Solid Slam

 

You'd think it was almost summer! When I launched at Goffinsville Park this morning the water was still and the sun was out and we soon found out that "summertime" fish were here! I met Jason Wells and his teenaged son Jackson early and we made the short run around to some docks at Seymore's Pointe to fish the very first of an incoming tide. Although I was lookin for Redfish or Drum, we(Jason)  found a couple of Mangrove Snapper instead!

We then ran down the Nassau to Spanish Drop and worked that bank - the shell were still barely showing, but had not luck until Jason hooked up and landed a couple of high flying Ladyfish. Jackson tangled with a Shark that eventually found its way around a crab float and broke off. 

After easing back to Twin Creeks, we switched to float rigs. Jason was on the
stern, drifting long and Jackson was on the bow, drifting across the mouths and BAM!, Jackson's float disappeared - he tightened up his line and let the circle hook set and, Fish On! Jackson played it perfectly and after a good battle landed a nice 21" Slot Redfish.  Jason fought and landed a hard fighting Jack Crevalle shortly afterwards, and a Bonnethead Shark.

We then fished back at Nassauville, between a couple of docks. I was expecting Mangrove Snapper for sure, but Jackson hooked up and landed a keeper sized Seatrout.  Minutes later, Jason had made a cast up close to shore and within seconds he was "snagged" on something loose on the bottom. He began to work it slowly to the boat then we saw that the "snag" was shaking it's head and pulling back! Fish On! Jason brought it patiently to the boat and landed a keeper sized 17" Flounder!

Our next and final stop was down at Pumpkin Hill, drifting some flooded shell. The first stretch we had no real bites but we moved around the corner. Jason battle a big Bonnethead to the boat and added a keeper sized Seatrout. We also caught a small Catfish to add to the variety of the catch. With a solid Amelia Island Back Country Slam of Redfish, Seatrout, and Flounder in the box, we headed back and counted it as another great day to be fishing here at Amelia Island, Florida. 

Eventful Day

We had another gorgeous fishing day out on the water here at Amelia Island. I had met Bob Blalock and his fishing team made up of brother and sister-in-law Tom and Martha up at the Dee Dee Bartels Park boat ramp early. We had a tide that had been coming in for a few hours and I wanted to fish some flooding oyster banks so we headed up to the Jolley River and turned into the "bank" to cast float rigs and live shrimp. We worked along that entire bank, the trio of anglers making excellent casts, and I don't think we had much more than a nibble, if that. Crazy.

I had passed a nice drainage on the outside of Tyger and had thought it would be a good day to fish it so we moved back around to it and switched to jigs  on the bottom. That particular drainage didn't produce a fish but as we eased along the shore line, heading back to Fernandina, we began to pick up fish.

 Bob "knocked the skunk off" and brought in a Seatrout then Martha, who had switched back float, had a strong hookup, and a after a good battle, successfully brought to the net a feisty Redfish.  Tom had a "Tap", set the hook, and landed a keeper sized Seatrout(all fish caught today were released), then Bob followed that up with a keeper sized Flounder. We worked that shoreline all the way around to Tyger Creek - catching Ladyfish, a Jack Crevalle, another keeper sized Seatrout, a smaller Redfish. At one point we saw some wakes up in a drainage, beyond a grassy island. Tom put his float and live shrimp over into a pocket and sure enough, BAM! He had a hookup. Although we would liked to have a bigger fish, this one was just the right size to pull over a shell bar and through some grass! Tom landed a nice feisty Redfish. 

We eventually ran thru Tyger and around to Bell and set up along a grassy point and fished the very(very) last of the incoming tide, which I believe shut down the fish bite. But we fished on, working along a grassy line. Bob saw a big wake move off from the grass and minutes later, after Martha had made a pinpoint cast to the spot, her float disappeared with a vengeance and her drag began to rip, Big Fish On! Bob and Tom got their line out of the water and soon we were out in the river battling the big fish. Martha was doing great, working the fish slowly to the boat, but alas, it made a sharp dive and, BAP, fish off! We felt comfortable the way it fought it was a Shark.

