Frequently Asked Questions - Abour Charter Fishing

How do I book a fishing charter, fly casting lesson, or an eco tour?

To book a charter, lesson, or tour, just click on the Book Online Icon below and call us by phone 904-491-4799 to be sure that your date is open, to confirm and verify your options, we also will want to target the best fishing tides and time of day with your fishing interest.

What kind of boat will we be fishing from?

We will be fishing from my New 2012 Skeeter ZX 24V
that can fish 3 or 4 with room to spare!

What are you rates?

Fishing Charter	Number of People	Cost
Full Day (8hr minimum)	3-4	$550 per trip
3/4 Day (6hr minimum)	3-4	$450 per trip
1/2 Day (4hr minimum)	3-4	$350 per trip
EcoTours (4hr minimum)	1 to 4	$300 per trip
Photo Tours (4hr minimum)	1 to 4	$300 per trip
Pick-up and return to Cumberland Island, Ga Please add $100.00 per day. Fishing charters and tours require a $100.00 minimum deposit per day. Cash or checks...No Credit Cards Balance due at completion of charter. Gratuity not included...But is appreciated.
Fishing Lessons	Number of People	Cost
1 Hour 1 on 1 (Fishing Lesson)	1 on 1	$75.00 per lesson
Fly Casting Lessons	Number of People	Cost
1 Hour (Beginner Fly Casting)	1-2	$75.00 per lesson
1 Hour (Fly Casting)	3 or more	$50.00 each person, per lesson
2 Hours (Advance Fly Casting	1-2	$150.00 pre lesson

What is the preferred payment?

All charters and tours require a $100.00 deposit per day.
Cash or checks only, with balance due at the completion of the charter, tour or lesson.

No Credit Cards.

Pick-up and return to Cumberland Island, Ga. Add $100.00 per day.

Where do I send my deposit?

Please mail your deposit to Capt. Russell or Janet Tharin at
4814 Westwind Ct. Amelia Island, Florida. 32034

What about tipping? Is Gratuity Included?

Gratuity is not included...But is greatly appreciated.

What is your cancellation policy?

There is a $100 deposit for each day required to confirm you reservation date or dates.
Deposit will be refunded in the event the captain declares inclement weather conditions.

How many can go on fishing a charter?

We will fish, 4, 1 or 2 persons, is preferred.

How many and what age child can you take fishing on your boat?

We will fish 2 adult and 2 childern that is at lease ten year old.

Where will I meet Capt. Russell Tharin for my fishing charter or tour?

Note: Pickups are available for charters anywhere on Amelia Island.

Capt. Russell's Location # 1 Fernandina Beach City Marina Boat Ramp

Capt. Russell's, Location # 2 Sawpit Creek Boat Ramp

Directions And Travel Information

Driving By Car

From the southside or the westside of Jacksonville take I-95 north to Exit 373, turn east onto A1A, travel 12 miles crossing the Intracoastal Waterway to Amelia Island.

From Jacksonville, Beach take A1A north to the Mayport ferry, which traverses the St. Johns River and continure north on A1A to Amrlia Island.

Another option is to take J. Turner Butler Boulevard west to 9A travel north over the Dames Point Bridge exit to Heckcher Dr take a right and continue to A1A and north over Little and Big Talbot Island onto Amelia Island.

From Savannah, Ga take I-95 south to Exit 373, turn east onto A1A, travel 12 miles crossing the Intracoastal Waterway to Amelia Island.

Distance to Amelia Island from other major cities:

Daytona Beach 126 Miles Miami 379 Miles

Ft. Lauderdale 360 Miles Tallahassee 196 Miles

Gainesville 101 Miles Tampa 233 Miles

Jacksonville 33 Miles Atlanta 356 Miles

Capt. Russell & Janet Tharin are located within a

1/4 mile from Ritz Carlton

1/4 mile from Summer Beach Resort

2 miles from Amelia Island Plantation Resort

Access by Air

Jacksonville International Airport is located 20 miles southwest of Amelia Island and is serviced by more than a dozen airlines like, American Airlines, American Eagle Airlines, Continental Airlines, Delta Airlines, Southwest Airlines, US Airways, AirTran, Air Canada, Comair, Florida Air, Midway Airlines, Northwest Airlines, and United Airlines.

