Complete Guide to Fishing Jacksonville Fl
Jacksonville is a city in Florida, located in Duval County. It is the largest city by area in the contiguous United States and the most populous city in the state of Florida. Jax is a regional business and tourist epicenter. Fishing in Jacksonville, FL, is a top destination among anglers, offering various freshwater and saltwater fishing spots throughout the year.
Fishing in Northeast Florida allows one to battle some of the most sought-after game fish in the country. Jacksonville, FL, is located at the mouth of the famous St. Johns River and faces out onto the Atlantic Ocean. This northeastern area of Florida is full of productive fishing spots, including its inlets, rivers, and offshore wrecks. Jacksonville, Florida, is full of outdoor adventures and fishing events.
Some of the world’s biggest and most famous tournaments, such as the Jacksonville Kingfish Tournament, take place in this city.
Freshwater Fishing
The St. Johns River is one of the unique places in the United States. The river transitions from brackish to fresh, allowing anglers to catch a variety of popular saltwater and freshwater fish in the same waters. Popular inshore catches in the salty waters of St Johns include Redfish, Trout, Sheepshead, Spanish Mackerel, Black Drum, Jack Crevalle, Tarpon, Flounder, and more.
As the river turns fresh, anglers can catch largemouth bass, crappie, and catfish. Jacksonville Fishing Trips have a unique feel as it is located close to many great lakes and rivers to catch trophy bass. Our fishing trips can give you memories of a lifetime in multiple locations.
The St. Johns River is a great river to explore when visiting North Florida. One of the major ports to the river is near Jacksonville, where you can catch many Florida fish species. Crescent Lake is located off the St Johns River and is a unique fishery to experience Jacksonville fishing charters. Lake Santa Fe forms the Santa Fe River’s headwaters and is the Suwannee River’s largest tributary.
This spot is one of the most significant and stable fisheries in North Florida. Lake George is connected to the south River and holds excellent waters to catch trophy largemouths. You must experience wild North Florida on this river and explore the Jacksonville Fishing Trips of a lifetime!
Another incredible fishery to experience while fishing in Jacksonville, FL, is the legendary Rodman Reservoir, covering 9,500 acres and stretching about 15 miles long. The endless impressive bass fishing structure allows trophy bass to flourish. Enjoy a Fishing Trip and an outdoor adventure of a lifetime next time you travel to the state of Florida.
Saltwater Fishing
Inshore Fishing
Jacksonville resides at the St Johns River’s mouth and flows into the Atlantic through Mayport Inlet, and is on the Intracoastal Waterway, meaning the coastal fishing opportunities are endless. Visitors on an inshore fishing charter can explore some of the best backcountry areas, flats, and other shallow water areas to pursue Redfish, Spotted Seatrout, Flounder, Tarpon, Black Seabass, Ladyfish, Black Drum, Bluefish, Sheepshead, and various sharks.
Jacksonville inshore fishing is favored by fly fishermen and those using light tackle. The Intracoastal Waterway, St. Johns River, and their backwater estuaries are the top fishing areas, with hotspots such as Nassau Sound Fishing Bridge and Mill Cove being trendy. Both live bait and artificial lures are effective while fishing in Jacksonville.
The best technique depends on the targeted species, conditions, and time of year. Your fishing guide will inform you of the best methods at the time of your charter. However, topwater plugs are the standard go-to option when targeting Spotted Seatrout inshore and sight fishing for redfish on the flats. Fly fishing the grass flats and wetlands for redfish is a massive deal in the area.
Deep-sea Fishing
Jacksonville offers extraordinary deep-sea fishing opportunities. While on a deep-sea fishing charter, anglers can catch everything from big billfish to tasty reef fish. The further from shore, the bigger the fish will be. A deep-sea charter will head about 25 miles offshore to troll for Barracuda, King Mackerel, Mahi Mahi, and other fish on a full-day fishing trip. These trips can also include bottom fishing, the wrecks, and the reefs.
An extended day charter will head to the Gulf Stream about 60 miles out, where the seafloor drops hundreds of feet deep and the most prominent sport fish lurk. These deep-sea fishing charters hook into fish species such as Tuna, Wahoo, Mahi-Mahi, Sailfish, and Marlin. All these popular fish species are most active during the warmer months, making any time from March through November the best time for a deep-sea fishing trip in Jacksonville.
