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Jacksonville Fishing Report for Amelia Island & Mayport
Capt. Dave Sipler
October 10, 2004
Jacksonville - Saltwater Fishing Report
A Favorite Time of Year
(and my customers are raving too!)
Catching a BIG fish, that's enjoyable for everybody. Even if you’re not a die-hard, salt covered, sun burnt mess like me. It’s still a bunch of fun.
I especially like taking the ladies. The gals always seem to get the biggest ones. They make me laugh and I enjoy watching them tangle with monster fish.
And BIG Redfish is what’s it’s all about, RIGHT NOW!
This is the time of year when the Redfish gather to spawn. And a guide like me takes advantage of it. I’m not talking about how long these fish are but rather, “how much did that one weigh?” With the slot size limit for keeper Redfish is a mere 18” to 27”, people sometimes mistake when I say, “we had 28 Redfish today from 18-27”, they think I’m talking length! No, I’m talking pounds, rest assured. SIZE DOES MATTER, with me. And, I like the whoppers, also known as Bull Reds.
On an average day 5-10 is okay. But, then we have those banner trips where, as one of my clients put it; “Capt. Dave, these fish are addictive”. Because as soon as he sat down and took a swig of his drink, it was time to reel in another. It can be that way sometimes. So, it’s good to bring a buddy, your wife, sons, daughters, boyfriend or girlfriend. So you get to sit a spell, before it’s your turn again.
If you’re reading this report and you’re not from the South Eastern coast, and you’ve seen the pictures in the magazines or watched the fishing shows on Saturday morning T.V. and said, “I’d like to catch ‘one’ of those Redfish”. You owe it to yourself to come on down and try it. Because if your here during the spawn, catching only ‘one’ will be the least of your worries.
Jacksonville’s St, Johns River is a BIG Redfish Mecca. It’s one of those rare fisheries that anyone can do and anyone can have a great time. Around here we bottom fish for them. No need to cast, and work a bait. Just let the fish find it, and I’ll take care of that. Yes, the BIG Redfish is a release fishery. Like I said these fish are breeding. I make every effort to care for them when released. For me it’s an insurance policy, for the years to come.
Many times topping out the scale at over 40 pounds, a trophy Redfish is what you make of it. I like to consider a fish over the 35 pound mark a serious heavy weight. But I have had clients catch them over 45 pounds and a few have had 50’s. As an incentive, this time of year I will have a photo of you with an over 35 pounder taken with my 35mm camera, have it enlarged to 8x10 and framed and sent to you at home. It’s my way of saying “thanks for the day, and here’s a snap-shot of the memory”.
Booking your charter is easy. E-mail me a set of dates, if you have more than one day you can go, and I’ll reply with our departure times. I have my favorite tides and conditions, and will strive to make your day a successful one. Many times when we don’t have absolutely perfect conditions (seas, winds, tides) the day turns out to be “one to really remember”. The photo above is one of those days. I had out Ali Khakpour (left in photo) and his friends. The seas were up, and the challenge was to get to the fish in the morning. Which couldn’t be done. But, later that day after catching some other fish, I got Ali and his buddies what they came for, Monster Redfish. It still was a hold on and fish kind of adventure, but last I heard Ali was still talking about what a day they all had, out with yours truly.
On trips like these don’t forget the camera. And if you happen too, don’t worry I have one and take plenty of photos. “you never know where you’ll pop up”, you could end up in one of my fishing reports, like this one! I’ve even featured clients of mine in articles, and have them posted all over the world wide web. Here’s an example: The Rodney Dangerfields of fishes at: www.fishingnotebook.com
Fishing is one of those activities that isn’t like football or basketball, (things I never was good at) it’s a family & Friends sport, it’s everyone’s sport! That’s what makes my job so enjoyable. Even though I have been known to throw in a competition factor, once in awhile, to make things interesting.
It depends on what kind of year we’re having, but the BIG Redfish will be around on average till November. I know we’ve had many disasters in Florida in the past few months, but please, don’t give up on coming to see us if you’re from out of state. In the Jacksonville and surrounding areas we’re doing just fine. By the time the hurricanes got near us they were down-graded to powerful tropical depressions. Yes, it was touch and go for everyone, but as for the fishing........it’s right on track! Many times storms help the local fishing, and purge the waterways. As I write this, food (baitfish) are plentiful in the ocean and river.
Remember during the 9/11 disaster? People were urged to maintain a regular life. Well, that’s what Floridians are doing. We’re tough! And we hope everyone who wants to visit the Sunshine State will do so, because “superb” fishing still exists.
Don’t forget you can catch me every Saturday morning on am970 WNNR on “ALL ABOUT FISHING” 7-9am. Where we talk about what’s happening, biting and fighting on the areas local waters. Join us as a regular, call-in a question or try an answer our weekly trivia questions, 904-739-9109 “local”.
Get info on special promotions from my fine sponsors such as Salty Dawg Marine, Sea-Tow-Jacksonville, and Quality Craft Cleaners,and The Truck Store by Sterling Classics. And “listener” special charter rates, I’m offering.
It’s my favorite time of year to catch some whoppers. I’m ready, are you?
-Capt. Dave Sipler
"Jetty Wolf"
SIZE DOES MATTER
Recent Catch pics: www.captdaves.com
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