The Boyz Were Catching

 

I kicked off the week fishing with the Hutchins family - Matt and Laura and their two sons Garrett and Carter. We met early down at the Sawpit Creek boat ramp and headed up the intracoastal to make our way to Poteat Point and break out float rigs and live shrimp on a tide that had been going out for about 2 hours. It only took a minute before those floats were going down! I noted the water temperature was almost 64 and it seemed to turn the small Trout on. Garrett and Carter took turns reeling in Seatrout at that first spot. We did ease forward just a bit and got a couple of more further up.

We then ran thru Horsehead and down to Spanish Drop and switched to jigs and shrimp. The anglers had a few nibbles but no real takers. We moved up to fish a large drainage but again, nibbles but no takers. Our next stop was over at Nassauville, fishing between two docks.  The baitstealers were prolific but we did manage another Trout. Back around at Seymore's we fished some dock pilings and this did the trick. Matt found a nice Black "puppy" Drum then he and Garrett took turns hooking up with the Drum. Carter was on the net and did an outstanding job pulling them in to the boat. They also added a couple of feisty Redfish to their catch total. 

Our final stop was down at Broward Island, fishing under a Bald Eagle. The current was really ripping but Matt did manage to get one more Trout out of the deep. We had stayed busy at a couple of spots reeling in fish so as we headed back to the ramp we counted it as another great day to be fishing here at Amelia Island, Florida. 

Trout Were the Game

 I fished yesterday morning with Greg Fritzgerald. When I got up and stepped outside to get the boat ready I was hit with a gust of wind - I went back inside and double checked the weather! It was forecasted to be windy, right on the bubble, but it was going to be a beautiful day so I went on with the "plan" - meet Greg at Sawpit Creek, run up to Nassauville and fish the docks out of the NW wind. And that's what we did!

That first stop started things off right - Greg was tossing jigs and live shrimp on the last hour or so of an outgoing tide and he caught a good handful of Seatrout. He said he was getting just a faint "bump" - he'd tighten his line and set the hook. Many were undersized but he had a couple that were of keeper size. he also put two keeper sized Weakfish in the boat. 

We worked up and down Nassauville fishing in pleasant "pond like" conditions. Every now and then we'd find a dock that produced a handful of Trout. Greg perfected the hookup and didn't miss many. He added to his catch total and keeper total, enough so that we had reached his limit and were tossing 15"+ fish back. One of those keepers was a "Gator" - when he hooked it up I was thinking, "finally, a Redfish" - but I was wrong. Greg played it perfectly, worked it up off the bottom, let it run, worked it in and landed a big 20" Trout, the biggest of the year and worth Bragging Rights for a while!

We fished down the Nassau for the last 45 minutes of the trip and Greg did finally find his Redfish, a feisty one that measured just undersized. We had went out this morning with a plan and it had paid off with some comfortable fishing, some good action, and a few fish in the box so as we headed back to the ramp we counted it as another great day to be fishing here at Amelia Island, Florida.  

Private Waters? Trophy Trout!

 

The weather cooperated with our plans to fish today - it was looking "iffy" earlier in the week but as we got closer today it appeared the winds and rain would hold off until after out trip. I met Don Walters and his longtime friends and fishing buddies Alex and Bruce down at Sawpit Creek early and we headed up the Intracoastal and then into the Nassau to make our way up to Nassauville to make our first stop at a couple of docks to fish the last of an outgoing tide with jigs and live shrimp. The "baitstealers" were on fire! We may have gotten a Trout there but most of the bites were the little perch - good practice for hooking up but not what we wanted!

We then bounced around to fish some Seymore's Pointe dock pilings - worked one, then eased along
and pitched to others. This paid off when Bruce, fishing off the stern, had a strong hookup and boated a nice feisty Redfish. We stayed on the outside of the docks, pitching forward, and the trio caught a good handful of small but hungry Seatrout.

