Fishing

Jacksonville offers both inshore and offshore fishing and there is water everywhere, making it the ideal fishing destination.

With so many miles of riverfront shoreline in Jacksonville, boaters find marinas stretched from Orange Park to Jacksonville Beach. And if it's a deep-sea adventure you seek, the Atlantic Ocean and the Intracoastal Waterway are an easy 30-minute cruise from Downtown Jacksonville.

Inshore Fishing
Inshore fishermen will catch redfish, seatrout, flounder, blackdrum and sheepshead. Supply the desire to fish and let Backwater Fishing Adventures supply the equipment and expertise. Specializing in light tackle and fly fishing, Captain Dave Borries has over 20 years experience navigating the waterways of Northeast Florida. Backwater Fishing Adventures can help even the novice fisherman discover the secret hideaways perfect for fly fishing throughout the waters of the Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve. For those more interested in seeing the sights than catching their dinner, charters are available to tour the wetlands and experience the local wildlife. Be on the lookout for manatees, egrets, ospreys and an occasional dolphin.

Offshore Fishing
Off the coast of Jacksonville, the list of saltwater sportfish to be caught includes dolpin, tuna, Wahoo, grouper and snaper - just to name a few. Reel in a big one at the favorite spot of local anglers, the Mayport Jetties, located at the mouth of the St. Johns River and the Atlantic Ocean or catch a charter out to sea.

Popular Fishing Holes
The Nassau Sound Fishing Bridge provides fishermen access to one of the best fishing areas in Northeast Florida. The mile-long fishing bridge spans Nassau Sound. Entrance to the fishing bridge is through the entrance to Amelia Island State Park. Whiting, jack, drum and tarpon are some of the many species that can be caught from the bridge.

Cast a line at the Jacksonville Beach Fishing Pier overlooking the ocean. The 1,300-foot concrete structure extends nearly a quarter mile into the sea, offering ample access to fishing, concessions and the spectacular ocean view. The hours of operation are 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Admission to fish is $4 or $1 to simply stroll the length of the structure and enjoy the scenery. Children ages six and under are admitted at no charge.

Fishing Tournaments
The Greater Jacksonville Kingfish Tournament is held each year in July at Sisters Creek Park on the Intracoastal Waterways and is the largest kingfish tournament in the country. Up to 500 boats fish the weeklong event for hundreds of thousands of dollars in prizes. Annually, the Tournament attracts approximately 20,000 spectators who watch the weigh-in and enjoy the festivities. The festivities are capped off with a fabulous fireworks display sponsored by the City of Jacksonville.

The Jacksonville Kayak Fishing Classic is held annually in May. The event is said to be the world’s largest kayak fishing tournament with more than 350 kayak anglers targeting redfish, trout and flounder in a catch-and-release format. Kayak fishing is one of the largest growing outdoor activities in Jacksonville and launch spots are found throughout the area.