When I stepped outside this morning it was drizzling rain and the wind was kicking up the trees, and when I launched 45 minutes later it was still misting and I could see a wall of rain off to the north. But when Bob and William Blalock walked up to the boat at Dee Dee Bartels Park, the rain had stopped, the breeze was dying and the sun was coming out! We flipped a coin and decided to make the quick run over to Tiger Island to take advantage of the first of an incoming tide with plans to pitch jigs and live shrimp to the shoreline. It might have taken a cast or three but soon Bob had a big bite and, Fish On! He played it patiently as it dug deep, ripping drag all the way, but soon Bob had it worn out and landed a big Slot sized Redfish. Just a few minutes later William had the hookup, and again it was a big drag rip'n fish! William kept the pressure on, worked it to the boat, and landed another big Slot Redfish. Two fish caught. Two Slot Reds! (All fish caught today were released).
We continued to work in and out of the logs and continued to catch fish. There was another two or three Slot Reds, a couple of big (18-20") Black "puppy" Drum, and a feisty Sheepshead.
Our next stop was around at Eagans Creek, fishing some dock pilings. We had not been there but for a minute and Bob had his jig in the water and BOOM! Redfish on and to the boat! He caught a nice Black Drum then it was William's turn for a Big fish. He had pitched out into deeper water and had a fish hit it hard! This was a big fish and had no plans of coming to the boat. Then it got wrapped around one of the pilings and it was nip and tuck for a while. But William was patient and kept the pressure on until the fish came out to deep water (thank goodness for braid) where William subdued it and brought it to the net, a 27 1/2" oversized Redfish. After getting a couple of more smaller Reds and another nice Black Drum or two, we moved on.
We fished another dock for a bit then switched to float rigs and drifted shrimp along some still exposed oysters. William got hot and picked up another 4-5 Reds with two of them in the Slot. Our last stop was over at Bells River, now fishing a flooded marsh line with the float rigs. I thought we were going to get skunked but Bob nixed that idea when he hooked up and landed one more nice Redfish. Boy what a day of fishing - another great one here at Amelia Island, Florida.
When I talked to Mike Sheffer last night the forecast called for clear skies after a cold front was to blow thru during the night, and winds at around 11mph. But when I reached the Dee Dee Bartels boat ramp this morning the wind was whipping at about 16mph. I ended up launching over at Leaders and Sinkers on Eagans Creek and when Mike, his wife Patty, and Mike's brother Rod got there we headed out.
The plan was to try and find places to fish out of the wind. We first ran over to Lanceford Creek, then up into Soap and set up along the marsh grass as the high tide continued in. The trio of anglers were tossing float rigs and mud minnows and making excellent casts but we didn't have much luck, other than one Perch that Mike hooked up and reeled in.
We eased around Lanceford and found an area perfectly sheltered from the NW wind, but we had no bites. After fishing
some dock pilings at the next stop, again with no luck, we made the run back down Lanceford, up thru Bell and Tiger Basin and around to the outside of Tiger, and this paid off.
Patty had made an excellent cast to some sparse grass - she waited patiently and when she saw the float disappear, she tightened her line and set the hook! Patty worked to the net a nice fat Speckled Seatrout. She went back to the same general area with a pinpoint cast and, BOOM! Bigger Fish On! This one was ripping some drag and sure enough, as Patty brought it to the net, we saw that it was a Slot sized Redfish. Team Patty was off to a good start!
Shortly afterwards Rob hauled in a long Needlefish to get on the Board and this was all it took. Our next stop across the creek was where Rob got hot - hooking up with a hungry Seatrout, then a feisty Redfish. When Rob switched to a jig he caught a small Cigar fish.
Our last stop was further around Tiger where we fished for a few minutes to no avail, then we headed we did a quick tour of Cumberland Island and Fort Clinch then headed in, counting it as another great day to be out on the water here at Amelia Island, Florida
We had what it think is going to be the prettiest day of the week today. I had met Sharon and Durant Fleming up at the Dee Dee Bartels Park and we had clear skies and not even a breeze to blow the no-seeums away! We made short hop over to the outside of Tiger Island and set up fishing with float rigs and mud minnows on a tide was at the very top. It was Sharon who "knocked the skunk off" when she quickly hooked up and landed a fat Seatrout, then she went right back in and hooked up another one - this one of keeper size (all fish caught today were released).
We eased along that same bank and could see some activity up near some sparse grass. Durant had made an excellent cast, had something tug off his minnow then Sharon went in and BOOM! Big Fish ON!
