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.
TYPES OF
FISHING
- Inshore
- Offshore
- Nearshore
- Flats
- Backcountry
FISHING
LOCATIONS
- Jacksonville Beach & Intracoastal
- St. Augustine Beach & Intracoastal
- Johns River
- Amelia Island
- Fernandina Beach
FISHING
TECHNIQUES
- Light tackle
- Spinning
- Popping
- Heavy tackle
- Jigging
- Fly fishing
- Drift fishing
- Trolling
BACKWATER FISH SPECIES
Also known as Red Drum, Redfish (Sciaenops ocellatus) are one of Florida’s most popular sport fish, with a copper-bronze body, large scales, and commonly found with one or more dark ocellated 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 Seatrout, or Speckled Trout (Cynoscion nebulosus), 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 (Paralichthys lethostigma) 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.
Black Drum (Pogonias cromis) 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.
Sheepshead (Archosargus probatocephalus) 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.
*Info & images provided by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
NEARSHORE FISH SPECIES
Spanish Mackerel (Scomberomorous maculatus) is a native species with a blueish-green hue, silvery sides & belly, and yellow spots on its sides. It resides in Florida waters both inshore and offshore, and is often found over reefs and grass beds. In the winter, these fish migrate south. Spanish Mackerely can grow up to 36 inches.
King Mackerel (Scomberomorus cavalla) is a bluish-green fish that fades to silvery sides and belly with no spots. The front of the dorsal fin lacks dark blotch, and below the second dorsal fin, a lateral line appears to steer downward. King Mackerel usually live in coastal and offshore water, sometimes found around piers and in deep water. King Mackerel can grow up to 72 inches.
Red Snapper (Lutjanus campechanus) is a native offshore species found usually near structures or over sand and mud bottoms. They have a pinkish-red body with a white belly, a long snout, and red eye. The back of the bottom fin is pointed to the rear. Red Snapper can grow up to 36 inches.
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.
Cobia (Rachycentron canadum) are also known as lemonfish 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
NORTHEAST FLORIDA ECO TOURS
Rock-N-Reel Charters provides eco-tours to explore Jacksonville and NE Florida’s rich waterways, from the St. John’s River, and Palm Valley to Ft. George Island. As you wind through rivers and creeks, you might catch a glimpse of bottlenose dolphins, manatees, bald eagles, and possibly even an alligator.
REEL REVIEWS
Don’t just take it from us. See what our guests have had to say about their unique charter experiences!
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
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 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!
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.
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.