Fishing around Jacksonville Beach and Northeast Florida continues to offer plenty of opportunities both inshore and along the beaches. We’re starting to see hints of the seasonal transition, and that should only improve the action as water temperatures gradually begin to ease.
Inshore
The Intracoastal, creeks and river systems around Jacksonville are producing a good mix of redfish, flounder and trout. Early mornings remain one of the best times to fish, especially before the heat builds.
On higher water, work live shrimp and mud minnows around grass lines, creek mouths and structure. As the tide begins falling, pay attention to bank edges and shallow areas where redfish may be pushing bait. Getting your bait or lure ahead of moving fish rather than directly on top of them can make a big difference.
Flounder continue to be a good target around drop-offs, creek mouths and areas where shallow flats meet deeper water. Mud minnows slowly worked along the bottom are a solid choice.
Live shrimp under a popping cork or float can also produce a mixed bag of trout and redfish.
Beaches & Nearshore
The Jacksonville Beach and Mayport area remains exciting for anglers willing to get an early start. Kingfish are still around the nearshore structure and live-bottom areas, while tarpon continue to follow schools of pogies along the beach.
Finding the bait is often the biggest part of the battle. Watch for diving birds, nervous water and bait flipping at the surface. Once you locate active bait schools, slow-trolling live pogies can be an excellent way to connect with kingfish. Tarpon may be nearby as well, particularly around concentrated schools of bait.
As we move toward the next seasonal pattern, keep an eye out for increasing numbers of mullet moving through the area. That influx of bait can fire up everything from inshore redfish and trout to beach tarpon, black drum, bull reds, and jacks.
Overall, this is a great time to stay flexible: follow the tides inshore, find the bait nearshore and take advantage of good weather windows when they arrive.
