Jacksonville Fishing Charters & Guides

Jacksonville, North Carolina

There are a few “Jacksonville’s” located throughout the United States. Jacksonville, Florida is one of the largest cities in the southeast. Just a few hundred miles north is another Jacksonville, this one located in North Carolina. This Jacksonville is the 14th largest city in North Carolina, and home to the largest Marine Corps base on the eastern seaboard. Jacksonville, North Carolina is a city on the shores of New River, a healthy fishery for redfish, trout, flounder and more. Fish the river on the northside of the city for freshwater species such as bass or crappie. The waterway also offers opportunities for kayaking and canoeing through the slow currents. Combine the two for some kayak fishing and enjoy the best of both worlds! Families who are visiting the area can also check out Freedom Fountain, a fountain that honors veterans and current military personnel. It’s located on the west side of the downtown area. There are also several recreational parks in the area to enjoy the outdoors on dry land. Add a fishing trip to the itinerary, and your Jacksonville trip is complete.

Fishing Near Jacksonville

We’ve already mentioned kayak fishing; this is a fantastic way to explore the river and catch a variety of fish. Kayak fishing gets you closer to action, literally inches off the water and provides a unique way of reeling in your catch. Paddle to the north side of New River for freshwater options such as largemouth bass. Plan your bass fishing trip on an early morning in the spring season and you’re certain to come home with more than a few fish stories. If you don’t have a vessel, there are several public docks to get in on the action. There’s a fishing dock at the Jacksonville Boat Ramp located on Tallman Street; or checkout the dock at L.P. Willingham Park. These are both on the north side of the city, and offer good opportunities for landing a fish. On the southside of the city is the Wilson Bay Park Fishing Pier. This pier reaches 100 feet over Wilson Bay. No matter what pier you choose, plan for a great day of rod bending action. New River is a brackish water system that increases in salinity levels the closer it gets to the coast. Anglers have a decision to make when setting out fishing this incredible fishery. Head north for more freshwater species, or south for saltwater. The area right around Jacksonville, including Wilson Bay, is home to a larger variety of saltwater species that thrive in the brackish waters. Red drum (also known as puppy drum or redfish), spotted seatrout (or speckled trout or simply “specks”), flounder, and whiting are often caught in good numbers in this area. At the mouth of the river is Topsail Island and an inlet to the Atlantic Ocean. Here you’ll find more redfish, trout, and flounder, along with several more species such as Spanish Mackerel, cobia, bluefish, and grouper. Go out even farther on a sportfisherman to reach the Gulf Stream, a current of water with tons of fish in the Atlantic Ocean. This is the place to catch monster-sized tuna and billfish that make you keep coming back for more. Near or far, Jacksonville is a great place to spend the day fishing. There’s access to freshwater and saltwater species, and no shortage of opportunities to cast your line. If you are fishing from the shore, make sure it’s public property and you have all required permits and licenses. Because of the wide variety of options found in Jacksonville, it’s best to acquire both freshwater and saltwater licenses, and then you’re all set for whatever adventures come your way.

Jacksonville Fishing Trips

Your group could spend just a few hours bending the rod, or a full day. Fishing trips in Jacksonville are often filled with lots of activity if you know when and where to go. The “golden hours” of the day are typically when fish are feeding, and this is a great time to plan your trip. During the cooler months of the year, consider fishing the shallow waters for red drum and trout. As the weather warms up, they tend to move to the deeper parts of the river and are more difficult to catch. Spring season is when the bass are spawning in the river, so plan your freshwater trip anytime from March to May for a successful outing.

Book a Jacksonville, NC Charter

Fishing may not be the reason you’re visiting Jacksonville, North Carolina, but it should definitely be added to your plans. The fishing in the area is just too good to pass up. Whether you’re freshwater fishing for bass, brackish fishing for red drum, or heading out to the coast, it’s safe to bet that your day on the water will be a memorable one. The guides in the area. Any time of the year you can be on the water enjoying casting the day away, don’t miss the opportunity!