, black drum, cobia, sea trout, and flounder in calm, protected waters.
This isn't your typical "throw the kids a rod and hope for the best" fishing trip. Captain Tom knows how to keep young anglers engaged and excited throughout the entire 4-hour adventure. The boat is equipped with proper-sized life vests for children, and all the fishing gear is included - from rods and reels sized for smaller hands to fresh live bait that gets the fish biting. You'll fish the shallow flats and grass beds around Jacksonville's inshore waters, where the action stays consistent and the fish are hungry. The captain handles all the licensing requirements, so you just need to show up ready to make some fishing memories. With a maximum of 3 guests, your family gets personalized attention and plenty of room to move around safely.
Inshore fishing around Jacksonville means working the grass flats, oyster bars, and shallow creek mouths where game fish love to feed. Captain Tom uses live shrimp, finger mullet, and mud minnows to entice strikes from the area's top species. Kids learn the basics of casting, setting the hook, and fighting fish while using light tackle that won't wear them out. The shallow water fishing means shorter fights and more action, which keeps young attention spans engaged. You'll drift over prime bottom structure and sight-fish the flats when conditions are right. The captain teaches proper handling techniques so kids can safely release their catches or keep a few for the dinner table if they're legal size.
Redfish are the crown jewel of Jacksonville's inshore waters and perfect for young anglers. These copper-colored bruisers typically run 18-27 inches in the shallows and put up a fight that's exciting without being overwhelming for kids. They're most active during moving tides and love to cruise the grass flats looking for crabs and shrimp. Fall and spring offer the best redfish action, though you'll find them year-round in Jacksonville's waters.
Black drum are another kid-favorite species that frequent the oyster bars and deeper grass beds. These bottom-feeders average 2-8 pounds inshore and are suckers for fresh shrimp fished on the bottom. They're easier to catch than most species, making them perfect confidence builders for first-time young anglers. Their steady, powerful pull teaches kids how to work a fish without the crazy runs that can intimidate beginners.
Sea trout patrol the grass flats in schools and provide consistent action when they're feeding. These spotted beauties typically run 14-20 inches inshore and hit live bait with authority. They're most active during cooler months and low-light periods, making them a top target for morning trips. Kids love their aggressive strikes and the way they jump when hooked.
Cobia are the wildcards of Jacksonville inshore fishing. These brown sharks of the flats can show up anytime but are most common from April through October. Young cobia in the 20-35 inch range provide an exciting challenge for older kids, while the smaller "ling" are perfect for younger anglers. They're curious fish that often follow other hooked fish to the boat, creating multiple opportunities.
Southern flounder are the masters of camouflage and lie flat on sandy bottoms waiting to ambush baitfish. These flatfish typically run 14-18 inches in the shallows and provide a different type of fishing experience. Kids love the surprise factor - you never know when that "stick" on the bottom will turn into a keeper flounder. They're most active during cooler months and around structure changes.
This top-rated family fishing experience books up quickly, especially during peak seasons when the fishing is hot and families are looking for quality time on the water. Captain Tom's kid-friendly approach and Jacksonville's world-class inshore fishery create the perfect combination for introducing young anglers to the sport. With all gear, bait, and licenses included, plus the safety of experienced guidance, this trip takes the stress out of planning your family's fishing adventure. Book now to secure your dates and give your kids a fishing experience they'll be talking about for years to come.
Captain Tom's 25' Robalo Cayman is the perfect family fishing boat for your Jacksonville adventure. Powered by a reliable 300 HP Yamaha, this bay boat handles both the calm waters of the St. Johns River and nearshore Atlantic runs with ease. The spacious layout comfortably seats your crew of 3, giving kids plenty of room to cast lines and reel in their catch. Essential gear includes GPS navigation to find the best fishing spots, a fish finder to locate redfish and sea trout holding areas, plus a convenient onboard toilet for those longer trips. The livewell keeps your bait fresh and your catch alive, while downriggers help target different depths where cobia and flounder like to hang out. Built tough for Florida's inshore waters, this Robalo gives families a stable, safe platform to learn fishing basics and create lasting memories on the water.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the bulldogs of inshore fishing - powerful fish that kids love battling. These chunky fighters average 5-15 pounds around here, with their crushing jaws built for demolishing oysters and crabs. You'll find them around oyster beds, bridge pilings, and muddy flats in 3-20 feet of water. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning, making them easier to target. They're famous for that drumming sound they make underwater during mating season. The smaller ones eat great - firm, white meat that's perfect for the dinner table. Bigger fish over 15 pounds get tough and aren't worth keeping. Pro tip: use fresh blue crab or cut mullet on a Carolina rig, and be patient. They mouth the bait first, so wait for that solid pull before setting the hook.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are the sharks that aren't sharks - dark brown, powerful fish that often cruise near the surface and get mistaken for trouble. These solitary hunters average 20-40 pounds and provide some of the best fights you'll experience inshore. Spring migration from April through June is prime time when they're moving through our waters. You'll spot them around buoys, channel markers, and structure in 15-50 feet of water. They're curious fish that will often approach the boat, giving kids a great look before the hookup. The meat is outstanding - firm, white, and tastes like a cross between grouper and mahi. Since they're usually alone rather than in schools, each fish is a prize. Best technique: sight fishing with live bait or bucktail jigs. When you see one, get excited but stay calm - they spook if you make too much noise.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the crown jewel of inshore fishing around Jacksonville. These copper-colored bruisers with distinctive black spots near their tails are perfect for teaching kids - they're aggressive, fight hard, and aren't too picky about bait. Most fish we catch run 18-27 inches, though slot-sized fish between 18-27 inches are keepers. You'll find them tailing in 1-4 feet of water around oyster bars, grass flats, and marsh edges. They're year-round residents, but fall and spring offer the best action when they're feeding heavily. The meat is sweet and firm, great on the grill. What kids love most is seeing their backs out of the water as they feed. My go-to setup: live shrimp under a popping cork in shallow water. The key is being quiet - these fish spook easily in skinny water.
Salmo TruttaSpotted Sea Trout, or "specks" as we call them, are perfect starter fish for young anglers. These silvery beauties with black spots average 14-18 inches and put up a scrappy fight on light tackle. They love grass flats, oyster bars, and creek mouths in 2-8 feet of water. Spring through fall are your best bets, especially early morning and evening when they're feeding actively. The meat is delicate and flaky - just don't overcook it or it gets mushy. What makes them special is their willingness to hit both live bait and artificials. They school up in winter in deeper holes, sometimes 15-20 feet down. Local trick: use a popping cork with live shrimp about 18 inches below. The noise attracts them from a distance, and kids love watching that cork disappear.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern Flounder are unique flatfish that make for exciting catches, especially for kids who get a kick out of seeing both eyes on one side of their head. These ambush predators bury themselves in sandy or muddy bottoms in 2-10 feet of water, waiting to strike at shrimp, crabs, and small fish. You'll typically find them around oyster bars, creek mouths, and grass flats throughout our area. They run 15-18 inches on average but can hit 20+ inches. Fall and winter are prime time when they're moving toward deeper water to spawn. The meat is excellent - white, flaky, and mild. My tip: fish slowly with live shrimp on a light jig head, letting it sit on bottom for 10-15 seconds before moving it. They bite soft, so watch your line closely.
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