Fernandina Beach Municipal Airport here on Amelia Island.
For flight information please call ph # (904) 261-3730.

The Local Waters We Fish

Amelia Island, Fl. I.C.W., Inshore and Nearshore
Cumberland Island, Ga. I.C.W., Inshore and Nearshore
Big and Little Talbot Island, Fl. I.C.W., Inshore and Nearshore
Ft. George Island, Fl. I.C.W., Inshore and Nearshore
Nassau Sound I.C.W., Inshore and Nearshore
St. Mary's River Inlet, I.C.W., Inshore and Nearshore
St.Johns River Inlet, Mayport, I.C.W., Inshore and Nearshore

What will I need to bring?

You will need to bring polarized sunglasses, a hat or a cap, deck shoes or tennis shoes and sunscreen.

May I bring my own tackle?

Yes, you can bring your on tackle or we will provide you with all fly fishing and light tackle equipment you will need. We will also will be provided fishing license, leaders, lures, and flies, also with a cooler will be onboard with iced and spring waters.

What waters will we be fishing?

We will be fishing Amelia Island, Talbot Island, Cumberland Island, Ft. George Island, Nassau Sound, Bird Island, St. Mary's Inlet, Mayport, ICW, Nearshore, and Coastal Waters.

When is the best time of year to go fishing?

Whenever you can go. We fish year round for redfish and spotted sea trout.

What types of fishing will be available?

There are mainly three ways that we can sight fish for redfish. First, I would like to start fishing about two or three hours before the dead low, and fish the incoming tide as it floods the flats.

Second, in spring, summer, and fall, we can also sight fish redfish in the surf on the incoming flood tides, as long as we have clear water and sunny days. Wading works the best here. Third, is to fish the high flood tides in the marsh. Spring, summer, and fall works the best for redfish and sheepshead, tailing in the grasses, wading can be optional.

The spring, summer, and fall on Amelia Island are the best seasons to sight fish along the beaches and near-shore for a variety of pelagic species like bluefish, cobia, giant jack crevalle, false albacore, ladyfish, spanish mackerel, sharks and tarpon. These fish can be found around, or under, and striking into bait pods and can be taken with fly tackle and light tackle. We can find these bait pods and striking fish on the surface by watching for diving birds.

Will I be able to keep my fish?

Catch and Release fishing is our part in conservation, we love to catch and release fish for sport. It makes no sense to kill the very fish that we are trying to catch. As a guide, I want to share the importants of catch and release fishing, we must learn how to conserve our resources for future generations. Keep only what you need, as it may have been a gift to you.

Two quotes, from LEE WULFF

"A good game fish is too valuable to be caught only once." and "The fish you release may be a gift to another fisherman as it may have been a gift to you."

How do I prepare for my fly fishing charter?

If you have been fly fishing in freshwater and never fly fished in saltwater from a flats boat, a good start would be to take a 2 hour advance fly casting lessons. To learn how to cast to moving targets, learn how to cast in the wind, to double haul, to cast for distance. Learn how to set the hook, and fight big game fish on fly tackle. These are things that are very hard to learn on a charter, and you will find practicing before your charter will be a big payoff.

Where is the best place to stay on Amelia Island, Florida?

Amelia Island has great accommodations and places to stay.

If you're looking to get away for a while in a warm, sunny, laid back atmosphere
Amelia Island, Florida is the perfect place for you to visit. Places to stay range from the various

Bed and Breakfasts, and the Hampton Inn & Suites, located in historic Fernandina Beach,
The hotel design reflects historic Center Street and within walking distance of 25 restaurants.

Call (904) 491-4911 ask for the Capt. Russell Tharin secial rate.

The Hampton Inn & Suite

Where is the best places to eat on Amelia Island, Florida?

Capt. Russell and Janet Tharin's great places to eat, our best restaurants for
breakfast, lunch and fine dinning on Amelia Island, Florida.

Click here for the best places to eat on Amelia Island, Florida.

If you have any other questions, just click here on our Request Information link and we will be very happy to help you.

Request Information

To Book Fishing Charters, Lessons and Tours Online! Click Here