Full Day Jacksonville Fishing with Captain Travis
Private Trip
River Fishing
Full-day guided fishing adventure targets redfish and mackerelPrivate river charter accommodates groups with expert instruction includedAll equipment, licenses, and catch cleaning services provided
Picture this: you're out on the water for a solid 8 hours with Captain Travis Wilson, one of Jacksonville's most trusted fishing guides, chasing some of the best inshore species Florida has to offer. This isn't your typical half-day rush job where you barely get your sea legs before heading back to dock. We're talking about a legitimate full-day adventure that gives you real time to work the water and put fish in the boat. Departing from Jacksonville Beach, you'll be targeting redfish, sea trout, Spanish mackerel, crevalle jack, and black sea bass aboard a fully rigged River City Charters boat that's designed for serious fishing. Everything's included – rods, reels, tackle, bait, even your fishing license – so you can focus on what matters most: landing fish and having a blast doing it.
Captain Travis runs a tight ship, but keeps things relaxed and fun for anglers of all skill levels. Whether you're a weekend warrior who knows how to work a spinning reel or someone who's never held a fishing rod, you're going to learn something new and catch fish. The boat accommodates up to 4 guests, but this particular trip is set up for 2 people, which means more personalized attention and better fishing opportunities. You'll cover a lot of water during those 8 hours, hitting different spots based on tides, weather, and what's biting that day. Travis knows these waters like the back of his hand, from the inshore flats where redfish cruise in skinny water to the deeper channels where sea bass hang out. Drinks are provided throughout the day to keep you hydrated, and here's the best part – Travis cleans all your fish at the end of the trip, so you can head home with fillets ready for the dinner table.
This is where Captain Travis really shines. He's got the boat stocked with quality spinning and conventional tackle suited for everything from finicky sea trout to hard-fighting crevalle jacks. You'll be using a mix of live bait and artificials depending on conditions and target species. When we're after redfish in shallow water, expect to throw soft plastics and spoons around oyster bars and grass flats. For Spanish mackerel, we'll often troll small spoons or work them on light tackle with live shrimp. Sea trout fishing typically involves working the grass beds with jigs tipped with shrimp or small paddle tails. Travis knows when to switch tactics based on what's happening that day – maybe the tide's wrong for one spot, or the bait's moved to a different area. That's the advantage of having 8 hours to work with. You're not stuck in one location or locked into one technique. The boat's equipped with quality fish finders and GPS, so Travis can put you on structure and productive water efficiently.
Let's talk about what's got Jacksonville anglers excited right now. Redfish are the crown jewel of inshore fishing here, and for good reason. These copper-colored fighters typically run 18 to 27 inches in our waters, with some bigger bulls mixed in during certain times of year. They're most active during moving tides, especially around oyster bars and shallow flats. What makes reds so special is how they fight – they'll make that classic head-shaking run that tests your drag and gets your heart pumping. Sea trout are another staple that keeps anglers coming back. These spotted beauties love grass beds and drop-offs, particularly during dawn and dusk feeding periods. A good trout will go 15 to 20 inches, and they're fantastic table fare when handled properly. Spanish mackerel bring the speed and aggression that gets everyone fired up. These chrome rockets typically show up in spring and fall, running in schools and hitting anything that moves fast enough. They're perfect for light tackle fishing and will give you arm-burning fights on spinning gear. Crevalle jack are the bulldogs of the bunch – pure muscle that will test your tackle and endurance. Black sea bass round out the mix, hanging around structure and providing steady action when other species are being finicky.
Here's the deal: quality fishing guides in Jacksonville get booked up, especially for full-day trips. Captain Travis has built his reputation on putting clients on fish and making sure everyone has a great time on the water. The fact that he includes everything – gear, licenses, bait, drinks, and even cleans your catch – shows he's committed to delivering a top-notch experience. A $200 deposit secures your booking, with an additional $50 for each guest over two. This is hands-down one of the best values for a full-day guided trip in the Jacksonville area. You're getting 8 hours with an experienced local captain who knows where the fish are and how to catch them, plus all the gear and knowledge you need to make it happen. Whether you're planning a guys' trip, want to introduce someone new to saltwater fishing, or just need to get away from the dock and chase some quality fish, this trip delivers. Don't wait around – good fishing days and available dates disappear fast, especially during prime seasons when the bite is hot.