Boy what a fish - A nice 25" Slot sized Redfish, Sharon's first ever!
We crossed the way, picked up a couple of Seatrout, then made the
run around to Jolly River and fished the "bank". Again, we had bites early and the duo added to their Seatrout catch, and Sharon added to her species count with a wayward Bluefish landing. After fishing a couple of spots up the Jolley, we made a run back around and up to Lanceford.
The first spot didn't produce but when we worked our way up into Soap Creek we had some luck. Durant put a good sized Seatrout in the boat - the biggest of the day - then both he and Sharon landed some feisty Redfish. Overall, it was a good day of fishing, a good day of catching, and another great one to be out on the water here at Amelia Island, Florida.
For those of you that follow this "report", we've had some cranky weather all month - a 'Nor Easter earlyin the month that really blew and for the last few weeks a lot of wind to deal with. On top of that we haven't had any real cold spells so the water temperature as of today was right at 77 degrees up on Lanceford Creek. We're picking up a handful of 14" Seatrout here and there and once in a while a "keeper" fish.
Today I fished with Robert Stetner and his buddy Doug when I picked them up out at the Oyster Bay Marina. We had some clouds in the sky, a sprinkle now and then and a breeze that picked up as the morning went along. Not an ideal weather day but these guys were ready to fish! While we were in Soap Creek we fished a large marsh run out and quickly knocked the skunk off when Doug put a couple of Seatrout in the boat.
We moved around and fished a spot up Lanceford Creek to no avail, then came back towards Fernandina and fished a grass patch surrounded by submerged oysters. Robert went to the bank with
his first cast and almost immediately his float disappeared and he had a nice hookup. He landed a keeper sized Seatrout. Doug fished the grass patch, letting his float and live shrimp drift up next to it. We both saw the float slowly ease under the surface and Doug had a hookup This fish put up more of a fight than the earlier Trout and sure enough it turned out to be a feisty Redfish.
After a 10 minute run up the Bell River we fished some dock pilings with jigs and shrimp. Doug put a few Seatrout in the boat, fishing off the bow, while Robert found a feisty Sheepshead and a Trout off the stern. We then buzzed around to the Jolley River and fished Snook Creek and here Robert found the first and only Slot Redfish of the day.
We had been fishing in a steadily increasing wind and these two anglers were making it work. After fishing briefly on the outside of Tiger for a chance Flounder, we ducked in to behind Tiger and fished the logs. We were out of the wind, the sun was out, but the fish weren't biting! So we called it a day, another great one to be fishing here at Amelia Island, Florida.
Boy what a beautiful sunrise we had today when I met Jon Edwards and his father Dale out at the Goffinsville Park boat ramp. As the sun came up over Amelia Island we eased away from the dock and made a quick run around Seymore's Pointe with plans to fish some dock pilings with jigs and shrimp. I thought for sure we'd pick up a Black "puppy" Drum or a Redfish, but all we got were a couple of Mangrove Snapper that Dale out foxed and caught.
We then ran down the Nassau, towards the bridge, and made a stop at Spanish Drop to fish the very last of an outgoing tide. Here, our fortunes changed. We had switched to mud minnows, still pitching jigs, and the duo began to hookup. Jon put a keeper sized Seatrout in the boat then both anglers tangled with and landed feisty Redfish. Dale put a small Flounder in the boat then Jon had a strong hookup, the drag ripped, and Fish On! Jon played it patiently and after a good battle landed a nice Slot sized 21.5" Redfish. He also put a keeper sized Whiting in the
boat.
Our next stop, after an eight minute run, was down at Broward Island. We passed a Bald Eagle under way and made a stop at a large marsh run out. Jon was on the bow fishing to the run out while Dale was at the stern fishing some logs. Dale had the first hookup - Big Fish On! and he played it expertly to the boat - but then Jon had a big bite. He thought it might be a Drum the way it was hugging the bottom. I netted Dale's Slot 22.5" Redfish then moved forward to net Jon's Big Flounder, one that measured right at 22.25" - boy what a fish. This fish moved Jon into a tie for 2nd place in the Anglers Mark 2020 Bragging Rights Tournament -Flounder Category (scroll down the right side of this report for standings). After high fives and pictures the duo when back to fishing and only minutes later Jon hooked up again, another big 21.5" Flounder - two in row!