After hitting one more spot on the outside of Tyger we called it a day and counted it as another great one to be fishing here at Amelia Island, Florida. 

From Big To Bigger

 

What a great morning to start the week with! We had beautiful weather that greeted us out at Goffinsville Park when I met  Bob Blalock and his fishing crew - brother and sister-in-law Tom and Martha.  The tide was already covering the oysters and still coming in for a few hours so we headed over to the Spanish Drop area and eased along a flooded shell bank and began fishing with float rigs and live shrimp. All three anglers were getting good casts and good drifts but we had no luck until we reached the mouth of a drainage and Bob then tangled with a couple of high flying "poor mans Tarpon" - the Ladyfish. 

We motored back up the river, fished Twin Creeks for a bit, then I let the boat drift backwards with the current. Martha teased one up- a nice Seatrout, and had it to the boat before it threw the hook, then Tom went up to the same spot, got a good drift, and BAM! He had a hookup. He played it perfectly and brought to the boat and net a nice 19" Trout. As we drifted just a few feet back, Bob had found that he could toss back to a grass edge and there was a back current. On his second or third drift his float slowly went under. Bob tightened up and let the circle hook do it job and, Fish On!  He fought the fish expertly and brought to the net a Slot sized 21" Redfish.

We ran down to Pumpkin Hill, drifted long with floats, battled a Shark, picked up a smaller Trout, caught a keeper sized Trout, then ran back to Seymore's at the very peak of the high tide. We worked some rocks with the floats and caught a couple of small Mangrove Snapper, then ran thru Horsehead to catch the first of an outgoing tide. 

Here, Martha had made a pin-point cast, just beyond a grassy island, and when her float disappeared she set the hook and in a text book manner, brought to the boat a hungry Seatrout.  We were about ready to wrap things but decided to "fish out" of the area so we worked a bank as we went. Bob had a strong bite that he hooked up but the fish (we thought a shark) is still heading to Tallahassee! So a few minutes later when Tom had a strong bite we were speculating Shark? But this big fish was staying up near the bank (why in the world would you even want to go to Tallahassee?) Tom kept the pressure on and battled the big fish from bow to stern and back, under the boat and back out and (despite Bob and mine's coaching) landed a big 29" Oversized Redfish, boy what a fish! After quick photograph and release, we headed ack to the ramp and counted it as another great day to be fishing here at Amelia Island, Florida.

They Ought To Call It Iron Man!

I just sent off a couple of Osprey CE Florida Fishing Products reels back for repair, refurbishment and cleaning and I got to thinking I'm still using one of the original Osprey's with no refurbishment needed.  I contacted Cael down at FFP to check the date of when I purchased that first pair of reels. One was a 2500 Osprey that I use on my 7' rods for float rigs and top water lures, and one was a 1000 Osprey that I use for on a 6'6" rod for jigs on the bottom. That 1000 is still going strong!

Cael let me know that I first purchased those in June of 2019!  I looked thru my records, did the math, and figured that I had fished that reel approximately 453 trips! Give or take a few trips. That's crazy. It has developed a nice patina and is still catching fish. See picture to right. I'm thinking about adding it to my "Vintage" fishing tackle collection!

When FFP came out with the Osprey CE's, I ordered six of them and installed them on all of my rods, replacing the Shimano Stradics I've used for years. As many of you know, my reels get severely abused - dropped on the deck, cranked while the drag is ripping, and on occasion, dipped in the river. That was a couple of years ago, at least, so the "newer" ones have 200-300 trips under their belt. 

Unfortunately I had to send two of the reels back recently (see dunking in the river) They hadn't lasted as long as that first one but they've more than passed my expectations on how long a reel should last before needing refurbishment. To send them back you complete a form and send it in with the reels. I don't know if they turn everyone's around as quick as they did mine, but I had them back in a short week. I was floored when I opened the box and found two "like new" reels. They were repaired and I could tell parts had been replaced. 

