It seemed like every time we moved to a new spot we either got a fish or had a bite. But only one! I had met Mike and Linda McClane and their granddaughter Gabby up at the Dee Dee Bartels Park early this morning and we then ran up and around to the Jolley River and turned into the low incoming tide and began pitching live shrimp and jigs to the exposed oysters. We had a nibble here and there then Linda hooked up and "knocked the skunk off" with a nice keeper sized Seatrout catch. Mike tangled with a high flying Ladyfish and Gabby had a small Flounder to the boat before it threw the hook.
We ran further up the Jolley and worked along some oysters. Gabby had her eye on a point of oysters and after making an excellent cast she had a strong bite and a hookup, Fish On! Gabby played it perfectly and after a good battle landed a 20" Slot sized Redfish. After finishing that stretch we moved on.
Our next stop was back on the outside of Tyger where we fished a large drainage, then worked along a bank for a bit, still pitching jigs/shrimp, but to no avail. After running thru Tyger we cut into Bell River and set up alongside a flooding point. In short time, Mike, who was drifting "long" had his float disappear. He tightened up and let the circle hook do its job, and he had a hookup. He quickly reeled it in and landed another keeper sized Seatrout. And that was that! No more fish there.
After running over to Lanceford we eased up to another drainage (BM spot1). Linda was drifting a float on the other side of a barely submerged oyster bed and wouldn't you know it. she had a big bight. This fish was ripping drag and heading up into the drainage- there's a good chance it was a big Redfish, but the line was going right over the oysters and BAP! Fish Off! Ouch!
We fished Soap Creek for just a few minutes but had only a nibble so we headed back to the dock, but with a few fish in the box, we counted it as another great day to be fishing here at Amelia Island, Florida.
As it turned out, my trip today wrapped my week up. Forecasted winds are pretty high tomorrow so I won't be fishing. But today we were able to get in a good trip when I fished with Shelia " Redfish" Davis and her brother Steve when I met them down at the Sawpit Creek boat ramp early. We made a quick run up the intercoastal, turned into Back River and ran around to Pumpkin Hill to fish the very last of a high and incoming tide with float rigs and live shrimp. The NW wind that we had made it ideal keeping our baits up near the flooded grass bank and both anglers were getting good drifts, going long. Although there wasn't as much action as I had hoped for, Shelia did have a strong hookup - she played it patiently and brought to the boat a really nice 19" Seatrout!
We worked around the corner for a bit, fished a long side a Bald Eagle, then ran back to Seymore's Pointe to fish a large marsh run out. Here, they had some bites, some nibbles, but no takers. We then ran down to Spanish Drop and fished a still flooded bank, then made our way back up to Nassauville and fished some docks. Here, using a jig, Steve got hot and mastered hooking up with Mangrove Snapper, a couple of which were of keeper size. Sheila added to the catch by landing a nice Flounder.
After running thru Horsehead we eased into a side creek off of Jackstaff and began working some exposed oysters. As we approached a small drainage surrounded by oysters I commented that we had caught a handful of Redfish in that spot. Shelia put a cast right up close and sure enough, her float slowly went under and off to angle. She tightened up her line and let the circle hook set and, Fish On! We weren't sure if this was a small Red or a big one but when it took off and began ripping drag we knew it was a nice fish! Shelia fought it perfectly and after a good battle landed a big 24" Slot Redfish, boy what a fish! After photographs we released it to swim off. That fish gave Shelia her Amelia Island Back Country Slam and made for a great way to wrap up a good day of fishing here at Amelia Island, Florida.
It's crazy how one day you have outstanding fishing (yesterday) and the very next it falls off to be a grind to catch a fish! Today I met Dennis Abercrombie and his dad Jay out at the Goffinsville Park boat ramp. Again, it was a beautiful day, just a tad bit cool, and not much wind to begin with. We ran around and fished a larger outflow at Seymore's Pointe, and did have one hookup but a "shake off", then no real bites. We buzzed thru Horsehead and fished some pockets of grass on an outgoing tide with float rigs but got nary a nibble. We also fished the bank of Jackstaff for a bit with jigs and live shrimp to no avail.
We went the short route thru the marsh and then down to Twin Creeks, staying with the jigs. No fish. Our next stop was down at Spanish Drop. We had fished about 3/4 of a long shell bank when finally, BAM! Jay was hooked up. He said he felt the fish 'bump" it a couple of times and he set the hook hard, Fish On! Jay was up for a battle - the first fish of the day, and he played it perfectly. The big fish got behind the boat and into the fast moving current but Jay held fast, stayed patient, and eventually landed a nice 24" Slot sized Redfish, boy what a battle!
