Updated: Thursday, October 22, 2026 · Next update: Thursday, October 29, 2026
This Jacksonville fishing report covers late October, when the fall run is in full swing on the First Coast. Bull reds gather at the Mayport jetties, and cooling water pulls flounder toward the inlets and creek mouths. Whiting and pompano work the surf, and trout and sheepshead hold on grass, docks and pilings. The main condition to plan around is the moon building toward full: tides get stronger, creek currents pick up, and the falling tide is the best window.
What’s Hitting
Bull reds hold at the Mayport jetties and along the nearshore beach, and redfish school in the marsh creeks around the St. Johns and Nassau Sound. Flounder move toward the inlets and creek mouths, whiting and pompano work the surf, and speckled trout and sheepshead sit around the grass edges, docks and bridge pilings.
Expect the flounder run to peak over the next few weeks as water temperatures drop, with the jetties and inlet drop-offs the places to be.
Where to Find Them
Work the Mayport jetties on the outgoing tide for flounder and bull reds. Fish the marsh creeks on the falling tide for redfish, which wait at creek mouths as bait drains off the marsh. Hit the surf at Jacksonville Beach and Little Talbot for whiting and pompano. Grass edges in the Intracoastal hold trout, and bridge pilings hold sheepshead.
Tides & Conditions
With the moon building toward full, tides get stronger and creek currents pick up. The falling tide in the creeks and at the jetties is the best window, and early morning has the best light. Check a current tide chart before you go. Flounder lie on the bottom facing into the current at the jetty edges and drop-offs, so a falling tide carries your bait straight to them.
Tackle & Tactics
- Flounder: mud minnows and finger mullet on a Carolina rig or light jighead.
- Redfish: cut mullet, live finger mullet or a gold spoon.
- Whiting: small pieces of shrimp or Fishbites on a pompano rig.
With stronger tides, step up the weight a little so the bait stays on the bottom, and fish the seams where current meets slack water.
Local Intel This Week
Launch at Sisters Creek or the Mayport area ramps for the jetties and Nassau Sound marsh, use Dames Point for the lower St. Johns, and fish the Jacksonville Beach pier for whiting and pompano. Huguenot Memorial Park is another access point near the jetties and inlet. Redfish and flounder rules deserve particular attention. Check current FWC and federal regulations and seasons before keeping fish.
This Week’s Tip
Let flounder take the bait. Drag slowly, feel the thump, then give the fish a few seconds before setting the hook. Flounder often grab a bait crosswise and turn it before swallowing, so an early hookset pulls it free.
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