Private 8 Hour Jacksonville Fishing Trip
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Eighthour private inshore fishing adventure in Jacksonville watersTarget redfish, trout, and flounder with experienced captain guidanceSt. Johns River expedition accommodates two guests maximum
Ready to spend a full day chasing some of Jacksonville's best fish? This 8-hour private charter with Tannic Water Adventures puts you right in the action on the St. Johns River system and surrounding waters. Whether you're a weekend warrior or someone who just picked up their first rod, our captain knows exactly where the fish are biting and how to get you hooked up. With just two spots available, you'll get personalized attention and plenty of elbow room to work your lines without fighting crowds.
Your day starts early when you meet the captain at the dock, ready to hit prime fishing spots while the water's still calm. We'll cruise through Jacksonville's maze of creeks, flats, and river bends where redfish patrol the shallows and trout stack up along drop-offs. The St. Johns River system offers everything from grass flats perfect for sight fishing to deeper channels where flounder ambush baitfish. You'll spend most of your time working productive water, not burning fuel between spots. The captain reads the tides, weather, and seasonal patterns to put you on fish consistently throughout the day. Eight hours gives us plenty of time to adjust tactics, move locations, and really dial in what's working.
We'll be throwing a mix of live bait and artificials depending on what the fish want. Shrimp under popping corks work magic for trout, while cut bait gets flounder fired up along channel edges. For redfish, we might sight cast with paddle tails or work topwater plugs over shallow grass when conditions are right. The boat's rigged with quality spinning gear that's perfect for inshore work, but feel free to bring your own setup if you've got favorites. We'll cover everything from slow-rolling soft plastics to working suspending twitch baits around structure. The captain will show you local techniques that work specifically in Jacksonville waters, including how to read the water and spot feeding fish.
Summer flounder are Jacksonville's hidden gems, especially during warmer months when they move into the river system to feed. These flatfish love sandy bottoms near creek mouths and channel edges where they can ambush passing baitfish. Most flounder here run 14 to 18 inches, with bigger doormat-sized fish possible on the right day. They're ambush predators that lie buried in sand or mud, so you'll feel that distinctive thump when they grab your bait. What makes flounder fishing exciting is the challenge - they're finicky eaters that require patience and the right presentation to trigger strikes.
Sea trout are Jacksonville's bread and butter species, schooling up over grass flats and around oyster bars year-round. Spring and fall offer the best action when keeper-sized trout between 15 and 20 inches cruise the shallows feeding aggressively. These spotted beauties hit everything from live shrimp to soft plastic jigs, making them perfect for anglers of all skill levels. Trout have a distinctive bite pattern - they'll often tap the bait before committing, so you'll learn to read their subtle strikes. The fight might not be the strongest, but their willingness to bite and excellent table fare make them a crowd favorite.
Redfish are the stars of Jacksonville's inshore scene, prowling shallow water in search of crabs, shrimp, and baitfish. These copper-colored bruisers typically range from slot-sized fish around 18 to 27 inches up to oversized bulls that can stretch past 40 inches. Fall months bring some of the best redfish action as schools move through the area following bait migrations. What makes reds special is their aggressive nature and bulldogging fight - they'll make long runs and use their broad tails to pull drag. Plus, spotting their backs and tails in skinny water adds a sight-fishing element that gets your heart pumping.
Eight hours on Jacksonville's productive inshore waters gives you the best shot at landing multiple species while learning techniques that work in this unique fishery. With only two anglers per trip, you'll get hands-on instruction and plenty of opportunities to work different presentations. The St. Johns River system offers consistent action year-round, but prime dates fill up fast during peak seasons. Book your private charter with Tannic Water Adventures and experience why Jacksonville's inshore fishing keeps anglers coming back trip after trip.
Your ride for this Jacksonville fishing adventure is a solid 2011 Lake And Bay center console that knows these waters well. This 24-footer cuts through the St. Johns River and surrounding bays with ease, powered by a reliable 300HP Yamaha that'll get you to the fishing spots quickly when the bite is on. The center console design gives you plenty of room to work your lines and land those trophy redfish and trout you're after. The boat comes loaded with everything serious anglers need - a fish finder to locate where they're holding, GPS to mark your hot spots, and radar for those early morning runs when visibility gets sketchy. The wireless trolling motor lets you sneak up on shallow water targets without spooking them, while the icebox keeps your catch fresh and drinks cold during the long day on the water. There's even a multimedia system for the ride between spots. Built for inshore work, this bay boat handles the flats and channels around Jacksonville like it was made for them.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the ultimate inshore prize with their copper-red backs and signature black spots near the tail. These bruisers average 20-30 inches but can push 40+ inches and really test your drag. They cruise super shallow water—sometimes so shallow their backs show above the surface. Look for them around oyster bars, grass flats, and creek mouths in 1-4 feet of water. Year-round fishing here in Jacksonville, but fall and spring offer peak action when they school up. What guests love most is their powerful runs and stubborn fight—they'll pull drag for 50+ yards. Plus, they're excellent eating with sweet, firm meat. My go-to trick: cast past cruising fish and slowly work your bait back to them. They spook easily in shallow water, so keep noise down and approach quietly.
Salmo TruttaSpotted sea trout, or "specks" as we call them locally, are beautiful silver fish covered in dark spots along their sides. They typically run 14-24 inches and pack plenty of fight for their size. You'll find them around grass flats, oyster bars, and drop-offs in 2-8 feet of water. They love structure and moving water, especially during dawn and dusk feeding periods. Spring through fall offers the best action, with winter fish schooling up in deeper holes. Guests love their aggressive strikes and how they jump when hooked. The meat is white, flaky, and mild—perfect for the dinner table. Here's a local secret: when the water's calm, listen for them "croaking" or popping on the surface. That's your cue to cast topwater lures for explosive strikes.
Paralichthys DentatusSummer flounder are masters of disguise—these flatfish blend perfectly with sandy bottoms using their chameleon-like color changing ability. Most run 15-20 inches, but we've landed some pushing 26 pounds. They're ambush predators that lie buried in sand with just their eyes showing, waiting for baitfish to swim by. You'll find them on bottom structure near inlets and channels, especially September through November when they're most active. What makes them special is that sideways bite—they grab prey from left to right due to both eyes being on one side. Great table fare with mild, flaky meat. Pro tip: when you feel that tap-tap bite, count to three before setting the hook. They need time to turn the bait around in their mouth.
Jacksonville