Looking to escape the stress of city life for a day? Trying to think of a fun and engaging activity for the entire family on your upcoming vacation? How do you feel about accomplishing all that, while also catching a wide variety of some of the most prized fish species that are present in this area throughout the year? Recess Sport Fishing is here to allow you to do exactly that – combine quality family time, relaxing in nature with the thrill and variety of Jacksonville fishing!

Captain Frank Cole fishes from a 24’ Pathfinder bay boat, powered by a powerful, 300 HP Yamaha outboard. It’s capable of speeds of up to 50 knots, which means you’ll be wasting no time getting to any fishing spot that you’re planning on visiting that day. The onboard electronics include all the equipment you would expect from a modern fishing boat such as a GPS, radio, and fishfinder. You’ll also find all the necessary safety equipment, a wireless trolling motor, downriggers, and a live bait tank.

The variety of fishing grounds types and species present in the area means you’ll be able to target a wide variety of fish using an entire spectrum of techniques. This makes for a great opportunity for novices, children as well as anglers new to the area who want to quickly get acquainted with local fishing and Jacksonville area’s beautiful ecosystem.

Included in the price of the trip is all the fishing gear you could need, live bait and artificial lures, your fishing license, as well as water and sports drinks. The only things you need to bring with you are any snacks you’d like, some sunscreen and sunglasses, and you’ll be ready to start your adventure!



Select date to see available trips and rates:

  • Private trip
    Half Day Jetty Fishing
    FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
    4 Hour Trip, starts at 8:00 AM
    US $475
    Fishing the Mayport Jetties just minutes from the marina! Wide variety of species available depending on season but always something happening! Seasonal favorites are Sheepshead, Flounder, Redfish, Seatrout, Spanish Mackerel, Bluefish and King Mackerel. Light tackle to heavy tackle for Bull Reds and Black Drum. Even Tarpon can show up at the right times! Three or fewer anglers preferred.
    Targeted fish
    Jack Crevalle
    Jack Crevalle
    King Mackerel (Kingfish)
    King Mackerel (Kingfish)
    Tarpon
    Tarpon
    Black Drum
    Black Drum
    Redfish
    Redfish
    Spanish Mackerel
    Spanish Mackerel
    Spotted Seatrout
    Spotted Seatrout
    Flounder
    Flounder
    Sheepshead
    Sheepshead
  • Private trip
    Half Day Nearshore Kingfishing Trip
    FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
    4 Hour Trip, starts at 8:00 AM
    Seasonal trip May 1 - Nov 30
    US $500
    Catch the great fighting and good eating Atlantic King Mackerel on light tackle. 3 anglers or fewer preferred, maximum 4 anglers.
  • Private trip
    Half Day Trip – Bull Redfish
    FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
    4 Hour Trip, starts at 8:00 AM
    Seasonal trip May 1 - Nov 30
    US $500
    Test your skills, fishing for giant Bull Redfish in rush fishing grounds of St. Johns River and Mayport Jetties. Expect to use heavy tackle, in order to allow for quick and healthy release of oversized Redfish.
  • Private trip
    Half Day Trip – Creeks
    FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
    4 Hour Trip, starts at 8:00 AM
    US $500
    This trip will take you exploring the tributaries of the St. Johns River and the Intracoastal Waterway from St. Augustine to Fernandina. You’ll be using live bait and artificial lures on light tackle, targeting Trout, Redfish, and Flounder.
  • Private trip
    Half Day Trip – Sheepshead
    FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
    4 Hour Trip, starts at 8:00 AM
    Seasonal trip Nov 1 - Apr 15
    US $500
    Live bait fishing with light tackle for great-tasting and hard fighting Sheepshead at the Mayport Jetties and surrounding areas. Up to 4 anglers.
  • Private trip
    6 Hour Nearshore Kingfishing Trip
    FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
    6 Hour Trip, starts at 8:00 AM
    Seasonal trip May 1 - Nov 30
    US $600
    Catch the great fighting and good eating Atlantic King Mackerel on light tackle. 3 or fewer anglers preferred. 4 anglers max.
  • Private trip
    Full Day Trip – Cobia Sight Fishing
    FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
    8 Hour Trip, starts at 8:00 AM
    Seasonal trip Apr 1 - Jun 15
    US $750
    If you’re an avid angler, with some spinning tackle casting experience, this trip is an ideal choice for you. Enjoy a day full of thrills as you sight fish for Shark and Cobia, traveling along Northeast Florida beaches on bait pods.
  • Private trip
    Full Day Trip – Tarpon and Shark
    FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
    8 Hour Trip, starts at 8:00 AM
    Seasonal trip Jun 1 - Oct 15
    US $750
    This action-packed, full day of fishing along the beautiful Northeast Florida beaches is the perfect choice for seasoned anglers. Fish around the most active bait pods and tail behind shrimp boats, just off the beaches, in search of Sharks and Tarpon.
    Types of fishing
    Nearshore Fishing
    Fishing techniques
    Light Tackle
    Spinning
    Targeted fish
    Tarpon
    Tarpon
    Shark (Blacktip)
    Blacktip Shark
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FAQs about Recess Sport Fishing – Pathfinder