Each day after a finish a trip I rinse my rods and reels with fresh water. I take a long handled soft brush and dip it in a mixture of water and dish soap then wash the rods and reels thoroughly. I let them drip dry then turn them upside down and shake any excess water off before storing them for the next day. I've gotten in the habit of lubricating some of the exterior parts if I have to-restring the reels for whatever reason.

If you're wanting an alternative to those expensive Shimano Stradic reels, check out Florida Fishing
Products Osprey CE reels. Those 1000's? I don't have enough fingers and toes to count how many oversized Redfish have been caught on my boat (and released) with one of them!

Surf Fishing Tip's Welcomed

 We had the best "non windy" day today when I fished with Eddie Byrd, Bob Kossman, and David
Beauchamp. We all met down at the Sawpit Creek boat ramp, after pealing off shoes to wade from deck to dock on a super high tide! After running up the intercoastal, thru the Back River, and around to Pumpkin Hill we set up alongside a very flooded marsh grass and began drifting float rigs and live shrimp long. In just minutes Bob had "knocked the skunk off" with a hungry Seatrout catch, then he followed that up when he landed a Bluefish.  Then Eddie "went long" and just past a grassy point his float went under with a vengeance and, Fish On!  He patiently brought it to the boat and net and landed a nice 17" Seatrout. David tangled with a high flying Ladyfish, the first of a good handful caught today.

We then made the run back to Seymore's Point and fished a large marsh drainage, drifting by a point of
grass, but had not a bite. We came back around and fished some rocks and here all three anglers played Cat-and-Mouse with Mangrove Snapper, and a handful of the Mangroves lost!

After running thru Horsehead we fished another drainage, picked up another Trout, then Eddie landed an "almost legal" Redfish, just shy of the 18". Back thru Horsehead we went and down to Spanish Drop for the final spot. Bob caught a hard fighting Jack Crevalle, David put a nice keeper sized Seatrout in the boat, then he battled a big Bonnethead Shark. This fish ran long and deep but David fought it patiently and eventually landed it for photograph and release. We had picked up some fish here and there, we hadn't had to fight the wind, so as we headed back we counted it as another great day to be fishing here at Amelia Island, Florida. 

It Had To Have Been The Green Bobber

Of  the three float rigs, 2 had orange bobbers and one had a green.  The green bobber caught the fish today. I had picked up Henry Ross and his neighbor and fishing buddy Rex at their dock at Crane Island early and we made the run north, all the way up to Bell River and around the back way to Tyger, then eased out front to fish the first of a very high outgoing tide with float rigs and live shrimp. The first stretch of flooded marsh grass didn't produce a bite but after we crossed over a creek and fished another stretch we got a few bites with the floats disappearing. Then, after Rex had a made pin  point cast to a grassy island his green float went under, he tightened up and let the circle hook do it's thing and  he had a hookup. He patiently brought to the boat and net a hungry Seatrout.  A few short minutes later, after going back to the same spot, Rex hooked up and battled to the boat a feisty Redfish.

We then buzzed back thru Tyger and around to Lanceford Creek, ran up it a ways, and fished a bulkhead then a grassy island with the floats, to no avail. We fished a few run outs up Soap Creek, them some docks back at Lanceford with jigs and shrimp, then we made a run south to Piney Island where we set up current from some docks with the jigs. Somewhere in that stretch Henry battled and netted a couple of high flying "poor man's tarpon" - the Ladyfish. 

We made one final stop, heading back to Crane Island, fishing a drainage and here Rex caught and landed a feisty Black Drum (garnering an Amelia Island Back Country Slam) and then he battled another, keeper sized Black Drum to the net, which we photographed and released. The wind had picked up the last hour or so of the trip which limited where we could fish, but as we wrapped day, we counted it as another great one to be fishing here at Amelia Island, Florida. 

