Huguenot Park Jetty Fishing

Huguenot Park Jetty is the north jetty of the St. Johns River, the big shipping channel into Jacksonville, where it meets the beach at Huguenot Memorial Park. Deep water, huge tidal flow and endless bait make it one of the best land-based spots in Northeast Florida.

• Bull redfish in fall and big black drum in late winter and spring.
• Sheepshead on the rocks from winter into spring.
• Flounder, bluefish, whiting and Spanish mackerel in season.
• Beach driving lets you fish close to your vehicle.

Huguenot Memorial Park is at 10980 Heckscher Drive on Fort George Island, north of Mayport and the St. Johns River Ferry.

• Entry: A per-vehicle fee (less on foot or bike; half off for military and veterans with ID), cash or card, or an annual pass.
• Hours: 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. in daylight saving time and 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. in winter, to 8 p.m. Friday to Sunday and holidays from Memorial Day to Labor Day; the gate closes an hour earlier.
• Closures: At times the park closes to arrivals or beach driving for high tides, crowds or unsafe conditions.
• Road: Erosion took out the main park road; a temporary road is in use.
• Driving: Beach driving is at your own risk, at 5 mph; bring four-wheel drive, or park at Family Beach or in the marked lots.
• The jetty is the park's southern edge at the river mouth; fish from the beach beside the rocks, not out on them.
• Parts of the park, including the north end for vehicles, close seasonally for nesting shorebirds.

The river mouth sees fish all year.

• Spring (Mar-May): Big black drum on the spawning run, sheepshead on the rocks, redfish, whiting and bluefish.
• Summer (Jun-Aug): Tarpon rolling in the river mouth, Spanish mackerel, sharks, flounder and redfish, whiting in the surf.
• Fall (Sep-Nov): Bull redfish on the outgoing tide during the mullet run, flounder moving out of the river, bluefish and jacks.
• Winter (Dec-Feb): Sheepshead at their peak on the rocks, black drum, whiting and bluefish on cold fronts.

The current here demands heavy lead and strong tackle.

• Bull redfish and black drum: A 10-12 ft surf or heavy spinning rod, 50 lb braid, a fish-finder rig with 5-8 oz of lead and a 6/0-8/0 circle hook; cut mullet, menhaden or blue crab.
• Sheepshead: Fiddler crabs or shrimp on a 1/0 hook with a short 20-30 lb leader, fished tight to the rocks at slack tide.
• Flounder: Live finger mullet or mud minnows on a Carolina rig along the jetty's sandy edge.
• Surf: A two-hook rig with shrimp or Fishbites for whiting.
• Bluefish and Spanish mackerel: Spoons and plugs with a bite leader.

The St. Johns River mouth has semidiurnal tides, two highs and two lows a day, with a range of around five feet and powerful currents along the jetty.

• The outgoing tide is best for bull reds and flounder, as bait pours out of the river.
• Slack tide and the first of the incoming are the easiest times to fish the rocks for sheepshead and drum.
• Peak flow can make holding bottom impossible; fish the turn of the tide.
• Northeast winds against an outgoing tide make the river mouth rough.
• Clean incoming water brings Spanish mackerel and whiting close.

A productive but hazardous place to fish.

• Currents: The St. Johns River current is extremely strong near the jetty; swimming there is dangerous and prohibited in posted areas.
• Ships: Large ships pass close and throw big wakes that can sweep the beach and rocks.
• Rocks: Jetty rocks are slippery and have gaps; do not climb out on them.
• Driving: Soft sand traps two-wheel-drive cars; watch the incoming tide when parked on the beach.
• Weather: Summer lightning; there is no shelter on the beach.
• Wildlife: Sharks and stingrays are common; shuffle your feet.
• Access: Beach driving helps anglers with limited mobility reach the water.

Huguenot is a city oceanfront park with campsites, so an overnight trip to fish both tides is possible.

• Restrooms, showers and a drinking fountain.
• A concession stand; no bait shop is listed, so bring your bait.
• Tent and RV campsites with electric hookups but no water or sewer at the sites.
• Picnic shelters for rent, picnic tables and grills.
• A nature center, usually open Friday to Sunday afternoons.

• Fish the outgoing tide at the jetty for fall bull reds, then move to the surf when the current slackens.
• Watch for ships: step back from the water's edge when a big wake approaches.
• Carry a range of lead from 3 to 8 oz; the current changes fast.
• Fiddler crabs on the rocks at slack tide are the sheepshead ticket in winter.
• Check the park's bird-nesting closures before planning where to drive.
• Four-wheel drive and a tire gauge make beach driving far easier.

Huguenot Memorial Park is managed by the City of Jacksonville Parks, Recreation and Community Services.

• Park hours and entry fees apply, paid on each entry; follow posted beach-driving and bird-closure rules, and stay out of the dunes.
• Dogs are not allowed for day use, and no dog may go on any shoreline; alcohol and glass are prohibited.
• Park rules ban fishing in the park's Zone 6 for safety; ask staff where it is. City code also bans fishing wherever posted, including beside boat ramps.
• Campsites are for registered campers only, not for day fishing.
• A Florida saltwater fishing license is required unless you are exempt.
• Shore-based shark fishing requires a free FWC permit.
• Check current FWC rules (myfwc.com) for size, bag and season limits before keeping anything.