Private Inshore Charter on St. Johns River
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Four-hour inshore fishing charter on St. Johns River targeting redfish and troutAll equipment, live bait, licenses, and refreshments included in charter packageMorning or afternoon departure times available for maximum scheduling flexibility
Picture yourself casting into the productive waters of the St. Johns River, where Jacksonville's best inshore fishing happens every single day. This top-rated 4-hour private charter puts you right in the sweet spots where redfish cruise the shallows and speckled trout ambush baitfish along the grass lines. You'll fish with a seasoned local captain who knows every creek, oyster bar, and structure that holds fish in these waters. Whether you pick the morning trip starting at 8 AM or the afternoon session kicking off at 3 PM, you're guaranteed a genuine Northeast Florida fishing experience that keeps anglers coming back season after season.
Your captain will pick the hottest spots based on tides, weather, and recent fish activity. The St. Johns River system offers endless opportunities, from shallow grass flats where redfish tail in knee-deep water to deeper creek mouths where flounder stack up during moving water. You'll cover a mix of structure and open water, adjusting tactics as conditions change throughout the trip. The boat stays in protected waters, so even when it's breezy outside, you'll find fishable spots. Most trips involve sight fishing, drift fishing, and anchored presentations depending on what the fish are doing that day. Your captain reads the water constantly, positioning you for the best shots at quality fish while teaching you to recognize productive areas yourself.
Everything's included and ready to go when you step aboard. You'll fish with quality spinning reels spooled with appropriate line weights for inshore species. The tackle box is stocked with proven artificials like soft plastics, topwater plugs, and spoons that consistently produce in these waters. Live bait gets rotated based on availability and what's working best – expect live shrimp, finger mullet, or mud minnows depending on the season and target species. Your captain handles all the rigging, so you spend time fishing instead of tying knots. The light tackle approach lets you feel every bite and fight, whether it's a slot redfish pulling drag or a gator trout shaking its head on the surface. All fishing licenses are covered, plus you get ice and water to stay comfortable during the trip.
Speckled trout rule these waters, especially around grass beds and creek points where they set up to feed. These aggressive predators hit both live bait and artificials hard, with fish ranging from schoolie size up to genuine gator trout over 20 inches. They're most active during moving water, whether incoming or outgoing tide, and love structure transitions where deep water meets shallow flats. Spring and fall offer the most consistent action, but summer mornings and winter warm spells can produce outstanding catches. What makes speckled trout so popular is their willingness to eat and their spirited fights on light tackle.
Redfish are the crown jewel of Jacksonville inshore fishing, and the St. Johns River holds some beautiful fish year-round. These copper-colored bruisers cruise shallow water looking for crabs and baitfish, often giving away their location with wakes and tails. Slot-sized fish between 18-27 inches are common, with occasional oversized bulls that'll test your tackle and technique. Redfish bite consistently through all seasons, though summer and early fall typically offer the best sight fishing opportunities. They're smart, spooky fish that require good presentations, but when you connect, they pull hard and make long runs that get your heart pumping.
Southern flounder add variety to the mix and surprise many anglers with their strength and table fare quality. These flatfish hold tight to structure like docks, creek bends, and channel edges where they ambush passing prey. They require slower presentations and patience, but a quality flounder is worth the wait. Most fish run 14-18 inches, with doormat-sized specimens over 20 inches caught regularly during peak season from late summer through fall. Flounder fishing teaches you to detect subtle bites and work baits methodically, skills that make you a better all-around angler.
At $425 for two anglers with the option to add a third person for just $50 more, this charter delivers serious value for a private fishing experience. You get a full 4 hours on productive water with a captain who's dedicated to putting you on fish. The morning trips often produce better action as fish feed actively before the day heats up, while afternoon sessions can be spectacular during cooler months when fish stay active longer. Both time slots have their advantages, so pick what works best for your schedule. This world-class inshore fishery produces year-round, and with all gear and licenses included, you just need to show up ready to fish. Book now and discover why Jacksonville's inshore fishing keeps anglers talking long after they've headed home.
The Lake and Bay Backwater 24 Bay Boat is your ticket to Jacksonville's best inshore fishing spots along the St. Johns River and nearshore Atlantic waters. This purpose-built fishing machine handles choppy bay conditions while keeping you comfortable during those epic redfish and trout battles. The wireless trolling motor lets you sneak up on shallow water targets without spooking the fish, while the fish finder reveals exactly where they're hiding. GPS navigation gets you to the hottest spots fast, and the radar keeps you safe when morning fog rolls in. The onboard icebox keeps your catch fresh and drinks cold, plus there's a multimedia system for tunes between bites. VHF radio ensures you stay connected on the water. With spinning reels, live bait, and artificial lures included, this setup is perfect for landing flounder, trout, and whatever seasonal species are biting. Choose morning or afternoon trips for prime fishing action.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the backbone of our St. Johns River fishing, and for good reason. These copper-colored fighters typically run 20-35 inches around here, with that signature black spot near their tail. They love shallow water - sometimes so shallow their backs stick out - around oyster bars, docks, and grass flats. Fall and spring offer the best action when they're actively feeding. What guests love most is their bulldog fight and that distinctive thump when they take your bait. Plus, they're excellent table fare with firm, mild flesh. Redfish will eat just about anything, from live shrimp to spoons and topwater plugs. Pro tip: when you see them tailing in the shallows, cast well ahead of where they're moving and let your bait settle to the bottom - they're rooting for crabs and won't spook as easily.
Salmo TruttaSpotted sea trout are one of our most reliable inshore targets here in Jacksonville waters. These speckled beauties typically run 14-24 inches and weigh 1-5 pounds, with their silver sides covered in distinctive black spots. You'll find them cruising grass flats and shallow bays, especially during cooler months when they school up in deeper channels. They're aggressive feeders that hit live shrimp, soft plastics, and topwater plugs with authority. What makes trout special is their delicate, flaky white meat - some of the best eating you'll find inshore. Here's a local tip: work your lure slowly along grass edges during moving tides. Trout often suspend just above the grass waiting to ambush baitfish, and a subtle presentation gets more bites than aggressive retrieves.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern flounder are masters of disguise that lie buried in sand and mud, waiting to ambush passing prey. These flatfish typically measure 15-18 inches, though we occasionally see doormat-sized ones pushing 20+ inches. Look for them around channel edges, dock pilings, and sandy bottoms in 3-15 feet of water. Fall is prime time when they're feeding heavily before their winter offshore migration. What makes flounder fishing fun is the surprise factor - you never know when that "snag" will start pulling back. They're also premium table fare with sweet, white fillets. The key to consistent flounder fishing is keeping your bait on or near the bottom. Try bouncing a bucktail jig tipped with live shrimp along the bottom, and don't set the hook too fast - give them a few seconds to fully engulf the bait.
Jacksonville