Recess Sport Fishing – Pathfinder offers the following trips to customers:
  • US $475 per group, additional US $50 per person after 3 guests - Half Day Jetty Fishing (4 hours)
  • US $500 per group, additional US $50 per person after 3 guests - Half Day Nearshore Kingfishing Trip (4 hours)
  • US $500 per group, additional US $50 per person after 3 guests - Half Day Trip – Bull Redfish (4 hours)
  • US $500 per group, additional US $50 per person after 3 guests - Half Day Trip – Creeks (4 hours)
  • US $500 per group, additional US $50 per person after 3 guests - Half Day Trip – Sheepshead (4 hours)
  • US $600 per group, additional US $50 per person after 3 guests - 6 Hour Nearshore Kingfishing Trip (6 hours)
  • US $750 per group, additional US $50 per person after 3 guests - Full Day Trip – Cobia Sight Fishing (8 hours)
  • US $750 per group, additional US $50 per person after 3 guests - Full Day Trip – Tarpon and Shark (8 hours)

When you book a trip with Recess Sport Fishing – Pathfinder, you can expect the following amenities onboard:
  • GPS
  • Fishfinder
  • Live Bait Well
  • Wireless Trolling Motor

Trips booked with Recess Sport Fishing – Pathfinder include:
  • Rods, reels & tackle
  • Live Bait (Whether or not we catch live bait depends on the target species. If live bait is purchased, it is included in the overall price.)
  • Lures
  • Catch cleaning & filleting (I will clean all catch upon return to the Marina. I pack in zip locks with ice to travel. All included.)
  • Drinks (Water and Sports Drinks)
  • Fishing License (Yes, my license covers all anglers. )
  • Fly Fishing Equipment

Recess Sport Fishing – Pathfinder offers the following types of fishing:
  • Inshore Fishing (St. Johns River and Intracoastal Waterway Creeks)
  • Nearshore Fishing (Beach out to 25 miles)
  • Backcountry Fishing (Tributaries of St. Johns River)

Recess Sport Fishing – Pathfinder offers the following fishing techniques:
  • Light Tackle
  • Trolling
  • Spinning

Top targeted fish species with Recess Sport Fishing – Pathfinder include:
  • Black Drum
  • Cobia
  • Flounder
  • Jack Crevalle
  • King Mackerel (Kingfish)
  • Little Tunny (False Albacore)
  • Redfish
  • Sheepshead
  • Spanish Mackerel
  • Spotted Seatrout
  • Tarpon

Meet the Captain

Frank Cole
Jacksonville, Florida, United States
2 Fishing Reports
ID & license verified
22 Customer reviews
Response time within an hour
Member since July 2019
Captain Frank Cole is the son of a tugboat captain and has been fishing ever since he could hold a rod. During his early childhood, he fished freshwater and transitioned to saltwater around the age of 10. He bought his first fishing boat right after graduating from Law school and became active and successful in Kingfishing Tournaments in the late ’80s and early ’90s. He spent the next 10 years fishing the waters of St. Augustine and Bahamas for Wahoo and Marlin for before he transitioned into inshore fishing for Redfish, Tarpon, Permit, and Bonefish in 1999. He loves taking people fishing and exposing people to the incredible fishery in northeast Florida. He teaches not only about fishing but also about the ecosystem, helping people see all the small things were a lot of beauty can be found.

