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Jacksonville Fishing Report for Amelia Island & Mayport
Capt. Dave Sipler
July 22, 2004
Jacksonville - Saltwater Fishing Report
THE MID-TERM OF SUMMER
As of this writing it’s the last day of the Greater Jacksonville Kingfish Tournament. And each year I am glad to see it go away. Besides clogging the boat ramp in which I use almost daily, and having to adhere to slow speed rules in the river at Mayport, I usually leave it to them and get things done that need doing on land for those 4 days. It also means summer is in it’s mid-term here in N.E. Florida.
Unfortunately, the “cooler” ocean waters are still here. It’s been almost 8 weeks now. What I mean by cooler water temps is that when I put my boat in the water in the morning and run out the inlet, it’s hard to find 80 degree water. Which should be the “norm” for this time of year. Tarpon number one was caught on June 3rd, and the water temp was 80 then. And as of the second week in June it has gone up and down ever since. From as chilly as 72 to as high as 78. But a constant 80 would be nice. Especially for Tarpon hunters like myself.
So in the last week or so I have given up on attempting to catch my “green” water Tarpon. Green water, white sand, open ocean. The way it should be. Not running a country mile(s) up some obscure stagnant creek, hunting 80 plus degree water rather than the fish themselves. I did have one customer catch a Tarpon in a stagnant cove up along the marsh grass on a 100 degree afternoon. It was my first “upland” Tarpon, and was 80 pounds.
Then we had a shot of some wacky weather just before the Kingfish tourney.
High west winds and overcast almost everyday. Definitely not Tarpon weather!
The perfect Tarpon fishing day weather-wise, is when the sweat starts as we break the end of our jetties. The air is hot, the water’s warm, and by afternoon the haze in the sky is a form of summer time fog, limiting visibility. Sweat rolls off your elbows while gazing at the chum line. We start to see the fish roll. The anticipation of the bite has the hair on the back of your neck standing up as if a chill comes over you in the intense heat.
But since we had not so perfect weather and water temps for the “silver kings” the first week of July, I went to the next best thing after many Tarpon trips where we never saw a fish. And that was river and jetty fishing for big Redfish.
Even my good ole summer standby’s where playing “hide and seek” with me.
One day we’d be on the big Reds like no tomorrow, then the next day they’d be gone. One day I had Charles Requa at the inlet fishing for Reds, and we scored very well on the “cookie cutters” – (Redfish all the same size) from 30-32 inches, 10 to 12 pounds. The action was good, but there were no monsters.
But the big Reds can’t hide to long. Like I say to people who call, and have seen Redfish caught on TV shows. “they were 27 inchers maybe, we’re going after 27 pounders!” And those fish have been up in the river.
Usually by August is when we start to hook Tarpon while Redfishing at the inlet so you always need to be prepared. Summer for me has always been about BIG fish, and this includes the fall season too.
Start making plans now to catch yourself the largest fish you may have ever caught in you life. Too many times to count, I have been up in the river in the morning with clients, and we caught a handful of big Reds. Then as the day progresses we end up at the inlet. More big reds and throw in a few “FREIGHT TRAINS” – Blacktip Sharks, and then all of a sudden.........THE SIVER KING, Mr Tarpon makes an entrance!
Days like that, are not few and far between in August and September. But are the “norm”. And you can bet, I’m ready. My Redfish tackle is the same as my Tarpon tackle, and so are my hooks and rigs. The high-flyers, aka: Spinner Sharks, are another thing!
I usually have the same folks come at the same time of year for this kind of action. And it doesn’t get any better........ The Monster Trophy Size Redfish will really start to pile up in the river and outside the inlet by mid September. This is when 600 pounds of Redfish a day are not uncommon, at 30 pounds apiece. Consider this just a “heads-up”. I will let you all know soon enough when concentrations of spawning Redfish are prime for the catching. So call to reserve these trips well in advance, cause days go fast.
For now we have to settle for the 10-12 pounders, a few in the high teens, with a few in the 30 pound plus range thrown in just to keep you on your toes. Toss in a Tarpon trip here and there, and a Tarpon hook-up’s along the jetty rocks.
There is so much N.E. Florida has to offer in the way of BIG FISH. And they are all within just a few miles of where I leave from in Mayport. As of right now the largest fish this year is a 120-pound Tarpon caught by Scott Beyer. And he caught it within sight of the beach.
I get asked all the time, “how far do you go out?” Going far out doesn’t mean a thing, when you’re talking “large fish”. You just have to talk to the right fishing guide, one that specializes in large fish and no long boat rides. And that’s me!
I have available, 2 boats-up to 6 passengers ready for your group trip. That’s 3 passengers on two boats. We don’t do crowding, elbow to elbow fishing. Quality rather than quantity. Standard trips are, 6 hr. ¾ days fishing the tide. Half days and full days are available also.
I’d like to mention my newest radio show sponsor, SALTY DAWG MARINE on 8327 Arlington Expressway in Jacksonville. (just west of the Regency Square Mall) Jacksonville’s newest Wellcraft, Ranger, Larson, and Yamaha/Mercury dealer and service center.
I will be broadcasting my “All About Fishing” radio show on WNNR-the winner- AM970 Saturday, July 31st, 7-9am from their show room during their GRAND OPENING. Come on by and visit the folks of SALTY DAWG MARINE, there will be refreshments, prizes, and much more.
Call ahead, make plans, and get ready to rumble!
(2 wks to 30 days notice is best)
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