We fished the north end of the island when the tide changed and got one feisty Red, then fished Pumpkin Hill where Jon caught another Trout and a Mangrove before we called it a day, another great one to be fishing here at Amelia Island, Florida.
When I stepped out the door this morning at 5:45am it was drizzling rain but the forecast called for clearing by sunrise and they got it right! By the time I picked up some live shrimp and mud minnows and got launched up at the Dee Dee Bartels Park, there was no rain and the skies were clearing a bit. I met the Whitehurst family - Wes and Elizabeth and their two children Callie and Levi early and we headed north and west towards the Jolly River. I was rounding the north side of Tiger Island and I noticed Elizabeth was looking behind us intently so when I turned and took a look, there was a Coast Guard gun boat chasing us with blue lights on! "Uh Oh, what did I do?", I thought. But they just pulled up, asked where we were heading, and told us to stay out of the channel as there was a "Naval Asset" coming thru soon. Code speak for Submarine!
We continued on around to Jolley "bank", eased up and began tossing float rigs with live shrimp on an outgoing tide. All four of these anglers were making excellent casts and it was Wes who "knocked the skunk off" when he hooked up and landed a feisty Redfish. He followed that up with a nice Seatrout. Elizabeth, Callie and Levi played cat and mouse with some "baitstealing" perch - and landed a handful.
Our next stop was up at Snook Creek. The wind was at our backs and Callie had put one right up near the oysters. The story goes....when she saw her float get bumped, she tightened her line, gave it a twitch and when it slowly went under she patiently waited a second or two, then lifted her rod and set the hook, and Fish On! Callie played it perfectly, worked it slowly to the boat, and landed a fat and feisty Redfish.
Not minutes later, Wes - fishing a jig and minnow- had a bump and set the hook and Big Fish On! This one was ripping drag, not wanting to come in, boiled up, and ran some more. But Wes was up to the task and played it perfectly. The big fish went from starboard side around to port then Wes brought it to Callie's waiting net, boy what a fish - a 24.5" Slot Redfish.
After fishing the outside of Tiger for a bit, we ran over to Lanceford Creek, fished "Bill's" spot, now with float rigs, and here Wes quickly picked up a keeper sized Seatrout and feisty Redfish. Elizabeth jumped in and landed a nice Seatrout. We finished up over in Soap Creek, getting a nibble here and there but no takers, so we called it a day, another great one to be fishing here at Amelia Island, Florida
I fished with two experienced anglers this morning - BJ Fitzgerald and his son Carson and finally, after 3 days of a slow fish bite, we had some pretty decent action. We had met down at the Sawpit Creek boat ramp and "eased" up the river - there was some pretty dense fog so we couldn't run full tilt. But we got up the Nassau River a bit and made our first stop at the Spanish Drop area. The tide was right at the bottom so we began pitching jigs and live shrimp to the bank and began to get bites almost immediately. Carson got things started off catching a hard fighting Jack Crevalle then he added a handful of Seatrout. BJ joined in on the catching and caught more Trout, then we had a couple of feisty Redfish come to the boat.
Carson had made an excellent cast to the bank and it only had time to sink before, BOOM, Big Fish On! Carson was playing it patiently (see video below) when, BOOM! BJ had a hookup - we had a double! I was back and forth with the net trying to figure out which fish to net first. When we saw that BJ's was another nice Jack, we concentrated on Carson's - his was a big Redfish. Carson worked it to the boat and we netted a nice 24"+ Slot Red fish.
We worked that area thoroughly then made the run around and down to Broward Island, set up south due to the tide still going out, had a few bites, then moved north as the tide started back in. Here both anglers caught Redfish and Trout.
Our next stop was back along Nassauville where we fished some rocks. Carson stayed with the jig while BJ switched to a float. BJ hooked up and landed a couple of Mangrove Snapper and Carson picked up one on the jig. We fished some docks on around Seymore's, then fished some oyster beds along the Nassau using float rigs and picked up one more Trout before we called it a day, another great one to be fishing here at Amelia Island, Florida.
We had another beautiful day this morning, clear cool and sunny. I had met Steve Locke and his fishing partner Jason Deig up at the Dee Dee Bartels Park boat ramp. I had planned to head over to Jolley River and fish the last couple of hours of an incoming tide, but there was NW breeze blowing that seemed just a bit stronger than the 8mph that was forecasted. So we headed south and into the Bell River, ran west, and set up along side a flooding oyster patch. Both anglers were tossing float rigs baited with live shrimp. Steve "knocked the skunk" off when he boated a hungry Seatrout, then he followed that up with a couple of more. After fishing the other side of the mound, we moved on.
