GET THE INSIDE SCOOP
Captain John knows the best local inshore and offshore hot spots for fishing around Jacksonville and is ready to help you reel some in.
RECENT CATCHES
ST. JOHN’S RIVER ECO TOURS
Rock-N-Reel Charters also offers eco-trips to explore Jacksonville and NE Florida’s rich waterways, such as the vast St. John’s River, offshore Jacksonville area, and the surrounding wildlife. As you wind through rivers and creeks, you might catch a glimpse of bottlenose dolphins, manatees, bald eagles, and possibly even an alligator or two!
COMMONLY CAUGHT FISH
Redfish are one of Florida’s most popular sportfish, with a copper-bronze body, large scales and commonly found with one or more dark spots at the base of the tail. Redfish are a native species that live in coastal waters and can grow up to 61 inches.
Spotted Trout is native coastal water fish that has a dark gray or green body fading to a lighter belly and sharp teeth on its upper jaw. It has black spots on its back that extend down the tail and dorsal fins. It lives in seagrass beds and over sand bottoms, typically moving into still waters during the cooler months of the year. It can grow up to 39 inches.
Southern Flounder is a spotted brown flat native fish with both eyes on its left side, canine-like teeth and a wedge-like shaped tail located in the middle of its body. They live at the bottom of estuaries, brackish bays and sometimes tidal creeks and freshwater. These types of flounder commonly grow up to 20 inches.
Sheepshead is a mostly-gray colored western Atlantic coastal marine fish concentrated mostly in Florida waters. Equipped with 5 to 6 bar-like stripes on the side of its body, sharp dorsal spines and frontal stubby teeth, this fish is open year-round to fisherman. Sheepshead’s growth can range from 10 to 30 inches in length.
Tarpon (Megalops atlanticus) is a dark bluish-green or greenish-black species often found inshore, though adults tend to spawn offshore. They are found in north Florida’s surrounding coastal environments during the summer and migrate south for the winter. Tarpon have large scales. Large upward-pointed mouth, and one dorsal fin with an extended filament.
Black Drum is a gray or black bodied fish with a high arched back, large scales and pharyngeal teeth powerful enough to crush shellfish, often oysters. Black Drum typically live in river mouths, bays, estuaries. and lagoons and reside on the bottom. They can commonly be found around oyster beds and docks, occasionally being found offshore as well. This fish can grow up to 67 inches.
Cobia are also known as lemon fish or ling. It is brown with a dark stripe from the eye to tail and has a long, slim body. Usually found in nearshore and inshore waters with bays and inlets, Cobia often hang out around buoys, wrecks and pilings. Cobia can grow up to 6 feet and range from 10 to 50lbs.
*Info & images provided by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
REEL REVIEWS
Don’t just take it from us. See what our guests have had to say about their unique charter experiences!
Just finished up a great trip with John. Booking was easy and he was prompt and ready to go when he got there. I caught numbers of fish and had many more bites than I expected. I think in total I caught 5 or 6 different species of fish. I’ve already booked a return trip when I’m back in town for work. I’d highly recommend John’s service. Great attitude, professional, easy conversation and a good time. You won’t be disappointed.
Captain John is awesome. I hired him to take my son and myself fishing. He was on the fish right away. Properly equipped with excellent knowledge and being very familiar with the waters he will have you on the fish in no time. Boat is fast and gets you where you have to go in no time. Definitely a great captain and great boat
A fabulous time with John. A patient instructor, knows techniques, where to find fish, & how to catch them. Cleaned our catch & gave us tips to prepare the filets that was spot on. A great day had by beginners & seasoned fishermen alike.
Captain John was terrific! We booked a half-day trip to a local sandbar. I had last-minute guests visiting (when all the beaches were closed), and I was scrambling to find a way to entertain them and show them the coast. I called a bunch of charters, and Rock n Reel sympathized and went out of their way to find someone who could accommodate us. Ultimately, Captain John worked with our schedule and was wonderful. He was very friendly and willing to teach our group about the coast/area. Great trip!
This was the best fishing trip I’ve ever had. Captain John put us on fish all day long. We caught plenty of flounder, reds, trout and even a few snook (only captain I’ve had around here that could do that). He was punctual and even cleaned a few fish for me once we got back to the dock.