Hit the waters around Jacksonville aboard this well-rigged 21' Penn Craft that's built for serious angling. Captain Travis has this boat dialed in with a 150 HP Yamaha that'll get you to the fish fast, plus all the gear you need for a productive day chasing redfish and mackerel. The wireless trolling motor keeps things quiet when you're working shallow spots, while the fish finder helps locate schools and structure. With a fighting chair for battling bigger fish, GPS to mark your hot spots, and a livewell to keep bait fresh, this setup handles everything from inshore reds to offshore Spanish mackerel. The icebox keeps your drinks cold during the 8-hour trip, and there's room for up to 4 anglers to fish comfortably. Captain Travis provides all tackle and licenses, plus he'll clean your catch at the dock.
Centropristis StriataBlack Sea Bass are chunky bottom dwellers that run 12-18 inches and 1-4 pounds, with males turning brilliant blue during spawning season. Around Jacksonville, they hang around structure like jetties, wrecks, and rocky bottom in 20-120 feet of water. Late spring through summer is prime time when they move inshore to spawn and feed. These fish are all about the bite and the plate - they fight hard initially then turn into deadweight, but the payoff is some of the sweetest white meat in the ocean. They're perfect for families since they bite readily and aren't too challenging to land. The winning combo here is squid strips on a double-drop rig fished right on bottom. Keep your bait moving slightly - a little jig every few seconds makes all the difference in triggering strikes.
Caranx HipposCrevalle Jacks are the bulldogs of Jacksonville waters, averaging 12-24 inches and 3-5 pounds of pure muscle. These brassy-green fighters roam both inshore flats and nearshore reefs, often in aggressive schools that push baitfish to the surface. Summer months bring the best action when they're most active in our warmer waters. What sets them apart is their raw power - pound for pound, they'll test your drag like few other fish. While not the best eating, they're all about the fight and the adrenaline rush. Look for diving birds marking feeding schools, then cast silver spoons or topwater plugs into the chaos. Here's the trick: retrieve fast and aggressive - Jacks love the chase, and slow presentations just won't cut it with these ocean bullies.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the backbone of Jacksonville inshore fishing, averaging 20-30 inches with that classic copper-bronze color and black eyespot near the tail. These bruisers love our shallow flats, oyster bars, and creek mouths in 1-4 feet of water. Spring through fall gives you the best action, especially during moving tides when they're actively hunting crabs and mullet. What guests love most is the visual fishing - watching that red back cruise the shallows before the explosive strike. They fight hard with powerful runs and make excellent table fare with firm, flaky white meat. The key here is staying quiet and making accurate casts ahead of cruising fish. My go-to trick is a gold spoon worked just under the surface - that flash drives them crazy in our tannic water.
Salmo TruttaSpotted Sea Trout run 14-24 inches and typically weigh 1-5 pounds, making them perfect for light tackle action. You'll find them cruising grass flats and shallow bays around Jacksonville, especially during spring and fall when they're most active. These silvery fish with their distinctive black spots love to feed on shrimp and small baitfish. What makes them special is their delicate white meat - some of the best eating you'll find inshore. They put up a decent scrap on light gear, and their willingness to hit both live bait and artificials makes them great for beginners. Pro tip: fish the grass edges at dawn or dusk with a popping cork and live shrimp about 18 inches below - that setup is deadly when they're feeding shallow.
Scomberomorus MaculatusSpanish Mackerel are speed demons that average 1-2 feet long and pack 2-4 pounds of lightning-fast action. These silvery rockets with golden spots cruise our nearshore waters and around structure, especially active during spring and fall migrations. They school up near the surface, often giving themselves away with splashing as they chase baitfish. Guests love their acrobatic fights and the fact they're some of the best eating fish we catch - mild, flaky meat that's perfect grilled or smoked. Their razor-sharp teeth mean wire leaders are a must, but don't go too heavy or you'll spook them. The secret is trolling small silver spoons or casting tiny jigs at feeding schools. Keep your retrieve fast - these fish live life in the fast lane and won't chase slow-moving baits.
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