Our next stop was around to the outside of Tiger Island, again fishing the float rigs. The first area produced no real bites so we moved across to "Manatee Cove" and here we got into some more small but hungry Trout.
Back thru Tiger we went, down the Bell, up the Lanceford and into Soap Creek. The tide was stillcoming in and again, we found small Trout. Some where along there Jason had gotten on the board with some good catches. We fished further down Lanceford and when it appeared the tide had changed we moved further up the creek. There was a family out in the yard with a cute 3 year old girl and as they were watching us fish the young lady tugged on her puppy's tail. We all got a kick out of it but as we were watching Jason realized that his float was gone! He reeled up his slack, set the hook and, Fish On! We knew right off that it was of size because the drag was ripping. Jason had an audience and he didn't disappoint - he worked it patiently to the boat and landed a nice 21.5" Slot Redfish.
We backed out of there and fished a grassy island as the tide was easing out. Steve made an excellent cast, let his float drift close and, BOOM! Another big fish on! Steve played it perfectly and brought to the net another Slot Red, this one measuring right at 22.5". We fished that island pretty good and picked up a couple of "rat" Reds and battled another big one, but this time it won and broke the hook off!
Our final stop was back at Soap Creek. Another grassy island had been exposed with the outgoing tide. We had just pulled up - I don't think Jason had time to even bait up - when Steve went in with a cast and BAM! Big Fish On! This fish fight was a battle but Steve was up for it - he'd had some practice earlier - and he soon netted the biggest fish of the day, a 25" Slot Redfish.
Although most of the day was spent catching 14" Seatrout, the last 45 minutes sure made for some great fishing, and with that, we called it a day, another great one to be fishing here at Amelia Island, Florida.
We had a front move thru last night that brought lots of rain, big winds, and cooler temperatures. When I stepped out this morning it was about 10-12 degrees cooler than yesterday - right at about 61. But the forecast called for just a bit of wind left over and sunny skies so when I met Tim and Laura Wolfe down at the south end boat ramp early this morning they were raring to go. We ran up thru Middle River and around to Pumpkin Hill and began to fish with float rigs and live shrimp, tossed up near the grass and left to drift naturally along the bank. That first spot didn't produce anything but bait-stealing nibbles so we moved down a bit. Here, Tim, who was taking up the stern, had let his float and bait drift close to some small grass islands and when the float went under he was ready, set the hook, and brought to the boat a feisty Redfish.
We moved around and into Pumpkin and fished a couple of more grassy island. We thought we had spotted a Redfish roll up behind us as we were in a shallow flat but after Tim hooked up and easily brought a big fish to the boat we saw that it was an ugly Gar fish!
Our next stop was over at Christopher Creek, now fishing jigs on the bottom. We worked the docks and rocks and banks and both anglers were making excellent casts but we had no takers. After making a short run over to Seymore's Pointe we set up outside a grassy point as the tide changed and started out and again, not takers.
I had begun to get a bad feeling that the previous night's front was affecting the fish bite because even the bait stealers were taking a break! But we kept on fishing! We ran down to Spanish Drop, worked that bank with float rigs, then switched back to the jigs, and Tim put another feisty Redfish in the boat. Back to the docks we went, now fishing the jigs, but to no avail. Back to Twin Creeks to squeeze in just a few more minutes and, BAM! Big Fish On! Tim had a hookup on a jig and mud minnow. He played it perfectly but we both noticed that the big fish never made a decent run. I think that change in the weather had him confused! Tim was patient, worked it to the boat, and we netted a nice 25" Slot Redfish. Only minutes later Tim had another hookup and brought in a nice keeper sized Trout.
Although we didn't catch a lot of fish, our "keeper to catch ratio" was pretty good and with the nice weather, it made for another great day to be fishing here at Amelia Island, Florida.
I fished with the Lancaster team today, Justice and Chase and Mark, meeting them down at the Sawpit Creek boat ramp early as the sun rose. We made the long run thru Middle River and around to Pumpkin Hill and set up alongside some flooded marsh grass with the tide expected to hit high in just 30 minutes. Chase was on the bow, Justice in the middle and Mark took up the stern - and the stern was where all the action was. Mark was letting his float rig drift with the current and picked up a handful of fish - Trout, Jack Crevalle, and Mangrove Snapper.