We Had a Nice Back Country Slam

 It was a a prettier day today, than yesterday, but the winds were still forecasted to grow to 16-17mph by late morning. But the skies were clear, the sun was out, and we had a "window" to fish so I met Jack and Patsy Elgin down at the South End boat ramp and after running up the intercoastal, we dipped into Jackstaff and then in to a side creek to set up fishing with float rigs and live shrimp on a tide that had been going out for an hour or so. 

Right off the bat Patsy had a hookup and landed a high flying Ladyfish, the "poor girls Tarpon". We eased along the bank and when we reached a small drainage I commented to Jack that we had caught a good handful of nice Redfish at the mouth. He made a perfect cast and within seconds his float slowly slid under. He tightened his line and let the circle hook set and, Fish On!  Jack played it patiently and after a good battle landed a Slot sized 21" Redfish.

We then made a run thru Horsehead and down to Spanish Drop where we worked a flooded shell bank with the float rigs, to no avail. Just like yesterday, I switched Jack and Patsy to jigs and shrimp, but today it didn't work- no fish! We moved up to Twin Creeks and stayed with the jigs and in a short time Jack had a battle on his hands! I felt sure it was a big shark as it was headed to England! I hit full speed on the trolling motor and Jack took up the line as we "backed down" and when I stopped Jack applied the pressure and began to wear him out. But this Shark had other plans and with a quick turn of it's head, BAP! Fish Off! We motored back to Twin Creeks(we had drifted a 1/4 mile downstream) and again, within a minute or two, Patsy hooked up with a Shark. Hers wasn't as big but it was "just right". Patsy battled it valiantly and after a good fight she boated a 2 1/2" Shark.

We worked along the bank then and just before Athens Drop

Jack had a strong bite, set the hook, and expertly played to the boat another nice Redfish. 

The wind was beginning to kick up so we ran over to the Nassauville rocks and fished between a couple of docks. We had some good nibbles but no takers then finally, down deep, we had a good bite and a hookup. Jack brought to the boat a big 21" Seatrout. Then Patsy followed that up with a 17" Flounder to round out the couple's Amelia Island Back Country Slam of Redfish, Seatrout and Flounder.  We fished Seymore's Pointe with float rigs, them some docks around the corner but by now the wind was kicking us around pretty good, so we headed back and counted it as another great day to be fishing here at Amelia Island, Florida. 

Movement on the Bragging Rights Board

 

There was forecasted winds for today, but not so much early so we decided to try and squeeze a morning of fishing in. I had met Steve Locke and his fishing buddy Jason out at the Goffinsville Park boat ramp and we headed straight to Spanish Drop to fish a high and outgoing tide with float rigs and live shrimp and they  produced......nothing - not a bite! But we were about to leave and I handed Steve a jig and shrimp combo "just to try it" before left and within seconds, BAM! He had a strong hookup and, Big Fish On! The way it was ripping drag I wondered if it was a Shark (we'd seen a couple up near the bank), but then I saw a "roll" and knew it was a big Redfish. Steve played it perfectly, from bow to stern and back, and eventually landed a big 29.5" Oversized Red - a fish big enough to squeeze in to first place in the Anglers Mark 2022 Bragging Rights Tournament - Redfish Category, boy what a fish. (scroll down the right side of this report for link to standings)

And While Steve was fighting his fish, Jason had a hookup - we had a "double". Jason patiently played his fish, held it in the

water while I netted Steve's, then we netted Jason's - a 21" Slot sized Redfish  From then on the duo were catching Reds. We lost count at 8 or 9 total, but two of those were of Slot size. Eventually we moved up the river and fished a large marsh runout, then further up the river and fished a shell "bump out", then moved on. 

Our next stop was up at some docks at Seymore's Pointe, fishing some dock pilings, to no avail. We moved around the corner and squeeze in between two docks and picked up a handful of Mangrove Snapper, a small Flounder, and a small Seatrout.