After making the run down to Broward we worked the bank pretty good, but again, a ton of baitstealers -maybe a trout or two. We then made that long run up the Nassau to dip into a creek and fished the first of an incoming tide. Unfortunately that forecasted wind was right on time and it was really blowing into us. But it didn't deter these anglers - Bruce again found a good hookup off the stern - this one was ripping a bit of drag and sure enough, when landed, it measured in the Slot - our first keeper! We fished on down the bank and found a "honey hole" of fish. These weren't "private waters" but it sure was nice to get a good flurry of fish. Don hooked up and landed a nice 17" Seatrout, then Alex followed that up with a big 19" Trout. Then all three were catching Redfish. Two of those fish measured right at 17 3/4" and had to go back but as we worded down the bank Don found another Red that fit into the Slot. We had a good bit of action with smaller fish early, topped it off with some keeper fish later, so as we headed back to the ramp we counted it as another great day to be fishing here at Amelia Island, Florida. 

Slowly Got a Slam

 What a beautiful day we had today! I met Glenn and Patti Langford up at Old Town Bait and Tackle early and after easing out of Eagans we made our way over to Lanceford Creek to try and fish some docks but when we got there it seemed like we were a bit late for a "convention" of other Guides. We did fish one dock for a bit and Patti "knocked the skunk off when she hooked up and landed a small Black "puppy" Drum. We moved on. Our next stop was back at Soap Creek where we again tossed jigs and live shrimp to some dock pilings on a lower and incoming tide. I was beginning to think that this spot was going to be a dud when Patti made an excellent cast up into the pilings - she had a hookup and fish on!  Patti played it perfectly and brought it to the net - a nice keeper sized Sheepshead.

We then made the run around to Tyger Island, getting there a bit later than I like but it still paid off. Both Glenn and Patti caught a few Redfish, one of which was of keeper size. They also added a Seatrout catch to their bag total. They actually had a "Grande Slam" of Drum, Sheepshead, Redfish and Trout. . We worked down the island and back up, not getting much, until we got back to where we started and picked up another couple of Redfish, two measuring right at 17 3/4", and also a small Flounder.(Super Grande Slam).

After running back around to the outside of Tyger we fished along the marsh bank with jigs for just a bit, to no avail. We then made the long run over to Bell River and fished jigs deep. Glenn put a keeper sized Seatrout in the boat and Patti had one to the boat that would have been the biggest Trout of the day but alas, it threw the hook right at the boat. Ouch. It had been a beautiful day, we had some fish in the box, so as we headed back to the ramp we counted it as another great day to be fishing here at Amelia Island, Florida. 

Wisconsin Boys Catching Some Fish!

 I wrapped my week up and it was a beautiful day to do it! I met Peter Brown and his Wisconsin fishing buddies Shawn and Jeff - down at Sawpit as the full moon set. We ran up the Nassau, all the way to Broward Island and the water was slick as ice, not a rippled. We set up at the island and tossed jigs and live shrimp on a tide that already been coming in for about 2.5 hours, but we made it in time. That first stop didn't produce but we eased down about 50' and that did the trick - Shawn "knocked the skunk off" when he hooked up and landed a hungry Seatrout. He built a commanding lead in the "fish catch total", catching one Trout after another.  We worked down and up that bank and added a good handful of Seatrout to the catch. 

After running way up the Nassau we dipped into a small creek and worked the bank and boy did this pay off. All three anglers began to get Redfish -Shawn on the bow, Peter in the middle and Jeff off the stern. These fish were just undersized but real feisty and fun to catch. Then it got even better!  They hooked up with four Slot sized fish -that fourth being over the limit and was released. They also added another Trout catch or two.

We then came back and fished Pumpkin Hill, switching to float rigs and drifting long. Shawn was up on the bow and handicapped trying to fish backwards but he made it work and caught some more Trout. We fished a large drainage at Seymore's Pointe, had no real bites, then ran thru Horsehead to troll along Jackstaff "bank" and here the trio wrapped up the day with one more Seatrout catch. We had beautiful sunny skies, almost no wind, and the temperature had warmed enough to shed jackets and with fish in the box, as we headed back, we counted it as another great day to be fishing here at Amelia Island, Florida.

