5.0(2 Reviews)Quick Cast Scenic View Fishing in Fernandina Beach
5.0(2 reviews)
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
2hour evening fishing trip aboard spacious 31foot vesselTarget Redfish, Black Drum, and Jack Crevalle in calm watersAll gear and fishing licenses included for up to 6 guests
Looking for a relaxed fishing trip that won't eat up your whole day? Captain Tony Peeples has you covered with this top-rated 2-hour evening charter that's perfect for families, first-timers, or anyone wanting to wet a line without the commitment of a full-day offshore adventure. Operating out of Fernandina Beach aboard his spacious 31-foot vessel, Tony keeps things casual and comfortable for up to 6 guests. Whether you're hoping to land your first redfish or just want to unwind on the water while the sun sets over Northeast Florida's beautiful coastline, this trip delivers the perfect balance of fishing action and scenic cruising.
This isn't your typical dawn-to-dusk grind – Captain Tony designed this trip for folks who want quality fishing time without the marathon commitment. You'll launch from Fernandina Beach and head into the calm inshore waters where the fish are biting and the scenery is world-class. The 31-foot boat gives everyone plenty of room to cast without bumping elbows, and with only 6 spots available, you're never fighting for rail space. Tony provides all the gear and handles your fishing license, so you can focus on what matters – putting fish in the cooler. The evening timing is money, too. Fish are active as the day cools down, and you'll get some of the best light for photos when that Florida sun starts dropping toward the horizon. Pack some drinks and snacks if you want – this is your time to relax and enjoy some of the most productive fishing waters on the Atlantic coast.
Captain Tony runs a well-equipped operation with quality rods, reels, and terminal tackle suited for the species you'll be targeting in these waters. Depending on what's biting, you might be working live bait around structure for black drum, casting jigs for jack crevalle, or trolling for cobia when they're moving through. The inshore waters around Fernandina Beach offer diverse fishing opportunities, from shallow flats where redfish cruise to deeper channels where bigger fish patrol. Tony knows exactly where to position the boat based on tides, weather, and seasonal patterns. He'll get you rigged up with the right setup whether you're a complete beginner who needs help with the basics or an experienced angler who just wants to fish without dealing with your own boat. The beauty of this charter is flexibility – if one spot isn't producing, there's always another productive area within easy reach.
"It rained the evening of our trip and the Captain was flexible and took us out the next morning. We enjoyed a two hour trip catching four drum fish in under an hour. We went to a second spot and caught additional fish, including a small shark." - Katie
"We went out fishing and sightseeing with Tony and it was a lot of fun. We were 5 of us including a friend's 4 yrs old kid. Tony was very knowledgeable about the area and showed us around. First time experience seeing wild horses in a national park. We also caught many fish even though it was a short trip. Tony made our experience very nice and memorable for everyone with the new places visited and the fish we caught." - Osman
Black drum are one of the customer favorites on these trips, and for good reason. These chunky fighters can range from schoolie-sized 2-pounders to bruiser fish pushing 20+ pounds, and they're surprisingly strong for their size. They love hanging around oyster bars, bridge pilings, and creek mouths where they root around for crabs and shellfish. Spring and fall are prime time for black drum in Fernandina Beach waters, though you can find them year-round if you know where to look. What makes them special is how they fight – they'll make that initial run and then dig deep, using their broad sides to give you a real workout. Plus, they're excellent table fare when prepared right.
King mackerel bring the speed and aerial acrobatics that get anglers hooked on fishing. These silver bullets can reach 30+ pounds in local waters and they're known for their blistering runs and jumping ability. Kings typically show up in late spring through fall when water temperatures climb, and they're often found around structure, drop-offs, and temperature breaks. What's exciting about hooking a king is you never know what you're dealing with until you see it – that first run can strip 100 yards of line before you know what hit you. They're also fantastic eating when handled properly, with firm white meat that's perfect for grilling or smoking.
Mahi mahi are the wild cards that can turn a good trip into a legendary one. These colorful offshore visitors occasionally venture into nearshore waters around Fernandina Beach, especially during summer months when conditions are right. Bulls can exceed 30 pounds and cows typically run 10-20 pounds, but any mahi is a prize catch in these waters. They're famous for their stunning colors – brilliant greens, blues, and golds that light up when they're fighting – and their aggressive feeding behavior. When you find a school of mahi, you can often catch several before they move on, making for fast-paced action that gets everyone on the boat excited.
