Champion Angler

Mike Simon was visiting Amelia Island last week so he planned an Amelia Island backcountry fishing trip with his son Andrew on The Anglers Mark.  We left the Big Talbot Island Park boat ramp on the south end of the island at 7am and headed up the intercoastal to fish the mouth of Jackstaff on the last of an outgoing tide.  The anglers were pitching the jig and shrimp combo and it wasn't long before Mike caught a feisty Redfish.  Andrew was making his own casts and he caught a nice Jack Crevalle and he also battled another Redfish.  As we passed a runout, Andrew made a cast to its mouth and as he began his reel in, his line went taunt and FISH ON!  The fish made a strong run and Andrew held on with line ripping out and then his dad came to help and in a joint effort, fought the fish from port to starboard and back again.  The big fish made three or four runs, but Andrew hung in there and he soon brought the large 4' Bonnethead to the boat for netting, pictures, and release!  We crowned Andrew "Champion Angler" after that battle!  We moved on to Broward Island to fish the first of an incoming tide and Michael picked up three more Redfish on his jig and shrimp combo.  The sun was up and getting hot, so we called it a day, another great one to be on the water!