Learn to Fish: Jacksonville Beginner's Charter

Published Date: August 21, 2025
Fishing

Jacksonville
$425 - $525 price range
Updated Date: August 23, 2025

Summary

Kick off your morning with a laid-back 4-hour fishing trip in Jacksonville, perfect for newcomers to the sport. Your local captain will guide you through calm inshore waters, targeting fish like redfish, sea trout, and flounder. This small-group charter is ideal for families or friends looking to learn the ropes of fishing in a relaxed setting. No need to worry about gear – everything you need is provided, so you can focus on learning to cast and reel. Your captain will offer hands-on tips to help you land your first catch, all while soaking up the Florida sunshine. It's a great way to build your fishing skills and confidence on the water. Keep in mind that while the experience is designed to be easy-going, deposits are non-refundable. Whether you're hoping to hook your first fish or just enjoy a morning on the water, this trip offers a fun, low-pressure introduction to Jacksonville's inshore fishing scene.

Learn to Fish: Jacksonville Beginner's Charter

Catch of the Day

Redfish caught while fishing in Jacksonville

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Smiling with a beautiful redfish catch on the water!

Exciting catch on the water — young angler showing off a feisty black bass!

Awesome redfish catch on the boat — perfect day for inshore fishing!

Reel in the Fun: Beginner's Guide to Jacksonville Fishing

Ready to dip your toes into the world of inshore fishing? MARSHRATS Inshore Charters has cooked up the perfect morning adventure for newbies looking to wet a line in Jacksonville's rich coastal waters. This 4-hour trip is all about getting you comfortable with the basics while soaking up some Florida sunshine and hopefully landing your first catch. No need to stress about gear or know-how – we've got you covered from start to finish.

What's the Deal?

Picture this: You're cruising through Jacksonville's calm inshore waters as the sun climbs over the horizon. Your seasoned captain's at the helm, pointing out prime fishing spots and sharing local knowledge that'll have you feeling like a pro in no time. We keep our groups small – just you and up to two buddies – so you'll get plenty of one-on-one guidance. Whether you're figuring out how to cast or reeling in your first redfish, we're all about making sure you have a blast and build some confidence on the water.

Fishing 101: What to Expect

Don't sweat it if you can't tell a rod from a reel – we've got all the gear you need, and we'll show you how to use it. We'll start with the basics: how to bait your hook, cast your line, and read the water. Your captain will clue you in on different techniques for nabbing our local stars like redfish and sea trout. And hey, if you hook something, we'll walk you through landing it like a champ. The best part? These calm inshore waters mean you can focus on fishing without worrying about choppy seas or seasickness.

Why Folks Keep Coming Back

There's something special about Jacksonville's waterways that keeps anglers hooked. Maybe it's the thrill of spotting a tailing redfish in the shallows, or the satisfying tug of a feisty jack crevalle on your line. Our regulars rave about the variety – one minute you're casting near oyster beds for trout, the next you're sight-fishing for flounder. Plus, with our year-round fishery, there's always something biting, no matter when you visit.

Fish You'll Want to Hook

Redfish: These copper-colored beauties are a Jacksonville staple. Known for their distinctive black spot near the tail, redfish put up a great fight and are a blast to catch on light tackle. They love hanging around structure like docks and oyster bars, so we'll teach you how to work those spots. Fall is prime time for big bulls, but you can catch slot-sized reds year-round.

Sea Trout: Also called spotted seatrout, these guys are a favorite for their delicate flavor and willingness to bite. They've got a soft mouth, so finesse is key when reeling them in. We often find them over grass flats or near drop-offs. Dawn and dusk are magic hours for trout fishing, making them perfect targets for our morning trips.

Jack Crevalle: If you're looking for a workout, jacks are your fish. These hard-fighting powerhouses will test your arms and your gear. They often hunt in schools, so when you find one, you might just hit the jackpot. Jacks are most active in the warmer months and love to chase baitfish near the surface – get ready for some exciting topwater action!

Southern Flounder: Masters of camouflage, flounder are the ninjas of the inshore world. They lie flat on the bottom, waiting to ambush prey. Catching them requires a bit of finesse and a sharp eye, but landing a big "doormat" is super rewarding. Fall is flounder season around here, with fish fattening up before their offshore migration.

