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Fernandina to Saint Augustine & St. Johns River
Capt. Bob Cosby
November 4, 2005
Jacksonville - Saltwater Fishing Report
The water has cooled substantially (67 degrees last outing) since my last report, which has contributed to transitional changes in the fishery. There are still some bull redfish in the area, however, the 20 to 30 fish days are probably over. I caught 5 at the Jax jetties a couple of days ago. Some large reds have been caught recently from the end of the Jax pier, which indicates the breeding reds are spreading out along the coast gorging after the major Oct spawn. Catch the big ones while you can if you enjoy pulling on a big fish!
The smaller rat reds and slot fish should be along the edges of the ICW and in the creeks off the ICW prowling the edges of mud flats and oyster beds. Fish the last half of the ebb tide and the first couple hours of the flood. A jig and live shrimp combination is hard to beat.
Speckled trout have really been turning on both in the river and in the ICW. The traditional float rig with live shrimp is most effective. Larger trout can be taken "walking the dog" with top water plugs fished early and late on high tide stages around structure and grass edges. Mill Cove, Simpson Creek, Guana Lake and Salt Run are all good bets. DOA shrimp, jigs, and diving lures all can be effective at certain times. Yellowmouth trout should start showing up more in the deeper water as the water cools.
Some of the largest flounder are caught this time of year near the mouth of the river after fattening up all summer. Try fishing around structure such as docks and pilings as the tide slows with finger mullet or mud minnows on a fish finder rig. The south side of the south jetty is a good spot as they stage to feast on finger mullet migrating along the rocks. They should be available until the water hits the low 60's.
I hear the sheepshead bite has been outstanding lately. Personally, I haven't specifically targeted them yet, however, I have caught a few while fishing for other species. In fact, I caught a 5 lb head on a 10/0 circle hook with half a crab while redfishing the other day without ever lifting the rod out of the rodholder! Try fiddlers fished on a fishfinder egg sinker rig or on a jighead along the jetties. The black drum should also bite well this month at the jetty tips, along the rocks, in the viscinity of bridge pilings in the ICW, and in deeper holes in the creeks. Fresh shrimp,crab, and clams are all good baits.
The surf is giving up good catches of whiting, a few drum, bluefish, and the occasional redfish. Finger mullet can still be caught in the surf, particularly at low tide. There also seems to be an abundance of "sand fleas" (mole crabs)on our beaches this year, and some good reports of pompano catches are coming from the Jax pier. Try casting out to the second sandbar near low tide using a sandflea for bait. Add an orange or yellow bead above your hook to stimulate the bite.
Good fishing!
Captain Bob
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