August 2025 — Jacksonville: Flounder still strong, excellent all-around inshore. Here’s what’s biting, where to fish, and the best techniques for this month.
What’s Biting — August 2025
Primary targets: Flounder, Redfish, Seatrout
Water Conditions
Water temperatures are running around 82–86°F. Summer pattern is in full effect. Check the NWS marine forecast before heading out.
Outlook: Flounder still strong, excellent all-around inshore
Regulations Reminder
Flounder: 12″. Redfish: 18–27″. Always verify current regulations with your state fish & wildlife agency before your trip.
Local Tackle & Bait: Tackle Box (Jacksonville, 904-645-7633); Mayport area bait shops.
Charter Fishing: Inshore Mayport and St. Johns River charters: $400–$650.
More Jacksonville Resources
Jacksonville Fishing Guide · Jacksonville Seasonal Calendar · All Jacksonville reports →
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Flounder Building, Heat Drives Schedule
August in Northeast Florida means hot water (84–88°F surface temps) and a strict dawn/dusk fishing schedule. Flounder fishing is building as the seasonal migration into the channels begins — the bite will peak by November but legitimate flatfish are getting caught now. Live mud minnows or finger mullet on a 1/2 oz jighead, fished slow along the bottom near the jetty rocks at Mayport and the channels around Huguenot, are the productive baits. Fish tight to structure: dock pilings, rock piles, channel edges. The bite is best in the cooler early morning hours.
Redfish and Trout
Redfish are active before sunrise and after sunset, then shut down completely in the heat of the day. Live shrimp under a popping cork on the grass flats at first light, or cut mullet on the bottom near oyster bars and creek mouths, will produce slot fish. Sight-casting to tailing fish at low tide on the dark-bottom flats is the technique of the month for the most committed anglers — get there before the sun crests. Spotted trout are on the grass flats at dawn only — topwater plugs the first 45 minutes of light, then soft plastics. By 9 AM the bite is over until evening.
Snook Closed, Tarpon Around
Snook season is closed June 1 through August 31 on the east coast — fish can be targeted catch-and-release only with no harvest. The St. Johns River mouth holds linesiders for fly anglers and live-bait sight-casters at first light. Tarpon are still around in the river mouth and at the sea buoy, with the run winding down. Live mullet drifted on the outgoing tide at the inlet is the early-morning play.
Conditions, Hotspots, Regs
Water 84–88°F surface, fish deep and early. Florida saltwater license required. Snook season closed (catch-and-release only) through August 31. Redfish slot 18–27 inches, 1-fish bag (verify Northeast Florida zone with FWC). Spotted seatrout slot 15–19 inches, 5-fish bag. Tarpon over 40 inches release-only with tarpon tag for harvest. Hotspots: Mayport inlet first light for flounder and tarpon, Sisters Creek dock lights at night for trout and snook, the rocks at Huguenot for flounder. Hydrate, sunscreen, and an early start is the August Jacksonville formula. Tight lines.
Boat Ramps and Heat Strategy
August is brutal — be on the water by 5:30 AM, off by 10:00 AM, then back at 7:00 PM for the evening bite. Mayport ramp gives quickest inlet access for flounder drifts. The Sister’s Creek ramp is closest to the dock-light trout and snook (catch-and-release) bite at night. Huguenot Memorial offers the easiest walk-on rocks access. Always carry extra water, sunblock, and a marine radio — afternoon thunderstorms build fast on the coast and can be dangerous. Tight lines.