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Fernandina to Saint Augustine & St. Johns River
Capt. Bob Cosby
March 8, 2006
Jacksonville - Saltwater Fishing Report
March fishing report Jacksonville area waters
March is the transition month here in north Florida. The cold fronts are weaker, and the water starts to warm up a bit. The wind, however, can be a challenge.Today, the water temperature in the shallow Palm Valley creeks reached 69 degrees. The speckled trout should start hitting top water lures in the near future.
Also this month the large black drum should arrive. These fish can reach weights of 70 or 80 lbs. Choice baits include blue crab, clams, and shrimp fished in deep holes. Area inlets, Nassau Sound, and the ICW near Pine Island, and Guana River are historical hot spots. Personally , I see no reason to kill these breeding fish. They aren't particularly tasty, and are very old. Take a picture and let them go. We might also see spanish mackerel, and jack crevalle later in the month with warmer weather.
The redfish are in the creeks as well as the ICW. They are still sluggish from the cold water and can be reluctant to bite. Work your lure or bait very slowly. I've had luck recently with dark or black Gulp baits, and lipped diving plugs with internal rattles. I think the rattles make the fish angry, because some of the strikes are vicious!
There are lots of speckled trout in the creeks, but most are too small. Try a glow DOA shrimp fished 3' under a clacker or cajun thunder float in the creeks. Fish the river for larger specks using live shrimp under a sliding float or artificials such as a bite-a-bait or plastic jig. Yellowmouth trout are also plentiful in the deeper water. Sheepshead and ring-tailed porgies can be caught near area jetties.
Whiting have been biting fairly well in the surf, but better offshore in 30 to 40 feet of water. Nassau Sound and the St Augustine Inlet should also be productive for whiting. There are also some blues around. We might get a run of the larger 10 to 15 lb blues this month. If you're lucky, you might find them crashing bait around the ends of area jetties. Don't forget to use a wire leader!
Tight lines!
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