Reds and Trout at Amelia Island

 I was out at Goffinsville Park as the sun came up this morning, meeting John Raker and his friends Kurtand Melissa for a back country fishing trip here at Amelia Island. We made a quick run up the Nassau and found a shell bottomed bank to drift float rigs and live shrimp on a high and incoming tide. We got Kurt and Melissa fishing then John picked up a rod and went off the stern, fishing long, and first cast, BAM! Big Fish On!  This fish was BIG! The drag was ripping and when we saw a huge Redfish tail come out of the water we knew John was in for a battle. But he was up to the task, played it patiently, worked it in between runs, and landed an oversized 32.25" Redfish - not bad for his first cast! This fish also topped John's Bragging Rights leading fish of 32" (scroll down the right side of this report for standings).

Melissa was next up for the big fish - she had a good drift going along the grass line and when her float disappeared she lifted and set the circle hook. After a good battle she brought to the net a big 20" Seatrout. We continued to fish that bank for a almost two hours. The trio of anglers caught smaller Redfish, Seatrout(another keeper sized by Mellissa), Mangrove Snapper, Catfish, Jack Crevalle,  and pinfish.

Our next stop was on the other side of Horsehead, fishing a drainage on a now outgoing tide. Here, we picked up a small Flounder, another couple of small Redfish, and a Seatrout. After running back thru Horsehead we made our way over to Back River and set up along a flooded shell bank, drifting floats with the outgoing current.

These anglers stayed busy catching small Reds and Ladyfish, then it was Kurt's turn to fight the big fish. He had a good drift going and when his float sank he was ready, set the hook, and the battle was on! Kurt played it perfectly and battled the fish to the boat, a nice 24" Slot sized Redfish. Ans shortly after that, John had another Slot Red in the boat. They elected to keep just one of the Reds for dinner. We fished that bank thoroughly, had numerous bites, but eventually called it day and as we headed back to the ramp we counted it as another great day to be fishing here at Amelia Island, Florida.