St. Johns River fishing charters in Palatka
St. Johns River bass fishing and crappie trips from Palatka, with a local guide.
St. Johns River bass fishing at Palatka means wide water, creeks and grass lines that hold largemouth bass all year, plus crappie in the cooler months. Book 4-, 6- or 8-hour bass trips or 4- and 6-hour crappie trips online with live dates.
Book your St. Johns River fishing trip
Every calendar below shows live availability. Choose your number of guests, a date and a time, then book.
Bass trips
4-hour bass charter
6-hour bass charter
8-hour bass charter
Crappie trips
4-hour crappie trip
6-hour crappie trip
Your guide confirms the boat ramp and start time with you before the trip. Each angler 16 or older needs a Florida freshwater fishing license unless exempt. Free cancellation up to 72 hours before. Full refund or free reschedule if the guide cancels for weather. Questions? Call (407) 392-4593, 9 am – 6 pm.
How do you book a St. Johns River fishing charter in Palatka?
iOutdoors books guided largemouth bass trips (4, 6 or 8 hours) and crappie trips (4 or 6 hours) on the St. Johns River from Palatka, with live dates online. The guide provides the boat, fuel, rods, reels and lures, and each angler 16 or older needs a Florida freshwater fishing license unless exempt.
What's included and what's not
- Professional local fishing guide
- Boat and fuel
- Rods, reels and tackle
- Artificial lures
- Life jackets
- Florida freshwater fishing license (required for most anglers 16 and older)
- Live wild shiners (optional; ask your guide about the cost)
- Guide tip (10–20% is customary)
- Food and drinks
- Transportation to the boat ramp
What to bring
St. Johns River at Palatka
FWC describes the lower St. Johns River as a 140-mile stretch that flows north through or connects to more than half a dozen lakes. At Palatka the river is wide, and below Lake George it is more influenced by the tides.
Palatka trips fish the wide river, its side creeks and grass lines for largemouth bass all year and black crappie in the cooler months. It is the closest St. Johns River fishing to St. Augustine and Gainesville. Your guide confirms the boat ramp and start time with you before the trip.
Fish you can catch on the St. Johns River
Know your fish →
Size limits, bag limits and seasons change: see the FWC freshwater fishing regulations.
Reviews from Palatka St. Johns River trips
5.0274 reviews
Had a great time with my grandson. Ken put us onto some nice fish. Thank you Ken
Keith Wilkes · October 2026 · Google
Great experience, beautiful day, plenty of fish.
Roy Melvin · September 2026 · Google
Great day , very relaxing & peaceful morning on the St.John’s river. Caught a bunch! Captain Robert is very easy going , patient & professional. Will repeat! 👊🏻🎣
Maggie Carames · September 2026 · Google
Fishing with fun
It was a brilliant trip out, and everyone, even my youngest at 12, could get involved and really enjoyed it with captain Robert. We have been on this trip before and will most certainly go again when we visit Daytona next time.
Merina I · August 2026 · TripAdvisor
Bass Fishing with great capt. David
Great captain, David! fantastic trip, caught loads of bass, 17 plus in total, fun for all! Excellent value for money; would highly recommend.
Absent S · August 2026 · TripAdvisor
Excellent day on the water. Weather didn't cooperate, but we were able to get in enough fishing time. Guide was knowledgeable and very helpful. Recommend for anyone needing a charted day on the water. Will use again.
Bill · August 2026 · Google
Caption Ken Walker is great. We will be back. He knows exactly where the fish are and we were able to get a huge one.
Justin Miller · July 2026 · Google
Great experience on a comfortable boat. Ken was very patient with beginners. I would recommend to others.
Terry Parkman · July 2026 · Google
5 out of 5...YOU ARE IN EXPERT HANDS.
After booking a charter with David, it was on time, and the weather that day was perfect. I would recommend them any time. In fact, I can't wait to go again; they made me feel so welcome. My daughter came along on her 1st trip, and they made her feel very welcome and answered all her questions, and…
Jackson P · July 2026 · TripAdvisor
Another awesome trip with kenny. Our first fish, was ten pounds three ounces. We always seem to find the big ones.
Dave Wetherill · June 2026 · Google
Wonderful experience with Captain Walker! 100% recommended. We caught 4 different species and enjoyed lots of wildlife. Will definitely come back!
