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Jacksonville Fishing Report for Amelia Island & Mayport
Capt. Dave Sipler
March 3, 2004
Jacksonville - Saltwater Fishing Report
March Maddness, catch the fever!
March is finally here. And just a week ago I was complaining about cold water, but as each day passes, so has that problem.
In just the last few days I have fished in 53 degrees and then 59.6 degree river water today. SIXTY IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER! But already things are almost a 180 from what they were just a week or two ago.
Here' what's been happening....
This "Float Freak" can't get enough. Dang, float-rig fishing is a blast. Normally we're targeting Speckled Sea Trout which bite very well in chilly water, but lately as the waters warmed all sizes of Redfish have been the show stoppers.
Today I had George Piper, a retired fella who just moved here from the Cheseaeake area in need of a "show-me-around" charter mixed with some fish catching. We float fished on one of my favorite spots where George landed a 28" 9 pound Redfish, along with a 27" 8 pounder, and a 20" 4 pounder. You would have had to of been there to see what a battle George had when the big one took charge and swam over a submerged jetty, inwhich George had to fight him back over with out loosing the fish. George also picked up 4 Speckled Trout and a 6 pound Sheepshead.
You know around the first week in March, I get a bad itch that needs scratching. We go all winter long, and I wait for this time of year to fish the deep river ledges and the shallow sandy bars with cut clams for brood stock size Sheepshead. I'm not talking about those 3-4 pounders, but rather the ones that reach 10 pounds, with 5 to 9 the norm.
The waiting is no longer! Now is the time to get busy.
What makes this so special? It's a fishery that is based on the Sheepshead spawn. It's easy for anyone to do. It's a great day for kids, first timers, or anyone who wants to kick back, and kick big fish butt. Please practice some restrain if you happen to go and get a bunch. Save some of these fish to propriate.
Along the same lines as the brood size Sheepshead, comes big Black Drum. These fish can be huge. Last year I had Jim Dugan and friends on a 3/4 day, we travelled to one of the areas more picturesque inlets where they caught 5 hefty Sheepshead, 5 beach Whiting and two 20 pound Drum and a 40 pounder to round out the day. All in shallow water hardly over our heads.
There's much to look forward to between now and April. Awh...April, don't forget about those giant Redfish. I can hardly wait. Time to break out the big Accurates, and Loomis back-bounce rods, circle hooks and bait up for a true trophy fish. Usually the Sheepshead spawn is about done by the second week of April, so I always have heavy-weights to pursue and the big reds fit the bill.
I'll continue float rig fishing for Speckled Sea Trout, because they'll just be getting bigger. April and May has always been trophy Trout time for me. I've had many a customers like the fact that they caught their first "gator" (5 pounds and over) all by themselves while running a float with a live shrimp. Last April we were catching 2-6 pound Trout from river docks, up in Nassua Sound and the Mayport jetties. Some days we never even drifted a float, all the action we could handle came off a MirrOlure 52MR.
Spring is an exciting time of year aboard the For Reelin II
Look for the highlights of what's happening on my web site's "recent catches" pages. Here is where the proof is. It's become a hobby of mine documenting all of my customers catches over the years. And it's one thing I enjoy doing for them. My customers deserve "air" time on the World Wide Web.
Hope to have you aboard,
Capt. Dave
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