First Ladyfish of the year

 I normally don't look at the weather report but one day at a time, especially when I'm running 6 days of the week, so when I mentioned the wind at the bait shop to another guide the first of this week and he said, "it's going to be like that all week",  I just couldn't believe it. I should have! Once again, today, forecasted winds were above 10mph to begin with (not so bad), but increasing into the teens, which can be a pain. Almost always you can find a spot, maybe two, to get out of it, but if the fish aren't cooperating at that particular spot, then your stuck with either a), some boring fishing, or b) getting out into the wind and doing your best!

I had met Paul O'brien and his fishing buddy Dane down at the Saawpit Creek boat ramp early and with that wind coming out of the east, it was very pleasant, but when we rounded into the mouth of the Nassau River we could tell that we had a bit of a blow. But when we eased up to our first spot at Spanish Drop to fish an exposed shell bank with jigs and shrimp and minnows, the marsh was blocking the wind and the two anglers began to pitch. We worked along that bank with no real bites but finally, after Dane had gone to the bank with an excellent cast, BAM! He had a strong hookup and the fight was on! Dane played it patiently and eventually brought to the boat a nice Slot sized Redfish. We continued along that stretch and just minutes later Dane tangled with a fairly large Ladyfish, the first of the year on the Anglers Mark.  He hooked up and landed a hungry Seatrout and then another, bigger Ladyfish.

Our next stop was up at some docks at Seymore's Pointe, fishing the jigs and shrimp. That east wind was pushing the water and I think it was just too muddy - we had no bites.

After a run down to Broward Island we fished south for a bit until the tide changed then move back to the other end. We had some good "takes', some rods bent, some drag ripped, and had two nice fish come off. But  these two anglers stuck with it and Paul got on the board when he outsmarted a keeper sized Sheapshead and brought it to the net. 

We fished back at Nassauville, picked up a small Flounder,  then ran thru Horsehead and drifted float rigs for the first time of the day. On the final drift the float took off sideways along the grass. After hooking up, Paul was on the rod and worked it in expertly to land a feisty Redfish which made for a perfect way to wrap up a great day of fishing out on the water here at Amelia Island, Florida.