St. Johns River Fishing in Jacksonville: Redfish and More
Jacksonville's Urban River Fishery
The St. Johns River flows north through the heart of Jacksonville before emptying into the Atlantic at Mayport. This unusual north-flowing river creates a massive estuary system where freshwater from the interior mixes with tidal saltwater pushing in from the ocean. The result is a brackish waterway that supports redfish fishing targets, flounder, sheepshead, black drum, and—uniquely for Florida—a seasonal striped bass fishery. From downtown bridge pilings to oyster-lined creek mouths in the marshes, the St. Johns around Jacksonville holds gamefish in places most anglers drive past without a second look.
The river's width and tidal influence create distinct fishing zones. The main channel near downtown runs 30 to 40 feet deep with strong current. The tributary creeks—Sisters Creek, Broward River, Trout River, Arlington River—offer protected, shallow-water habitat. And the expansive marsh systems to the north and south of the river mouth hold redfish and trout on grass and oyster flats.
Primary Species and Where to Find Them
Redfish
Redfish are the St. Johns' backbone species. They hold year-round in the creek mouths, oyster bars, dock lines, and marsh edges throughout the river system. Fall produces the largest concentrations, with bull reds over 30 inches schooling near the Mayport jetties and in the deeper bends of the main channel. Slot-size fish (18 to 27 inches) feed on the shallow oyster bars and grass flats in the tributary creeks, particularly during the lower stages of the tide when they concentrate on remaining structure.
Flounder
Flounder fishing in the St. Johns peaks during spring and fall. Fish hold on sandy bottom near channel edges, dock pilings, and anywhere current deposits sediment against structure. The mouth of Sisters Creek and the edges of the Intracoastal Waterway near the river are consistent producers. A live mud minnow or finger mullet on a 1/4-ounce jighead, bumped slowly along the bottom, is the standard approach.
Sheepshead
From December through March, sheepshead stack up on every barnacle-covered piling, bridge footing, and dock structure in the river. The downtown Jacksonville bridges—Main Street, Acosta, Fuller Warren—hold concentrations of sheepshead in the 3- to 6-pound range. Fiddler crabs and live shrimp on small jigs dropped tight to the pilings produce steady catches.
| Species | Peak Months | Top Locations | Preferred Technique |
|---|---|---|---|
| Redfish | Sep–Nov (bull reds), year-round (slot) | Oyster bars, creek mouths, Mayport | Live shrimp, gold spoons, soft plastics |
| Flounder | Mar–May, Sep–Nov | Sisters Creek, channel edges | Live mud minnow on jighead |
| Sheepshead | Dec–Mar | Downtown bridges, dock pilings | Fiddler crabs, live shrimp on small jig |
| Black drum | Jan–Apr | Oyster bars, bridge pilings | Dead shrimp, cut blue crab |
| Striped bass | Dec–Mar | Buckman Bridge south, freshwater zone | Live shrimp, jerkbaits, trolling |
The Striped Bass Fishery
Jacksonville is one of the few places in Florida where anglers can target striped bass. Stripers move into the St. Johns River system during the cooler months, primarily from December through March. Fish concentrate in the river south of the Buckman Bridge (I-295) where salinity drops and the river transitions toward freshwater. Trolling shallow-diving crankbaits and casting live shrimp near river bends and tributary mouths produces fish in the 5- to 15-pound range, with occasional catches exceeding 20 pounds.
The St. Johns River striped bass fishery is managed by the FWC freshwater fishing division. Current regulations require a minimum size of 18 inches and a daily bag limit of three fish per angler. A freshwater fishing license covers striped bass fishing in the river's freshwater zones, while a saltwater license covers the tidal sections.
Access Points
- Mayport boat ramp: Access to the river mouth, jetties, and nearshore Atlantic—the primary launch for bull redfish and offshore trips
- Sisters Creek Marina: Ramp and dock access to Sisters Creek and the Intracoastal, excellent for sheepshead fishing and flounder
- Arlington River ramp: Quiet launch with access to the main river and downtown bridge structure
- Buckman Bridge area ramps: Access to the freshwater/brackish transition zone where striped bass hold in winter
- Downtown seawalls and piers: Walk-up fishing access along the Northbank and Southbank Riverwalk for sheepshead and drum
Tides Matter Here
The St. Johns River experiences a tidal range of 3 to 5 feet near the mouth at Mayport, diminishing as you move upriver. This tidal exchange drives the entire inshore fishery. Outgoing tides flush bait from the creeks and marshes into the main river, concentrating fish at creek mouths and channel edges. Incoming tides push saltwater and bait up into the tributary creeks, spreading fish across the flats and into the marsh. Timing your trip to fish the first two hours of a tide change—either direction—puts you on the most active feeding windows.