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Jacksonville Fishing Report for Amelia Island & Mayport
Capt. Dave Sipler
November 1, 2006
Jacksonville - Saltwater Fishing Report
A new Era afloat
Capt. Dave Sipler's Sport Fishing - Jacksonville, St. Johns River/Inlet & near-coastal waters to Amelia Island Florida. Updated: 10/31/06
I took delivery of my new 26' Plate Alloy (5086 marine aluminum) customized charter boat October 19th. And I cannot explain how happy I am. It's absolutely wonderful. More fishing room, a wide open spacious fishing deck, and loads of comfort. All in a life-time hull with Honda power efficiency.
The first charter I had on it was with two really nice guys Tony and his son Mike. Although, the weather could have been a lot better, (it was a SCA- small craft advisory all afternoon which made things tough.) Tony and Mike were very impressed, which made me happy. And I could just tell that the boat is going to really work out. Plus, the first spot and first drift of Mike's float that morning caught the largest trout of the day, a nice 21 incher.
The water temps are finally getting down to where I like them this time of year, in the 70's. I could not wait to get out of those 80 degree water temps......"I needed a change, badly". Remember me saying a few reports ago how the best time of year I think, is when you have to wear a sweatshirt in the morning??? Well, we've had a few mornings where I was adorned in full winter fleece! But that's okay, I'm admittedly a real sissy-boy when the thermometer drops below 55 degree's. And what's funny is, I really look forward to it.
You know we, always in pusuit of the largest Speckley fish (Speckled trout) I can find. So I went out yesterday on a solo R&D trip to the extreme north of my usual stomping grounds. No sooner I arrived there and it was low tide and slacking fast. Bait was everywhere. I mean more 2-3" finger mullet than I've ever seen in the St. Johns River. ( I guess the baitfish don't like boat traffic either) So I quickly drove my boat up on to a oyster shelled bank, (because I can) and got out the cast-net. One throw and I had all the 2-3" mullet snacks for the live well I needed and a hand full of native shrimp. I just stayed parked up on the bank and pitched a jig out with a mullet, and then grabbed my own version of a poppin'- rattlin cork and put on a shrimp, and sent that outside a creek mouth I was in front of.
No sooner than I got both baits out I had a Trout on the Poppin-rattlin cork and a Trout on the finger mullet at the same time. I quickly baited again, and on the jig and mullet had a 4 pound Flounder coming to the boat next. All as I was talking on the phone, pining it between my shoulder and ear, my rod in one hand and the net in the other, while disusing a trip with a caller. Now that's "multi-tasking". And always good for business.
But, the bite quickly slowed as the tide started to flood in on me. That's one thing I have noticed lately, that the incoming tide has me working feverishly looking for the next good bite of Trout. According to my schedule book it looks like almost every single charter I have pre-booked for November has an incoming tide in the morning. So don't count on leaving the dock at the crack of dawn. I'll plan your trip to be during the best part of the tide.
Later during the day on my R&D trip, I moved around and caught a lot of Trout, one Redfish, and three more smaller Flounder. And during that incoming tide I was The King of the 14" Trout. But just before I was ready to head home the tide started to fall, so I stayed with it for a few more minutes and low and behold, I caught a 4 & 5 pound Flounder and a 21" Speckled Trout, and 4-16 incher's, as the tide fell. SO YOU TELL ME, COINCIDENCE OR NOT? I SAY,NOT! FISHING THE FALLING TIDE RIGHT NOW IS WHERE IT'S AT.
Tides are important. That's why I persist that planning your day is important.
A LOOK AHEAD
As we go into November, "diversity" should be the name of the game. Although, I think many of my fellow guides will agree, everything so far this year is a bit behind schedule, due to lack of rain or storms. Not all years are the same. And that's what keeps some fishing guides constantly on their toes. That's why I do R&D trips, when I have a chance...."or a brand new boat to break-in" .
I'm expecting to start seeing the Trout push closer towards the inlet. As they do during the winter months. And again, it all has to do with F-O-O-D. We're way behind in rain fall, and fresh water is what pushes the shrimp out of the river. The Sheepshead will really fire off, better catches are coming from the 'head-hunters already. But many have complained about all the bait stealers along the jetties.
Years ago, I came up with a constant temperature of 72 degrees and below, along the jetties is when all those bait stealers still hanging around from summer time either seek warmer water else where or just plain die off. Which is one reason you can get bit by big Trout along the jetties in the winter. There isn't a thousand other mouths competing for your live shrimp. One thing Trout do not seem to do is play well with other fish.
There's those days when big Redfish (up to approx. 32") on the last of the high tide are cruising up in the jetty rocks. Then, as the tide slows the Sheepshead are all over your live shrimp. Toss in some Flounder bites, and ferocious schools of Yellowmouth Trout, and you've had one hell of a day along the inlet's giant granite boulders.
Still for sale......and with each passing month someone is missing out. Two years were left as of August of Yamaha extended service warranty on the 2003 Yamaha 200 HPDI, and now it has 21 months of warrenty left. My 23' MayCraft is fully rigged and ready to go. Plus, the addition of a brand new Continental tandem axle aluminum I -beam trailer. I mean, so new it's never seen saltwater! Turn the key go fishing, 18K.
Check my NEWS page on my web site for updates on new things going on, and to really get the "meat and potatoes" of what's going on, visit my Daily Reports Forum at: http://captdaves.8.forumer.com here is where you can track each days catches, conditions and editorials.
Till next tide,
Capt. Dave Sipler's Sport Fishing
www.captdaves.com
e-mail: [email protected]
904-642-9546- (8am-8pm EST)
If you would like my fishing report emailed to you on a monthly basis email me and I'll put you on the list.
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