About this listing

Targeted species

Black Drum Black Drum
Cobia Cobia
Flounder Flounder
Jack Crevalle Jack Crevalle

Boat specs

Pathfinder (Bay boat) originally built in 2016. Powered by a 300HP Yamaha engine, with a maximum cruising speed of 50 knots.

Length
24 ft
Capacity
4 persons

Types of fishing

Inshore Fishing
St. Johns River and Intracoastal Waterway Creeks
Nearshore Fishing
Beach out to 25 miles
Backcountry Fishing
Tributaries of St. Johns River

Fishing techniques

Light Tackle
Trolling
Spinning

Amenities

GPS
Fishfinder
Live Bait Well
Wireless Trolling Motor

Trip includes

Rods, reels & tackle
Live Bait
Whether or not we catch live bait depends on the target species. If live bait is purchased, it is included in the overall price.
Lures
Catch cleaning & filleting
I will clean all catch upon return to the Marina. I pack in zip locks with ice to travel. All included.
Drinks
Water and Sports Drinks
Fishing License
Yes, my license covers all anglers.
Fly Fishing Equipment

Cancellation policy

Free cancellation up to 7 days prior to trip

You can cancel or modify your booking up to 7 days before the trip date, free of charge. If you cancel or modify your booking later, or fail to show up, you'll forfeit 100% of what you've paid.

Listing policies

Pickup not included
Transfer to/from departure site is not included in trip rates.
Child Friendly
Minimum age 8 years old
No Alcohol
You Keep Catch
Catch and Release encouraged
Catch and Release Allowed
Encouraged

Payment

Book with 25% deposit, pay rest to captain

When the captain confirms your trip, FishingBooker charges your credit card a 25% deposit to guarantee your reservation.

The remaining balance is to be paid directly to the charter operator on or prior to your trip date in one of the following payment methods:

Cash
PayPal
Checks
Bank Transfer

Jacksonville Fishing Calendar

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Customer reviews

Rating summary
Excellent
4.9 / 5
out of 5 stars from 19 reviews
Boat
Excellent
4.9 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience
Excellent
4.9 / 5
Photos & videos by reviewers (20)
Great Time
Immaculate Excellence
Immaculate Excellence
+17
Angler rating
18
1
0
0
0
Anglers claimed
Good experience
100%
Friendly captain
100%
Recommend this charter
100%
Appropriate for children
86%
Satisfied with the boat
100%
Caught fish
87%
Sort by:
Featured  
Showing:
5 of 19 reviews
Michael S.
Greenwood, SC
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Full Day Trip with Captain Frank Cole

VERIFIED   Full Day Trip – Tarpon and Shark on July 25, 2023
My son and I spent a full day fishing with Captain Frank Cole targeting the silver tarpon.  Captain Frank is very knowledgeable...
Michael S. recommends Recess Sport Fishing – Pathfinder
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Daniel G.
Gainesville, FL
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Frank is the greatest

VERIFIED   Half Day Nearshore Kingfishing Trip on June 18, 2023
My son loves outdoor activities, but I’m terrible at them. I was very nervous about doing a fishing excursion, but my wife...
Daniel G. recommends Recess Sport Fishing – Pathfinder
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  Frank Cole Captain replied

Tasha N.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Great Time

VERIFIED   NEW  Half Day Jetty Fishing on April 6, 2024
We had a great time fishing with Capt. Frank, the wind gave us a run for our money. But overall Capt. Frank showed us a good...
Tasha N. recommends Recess Sport Fishing – Pathfinder
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Tasha N. recommends Recess Sport Fishing – Pathfinder
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You found this review helpful

Sheena W.
Jacksonville, FL
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Immaculate Excellence

VERIFIED   Half Day Jetty Fishing on August 5, 2023
This was a birthday gift for my oldest son. Capt Frank made the entire trip worth while. He explained everything from start...
Sheena W. recommends Recess Sport Fishing – Pathfinder
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  Frank Cole Captain replied

Corey T.
Covington, GA
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

6 hour trip

VERIFIED   6 Hour Nearshore Kingfishing Trip on July 29, 2023
Captain Frank is an outstanding fisherman. He is very knowledgeable about his craft and he understands the area very well....
Corey T. recommends Recess Sport Fishing – Pathfinder
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  Frank Cole Captain replied