Our next stop was up at Nassauville, fishing between two docks. We had caught a good handful of Seatrout here yesterday, but today? Not a bite. We moved around and fished another dock and here Jay landed a keeper sized Black "puppy" Drum and a feisty Redfish. We stopped back by the previous dock to see if the change in tide made a difference and did pick up one more Seatrout. Although the fish caught quantity had been low, the quality had been good so as was we headed in we counted it as another great day to be fishing here at Amelia Island, Florida.
We had another beautiful morning today when I met Tom and Christy Wigger and their two kids Tessa and Ryan up at the Dee Dee Bartels Park boat ramp. But I had warned them to wear long pants and long sleeves and sure enough, the Sand Gnats were out! We made our first stop over behind Tyger Island to fish the logs on an incoming tide with jigs and live shrimp on the bottom. Although we had some nibbles here and there, we had not takers.
After running around (and blowing the Gnats off) to the Jolley River, we set up in to the current and fished the jigs out front and float rigs out back. Not getting any bites, we moved down to Snook Creek and went all floats. We had two quick bites and it was Tessa who had the first hookup. She worked it quickly to the boat and landed a nice hungry Seatrout - Skunk Off!
After a pit stop back at Dee Dee we continued on and over to the Bell River, fished a marsh pointe, then ran over to Soap Creek and fished a large outflow. Here, Tom got on the board with a Seatrout catch.
As we were heading back to the ramp we passed a big pod of porpoise who were just "lolling" along the bank, which was cool to see and made for a great way to wrap up a day of fishing here at Amelia Island, Florida.
After a terrible, long day of non-stop rain yesterday, we awoke to clear skies, a tad bit cooler temperatures, and slight winds today. I met Eddie Byrd and Bob Kossman up at the Dee Dee Bartels Park boat ramp on a tide that still had about 2 hours to finish hitting bottom. We made the run over to Lanceford Creek and fished some docks on what I thought should be an ideal tide. But all we had were nibblers! We worked some oyster shells where there was some movement going on, then fished another dock then moved on.
Our next stop was over at Soap Creek, towards the end of the tide, and boy, I hadn't seen it this low in a while! There were sandbars where I didn't know there were sandbars! We fished with jigs and shrimp and Bob finally "knocked the skunk off" with a Seatrout catch.
We dropped back towards Fernandina and fished some marsh drainages and here we got a wildlife show! There were 3-4 Salt Marsh Minks(Google says that's a "company") running along the
bank and swimming out into the river, and behind us, Porpoise were busting fish they had corralled in a small cove.
After a run back to Tyger Island, we worked that bank with the jigs and shrimp on the first of an incoming tide. Eddie got on the board with a keeper sized Seatrout catch, then Bob followed that up with one of his own. The wind had picked up so we made our last stop over at Eagans Creek, working in between docks and picked up a handful of small Trout, a Catfish, and a Stingray! It had been a beautiful day, we had some seen some wildlife, and had a couple of fish in the box for dinner so as we headed back, we counted it as another great day to be fishing here at Amelia Island, Florida.
I wasn't really expecting a Flounder catch on the first drift this morning but that's what we got. I had met Matt Husa and his kids 9yo Divya and 5yo Kian down at the south end boat ramp early, and as the full moon disappeared over the trees, we headed up the intercoastal, cut thru Middle River and made it around to Pumpkin Hill with plans to drift live shrimp under floats on a tide that still had a couple of hours to hit high.
Matt and Kian had taken the stern, drifting long, but Divya was on the bow and had a good drift going along the marsh grass on her first cast. When her float slowly went under she got her bail shut and began cranking - she had a hookup! Divya worked it to the boat and landed hungry 12" Flounder! And just a drift or two later, in the same spot, she had another hookup. She brought this one to the boat, also, and it measured just a tad bit under 14".
Matt and Kian had been working the stern and they teamed up to hookup and land a feisty Bluefish. We moved and fished the
point, then moved down another bank and fished some grassy islands and here Divya caught and landed a Seatrout. Matt also hooked up and landed a keeper sized Seatrout. After fishing back around the corner, we made the run down to Broward Island and fished jigs on the bottom on the very last of the high tide, not ideal. But we did get to see the Bald Eagles while were down there.
