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Jacksonville Fishing Report for Amelia Island & Mayport

Capt. Dave Sipler
February 1, 2004
Jacksonville - Saltwater Fishing Report

February The Uphill Slid

(It's all about hills and valleys)

I know it’s been a while since my last confession, Father….. (Just a joke)

But yes, I know it’s been a while since my last fishing report too.

Why is that?

Because the winter blues has had me, “down”.

As we start having consecutive 30-degree mornings I find myself dreaming of those hot days when pursuits of giant Redfish and Tarpon are what make me tick

Since it’s just the start of February, we still have a ways to go till I’ll be doing that.

It’s okay, because here in N.E. Florida we’re actually on the up hill swing (depends on the way you look at it, I guess).

During this time of year I refer to last year’s logbook often. We don’t have anything else to base a pattern on, so it’s always a good idea to keep some records. By the end of February last year, the water was warming a bit, and then the first week in March was a rainy one. I know that for a fact, cause with the re-opening of Speckled Trout from its 28-day closure, my freezer was close to empty. And I made a few failed attempts at re-stocking it, during high winds and rain.

During the month of February, I find it necessary to travel south to Miami for what I call the “greatest show on Earth”, the Miami International Boat Show. I don’t know how many I have been too, but guessing, I’m nearing 8 or 10 times now. And I never get tired of it. So that’s a 4-day mini-vacation for Dave. Since it’s leap year, I’m down too only 25 days left in February. See how my theory works? The more I’m gone, the fewer days are in a month!

Back to Jacksonville’s Mayport inlet fishing.

On the horizon is a shot of Black Drum action at the Jetties. Although this short run of fish can be totally missed if the seas are running big and the wind blows for days. Cause no one, not even I, in the For Reelin II can park out there to get them. And it’s got to be bad, for me not to try. These fish in years past have run from 8 to 20 pounds. So it’s good to have the beefier rods and reels ready. Clams, Dead shrimp, Blue Crab chunks, and combo’s of both usually take these fish as they pour out the inlet on a falling tide inhaling everything in their path.

Ring-tailed Porgies, are a deep winter savior. Just the other day I had the opportunity to really get into them, the way I wanted. And that was to cast a small float up to the jetty rocks with a small piece of shrimp on the hook. I caught my largest ever, and it was over 2 pounds. Actually quite sporty for a small member of the Porgie family, these fish will bite fast and furious, when nothing else will. Fishing solo, I left out after I had about 32 fish.

Whiting are another February fish. Found this time of year schooled up on patches of hard bottom just east of the beach. Local reports of these small tasty fish spread like wild fire. So finding out where the hot spots are isn’t hard. Fresh dead Shrimp and Cuttlefish are the best baits. And if you’re looking to fill the cooler faster, use a double rig.

I was all about the “float rig fishing” since Christmas. I vowed to clean less Sheepshead, and catch more Speckled Trout this winter. And I accomplished that. My charter’s and myself caught our fair share of some beautiful Trout and some big ones too. Which isn’t always the rule for winter Trout. I target big ones (gators) in April and May. Plus we’ve caught some Flounder and many Sheepshead on the Float rigs too. Which is a nice bonus.

But now that Speckled Trout are closed, I’ll only be pursuing them with my clients who are not keeping any fish. And for the ones that want some dinner fillets, we’ll just have to bottom fish in and around the inlet, and hope we can tangle with that big Black Drum, and 10-pound Sheepshead. And maybe get into a pack of hungry Ringtails.

Right now, bad weather is hammering the northeast and upper mid west parts of the country. I had a call yesterday from a man who said, “I have to wet a line, Capt. Dave! It’s 20 below here in Michigan, and I have 40 inches of snow on my driveway”.

I told him, “it’s about 35 here at the inlet and we’re attempting to catch something as the wind blows from the N.E. at 20 knots”. That didn’t bother him, he said.

That’s all well and good. I feel your PAIN!

But please remember, if your traveling down to Jacksonville to escape the snow drifts. Don’t leave the woolies at home. I will take you, but please come prepared. And please remember, it’s winter here too. More times than I can count during January and February, I have clients show up with sub par clothing on for a chilly day at the inlet.

“When you leave your hotel room, whatever the temp is that morning, figure it to be 25 degrees colder when on the water, minimum”.

I am standing by right now, waiting for the call to come pick up my newest additions from my newest Sponsor. ”The best tackle you will ever use”. Yes, in a few weeks I will be having for you to use the smallest of the Accurate twin drag line of light tackle fishing reels. These will compliment the larger ones I use for Tarpon and giant Redfish. The size of a Garcia 6500 bait casting reel, but precision engineered lever drags with two drags for ultimate fish stopping power.

When it comes time to reserve those trophy Redfish trips once again in April. I will remind you of my newest incentive program. You will of course have the chance to catch your trophy Redfish on my larger Accurate reels and my magnum G. Loomis rods, but if you dare to go toe to toe with the lighter version of the same tackle, the smaller Accurate reel and lighter G. Loomis rod and successfully catch a Redfish over 30 pounds I will take a super quality 35mm photo of you and your catch, along with the tackle. Have it enlarged to 8x10, framed and shipped to you any where in the world. I know you can do that yourself, if you want. But catching that fish on this tackle won’t be a “cake walk”, so why not let me do that for you? I’m already excited. And I know a few of you that are not big Redfish rookies, can do it easily.

Till my next report. Keep those rod tips out of car doors, spools filled with fresh line and drags set in the fish catching position. Take care and stay warm.

Capt Dave Sipler

“Size does matter”

www.captdaves.com

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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.

Contact Info:

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