Time to Get Your Feet Wet

Look, we get it – trying something new can be intimidating. But trust us, there's nothing quite like the rush of reeling in your first fish or the pride of mastering a new skill. Our morning trip is the perfect low-pressure intro to the world of inshore fishing. You'll come away with new knowledge, maybe a few fish stories, and definitely a desire to get back out on the water. So why not give it a shot? Grab a couple friends, book your spot with MARSHRATS Inshore Charters, and let's make some waves in Jacksonville. Just remember, deposits are non-refundable, so pick a date and stick to it. We can't wait to show you what Jacksonville fishing is all about!

Learn more about the animals

Crevalle Jack

Crevalle jacks are the bulldogs of our inshore waters. Averaging 3-5 pounds but capable of hitting 30+, these golden bruisers will test your tackle and stamina. You'll find them busting bait on the surface in deeper channels and around structure like bridges or jetties. Jacks are year-round residents but really fire up in summer. What makes them a blast is their aggressive feeding and hard-fighting nature. When a school is blitzing bait, it's non-stop action. To get in on the fun, look for birds diving or bait getting pushed to the surface. Throw a silver spoon or topwater plug into the fray and hold on tight. These guys hit hard and run like freight trains. Local tip: If you see jacks feeding but can't get them to bite, try a noisy popper or big topwater walk-the-dog lure to get their attention.

Redfish

Redfish are one of our most popular inshore targets, usually running 20-30 inches in the shallows. You'll spot them tailing in water so shallow their backs stick out, usually over mud bottoms or around oyster bars. They put up a great fight and taste fantastic – light, sweet flavor that's hard to beat. Fall is prime time as reds school up, but you can catch them year-round here. What makes them fun is sight fishing – sneaking up on tailing fish in skinny water. It's a rush when you see that copper-colored back and manage to drop a lure in front of it. For best results, try a gold spoon or scented soft plastic on a jighead. Work it slowly along the bottom, almost bumping it into their nose. Local tip: On calm days, look for pushes of water or "wakes" moving across shallow flats – that's often a cruising red looking for an easy meal.

Sea Trout

Sea trout are a popular inshore catch, typically running 14-24 inches and 1-5 pounds. You'll find them in grass flats and shallow waters, especially at night. They love hanging around structure in cooler months. Sea trout put up a decent fight and make for some tasty eating with their mild, flaky white meat. Spring and fall are prime seasons, but you can catch them year-round in Jacksonville. What makes sea trout fun is their aggressive strike – they'll hit topwater lures hard. Try working a popper or walk-the-dog lure over grass flats early morning or evening for some exciting surface action. If they're being finicky, switch to a soft plastic on a jighead and work it slowly along the bottom. One local trick: on cloudy days, try bright colored lures to get their attention in the low light.

Southern Flounder

Southern flounder are masters of camouflage, blending into sandy or muddy bottoms in our bays and estuaries. They typically run 15-18 inches but can reach over 30. Spring and fall are prime seasons as they move in and out of the inlets. What makes flounder unique is their ambush feeding style. They'll bury in the sand with just their eyes showing, waiting to pounce on prey. This makes for an interesting challenge – you're often fishing by feel rather than sight. To target flounder, try drifting or slow-trolling with live bait like mullet or mud minnows. Work sandy drop-offs or creek mouths where they wait to ambush prey. Local tip: When you feel a bite, don't set the hook right away. Give the flounder time to grab the bait and turn it – count to three, then set hard.

About the East Cape (Flats boat)

Vehicle Guest Capacity: 3

Manufacturer Name: Mercury

Maximum Cruising Speed: 60

Number of Engines: 1

Horsepower per Engine: 175

Ready to dip your toes into the world of fishing? This 4-hour morning charter in Jacksonville is tailor-made for newcomers looking to get their feet wet. Your experienced captain will guide you through calm inshore waters, showing you the ropes as you target local favorites like Redfish, Sea Trout, Jack Crevalle, and Southern Flounder. With space for up to three guests, it's an ideal outing for small groups, families, or friends wanting to learn together. Don't worry about equipment - everything you need is provided, so you can focus on mastering your cast and soaking in the Florida sunshine. Whether you're reeling in your very first catch or adding to your tally, this trip offers a relaxed, hands-on introduction to inshore fishing. It's the perfect way to build your skills and confidence on the water, all while enjoying Jacksonville's beautiful coastal scenery.

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