Private 6 Hour Jacksonville Fishing with Expert Captain
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Sixhour private inshore fishing adventure in Jacksonville watersTarget redfish, trout, and flounder with experienced captain guidanceAccommodates up to two guests on St. Johns River
Ready to spend a full day on some of Florida's best inshore waters? This private 6-hour fishing charter with Tannic Water Adventures puts you right in the heart of Jacksonville's legendary fishery. You'll be working the St. Johns River system and nearby flats with a captain who knows every oyster bar, grass bed, and drop-off where the fish stack up. With just 2 anglers max, you get the personal attention and flexibility that makes the difference between a good day and a great one on the water.
Your captain will pick the spots based on tides, weather, and what's been biting lately. The St. Johns River offers incredible variety - one minute you're casting to redfish cruising shallow oyster bars, the next you're working deeper channels for hungry trout. The tannic-stained waters give this fishery its unique character and create perfect ambush points for feeding fish. You'll cover a lot of water in 6 hours, hitting multiple spots to stay on the bite. Don't worry about bringing anything except your Florida fishing license - all tackle, bait, and gear are provided. The boat is equipped with everything from light spinning gear for trout to heavier setups when the reds are pulling hard.
Your guide will match the technique to the conditions and target species. Sight fishing is huge here when the water's clear and fish are shallow - there's nothing like watching a red drum inhale your bait right at the surface. When fish are deeper or scattered, you'll work with live shrimp under popping corks or drag soft plastics along the bottom structure. Cut bait works magic for bigger fish, especially when the tide is moving good. Your captain reads the water constantly, adjusting locations and methods as conditions change throughout the day. The boat stays positioned perfectly for wind and current, so you can focus on making good casts and feeling every bump on your line.
Summer Flounder are the ultimate inshore challenge - these flatfish are masters of camouflage and incredibly spooky. Jacksonville's flats hold good numbers, especially around sandy bottoms near grass lines. They typically run 14-20 inches here, with the occasional doormat pushing 24 inches or better. Fall and early winter are prime time when they're fattening up before their offshore migration. What makes them so addictive is how they hit - often just a subtle tick on your line before they try to bury back into the sand. Once hooked, they fight with surprising power for a flatfish, making long runs and using their broad sides against the current.
Sea Trout are the bread and butter of Jacksonville inshore fishing, and for good reason. These spotted beauties school up over grass flats and around structure, making them relatively easy to locate when you know the spots. They range from schoolie 12-inchers to legitimate gator trout over 20 inches. Spring through fall offers the most consistent action, though winter can produce some of the biggest fish. Trout hit aggressively and fight with impressive head-shaking runs. They're also excellent table fare, making them a customer favorite for anglers who like to take dinner home.
Redfish are the crown jewel of Jacksonville's inshore scene. These bronze-backed bulls cruise the shallows year-round, offering both sight fishing opportunities and strong fights that test your tackle. Slot-size fish (18-27 inches) are common, with bull reds over 27 inches providing heart-stopping runs when hooked in shallow water. Reds are notorious for their stubborn, bulldogging fights - they use their broad tails and powerful bodies to make multiple runs toward structure. The shallow water battles are what dreams are made of, with fish often making surface-churning escapes that get your adrenaline pumping.
Jacksonville's inshore fishing stays productive year-round, but the best days book fast. This private charter gives you the flexibility to fish at your own pace and target the species you're most excited about. Six hours provides plenty of time to work different areas and techniques, maximizing your shots at all three target species. Your experienced captain knows these waters inside and out, giving you the local knowledge that makes all the difference. Whether you're looking to bend rods all day or hoping to land that personal best redfish, this top-rated charter delivers the goods. Don't wait - secure your dates now and get ready for some serious Jacksonville fishing action.
Your fishing adventure starts aboard our reliable 24-foot Lake And Bay center console, a 2011 bay boat that's built for Jacksonville's inshore waters. Powered by a single 300HP Yamaha engine, this boat cuts through the St. Johns River and surrounding flats with ease, getting you to the fish faster and giving you more time with your line in the water. The center console design offers plenty of room to move around while fighting redfish and trout, and the onboard fish finder takes the guesswork out of locating schools. When you need to get into shallow water or approach spooked fish, the wireless trolling motor lets you move quietly without spooking your targets. The GPS keeps you on productive spots, while the icebox ensures your catch stays fresh and your drinks stay cold during the full 6-hour trip. Whether you're working the grass flats for flounder or casting around structure for reds, this boat handles Jacksonville's diverse inshore fishing grounds perfectly. The radar comes in handy during those early morning departures when fog rolls off the water, and the multimedia system keeps things entertaining during longer runs between spots.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are Jacksonville's signature inshore species, and for good reason. These copper-colored fighters average 18-27 inches in our waters, with their distinctive black spots near the tail. You'll find them cruising oyster bars, marsh edges, and shallow flats in just 1-4 feet of water - sometimes so shallow their backs break the surface. They're year-round residents here, but fall and spring offer the best action when they're feeding aggressively. Reds are bulldogs that make long, powerful runs and never give up easy. The smaller "slot fish" are excellent table fare with mild, sweet meat. They'll eat live shrimp, cut bait, and artificials equally well. Pro tip: when sight fishing, cast well ahead of cruising reds and let your bait sit still. They spook easily but can't resist a motionless shrimp on the bottom.
Salmo TruttaSpotted sea trout are the bread and butter of Jacksonville's inshore fishing. These speckled beauties average 14-18 inches but can push 5+ pounds when you find the right school. They love grass flats in 2-6 feet of water, especially around creek mouths and oyster points. Spring and fall are money seasons, but summer night fishing can be red hot. Trout fight with quick runs and head shakes, plus they're fantastic eating with sweet, flaky white meat. What guests love most is their willingness to hit artificial lures - soft plastics, topwater plugs, and spoons all produce. During cooler months, they school up in deeper channels. Here's a local tip: when working grass flats, throw your lure past the fish and work it back slowly. Trout often follow bait before striking, so patience pays off.
Paralichthys DentatusThese flatfish are masters of disguise, lying camouflaged on sandy bottoms with both eyes on their left side. Around Jacksonville, we find them in 10-30 feet of water near structure and drop-offs. Most run 15-20 inches, but doormat-sized fish over 5 pounds make for great photos. Fall through early winter is prime time when they're feeding heavily before moving offshore. What makes flounder special is their ambush strike - they'll absolutely hammer live finger mullet or mud minnows. The meat is some of the best you'll taste, pure white and flaky. My go-to trick is hooking bait through the lips and letting it swim just off the bottom near oyster bars. When you feel that thump, count to three before setting the hook - they bite sideways and need time to turn the bait.
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