After a run back to Seymore's Pointe we set up at a grassy point and here the action picked up a bit. Both Divya and Matt/Kian team were getting bites and landing Seatrout. Then Matt had a strong bite and this one ripped some drag out-a bigger fish. Matt played it patiently and after a good battle landed a 17" keeper sized Seatrout.
We ran thru Horsehead to the mouth of Jackstaff, turned into a creek, and fished a large outflow and again had few bites, then wrapped up pitching jigs along the bank in Jackstaff, then headed in, counting it as another great day to be fishing here at Amelia Island, Florida.
I fished again south, meeting John Fredericks and his buddy Dan down at the Sawpit Creek boat ramp early this morning. There was even less wind than yesterday and the "No-Seeums" were out in full force. But the run up the river blew them off and when we made our first stop at Spanish Drop in the Nassau River we had a slight breeze so they weren't much of an issue.
I got the duo set up with rods and bait and they began pitching to the shell lined bank on the very last of an outgoing tide and before I knew it, within minutes, John had a strange hookup and brought to the boat a Flounder, just undersized, but definitely a surprise! Minutes later Dan hooked up and brought to the net a hungry Seatrout. We worked along that bank for just a bit and then I heard Dan's reel make a shrill ripping noise and Big Fish On! Boy did that fish hit hard! Dan played the fish expertly and after a good battle, landed a "just oversized" 27"+ Redfish, boy what a fish!
We moved up the river a bit and fished Athens Drop( and had a Saltmarsh Mink sighting) then continued on to Seymore's Pointe where we fished some dock pilings, but got no real bites. We moved around the pointe and fished some more docks, then moved on.
Our next stop was down at Broward Island and here Dan put a feisty Redfish in the boat and Robert followed that up with a Seatrout catch. We fished under a pair of Bald Eagles as we worked up and down the bank but we had no more bites, and moved on.
Back at Seymore's we switched to Slip Float rigs and here Dan caught a Weakfish to round out an Amelia Island Backcountry Grande Slam for the duo - Flounder, Redfish, Seatrout and Weakfish.
Our final stop was over at the mouth of Jackstaff, now drifting Cajun Thunders and here we had a good flurry of Trout catches, one by Robert that was of keeper size. Although the "catching" wasn't "on fire", it was definitely an uptick in action so as we headed in we counted it as another great day to be fishing here at Amelia Island, Florida.
Although it was a beautiful morning, we had to do the "safety speech" on the run this morning to create some breeze and blow off the "No-Seeums". As I launched the boat I could feel them trying to crawl in when I opened my truck door! But in no time we were heading up the Nassau River, making one "pit stop" to toss out a minnow trap, then we continued on up to Seymore's Pointe to try our hand with jigs and live shrimp to the bank with the first of an incoming tide. Bob Kossman was on the bow while Eddie Byrd took up the stern on a "shared trip" they put together. In just a matter of 15 minutes Bob had a good bite. He set the hook and patiently played to the boat a nice Slot sized Redfish.
It was another 10-15 minutes and this time it was Eddie who had the hookup. We could tell right off that this was a big fish - it kept pulling towards the bank and ripping drag. I wondered if I had the drag set too loose but nope, it was just a big fish. Eddie worked it out away from the trees, then he settled in to a long battle which he eventually won, landing a thick 25.5" Slot sized Redfish.
We ended up working that bank thoroughly with no more bites, then we picked dock out to fish, first with the jigs and shrimp, then we switched to Slip Floats and live shrimp and this did the trick. The duo of anglers picked up a handfull of hungry Seatrout.
The wind had picked up but we fished between a couple of more docks down along Nassauville, then ran back to Pumpkin Hill to wrap things up fishing fixed Floats. We had seen some dolphin busting fish along the bank, and a Bald Eagle, and had a couple of fish in the box so as we headed in, we counted it as another great day to be fishing here at Amelia Island, Florida
I wasn't expecting the fog this morning but as I loaded the boat I knew right off we'd be dealing with it. When I met Mike Stanhope and his adult son Bryce up at the Dee Dee Bartels Park I had me NAV lights on and had plugged in my stern light (I haven't used it in over a year and hoped it would work - it did!) We slowly chugged across the river and back in behind Tiger to fish a tide that had been coming in for about 3 hours. That's not my favorite tide but we still had some bank to cast to. Both anglers were making fine casts and we worked down the bank, pitching up between the logs and as we got to the other end it was Bryce who "knocked the skunk off" with a fat Seatrout catch.
