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Saltwater & CoastFly FishingSpin, Cast & Bait
Lower St. Johns River (Jacksonville) Fishing Guide
Florida
The St. Johns from downtown Jacksonville to the ocean at Mayport, an estuary where river and ocean water meet.
Part of the St. Johns River.
Trip at a Glance
Anglers come to the Lower St. Johns River (Jacksonville) for redfish, speckled trout, flounder, sheepshead, bluefish, Spanish mackerel, jack crevalle and black drum. In November, redfish and sheepshead are prime, and for speckled trout and redfish, Clouser Minnow, Walking Topwater and Paddle-Tail Swimbait are a good place to start. Speckled trout, Spanish mackerel, jack crevalle and black drum are in a good season in November. Flounder is closed in November; see the season rules below.
There are 10 shops within 25 miles; the closest is Academy Sports + Outdoors in Jacksonville, about 7 mi away. Also nearby: Nassau Sound, about 8 mi away.
Season Rules & Licenses
- Flounder closed to harvest Oct. 15 through Nov. 30. FWC 2026
- Northeast region (Georgia line to Lytle Avenue in New Smyrna Beach): redfish open all year, 18 to 27 inch slot, 1 a day, 4 per boat. FWC 2026
- Northeast region: spotted seatrout open all year; 15 to 19 inch slot, none over 19 inches, 3 a day. FWC 2026
Rules: our short summary, not the official text. Gear & Tackle is independent, not a government site; rules change, so read the agency's current rules before you go.
Most anglers need a Florida fishing license; age cutoffs and exemptions are set by the state.
Salt Water: Separate saltwater fishing license.
Parts of the St. Johns River
- Main PageSt. Johns RiverFlorida's longest river entirely within its borders, flowing north from its headwaters in Brevard County through Lake Monroe and Lake George, with saltwater fish near its mouth at Jacksonville.
- Rivers & Streams · FloridaUpper St. Johns River (Brevard County)The St. Johns' 60 mile headwaters in Brevard County, a tannin-stained river that flows out of marshes through Lakes Hell'n Blazes, Sawgrass, Washington, Winder and Poinsett.
- Lakes & Reservoirs · FloridaLake MonroeA 9,406 acre lake the St. Johns River flows through, with the city of Sanford on its southern shore.
- Rivers & Streams · FloridaSt. Johns River (DeLand)The St. Johns from Puzzle Lake and Lake Harney past Lake Monroe and DeLand to Lake George, FWC's Lower St. Johns River and Lakes reach, with numerous oxbows between Lake Monroe and Lake George.
- Lakes & Reservoirs · FloridaLake GeorgeA 46,000 acre lake on the St. Johns River in Putnam and Volusia counties, with jetties at its south end where the river enters.
- Rivers & Streams · FloridaSt. Johns River (Doctors Inlet)The St. Johns in Clay County south of I-295, where FWC names Doctors Inlet and the river's hard sand bottoms for largemouth bass and redear sunfish, and nearby Black Creek for black crappie and panfish.
- Saltwater & Coast · Florida · You're HereLower St. Johns River (Jacksonville)The St. Johns from downtown Jacksonville to the ocean at Mayport, an estuary where river and ocean water meet.
Lower St. Johns River (Jacksonville) Species
Redfish
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Prime: Sep to Feb
View Species
Speckled Trout
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Good: Sep to May
Spawning: Mar to Nov, per FWC
View Species
Flounder
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Prime: Mar to May, Sep to Oct
View Species
Sheepshead
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Prime: Sep to Feb
View Species
Bluefish
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Prime: Dec to Feb
View Species
Spanish Mackerel
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Good: Sep to May
View Species
Jack Crevalle
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Good: Mar to Nov
View Species
Black Drum
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Good: Sep to May
View SpeciesSpecies per NPS: Redfish, Speckled Trout, Flounder and Black Drum; Sheepshead; Bluefish; Spanish Mackerel; Jack Crevalle.
Images: Duane Raver, USFWS; NOAA Fisheries; U.S. Food and Drug Administration; SEFSC Pascagoula Laboratory, NOAA; Caio Henrique G. Cutrim; Smithsonian Environmental Research Center. Public domain, CC BY 4.0, CC BY 2.0.
What to Use
Fishing In
Fish● Prime in November
Redfish
Prime Now · Sep to Feb
Fly
9 ft 8 wt rod, floating redfish line, 16 to 20 lb fluorocarbon leader.
Rod, Reel and Line
- RodOrvis Clearwater 9 ft 8 wt Fly RodCheck Price
- ReelRedington Behemoth Fly Reel · for 7 and 8 weightCheck Price
- LineRIO Redfish Fly Line · WF8FCheck Price
Tie On in November
- Fly for November · #2/0-2Baitfish StreamerSee Options
Spin / Cast
7 ft medium spinning rod, 3000 reel, 15 lb braid with a 20 lb fluorocarbon leader.
