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Jacksonville Fishing Report for Amelia Island & Mayport

Capt. Dave Sipler
September 28, 2003
Jacksonville - Saltwater Fishing Report

400 T0 600 POUNDS OF FISH A DAY?

EAT YOUR WHEATIES!

I can truely say, it's another one of my favorite times of year. I have many. And each one revolves around my clients catching BIG fish.

Be it either Tarpon or Redfish, or a big ole Shark,I love 'em all. But now it's the huge St. Johns River Redfish population that is on the move once again.

here's just a sampling:

Friday 9/26 - Mark Englen and his buddy Alrick and I had a day that was just all out fun. Not just because we had 25 kt. winds and driving rain to deal with part of the day, but because these guys know how to have a good time. Besides dealing with the weather that ran other charter boats back to the dock, we stuck it out and had 9 big fat reds, from 19 pounds to 25 pounds, 2 Bluefish that were 4 pounds, and 2 sharks around 15 pounds on the falling tide.....and it was a screamer too. Pulling these heavy weight Redfish up from the bottom in 45 feet of water on the channel edge of the St. Johns River isn't easy. And with a few double hook ups, things can get really crazy. Pure meyhem, followed by good ribbing and races to the rods made for an entertaining day that I won't soon forget!

Saturday 9/27- was about the same. Jim Mudge and family back again. I thought Jim's 44" 40 pound Redfish must have given him a back ache, cause that was back in 1999, but not so.....he just realized how much fun he had then and came back to fish with me again, on this Saturday. This time he brought his son and daughter in law, and his wonderful wife Margo. (one tough gal) Since it's been awhile I gave them plenty briefings on what to do, so they'd be ready.

And they all did just fine, landing 7 big Reds from 19 to 28 pounds. Add in some Florida heat, and some sun burn and we were even back to the dock a bit early, cause Margo had a big dinner to prepare.

Sunday 9/28 - Okay, heres the challenge of the "fishing guide". I had Morris Kagen, and his 10 year old son Albert. They'd never fished before at all. But Albert wanted one of the "big ones" I talked about. So we started out early in the morning, ran to my hot spot, and just as the first bait was casted out and hit the bottom, "we were hooked up". I don't think I even came tight on the anchor line yet! Albert was on the rod, and the Redfish screamed drag and was almost pulling him over the side as I had one hand on the rod helping him, and one hand around his shoulder, making sure he stayed in the boat. By the time that 28 pound Redfish popped up to the surface he had no idea, of what a big Red even looked like. He said, "that fish is as big as me!"

After some photos and a quick release, Albert wanted no parts of that kinda fish again.

So we moved off to another area where he and his dad caught some Ladyfish and some Seatrout. A lot smaller fish, but now lil' Albert was happy.

So as you can see, all sizes of fish and people make up my average week. And some trips are an all out laughing, hoolering, gut buster. Some are for the first timers, and some are great family-time trips.

This is the time of year, that I will guareentee you will have the opportunity of catching the biggest fish you've ever seen alive.

Not everyone around the country is surrounded by huge ammounts of water, brimming with monster fish that fight like the ones we have availible right now, here on the First Coast.

Be it a trophy size Redfish, a line burning Shark, or a high flying Tarpon.

These are the "days of my life", like sands through the hour glass, the seasons change, the bait is on the move, and so are the big fish that follow them.

October is filling up fast, and my regulars know that this is the time. So if your intrested in trying your hand at a bruiser, check out my recent catches photos on my web site at www.captdaves.com , and quite possibly you and your big fish will be on there soon.

I supply you with:

-G. Loomis, 8 foot Mag-Heavy Graphite rods

-Accurate, twin drag Boss Magnum reels

-200 Qt. cooler filled with fresh ice

-Licenses

-fish cleaning

-full safety gear

-23 foot center console May-Craft, rigged with top of the line fish finding electronics, IE: Electronic mapping/GPS plotter, and a 600 watt commercial grade fish finder.

-Live and dead bait

-Drinking water

-Photos on my Web Site!

-35mm hard copies of photos at your request

-And lots of family fun......

KIDS & CROAKERS??

(Adults too)

There's nothing like boating a few Big ole river Reds then heading to the inlet for some fast fishing action.

And I'm talking CROAKERS! The kids love 'em. (and so do the adults) I guess you could call them pan fish, sort of. But compared to a bass, they are more like a small bass with bigger muscles.

As October approaches these fish get bigger. A few weeks ago they were still 6 inches long. But then the larger ones move in.

Small size Croaks make for perfect Shark, Redfish, and Tarpon baits. But as the days get even shorter. The Croakers get much bigger. Up to 2 pounds with the average size from 3/4 pound to 1-1/2 pounds.

Do you want your kids to catch alot of fish? And good eating fish that make for a wonderful fish fry, the next day?

This is perfect for the Jr. Sportsman. Take only the biggest ones, that you will eat, and let the rest go.

Many fathers out there are teaching their children the ethics that go along with deer hunts and fishing trips. And I respect that. Many times these young anglers teach me things about hunting, as teach them about fishing. I love those kind of trips.

Catching a few big Redfish, then heading out to the inlet for the Croakers, makes for a well rounded day. These fish bit fast and furiuos on a falling tide, and can be caught with almost every drop to the bottom.

They have no size limit other than the limit you impose, and no bag limit, either. They fight hard on light rods, and become addictive!

I catch myself saying , "C'mon just one more?". When it's time to leave.

All we need to make me happy is a falling tide during the day, so some advanced planning is best.

Till next tide......GO FEESHIN'!

Capt. Dave Sipler's Sport Fishing

Mayport-Jacksonville-Amelia Island, Florida

2-boats up to 6 passengers

Large group trips arranged

Visa/MC/Amex

www.captdaves.com

904-642-9546

More Fishing Reports:

 

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.

Contact Info:

Capt Dave Sipler's Sport Fishing
Departing from:
4870 Ocean St.
Mayport, FL 32223
Phone: 904-642-9546
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