Fernandina Beach Private Fishing Charter
Private Trip
Shore Fishing
Private 4hour afternoon charter targets Red Snapper and GrouperExpert guides provide all equipment for nearshore reef fishingSmall group capacity of 3 guests ensures personalized experience
Looking for some serious action on the water? This 4-hour afternoon private charter out of Fernandina Beach puts you right where the fish are biting. We're talking about exploring natural reefs and shipwrecks that are absolutely loaded with hungry predators just waiting to test your drag. With a maximum of 3 anglers, you get personalized attention from our experienced captain who knows these waters like the back of his hand. No crowded party boats here – just you, your crew, and some of the best nearshore fishing on Florida's northeast coast.
Your afternoon starts with a quick ride out to our productive fishing grounds, where decades-old wrecks and limestone ledges create perfect ambush points for bottom dwellers and pelagics alike. The beauty of this trip is the variety – one minute you're dropping down for some heavyweight grouper, the next you might be working the water column for cobia cruising the structure. Our captain reads the conditions daily and adjusts the game plan accordingly, whether that means working live bait around the wrecks or casting artificials to visible fish. The afternoon timing is perfect too – you'll often find the bite picking up as the day progresses, especially during those golden hours before sunset when predators start their evening feeding patterns.
We've got you covered with quality conventional and spinning tackle suited for everything from finicky sea bass to bruiser red snapper. Depending on conditions and target species, we'll be working with everything from knocker rigs and chicken rigs for bottom fishing to live bait presentations and artificial lures for the more aggressive species. The wrecks require some finesse – you need enough weight to get down quickly but the right technique to work fish away from structure before they cut you off. Our captain will show you the tricks, like how to pump and wind effectively when you've got a big grouper trying to get back to its hole, or the proper way to work a bucktail jig around structure edges where cobia and king mackerel patrol.
Redfish around Fernandina Beach are absolute bulldogs, especially the slot-sized fish that patrol the nearshore reefs. These copper-colored fighters average 20-28 inches and are notorious for their initial run – they'll peel drag like you wouldn't believe. Best action typically happens during moving water, and they're suckers for cut bait fished near the bottom. What makes redfish special here is their year-round presence and willingness to eat, making them a reliable target when other species get finicky.
Sea bass might be smaller, but don't let that fool you – these guys are scrappy and absolutely delicious. Running 12-16 inches on average, they're perfect for light tackle and respond well to small jigs and cut bait. They school up heavy around structure, so when you find them, you can often catch several before they wise up. Summer months see the biggest concentrations, and they're excellent table fare with sweet, flaky white meat.
Cobia are the wildcards of this fishery – when they show up, everything else takes a backseat. These brown sharks (as some folks call them) can push 30-40 pounds and are incredibly curious fish. They'll often come right up to the boat to investigate, giving you shot after shot with sight casting. Spring through fall offers the best opportunities, and they're absolute tackle-busters with long, powerful runs.
Red snapper are the crown jewel when they're in season – thick-bodied fish that fight hard and taste even better. The 15-25 pound class fish we target here are perfect eating size and put up a serious fight on medium tackle. They're structure-oriented and can be picky eaters, but when conditions align and you find an active school, the action can be fast and furious. Their season is regulated, so timing matters.
Black drum are the heavyweights, with fish regularly pushing 20-40 pounds around the local structure. These bottom huggers are powerful fighters that use their broad sides to fight you in the current. They're year-round residents and excellent targets when you want to tangle with something that has serious pulling power. Crab and cut bait work best, and patience pays off with these deliberate feeders.
This private charter offers something you won't find on crowded head boats – personalized fishing tailored to what you want to target and your skill level. Whether you're after dinner or just want to bend some rods, our captain puts you on fish while sharing the local knowledge that makes the difference between a good day and a great day on the water. The afternoon timing means you can sleep in, grab lunch, and still get in a solid half-day of fishing. With all tackle and bait provided, just bring your fishing license, some snacks, and get ready to put some serious bends in the rods. These spots fill up quickly, especially during peak season, so don't wait to secure your date.
