Extended Half Day Fishing Trip in Jacksonville
Private Trip
River Fishing
Sixhour guided fishing trip targets redfish and mackerel species.Private charter accommodates up to four guests with gear included.Captain Travis Wilson provides expert instruction and catch cleaning.
Looking for a serious fishing adventure that gives you enough time to really work the waters? Captain Travis Wilson's 6-hour guided trip out of Jacksonville Beach is exactly what you need. This isn't your typical rushed half-day – we're talking about an extended session that lets you target multiple species and really dial in your technique. With room for up to 4 anglers and departing from 2510 2nd Ave N, this private charter gives you the full River City Charters experience without breaking the bank on a full-day trip.
Captain Travis knows these Jacksonville waters like the back of his hand, and he's going to put you on fish. We're talking Redfish cruising the flats, aggressive Crevalle Jack that'll test your drag, and plenty of Sea Trout holding in the grass beds. The boat's fully rigged with quality gear, so you don't need to worry about bringing anything except your fishing license – which is actually included in the trip price. Travis provides all the tackle, bait, and even refreshments to keep you fueled up during those 6 hours on the water. The best part? He'll clean whatever you catch, so you can head home with fillets ready for the dinner table. Just remember there's a $150 deposit to lock in your date, plus $50 for each additional angler over the base two-person rate.
This trip covers a lot of ground, literally and figuratively. You'll be working everything from shallow grass flats to deeper structure, which means switching up techniques throughout the day. Expect to throw live bait on circle hooks when we're targeting those big Redfish, but also be ready to work some artificials when the Spanish Mackerel are running. The boat's equipped with both spinning and conventional setups, so whether you're more comfortable with a 7-foot medium action or prefer something with a bit more backbone for those Jack Crevalle, Travis has you covered. He's big on teaching proper technique too – this isn't just about putting fish in the boat, it's about making you a better angler. You'll learn how to read the water, when to switch baits, and how to fight fish efficiently without burning yourself out.
The Redfish around Jacksonville are absolutely on fire right now. These copper-colored bruisers love the shallow water around the jetties and grass flats, especially during the cooler morning hours. They're ambush predators that'll slam a well-presented shrimp or mullet, and once hooked, they'll give you that classic Redfish run that makes your reel sing. Most of the fish we're seeing are in that 18-27 inch sweet spot – perfect eating size with enough fight to make it interesting. Sea Trout are holding steady in the deeper grass beds, particularly around drop-offs and channel edges. They're more finicky than Reds but absolutely worth the effort when you dial in the right presentation. The Crevalle Jack are the wildcards of this trip – when a school shows up, it's game on. These fish are pure muscle and attitude, often breaking the 15-pound mark and fighting like fish twice their size. Spanish Mackerel add speed to the mix, especially when they're chasing bait schools near the surface. They're fantastic on light tackle and make excellent table fare when handled properly. Black Sea Bass round out the crew, usually holding near structure and always ready to eat. They might not be the flashiest fighters, but they're reliable producers and taste fantastic.
Six hours on the water with a top-rated captain, all gear included, fishing license covered, and your catch cleaned at the end – this extended half-day trip gives you serious bang for your buck. Captain Travis has built his reputation on putting clients on fish while teaching them something new every trip. Whether you're looking to improve your technique, introduce someone to saltwater fishing, or just need to get your fish fix without committing to a full day, this is your ticket. The $150 deposit locks in your date, and with only 4 spots available per trip, these book up fast during peak season. Don't wait around – Jacksonville's fishing is too good right now to miss out on.
Captain Travis Wilson's 21' Penn Craft is your ticket to productive fishing on Jacksonville's waters. This fully rigged motorboat comes equipped with everything you need for a successful day chasing redfish, mackerel, and more. The 150 HP Yamaha gets you to the hotspots fast, while the fish finder helps locate schools and structure where fish hang out. A wireless trolling motor lets you work shallow flats quietly without spooking wary redfish. The fighting chair gives you leverage when battling bigger fish, and the livewell keeps bait fresh all day. GPS navigation ensures safe travel between fishing spots, while the icebox keeps your drinks cold and catch fresh. With outriggers ready for trolling and modern amenities throughout, this boat handles everything from sight fishing the shallows to working deeper river channels where sea trout and black sea bass lurk.
Centropristis StriataBlack Sea Bass are chunky, hard-fighting bottom dwellers that average 1-4 pounds around Jacksonville's offshore structure. You'll find them around wrecks, jetties, and rocky bottom in 20-120 feet of water, with the bigger males holding deeper spots. Late spring through summer is peak season when they move inshore to spawn and feed heavily. Guests love bass because they're scrappy fighters that bend rods, plus they're some of the best eating fish we catch - firm, white meat with a sweet flavor. The males turn bright blue during spawn and develop a distinctive hump on their heads. My advice: use a two-hook bottom rig with squid strips and don't set the hook too hard - their mouths are bony and you'll pull the hooks right out.
Caranx HipposCrevalle Jack are the bulldogs of the flats, averaging 3-5 pounds but capable of hitting 20+ pounds when the big schools show up. These brassy, golden-sided fighters prefer seagrass beds and sandy flats, often hunting in packs that push baitfish to the surface. Spring through fall brings the best action, especially when you see birds diving - that's your cue they're feeding below. Guests love jacks because they're pure muscle and aggression, making screaming runs that'll test your drag. They're not great table fare, but they're catch-and-release fun at its finest. Here's the key: when you find a school, work fast with silver spoons or topwater plugs retrieved quickly. They love the chase, so don't slow down your retrieve.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the stars of our shallow water fishing, running anywhere from slot-size 18-27 inchers up to bull reds pushing 40+ pounds. You'll find them cruising oyster bars, grass flats, and creek mouths in just 1-4 feet of water - sometimes so shallow their backs show. They're year-round residents, but fall and spring offer the best action when they're most active. What guests love about reds is their power - they'll make long runs and fight hard right to the boat. Plus, they're excellent eating with sweet, firm white meat. The black spot near their tail is a dead giveaway. Pro tip: when you spot tailing reds, cast well ahead of them and let your bait sink before they get there - spook one and the whole school disappears.
Salmo TruttaSea Trout around Jacksonville typically run 14-24 inches and 1-5 pounds, with their distinctive spotted sides making them easy to identify. They love grass flats and shallow waters, especially at night when they move up to feed. Spring through fall gives you the best action, but winter can be productive too when they school up in deeper channels. What makes them so popular is their willingness to hit lures - they're not picky eaters and put up a solid fight on light tackle. The meat is white, flaky, and mild-tasting, perfect for the dinner table. My go-to trick is working plastic shrimp or soft plastics slowly along the grass edges right at dawn or dusk - that's when they really turn on.
Scomberomorus MaculatusSpanish Mackerel are speed demons that average 1-2 feet long and pack serious fight into their streamlined bodies. These silvery fish with yellow spots school up near the surface around piers, jetties, and nearshore structure during warmer months. Spring through fall is prime time, especially when water temps climb and bait moves in close. What makes them popular is their lightning-fast strikes and acrobatic fights - plus they're fantastic eating with mild, flaky meat that's perfect grilled or smoked. They migrate south in winter, so timing matters. The trick with Spanish mackerel is using light, shiny spoons or small jigs retrieved fast - their razor-sharp teeth will cut through mono, so always use a wire leader or you'll lose more lures than fish.
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