Rod, Reel and Line
- RodPenn Battalion III Inshore Spinning RodCheck Price
- ReelPenn Battle IV Spinning Reel · 3000Check Price
- LinePowerPro Spectra Braided Line · 15 lbCheck Price
Tie On in November
- Lure for November · 3.5 to 4.5 inWalking Topwater · Heddon Zara SpookCheck Price
- Lure for November · 4 to 7 inPaddle-Tail Swimbait · Z-Man DieZel MinnowZCheck Price
- Lure for November · 1/4 to 1/2 ozWeedless Gold Spoon · H&H Lure "The Secret" Weedless SpoonCheck Price
Picks: general for this fish, each checked against state and federal agency pages, not specific to this water. Ask a local shop what is working.
Gear: rods, reels and lines are starting points, sized from each maker's page. Some links are affiliate links. See our disclosure.
Buy Local
Shops near Lower St. Johns River (Jacksonville):
- Academy Sports + Outdoors, JacksonvilleWebsite
- Jacksonville Beach Bait & Tackle, Jacksonville BeachWebsite
- Strike-Zone Fishing, JacksonvilleWebsite
Map of Lower St. Johns River (Jacksonville)
Lower St. Johns River (Jacksonville) Fishing Videos
Fishing Report
Bull Redfish on Artificial Lures! | St. Johns River Fishing #jacksonville #bullred
Fishing Report
LIMITED OUT on SLOT TROUT! | Downtown Jacksonville Fishing + Dock Bite Turnaround
Picked by Gear & Tackle: for what they show about the Lower St. Johns River (Jacksonville). We don't make these videos, and none is a review of a product we link.
Watch Lower St. Johns River (Jacksonville) Fishing Videos on YouTube
Planning for a Month
Prime in November
Redfish, Sheepshead
Good in November: Speckled Trout, Spanish Mackerel, Jack Crevalle, Black Drum
Daylight
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Moon
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Typical Weather
72°F high, 57°F low
About 2.3 in of precipitation for the month.
Typical, Not a Forecast: weather from NOAA's 1991 to 2020 normals at a station about 1 mi away.
Also Worth Packing
Clothing for November comes first, picked from typical weather here.
Apparel
Simms SolarFlex Sun Hoody
A UPF 50+ hooded sun shirt with a vented hood and extended sleeves, for long, bright days.
Pack It For: Mar to Nov
Check Price Maker's PageApparel
Buff CoolNet UV Neckwear
A UPF 50 sun gaiter for the face and neck.
Pack It For: Mar to Nov
Check Price Maker's PageSunglasses
Costa Polarized Fishing Sunglasses
Polarized lenses cut glare so you can see fish, structure, and flats.
Check PriceTerminal Tackle
Egg Sinkers and Swivels
Egg sinkers, swivels, and beads for slip-sinker and Carolina rigs.
Check PriceTerminal Tackle
Gamakatsu Circle Hooks
Circle hooks designed to set in the corner of a fish's mouth, for fresh and saltwater bait fishing.
Check Price Maker's PageFlies
Saltwater Baitfish Fly Assortment
Clousers and Deceivers in sizes for stripers, snook, and reds.
Check PriceApparel
Frogg Toggs Pro Action Rain Jacket
A durable, waterproof hooded jacket for a wet month.
Pack It For: Oct
Check Price Maker's PageSome links are affiliate links. See our disclosure.
Ramps and Launches on Lower St. Johns River (Jacksonville)
Paddle Launch
Huguenot Memorial Park - Non-Motorized Boat Beach Access Points
Hand Launch Only; Fee; March - November (Daylight Savings): 6 AM - 7 PM, November - March (Standard Time): 6 AM - 6 PM
DirectionsPaddle Launch
Joe Carlucci Sisters Creek Park - Paddlecraft Launch Beach
Hand Launch Only; 24 Hours
DirectionsSource: Florida FWC Boat Ramp Inventory (FWC-FWRI). Hours and fees change; check before you go.
Shops Near Lower St. Johns River (Jacksonville)
Within 25 mi
Bait & Tackle
Strike-Zone Fishing
Jacksonville, Florida· 9 mi
Stocks fishing rigs, lures and terminal tackle at its Jacksonville storefront.
Guides and Charters Near Lower St. Johns River (Jacksonville)
Within 25 mi
Charter
Capt. Dave's Sport Fishing
Jacksonville, Florida· Under 1 mi
Per their website: Redfish, Speckled Trout, Flounder, Inshore, Half-Day Trips
Charter
Southern Salt Fishing Charters
Atlantic Beach, Florida· Under 1 mi
Per their website: Inshore, Offshore
Charter
North Florida Fishing Charters
Jacksonville, Florida· Under 1 mi
Per their website: Redfish, Flounder, Sheepshead, Inshore
Charter
River City Charters
Jacksonville, Florida· Under 1 mi
Per their website: Redfish, Tarpon, Flounder, Inshore
CharterFly Fishing
Northeast Florida Angling Fishing Charters
Jacksonville, Florida· 2 mi
8203 Heckscher Dr 904-570-7878
Per their website: Redfish, Flounder, Inshore
