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Jacksonville Fishing Report for Amelia Island & Mayport
Capt. Dave Sipler
May 7, 2004
Jacksonville - Saltwater Fishing Report
A LOOK AT THE COASTAL SCENE FOR SUMMER TIME.
This is the time of year when you just don’t know what will eat a big lively bait, or even a small bait, for that matter.
A few years ago in early May I had a “reality check” of what can happen when fishing the big St. Johns River Inlet, and not thinking it was really summer just yet. I had two anglers from New York aboard and we just got started pitching live Shrimp pinned to jigs up to the jetty rocks that funnel the river into the open Atlantic. Bill said, “Capt. Dave, what’s all that?” I looked out behind the boat and saw a huge school of “pogies” flipping on the surface. I replied, “cast into them”. Bill reared back and bombed his jig and shrimp combo meal right into the middle of the school. I told him just let it sink to the bottom, then I got busy doing something, that seemed urgent, when I heard ZZZZZZZ……….and then Bill screaming, “it’s taking all my line!” I quickly dropped whatever I was doing and started the engine, pulled anchor and chased the fish.
Bill was fishing a light rod, and a small spinning reel with 10-pound test, perfect for a 27-30 inch Redfish, but not for what ever this was! The fish swam straight towards open water, never stopping, never slowing down.
To make this long story shorter, two hours later we saw the fish. It was about a 40 pound Jack Crevalle. We ended up 2 miles offshore, and with such light tackle Bill could never get the fish any closer than about 10 feet from the boat. This fish didn’t make a single mistake, and could not be coaxed any closer. I had no long handled gaff aboard, just a landing net and a small hand gaff. Into the third hour it was evident this was a stalemate. Bill pulled hard without breaking the rod, when the 10-pound test snapped.
Needless to say, I don’t fish that light of tackle any longer, especially this time of year. I learned to come prepared with the proper fish landing implements too.
"No fairy wands means you have a chance on Big Fish"
Today, those schools of Menhaden, locally called “Pogies” are all up and down the beach behind the surf to a few miles out, depending on what the wind direction has been. Lesson, come prepared for big fish.
If you’re a near-coastal angler like me, this means one thing. Catch some fresh live bait in the morning. Either, I’ll fish the pods of bait for the trophy sized Redfish, Jack Crevalle, Tarpon or Sharks, that lurk below them, or take the baits back to the inlet for Red and Tarpon fishing, or for drifting on a float rig for giant Trout.
Also keep a sharp eye out for cruising Manta Rays when on the beach. Already since April many Cobia have been caught off the shade of a giant Ray. The rip line that forms outside inlets on the falling tides are also prime spots to look for plankton feeding Rays. This is also a good place to troll for some Spanish Mackerel too.
When the clean ocean water and the tannic dark water of the river collide, this is referred to as the “rip line”. It’s structure to fish. It’s also a temperature break, and where bait gathers.
Then comes the full moon in June. T-A-R-P-O-N! Yep, by the full moon in June. Each day, I’m out there is the possibility for the years first Tarpon (if not sooner). Many inlets in the area will have Tarpon of all sizes feeding on the strong current flow. When this dinner bell rings, you better have the heavier gear ready to go. And, when there are Tarpon, huge Black Tip and Spinner Sharks are also looking to put on the feed bag.
Of course, there’s plenty of smaller “good eating” fish to pursue in the river, such as legal size Redfish, Speckled Trout and Flounder. But, for the thrill seekers like myself who have caught “eater” fish all winter and spring, the possibility of a “hundred pounder” is what we’ve waited for all year. It’s all about Sport Fishing!
Joining the “hundred pounder club” is easy. When I see Tarpon at the inlet, I’ll fish for them there. I don’t like running from them to go find the same fish elsewhere. There’s Tarpon galore at the St. Johns River inlet, (AKA: the Jetties) and nearby Nassau Sound as well. Not many fishermen target them at these inlets though. It could be because of the strong currents, too many other boats in the area or just that they are too hard to catch. (that's what they think.....good!)
Chum fishing with shrimp boat by-catch along the coast is popular, and is a “tried and true” method. Too many times, I have wasted valuable fishing time waiting on a shrimp boat, when I have seen schools of Tarpon as I passed through the inlet. Because of the current, chumming with by-catch isn't necessary. I just put out a frozen chum block of ground Pogies. This will help get things started, then drop a live Pogie, Mullet, or Croaker down deep.
If there’s a fish to be caught along the 2 miles of granite boulders, I’ll fish for it. It’s my specialty, and I love the challenge the inlet provides. No two days are ever exactly the same. Versatility, that's my key to success.
Heading outside the St. Johns, during May means Blackfin Tuna month. No need to run 50 miles offshore, I’ve caught them 7 miles off the beach, at reef sites like the Jacksonville wreck (JW). Montgomery’s Reef, (MR), Nine Mile (NM), the Pablo Grounds (PG), and Ponte Vedre Grounds (PV).
