January started off very cold. With still some of the BEST inshore fishing of the year. Jan. 1 & 2 even though it was cold, had all the right species chewin'...Trout, Redfish, Sheepshead & Black Drum were bending our rods all day long.  RIGHT NOW!'' THE WATER TEMPS ARE WHAT MAKES IT ALL HAPPEN. Call me now and get the best tidal days booked. ALWAYS have a back-up day, in case of high winds.   In July thru September, I daydream about how good it can be during the deep winter months in Jacksonville. Probably the direct opposite, from where you fish. I've been preaching for 29 years, ''book your day, when the fish are biting!''  

Here's a Youtube video 'short' from 01/02/2026.  

https://youtube.com/shorts/SoNZ0BYIeuc?si=z31u25424zc61MWN 

BIG REDFISH in the river, keepers in the marsh creeks. My personal favorites, the Spotted SeaTrout, started biting great as the water temps dropped. It took awhile, but as we hit December, the water fell out of the 70's. Between Thanksgiving and Christmas is a turning point, when every fish we want, really fires off. 

Flounder are back open, too. Please Check my YOUTUBE channel for the most up to date weekly video happenings: https://www.youtube.com/c/captdavessportfishing  and join me on Instagram for updated photos of catches: https://www.instagram.com/captdavessportfishing/

Redfish seem to be totally dominating the marsh. They are busting along the banks in all the creeks in Jacksonville's fall fishing season during salt marsh low tides. The "Beaver Moon" on the 6th of November had a extreme negative low tide, which exposed the creek bottoms so much, we saw the true size of many sandbars in the backcountry marsh. All the while, Redfish with their tails and backs out of the water were chasing bait around every bend. 

Flounder of course are closed for keeping by the state, and that's when I seem to catch the most.  Soft Plastics on a light jig-heads is the standard, while we also fish slip-floats with live Shrimp too.  Bottom fishing in deep water for oversized Redfish will continue through January, during Jacksonville's fishing calendar. Swift current/tides have us using heavy duty tackle, heavy sinkers and usually big chunks of cut bait for them. If you choose to "bait & wait" fish, for your possible personal best 20-40 pound Redfish. 

Not many differences from July to August, when discussing the inshore fishing world of Jacksonville. Deep summer days are  about the same. Calm weather in the morning, hot mid days, possible storms from 1pm till evening. That's why we depart by 7am, and are back to the dock by 1pm. The action starts to slow as the sun gets high in the sky, anyways. Redfish are still a main species, some Flounder, Mangrove Snappers, Black Drum, Jacks and Ladyfish, are the others that bend a rod. Coming soon, big Speckled Trout. I'm really looking forward to the Trout action that comes in the fall season.

July is a crazy month in Jacksonville's coastal fishing world. There seems to be a fishing tournament or something going on every weekend. Plus, the river needs traffic lights to cross from one side to the other in a boat, for all the weekenders buzzing around. That's why we leave early. And head directly into the shallow creeks. The Redfish on the right tide, (falling tide) in the morning have been insane! On 7/19, I had two guys aboard the Jettywolf II, and they must have had 20 Redfish from 16'' to 23'', on float-rigs and live shrimp, then we sight casted another keeper 23'' Redfish around 11am, out of a foot of water at dead low tide. There's almost no sense in fishing past 11am, really. It's just too hot.

Tropical Depression Chantel sure did provide some great weather & fishing for my July 5th crew.

It was way cooler, nice and overcast conditions. Cooling, misting rain, on and off made for prime fishing conditions. Exactly the opposite of what people the average visitors, would think.

The guys boated at least a dozen or more Redfish. Loads of "pup-sized" Reds over the oyster banks of a single marsh creek on the falling tide. Boating 2 keepers, and loosing a handful of even larger. Live Shrimp on a; Capt. Dave's special float-rig set-up.  

Brother and sister from Jacksonville fished the creeks aboard the Jettywolf ll with Capt. Dave, to catch loads of fish on their first ever saltwater fishing trip. And it was their first Redfish for both. It was a great morning. The sister didn't even want to go earlier that morning. She wasn't into fishing like her brother. But when it was all done, and after learning to cast her own bait, she was a 100% converted. And wants to go again. They both caught keeper Redfish that were filleted/skinned by Capt. Dave after the trip and were enjoyed for dinner with the whole family.

Early starts, back before rain and high winds. Loads of small Redfish in the creeks all summer long. Small trout too. Kepper Black Drum and a few Flounder. You have to work harder for keepers in summer months and get a good tide. As usual, light tackle and a ball head jig with a shrimp pinned on. At the inlet, a lot of sharks. Some over-sized Redfish in deep water. 

Some local US Navy soldiers, aboard the Jettywolf ll caught over a dozen Redfish, a few small Speckled Trout, 3 flounder, and 5 Black Drum in the creeks.