Expert 6-Hour BackCountry Fishing in Jacksonville

Jacksonville Inshore Charter with Captain Dave

Looking for a real fishing experience on Jacksonville's waters? Captain Dave's 2-person inshore charter puts you right in the thick of the action on the St. Johns River and surrounding saltmarsh. This isn't some rushed tourist trip – it's a genuine, tide-driven adventure with one of Jacksonville's most experienced guides. With 28 years of local knowledge under his belt, Captain Dave knows these waters like the back of his hand, and he's ready to show you why Jacksonville's inshore fishing keeps anglers coming back year after year.

What to Expect on the Water

This is fishing the way it should be – relaxed, authentic, and driven by what nature gives you. Your day starts early, usually between 7-8am, when the fish are most active and the water's still calm. Captain Dave operates on Mother Nature's schedule, following the 6-hour tidal cycles that dictate when fish feed and move through these shallow waters. You'll be fishing aboard the Jettywolf, a brand-new 2025 custom-built 20-footer designed specifically for Jacksonville's inshore waters. This shallow-draft bay boat gets you into spots the big boats can't reach – those back-country areas where redfish cruise the grass flats and seatrout ambush baitfish in the shallows. Everything's included: rods, reels, tackle, coolers, ice, and all the safety gear you need. Just bring some snacks and drinks in a grocery bag, wear sneakers (no work boots or sandals), and dress for the weather. Captain Dave handles the rest, including your fishing license.

Techniques and Tackle

Jacksonville inshore fishing is all about adapting to conditions, and Captain Dave uses whatever method puts fish in the boat. Some days you'll be bottom fishing with cut bait, waiting for that telltale thump of a black drum picking up your offering. Other times, you'll be casting jig heads to visible fish – there's nothing quite like watching a redfish charge your lure in two feet of crystal-clear water. When conditions call for it, you'll drift slip floats with live bait, letting the current carry your presentation into pockets where fish are holding. Captain Dave mixes live bait, natural baits, and artificials depending on what the fish want that day. The spinning tackle is easy to handle, but you'll need to be comfortable casting – accuracy matters when you're targeting fish in specific structure or along grass lines. The boat's shallow draft means you'll fish areas that stay productive even when other spots get pressured, and Captain Dave's local knowledge puts you on fish that many visitors never see.

Customer Stories

"Took the kids 15y and 4yr, both got seasick but Captain Dave not only handled well but with the shorter on open water experience took us up river for sightseeing and a bit of history it was a great end" - Rhonda

Species You'll Want to Hook

Redfish are the crown jewel of Jacksonville inshore fishing, and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers cruise the grass flats and oyster bars year-round, offering some of the most visual and exciting fishing you'll find anywhere. Jacksonville reds typically run 18-27 inches, with plenty of slot-sized fish that make excellent table fare. They're most active during moving tides, especially around dawn and dusk, and they'll absolutely demolish a well-placed jig or live shrimp. What makes redfish special is their attitude – they're aggressive, they fight hard, and in shallow water, they'll give you a battle you won't forget.

Sea Trout are Jacksonville's bread-and-butter inshore species, and Captain Dave knows exactly where to find them. These spotted beauties love grass flats, drop-offs, and channel edges, especially during cooler months when they school up in deeper pockets. Seatrout are perfect for anglers who enjoy finesse fishing – they can be picky about presentation, but when you dial in the right technique, you can catch them all day long. They're excellent table fare and abundant in these waters, making them a customer favorite for good reason.

Southern Flounder provide some of Jacksonville's most rewarding inshore action, especially during their fall migration when they move through local waters in impressive numbers. These flat-bodied ambush predators lie buried in sand and mud, waiting to attack unsuspecting baitfish. Flounder fishing requires patience and the right technique, but when you connect with a quality fish, you'll understand why they're so prized. They're among the best eating fish in the ocean, and Jacksonville's waters produce some real doormat-sized specimens.

Sheepshead are the ultimate test of an angler's skill, and Jacksonville's structure-rich waters hold plenty of them. These black-and-white striped fish have incredible eyesight and lightning-fast reflexes, making them notoriously difficult to hook. They hang around oyster bars, docks, and bridges, using their human-like teeth to crush barnacles, crabs, and other crustaceans. When you do manage to hook one, you'll find they're strong fighters and absolutely delicious on the table.

Crevalle Jack bring pure power to Jacksonville inshore fishing. These silver bullets school up around baitfish and provide some of the most intense fishing action you'll experience. Jacks are built for speed and endurance – they'll test your tackle and your arms with blistering runs and dogged determination. While they're not great table fare, they more than make up for it with their fighting ability. Finding a school of feeding jacks is like hitting the lottery – pure, nonstop action that'll leave your arms sore and your adrenaline pumping.

Time to Book Your Spot

Captain Dave's 2-person charter offers something you won't find on bigger boats – personal attention, flexibility, and access to Jacksonville's best inshore spots. This is real fishing with