Crevalle jack might not win beauty contests, but they're pound-for-pound some of the strongest fighters you'll encounter in Florida waters. These brutes can reach 15-20 pounds and they fight like fish twice their size, making long, powerful runs and refusing to give up easily. They travel in schools and when you find them feeding, the action can be non-stop. Jacks are year-round residents in Fernandina Beach waters, though they're most active during warmer months. They'll hit almost anything that moves – jigs, live bait, topwater lures – and their aggressive strikes often catch first-time anglers by surprise.
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The "Over Under" is your ticket to productive fishing waters around Fernandina Beach. This 31-foot vessel cuts through the waves with twin Suzuki outboards while you stay comfortable in the shaded seating areas. The spacious deck gives everyone room to cast without crowding, and the boat's loaded with everything serious anglers need - fish finder to mark the fish, GPS to hit the right spots, and plenty of rod holders for multiple lines. When you hook into cobia or mackerel, there's room to fight them properly. The icebox keeps your catch fresh and drinks cold, while the onboard head means longer trips without heading back. Captain Tony knows these waters and where the redfish and black drum hang out. Whether you're sight-casting or bottom fishing, this boat handles both inshore flats and offshore runs with ease. The radar helps navigate through morning fog, and the VHF radio keeps you connected. Perfect setup for families or groups up to 6 who want to fish seriously but stay comfortable doing it.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are powerful bottom-feeders that average 5-30 pounds, though some monsters push 90 pounds. You'll find them around oyster beds, muddy flats, and creek mouths in our brackish waters here at Fernandina. They're year-round residents, but spring is prime time when they school up for spawning. These fish have crushing jaws built for shellfish, so they put up a solid fight once hooked. The smaller ones under 15 pounds make excellent table fare with flaky white meat, while the big bulls are better released. Pro tip: use fresh crab or cut bait on the bottom - they're not interested in anything flashy, just a good meal sitting right where they expect it on the sand.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are the loners of the offshore world - big, brown, and built like submarines. These fish average around 30-50 pounds but can stretch past 100, living up to 12 years. They're mostly solitary, hanging around buoys, wrecks, and channel markers in 30-70 feet of water. Spring migration from March through May is your best shot at sight-fishing these giants as they cruise just under the surface. What draws folks to cobia is the combination of size, fight, and some of the best eating in the ocean - firm, white meat that rivals any restaurant fish. The trick is being ready when you spot one: they're curious but spook easy, so make that first cast count with a bucktail jig worked slowly near the bottom.
Caranx HipposJack crevalle are the bullies of the shallows and they'll give you a workout you won't forget. These brassy, powerful fish typically run 3-5 pounds inshore, but can push 20+ pounds in deeper water. Look for them around grass flats, shallow reefs, and anywhere baitfish are getting pushed to the surface - the bird action gives them away every time. They're here year-round but get really aggressive in warmer months. What makes jacks special is their never-quit attitude and that distinctive watermelon scent when you find a feeding school. They're not great eating, but the fight more than makes up for it. My advice: cast past the school and rip that lure back fast - they love the chase and won't give up easy.
Scomberomorus CavallaKing mackerel are speed demons that'll test your drag system. These silver torpedoes typically run 10-30 pounds but can hit 90+ pounds when conditions are right. We find them in 40-150 feet of water around structure, but they'll chase bait right up to the beach during cooler months. Spring and fall migrations bring the best action when they're moving along our coast. What makes them special is that blazing first run - they'll peel line like nothing else out here. The meat's excellent too, with a rich flavor that grills perfectly. Here's the trick: when trolling, use a wire leader and keep that bait skipping on the surface. Kings love to smash a bait that looks like it's trying to escape.
Coryphaena HippurusMahi are the most colorful fish you'll ever see - brilliant gold, green, and blue that puts on a light show when they come to the boat. These fast-growing fish average 15-29 pounds and rarely live past four years, but they make up for it with pure athleticism. You'll find them under floating debris, weedlines, or any structure in blue water. Summer months bring them closer to our coast when water temps hit the right range. Guests love mahi because they jump, fight hard, and make outstanding table fare with sweet, firm white meat. The key is to look for birds working over floating sargassum or debris - where there's one mahi, there's usually a whole school waiting underneath.
5.0 out of 5.0It rained the evening of our trip and the Captain was flexible and took us out the next morning. We enjoyed a two hour trip catchi...
We went out fishing and sightseeing with Tony and it was a lot of fun. We were 5 of us including a friend's 4 yrs old kid. Tony wa...
Fernandina Beach, FL