Pro Angler's Dream: Jacksonville Inshore Charter

Published Date: August 28, 2025
Fishing

Jacksonville
$300 - $700 price range

Summary

Looking for a solid day of fishing in Jacksonville? Join Captain Chad for a 4-hour inshore charter on the St. Johns River and Intracoastal Waterway. We'll be targeting redfish, flounder, tarpon, sheepshead, and spotted seatrout – a great mix of inshore species. This trip is perfect for anglers of all levels, whether you're just starting out or you've been fishing for years. We provide all the gear and live bait, so you can just show up ready to fish. If you're interested, we can even teach you how to catch bait yourself. Kids are welcome, so bring the whole family along. After we wrap up, we'll clean and fillet your catch so you can take it home. It's a hands-on experience with plenty of action, led by a local guide who knows these waters inside and out. Come on out and let's see what's biting in Jacksonville!

Pro Angler's Dream: Jacksonville Inshore Charter

Inshore Action Shots

Angler posing with a large redfish caught in Florida

Casting Lines in the River

7 southern flounder, european flounder, and summer flounder caught in FL

Flounder Biting in the Bay

Fisherman with big 28-inch catch in Jacksonville

Big Bite on Light Gear in Jax

Great Day Fishing in Jacksonville

Jacksonville's Inshore Fishing Bonanza

Ready to hit the waters around Jacksonville for some top-notch inshore action? Capt. Chad's got you covered with this 4-hour trip that'll have you chasing after redfish, seatrout, and more. Whether you're a seasoned pro or just getting your feet wet, this charter's perfect for anyone looking to land some of Florida's most sought-after inshore species. We'll cruise the St. Johns River and Intracoastal Waterway, giving you a taste of the best fishing spots Jacksonville has to offer.

What to Expect on the Water

Kick off your day bright and early at 8 AM, when the fish are active and the water's calm. Capt. Chad's got all the gear you need, from rods and reels to live bait that's prepped and ready to go. Want to learn how to catch your own bait? Just say the word, and he'll show you the ropes. This isn't some stuffy guided tour – it's a hands-on fishing experience where you'll be in on the action from start to finish. And don't worry about cleaning your catch; Capt. Chad's got that covered too. He'll fillet your fish at the end of the trip, so you can head straight home with some fresh dinner.

Techniques That Land the Big Ones

On this trip, we're not just casting and hoping for the best. Capt. Chad's got a bag full of tricks to help you land those inshore beauties. We might start with some sight fishing for redfish tailing in the shallows, using light tackle to avoid spooking them. For seatrout, we'll likely drift along grass flats, working soft plastics or live shrimp under a popping cork. If the tarpon are running, get ready for some heart-pounding action as we chunk live mullet or pitch crabs to these silver kings. And don't forget about those structure-loving sheepshead – we'll break out the fiddler crabs and drop them right next to dock pilings or oyster beds. It's all about matching the technique to the target, and Capt. Chad's got years of local knowledge to put you on the fish.

Species You'll Want to Hook

Redfish are the rockstars of Jacksonville's inshore scene. These copper-colored bruisers can range from slot-sized puppies to over 40-inch bulls that'll test your drag and your biceps. They love hanging around oyster bars and creek mouths, and there's nothing quite like watching one crush a topwater lure at dawn. Spring and fall are prime time for reds, but you can catch 'em year-round if you know where to look.

Spotted Seatrout, or "specks" as the locals call 'em, are another staple of Jacksonville fishing. These speckled beauties are known for their soft mouths and acrobatic fights. They school up over grass flats and around drop-offs, making them perfect targets for both artificial lures and live bait. The bigger ones, called "gator trout," can top 5 pounds and are a true trophy catch. Winter's usually the best time for big trout, but you can find 'em biting all year.

Tarpon might not be an everyday catch, but when they show up, hold onto your hat. These silver kings can top 100 pounds and are famous for their gill-rattling jumps and long, powerful runs. Late spring through summer is prime tarpon time in Jacksonville, as they migrate along the coast and into the St. Johns River. Landing one of these giants is a bucket-list achievement for any angler.

Southern Flounder are the ninjas of the inshore world. These flat ambush predators blend in perfectly with the sandy bottom, waiting to pounce on unsuspecting baitfish. They're not just fun to catch – they're also some of the best-eating fish in the sea. Fall is typically the best time to target flounder as they move to deeper waters for spawning.

Sheepshead, with their distinctive black and white stripes and sheep-like teeth, are the bane of many anglers but a delight when you figure them out. These structure-loving fish are experts at stealing bait, but when you hook one, you're in for a surprisingly strong fight for their size. Winter and early spring are prime sheepshead seasons, as they gather around pilings and reefs to spawn.

