From A to Z.....Jacksonville Florida
Capt. Dave Sipler
October 28, 2008
Jacksonville - Saltwater Fishing Report
10/25 & 26 - From A to Z.....(three guys, two days)
Had Bob H. and his son Peter and son-in-law Chuck, out for two days in a row. Original plan was for Friday and Saturday trips. But seeing that Friday was not much better than Thursday. The guys decided to extended their stay, and get in the second day on Sunday.
We had from A to Z go on, in two day along the banks of the St. Johns river in Mayport.
Day one Saturday the 25th was windy, overcast, and actually better than Sunday the 26th when it was cooler, and sunnier, with really nice weather overall. At least that was my take.
Less people were on the water naturally on Saturday. And on Sunday on two prime spots it was wake's galore from big Ghetto cruiser boats. And made things really tough on us / "me".
As I've described before. Take a good Trout spot, with good current, and calm water, one day. The fish will be chewin'. Then take another day on the same spot with good current, add in boat traffic galore, and wakes crashing the bank....the Trout will be gone, or just not bite. I believe, they're gone. This was Sunday.
But no matter the guys caught LOTS of fish.
Redfish, Black Drum, Flounder, Speckled Trout, Jacks, Mangrove Snapper, Yellowmouth Trout, Huge Croakers and Sheephead....I think that's all of them, that matter.
Here's some of the catches:
Saturday I made up a bag of fillets for the guys to take to Singleton's Seafood Shack, around the corner from the dock. From what it sounds like, the guys had a feast. Singleton's will always fry up your fish for you if you go in with a fresh bag of fillets, for a couple bucks a pound.
They drank beer, had oysters and their catch. A really good end to a good day of fishing, I always think. Eat your own fish, they were just swimming a few hours before.
Bob set up and entire "kit" of materials to preserve a Redfish for skin mounting by a award winning taxidermist in Pa. So here's the one that'll get it. Peter's exact 27" Redfish, caught on a flaot-rig. The proceedure included linen towels, borax powered soup, plastic bags, bubble wrap, detailed photos and B&M bait and tackle's walk-in freezer and a box to carry that fish on a plane. I can't wait to someday see a photo of that Redbass at least in a photo Bob will e-mail me.
Peter was the HOT rod, he also landed this super nice 8 pound Black Drum, 5 minutes before the Redbass, on the float-rig (which of course makes it extra special). Using a giant shrimp each time. I always tell my crew, save them big giant shrimp till we fish a spot where the current isn't all that strong. Big shrimp can't take retrieving them in heavy current. Use small shrimp then. So here we were, on a slow tide area. And Peter used the whopper shrimp and was heavily rewarded.
The guys caught enough fish for not only a fine fresh fish dinner at Singleton's Seafood in Mayport. But took home a cooler full of bagged up fish for later.
It was a wild two days, weather wise and fishing wise. I know I relished the cold air on Sunday morning. It reminds me that still to come are some of the best days of the entire year.
The water temps are between 71-75 degrees.
Man, has it dropped out of the 80's fast. I like that, though. My favorite time of the year is when all you need is a sweat shirt, but can still wear shorts and a t-shirt during the afternoon.
Thanks to Bob, Peter, and Chuck for the two days...
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Here's what's on the horizon:
For FALL...
Wanted, Sportsman/woman to hunt "specks and spots" in cooler weather.
Jacksonville Fishing Forecast:
I belive this is the time of yeqar to really take advantage of a weekday, when no one is around. The winds are light and the fish are chewin'.
We just got a cold snap. The 1st of the year on Oct. 28th. I love it.....this many times really sets the mood for the fall fishing season.
Pull up, drop anchor, and drift our live shrimp, and watch floats disappear with BIG Speckled trout, Sheepshead, and Redfish. I have some areas reserved for just cool weather days.
Call ahead, and have a day or two availible. Have a fall back day, just incase.
Target Species:
Trout, Drum, Reds, Yellowmouth trout, Flounder, Sheepshead and MORE..
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