Jacksonville, FL Fishing Conditions
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Tips & Techniques
- ✓The St. Johns River through Jacksonville holds redfish, flounder, and largemouth bass in the same system
- ✓Mayport Inlet is a top spot for flounder, redfish, and black drum on falling tides near the jetties
- ✓Nassau Sound north of Jacksonville offers excellent speckled trout and redfish on grass flats
- ✓The Intracoastal Waterway from Fernandina to St. Augustine holds trout on oyster bars at low tide
- ✓Palatka on the St. Johns produces trophy striped bass in winter and catfish year-round
- ✓Fort George Island and the Sisters Creek area north of Jacksonville hold flounder and redfish in a remote tidal setting
- ✓Black drum over 40 pounds are caught every year around the St. Johns River bridge pilings and jetties in late winter and spring
- ✓The St. Johns River shad run draws anglers from across Florida for American shad and hickory shad from December through February
Recommended Gear
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How We Score Fishing Conditions
🌙 Lunar Phase
New and Full Moons produce peak fish activity (score: 2). First/Last Quarter and crescent phases produce moderate activity (score: 1–1.5).
💨 Barometric Pressure
Rising pressure (score: 2) strongly activates feeding. Stable pressure (score: 1) produces normal activity. Falling pressure (score: 0) suppresses the bite.
🌬️ Wind Speed
Light winds under 3 m/s (score: 2) are ideal. Moderate 3–8 m/s (score: 1). Strong winds above 8 m/s (score: 0.5–0) suppress feeding.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best spots for flounder near Jacksonville?
Mayport Inlet jetties, the St. Johns River mouth, and the ICW near Sister Creek are top flounder producers on falling tides.
Can I fish the St. Johns River for bass near Jacksonville?
Yes. The upper St. Johns near Palatka and the Rodman Reservoir section are excellent for largemouth bass, with the river also holding redfish near the saltwater transition zone.
Is Nassau Sound a good family fishing spot?
Yes. Nassau Sound offers accessible wade fishing and kayak fishing for trout and redfish with less boat traffic than the St. Johns main channel.
What makes the St. Johns River unique for fishing?
The St. Johns is one of the few rivers in the US that flows north. It holds both freshwater and saltwater species depending on location, and its slow current and extensive backwater lakes make it one of Florida's most productive river fisheries.
When do shad run in the St. Johns River near Jacksonville?
American shad run from December through February with peak action in January. The Welaka and Palatka sections are the most popular. Ultra-light tackle with small darts, spoons, and shad flies produces consistent action on these hard-fighting fish.