Just minutes later Mike had followed Bryce in to the mouth of a small drainage and afterwards he said, "he bit it hard the minute it hit bottom", BAM! Big Fish On! At first I thought I might have set the drag too loose - it was ripping deep and when Mike would work it up a bit, down it would go again. He had a good long battle and then I realized, no, not a loose drag, but a big oversized Redfish. We eventually netted it, measured it at 29.25", photographed it and released it, boy what a fish, and big enough to move Mike into 1st Place in the Anglers Mark 2022 Bragging Rights Tournament -Redfish Category(scroll down the right side of this report for standings).
We fished float rigs and live shrimp over at Bell River on a grassy point but had few bites, then ran around to Soap Creek and stayed with the float rigs. Bryce picked up another Trout there. After fishing up Lanceford for a bit we decided to make the run south and after a 20 minute boat ride, were were fishing in Jackstaff Creek. We had a few bites, crossed the creek and switched back to jigs, and got a few pictures of a gaggle of White Pelicans, then ran thru Horsehead to fish at Seymore's Pointe.
Here we had our most action, now fishing an outgoing tide, set up on a corner. Both anglers had a handful of catches of those Seatrout, one of which was of keeper size.
The sun had come out, the fog was gone, the temperature was up and as we headed back to the dock we counted it as another great day to be fishing hear at Amelia Island, Florida.
After that slow day yesterday Bob Blalock and I decided to try south and met out at the Goffinsville Park boat ramp early this morning. The tide was going out with a couple of hours to go so we eased down the Nassauville rocks and set up between two docks to fish jigs and live "lobster" shrimp- tossing them up current and letting them bounce down the river bottom with the current. We had a few good bites and Bob landed a couple of hungry Seatrout.
We then ran down the Nassau, towards the bridge and then turned into the still outgoing current and fished Athens Drop. We had clear skies, no wind, and plenty of Sand Gnats, but no real bites. We moved further down the Nassau and began to work back alongside a shell lined bank. Bob was making excellent casts and working it slow but, no bites. He had part of his shrimp torn off on an oyster and we were just about to move and he made one more cast, out deep in about 10' of water and BAM! A strong hookup. The fish came right back to the boat
and Bob was cranking in slack then the fish ran towards the bank and began to rip drag - another Big Redfish! Bob played it perfectly and patiently worked it in (see video below) and eventually landed a 27.5" Oversized Redfish - boy what a
battle !
Our next stop was up at Bubblegum Reef -we eased along with the trolling motor until it found us. We dropped our jigs and shrimp down around the reef and had a few nibbles, lost a few jigs, then moved on. Just a short hop and we were over at some docks at Seymore's and here we picked up a Slot sized 6-spot Redfish (released), but no other significant bites.
After buzzing down to Broward Island we fished the first of an incoming tide. The wind had picked up just a bit and blew away the gnats. Bob caught and landed a handful of feisty Redfish. Then we moved down the way and worked back along the bank and picked up a couple of Seatrout, one on shrimp and one on Contender Baits "Christmas Tree' grub. The water temperature was a little over 61, so it's warming up. We had a bit more action today than yesterday so as we headed in we counted it as another great day to be fishing here at Amelia Island, Florida.
We had another beautiful morning today when I met Bob Blalock up at the Dee Dee Bartels Park. Sunshine, no wind, and warming temperatures. The tide had just started in so we made the quick run over to Tyger Island and pitched jigs with live shrimp to the exposed bank. We worked down the bank with Bob making excellent casts to the pockets, had not a bite, then worked back. Finally, Bob had a faint "bump", set the hook, and knocked the skunk off with a keeper sized Seatrout catch. We continued to ease back along the bank and way out deep, BAM! Another good bite. We were speculating, "feisty Redfish" or big Seatrout, which is what we were hoping for, but then the fish stayed deep, then we thought maybe the drag was a bit loose as it ripped it off. But Bob stayed with it, worked it patiently, and eventually brought to the net a big Oversized 28" Redfish, boy what a fish! We snapped a quick picture and released it.
Our hopes were high as we worked the bank up and down, but alas, there were no more bites, which was a precursor for things to come. After running around to the outside of Tyger and fishing a small drainage to no avail, we moved around to the Jolley and worked the shell banks with jigs and shrimp. Again, not a bite. We travelled further up the Jolley and fished another shell bank and again, not a bite.
Our final stop was around at Bell River, fishing some docks. We switched to jigs and plastic grubs thinking that might help, but again, not a bite. We had fished deep and shallow, live shrimp and plastic grubs. We had even tried a float rig on occasion, but the fish just didn't want to cooperate. But as we headed in, the sun was shining and we had great memories of at least one BIG fish caught today so we counted it as another great day to be out on the water here at Amelia Island, Florida.