Big Fish Right Off The Bat

 

I wrapped my week up fishing with Murray Bonitt and his son Dan and friend Gavin...and some dude named Darron that nobody knew. We met early down at the Sawpit Creek boat ramp under cloudy skies but we had very little wind (but enough to keep the gnats away) so as we headed up the Nassau River we had high hopes of catching some fish. I haven't fished the shell beds in a long while but they were exposed on a tide that had been going out a few hours so as we approached Spanish Drop we decided to give it at try - we'd be pitching jigs and live shrimp to those oysters. Gavin and Dan were up at the bow while Murray manned the stern. We had been fishing for about 10 minutes when Murray put an excellent cast up near the oysters and he had a big hookup, Fish On!  This fish was ripping drag and when I saw it wasn't wanting to come in I knew it had some size to it, and then it rolled and I knew it was a big Redfish. Murray played it perfectly, worked it in, wore it out, and soon landed a nice 24" Slot Redfish - first fish of the day!

We worked that bank thoroughly then made a run the Nassau and fished a large drainage with the jigs.
Here, Dan got on the board with a couple of Seatrout catches and Murray added a couple, too. That Darron guy picked up a Baitstealer.

Our next stop was down at Broward Island and here the "catching" picked up. The trio caught a good handful of fish. Gavin had persevered, stuck with it, and picked up a few hungry Seatrout. Dan caught Trout and a couple of feisty Redfish, and Murray added a few more fish to the catch total. We had had only a light sprinkle from the forecasted Sunday rains, had caught some good fish, so as we headed back to the ramp we counted it as another great day to be fishing here at Amelia Island, Florida.   

Bragging Rights Bust

 Today's planned "fun" fishing trip turned in to a busting of the Bragging Rights! Needing some fish for my Amelia Island Life Long Learning class's fish fry, I planned to fish this morning with my wife Carol and our neighbor and friend Wade Kirkland. We got an early start, picking up bait at Amelia Island Bait and Tackle then making our way out to Goffinsville Park. After launching and easing out of the No Wake Zone, we ran down the Nassau to make our first stop at Seymore's Ponte with plans to fish some dock pilings on the last of an outgoing tide.  The good news is that we had zero wind. The bad news was that the Sand Gnats (no seeums) were out in force. But we had bug spray and head nets so there was no whispers of mutiny, that I heard. Although I liked the spot and liked the tide we had hardly any nibbles except a small Seatrout that Carol caught before we moved on. 

I was killing time waiting for that tide to start back in so we stopped in at some docks at Nassauville and pitched the jigs and this gave us a good flurry of action. Both Carol and Wade hooked up and caught Seatrout and I got in a few casts, caught a few, one of which was of keeper size. We then made our way down to Broward Island and fished it as the tide began to hit bottom. We were treated to a Bald Eagle sighting and then a Salt Marsh Mink scampering along the bank - my first sighting of the year. Carol had a good cast up to the bank and in short order, BAM! Fish On! She played it perfectly and patiently brought it to the net - a nice 18"(maybe) Redfish. The measurement was so close we thought we'd have to debate the FWC guy so we tossed it back. Just as we were releasing it Wade had a strong hookup. This fish was heading north and ripping drag and digging deep and we knew it was a big one. But Wade was up the task and put up a valiant battle, working the fish in slowly, letting it run, working it in, letting it run and after about an 8 minutes fight he brought to the net an Oversized 32.5" Redfish. This fish moved Wade into First Place in the 2025 Anglers Mark Bragging Rights Tournament-Redfish Category(scroll down the right side of this report for standings).  Boy what a fish!

We fished up and down the bank and picked up another handful of Redfish, one of which was of keeper size.  After fishing a small creek and getting two more Reds, we called it a day and headed back in, counting it as another great day to be fishing here at Amelia Island, Florida. 

A Little Bit of Everything

 I last fished with Dennis Fritz, his wife Adele, and their visiting friends Jon and Jessica, meeting themdown at the Sawpit Creek boat ramp. We were supposed to go early but when the alarm went off and I got up it was pouring rain! Luckily this group was able to go later so we postponed the trip until 11am. After the "safety orientation" we eased just around the corner to anchor up current from the old Sawpit Bridge. I had the ladies drifting Slip Floats out the stern, back towards the pilings, baited with live shrimp. Dennis and Jon were off the Starboard side tossing jigs and live shrimp up current. Both Adele and Jessica were getting good drifts and let their floats slip right beside the pilings, but they had no takers. But surprisingly, Dennis had a good bite, set the hook, and brought to the boat a nice feisty Redfish. 

