Northeast Florida Fishing Guide
The Best Catches near Fernandina, Jacksonville Beach and Nocatee
No matter what time of year it is, Northeast Florida is always abundantly fishable. 365 days a year, regional fishermen cash in on some backwater, inshore and offshore fishing. Here, they are might have the opportunity to complete the challenging “Northeast Florida Slam”: catching a Redfish, a Flounder and a Trout all on the same day. This tasty, wild-caught fare can be found on the Intracoastal Waterway, Atlantic Ocean, St. John’s River and more. Of course, always make sure to double-check all regulations before heading out to prevent getting yourself into some hot water.
Never go hungry again with our guide to wild-caught fishing in Northeast Florida.
Red Drum
Image from Saltwater Sportsman
Pound for pound, the red drum, or redfish, one of the hardest angling fights a fisherman can experience. They have a sweet and mild flavor, often compared to the taste of red snapper. Though the raw meat won’t be as white as that of its cousin the black drum, the fish will have a snowy white color and medium-firm texture once cooked.
Size: 3lbs - 10lbs
Availability: You can find red drums year-round as long as you are searching in the right spot.
Spring: Head out to the Mayport Jetties, found where the St. John’s River hits the Atlantic Ocean, and use live bait for best results. It has been reported that minimally size tackle will produce great results in no time.
Summer: This is the perfect time to take part in some backwater and inshore fishing. Here, it is suggested you use live bait, top of water plugs and artificial lures.
Fall: Backwater and inshore fishing are still in full swing for red drum, and redfish may be caught tailing, or letting their tails show above the water while feeding. When there are flood tides, red drums head toward the very shallow Spartina grass flats to hunt crabs. Here, fishermen get a chance to practice sight fishing, staying focused on spotting tails popping out of the water.
Winter: On a clear day in St. Augustine and Palm Coast you can find large schools in shallow flats for some exciting sight fishing. For best results, live bait and artificial lures are recommended.
Yellowfin Tuna
Image from Fish Track
A fresh catch of this delicious, light fish means a delicious meal. The yellowfin, or ahi, tuna can be prepared in a number of ways, and whether seared, grilled, or topping a poke bowl, will never disappoint. A raw fillet, identifiable by a deep red color, is often considered the most flavorful serving method. It is recommended that you do not cook yellowfin to the point of well done, but instead keep the meat closer to rare.
Size: 30lbs - 200lbs
Availability: While yellowfin tuna can be found at any time of the year, the peak season falls between May and September.
Summer: The yellowfin tuna is one of the harder-to-find fish in Northeast Florida. Head offshore near Jacksonville into deeper waters to seek the best results. Many fishermen recommend a mixture of artificial and natural lures coupled with trolling for a fruitful run. These fish are good fighters and tend to attack in packs, so the more rods you have out, the more successful you will be. It is advised that you wait a minute after the initial bite to begin to reel them in, as they are very skittish.
Mahi Mahi
Image from Southern Boating
Northeast Florida is one of the most best spots to catch a large mahi mahi. This favorite among many locals boasts a mild, sweet flavor and a firm texture. Always skin your mahi mahi before cooking to ensure seasonings are disbursed and cooking temperature is gauged properly.
Size: 15lbs - 30lbs. Over 40lbs is considered trophy size.
Availability: Once waters start cooling down, specifically in September and October, mahi mahi will begin to migrate south toward warmer waters.
Fall: In autumn, fisherman will have the best luck catching mahi mahi along the Florida coastline from Amelia Island to Saint Augustine. Additionally, monitor storm patterns closely, as the wind drives mahi mahi closer to shore.
Spotted Sea Trout
Image from Reel Pursuits
Thanks to its mild flavor, the light and juicy spotted trout is a perfect protein base for almost any dish. Keep in mind, though, that as of February 1st, 2020, regional fishing limits have seen amendments. For those fishing in Flagler-Nassau counties, catch size must be more than 15" and less than 19" total length. Each vessel may possess one catch over 19 inches. This is included in the bag limit of 5 per harvester, open year-round.
Size: 2lbs - 8lbs
Availability: Although location varies, there is always Sea Trout to be caught in Northeast Florida.
Spring: March and April are some of the best times to fish for trout. Shallow coastal creeks are the place to be, with an emphasis on the inlet jetty rocks at Fernandina Beach, the mouth of the St. Johns River, and St. Augustine.
Summer: Dusk, dawn and nighttime are ideal for securing a good catch. Look for hard running tides and water ranging from 8-12 feet for a successful catch.
Fall: This is a great time for river fishing and surf casters.
Winter: When water temperatures drop, it is time to head toward the Intracostal Waterway. Look specifically for drop-offs into deeper water.
