Jacksonville Fishing Report for Amelia Island & Mayport
Capt. Dave Sipler
November 4, 2004
Jacksonville - Saltwater Fishing Report
Endless summer...or more like extended?
It’s November 1st and the weather is absolutely beautiful. This last weekend was just like summer. The waterways were a tad crowded for my liking, due to the Fla/Ga. football game and the air show all in the same weekend.
But who’s complaining? I’m not. As I always say; “the longer I can wear shorts and flip-flops, the happier I am.”
The water in NE Florida is still a balmy 78 degrees, and the sun has been shining bright. I am looking forward to the cooler months, not because I have to wear shoes, but the fishing changes.
Right now the trophy size Redfish are still chewin’ real good, as they congregate to spawn. But I have noticed that the size of these fish are not the same as in years past. They seem smaller. “cookie-cutter”, size. Every one we catch will be between 16 and 18 pounds on the light side, and 25 to 29 pounds on the heavy side. We’ve only caught a handful of Reds that have exceeded 30 pounds. I’ve taken notice because I weigh each one.
Even last year I had many fish that scaled over 35 and 40 pounds plus.
Hey, with all the Hurricanes, rain, fresh water in the river, and just plain topsy-turvey weather we had, I ain’t complaining about a mere few pounds in the size of the reds. Just taking notice!
As the water cools and the big Reds finish up doing their thang...then head offshore. It’ll be time for me to break in to some of my “float-rig” fishing again. Pack up the big tackle and break out the fairy-wand rods, and hit the rocks for some Speckled Trout, smaller Reds, and Sheepshead on the “Float Rig”.
Aww... The “float rig”. I love it. I tell people, “You’ll love watchin’ your cork go under, believe me”.
Floating a livily shrimp down the jetty rocks has produced for me some hair raising battles with big fish. My largest Redfish on a float-rig came last year.
A whopping 16 pounder! Are ya saying to yourself, that doesn’t seem that big compared to the size of reds that are being caught right now. And it isn’t.
But imagine that 16 pound fish on a light leader, and latched to a #8 hook, along the snaggy boulders!
These are same hooks many fresh water fishermen would use for Crappie or other panfish. Why such a small hook you say? Well, it’s all got to do with making my live shrimp swim naturally, frisky and life like.
When I’m using such small hooks it’s really to fool big Speckled Trout, but I never get upset when a whopper Redfish takes the bait. You can not deploy a live shrimp any more naturally than on a float rig!
As I said before, the use of a Fairy Wand. AKA: “a very limber rod”, also helps with such small hooks. I use G. Loomis popping rods, made especially for “cork” fishing. They have large eyes that easily allow my stopper knots to pass through without getting hung up. These rods bend in a beautiful arch easily and won’t pull the hook. Light drags are also used. Float rig fishing is an art form to me. And it also catches Black Drum, Yellowmouth Trout, Sheepshead, Ringtailed Porgies, and Flounder, along the jetties.
You don’t see many people float rigging at the big Mayport Jetties, but when that water temp dips, it’s time to break out the Floats. You may not stack up the big numbers of Sheepshead, but the catch is 100% quality, and it leaves open the chance for the other species I mentioned.
My recent catch pages on my web site is slam full of big Reds. If you never got in on this years bite, there’s always spring time too. April through November is when I’m after them, with a bit of a lull in the deep hot summer months. Which are filled with chasing Tarpon, Sharks, or Kingfish.
Along the jetties folks have been catching Sheepshead and Black Drum, up tight. I even had a buddy catch about an 80 pound Bull Shark over the weekend. “dang, where was I?” I love tangling with big Sharks.
I’m looking forward to the change of the season as we go through November.
Just as long as it doesn’t come all at once. I enjoy being eased into the fall/winter season. Cause I can surely remember some other October thirty firsts when it was cold and the Northeast wind was blowing hard.
So come on down if your already tired of being cold, if your from the northern climate. The fishing is great and the weathers warm.
(I hope I just didn’t put the voodoo on myself by saying that!)
Check out my “recent catches” pages, (www.captdaves.com) and see what’s biting, then shoot me an e-mail and I’ll check your dates.
Don’t forget, Saturday mornings at 7am it’s, “ALL ABOUT FISHING” time on WNNR am970 Florida Sporting News Network.
For Hard core, edgy, fish talk. Join me and my co-host the “Pelican-American” and special guests. We inform, educate, and entertain. My show can also be heard on my radio show page on my web site where it's recorded each week.
Call-in and join the discussions, tell a fish tale, or answer a trivia question and win DOA LURES or BERKLEY POWER BAIT prize pak. The number is: 730-9109 local or 1-877-900-9667 toll free for out of town.
Brought to you by: SALTY DAWG MARINE*THE TRUCK STORE*QUALITY CRAFT CLEANERS* ARLINGTON BAIT & TACKLE*JETTY WOLF ANCHORS
And remember: SIZE DOES MATTER!
Capt. Dave “the Jetty Wolf”
If you would like my fishing report emailed to you on a bi-weekly basis email ([email protected]) me and I'll put you on the list.
More Fishing Reports:
