Outdoor Jacksonville

Jacksonville Highlights

Target fish for Jacksonville charter boats include amberjack, cobia, kingfish, mahi-mahi, sea bass, and triggerfish. One of the most experienced local outfits is run by Captain George Strate (no relation to the musician) of the 65-foot Mayport Princess. He's fished the waters off Jacksonville since the Nixon Administration.
Offshore kayak fishing enjoys a growing popularity in Jacksonville. Kayak rentals are available at a number off local outfitters, one of the biggest is the Coastal Outdoor Center down in St. Augustine.
The fishing is first-rate and scenic at the Jacksonville Beach pier. Cost is $4 for up to three rods (spectators pay $1), and you can use a cart to transport your gear.
A great sports & wings bar popular with anglers (and those who humor them) is Fast Boys Pierside, located in Jacksonville Beach. You can eat outdoors for the view, or indoors for the omnipresent sports on 12 plasma TVs and two projection screens. The weekends bring live music; Wednesdays feature an all-you-can-eat oyster buffet.
Rick's Bait, Tackle and Marine is one of the area's top tackle shops, and a great information desk for visiting anglers. You'll find Rick's just east of the Intracoastal Waterway on Beach Blvd in Jacksonville Beach.
Here to camp? Try the City of Jacksonville's Huegnot Park, north of the St. John's River's North Jetty. It offers hookups, a camp store, and great kayak, jetty, and surf fishing.

By Travel Expert: Mike Sigalas

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