Full Day Fishing Trip - Jacksonville's Best
Private Trip
River Fishing
Eighthour guided fishing trip targeting redfish and mackerelCaptain Travis Wilson provides gear, licenses, and expert instructionPrivate river charter accommodates up to four guests total
Captain Travis Wilson knows these Jacksonville waters like the back of his hand, and he's ready to put you on some serious fish. This 8-hour guided adventure targets the species that make northeast Florida fishing legendary - redfish, Spanish mackerel, sea trout, crevalle jack, and black sea bass. You'll launch from Jacksonville Beach and work the productive inshore waters where these fish feed and fight. With all gear, licenses, and drinks included, plus professional fish cleaning service, you can focus on what matters most: getting your line tight and landing quality fish.
Your day starts at 2510 2nd Ave N in Jacksonville Beach, where you'll meet Captain Travis and step aboard the fully equipped River City Charters boat. This isn't some bare-bones operation - the boat comes rigged with quality rods, reels, tackle, and electronics to locate fish efficiently. The captain handles your Florida saltwater fishing license, so you're legal from the moment you wet a line. With space for up to 4 anglers, this trip gives you plenty of room to fish without bumping elbows. The 8-hour duration means you're not rushed - there's time to work different spots, try various techniques, and really dial in what the fish want that day. Captain Travis provides drinks to keep you hydrated, and when the day's done, he'll clean your catch so you can take home fillets ready for the dinner table.
Jacksonville's inshore fishing demands versatility, and Captain Travis adjusts tactics based on conditions, tides, and target species. You might find yourself casting live shrimp under popping corks for sea trout around grass flats, or working cut bait along oyster bars where redfish cruise for an easy meal. Spanish mackerel often require a faster presentation - small jigs or spoons retrieved quickly through bait schools get their attention. For crevalle jack, be ready for some serious arm-burning action on heavier tackle, as these fish fight like they're twice their size. Black sea bass fishing typically involves bottom rigs with multiple hooks, targeting structure where these tasty fish congregate. The boat's fish finder helps locate productive bottom and bait schools, while the captain's local knowledge puts you on spots that consistently produce fish. All tackle is provided, but if you have a lucky rod or favorite reel, feel free to bring it along.
Redfish are the crown jewel of Jacksonville inshore fishing, and for good reason. These copper-colored fighters average 18-27 inches in local waters, with slot-sized fish providing explosive runs and stubborn fights in shallow water. They feed year-round but peak action happens during fall months when cooler water concentrates bait schools. What makes redfish special is their willingness to eat in skinny water - watching a red's back wake behind your bait before the strike is pure adrenaline. They're also excellent table fare when prepared fresh.
Spanish mackerel bring speed and aggression to your fishing day. These streamlined predators typically run 12-20 inches and hit lures with authority, often jumping clear of the water during the fight. Spring through fall offers the best mackerel action, especially when bait schools are thick near the beaches and jetties. Their razor-sharp teeth mean you'll need wire leaders, but their willingness to bite makes them a favorite for action-packed fishing. Plus, fresh mackerel makes outstanding fish dip or smoked fish spread.
Sea trout, or spotted seatrout, are the bread-and-butter species that keep rods bent throughout the year. Jacksonville's grass flats produce trout from 12-24 inches, with occasional gator trout exceeding 5 pounds. These fish respond well to live shrimp, soft plastics, and topwater plugs worked over seagrass beds. Dawn and dusk provide peak feeding windows, but trout will bite throughout the day in deeper holes and channel edges. Their delicate mouths require a gentle touch, but their consistent presence makes them reliable when other species are finicky.
Crevalle jack are the gym rats of the fish world - pure muscle and attitude packed into a fish that fights way above its weight class. Jacksonville jacks commonly run 2-8 pounds, but even smaller fish will test your tackle and endurance. They school up around bait concentrations and hit lures aggressively, often in multiple hookups that get everyone on the boat scrambling. While not prized for eating, jacks provide some of the most memorable fights you'll experience in these waters.
Black sea bass might be the most underrated fish on this list. These bottom dwellers average 10-16 inches and inhabit rocky structure, artificial reefs, and hard bottom areas offshore. They're curious fish that investigate baits thoroughly, and once hooked, they use every bit of structure to try breaking free. Sea bass are exceptional table fare - firm white meat that's perfect for fish tacos or grilled whole. Peak season runs from late spring through early fall when they're most active in fishable depths.