After fishing a stretch of shell at Pumpkin Hill we finished the day down at Broward Island, fishing under a juvenile Bald Eagle. After picking up a small Mangrove, Steve outsmarted and hooked up and landed a keeper sized Sheepshead. The wind was now really "kicking up" and we had some pretty serious swells, so we headed back, but with some nice fish in the box, we counted it as another great day to be fishing here at Amelia Island, Florida. 

Recipe of the Month: Belly Meat Chowder

 My friend and  fishing buddy Daniel Rhodes chastised me one day while I was cleaning fish. Normally I filet them, then cut the rib and belly meat out and toss it to the Seagulls. "Piper, don't be throwing away that belly meat". I've got to admit there is a lot of meat in that portion so now when I'm cleaning fish for customers I'll sometimes save it if they don't want it. I bring it home and either cook it that night or freeze it noted as "Belly Meat". It makes great Fish Chowder. I  threw this together as a recipe:

4-8 pieces of "Belly/Rib" meat. I prefer Redfish because the bones are bigger, but in this batch I used                                                             about 8 pieces of  Redfish and Seatrout

24oz bag of Honey Gold (small) potatoes, chopped

2  small stalks of celery, chopped

1/2 of a small onion, chopped

2 handfuls of frozen corn

1  link of Sausage (I used Nettles Old Grandad Hot), chopped

1-2 T bacon grease

2 T butter

1/2 C Heavy Whipping Cream

1/2 C milk

1 tsp  Konricko seasoning, 

In a skillet, heat the bacon grease and cook the sausage for a bit, then add the celery, onions and corn. Cook until the sausage is browned, the onions begin to go translucent, and the celery begins to soften. Turn off heat.

Fill a large pot half full with water. As  you bring it to boil, drop the Redfish/Trout belly meat in and it will cook fairly quickly. When it turns white, take it out and let it cool, then add the potatoes and begin to boil them. While the potatoes are cooking, open a beer, and de-bone the fish!  As mentioned, Redfish have bigger rib bones and are easier to feel. Cook the potatoes until you can stick a fork thru them. Turn the heat off, drain most of the water, leaving about a cup. 

Add the sausage/onion/celery/corn mixture.

Add the butter, Heavy Whipping Cream, Milk, and Seasoning (may need to add more to taste).

Stir, turn heat back on and bring to a boil. Once boiling, turn back down to simmer, cover, and cook for 30 minutes.

Flatties and a Slam

 I wrapped my week up today fishing south after launching at Goffinsville and meeting John Raker and his fishing buddy Kenny early. We made a quick run over to Spanish Drop with plans to fish some exposed shell beds with jigs and live shrimp on a tide that still had an hour to hit bottom. Kenny "knocked the skunk off" with a nice Flounder catch and shortly after John added one that went in the box at 17".

We then made a short stop at Bubblegum Reef where we had another small Flounder to the boat, then we jumped over to some docks and fished the first of an incoming with the jigs. We were in the right place at the right time where Kenny made short work of bagging an Amelia Island Back Country Slam - he put a keeper sized Black "puppy" Drum in the boat then he added a keeper sized Seatrout.  We picked up a couple of more smaller Drum and then added to the box a good handful of Mangrove Snapper.

After moving around the corner we switched to float rigs to fish
some rocks and here the duo dueled with more Mangrove Snapper and almost reached their limit. Those Mangroves aren't real big(todays biggest was 12"), but you can keep 5 apiece and get some nice little fillets off for a fish fry or fish taco!

Our final stop was back at Spanish Drop, now fishing that incoming tide with float rigs. Kenny was on the stern and caught a hard fighting Jack Crevalle and a Ladyfish then John, fishing the bow, saw is float go slowly under. He tightened up the line, lifted his rod and let the circle hook set and, Fish On!  John played it patiently to the boat and landed another, even bigger, Flounder. After one more Ladyfish fight we called it a day and headed to the dock, counting it as another great day to be fishing here at Amelia Island, Florida.