Jacksonville, FL Fishing Report
27 May 2025
Welcome to Fish Whisperer Charters in Jacksonville, FL!
Water surface temperatures hover around 82° or more in the Mayport area on out to 25nm or so offshore depending on the time of day. Water clarity remains very good and we have been able to get offshore on all of our trips with the typical southern flow of wind causing some bumpiness in the morning and tapering late morning offshore. Bait pods continue to be hit or miss (mostly miss on the days I fish 😊) but jigging bait is the backup plan always. Because I know I have time constraints and limited time to look for bait in the mornings for my charters, I’ve been checking different places to keep in my back pocket for jigging bait offshore and suggest the same for anyone who typically fishes weekends or holidays. You’ll probably find that the usual haunts for bait are going to be covered up with boats and having somewhere else in mind is going to prove useful.
Offshore, the bite is still a little cool for me regarding kingfish. We’ll get a few nice ones one trip and not a sniff the next while hooking up with red snapper trolling more than striking fish. We were able to find a couple of keeper cobia while trolling though, which was fun! I still expect the kings to fire up consistently any day now and have found minimal interference with sharks lately.
The bottom fishing has been trying inside of 20nm for anything to put in the box but plenty of action with red snapper and rock hind grouper. Outside of 20nm, we were able to boat some vermillion, lane, and a nice mangrove snapper in surprisingly close with amberjacks offering any angler a go at them if they want it! Even had a solo mahi, that was apparently voted out of the tribe, swim around us and we hooked up with it, saw a few jumps, but it came unbuttoned by the boat.
TTPs (Tactics, Techniques, Procedures)
A layered approach to a successful day of fishing is still the best plan. Equipment for offshore trolling for striking fish, bottom rods for grouper/snapper, etc., shark rod for shrimp boats or pogy pods, and light tackle for inshore fishing is insurance for a day of fishing. Sometimes, starting inshore and letting the ocean lay down is the ticket while other days it would be wise to get offshore early before winds/seas pick up. It is also helpful to have a lure ready for bonito or spanish mackerel schools that I have seen popping up more frequently. Especially with kids, this can be the best action of the day sometimes and bring other fish into the area with all of the commotion. Hope that helps!
If there are ever any questions, just post them up on my Facebook Page and I'll get back with you.
Catch em' up and stay safe!
Until next time...
Fair Winds & Following Seas,
Capt Kris Kell
Until next time...
Fair Winds & Following Seas,
Capt Kris Kell
