Jacksonville, Florida is one of the most underrated inshore fishing destinations on the East Coast. With the St. Johns River, Nassau Sound, the Intracoastal Waterway, and miles of marsh grass flats, there's no shortage of spots to chase redfish, speckled trout, and flounder year-round.
Whether you're running a skiff, kayak fishing, or wading the flats at first light, here are the top 5 inshore fishing spots in Jacksonville that consistently produce fish.
1. Sisters Creek / Fort George River
Sisters Creek is arguably the most productive inshore fishing location in Jacksonville. Located near the Fort George Island area, the creek connects the Intracoastal Waterway to the Fort George River and is loaded with oyster bars, grass flats, and marsh edges that hold redfish, speckled trout, and flounder year-round.
Best time to fish: Morning incoming tide from low to high. Fish the grass edges and creek mouths as the water floods in. The NOAA Sisters Creek tidal station #8720357 is your reference — always check the tide before you launch.
Target species: Redfish, Speckled Trout, Flounder
Best baits: Live shrimp under a popping cork, gold spoon, DOA CAL shrimp on a jighead
2. Huguenot Memorial Park / Fort George Inlet
The shoreline and shallow flats between Huguenot Memorial Park and the St. Johns River inlet are classic slot red territory on an incoming tide. The beach access lets you wade the sandbars and grass edges that hold tailing reds, especially during the early morning low tide window.
Pro tip: Launch before sunrise and work the incoming tide. The flat drains hard at low tide and fish stack on the edges — work your way onto the flat as the water rises and you'll find tailing redfish in ankle-deep water.
Target species: Redfish, Flounder, Jack Crevalle
3. Nassau Sound
Nassau Sound is where the Nassau River meets the Atlantic Ocean — a massive tidal exchange area that pushes enormous volumes of bait through the system. In the fall, this spot is legendary for bull redfish stacking up near the inlet mouth. Slot reds are present year-round on the grass bars and channel edges.
Best time to fish: Outgoing tide on the channel edges and oyster bars. In fall (Sept-Nov), the bull redfish action is unmatched on the Northeast Florida coast.
Target species: Bull Redfish (fall), Slot Redfish, Speckled Trout, Flounder
Access: Boat required for best access. Nassau River boat ramps available nearby.
4. Mayport Jetties
The Mayport Jetties are legendary among Jacksonville anglers — massive rock formations extending into the Atlantic that create strong currents and attract a wide variety of fish. Sheepshead hide in the rocks year-round, and redfish cruise the wash zone during tide changes.
Best technique: Use live fiddler crabs or cut shrimp tight to the rocks for sheepshead. For redfish, work the areas where the jetty rock meets sand on a moving tide. In summer, tarpon roll through regularly.
Target species: Sheepshead, Redfish, Tarpon (summer), Flounder
Best time: Moving tide — incoming or outgoing. Slack tide slows things down considerably.
5. Little Talbot Island Flats
Little Talbot Island offers some of the best wade fishing and shallow-water sight fishing opportunities in the Jacksonville area. The grass flats along the island's backside produce tailing redfish at low tide and feeding fish on the incoming push. Less boat traffic than Sisters Creek makes this a great option on weekends.
Best time to fish: Low to incoming tide, early morning. The negative tides in summer expose the flats and concentrate fish in the deeper channels — position yourself at a creek mouth and intercept them as the tide rises.
Target species: Redfish, Speckled Trout, Flounder
Jacksonville Inshore Fishing Tips
- Always check the tides. Jacksonville tides are semi-diurnal (two highs and two lows per day). The NOAA Sisters Creek station is the most reliable reference for the area.
- Fish the transitions. The bite is almost always best when the tide is moving — incoming or outgoing. Slack water slows things down.
- Know the slot limits. Florida redfish slot: 18-27 inches total length. Speckled trout: 15-20 inches. Flounder: 12 inches minimum.
- Morning is prime time. Jacksonville inshore fishing is at its best during the first two hours of daylight, especially in summer when afternoon thunderstorms shut down the water.
Gear Up for the Flats
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Fishing Jacksonville and want to check this weekend's tide and bite forecast? InshoreIQ provides free inshore fishing forecasts for Jacksonville and Northeast Florida — including tide charts, solunar tables, and bite scores for your specific spot.