Jacksonville's Premier Inshore Fishing Experience

Afternoon Fishing Trip in Jacksonville

Captain Ty Sikes knows exactly where the redfish hang out in Jacksonville's maze of creeks and grass flats. This 2-hour afternoon charter takes you straight to the honey holes where speckled trout cruise the shallows and flounder ambush baitfish along the sandy bottoms. With everything included – rods, reels, tackle, bait, and your fishing license – you just show up ready to catch fish. Whether you're a complete beginner or an experienced angler looking for a quick fishing fix, this trip delivers the goods without eating up your whole day.

What to Expect on the Water

Captain Ty runs a tight ship that accommodates up to 3 anglers, keeping the group small so everyone gets personal attention and prime fishing spots. The afternoon timing hits sweet, especially during those golden hours when the fish start feeding heavily before sunset. You'll launch from one of Jacksonville's convenient boat ramps and cruise out to the productive inshore waters where the Intracoastal Waterway meets countless creeks and marshes. The boat comes equipped with a cooler and ice, so bring your favorite drinks and snacks to fuel up between catches. Captain Ty knows these waters like the back of his hand – he'll put you on fish while sharing local knowledge that only comes from years of working these flats. The relaxed pace makes this trip perfect for families, first-timers, or anyone who wants to experience Jacksonville's world-class inshore fishing without committing to a full day.

Tactics and Techniques

Jacksonville's inshore fishing revolves around reading the water and matching your presentation to what the fish want. Captain Ty sets you up with the right tackle for each species – whether that's bouncing a jig along the bottom for flounder or working a topwater plug over grass beds for redfish. You'll fish with live bait like shrimp and mud minnows, plus an arsenal of artificial lures that cover every situation from shallow flats to deeper creek mouths. The key here is staying mobile and hitting multiple spots during the 2-hour window. One minute you're sight-casting to tailing redfish in 18 inches of water, the next you're drifting live bait through a creek bend where big trout stack up during moving tides. Captain Ty handles the boat positioning and reads the conditions, so you focus on feeling that bite and setting the hook. He'll coach you through each technique, from proper rod handling to playing fish in shallow water where one wrong move sends your target back to cover.

Species You'll Want to Hook

Redfish are the crown jewel of Jacksonville's inshore scene, and these copper-colored bruisers put up fights that'll test your drag system. These fish cruise the grass flats and oyster bars year-round, with fall and spring offering the most consistent action. Mature redfish run anywhere from 20 to 40 inches, and they're notorious for making blistering runs toward structure when hooked. What makes them special is their willingness to eat everything from live shrimp to loud topwater plugs, plus they're relatively easy for beginners to target in shallow water.

Speckled trout bring finesse fishing to the forefront, demanding lighter tackle and precise presentations around grass beds and drop-offs. These silvery gamefish with distinctive black spots peak during cooler months but stay active year-round in Jacksonville's temperate climate. Trout typically range from 14 to 20 inches, with occasional "gator trout" pushing 5 pounds or more. They're structure-oriented fish that relate to grass lines, creek mouths, and shell bars, making them predictable targets when you understand their patterns.

Southern flounder are the masters of camouflage, lying flat on sandy bottoms waiting to ambush unsuspecting baitfish. These flatfish become most active during fall months when they stage near inlets before their offshore spawning migration. Flounder fishing requires patience and bottom contact – you're essentially dragging baits along the seafloor until a fish commits. When they bite, flounder often feel like you're hung up on bottom until they start shaking their heads. Jacksonville's flounder typically run 14 to 20 inches, with occasional doormat-sized fish that'll surprise you with their power.

Largemouth bass add freshwater excitement to this inshore mix, especially when fishing the upper reaches of tidal creeks where saltwater meets fresh. These green fish thrive in Jacksonville's diverse estuarine system, often holding around downed trees, docks, and vegetation lines. Bass fishing here differs from typical lake tactics – you're dealing with tidal flow and brackish conditions that create unique feeding opportunities. They're aggressive strikers that jump when hooked, making them crowd-pleasers for anglers of all ages.

Sheepshead bring technical fishing to the table with their notorious bait-stealing abilities and preferences for structure like docks, bridges, and oyster bars. These black-and-white striped fish have human-like teeth perfect for crushing crustaceans, which means they're experts at picking baits clean without getting hooked. Catching sheepshead requires sharp reflexes and sensitive tackle to detect their subtle bites. They're most active during cooler months and provide excellent table fare for anglers who master their tricky feeding habits.

Snook represent the glamour species of Florida inshore fishing, with their distinctive black lateral line and explosive strikes around mangrove shorelines. These subtropical fish become more active during warmer months and are famous for their acrobatic fights and tendency to throw hooks with powerful head shakes. Jacksonville sits near the northern edge of snook range, making every catch special. They're ambush predators that hold tight to cover, requiring accurate casts and quick hook-sets to prevent them from cutting you off in the mangroves.

Time to Book Your Spot

This top-rated afternoon fishing charter fills up quickly, especially during peak fishing seasons when the bite is hot and visitors flock to Jacksonville's