Boy what a beautiful morning we had today! Clear skies, no wind and temperatures getting up to "peel off the jacket" heights! I had met Frank Boehm and his two fishing partners Jack Severson and Pat Andreasen down at the Sawpit Creek boat ramp early and we ran up the intercoastal, turned into the Nassau and made our way up the River for about a half a mile, then turned into the current on the first of an incoming tide. We worked along a shell lined bank pitching jigs and dead shrimp(live shrimp has been scarce the last couple of weeks) and it didn't take long for Jack, on the stern, to hookup and "knock the skunk off" with a Seatrout catch. But, unfortunately, that was all we caught along that stretch.
We then ran further up the river and eased in between two docks and fished the pilings as the tide came in. We weren't getting any bites until Pat had a "bump", set the hook and worked in to the net - a nice sized 17" Flounder, the first of the year! An Osprey overhead kept watch over his fishing grounds.
After running down to Broward Island we set up and let the drigs drop down the river bottom and here we had a good flurry of fish catching. All three anglers caught and landed Seatrout, with one of them being of keeper size right at 17". They also put a handful of feisty Redfish in the boat, one of which gave Pat his first Amelia Island Back Country Slam of Flounder, Seatarout and Refish. We were treated to a sighting of a Salt Marsh Mink, and minutes later, a Raccoon, then later, a Bald Eagle.
After fishing some docks at Nassauville to no avail, we ran through Horsehead and down to Jackstaff where we worked the bank. In a span of a minute, all three anglers had hookups and landings of Seatrout. And with that, we called it day, another great one to be fishing here at Amelia Island, Florida.
Tom Hutchens and I made a decision to fish this morning rather than tomorrow morning and it paid off. Today's forecast called for just a slight breeze this morning but increasing winds to about 12mph at knock-off time. We meet down at the Sawpit Creek boat ramp and made a quick run up the Nassau River. The tide had been coming in for about three hours and I thought for sure we'd get some fish around some dock pilings at Seymore's Pointe. I'm glad I didn't bet on it! We fished the pilings thoroughly with jigs and live shrimp but had not a single bite. I was thinking, "oh no, here we go again". The last few trips I've fished have been a struggle with water temperatures hovering around 53 degrees. Todays water was up to 56 so I had high hopes that the fishing would be better.
I don't normally fish Broward Island on a high and incoming tide due to the logs being a real pain, but I thought we may have a chance at some Seatrout fishing the falling river bottom so we made the run down there. Low and behold, the island was blocking any wind, enough to where the sand gnats were a bit
aggravating. We began tossing up to the bank and letting the jig/shrimp fall with the current. Sure enough, we'd get just a faint "BIP" and when we tightened the line we'd get a hookup, Tom soon had the hang of it and all-told, he boated a dozen Seatrout, or so. We also had a good handful of feisty Redfish -undersized, but fun to catch, and a distinctly different kind of fight than the Seatrout. But then Tom hooked up and this fish was pulling hard, digging deep, and we thought for sure it was another of those smaller Reds. But when brought it to the net, we saw that it was a Big Seatrout, measuring in right at 20" and big enough to set the bar for this year's Anglers Mark Bragging Rights Tournament-Seatrout Category(scroll down the right side of this report and click on Bragging Rights link for standings(.
We dropped back and fished another stretch and picked up Reds and Trout then had another strong hookup. Tom played it perfectly and eventually landed a nice 23.25" Slot Redfish. I was thinking, "this is another Bragging Rights "bar setter" but then we had ANOTHER big bite! This fish was pulling deep and had no intention of coming to the boat (see video below). That Florida Fishing Tackle Ospery 1000CE's drag was ripping smooth and Tom was patient, and evidently living right, and after a good battle, landed an Oversized 28.25" Redfish, Boy what a fish, and a now a Bragging Rights bar setter! We ended up getting Tom's legal limit of 5 keeper Trout then we move on.
Our final stop was back at Nassauville, fishing a drop off, and Tom again put one more Trout in the boat, this one on a jig and Contender Bait "Christmas Tree" grub. The wind was really whipping right now but we had a box full of fish and as we headed in, we counted it as another great day to be fishing here at Amelia Island, Florida.