Diana Cortes Blanquicet · June 2026 · Google
Amazing time and a great captain! We will definitely be back again! Don’t let the picture fool you there were some big fish missed today.
Brandon Cottrell · June 2026 · Google
St. Johns River bass fishing in Palatka: what you can catch
St. Johns River bass fishing in Palatka is mostly about largemouth bass, which hold on the grass lines, creek mouths and cover of the wide lower river. Black crappie, called speckled perch or specks, are the winter target. Bluegill and shellcracker bed in spring and summer. Late winter and spring bring the bass spawn; in summer, the early-morning bite is best.
What's biting by season
Winter Dec–Feb
- Crappie at their best
- Bass move shallow as the spawn begins
Spring Mar–May
- Bass spawn and post-spawn
- Bluegill and shellcracker on beds
Summer Jun–Aug
- Early-morning topwater bass, deeper patterns midday
Fall Sep–Nov
- Bass feed up as the water cools
- Crappie start to bite as it cools
- Every angler 16 or older needs a Florida freshwater fishing license unless exempt. Buy it online before the trip.
- Black bass: 5 per person per day, and only 1 may be 16" or longer. Some waters have special bass rules; your guide will tell you before the trip.
- Crappie: 25 per person per day, 10" minimum.
Source: FWC. Limits change; your guide has the current rules.
Palatka St. Johns River fishing guide
At Palatka the St. Johns River is wide, with side creeks, grass lines and cover that hold largemouth bass all year and crappie in winter. It is the closest St. Johns River fishing to St. Augustine and Gainesville.
Where you’ll fish
Palatka trips fish the lower St. Johns River: wide water, creeks and grass lines around town. FWC notes the river north of Lake George is more influenced by tides. Your guide confirms the boat ramp and start time before the trip.
How the trips work
Bass and crappie trips both run from a bass boat. Your guide provides rods, reels, lures and tackle, and can set you up with live wild shiners for bass, which are optional and cost extra. Crappie trips use light tackle with jigs and minnows. Most bass are photographed and released.
Best time to go
Bass fishing is good all year. Late winter and spring bring the spawn and the best shot at a big fish. Crappie are best in the cooler months, about November to March. In summer, go early before the heat and afternoon storms.
Tips for planning your trip
Buy a Florida freshwater fishing license online before the trip. Morning trips usually fish best, especially in summer.
Questions about Palatka St. Johns River trips
How much does a St. Johns River fishing charter in Palatka cost?
Bass trips start at $325 for 4 hours, $425 for 6 hours and $525 for 8 hours. Crappie trips start at $325 for 4 hours and $425 for 6 hours. The live calendar shows the price for each date.
What fish can I catch on the St. Johns River near Palatka?
Largemouth bass are the main target all year, and black crappie (speckled perch) in the cooler months. FWC lists largemouth bass, bluegill, redear sunfish, striped bass and brown bullhead among the popular fish of the lower St. Johns River and its lakes.
What is included?
Your guide, the bass boat and fuel, rods, reels and tackle, artificial lures and life jackets. The Florida freshwater license, live shiners and the guide’s tip are not included.
Do I need a fishing license?
Yes. Each angler 16 or older needs a Florida freshwater fishing license unless exempt. You can buy one online before the trip.
How many people can come?
Up to 4 people on the bass boat. Choose your number of guests in the calendar; it shows how many can book.
Which trip length should I book?
A 4-hour trip is a good first trip and fits families. Bass trips run 4, 6 or 8 hours; crappie trips run 4 or 6 hours.
Where do we meet?
Your guide confirms the boat ramp and start time with you before the trip. Trips launch on the lower St. Johns River near Palatka.
What should I bring?
Your fishing license, polarized sunglasses, sunscreen, a hat, a light rain jacket, water and snacks, and a phone or camera in a dry bag.
What if the weather is bad?
If the guide cancels for weather, you get a full refund or a free reschedule. You can also cancel for free up to 72 hours before your trip.
When is the best time to fish the St. Johns River near Palatka?
Bass fishing is good all year, with the spawn in late winter and spring. Crappie are best from about November to March. In summer, the early-morning bite is best.
Nearby lakes and rivers
More guided trips around Palatka and Gainesville.
