Tarpon, Snook, Flounder, Redfish, Sharks
Capt. Chris Herrera
July 7, 2009
St. Augustine - Saltwater Fishing Report
Pogy pods have continued to show up in good numbers along North East Florida beaches attracting Tarpon to monster Jacks. Tarpon can be seen doing cartwheels and slashing through the pogy pods in a feeding frenzy. Free lining a pogy on a Daiichi 13/0 Circle hook has been my rig of choice, just toss the pogy outside of the bait schools and hold on. Look for huge schools of bruiser Jacks pushing wakes and devouring anything that gets in their way. A live pogy tossed in front of the school will hardly get refused but for more of a challenge test the drag on your fly reel and toss a 4 inch bait fish pattern and hold on!
Inshore Tarpon up to 40lbs. are now settled on their favorite flats and can be seen during dawn patrol rolling and crashing bait. A live select shrimp on a Daiichi D85Z 3/0 circle hook tossed in front of a rolling tarpon is a sure bet.
First light topwater action is a great way to get the day started with Redfish. Have a second rod handy after missed blow ups and pitch an Exude Dart in the area for second chance hook ups. Mud minnows soaked around oyster beds rigged on a popping cork have fooled many Reds this month.
The Flounder bite has been hit or miss but when they show up numbers can be caught on a mud minnow and jig head combo.
There are plenty of small Jacks, ladyfish and mangrove snappers available for steady action to keep the kids interested. A live shrimp on a Daiichi 1/0 circle hook and a popping cork is a great rig to go catching instead of fishing. A deeper cut in the flats around oyster beds or deeper structure like rip rap or sea walls is a great place to soak shrimp with the kids.
If all fails you can always hit the beach and fish behind the shrimp boats for Black Tip Sharks. Just wait for the by catch to be dumped and within minutes you will be surrounded by plenty of sharks to catch.
Target Species:
Redfish, Tarpon, Snook, Sharks, Flounder
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