Flounder
Image from Mustard Fishing
While in the larval stage, these flatfish swim upright. As they begin to grow, they begin to lay on one side and the eye facing the bottom migrates to the side that’s facing upwards. This adaptation is thought to better the flounder’s hunting technique. A bite into flounder will present a mild, sweet taste.
Size: 2lbs - 6lbs
Available: When fishing for Flounder, live bait is most effective; however, soft plastic lures can also be used year-round. It is possible to secure a “doormat-sized” catch in any season, which refers to anything larger than 6lbs.
Spring: This time of year offers a heightened probability to catch a doormat-sized flounder. Cast in creeks, rivers and estuaries.
Summer: As spawning season is still occurring, fisherman will still find the greatest success in creeks, rivers, and estuaries as in spring.
Fall: Head out to the Atlantic Ocean for the most fruitful results. If your boat is not equipped for this terrain, the jetties at St. Augustine, the mouth of the St. Johns River and the St. Marys River mouth also offer quality fishing opportunities.
Winter: Offshore fishing is where you will get your best catch. It’s a good idea to keep track of tides as the fish generally follow the current.
Wahoo
Image from How To Catch Any Fish
This tasty white fish has a mild, sweet flavor and firm texture. To keep the catch from drying out, many chefs suggest grilling the wahoo about one-third of the way through on each side, then wrapping it in foil. A good sauce to accompany preparation is also recommended to boost flavor and maintain juiciness.
Size: 15lbs - 25lbs
Availability: As wahoo prefers warmer waters, August is the best time to do some high speed trolling.
Summer: Keep an eye out for structures both floating and sunken, as wahoo often will gather nearby. Additionally, as they often chase juvenile bonito and mullet 20 miles or further offshore, use a weight to keep bait underwater to mimic these creatures. Once hooked, wahoo often take off past the boat, double around and charge while maintaining a lot of head movement. Quickly gaff the fish upon return before they bring the line out of reach.
Mayport Shrimp
Image from Metro Jacksonville
Shrimping along the coast of Northeast Florida dates back to the Timucuan Native Americans and the first European settlers. To this day, Mayport shrimp run in abundance from Amelia Island to St. Augustine. Locals enjoy experimenting when preparing their fresh catch with dishes like fried shrimp and po’ boys.
Size: 4in - 8in
Availability: You are almost guaranteed a superb day of shrimping at any time of the year, but keep in mind that April and May are closed season in Nassau, Duval, St. Johns, Putnam, Flagler and Clay counties.
Summer and Fall: Shrimpers often seek their catch at night because this is when the brown Mayports are heading back towards shallow water. It is usually unnecessary to bait shrimp; simply spotting them and netting them is satisfactory. The best spots to locate these brown shrimp are found from Intracostal Waterway to the Atlantic Ocean.
Cobia
Image from Saltwater Sportsman
Also known as the “brown bomber”, cobia follow manta rays as they migrate up and down the east coast of Florida. These full-flavored, firm-textured fish put up a good fight, making them an exciting catch.
Size: 15lbs - 50lbs
Availability: The best time to catch Cobia is when the water is warming up, ideally between 68 and 88 degrees Fahrenheit.
Spring: Between March and June, head offshore about 10 miles out and locate schools of manta rays. Aim for a spot ahead of the school and wait for them to pass, using caution so as not to spook them. Reefs and wrecks are also great spots to keep an eye out for cobia.
Grouper
Image from Delph Fishing
Of the many species of grouper, gag grouper are most commonly found off the coast of Northeast Florida. All of the fish hatch as females and some develop into males as they mature. This fish produces large, light flaky pieces of meat and is often compared to lobster or crab. With a mild, sweet taste, grouper is often prepared with citrus.
Size: 8lbs - 80lbs
Availability: Fishing for grouper is off-limits in state waters along the East Coast of Florida from January through April 30th. Though midsummer can make for a good run, fall’s cooler weather makes it the best season for a catch.
Fall: Head out between Mayport and Fernandina, seeking ledges and reefs about 5 to 15 miles offshore, and drop your anchored live bait about 68 to 73 feet deep. Grouper are relatively slow, so bites can take upwards of 20 minutes. Remember, patience is key.
Stay Up to Date with Changing Tides
Want to know if the fish are biting on any given day? With changing tides and weather patterns, it’s always a good idea to plan ahead before you weigh anchor. Our friends at Tideschart are constantly updating tidal charts for Northeast Florida, Jacksonville, and beyond!
Fresh Wild Caught Seafood Without The Wait
If you’re just too busy to catch your own, Timoti’s is ready to satisfy your wild-caught seafood cravings. With favorites like Mahi Mahi, Shrimp and Tuna, our menu has something for everyone!