We had hardly any breeze when I fished with Bob Kossman and his visiting daughter Samantha yesterday morning which made for some pleasant fishing. And the 9am start to take in a late morning high tide was an added bonus! We met down at the Sawpit Creek boat ramp and headed up the Nassau River and made our first stop at a large marsh run out with the oysters juts beginning to show as the tide started out. The two anglers were pitching jigs and a few live shrimp left over from my Wednesday trip(evidently they are hard to come by with the water temperatures being so low). Although we didn't "tear them up", Samantha did "knock the skunk off" when she hooked up and boated a hungry Seatrout. I noticed the water temperature had risen one degree to 55 today!
We ran over to Nassauville and fished some rocks, deep and I thought for sure we'd get fish, but no, not a real bite. We then moved around to Seymore's Pointe and fished some dock pilings. We did have a couple of "takes" but no hooksets(I think one of them may have been a hard-mouthed Sheepshead). But as we eased along the docks pitching, Bob hooked up and landed another couple of Seatrout.
After making the run down to Broward Island, the tide still going out, we worked the bank, pitching up current. We had the pleasure of fishing right under the "eagle eye's" of a pair of Bald Eagles (always neat" and here we had a good flurry of hookups. Both Bob and Samantha landed a handful of the Seatrout, caught in about 20' of water, and Samantha put two feisty Redfish in the boat. One of those had 12-spots and if legal, would have been a money winner in our Redfish Spot Tournament!
The trend held - cold water equals caching Trout deep on the bottom and the last flurry of catching, and under the watchful gaze of the Eagles made for another great day to be out on the water fishing here at Amelia Island, Florida.
Kinda cool this morning! But the skies were clear, the sun was coming up and there was very little wind.Sean Pattwell and I had to move today's trip due to high winds on Friday and rain on Tuesday so we were chomping at the bit to get out on the water. As I ran to the first spot up the Nassau River I noticed that the water temperature was 54 degrees. We pulled up a marsh run out on a tide that had been going out for a few hours and began to pitch jigs and live shrimp up to the mouth of the drainage, then let the current take the offering across the river bottom. We were fishing in about 12-15' of water, and had no bites.
We dropped back and fished a bank with exposed shell, working along the edge, now in about 10-12' of water but after working it thoroughly, we had not bites. OUCH. Our next stop was up at the rocks along Nassauville, now pitching into 14' of water and letting the bait fall down thru 25' and this did the trick. Sean began to hookup out deep and catch Seatrrout. Although no fish were kept today, a couple of them were nice and fat and of keeper size. Sean also picked up one Redfish in the bunch.
After moving around to Seymore's Pointe and fishing some dock piling to no avail, we made the run down to Broward Island and set up fishing under the watchful eye of a Bald Eagle. The first stretch of fishing produced no bites but then, as the tide began to turn, we began to get bites. Sean had been pitching his jig/shrimp combo up to the edge, then letting it fall until it was almost directly behind the boat in 20-25' of water and, TAP, TAP, TAP. Sean set the hook and would hookup. I was fishing some too and Sean was getting about 3 fish to my 1 - he was dialed in. These fish were fat and legal but we snapped pictures and tossed them back.
The sun was out, the skies were clear and as we left 'em biting, we headed back to the dock, counting it as another great day to be fishing here at Amelia Island, Florida.
I got to witness a beautiful sunrise today when I met Jeff and his crew, Jim and Aspen, out at the Goffinsville Park boat ramp. We had clear skies as we left the dock and headed down to Broward Island. And even though we had a bit of breeze blowing against us out of the south, when we pulled up to the island the wind was blocked and boy was it nice! The three anglers began tossing jigs and live shrimp to the bank and letting it fall along the bottom with the current. It only took a few minutes - Jeff said it was his first cast and retrieve- when he had a hookup. He played it patiently to the boat and landed a nice feisty Redfish. We had good action at that first spot. All three anglers put Redfish in the boat. Aspen had the biggest one on but after a good battle, the fish found a submerged log, frayed the leader and BAP! Fish gone. But Aspen wasn't to be deterred and went back in, Representing a true angler and caught fish. Jim was on the bow and had a strong hookup. He played it expertly and brought to the boat the biggest Seatrout of the day, a bulky 17" fish which we photographed and released(all fish caught today were released).
We eventually moved down the island, fished back into the current, passing under a Bald Eagle as we fished. Jim spotted a Salt Marsh Mink running down the bank, but we had no real bites. After running back to Seymore's Pointe and fishing a few docks to no avail, we moved around to Nassauville and fished a deep (30') drop off. Here, Jeff had the hot hand as he zeroed in on the Seatrout and he landed a good handful. Both Aspen and Jim added to the catch.
