Four Hour Jetty Fishing at Mayport
Private Trip
River Fishing
Four-hour jetty fishing targeting sheepshead and redfish speciesPrime location where St. Johns River meets Atlantic OceanSeasonal opportunities for flounder, tarpon, and various fish
The Mayport Jetties sit right where the St. Johns River meets the Atlantic Ocean, creating one of Florida's most productive fishing hotspots. This four-hour charter with Recess Sport Fishing puts you right in the action just minutes from the marina. Whether you're chasing that plate-sized sheepshead around the rocks or waiting for a bull redfish to slam your bait, the jetties deliver variety like nowhere else. The mix of fresh and saltwater creates a feeding zone that attracts everything from Spanish mackerel to seasonal tarpon, making every cast a potential surprise.
Your captain will pick the best spots along the jetties based on tide, wind, and what's been biting lately. The rocky structure provides perfect ambush points for aggressive species, while the deeper channels hold bigger fish looking for an easy meal. You'll fish both sides of the jetties depending on conditions - the ocean side when it's calm for kings and Spanish mackerel, or tucked into the river side when the wind picks up. The beauty of this fishery is its year-round productivity. Spring brings the first wave of Spanish mackerel and cobia, summer heats up with tarpon and big drum, fall means prime redfish season, and winter sheepshead fishing is world-class. Each season offers something different, so there's never a bad time to wet a line here.
Jetty fishing requires finesse and power in equal measure. Your guide will have you working live shrimp around the pilings for sheepshead, using just enough weight to get down but not so much that you're constantly hung up in the rocks. For the drum and reds, fresh cut bait on circle hooks lets you sit back and wait for that unmistakable thump. When the mackerel are running, you'll switch to lighter tackle and small spoons or live bait, letting the current carry your offering through the schools. The key is reading the water - watching for bait pods, bird activity, and subtle current changes that reveal where fish are feeding. Your captain knows these waters like the back of their hand and will put you on fish using techniques perfected over years of fishing these jetties.
Spanish mackerel are the bread and butter of jetty fishing, especially during their spring and fall runs. These silver bullets average 1-3 pounds but fight way above their weight class, making screaming runs that'll test your drag. They're perfect for lighter tackle and absolutely delicious on the dinner table. Look for them around bait schools in 15-30 feet of water, and don't be surprised when they hit so hard they nearly rip the rod from your hands.
Black drum are the bulldogs of the jetties, with fish ranging from keeper-sized 16-inchers to monster 40-pound bulls that'll make your arms ache. They're suckers for fresh shrimp and cut crab, especially around the rocks where they cruise looking for crustaceans. Spring and fall offer the best drum fishing, and these fish are notorious for their stubborn, head-shaking fights that test both your tackle and patience.
Sheepshead are what separate the experienced anglers from the weekend warriors. These convict-striped thieves have mouths full of human-like teeth and can steal bait faster than you can set the hook. But land one of these 2-4 pound beauties and you've got some of the best eating fish in the ocean. They're year-round residents but peak in winter months when they school up around the jetty rocks. Use the smallest hooks you can get away with and fresh shrimp, and be ready for the subtlest of bites.
King mackerel patrol the deeper waters off the jetties, especially during summer months when baitfish are thick. These toothy predators can reach 20-40 pounds and are famous for their blistering initial runs. They're typically caught on live bait or fast-moving lures, and landing a good king is a legitimate trophy that'll have you grinning for days. The fight combines speed, power, and aerial acrobatics that make them a favorite among serious anglers.
Redfish are the crown jewel of jetty fishing, with slot-sized fish perfect for dinner and oversized bulls that provide the fight of a lifetime. These copper-colored bruisers use the structure to ambush prey, and when they hit, there's no mistaking it. Fall months bring the best red fishing as they school up for their spawn, but you can find them year-round if you know where to look. They'll eat everything from live shrimp to cut mullet, and their powerful runs toward the rocks will test every knot and connection.
The Mayport Jetties offer some of the most consistent fishing on Florida's northeast coast, and this four-hour trip gives you the perfect taste of what makes this fishery so special. Whether you're after a fish dinner, a new personal best, or just want to experience world-class jetty fishing, Recess Sport Fishing has the local knowledge and experience to make it happen. The jetties fish well year-round, but the best days book up fast, especially during peak seasons. Don't wait - secure your spot and get ready to experience why anglers from all over the Southeast make the trip to fish these legendary waters.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the heavyweights of the drum family, commonly running 5-30 pounds but capable of hitting 90+ pounds. These bottom-huggers love the brackish mix where the St. Johns meets the Atlantic, hanging around oyster bars and structure in 2-20 feet of water. They're notorious for their powerful jaws that crush shellfish, and you'll hear them "drumming" underwater during spring spawning season - that's prime time here from March through May. What keeps people coming back is the strong, steady fight they put up, though stick with fish under 15 pounds for the table since the big ones get tough and stringy. Best tip: use fresh crab or cut shrimp on the bottom near the rocks, and when you feel that subtle tap-tap, give it a second before setting the hook - they like to mouth the bait first.
Scomberomorus CavallaKing Mackerel are the speed demons of the jetties, averaging around 30 pounds but capable of much more. These silvery rockets cruise in 40-150 feet of water, often moving through the deeper channels near the jetties following baitfish schools. Summer through fall brings the best action as they migrate along our coast. What makes them special is their blistering runs and aerial shows - they're built for speed and will test your drag system. They're decent eating when fresh, though smaller ones taste better. The key here is using a two-hook rig with wire leader when live-baiting - kings love to hit the tail end of baitfish first, so that second hook back near the tail will save you a lot of cut-offs. Troll around the deeper edges or drift live sardines near the current breaks.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the bread and butter of jetty fishing, typically running 18-27 inches in the shallows around the rocks and grass flats. You'll find them in surprisingly shallow water - sometimes with their backs showing - especially around the jetty structure and nearby grass beds. Fall and spring offer the most consistent action, but they're catchable year-round here. What makes them so popular is their stubborn, bulldogging fight and that distinctive black spot near the tail. They're excellent table fare with mild, sweet meat that's hard to beat. The secret is working the tide changes around the jetties - as water moves in and out, redfish push up into the shallows to feed. Use live shrimp or cut bait near the bottom, and don't be afraid to cast into water so shallow you think it's too skinny - that's often where the biggest ones are hiding.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the jetty specialists with their gray bodies and black stripes - we call them convict fish for good reason. They typically run 1-8 pounds and love hanging tight to structure, feeding on barnacles and crabs around the pilings and rocks. Winter through early spring is prime time when they school up for spawning, making them easier to target in numbers. What draws people to them is the challenge - they're notorious bait thieves with those human-like teeth, plus they're some of the best eating fish around with sweet, white meat. The trick is getting your bait right against the structure where they live and setting the hook hard the moment you feel weight. Use small hooks with fresh shrimp or fiddler crabs, and don't be surprised if they clean you out a few times before you connect - that's just sheepshead fishing.
Scomberomorus MaculatusSpanish Mackerel are fast, schooling fish that average 1-2 feet and 8-11 pounds around the jetties. You'll spot their silvery bodies with yellow spots cutting through the water near the surface, especially during warmer months when they move closer to shore. They love structure and baitfish, so the jetties are perfect - look for them around the rocks and where the current brings food. Spring through fall gives you the best action here. What makes them special is their speed and the way they hit lures hard, plus they're fantastic eating with mild, flaky meat that grills beautifully. Pro tip: when you see them schooling, cast small spoons or jigs just ahead of the school and retrieve fast - their competitive nature means once one hits, others will follow.
Jacksonville, FL