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Expert-Guided Inshore Fishing in Jacksonville
- Published Date: November 13, 2025
- Fishing
- Jacksonville
- Updated Date: November 21, 2025
Summary
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Reeling in Jacksonville
Reel in the Fun: Jacksonville Inshore Fishing
Get ready to cast your line into the heart of Jacksonville's inshore waters! Captain David's got your back for a day of fishing that'll have you hooked from start to finish. Whether you're looking to introduce the kids to angling or aiming to land that trophy redfish, this private charter's got something for everyone. We'll cruise the Intracoastal Waterway and St. Johns River, hitting all the local hotspots where the fish are biting. With room for four, it's the perfect setup for a family outing or a day out with your buddies. The best part? We've got all the gear, licenses, and even cold drinks covered – just bring your sense of adventure and maybe a lucky hat!
What to Expect on the Water
Picture this: you're out on the calm inshore waters, rod in hand, with the Jacksonville skyline as your backdrop. Captain David's been fishing these waters for years, so he knows just where to find the action. We'll start by going over some basic techniques – don't worry if you're new to this, we'll have you casting like a pro in no time. As we drift along, keep your eyes peeled for dolphins playing in our wake or ospreys diving for their own catch. The fish are always biting here, but half the fun is soaking in the natural beauty of Florida's coast. And hey, if the fish aren't cooperating, Captain David's got plenty of local fishing tales to keep you entertained.
Fishing Gear and Techniques
We're not messing around when it comes to gear – you'll be using top-notch rods and reels that are perfect for inshore fishing. Light to medium tackle is the name of the game here, giving you the best feel for those subtle bites. We'll be using a mix of live bait and artificial lures, depending on what's working best that day. Expect to do some light casting, maybe some drift fishing, and if the tide's right, we might even do some sight fishing for redfish tailing in the shallows. Don't know what any of that means? No sweat – Captain David will walk you through everything step-by-step. By the end of the day, you'll be talking fishing lingo like you were born with a rod in your hand.
Species You'll Want to Hook
Jacksonville's inshore waters are teeming with a variety of fish that'll put up a great fight and taste even better on the grill. Let's break down some of the stars of the show:
Bluefish: These guys are like the bulldogs of the sea – all muscle and attitude. They're known for their aggressive strikes and powerful runs. Bluefish usually show up in the spring and fall, and they're a blast to catch on light tackle. They've got a strong flavor that's perfect for smoking or grilling with bold seasonings.
Summer Flounder: Also known as fluke, these flatfish are masters of camouflage. They're bottom-dwellers with both eyes on one side of their head – pretty weird looking, but tasty! Summer flounder are most active in the warmer months and put up a surprisingly good fight for a fish that looks like a pancake. They're a favorite for their delicate, sweet flavor.
Sea Trout: Spotted seatrout, or "specks" as the locals call them, are a staple of inshore fishing. These silver beauties are known for their speckled patterns and their tendency to school up, which means when you find one, you've often found many. They're around all year but really fire up in the fall. Sea trout are light tackle champions and make for some fantastic eating.
Redfish: The rockstars of inshore fishing, redfish (or red drum) are prized for their copper color and that distinctive spot near their tail. They can be found in the shallows year-round but are especially fun to target in the fall when they school up. Redfish will test your drag and your patience – landing a big one is a true accomplishment. And let's not forget, they're delicious whether blackened, grilled, or fried.
Ladyfish: Often called the "poor man's tarpon," ladyfish are all about the action. These sleek, silver fish are known for their acrobatic leaps and fast runs. They're not the best for eating, but they're a ton of fun to catch, especially for kids or beginners. Ladyfish are around most of the year and are often used as bait for bigger game fish.
Why Anglers Keep Coming Back
There's something special about fishing the inshore waters of Jacksonville that keeps folks coming back for more. Maybe it's the thrill of feeling that first tug on the line, or the satisfaction of reeling in a keeper. Could be the way the sun paints the water gold as it sets, or how the salt air clears your mind of all the day-to-day worries. Whatever it is, Captain David's trips have a way of turning first-timers into regulars. It's not just about the fish – it's about the stories you'll tell, the laughs you'll share, and the memories you'll make out on the water.