Meanwhile offshore, the Kingfish have gathered on the inshore reefs and wrecks. At this time come the first reports of Sailfish! Now we’re talking. Who doesn’t like Sailfish? By June the big tournament size Kingfish will be near the beach, along with a few shallow minded Sails.
Sailfishing in N.E. Florida during the summer seems to be the product of “proper”, King Mackerel trolling. Which is okay by us. I know every Sailfish I’ve ever caught here in N.E. Florida was when the targeted species was actually Kingfish.
If you want to head offshore or along the beach, just get the low down on where the Pogies are, jig up some cigar minnows, sardines or herring over a reef, or drag some small ballyhoo or frozen cigar minnows if live bait can’t be found.
B&M Bait & Tackle on A1A in Atlantic Beach is the best place to get up to date fishing info, they can be reached at: 904-249-3933 tell 'em Capot. Dave sent you.
For what’s happening on the offshore grounds, you can also refer to the Jacksonville Offshore Sport Fishing Clubs, web site at: www.jaxfish.com
Leaving out of areas like Jacksonville’s, Mayport Village on the St. Johns has you within 2.5 miles of the Atlantic Ocean. Yes, the St. Johns River is long and vast, and yields multitudes of angling opportunities. But for the biggest of the big, nothing beats our popular inlet and the waters that surround it.
Here are the typical seasons that cover the inlet area and near-coastal waters:
April – November, Trophy sized *Redfish to 50 pounds+.
June – Oct., *Tarpon, Shark
June –August, King & Spanish Mackerel
Feb- June, Speckled Trout
May-Dec, Flounder
May-August, near-shore Cobia
March-May, Trophy size Black Drum to 90 lbs.+
May-Nov, Pompano, Whiting
Oct – April, Sheepshead
Plus much more…….
RIGHT NOW, the report? (May 6th, 2004)
"My boys" are what is keeping me busy right this moment.
And they are big Redfish. Either along the granite boulders that line the inlet, or outside them as discussed above in the "looking forward tutorial".
On a daily basis you have to keep up with where and what is the bait schools doing.
Where are they?
North or south?
How far?
Depth of water?
Packed tight or scattered?
Cause when you don't use these "packed full of flavor" live baits, ya better have something just as yummy!!
Yesterday, we didn't have many of them to use, but I did have some freshly caught Ladyfish. And it worked when bottom fishing the inlet for one 30" Redfish, and we had live shrimp too, which bagged us a 9 pound Black Drum. Yes, the Drum are still lurking about, which is a nice thing.
But we concentrated on "Float-rig" fishing the rocks at the inlet, cause it's been so productive. Landing 18-Redfish from 25" to 35", on super light tackle!!
Wow can they pull when using a #8 hook.
The tide was perfect, meaning the current was perfect too. Which is highly in demand, when Float fishing down the jetties.
On a Trout note; I took a long time regular customer out on last Tuesday. The wind was 20 kts out of the N.E. I so wanted to fish the jetty rocks with the floats, but the swell made the 2 of them a little uneasy, so I worked my way down river.
We hit many an area, and only came up with Jacks, Ladyfish and one Mangrove Snapper at 12", which was nice to see. But in my frustration, I pulled out all the stops, and said, "drastic weather calls for drastic measures". We traveled to my first 5 pound trout spot, and had exactly that in 10 minutes. A healthy and fat 5 pound "Gator Trout".
Then zip......
So off we went to 5 pound Trout spot #2.
We floated live shrimp down the area and in about 20 minutes we had another 5 pound Gator Trout!
Then a few more drifts had us a 3-1/2 pounder also.
The wind was hanous, and plus it was actually chilly, cold out on the water too. And this was May 4th!!!
Obviosly a front came through. But Ed and his son got some beautiful trout, not alot of them, but thats what made it so special. Working hard in not perfect conditions, made us very thankful and happy.
Plus when it's just a two passenger trip, I can get really imaginative and pull out all the stops, and do things like float fish for trout in tight spots like where these fish came from.
Don't think "by the head" cost. Think, will this Captain pull out the all the stops for us, if we have a small group. If he's me, the answer is, YES!
CAPT. DAVE'S RECENT CATCHES PAGES.....BIG REDS & TROUT!
I will be updating my sites recent catches pages here very soon.
Check them out, cause nothing says "proof of the pudding" like a photo of big fish and smilin' faces.
Call 2 weeks to 30 days ahead to reserve your day, aboard the For Reelin II......"in comfort".
Only the best used, G. LOOMIS RODS & ACCURATE REELS.
SIZE DOES MATTER,
Capt. Dave Sipler
WWW.CAPTDAVES.COM
904-642-9546
904-591-8883
Visa/MC/Amex/Discover
Diners Club/JCB-accepted
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