The wind had gotten even stronger as we headed back to Pumpkin Hill. My plan to work the now flooding bank, was suspect. The trio made the best of it, punching their float rigs into the wind, but we had no luck. After fishing a big in Christopher Creek, we called it a day . We had a couple of spots where we had good action so as we headed in we counted it as another great day to be fishing here at Amelia Island, Florida.
The temperature was in the 40's this morning but there were clear skies and very little wind and Sean Pattwell was "game" to go fishing, so we met up at the Dee Dee Bartels Park and headed over to Tyger Island to fish some 4' water with float rigs and live shrimp. To be honest, I didn't have a whole lot of confidence in our strategy but it was the only real strategy I could come up when dealt with a high tide. But we Endeavored to Persevere(Chief Dan George). That first stop was real pretty! The sun had come up and was shining on the trees and marsh of Tyger, but the fish didn't cooperate.
We made the run around and up to the Jolly River, fished the mouth of Snook Creek and again, no bites. After running thru the Jolly and around to the Bell, we fished between some docks with jigs and shrimp, deep on the bottom. IF I was a betting man, I would have lost a $1 because I would have bet it, sure we'd catch a fish here. We had one nibble but no takers, so we moved on.
Our final stop was over in Lanceford Creek, fishing some dock pilings. But now the tide had gotten down and sure enough, we began to get some hookups. We reeled in a Black "puppy" Drum, then a Channel Bass (vintage speak for Redfish) then Sean had a good bump, set the hook, and expertly landed a keeper sized Seatrout (all fish caught today were released). We added two more Channel Bass to the catch total. Although the fish catching wasn't on fire, it was a beautiful day and a great one to be out fishing here at Amelia Island, Florida.
After a super cold day yesterday, we had a warming trend for today and luckily, I had planned to meet Bill Rowlett at 1pm for an afternoon trip and it had warmed to the mid 60's. We met down at the Sawpit Creek Boat Ramp and headed up the intercoastal to dip into Jackstaff with plans to fish a tide that had been going out for a few hours. We went with float rigs, fishing in about 5 feet of water, and got...nuthin. After fishing a sandbar point with jig rods and again getting no bites, we ran thru Horsehead, over to the Nassau, and down to a large marsh run out.
Bill was making excellent casts with his jig and shrimp combo and letting the current take his bait down the river bottom, but again, not a nibble! We moved up to Seymore's Pointe and fished a couple of docks. Bill had made a good toss up between some piling and the day had been going so slow up until now he and I both thought he was hung on the bottom...but then it began pulling back, and, Fish On! Bill played it perfectly and after a good battle, landed a nice feisty Redfish, Skunk Off The Boat!
We ran around the corner and down the Nassau to the rocks of Nassauville and fished between two docks. I knew that at the end of one dock there was steep decline in the river bottom, going from 15' to 30' out at the boat. We began tossing our jig and shrimp up to the shallower water and then let the current take it down the decline and BAM! We began to get hookups. Seatrout were laying down there in deeper water and with a subtle bite, they'd take the bait. Most of the fish were in the 14" range but we had a few that could have been "keepers"(all fish caught today were released). It was fun catching them and really took some finesse but Bill was up to the task. I had been fishing a bit also to increase our chances but eventually I was able to put my rod down and watch Bill catch fish. After about 17 fish, they were still biting, but we decided to move on for a change in scenery.
Our next stop was down at Broward Island. I knew the tide would be still going out, not ideal, but we made the best of it, working the bank. Bill put two more feisty Reds in the boat. The sun was heading down and the temperature was dropping, but it was a beautiful day and a great one to be fishing here at Amelia Island, Florida.
Boy was it pretty this morning when I came over the south end bridge to drop the boat at Sawpit Creek boat ramp. There was a bit of excitement first - a guy waved me down and said the transport boat that ran employees out to the dredge was bringing in an injured worker and ambulances were on the way. Sure enough, here came two fire trucks and an ambulance. They got the fellow off the boat and into the ambulance and off they went. I was able to get launched and be ready for when the Berquist family arrived - Evan and Laura and their kids Tim and Sasha.
We made the long run up and around to the Broward Island in hopes of fishing the first of an incoming tide, but it was well up already. But these anglers were ready to fish and began tossing jigs and live shrimp to the bank, letting it go to the bottom, and then letting the current take it along. We had a fished a bit and finally had a nibble and a hookup. Laura was on the rod and expertly brought tot he boat a feisty Sheepshead.
