Jacksonville Fishing FAQ

Range.Jacksonville gives anglers access to reefs, wrecks and hard bottom as well as deep blue water farther out. With trips up to 11 hours, MACSEA Fishing can cover a lot of that water.That creates a lot of different ways to fish from the same dock.

It depends on the trip and the conditions.Shorter trips fish reefs, wrecks and structure closer in. Longer trips can run much farther. Runs past 40 miles happen when the fishing calls for it, and Capt. Mark has gone as far as 70 miles offshore.

MACSEA Fishing offers 4-hour, 6-hour, 8-hour and 11-hour trips, plus a seasonal 11-hour Extended Day Wahoo trip.The longer the trip, the more water Capt. Mark can cover and the more species come into play.

Depending on the season and the trip, opportunities can include wahoo, blackfin tuna, mahi mahi, cobia, mangrove, mutton and vermilion snapper, black, gag, red and scamp grouper, and plenty of other species.There's never a guarantee in fishing, and some species have specific harvest seasons or regulations.The better question is usually:What's biting when I'm coming?

There really isn't one answer because different seasons bring different opportunities.\Wahoo are a cooler-month highlight, which is why the Extended Day Wahoo trip is seasonal. Mahi are a warm-weather favorite. Bottom fishing for snapper and grouper can produce through much of the year, depending on seasons and regulations.If you have a particular fish in mind, ask Capt. Mark before booking. If you just want to go fishing, we'll focus on what gives us the best opportunity around your trip date.

Wahoo fishing off Jacksonville is at its best in the cooler months.Capt. Mark runs a dedicated Extended Day Wahoo trip during the season, typically fall through early spring. Ask about available dates when you book.

Offshore fishing means heading out past the beach to reefs, wrecks, hard bottom and deeper water where bigger fish and blue water species live.Around Jacksonville, that can mean bottom fishing over structure, trolling for wahoo and mahi, or deep dropping with electric reels.

Trolling, bottom fishing, drift fishing and deep dropping with electric reels are all part of the playbook, on both light and heavy tackle.Capt. Mark chooses the approach based on the trip, the target species and the conditions that day.

Structure gives marine life somewhere to live, feed and gather.That starts with smaller organisms and baitfish and works its way up the food chain.For anglers, reefs, wrecks and hard bottom can concentrate fish and give us defined areas to work rather than fishing featureless water.

Absolutely.Predatory fish go where the food is, and big fish rarely pass up a lively bait.That's why live bait is included on every trip. When it's the best option, Capt. Mark catches it fresh on the way to the fishing grounds.

Yes.Capt. Mark can help newer anglers with the basics and get them involved rather than expecting them to arrive already knowing what to do.A half-day or 6-hour trip is a great way to get a real taste of offshore fishing before committing to a longer day.

Definitely.The appeal for experienced anglers is the range and the variety.Changing structure, moving bait, seasonal species and changing conditions mean there can be decisions to make throughout the trip.Some days you find the fish quickly.Other days, figuring them out is part of the fun.

Yes. Kids are welcome, and child-sized life jackets are available.The right trip for a child still depends on age, comfort on boats and the conditions that day. Shorter trips are often the best fit for younger kids, and trips aren't generally recommended for kids 3 and under.Talk with Capt. Mark when booking and let him know the ages of any children so he can help you pick the right trip and have the proper safety gear ready.

No captain can honestly guarantee a particular wild fish.Species availability changes with season, weather, water temperature, bait movement and other conditions.If you have a bucket-list species in mind, tell Capt. Mark. He can let you know whether the timing makes sense.Otherwise, the goal is simple:Fish the conditions we have and chase the best opportunities available that day.

That depends on the species, size, season and current regulations.Florida and federal saltwater regulations can change, particularly for managed reef species.Capt. Mark will follow the regulations in effect on the day of your trip and let you know what can legally go in the cooler and what needs to go back. Fish cleaning and filleting are included.

No.Atlantic red snapper harvest is tightly managed, and open harvest dates can change from year to year.That's why we don't recommend choosing a Jacksonville trip based on an old red snapper season you found online.Check current regulations and talk with Capt. Mark about what opportunities are available around your trip dates.

Weather is part of fishing the Atlantic.Wind and sea conditions can change the plan, and safety comes first.Capt. Mark will decide what is appropriate for the conditions and communicate with you if the weather requires a change.

If you have a specific goal, tell him.Maybe you want to chase a certain species. Maybe you're bringing young kids. Maybe this is your first time fishing offshore.The more Capt. Mark knows about your group, the easier it is to set expectations and plan a trip that fits.