Made to Order

 

When you have a little guy's first "big boy" fishing trip you have to hope that the weather, bugs, and fish cooperate. And today they did! I had met Scott Williams and his 5 year old Russell, along with grandad Bert down at the Sawpit Creek boat ramp early this morning. The tide had been going out about two hours when we left the dock and as we headed up the intercoastal, the water was like glass, the sun was out and the skies were clear. We eased into the mouth of Jackstaff, inched further up a creek, and set up at a large marsh drainage to pitch float rigs and live shrimp. In just a short time we had a hookup and young Russell reeled in the first fish of the day!

We eased along that bank, getting shallower and shallower and we could see big wakes moving in and out of the grass and oysters. Bert had gone in closed, snagged a couple of times, but went back again and BAM! Big Fish On!  Bert played it expertly and soon landed a nice Slot sized Redfish. We continued to work the bank and BAM! Another nice Slot Redfish! 

After running thru Horsehead and down to the Spanish Drop area we fished some oyster banks anddrainages, picked up a small Flounder, then Russell - he was casting on his own now - hooked up and reeled in a magnificent Catfish. Later, we fished some docks at Seymore's Pointe, then moved down to Nassauville and fished "Russell's Spot" and here things really heated  up. Scott found a "honey hole" and kept going back to it, pulling one Seatrout out after another. There were a good handful that were of keeper size (one we though for sure was a Red the way it was fighting). The trio also caught three more Flounder (12-13").

We finished the day down at Spanish Drop, fishing an exposed shell bed. Just when I thought the fish were on "seista", BAM! Scott had strong bite, and REALLY BIG fish on! He played it perfectly, had all the pressure on, but it was not to be - the hook was thrown. Minutes later, Bert had the same thing happen, BAM! Big fish on, a good battle, and a thrown hook. They did salvage a hungry Seatrout catch during that fight. 

We had beautiful weather, for most part the bugs stayed away, and we had some good action so as we headed back we counted it as another great day to be fishing here at Amelia Island, Florida.