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Jacksonville Fishing Report for Amelia Island & Mayport

Capt. Dave Sipler
October 26, 2003
Jacksonville - Saltwater Fishing Report

TIS THE SEASON...(in reverse?)

It's really something...when spring comes and the water warms after N.E. Florida's brief winter season

(Jan. & Feb are terrible here) the dock talk is all about the Spanish Mackeral at the inlet in late March thru mid April.

"did ya troll for the Spanish today?"

"hey, where are the Spanish?"

"how many Spanish did ya catch today?"

The sale of the tried and true planers and Clark spoons go through the roof at bait shops and tackle outlets, cause every troller is seeming to get practiced up for the next big thing, big King Macks!

I've even been quoted as saying; "when the Spaniards arrive, spring is here. There's no doubt, their calendar is the one I go by".

And by the way... this "flash in the pan" interest only lasts a little while and then it's on to the Kingfish tourneys for many anglers.

If you don't realize it yet, when those lil' Spanish macks hit the area inlets they are usually very small at first, then the next wave gets a bit bigger, then they are on the near-shore reefs, and then spread northward, as summer progresses. Till by late August you can hardly catch one anywhere!

Then comes, RIGHT NOW! Late October.

If you don't frequent the big inlets, such as the St. Mary's, Nassua Sound, the St. Johns, and St. Augustines inlet.

Things play in reverse now. And for about the last 10 days my favorite fishing spot, the St. Johns River Inlet is consumed by fat and happy Spanish Mackeral with each high tide.

It's awesome to watch. For out of no where, as the green ocean waters pour beween the jetty rocks the little macks are in a feeding frenzy, jumping and flipping on the surface while in pursuit of small minnow baits.

The schools are speedy, popping up next to you, then a hundred feet away seconds later.

BUT NOT A SINGLE FISHERMAN SEEMS TO CARE.

Except for me. I just can't resist that urge to pitch one of my favorite baits at them. And that's the metal/chrome bodied "GOT-CHA" plug, by Sea Striker.

It's simplicity hits high marks, when it's time to catch Jacks, Ladyfish, Bluefish, Bluerunners, Spanish Mackeral and even Speckled Trout when in deep swift moving water.

The proper way to use a "Got-Cha" plug is to make a long cast past the bait/fish, and let it sink a few seconds. Then twitch your rod in an upward motion while retieving, and repeat this action all the way to the boat.

If you watch the plug in the water it will hop and jump from side to side, like an injured glass minnow. Just vary the depths by letting it sink longer, and it'll hunt the water column.

Besides being simple, it's a durable plug, and casts like a missle. And at Boaters World they sell them the cheapest I've found, around $2.29. I like that part.

As a trophy Redbass hunter at least 6 months out of the year, the "Got-Cha" plug becomes a useful tool in the spring and summer months when bait hunting.

I'll take a day out of the week and go catch a 5 gallon bucket full of Ladyfish with my "Got-Cha" plugs. Ladyfish steaks are a prime bait for giant Redfish in the river along the beach and at the inlet.

Back to the Spanish Macks.....

As you have well figured out by now, the Spanish are returning south, and our inlet has been full of them. As I said, on the flood tide, as the green ocean water pours over the jetty rocks. They are hungry as Wolves, there's thousands of them, and they are of above legal size (12' minimum-overall all). I've already caught them in the 20" size range.

Be prepared to have a blast casting your "Got-Cha" plug, while either drifting (my preffered method) or while at anchor as they pop up around your boat.

IT WAS FUN WHILE IT LASTED.

I think it's safe to say, the trophy-sized Redfish population has spawned-out for the most part and the best of the fall congregation is now over.

It was short lived.

Last year, I was tearin' them up till November 14.

But over the last week, we haven't had any 40" fish in their usual traveling paths. I've tried with no success, so I guess it's time to get in the winter mode after all.

This summer's un-usually cold water temps, maybe to blame for the short fall season.

We certainly didn't have much in the way of a Tarpon season, either.

Now, the Flounder ought to be chewin' hooks off lines, but that too isn't as hot as years past.

Heck, not every year is gonna be the same. I guess that's what makes it intresting to be a fisherman.

One fish that seems to be ready to go is the local Sheepshead population. As soon as the water temps got in the 75 degree range, they fired off.

Many of the fish are shorty's. I've had many not even legal size, which is 12". I would never keep a fish that small ever, but prefer the larger ones around 5-8 pounds. We call the small Sheepshead the "bucks", the small males.

But as the weeks have past, the fish are getting bigger. Just a few days ago we had one 6.5 pounds.

Black Drum, their up next. We've been getting a few here and a few there, up to 8 pounds. Scappy, and good eating, they are a fall and winter staple fish also.

The trophy sized Redfish may have beat tails out to the offshore grounds, but there's plenty of fish from the 20" to 32" bracket around the inlet and river.

Pompano and Whiting fisherman have been doing well in the Ft. George and Nassua Sound areas. October is a big month for Pompano, but they'll be caught by "the regulars" all the way into late November or better if the waters temps, don't do anything radical.

One things for sure, it's the time of year that makes me having to look for a comfortable pair of new shoes. Cause, my sandals will be going into the closet again till March. There's nothing I dislike about cooler water temps and cooler air, then making me have to wear shoes again! There's no H.M.O's in the charter biz.

Keep those toes dry...Till next tide,

GO FEESHIN'

Capt. Dave Sipler

904-642-9546

G.Loomis, you'll like what you feel!!

More Fishing Reports:

 

Inshore fishing the St. Johns River, and estuaries around Jacksonville, Florida provides year round opportunities for Redfish, Speckled Trout, Flounder, Black Drum, and Sheepshead to name just a few. Plus, seasonal favorites such as Shark, Tripletail and Pompano. The legendary Mayport Jetties are mile long piles of huge granite boulders that protect the inlet to the St. Johns River from the Atlantic Ocean. Around these jetties is some of the best and most consistent fishing.

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Capt Dave Sipler's Sport Fishing
Departing from:
4870 Ocean St.
Mayport, FL 32223
Phone: 904-642-9546
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