Kingfish, tarpon and redfish are all hitting around Jacksonville Beach and Mayport as late summer gives way to fall patterns.

Capt. Wayne Senteno, who runs Jax Fishing Charters and writes the Beaches Fishing Report column, published his latest conditions update Wednesday, Sept. 2, in the Beach Gazette. He said the area is showing early signs of a seasonal shift, with increasing numbers of mullet expected to move through soon. That bait influx can fire up redfish, trout, beach tarpon, black drum, bull reds and jacks.

Water temperatures at Jacksonville Beach and Mayport ranged from 75 to 80 degrees as of Tuesday, Sept. 1, according to the National Weather Service.

Kingfish, tarpon working live-bottom areas nearshore

"The Jacksonville Beach and Mayport area remains exciting for anglers willing to get an early start," Senteno wrote. "Kingfish are still around the nearshore structure and live-bottom areas, while tarpon continue to follow schools of pogies along the beach."

Senteno advised watching for diving birds, nervous water and bait flipping at the surface to find active schools. Slow-trolling live pogies is his preferred method for kingfish.

Redfish, flounder biting in creeks and Intracoastal

The Intracoastal Waterway, creeks and river systems are producing redfish, flounder and trout, Senteno said. Early mornings are the prime window.

On a rising tide, he recommends live shrimp and mud minnows around grass lines, creek mouths and structure. As the water drops, anglers should watch bank edges where redfish push bait. Cast ahead of moving fish, not on top of them.

Flounder are holding around drop-offs and spots where shallow flats meet deeper water. Mud minnows worked slowly along the bottom are a reliable choice. Live shrimp under a popping cork can produce a mixed bag of trout and redfish.

Reopened boat ramp gives anglers fresh access point

Senteno said anglers should stay flexible, follow the tides inshore and find the bait nearshore as weather windows allow.

The Jacksonville Beach boat ramp, which reopened Friday, Sept. 4 after a seven-month closure, gives local anglers a freshly available launch point for both inshore and nearshore trips.