Inshore/nearshore report Jacksonville area waters
Capt. Bob Cosby
April 7, 2014
Jacksonville - Saltwater Fishing Report
The fishing should be better this month than last with warmer water temperatures and lighter winds. The water now is ranging between about 62-65 degrees. Some of our transitory fish such as spanish mackerel, jacks, ladyfish, tripletail, and possibly cobia should make an appearance. The spanish are fun to catch with light tackle. They are a target of opportunity as migrating schools move down the coast. Small shiny plugs, 00-clark spoons, and glass minnow imitating flies are all effective for the spanish. You can usually see them jumping and flipping out of the water when they are around.
Jacks and ladyfish will move into the St. Johns River and its tributaries similar to the bluefish. They aren't good to eat but are fun to catch. Usually diving birds will broadcast the location of feeding schools. Tripletail should show themselves along tide lines, around crab trap floats and buoys, and free swimming. The first of the cobia will most likely be free swimmers or escorting rays as they move north along the coast.
I expect both the speckled trout and redfish bite to improve. Floating and diving plugs will take the larger speckled trout fished early and late. Redfish should bite better at the jetties, and in the creeks. Bluefish, yellowmouth trout, black drum, and sheepshead should still be available until the water warms considerably.
Surf fishing could produce whiting, pompano, reds, and drum, as well as a host of other species.
Tight lines!
CAPT Bob Cosby
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