As you can see....I started out "counting" them, holding my fingers up. But that didn't work. Actually I got the first three fish on my first three drifts of my Float-rig.
I had 2 - 19" to 20" Trout in the box, then the third fish was a 5 pounder. Then I caught a Spanish Mackerel and a Ladyfish, and then in the next hour and a half I had 5 more, 5 pounder G-A-T-O-R-S!
The wind (sea-breeze to be very technical) started honkin' so bad I could almost not fish anymore, but I waited it out. And the wind would subside a little and I'd catch another one. So, what's a TROUT FREAK gonna do? Keep at it, of course. I actually needed not 5 pounders, but rather smaller fish for the box.
So after 8 mega-nice Trout I started pitching a jig-n-shrimp. Hooked up two super sweet sized Flounder, and both got off at the side of the boat. So I went to a curly tailed plastic on the jig real fast and pitched along side the boat right where i lost one of the Flounder and hooked it up again....."Ahh, you bastard are gonna meet Mr. Trout, in the fish box", I thought. But damned if that one didn't get off too! Dammit! I know why, because all the flounder I hooked wewre in NO CURRENT, and they just snapped at it, and didn't engulf the bait. I heavy current it would be a different story.
Earlier in the day, as I waited for the tide to drop. I found a new spot. Boulders all over the bottom from 10-18 feet, dropping off to deep water. Another possible Trout hang-out. So as i looked around I pitched a Jig-n-curly-tail, I hooked up a Flattie immediately. So as I reeled it to the boat, I looked up and saw two Sheepshead tailing, around a rock in a foot or so of water...Cool...but it wasn't meant to be because when I looked down again at my Flounder. It also got off the hook.
I just wasn't my day to catch 4 nice Flounder, I guess. But that's okay. I know where the Trout are.
A Trout Tracker, that's what ya have to be. These are all big fat "roe" Trout too. It's spawning time. And if all goes well and I actually get someone who picks a day for a charter when the tides right, they may get the chance to catch fish like these pictures. But, the likely-hood is slim to none..."and slim left town".
People from other parts just do not get it. Thats why they hire me I thought. I had three calls today. And 3 yesterday. Everyone wants the best day, but do not get that it's all about the tide. I just do my best with the day they give me. If they want a GREAT DAY........PLAN instead of just showing up hilly-nilly. I have a phone, a blog, e-mail, a web site with alot of info, that many do not even want to look at and read. I hand out pearls full of info, and just do the best I can, with the cards I'm dealt.
So that's why I go and mess'em up all by myself. Because I can.
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.
