Florida · Northeast
REDFISH FISHING
IN JACKSONVILLE
Jacksonville is an excellent destination for redfish fishing, with peak season in May, September, October and good catches in January, February, March. Book a charter and target redfish with local experts.
About Redfish Fishing in Jacksonville
Also known as Red Drum, one of the most sought-after inshore gamefish in the Gulf. Known for powerful runs and the distinctive spot on the tail.
Redfish — also called Red Drum — are the most popular inshore gamefish along the Gulf and South Atlantic coasts. They are bronze-copper in color with one or more distinctive black spots near the tail, which scientists believe confuse predators into attacking the wrong end. Juveniles (called "rat reds") are bright gold or copper, while bull reds over 30 inches take on a deeper bronze-red hue with a pronounced hump behind the head. Males and females are visually identical, though females grow larger and are the primary spawners.
Scientific name: Sciaenops ocellatus
Redfish Seasonal Calendar — Jacksonville
Month-by-month availability for redfish in Jacksonville, FL.
How to Catch Redfish in Jacksonville
Techniques & Bait
Live shrimp under a popping cork is the most reliable year-round technique. Soft plastic jigs (gold spoons, paddle-tail swimbaits on 1/4 oz jigheads) worked along oyster bars and grass flat edges are deadly. For trophy bulls in the fall, fresh-cut mullet or blue crab on a Carolina rig fished near passes and jetties is hard to beat. Sight-casting to tailing reds on shallow flats with gold spoons or fly-rod presentations is the pinnacle of the sport.
Recommended Tackle
Medium or medium-light spinning rod (7 ft), 2500-3000 size reel, 10-15 lb braided line, 20 lb fluorocarbon leader. For bull reds: medium-heavy rod, 4000 reel, 20-30 lb braid, 30 lb leader.
Best Inshore Fishing Spots in Jacksonville
Top spots where local captains target redfish and other inshore species.
St. Johns River Mouth
The mouth of the St. Johns River where it meets the Atlantic Ocean creates a powerful tidal exchange that attracts redfish, flounder, sheepshead, and tarpon. The jetties flanking the river mouth are prime structure for sheepshead and black drum during winter months. Summer brings tarpon and jack crevalle into the outflow on the outgoing tide.
Sisters Creek
Sisters Creek flows through a network of salt marshes north of the St. Johns River and is one of the most productive inshore creeks in the Jacksonville area. Redfish, spotted seatrout, and flounder inhabit the oyster bars and grass edges throughout the creek system. The protected waters make it fishable even when the ocean is too rough for offshore trips.
Nassau Sound
Nassau Sound at the northern end of Fort George Island is a large, productive estuary fed by the Nassau and Amelia rivers. Redfish, spotted seatrout, flounder, and sheepshead are found around the oyster bars and marsh grass edges throughout the sound. The sound's mix of habitats supports excellent fishing year-round with less pressure than the St. Johns.
Intracoastal Waterway (Jacksonville)
The ICW running through Jacksonville's beach communities features docks, bridge pilings, and residential canals holding snook, redfish, sheepshead, and flounder. The bridges at Beach Boulevard, Butler Boulevard, and J. Turner Butler create tidal funnels that concentrate gamefish. Night fishing under bridge lights is especially productive for snook and tarpon in summer.
Other Species in Jacksonville
More fish you can target while visiting Jacksonville.
Redfish Fishing in Jacksonville — FAQ
The peak months for Redfish fishing in Jacksonville are May, September, October. During these months, Redfish are most active and abundant in the Jacksonville area.
Redfish fishing charters in Jacksonville are typically inshore trips. Prices vary by trip duration and group size. Most charters include all gear, bait, licenses, and fish cleaning.
Live shrimp under a popping cork is the most reliable year-round technique. Soft plastic jigs (gold spoons, paddle-tail swimbaits on 1/4 oz jigheads) worked along oyster bars and grass flat edges are deadly. For trophy bulls in the fall, fresh-cut mullet or blue crab on a Carolina rig fished near passes and jetties is hard to beat. Sight-casting to tailing reds on shallow flats with gold spoons or fly-rod presentations is the pinnacle of the sport.
No — when you book a charter in Jacksonville, your captain provides all required Florida fishing licenses as part of the trip.
Redfish regulations in Florida include minimum size limits and bag limits that vary by season. Your captain will know the current regulations and ensure compliance.
While targeting Redfish in Jacksonville, you may also catch Black Sea Bass, Sheepshead, Flounder, Speckled Trout, Black Drum. Many charter trips target multiple species for the best action.
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