An Amelia Island fishing adventure offers you the unique chance to experience the rich fishery of the Sea Islands without leaving Florida! Being the southernmost island in the chain, Amelia Island combines the amazing inshore opportunities that these fishing grounds are famous for with thrilling offshore prizes brought by the Gulf Stream.
This welcoming town provides something for every type of angler. Read on to find out more about the wealth of available species, various experiences on offer, and rich local fishing spots. It doesn’t matter what your prior angling experience looks like. On Amelia Island, you’ll be able to find a challenge that feels just right!
Best Fish to Catch on Amelia Island
Between all the available fishing grounds in the area, local waters hold enough species to fill a book. With several of the most popular ones available year-round, this is a fishery that stays active no matter the season. Still, our list of local top catches will give you a good idea of the most exciting fish around.
Wahoo
This is the fish that draws the crowds out to the offshore fishing grounds during the summer months. Wahoo are an incredibly fun fish to target, thanks to their blazing speed and fiery temper. Even experienced anglers will need to push themselves to the max if a large Wahoo hits their bait. If you’re up to the challenge, however, there’ll be plenty to write home about.
The experience of going after Wahoo can hardly be called a relaxing one. They’ll make you work for the bragging rights you’ll enjoy if you land one of these brutes. If you succeed in your pursuit, there’s a high likelihood that you’ll get to keep your catch as size and bag limits for Wahoo are not as strict as for some of the other top species.
King Mackerel
Ravenous feeders and acrobatic fighters, Kingfish easily secure their spot on Amelia Island’s list of top targets. Local anglers have reported seeing Kings jump several feet in the air during their feeding frenzies and such displays never fail to draw interest. In the summer months, large schools of bait fish present around the Island never fail to draw in a good amount of these toothy hunters.
Unlike Wahoo, Kingfish can be targeted in various different settings. They’re even occasionally caught from the shore! Commonly, they’re best targeted close to underwater structures, in depths of about 30 feet. However, shallow waters can also be productive fishing grounds if enough food is around. You’ll quickly find out that Amelia Island is not lacking in this department.
Red Snapper
If you’re looking to avoid trolling the waters in search of your target and would like to get fishing quickly, Red Snapper might be your target. Get to the proven bottom fishing grounds at the nearby reefs and try to hook these tasty bottom-dwellers. Often growing to impressive sizes, taking even one of these home during the season secures a tasty meal for the entire group!
If you’ve fished for Red Snapper in the Gulf, you’re already familiar with the strict closed season this popular catch has in those waters. On Florida’s Atlantic Coast, however, you can go after them year-round, as long as you keep to the state waters. Thankfully, these rich waters have several spots where you’ll be able to score a nice catch shortly after leaving the dock.
Tarpon
Any angler that has fished Florida’s inshore waters has undoubtedly heard of the near-mythical “Silver King.” If this is the fish you’re dreaming of landing, you’ll be happy to hear that Amelia Island is home to some of the best Tarpon fishing in the state! When the weather here gets red-hot, so does the Tarpon action. Beaches, jetties, or flats, these beasts could be anywhere.
However, don’t let yourself be fooled by the species’ mass appeal. Not many anglers have what it takes to land a trophy-sized Tarpon. Just about every part of the experience is going to come with unique challenges when targeting the Silver King. From finding them, to hooking one, to surviving the intense battle – they’re not going to surrender easy. Be sure to bring your A-game!
Redfish
Here, you won’t have to worry about peak months and open seasons. Especially you’re simply looking for a good bite when coming to Amelia Island. This is mainly thanks to the year-round availability of Redfish – one of the most fun species to target in these waters. Ranging from smaller novice-friendly sizes to massive Bull specimens, Redfish offers various angling experiences.
Apart from being able to cater to anglers of various skill levels, Redfish are also a versatile species in the sense that there are multiple ways to go about targeting them. You can use conventional light tackle casting, troll the flats, go sight casting for tailing Bull Redfish in the shallows, or try to land a large one on the fly. It’s all up to your preference!
What anglers said about fishing in Amelia Island
How to Go Fishing on Amelia Island
Create an angling adventure tailored exactly to your needs. Amelia Island will provide you with a wealth of options to choose from, not only when it comes to the species but also the way you’ll go after them. Below are some of the most popular types of fishing locally, with a quick look at their pros and cons.
Fishing with a Charter
Getting on a private charter is certainly one of the most popular and effective ways to experience the local fishery. The biggest advantage of fishing on a private charter is certainly the experienced professional captain whose only goal is to make your trip a success. This means finding the best spots, getting you on fish fast, and providing you with essential tips.
Private charters can be as specialized as you’d like. You can spend the entire day chasing the one specific species you’ve been dreaming of or you can switch spots and targets to get a taste of everything. Naturally, different captains will have different specialties so doing a bit of research beforehand will help you book the perfect charter for your adventure!
