Inshore/nearshore report Jacksonville area waters
Capt. Bob Cosby
September 5, 2012
Jacksonville - Saltwater Fishing Report
SEPTEMBER, 2012
The weather begins cooling down this month with more northeasterly breezes blowing in for several days at a time. We also have to keep an eye out for the occasional tropical storm or hurricane. These conditions stimulate all kinds of marine life activity, including the famous mullet run to the ocean. All sizes of mullet start exiting the marshes, creeks, and rivers on their annual migration to the ocean and points further south. This is a moving buffet line with tarpon, sharks, flounder, blues, reds, etc., feasting on the mullet as they travel.
As the ocean water cools, transitory fish species such as tarpon, spanish mackerel, sharks, ladyfish, jacks, and kings start to migrate south and/or east to warmer waters. This is an excellent time to catch them when they are in a feeding mood. Large breeding redfish enter the river in greater numbers this month. These trophy reds run from about fifteen to forty pounds and must all be carefully released. We fish for them with heavy tackle along the edges of the channel using crab, or different kinds of live or cut bait.
Redfish of slot size, trout, and flounder fishing all improve this month. They can be found in the river, ICW, and its feeder creeks. Last fall the flounder fishing was the best in recent memory. Hopefully, we will get a repeat performance this year. Redfish, whiting, blues, and black drum will be biting in the surf for those who like to fish from the beach. Sheepshead fishing will start to improve with the cooler water. Croakers and yellow mouth trout should be biting in the deeper river.
All in all, this is a very good month to fish our area with lots of variety available. The waterways aren't as crowded with boats; the days are cooler; and the fish are more cooperative.
See you on the water!
Capt. Bob Cosby
More Fishing Reports:
