Boating and Fishing

Jacksonville has miles of waterways on which to enjoy your favorite water sports, whether it’s boating, sailing, kayaking, canoeing or fishing. The city maintains 22 boat ramps and 9 canoe/kayak launch sites

The Metropolitan Park Marina has 78 boat slips that hold vessels up to 80 feet LOA along with a few very large yachts. The slips are available to the public on a first-come, first served basis. Reservations are not required except during special events such as Jaguar and college football games at Jacksonville Municipal Stadium or concerts and festivals in Metropolitan Park.

Jacksonville is an angler’s paradise with a great variety of places to hook the big one. Urban ponds are scattered throughout the city and feature bank fishing for freshwater fish like bream, bass and catfish. For salt-water fishing, the Nassau Sound Pier is a great spot. The world record flounder, 20-pounds, 9-ounces, was caught on the pier.

For deep sea fishing, charters are available at Fernandina, Mayport and St. Augustine, as well as from some marinas along the Intracoastal Waterway and the St. Johns River. Charters make it easy to enjoy offshore fishing—the boat, captain, license, tackle and bait are part of the package. Cast your line for grouper, snapper, amberjack, cobia, beeliners and sea bass.

Fishermen from throughout the region gather during the annual BellSouth Greater Jacksonville Kingfish Tournament held at Sisters Creek Park in July, along with a Seafood and Music Festival.

Call the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission at 888-347-4356 for details about fishing licenses. All licenses are available from the county tax collectors’ offices as well as at many tackle shops, fish camps, hardware stores and sporting goods stores. http://myfwc.com/