We then made the long run up the Nassau River and made our way over to some docks in Nassauville. All four anglers switched to jigs and shrimp and this paid off - they all began to hookup and land hungry Seatrout. They kept me busy! Most of these fish were in the 14.5" range, just under sized, but caught in 20-25' of water. 

After a run down to Broward Island and a Bald Eagle sighting, we fished the deep waters off of the island and picked up a couple of Trout and a Redfish or two. We then ran way up the Nassau and dipped into a creek and fished the deeper bank. This did the trick. This group landed another couple of Redfish and a Black "puppy" Drum to round out their Amelia Island Back Country Slam of

Redfish, Seatrout and Drum. We had sunny skies for most of the day(after the morning rain), and very light winds - the temperature warmed enough so that we were shedding layers. If not for the "no-seeums" it would have been another outstanding day of fishing here at Amelia Island, Florida. 

If We Were On A Deserted Island...

 we'd of ate pretty good! I met Glenn and Patti Lanford mid morning today with plans to fish the last of an outgoing tide, first of an incoming. We ran up the intra-coastal, up the Nassau and made our way to a large runout where we pitched jigs and live shrimp. I wouldn't call it "on fire" but we caught a good handful of hungry Seatrout - they all ranged in the 14-12" range. If we were on a deserted island and that was what we were catching we would have ate pretty good!  We moved around and fished some docks at Seymore's Pointe but had no real bites.

After fishing right at Seymores Point for just a bit(Glenn hooked up and landed a feisty Redfish), we made the run down to Broward Island. Although a couple f spots were taken(that's Saturday fishing) we made our way down the island and set up into the current. Here, Patti came alive and began to catch Seatrout. She put a good handful in the boat, then Glenn joined in and caught a few. One of these was of keeper size. They also landed another Redfish and we added a Whiting to the catch total. 

We had caught a "mess o fish" but only one or two were of keeper size. But the sun was out and as we headed back to the ramp we counted it as another great day to be fishing here at Amelia Island, Florida. 

Beating The Drum

 

Oh what a pretty day we had today! It was kinda cool but only a "two layer" day, and the sun was out with no real wind- the water early was like glass. I had met Henry Ross and his son-in-law Devon down at Sawpit Creek boat ramp and we made our way  up the intracoastal and then up the Nassau River to fish a dock at Seymore's Point on the very first of an incoming tide. As it turned out, we may have been early. Both anglers were making excellent casts to the pilings but we had not a single bite, not a one. We eased around teh corner to Nassauville and fished an outlet with a deeper drop off and this did the trick. Devon got hot early, I think it was his first cast and he had a hookup and played to the net a hungry Seatrout. He followed that up in quick order with a couple of more catches. Henry got things going and caught a hanful of the Trout too. Out of the 10 or 12 that we caught, one was of keeper size. 

We then made our way down to Broward Island and fished the first of an incoming there. Again, Devon got hot - he caught a couple of small Redfish, then had a strong bite and as his drag ripped, we had a big Fish On!  Devon played it perfectly, let it run worked it in, let it run and finally brought to the net a nice keeper sized Black "puppy" Drum. The duo added a few more fish before we moved down about 40'. Again, they picked up a couple of smaller Redfish and a Trout or two. We then moved further down, turned nto the current and worked back and caught more Reds, a keeper sized Sheepshead, and a Trout or two. Before we left the area we decided to fish are first spot one more time, now that the tide was really coming in and it paid off. Devon added a nice 20" Slot Redfish to his catch total and Henry battled a big Black Drum to the net. He had a " Bragging Rights" Sheepshead to the surface but it shook the hook before I could get it netted. Net man has to be quicker!

After making the long run up the Nassau and dipping into a creek we worked it thoroughly and it paid off with another 8-10 Redfish caught, one of which was in the Slot. Although the first spot didn't produce, the rest did and we caught a "mess o' fish" so as we headed back to the ramp we counted it as another great day to be fishing here at Amelia Island, Florida. 