We eased along and worked in and out of the little pockets and then Chase got on the board with a Trout catch. He later picked up a feisty Redfish. We buzzed around the corner into Pumpkin and worked up to some grassy islands where Mark hooked up - he thought he may have had an oyster, but this one pulled back. He worked it thru some grass
and brought to the net a nice 17" keeper Flounder. Just as we netted it Chase put another Redfish in the boat. There had been a fog set in for a bit and it seemed we caught most of our fish before the fog lifted!
Our next stop was around at Seymore's Pointe, fishing the corner of some grass as the tide started out and here Chase picked up a couple of Mangrove Snapper and a hard fighting Jack Crevalle. We ran down the Nassau and worked along some now exposed oysters, tossing jigs and live shrimp and mud minnows, to no avail.
We went back to some docks at Seymore's, stuck with the jigs and played cat and mouse with some Snapper. But finally we had strong hookup, Fish On! Justice graciously offered the rod to Chase who battled the big fish out from the dock pilings - that fish made a couple of runs to the pilings but Chase applied the pressure at the right time, and worked it out. After a good fight he landed a Slot sized 22" Redfish.
After running thru Horsehead and fishing briefly over at the mouth of Jackstaff we called it a day, another great one to be fishing here at Amelia Island, Florida.
I fished with William and Dara Blalock this morning, meeting them out at the Goffinsville Park boat
ramp early enough to see the sun coming up over Amelia Island. We made a quick run down the Nassau to the Spanish Drop area, turned into the current and began working up alongside a shell bank that was beginning to be exposed on an outgoing tide. Both Dara and William were making excellent casts but it seemed Dara had the hot hand early, landing a good amount of hungry Seatrout, along with a hard fighting Jack Crevalle. We worked that bank up to it's end then William began to put fish in the boat. He landed a couple of feisty Redfish, another Jack and a couple of Flounder, one of which was of keeper size. (All fish caught today were released). Dara finally put a keeper sized Seatrout in the boat while William landed another Red.
We moved on up to Athens Drop where I had high hopes for some quality fish but all we managed was a Catfish!
Our next stop was over at some docks at Seymore's Pointe. Dara had offered William her rod that was already baited with a mud minnnow - he made the cast and, BOOM! Big fish On! It took all that William could do to keep the fish out from the dock pilings and it made a run or two towards them. But Willliam worked it out for good, played it perfectly, and landed a beautiful copper colored Redfish that was so big we would have to have debated with the Game and Fish guys if we had wanted to keep it! Dara was fishing live shrimp and caught a handful of Mangrove Snapper.
After a 8 minute rundown to Broward Island we set up to fish the bank. Dara was on the stern and beat
William to a stump, making a perfect cast right up along side of it and it had only hit the water before, BAM! Fish On! Dara played it like a pro, worked it out to deep water, and landed a nice22" copper-Red, what a beautiful fish. We eased down the bank where Dara put another Trout in the boat then it was Williams' turn for a big Redfish.
I saw his line moving up current and so did he! William let the fish take it, eased his line in tight and set the hook! Another big fish. William played it paitently, worked it to the boat, and we netted another23" copper Red. We had one more battle with a big Red later but this time this one fittingly won the battle. And with that, we called it a day, another great one to be fishing here at Amelia Island, Florida.
After a few days of some serious NE wind blowing we were finally able to get out today. I had met Matt Park and his two sons Dillon and Joseph up at the Dee Dee Bartels Park boat ramp early and we headed down the river with plans fish oysters beds along Lanceford Creek. We worked along, pitching to the beds and it was young Joseph who "knocked the skunk off" by catching and landing two hungry Seatrout. Dillon got on the board with a Ladyfish catch and what looked like a small Sea Bass. We did have a Manatee sighting!
Little did the young anglers know but dad was "laying back"! We fished Tiger Island logs on the first of an incoming tide and even though it was 'right", we had very few nibbles and no real bites. We then ran up to the Jolley River and fished a bend that had some exposed oysters. Matt began to light up the leader board. He hooked up and landed a feisty 5-spot Redfish, then caught a Trout or two, then another Redfish, then another Trout or two.
Our final stop was at Snook Creek, pitching jigs and drifting float rigs. We did have a few takers on the float rigs but they must not have had any size to them. We fished down to the last mud minnow then called it a day, another great one to be fishing here at Amelia Island, Florida.