Get ready to hit the waters around Fernandina Beach aboard our reliable 24-foot Triton center console! This 2006 beauty packs a solid 225HP Yamaha engine that'll get you to the fishing grounds fast, cruising up to 52 knots when conditions are right. Perfect for your group of 3, she's equipped with everything you need for a productive afternoon on the water - GPS to navigate to the hottest spots, radar for those hazy days, and a fish finder to locate where the action is happening. We'll cruise out to natural reefs and productive wrecks where Red Snapper, Groupers, and Sea Bass call home. During summer months, keep your eyes peeled for aggressive King Mackerel that'll put up a serious fight. This center console design gives everyone plenty of room to fish comfortably while our captain works the boat to keep you on the bite. All your gear is included, so just bring your appetite for adventure and get ready for some quality time chasing fish in one of Florida's premier fishing destinations.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the bulldozers of the shallow flats - these gray-black bruisers can weigh anywhere from 10-50 pounds and fight like trucks. They love oyster beds, muddy bottoms, and creek mouths in 2-15 feet of water where they crush shellfish with those powerful jaws. Spring is peak season when they school up for spawning, making them easier to target. What's cool about drum is they actually make drumming sounds you can hear underwater. They're strong, stubborn fighters that'll test your patience. The smaller ones under 15 pounds are good eating, but the big ones are better released. Best bait is fresh blue crab - cut it in half and fish it on the bottom. My tip: listen for that distinctive drumming sound when you're over oyster bars, it means you've found them.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are the brown sharks that aren't sharks - these big, solitary fish cruise our nearshore waters and wrecks looking like trouble but fighting even harder. Most run 20-40 pounds, but we've seen 60+ pounders that'll test your tackle. They're curious fish that'll often swim right up to the boat, making them perfect for sight fishing. Spring through fall is prime time when they're moving through our area. What makes them special is that raw power once hooked - they'll make long runs and dive for structure. Plus, they're outstanding table fare with firm, white meat. Here's the trick: when you spot one, don't cast right at it. Lead them by about 10 feet with a bucktail jig and work it slowly - they can't resist investigating.
Lutjanus CampechanusRed snapper are the prize of our deeper wrecks and reefs in 60-200 feet of water. These bright red beauties typically run 2-8 pounds, but the big ones over 10 pounds are real trophies that'll bend your rod double. Summer is prime season when they're most active and the bite is hottest. What makes them so sought after is that classic bottom fish fight - they'll dive straight for structure and test your drag. They're also considered some of the finest eating fish in the ocean with that sweet, nutty flavor. The key is getting your bait down fast before the smaller fish pick it off. Fresh squid or cigar minnows work best, and here's my tip: use a heavy sinker to punch through the current and get right on the bottom where they're feeding.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are one of our most popular targets here in Fernandina's shallow waters. These copper-colored fish with distinctive black spots near their tails typically run 20-35 inches, though we see some real bulls pushing 40+ inches. They love shallow flats, oyster bars, and around docks where they cruise looking for crabs and shrimp. Best fishing is during moving tides, especially in cooler months when they're more active. What makes them special is that explosive strike when they hit topwater plugs - pure adrenaline. They're also excellent table fare with that mild, sweet flavor. My go-to tip: when you see one tailing in shallow water, cast well ahead of where it's moving and work your bait slowly back toward its path.
Centropristis StriataBlack sea bass are reliable fighters that love our nearshore wrecks and reefs in 40-80 feet of water. Most run around a foot long and weigh close to a pound, but we hook into some nice 3-4 pounders that'll surprise you. They're aggressive feeders year-round, though spring and fall are prime time when they're most active. These dark, chunky fish with their big mouths will hit just about anything - squid strips, bucktails, or small jigs work great. What guests love is how they fight way above their weight class and they're some of the best eating fish in the ocean - firm, white meat that's perfect for the grill. Pro tip: once you find them, stay put and work the area thoroughly since they school up tight on structure.
Fernandina Beach, FL