Sweetheart of a Trip

 

Fishing the day after Valentines you hope that the catching will make for a "sweetheart" kind of day, and today turned out to be pretty good!  I had met William and Dara Blalock out at Goffinsivlle Park early and as I was launching I was treated to a really cool sunrise. The tide had been coming in for about an hour so we made our way up river to get in some "first of the incoming" tide fishing. Dara was on the stern and made an excellent first cast - William was on the bow and made an excellent first cast and BAM! It was William who had the hookup. He worked it to the boat and landed a nice feisty Redfish. William picked up a Seatrout shortly after that, then BAM! and his drag was ripping - this was a big one!  William played it patiently, worked it in, let it run, worked it in, let it run, and eventually brought to the net an Oversized 27.75" Redfish. 

We moved down the way about 30' and worked the bank with the jigs and shrimp and here Dara came
alive and got on the board with a couple of Redfish and Seatrout catches. William added a couple too, then we moved further down the Island and worked back into the current and caught a handful of Redfish, one of which was in the Slot. There were a couple of more Seatrout caught with at least one of those of keeper size. 

After running way up the Nassau we dipped into a creek and worked back into the current. The catching wasn't "on fire" but it was nice and steady. Dara did an excellent job of battling a 20" Slot Red to the net, and William added another Slot fish to the count. We caught  and tossed a good handful of smaller but "feisty" Reds and a couple of Trout, one of being of keeper size. 

We later fished some flooded shell alongside some marsh grass with float rigs and Dara found a Trout, then we fished one set of docks where William pulled a Trout out from behind the pilings. We had stayed busy catching fish the first three hours of the trip so as we headed back to the ramp we counted it as another great day to be fishing here at Amelia Island, Florida. 

Are We Fishing or Catching?

For a awhile there we were thinking we might just be on a fishing trip, not a "catching" trip! I had met Ed and Maddona AndrewLavage up at Old Town Bait and Tackle early this morning. We had dark and gloomy skies with the clouds blowing north over the ocean. But the temperature was almost "shirtsleeves" weather with a promise from the forecasters of it to reach into the 80's today. Can't beat that! We eased out of Eagans Creek and made our way over to Bell River to fish a flooded oyster point on the last of a high and incoming tide. Both Ed and Madonna were getting excellent casts and good drifts but we had not a bite on their float rigs and live shrimp. 

We ran thru Tyger, made the turn around the Concrete Teepee and after making our way up the Jolley River we set up along side a point and drifted the floats and shrimp again. What little wind we had, had died down and the water was a like glass and the floats looked oh so sweet as they drifted along, but evidently not to the fish because again, not a nibble. Further up the river, just past Snook Creek, we turned into the current and here Madonna's first cast produced a good bite. That float disappeared and Madonna tightened up and let the circle hook set - she worked it to the boat and "knocked the skunk off" with a hungry Seatrout catch. After moving into Snook Creek and switching to jigs and the shrimp and working the bottom, we moved on. 

Up thru the Jolley we went and around thru Bell to some docks where we stuck with the jigs. We had only been anchored for a minute or two and with the tide trying to change, the fish began to bite. Both Madonna and Ed stayed busy catching Seatrout on the bottom, in about 20' of water. They were all in the 14-14.5" range, but Ed did find a keeper sized 17.5" Trout up by the dock pilings.  We moved down a few docks and fished the pilings direct and this paid off - Ed hooked up and landed a couple of feisty Redfish and Puppy Drum; Madonna hooked up and battled a keeper sized Black "puppy" Drum to the net. She also added a couple of Redfish to her catch total, and then snagged a small Sheepshead to round out an Amelia Island Backcountry Slam of Seatrout, Black Drum, Redfish and Sheepshead. 

We had started the day "fishing" but ended the day "catching" - the sun was out now and it was warm enough to shed those jackets so as we headed back to the ramp, we counted it as another great day to be fishing (and catching) here at Amelia Island, Florida. 

