Looking for a different fishing experience than what you’re used to when visiting Florida? Then why not take a trip to Mayport? Don’t let its size fool you; this small village packs a fishing experience that could truly rival those of the more popular freshwater and saltwater destinations. Located at the mouth of St. Johns River, where the river meets the Atlantic, this village is the perfect place for anglers who wish to catch freshwater and saltwater gamefish in one trip. You can find tarpon, gag grouper, and redfish inshore and nearshore, while sailfish, marlin, and tuna await anglers on the village’s offshore. Aside from fishing, there are plenty of other things that you can do here as well. From sightseeing to seeing various exotic animals, there’s something for everyone visiting Mayport’s waters.
With the large variety of gamefish available in its waters, anglers can visit Mayport at any point in the year and expect to have a wonderful time. Peak season in the area is from April to October, so anglers who want to make the most of their trip in Mayport should schedule their trips then. During these months, most of the gamefish will be available in large numbers and when they’re most active. It is also important to note that there may be fish species that won’t be available for fishing when visiting Mayport. Why does this happen? Because so many anglers fish here, the local government is concerned that the numbers of gamefish may become so depleted that nobody can catch them anymore the next time they visit. So when you’re planning your trip, make sure to research which gamefish are available in Mayport during your visit.
The top fish species to target are:
With its small size, visitors mistake Mayport to be a simple village with fishing as its only attraction. There are, however, plenty of other tourist attractions on or near it that will make visitors come back for more.
Fish aren’t the only animal that you can see in the area. Just a few trips away from Mayport is the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens. Here, you can see a wide variety of animals and plants from all over the world. You will have fun exploring and seeing all the species housed here.
The nearby Fort George Island State Park is the perfect place to visit to relax and relieve stress. Visitors can hike, bike, and boat at their heart’s content while enjoying the scenic view offered by the island. There are six other nearby State Parks in the area that visitors can also visit, all of them combined forms the Talbot Islands State Parks.