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.