I fished today with James and Nicole Bush, meeting them up at the Dee Dee Bartels Park boat ramp early. We had cloudy skies with a forecast of 60% chance of rain before the morning was over but these anglers were game to fish so we headed out and over to the back side of Tiger to try our hand with some fly gear. James was casting the fly off the stern in deep water with an intermediate sinking line and a weighted black Troy James Fly while Nicole fished from the bow with a a jig and live shrimp on spinning gear. James was making excellent casts and putting the fly up close to the bank, letting it slide down the river bottom before the current really got to coming in. He had a few "bumps" but no takers. We eased down the bank working in and out of the logs and it was Nicole who put the first fish int he boat, hungry Mangrove Snapper that was just a smidgen below the size limit.
Then it was James' time to hookup. I had just commented about a perfect cast he had made up near the shore and alongside a log when, BOOM! A slot sized Redfish hit it and
came out of the water. James had done a strip set and had the fish. He worked it perfectly out of the logs and into deeper water. I inched the boat out deeper and felt for sure that we had the fish. But James said he felt the fish "lock down" - a sure sign that it was wrapped around a log or stump and, BAP! Fish Off! Boy what a bummer.
We fished the island up and down and Nicole, fishing the bait, hooked up and landed a feisty Redfish before we moved on. Our next stop was over at Lanceford Creek. I had switched Nicole to a float rig, gave her a demo cast, and float disappeared! I lifted the rod, hooked the fish and handed it off to Nicole who battled it valiantly from Stern to Bow and back to Stern. The fish was ripping drag and made multiple runs but Nicole was up to the task and soon brought the beast to bay - a 4' Bonnethead Shark. Nicole added a Seatrout to her catch before we moved on.
James had been dealing with the wind that had picked up after we left Tiger but he was making the most of it, getting in some fine casts. We added another Trout and a Ladyfish before we headed in. Just as we were getting back to the ramp we spotted a Submarine cruising thru the channel up by Cumberland which made for a great way to wrap up a good day of fishing here at Amelia Island, Florida.
It was kinda weird out fishing this morning - the skies stayed overcast the entire day, ominous storm clouds surrounded us while 10mph winds kept a breeze flowing. But my guests - Bob Lalli and his two adult sons Mark and Scott were game to fish so we had met down at the Sawpit Creek boat ramp. We ran up the Middle River and around to Pumpkin Hill with plans to fish the very last few minutes of an incoming tide. I think the fish were taking a break - we fed the bait stealers one shrimp after another! But we stayed with it, got a few strong bites, then Mark put a feisty Bonnethead Shark in the boat.
We eased around the corner, fed some more bait stealers (the bait shop was all out of mud minnows today), then it was Scott's turn to tangle with a Bonnethead. Bob put a Seatrout in the boat to officially "knock the skunk off". We then ran down to Twin Creeks and pt out a minnow trap, then back to Seymore's Pointe and played with some Mangrove Snapper. We caught a few but all were undersized and again, we were blowing thru our bait, so we moved on. We fished Athens Drop and picked up another Trout or two, and a couple of feisty Redfish then we stopped in to pick up our minnow trap. There were only two minnows in the trap but I was able to cast net a good handful of perfect size finger Mullet.
Our next stop was up at some docks at Seymore's Pointe. These anglers were making excellent casts and it wasn't long before it paid off. Scott had baited with one of the finger mullet and had put it up near the pilings. When he hooked up and the drag began to sing we new it was a big fish. Scott put some pressure on, got the fish out away from the pilings then patiently played it to the net. I had to measure it a couple of times to make sure it squeezed in under the Slot limit of 27" - boy what a fish!
We had a few more bites, picked up a couple of Mangroves, another feisty Red, and a nice Seatrout before we called it a day. The skies were still cloudy but we had only had a few rain drops so we counted it as another great day to be fishing here at Amelia Island, Florida.
We used to visit the Florida Keys with my sisters and other relatives and every once in a while they'd
break out a hot Crab Artichoke Dip. Here it is..
(1) 14oz can of artichokes, drained and chopped roughly(
(1) Cup mayonaise
(2/3) Cup grated Parmesan cheese
(8oz) Shredded Mozzarella cheese
(1) Teaspoon Konricko seasoning
(1) 6oz can crab meat
(1) Teaspoon Hot Sauce
Stir all the ingredients together thoroughly in a 8x8 pyrex baking dish. Bake in oven set at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes. Top should brown and cheese should melt.