After easing down the island we found a spot to fish under a Bald Eagle and here it was Evan's turn to have the hookup which he played to the boat and landed - a hungry Seatrout. We moved down the way, had some nibbles, then moved on.
Our next stop was back at some docks at Seymore's Pointe. We were getting good casts to the dock pilings and were getting nibbles. I thought maybe more Sheepshead but then Evan snagged one and it turned out to be a baitstealing Perch. We moved on. After fishing some docks over along Nassauville, to no avail, we made the short run down to Pumpkin Hill. The tide was up, so we switched to float rigs and the live shrimp. By now, Tim was baiting all the hooks and Sasha was in charge of the net. Laura was getting a good drift and had her float disappear but it got her bait. Evan drifted thru but had not luck then Laura came back thru and BAM! This time she was ready, lifted her rod and set the hook. She worked it to the boat patiently and landed another nice Seatrout. Tim had an "eagle eye" and spotted porpoises all around us.
We fished Spanish Drop briefly but the tide had gotten really high and we had no luck, but as we headed in, the sun was shining, the temperature had warmed, so we counted it as another great day to be fishing here at Amelia Island, Florida.
Where've I been? Today was the only trip I fished in December! I've been doing boat/trailer/trolling motor repairs AND building a storage shed. On the boat, I had the bow repaired, and a few new coats applied to the keel. I also cleaned out some old caulk where the gas tank was installed last year and put a nice, pretty bead down. I also replaced the flares, fire extinguisher and scrap leader container. Then I cleaned the whole inside, hatches and all!
The trailer had a bunk broken so I replaced that and then changed out the carpet on most of the bunks. The bow roller was what was causing the bow to get "chewed up", so I replaced that. One tire had a slow leak so I replaced it with a new one and repaired the old one for a spare. The right side trailer lights have been out for 4-5months so I doped that out and repaired it.
I was reminded the other day that my trolling motor had been acting up since last August! I had dropped it off to Fish307 JAX and Christina overhauled the mechanical parts internally. I also purchased a new battery for the remote, cleaned the contacts and installed it. It purred today fishing!
I'm well on my way to having a nice 10'x20' shed built. It's framed up, house wrapped and dried in with felt paper, windows installed, storage shelving set up, rod racks installed. Roofing and wiring are planned for next week. Unfortunately the doors are on back order with the (next) estimated date of delivery January 17th, which means I can't complete the trim or begin the siding. Ouch.
So I've been "out of pocket" this month, but today I was able to get out out on the water with the Averbuch's - Mark, his son Jared, and grandson Max. We met down at the Sawpit Creek boat ramp and headed up the intercoastal to dip in to Jackstaff then a side creek and set up at a large marsh drainage, fishing with float rigs and live shrimp on a tide that had been going out for about an hour.
It didn't take long before Mark hooked up and landed a small but hungry Seatrout to "knock the skunk off". We eased along a small grassy island with all three anglers making excellent casts and getting good drifts. Mark went up to another couple of small drainage's and when his float disappeared he resisted the urge to give it a hard set, but instead lifted and made contact, and, Fish On! I could tell right off that it was a nice fish by the way it dug deep and sure enough it finally realized it was hooked and took off, ripping drag as it went. That's when Max stepped in to help out - Mark handed off the rod and young Max played the big fish perfectly, keeping the pressure on and working it slowly to the boat. After a good battle he subdued the beast and brought it to the net - a nice Oversized 28" Redfish, boy what a fish.
We crossed the creek and fished a good stretch of bank with the floats, then we switched to jigs, had no luck, and moved on. After running thru Horsehead we made a stop at some docks over at Seymore's Pointe with plans to pitch to the pilings. All three were getting nibbles and finally it was Jared who had the big hookup. He got it out from the pilings then handed it off to Max who patiently brought it in - a big 18" Black "puppy" Drum. Just minutes later, after having made an excellent cast, Max hooked up with another nice fish. He played it to the boat and landed a 16" keeper sized Black Drum.
Our next stop was around at some docks at Nassauville. Here, both Jared and Max landed Seatrout fishing deep, and a couple were of keeper size. We fished down at Broward Island and picked up a couple of small Trout, again in fairly deep water. Our final stop was back at Spanish Drop, fishing some shell banks with the jigs. Jared had just made a beautiful cast to the bank, about, two feet off of the shell and it paid off. BAM! He had a hookup. He expertly played it to the net and landed a keeper sized 18" Redfish. Although we only caught one fish along there, it was a good one and a great way to wrap up a day of fishing here at Amelia Island, Florida.
