Shore fishing- Jacksonville area?

Hello all,

I am going to be in Jacksonville for a few days around june 11, and want to do some fishing while I am there. I will be on a business trip, so no boat, but plan on renting a car, and bringing some tackle. Don't plan on keeping anything, just looking for some action.

My business there dictates that I will only be able to fish in the afternoon into the night, if this makes a difference.

I am from Louisiana, and this will be my first time in Jacksonville. If anybody can give me some ideas for good bank/jetty/pier fishing, and some tips for bait/ lures, I would be greatly appreciative.

Thanks for any help in advance,


Mark

What part of Jacksonville will you be staying in and what type of fishing do you prefer Salt or Fresh?

I will be staying close to the airport, and I am mostly a freshwater fisherman. However, I will be bringing popping corks w/D.O.A's and some cocahoe artificials. Like I said in my first post, I will be renting a car, and have no problem driving around the area to check out some spots. I am looking for action, not concerned with catching a bull red or filling the dinner table. Thanks for the response!

SM

Don't know the area...best bet is hit up a bait shop or two for local info. Should be lot's of pier fishing up that way. Hope you enjoy your self.

Just get a surf rod and go surf fishing, it's a cant miss..........whiting, pompano, bluefish, trout, rays, sharks........I have been 3 times since living in FL and have caught at least 40-50 fish each time. Go to a surf fishing website to find the best beach, I think there is a website called "surf casters" if I remember correctly. This is by far your best bet if you don't have a boat with you. Fernandina Beach is very popular for surf fishing, good luck.

What SYG said. For particulars, from the Jax airport area, take I-95 south to the I-295 beltway. Take I-295 east to Heckshear Dr. Then head north on Heckshear Drive for probably 20 miles to Little Talbot Island state park. Go past the park and cross over the Nassau Sound/River Bridge. You are now at the south end of Amelia Island. Turn into the parking area on your right as soon as you cross the bridge. Take your gear and walk east toward the ocean and surf fish at the point where the sound enters the Atlantic. It will be a bit of walk so if you can get a small cart to pull your gear in it'll be easier.

You can fish dead shrimp on the bottom there for whiting and flounder. I have always liked to fish a heavy jig (bullet or butter bean type) tipped with dead shrimp. I cast in out and slowing drag it back. I keep my drag set fairly light since if you hang a bull red in that area he may run half way to Roto, Spain before he decides to head back. Any of the bait shops on Heckshear Dr. should have dead shrimp. I'd make sure I had a cooler for it to keep it fresh. A cheap styrofoam would work.

There are no bait and tackle shops near the airport. But there are several on Heckshear Dr. that focus on saltwater stuff.

There's Walmart, Dick's Sporting Goods, and Gander Mountain at the River City Market Place at the junction of Airport Rd./Max Legget Parkway and I-95. Also lotsa fast food places there and some decent restaurants.

Welcome to Jacksonville and enjoy your stay.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Southern Young Gun

Just get a surf rod and go surf fishing, it's a cant miss..........whiting, pompano, bluefish, trout, rays, sharks........I have been 3 times since living in FL and have caught at least 40-50 fish each time. Go to a surf fishing website to find the best beach, I think there is a website called "surf casters" if I remember correctly. This is by far your best bet if you don't have a boat with you. Fernandina Beach is very popular for surf fishing, good luck.

---

This is awesome advice, thanks to everyone for chiming in.

Tackle wise, I will be limited on this trip due to storage and not wanting to check a big surf rod tube. I will only be taking a 7ft, medium action spinng rod and a 7.5ft ultralite, as I can fit both of these pack rods into a small tube. Tackle will also be limited to 2 plano boxes with my freshwater/ southern LA saltwater setups. Don't know if the 7ft bass rod will be able to haul out bait where it needs to be. Surely wouldn't be able to land a shark on that =)

Any advice on ponds or lakes I could walk for bass/ panfish?

You guys got me all excited about the surf fishing. Haven't done any of that since I've been back from california...

Thanks again,

SM

For freshwater fishing, google Jacksonville Urban Ponds. The closet one to you will be the one at Oceanway, off U.S. Highway 17 also known as North Main Street. There's a dock there and some bank fishing. Decent parking area. There's McDonald's on U.S. 17 where you turn and go south between McD's and the Winn-Dixie grocery.

BTW, regardless of whether you fresh or saltwater fish, you will need a non-resident fishing license.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Sonar Mark

This is awesome advice, thanks to everyone for chiming in.

Tackle wise, I will be limited on this trip due to storage and not wanting to check a big surf rod tube. I will only be taking a 7ft, medium action spinng rod and a 7.5ft ultralite, as I can fit both of these pack rods into a small tube. Tackle will also be limited to 2 plano boxes with my freshwater/ southern LA saltwater setups. Don't know if the 7ft bass rod will be able to haul out bait where it needs to be. Surely wouldn't be able to land a shark on that =)

Any advice on ponds or lakes I could walk for bass/ panfish?

You guys got me all excited about the surf fishing. Haven't done any of that since I've been back from california...

Thanks again,

SM

---

Hanna Park near Mayport has ponds for fresh
water and surf fishing across the road. www.coj.net/.../recreation-and-community-programming/hanna-park.aspx

I think I am going to Jacksonville and do a little fishing, good posts from everyone, I have a tackle box full of buck tail jigs and thats one of my favorite ways to fish the salt water