I was back at this morning, fishing with Frank Wytiaz and his wife Joanne after I had met them down at the Sawpit Creek boat ramp. We made a quick run up the Nassau River and stopped at a large marsh run out. The bait was getting "popped" all along the bank so we set up to fish with float rigs and live shrimp. It only took minutes and we were catching fish. Ladyfish, Jack Crevalle, Seatrout, small but feisty Redfish, Pinfish, Catfish -it was a smorgasbord. Frank was fishing out of the stern and had drifted his float long when something big hit it. He worked it to the boat and landed big Seatrout that was just a tad bit under 20". Later, Joanne had made an excellent cast to the bank, hooked up and when her drag began to sing we knew it was a big fish. Joanne played it patiently, worked it to the boat, let it run, ripping drag, worked it to the boat, and landed a nice 21" Slot sized Redfish. I had looked at my watch and we had been fishing this one spot for well over an hour, and catching fish!
We did move up the way, switched to jigs and shrimp
and picked up one more feisty Redfish. We then fished some dock pilings and caught Black "puppy" Drum, another small Redfish, a Croaker, and Joanne added to the variety with a couple of Mangrove Snapper catches. We eased around the corner, switched back to float rigs, and fished some rocks but only found one small Mangrove.
Our next stop was down at Broward Island. Fishing with jigs we added to the catch one more Redfish. The sun was getting up and getting hot so we called it a day, another great one to be fishing here at Amelia Island, Florida.
I fished today with the Hendrickson family, Brian and Sherrie and their son William. I met them early down at the Sawpit Creek boat ramp and after making a short run up the Nassau, we made our first stop at Spanish Drop to fish the incoming tide with float rigs and live shrimp. The shell was covered and the anglers were able to get good drifts along the marsh grass. William "knocked the skunk off" with a good battle with a Jack Crevalle then his dad put a small Flounder in the boat. From then on we were catching fish. Sherrie landed a feisty Redfish while Brian and William teamed up on small Trout, Jack Crevalle, Ladyfish and feisty Reds. We left 'em biting when we moved on!
The water was up and I thought it'd be a good time to hit Pumpkin Hill and boy was it a good guess! We were drifting the bank again with shrimp under a float and again, the fish catching was on fire. Brian put a 20" Seatrout in the boat and later William followed that up with one of his own. Sherrie put a couple of Mangrove Snapper in the boat then William hooked up and landed a hard fighting Black "puppy" Drum to round out their Amelia Island Back
Country "Grande" Slam of Redfish, Seatrout, Flounder and Drum.
We had drifted down the bank a bit when William had a strong hookup and his drag sang, Fish On! This was a big fish but it was no match for William. He stayed patient, worked it slowly to the boat, held it when it ran, worked it to the boat, held it when it ran, then brought it to the net - a big 30.5" Oversized Redfish! Boy what a fish. Then it was his dad's turn! Brian hooked up and this fish took him from the bow to the stern then dug deep for a good battle. But Brian was up to the task and soon landed a 29.5" oversized Redfish. Shortly after Brian had made an excellent cast to behind a grassy point. He said his float gook off with the current and he lifted his rod to set the circle hook - another big fish on! Brian worked this one to the boat and landed a 24" Seatrout - a fish big enough to move Brian into third place in the Anglers Mark 2020 Bragging Rights
Tournament-Seatrout Category(scroll down the right side of this report for standings).
We made a couple more brief stops on the way back to the ramp, then called it a day, another great one to be fishing here at Amelia Island, Florida.
I fished this morning with Mark and Angie Smith and their son Zach, meeting them up at the Dee
Dee Bartels Park boat ramp early. We made a quick run over to Tiger Island to fish the logs with the a tide that had been coming in for about an hour. This trio of anglers were making excellent casts but we had a barrage of "bait stealers" and within 30 minutes our bait inventory was already feeling the strain! So we picked up and ran up to the Jolley River.
I ran all the way up into the river and we pitched jigs and live shrimp to the oysters Angie "knocked the (real) skunk off" when she hooked up and landed a hungry Seatrout. We fished couple of oyster banks along the river and landed a small handful of fish - Trout, Mangrove Snapper, Grunts, and Croaker.
Our final stop was around at the outside of Tiger and here we found a handful of Flounder. Zach was acting as First Mate and "netman" while his dad caught and reeled in Flounder. We were down to our last mud minnow and Mark caught a fish, went back for another, then went back for another. I firmly believe he'd of caught a 4th if the minnow hadn't dropped off the hook after the 3rd fish! Although we didn't get any big fish, we did get some action later in the trip so we counted it as another great one to be fishing here at Amelia Island, Florida.
