Northeast Florida fishes differently from the rest of the state — and that’s exactly why we love it. Around Jacksonville, the mighty St. Johns River meets the Atlantic, big 4-to-6-foot tides flush vast spartina marshes, and the fish pile into the current to feed.
This is redfish country. The fall bull-red run off the Mayport jetties is the stuff of legend, and year-round you’ll find trout, flounder and sheepshead in the creeks, the ICW, and around every piece of structure. Bring tackle that can handle current.
🎣 Top Species to Target
Cooler water and bigger tides shape the menu up here:
- Redfish — the headliner — slot reds in the marsh year-round, and giant bull reds school off the jetties and beaches in fall. Redfish how-to →
- Spotted Seatrout — creek mouths and grass lines, best on a moving tide; spring and fall are prime. Trout guide →
- Flounder — an NE Florida specialty — the fall ‘flounder run’ along the jetties and ICW is a tradition.
- Sheepshead — winter brings them thick to the jetties, bridges and docks — bring fiddler crabs and patience.
- Black Drum — big drum haunt the river and jetties; smaller ‘puppy’ drum mix in with the reds.
- Tarpon & Jacks — summer brings rolling tarpon to the river mouth and beaches, plus hard-pulling jack crevalle.
📍 Where to Fish
- Mayport jetties — the signature spot — reds, drum, flounder and sheepshead stack on the rocks; fish the tide changes.
- St. Johns River — miles of dock, bridge and creek structure running right through the city.
- Marsh creeks & the ICW — classic spartina-grass redfish water — pole or trolling-motor the falling tide.
- Sisters Creek / Nassau Sound — less pressure, strong fish, and beautiful low-country scenery.
- Amelia Island — northern reds, trout and flounder, plus surf and pier options.
🗓️ When to Go
- Fall (Sep–Nov) — the big one — bull redfish run the jetties and beaches, and flounder stack up before they leave.
- Winter (Dec–Feb) — sheepshead invade the structure; reds school in clear, low water on warm afternoons.
- Spring (Mar–May) — trout fire back up; the first tarpon and jacks show by late spring.
- Summer (Jun–Aug) — tarpon, jacks and shrimp-fed reds — fish early before the afternoon storms.
Find Jacksonville’s top-rated inshore and offshore charters — see open dates →
✅ Know Before You Go
- Respect the current. NE Florida’s tides are bigger and faster than peninsular Florida — fish the moving water, but mind your anchor and your footing on the jetties.
- Flounder rules change. Florida has adjusted flounder size limits and added a seasonal closure — check the current FWC regulations before you keep one.
- Bull reds are over-slot. Those giant jetty fish are spawning stock — photograph and release them.
- Dress for it. Winters here are genuinely cold and water temps drop — the bite often concentrates midday when it warms.
🎒 Gear That Works Here
A few links below are affiliate links — buy through them and we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. We only list gear we’d actually tie on.
- Penn Battle IV 3000 — tough enough for marsh reds and jetty fish alike.
- Ugly Stik Inshore Select Rod — an affordable, near-indestructible stick for fishing rocks and structure.
- PowerPro Braided Line — 15–20 lb braid to cut current and feel the bottom.
- Seaguar Blue Label Fluorocarbon — 20–30 lb fluoro for abrasion around oysters and rocks.
- SPRO Bucktail Jig — the jetty and current killer — bounce the bottom for reds, flounder and drum.
- Berkley Gulp! Shrimp — deadly on flounder and reds — scent matters in stained water.
- Owner Mutu Light Circle Hooks — perfect for live or cut bait on bull reds and drum — a clean lip hookup.
- D.O.A. Shrimp — work it slow through creek mouths for trout and reds.
📚 Keep Reading
First time inshore? Read our beginner’s guide, then target redfish and seatrout. Need a reel that handles current? See our inshore rod-and-reel combos.
Disclosure: some links here are paid. Buy or book through one and we earn a commission at no extra cost to you — it never affects which gear or captains we recommend. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.