A bottom fishing charter 40-60 miles out will bring everything from Amberjack and Triggerfish to tasty grouper and snapper. Most of these bottom fish are active during the cooler months.
Northeast Florida Fishing Charters
Anglers fishing in Jacksonville can experience famous Florida largemouth bass fishing or take a fishing trip in the Atlantic to enjoy inshore or deep-sea fishing. The St. Johns River is known for its trophy bass, and the nearby coastal waterways are full of popular gamefish like redfish, flounder, tarpon, snook, and seatrout. The offshore waters are just as productive, offering plenty of opportunities to catch Florida’s largest fish.
Among the most common catches while on a deep-sea fishing charter close to the reefs and wrecks are King Mackerel, Spanish Mackerel, Cobia, and Red Snapper. While out at sea, along with these fish, visitors on Jacksonville offshore charter boats may see larger fish such as billfish, tuna, and more giant sharks. Many saltwater fishing tours depart from Amelia Island due to its renowned inshore opportunities and exciting deep-sea catches in the Gulf Stream.
Let your professional Jacksonville fishing guide do the work for you and navigate straight to the best fishing spots. As a state law, guests on a freshwater trip with a fishing guide still require a fishing license; however, while on saltwater fishing charters with a licensed captain, guests do not need to purchase a fishing license in Florida, as it falls under the captain for saltwater charters.
Whether you decide on freshwater fishing charters or saltwater, your full-time licensed captain is ready to get your dream fish hooked while providing the grand tour of beautiful areas, all while fishing in Jacksonville, FL. We might add that if you ever fished Stockton, they have some similarities.
Local Jacksonville Fishing Guides
Meet the team of Jacksonville Fishing Guides; we know the best spots, baits, and techniques for fishing in Jacksonville, FL. This will give you the most incredible fishing experience in the Jacksonville area.
Fishing License Requirements on Fishing Charters
When fishing in Jacksonville, FL, you don’t need to purchase a fishing license for saltwater fishing charters, as the captain’s license covers you. This goes for both inshore and offshore fishing charters. For fishing in Jacksonville, FL, freshwater fishing charters, all non-residents over age 16 need a freshwater license, and residents between 16 and 65 need a freshwater license.
Current Jacksonville Fishing Reports
Other Fishing Methods
Guests can fish the St. Johns River, the Intracoastal Waterway, beaches, and bridges without a boat and still experience some of Jacksonville’s famous fishing regions. The St. Johns River has numerous preserves and waterfront parks that offer water access to fishing its various fish species. These access points include Stockton Park, Stinson Park, Memorial Park, Sisters Creek Park, and Boat Ramp.
People can also fish the Intracoastal Waterway from docks and piers at the local parks in Jacksonville, FL. Some Intracoastal Waterway access areas include Dutton Island Preserve, Castaway Island, and The Little Jetties. Jacksonville beaches allow anglers to fish from the shore, but the best ocean fishing is done on charter boats that can reach the Gulf Stream and reefs.
Fish caught on the Jacksonville beaches are Flounder, Cobia, Redfish, Snapper, Pompano, Trout, and more. The mile-long Nassau Sound Bridge is one of the best fishing spots in Jacksonville. The bridge can be accessed through Amelia Island State Park and spans Nassau Sound.
Jacksonville Fishing Tournaments
The tournament fishing scene is rich in Jacksonville, Florida. Its events attract hundreds of participants from around the country, meaning top competition and great prizes. Inshore fishers can check out The Flounder Pounder in October and the EI Cheapo Sheepshead Tournament in March. The world’s largest wahoo tournament, known as the Northeast Fl Wahoo ShoutOut, takes place in February and March in Jacksonville.
In July, the famous Greater Jacksonville Kingfish Tournament is one of the world’s most significant events and pays enormous prizes to all fishing in Jacksonville, FL.
Area Things To Do
Jacksonville, Florida, is a unique destination offering numerous adventures that can only be experienced here. A few of the most popular attractions include Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens, The Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens, the Catty Shack Ranch, and Little Talbot Island.
One of the most highly recommended places to visit is Big Talbot Island, which features marshes, wetlands, bike paths, and secluded beaches where visitors can go for a hike or enjoy guided kayak tours.
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