Location: Jacksonville, Florida
Welcome to Freedom Boat Club of Jacksonville! Jacksonville, a metropolitan center of over one million people, is a friendly and comfortable place - a coastal community of neighborhoods as unique as the people who live in them. From luxury condo high-rises, to grand historic homes, to custom-built new communities in every style imaginable, there is a place for you to feel at home. From the St. Johns River to the Intracoastal Waterway to the miles of beaches, there are many places to enjoy your favorite pastime, whether it's boating, sailing, kayaking, surfing, canoeing or fishing. Water sports are a great highlight in the Jacksonville area, with many protected creek areas for tubing, wakeboarding, waterskiing, and hydro sliding.
Outdoor activities abound, with 68 miles of Atlantic Ocean coastline, 300 miles of river and every imaginable topography in-between. Add to that our year-round fantastic climate and our low cost of living - Jacksonville is the most affordable city in Florida - and there's no wonder why this region keeps growing. Jacksonville has a world class climate - four seasons without snow.
Northeast Florida is an angler's dream, and there are many spots to throw out your line. Jacksonville's urban ponds are scattered throughout the city and feature bank fishing for freshwater fish like bream, bass and catfish. For salt-water fishing, the Nassau Sound Pier is a great spot. The world record, a 20-pound, 9-ounce flounder, was caught on the pier.
Drop your line from the bow of your boats. If it is fishing you seek the St. John's River, and the Intracoastal Waterway abound with all kinds of fish.. Cast your line for grouper, snapper, flounder, amberjack, cobia, beeliners, sea bass, striped bass, trout, redfish, snook, tarpon, and much more.
Fishermen throughout the region get hooked during the annual BellSouth Greater Jacksonville Kingfish Tournament held at Sisters Creek Park in July along with the Seafood and Music Festival.
From boats, bridges, shore or surf, there are plenty of opportunities to catch the big ones. But you will need a fishing license. Call the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission at (888) 347-4356 for details and fees. All licenses are available from the county tax collectors' offices and sub-agents located at tackle shops, fish camps, hardware stores and sporting goods stores.
Boating Requirements
Effective October 1, 2001, a person 21 years of age or younger may not operate a vessel powered by a motor of 10 horsepower or greater unless such person has in his or her possession aboard the vessel photographic identification and a boater safety identification.
