Jacksonville Fishing Report for Amelia Island & Mayport
Capt. Dave Sipler
November 6, 2003
Jacksonville - Saltwater Fishing Report
A CAPTAINS, "POST-PARDOM DEPRESSION"....OF SORTS
Hey, I know that sounds funny, cause I'll never be a mommy, let alone stop fishing enough to have a wife!
But I think I know what some women feel like after having a baby, and experience that depression afterwards.
Cause, I'm feeling abit down right now myself.
Why?
Because all the big whopper fishing is basically over!
Dang, those big Redfish, Sharks and Tarpon are absolutely addictive. If not the fish, it's the screaming of the drag, magnum heavy 8 foot G. Loomis rods bent like a horseshoes, and all the anticipation during the preparation and battle.
I guess for being an inshore or near-coastal water fisherman, 30 to over 100 pound fish ain't nothing to sneeze at. It's alot better than what goes on offshore that's for sure, if "BIG" is your game.
If an adrenaline rush is addictive. I'll have to check myself in to the detox clinic till next spring!!
NOVEMBER TILL MARCH, ANOTHER KINDA CHALLENGE
I know it's sometimes scary when I talk about fish that will "bring you to your knees". Sorry, but I get real excited.
So November through March, is your kind of season, if manageble species that are good to eat, and the challenge of catching fits your bill.
Jig-n-the-jetties, is most definately a challenge. And you'll be glad your with a master jetty jigger, cause I'll teach you the game easily. We catch Redfish, Sheepshead, Black Drum, Trout, and Ring-Tailed Porgies, pitchin the jigs with either live shrimp of Fiddler crabs. It's just like casting a rubber worm for Largemouth Bass, but more intense.
The fish during this period become more rock dwelling. Our mile long jetty rocks that line the St. Johns River Inlet supply them with plenty of food and shelter. And even during inclement weather give us some shelter also. Northeast winds are very prodominate during the winter season, so tucking up inside the north jetty affords us a way of still fishing, the "home of the whopper", the inlet.
And we also bottom fish the inlet also with crabs and shrimp too.
Each year charter clients of mine catch the biggest of the big when it comes to Sheepshead, and Black Drum. Sheepshead 10 pounds and over are a trophy catch, and are availible in January and February. Huge Black Drum, from the 20 pound mark to the 70+ pound mark are availible in March and April.
But in November through December they are usually 3-10 pounds, which are better "keepers".
Late October into right now (Nov.7) I've had healthy catches of Pompano and fat surf Whiting in Nassua Sound just north of the St. Johns River and south of Amelia Island. Talk about "eaters". Here the Nassua River dumps into the ocean unobstructed by jetties. The sound is a maze of rolling sand bars and islands.
Prime areas for Whiting and Pompano. (LOCAL KNOWLEDGE IS VERY MUCH NEEDED)
And in the spring we catch loads of big Sheepshead, and Black Drum, that congregate and spawn out on the sand bars. (THAT WAS A SECRET I JUST LET OUT!......SShhhhh.) The area is absolutely beautiful, quiet, and undisturbed by man. I've never taken anyone there that didn't find it awesome!
The fishing at Nassua Sound is just like any other inlets, in my mind. Some times fickle, and sometimes the greatest place of Earth. That can be said about fishing in general, but I don't generally fish!
I love to fish "inlets".
As of right now, I'm looking for the water to cool abit still, but with 80 degree days in November, it's okay if that doesn't happen either.
Black Drum should take over the reports soon enough. Sheepshead fishing should get better, and by that I mean the fish should be getting BIGGER, at the St. Johns River jetties.
So it's time for me to dust off the spinning rods and reels, and get in a light tackle frame of mind once again.
For this is the time of year when good eating and catching fish can be had by all. So bring a cooler. And I look forward to hearing from you.
**Thanks for a great summer to all of my customers who battled Tarpon, big Sharks and trophy-sized Redfish, but didn't take any fish home to eat.
**But now is the time to get you some prime fillets, for that holiday family gathering. Nothing says "livin' in the south", like a family fish fry!
I can take reservations during the holiday season for up to 4 boats. So If you need a day, call quickly.
Cause the "early bird, gets to fish", around Holidays!
Till next tide,
GO FEESHIN' with......Capt. Dave
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