This full-day Jacksonville fishing adventure delivers everything serious anglers want - productive waters, quality equipment, expert guidance, and fish that fight hard and taste great. Captain Travis Wilson's local knowledge and professional approach ensure you're fishing the right spots with the right techniques for current conditions. The $200 deposit secures your date, with additional guests over the base two-person rate running $50 each. With all gear, licenses, drinks, and fish cleaning included, you can focus entirely on fishing. Whether you're targeting a personal best redfish, loading the cooler with sea trout, or just want to experience Jacksonville's world-class inshore fishing, this trip puts you in position to succeed. Don't wait for the perfect weather window - book now and let Captain Travis show you why Jacksonville consistently ranks among Florida's top fishing destinations.
Step aboard the 21-foot Penn Craft and get ready to chase redfish and mackerel through Jacksonville's productive waters. This fully rigged fishing machine comes equipped with everything you need for a successful day on the river - a powerful 150 HP Yamaha that'll get you to the hot spots fast, plus a wireless trolling motor for those stealthy approaches when the fish are spooky. The onboard fish finder will help locate schools while GPS keeps you on productive structure. Keep your drinks ice-cold in the built-in icebox while you work the waters from the comfortable fighting chair. With outriggers ready for trolling and a livewell to keep your catch fresh, this boat is built for serious fishing. Captain Travis knows these Jacksonville waters inside and out, so you'll spend more time fighting fish and less time searching. Perfect setup for up to 4 anglers looking to tangle with everything from sea trout to black sea bass in Florida's premier fishing destination.
Centropristis StriataBlack Sea Bass are solid bottom fish that hang around hard structure and put up a respectable scrap. These chunky, dark-colored fish typically run 12-18 inches and love rocky bottoms, wrecks, and jetties in 20-120 feet of water. Late spring through summer is your best bet when they move closer to shore. What guests appreciate is their reliable bite and excellent table fare - firm white meat that's hard to beat. They're not fancy fighters but they'll use the structure to their advantage. The key is getting your bait right to the bottom near cover - they're opportunistic feeders that won't chase far. Use a two-hook rig with squid or cut bait, and don't be surprised if you hook into their bigger cousins hanging in the same spots.
Caranx HipposCrevalle Jacks are pure adrenaline on the end of your line. These bronze-backed bruisers average 12-24 inches but pack the punch of fish twice their size. Look for diving birds - that's where jacks are pushing baitfish to the surface. They roam both shallow flats and deeper water around structure, but the action heats up when they're feeding on top. Warm months bring the best fishing when they school up and go nuts on everything from topwater plugs to silver spoons. Guests love the heart-pounding strikes and bulldogging fights that'll test your drag. Here's the key: cast beyond the feeding school and rip your lure back fast - jacks are aggressive and love the chase. Just be ready for that initial run when they hit!
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the bread and butter of our inshore fishing. These copper-colored bruisers with black spots near their tails typically run 20-35 inches and fight way above their weight class. You'll spot them tailing in 1-4 feet of water around oyster bars, grass flats, and mangrove shorelines. They're here year-round but fish best during spring and fall when water temps are ideal. What guests love is that explosive topwater strike and the way they strip drag on long runs. The meat is firm and mild - perfect for blackening. Spring through early summer is prime time when they're shallow and aggressive. My go-to trick is using a gold spoon over oyster beds - cast past the structure and retrieve it right along the edge where they ambush bait.
Salmo TruttaSpotted Sea Trout are one of our most reliable catches year-round. These silver-sided fish with their distinctive black spots typically run 14-24 inches and 1-5 pounds in our waters. You'll find them over grass flats and shallow bays, especially at dawn and dusk when they move up to feed on shrimp and small fish. They hit artificial lures hard - soft plastics, topwater plugs, and spoons all work well. What makes them popular is their solid fight and excellent table fare with flaky white meat. During cooler months, they school up in deeper channels, making for some hot action. Pro tip: work your lure slowly through the grass beds - trout like to ambush prey, so give them time to commit to the bite.
Scomberomorus MaculatusSpanish Mackerel are speed demons that'll give you some of the fastest action you'll see. These streamlined silver fish with yellow spots typically run 1-2 feet long and hit like lightning. They school up near the surface around structure, jetties, and open water during warmer months. Spring through fall is prime time when they migrate through our area chasing baitfish. What makes them fun is their blistering runs and acrobatic jumps, plus they're fantastic eating with mild, flaky meat that's perfect grilled or smoked. The trick is using light tackle and small, fast-moving lures - silver spoons, small jigs, or live shrimp work great. Keep your retrieves quick and erratic - these fish are built for speed and won't chase slow-moving baits.
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