Why Anglers Keep Coming Back

Jacksonville's inshore waters are like a fish buffet, and Capt. Chad knows just where to find the best spots. One day you might be sight-casting to tailing redfish in skinny water, the next you could be battling a tarpon in the channel. It's this variety that keeps anglers coming back for more. Plus, with all gear provided and the expertise of a local guide, you can focus on what matters – catching fish and having a blast. Whether you're looking to introduce the kids to fishing or wanting to sharpen your own skills, this trip's got something for everyone.

Time to Book Your Spot

Look, if you're itching to get out on the water and tangle with some of Jacksonville's finest inshore species, this is the trip for you. Capt. Chad's got the know-how, the gear, and the spots to put you on fish. Whether you're after a cooler full of keepers or just want to bend a rod and make some memories, you won't be disappointed. The beauty of inshore fishing is that it's action-packed and accessible – no long runs to deep water, no seasickness, just pure fishing fun. So why wait? Grab your spot on the boat, and let's go catch some fish. The redfish are tailing, the trout are schooling, and there's a big ol' tarpon out there with your name on it. See you on the water!

Learn more about the species

Redfish

Redfish, or red drum, are one of our most popular inshore targets. These bronze-backed bruisers are known for their powerful runs and distinctive tail spot. Most reds we catch are in the 18-27 inch "slot" size, perfect for the table, but bull reds over 40 inches cruise our waters too. You'll find them tailing in shallow grass flats or prowling deeper channels and oyster bars. They're aggressive feeders, willing to hit everything from live bait to artificial lures. Sight-fishing for tailing reds in clear shallows is a real thrill. Fall is prime time as they school up to spawn. My go-to setup is a gold spoon or soft plastic jerk bait. Work it slowly along the bottom, especially around structure. When a red hits, hang on - even smaller ones pull like freight trains. There's nothing quite like the fight of a big redfish in skinny water.

Sea Trout

Spotted Seatrout, or "specks" as we call them, are a staple of inshore fishing here. These silvery predators with spotted sides usually run 1-3 pounds, but gator trout over 5 pounds aren't uncommon. You'll find them in grass flats, around oyster bars, and near drop-offs. They're most active at dawn and dusk, often giving away their location with subtle surface strikes. Trout put up a good fight on light tackle and make excellent table fare. Live shrimp under a popping cork is a classic setup, but artificial lures like soft plastics and topwater plugs work great too. My favorite trick is to fish the edges of grass flats on a moving tide. Cast parallel to the grass line and work your lure with a slow, steady retrieve. Trout fishing is fun year-round, but fall and spring are especially good.

Sheepshead

Sheepshead are the convict-striped oddballs of inshore fishing. They're known for their human-like teeth, which they use to crush barnacles and crabs. Most run 2-4 pounds, but they can reach 10+ pounds. You'll find them around any structure with barnacles - docks, pilings, jetties, and oyster beds. Winter and early spring are prime times as they gather to spawn. Sheepshead are notoriously tricky to hook - they're experts at stealing bait. Use small, strong hooks and fresh bait like fiddler crabs or oysters. When you feel a bite, wait a second before setting the hook. It takes practice, but the reward is some of the best-tasting fish in the sea. My go-to rig is a light jighead tipped with a piece of shrimp, fished right up against the pilings.

Southern Flounder

These flatfish are masters of camouflage, blending in with sandy or muddy bottoms. You'll find them in shallow coastal waters, estuaries, and even up rivers. Most weigh 1-5 pounds, but trophy fish can hit 20+ pounds. Southern Flounder are ambush predators, lying in wait for small fish and crustaceans. They're prized for their delicate, white meat. Fall is prime time as they migrate to spawn offshore. Look for them around structure like docks, jetties, and oyster beds. They can be tricky to hook - when you feel a bite, give them a moment before setting. I like using live mud minnows or finger mullet on a Carolina rig. Bounce it slowly along the bottom, feeling for that telltale thump. Flounder fishing takes patience, but landing one of these tasty flatties is always rewarding.

Tarpon

Tarpon are the silver kings of inshore fishing. These prehistoric giants can top 200 pounds and put on an acrobatic show when hooked. You'll find them rolling in our coastal waters from late spring through fall. They love to hang around bridges, inlets, and deep channels. Tarpon fishing is all about the thrill of the fight - they're famous for their spectacular leaps and powerful runs. Most anglers practice catch and release to preserve the fishery. Live bait like mullet or crabs work well, but artificial lures can be effective too. When you hook up, be ready for anything. Keep your rod tip high and maintain steady pressure. My top tip: use circle hooks to improve hook-ups and make releasing these giants easier. Landing a tarpon is a bucket list catch for many anglers.

Sitemap