Time to Book Your Spot
Alright, let's cut to the chase – if you're looking for a day of fishing that'll have you grinning from ear to ear, this is it. Captain David's Jacksonville inshore fishing charters are the real deal. Whether you're a seasoned angler or you've never held a rod before, you're in for a treat. We've got the local knowledge, the right gear, and the passion to make sure you have an awesome time out on the water. So why wait? Round up your crew, pick a date, and let's get you out there where the fish are waiting. Book your spot now and get ready to make some waves (and maybe catch dinner while you're at it). Trust me, the only thing you'll regret is not doing it sooner. See you on the water!
Learn more about the species
Ladyfish
Ladyfish are like mini-tarpon - long, slender, and acrobatic. They usually run 12-18 inches and 1-2 pounds. You'll find them in bays, inlets, and along beaches, often in big schools. Ladyfish aren't prized for eating, but they're a blast to catch. They hit hard, make blistering runs, and jump like crazy. Use light tackle with small jigs, spoons, or live bait. The bite is good year-round, especially around moving tides. Ladyfish are great for introducing kids to saltwater fishing - lots of action and not too big to handle. They're also excellent bait for bigger gamefish. Pro tip: when you see ladyfish skipping across the surface, cast a small topwater plug into the frenzy for some explosive strikes. Just be ready for some high-flying action when you hook up!
Redfish
Redfish, or red drum, are one of our most popular inshore gamefish. They typically run 18-27 inches and 3-8 pounds in the bays, though big bulls over 30 pounds cruise the beaches. Look for them tailing in shallow water around oyster bars, grass flats, and marshes. Redfish put up a great fight, with strong runs and some jumps. They'll hit live bait, cut bait, or artificials like gold spoons and soft plastics. The bite is good year-round but peaks in fall. Sight-fishing for tailing reds in skinny water is exciting. They're also excellent table fare, with firm white meat. Local tip: on hot summer days, try fishing deeper holes and channels where reds stack up to stay cool. When you hook one, get ready for some drag-screaming action!
Sea Trout
Spotted seatrout, or specks, are a staple of our inshore fishing. These silvery fish with dark spots usually run 14-20 inches and 1-3 pounds. You'll find them around grass flats, oyster bars, and creek mouths. They like moving water and often feed in low light conditions. Sea trout are fun on light tackle - they make good runs and sometimes jump. Use live shrimp under a popping cork, or try soft plastics or topwater lures at dawn and dusk. The bite is best spring through fall. Sea trout have soft mouths, so set the hook easy. They're good eating too, with mild white meat. Pro tip: fish the edges of grass flats on an outgoing tide for best results. These fish school up, so when you catch one, there are usually more around.
Summer Flounder
Summer flounder, also called fluke, are a favorite inshore target here. These flatfish typically run 15-20 inches and 2-4 pounds. You'll find them on sandy or muddy bottoms in bays, inlets, and along beaches. They're ambush predators - they bury in the sand with just their eyes showing, waiting to pounce on prey. Flounder fishing picks up in late spring and peaks in summer and fall. Drift fishing with live bait or bucktails tipped with strips of squid works well. When you feel that telltale thump, give them a second to swallow before setting the hook. Flounder put up a decent fight and are excellent eating - mild, flaky white meat. Local trick: use a teaser hook above your main bait to catch short-striking fish.
Bluefish
Bluefish are aggressive predators that'll give you a real fight. These torpedo-shaped fish usually run 14-24 inches and 3-5 pounds, though big ones can hit 20 pounds. You'll find them in our inshore waters spring through fall, often in schools churning up bait near the surface. Bluefish are fun to catch - they strike hard and make strong runs. Use metal lures, topwater plugs, or live bait like mullet. Just watch those teeth when you're unhooking them! The meat has a strong flavor, but smaller ones under 5 pounds are good eating if you bleed them right away. Pro tip: look for diving birds to find feeding schools. When the bluefish are blitzing, the action can be non-stop.
About the 22' Nautic Star
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Vehicle Guest Capacity: 4
Manufacturer Name: Suzuki
Maximum Cruising Speed: 20
Number of Engines: 1
Horsepower per Engine: 200