Party Boat Fishing
Joining a group of fellow anglers on a party boat is a great way for everyone looking to test the Amelia Island bite but lacks the group to do it with. It’s a great budget option offering fun angling opportunities at the most productive spots around. Still, it’s the camaraderie and the opportunity to share stories and experiences with fellow anglers that is the main draw of party boats.
There are, however, a few things to keep in mind before getting your ticket. Your choice of targets will be somewhat pre-determined by the spot the captain takes you. The main goal here is to make sure everyone gets a shot at landing a fish. Also, you should have at least some prior fishing experience since you won’t be able to have assistance from the crew at all times.
Kayak Fishing
This is the preferred type of fishing for all adventurers and outdoorsmen. Kayaking is man versus nature in its purest form. When fishing on a kayak you need to constantly juggle multiple tasks to get where you need to go and have your gear ready to go when the opportunity arrives. It’s challenging both physically and mentally and prior experience is often necessary.
This all also means that when you succeed in landing your target, the victory is all yours! And the targets you can land on a kayak trip can sometimes be more than impressive. Much of this is thanks to hardcore kayak anglers, who are pushing this type of fishing further away from the shore. So if you’ve got what it takes, there’s no limit to what you can catch!
Shore Fishing
Fishing from the shore can be an experience that highlights various great things about fishing. Hitting up a beach or a pier in Amelia Island can produce some excellent catches for a skilled angler or it can provide hours of fun and relaxation to someone not only focused on the chase.
In either case, the island has enough spots and targets to accommodate you no matter where you fall on the try-hard scale. Do keep in mind that if you decide to test the waters on your own, there is a chance you won’t get on the fish right away. So set aside some extra time for your outing.
Amelia Island Fishing Spots
It’s important to make sure you’re informed about productive local spots before you start your adventure. The great thing about Amelia Island is that you’ll be able to find any kind of honey hole you’re looking for. Where you go is mainly going to depend on your preference.
- Fort Clinch State Park: This 19th-century coastal fort became a state park in 1938. Its unique setting made it a popular place for both tourists and locals to visit. Its rich offers includes activities like biking, hiking, swimming, camping, bird watching, crabbing, and of course fishing. The park has a pier, jetties, and many other spots where you can catch a variety of saltwater species.
- Nassau Sound: Located at the Island’s southern tip, these fishing grounds see a mixture of species as they move between the inshore and nearshore waters as the tides shift. Taking advantage of that, anglers flock to the area both on foot and on boats. The George Crady Bridge is a popular choice for many anglers fishing these waters from the shore.
- Schultz’s Fish Market: Move a bit farther away from the shore and you’ll run across this artificial reef off the southern tip of Amelia Island. Here, you’ll be able to bottom fish for a long list of prized species regardless of the time of your visit. If the bite’s not too hot however, fear not. There are numerous other wrecks, reefs, and ledges for you to try nearby.
- The Continental Shelf: Getting to the Continental Shelf will see you sailing about 60 miles offshore and it’s not a trip for the faint of heart. Once there, the ocean’s biggest prizes await those who have the fortune to run into their target, and the skill to come out of it victorious.
When to Go Fishing on Amelia Island
If you’re simply on the lookout for a fun time on the water, getting familiar with the local fishery, and seeing what’s biting, there’s really no bad time to pay Amelia Island a visit. If you’re after a particular fish, things are slightly different. Dates you’re going to want to keep in mind in this case are season openings, peak months, and local tournaments. Here are the most important ones.
Amelia Island Fishing Tournaments
For those who want the thrill of the competition to go along with the thrill of the chase, Amelia Island fishing tournaments might be just what you need. Get on the water and reel in the trophy that will put others to shame. Take home much more than just bragging rights. For inshore enthusiasts, the Redfish Spot Tournament fits the bill perfectly.
If offshore fishing is more up your alley, you can test your skills in the Fernandina Beach Fishing Rodeo. This tournament has it all so don’t ignore it if you’re looking for an offshore event. Also, allowing you to prove yourself on the waves, the Amelia Island Bluewater Shootout Tournament draws in anglers battling to reel in the biggest catches lurking in the depths.
Amelia Island Fishing Regulations
We’ve covered some of the best times to visit, but you should also take into account the seasonality of the fish when planning your trip. To keep the local fish populations healthy, some species are closed for fishing during certain parts of the year. For instance, anglers can only go after Hogfish between May and October. Also, most Grouper species are off-limits from January through April.
Other than regulations regarding seasonality, you should also be informed on minimum harvesting sizes and bag limits. These are subject to change year to year and it’s best to read up on current guidelines before wetting your line. However, if you’re planning on fishing with a licensed captain, they will provide you with all the necessary info. If you’re going solo, you’ll also need a Florida fishing license.
Fishing Adventures the Way You Want Them
The water is your playground on Amelia Island! There are countless spots for you to visit and explore, both well-known and hidden away. What your adventure ends up looking like is all about your wishes and how you choose to go about chasing your target. The good news is that there are no wrong answers, so just go for it!
If you’ve already visited Amelia Island in the past and have stories to share we’d love to hear them. Drop a comment below and tell us about your experiences!