It was sad news to get that our friend and fishing buddy Raymond Keen passed away suddenly Saturday evening. He and I were "tied at the hip" thru out high school and many of us knew him from school and playing on the Fernandina Beach HIgh School Pirate football team together. A few years ago Tony French, Raymond, Daniel Rhodes and myself decided to re-unite on the "field" of fishing so we set up a back water trip here at Amelia Island. We had an outstanding time, caught many fish and planned to repeat the trip annually. We fished two more times together (Daniel missed last year due to a bad oyster he ate) but unfortunately, we had our last fishing time together with Raymond. Since his passing I've given a lot of thought to what drew me to Raymond as a friend. I think I recognized way back that Raymond had a "good heart" - he meant well, wanted to do the right thing, and didn't have any meaness within him. He was a good guy.
Tony came in from middle Georgia last night for the service this afternoon. We put out an invite out to Daniel but he had to work with such short notice. So Tony and I went fishing, partly to honor Raymond with one more fishing trip, and partly to get out and enjoy a day of fun fishing for ourselves!
We launched out at Goffinsville early and made the short run over to Broward Island. The tide was still going out, but was due to stop at anytime. I found out early that Tony's "strategy" was to catch fish quick and keep me busy netting fish and keep my bait out of the water! He landed a couple of feisty Redfish, a keeper sized Flounder, and a Jack before I could even wet a hook! Finally I hooked up and landed a hungry Seatrout. From then on we were catching fish -Raymond really would have enjoyed it! More small Reds and keeper sized Flounder. I went in between two logs and hooked up and landed a nice Slot sized 21" Redfish. We worked down the bank for hour or so, then moved on north.
Now knowing Tony's strategy, I had a jig baited and ready to go, and tossed it to the bank, let it drop, and, BOOM! Big Fish On! It was a good battle but we won it and landed an oversized 28.5" Redfish.
Our next stop was back down the Nassau River where we fished the flooding grass with float rigs. We added to the catch a couple more of keeper sized Flounder. We hit Seymore's Pointe to try for Mangrove Snapper, then made one final run down to Pumkin Hill.
I picked up a small Jack Crevalle then Tony, drifting his float up close to the grass, hooked up and landed a keeper sized Seatrout. It had been hot the last hour and we were really feeling it but Tony gave it one more drift, this time baited with a mud minnows, and BOOM! Big Fish On! The drag was ripping and the fish was digging deep then it came up and boiled and we new it was a big Redfish. Tony played it perfectly, fought it valiantly, and soon landed another Big Oversized 30" Redfish, boy what a fish! And with that, we called it a day, another great one to be fishing here at Amelia Island, and a good time to remember our friend Raymond Keen.
The hurricane Isaias passed us by with hardly a blip here at Amelia Island - I even heard someone say they had to turn on their sprinkler system to water their yard! Today was my first day back fishing after a good break and I met Chris Sampson, his daughter Carlie, and her friend Dan down at the south end boat ramp early and after making a short run up the Nassau, we set up to fish a tide that had been coming in for a couple of hours. We were tossing live shrimp under floats. These three anglers were getting good drifts along the flooded marsh grass but I don't think we even got a nibble, which is unusual to say the least. I did notice that I wasn't seeing any baitfish and that the water temperature had dropped about 3 degrees from last week.
We ran up to Seymore's Pointe, fished some dock pilings with jigs and shrimp, and here, Carlie put a nice keeper sized Mangrove Snapper in the boat. She landed another couple, one of which was keeper size, before we moved on. We eased around the corner, fished some rocks with the floats, then move on.
Our next stop was down a Pumpkin Hill. Chris and Dan got on the board with a Ladyfish and Jack Crevalle catch, respectively and Carlie added a feisty Redfish to her catch total. Then after we had moved down the bank a ways, things heated up a bit. Dan had a Mangrove Snapper bite, then Carlie and Chris had a "double" - Carlie landed her feisty Redfish quickly but Chris's big Jack Crevalle took him around the stern a couple of time before he was able put it in the net.
We fished Christopher Creek with jigs then came back out, headed to Twin Creeks just as the tide started back out, and went back to the float rigs. Carlie had made an excellent cast to a grassy point, let her float drift out with the current, and BAM, she hooked up and landed a keeper sized Seatrout.
We had beautiful weather all day, the sun was out, we caught some fish, so we counted it as another great day to be fishing here at Amelia Island, Florida.