Add The Title: Angler

 

I was back fishing today when I met Nick Burke and his fishing partner Sajia down at the Sawpit Creek boat ramp early. There was a bit of fog but it didn't affect the visibility so much that we couldn't make the run up the intercoastal and turn into the Nassau. We then made our way up to Seymore's Pointe to set up at a large drainage on the very first of an outgoing tide. I noted that the water temperature was in the low 60's. We baited up (fixed) float rigs with live shrimp and began to toss them up current to let them drift back and across a flooded shell bed. Sajia had never fished before, never cast a spinning outfit but she was a quick learner and was making excellent casts within minutes. And it paid off - she had a hookup and reeled in her first ever fish - a hungry Seatrout. Nick was fishing off the stern and found that he could let his float "go long" and eventually a Trout would pick it up. He had one chase it down and take the hook. Both anglers caught a handful of those hungry Seatrout before we moved on. 

After running thru Horsehead we made our way over to Poteat Point and drifted the floats along that marsh line. We worked it pretty good but had no bites. We dropped back into Jackstaff, passing the White Pelicans and fished a drainage over there. Again, not bites. Back thru Horsehead we went and then up the Nassau to fish some docks, this time switching to jigs and live shrimp. The Trout were quick to pounce. Sajia had mastered the casting and caught a good handful of Seatrout, while Nick, again on the stern, found a nice "honey hole" of Trout out deep and he boated another handful. We left 'em biting - we probably could have stayed there and caught fish but we were looking for bigger ones.

We ran down to Broward Island passing under the watchful eye of a Bald Eagle and tossed jigs to the bank. The current was really running here but I think the baits were getting washed out too quickly. Further up the river and into a creek, the current wasn't so swift. Nick had the first strong bite - he played it perfectly and soon brought to the net a nice feisty Redfish. Shortly after that Sajia had a good bite. It ripped a bit of drag but Sajia was up to the task. She played it patiently and hauled in the biggest fish of the day, another Redfish. In her limited time away from studying for her Doctorate, Sajia enjoys tennis, archery and running, but now she can add "Angler" to her list of titles! The sun had come out, we had caught some fish, so as we headed back to the ramp we counted it as another great day to be fishing here at Amelia Island, Florida. 

I Could of Kissed "em

 I wrapped up a long, difficult week today fishing with the Hutchens brothers - that cold water has been tough on the "fish catching" totals. These guys, Tom and Bob were good anglers, and we fished some spots that looked absolutely beautiful - sunny skies, no wind to speak of, great casts, outstanding drifts, but there for a while it was looking like we were going to get skunked!  I can't remember the last time I've been skunked on a trip. It does happen once in a while, but not in a long while!

The good news is that the water temperature is rapidly rising with this warmer weather. Monday I was noting 42 degrees and today I saw some at 57 degrees. I had picked the Hutchens brothers up at Sawpit Creek and after running up the Nassau River we pulled up at Twin Creeks and drifted floats and mud minnows (no live shrimp today). I think the first drift Tom had a brief bite - the float disappeared, but there was no fish attached. We fished that good with the floats, then we ran up to Seymore's and fished a large drainage. I'll be brief- good casts, good drifts, no bites.  

  We ran thru Horsehead and over to Poteat point - good casts, good drifts, no bites.                                         We came back to Jackstaff  and fished - good casts, good drifts, no bites                                                       We ran back thru Horsehead and down to Nassauville and switched to jigs - good casts, no bites

We then ran up river and fished a small creek with the jigs. Again, Tom and Bob were getting good casts
to the bank. We fished it good, and just when the "skunk" was beginning to smell up the boat Bob had strong hookup and worked in a nice hungry Seatrout! I didn't know whether to kiss Bob or the Trout! We fished along, then began to drift back down with the current and when I heard Tom's drag ripping I thought it might be another hangup. But it was a Big fish and was pulling drag UP current. Tom kept the pressure on fought it back to the boat, played it perfectly and soon landed a "tournament" sized 26" Redfish, boy what a fish! We continued to drift with the current and then Bob had a strange "bump". He worked it in slowly and soon landed a nice keeper sized Flounder.

We had fished over 5 hours, had very few bites for the first 4 and half, but these anglers' perseverance paid off. It had been a beautiful day so as we headed back to the ramp we counted it as another great day to be fishing here at Amelia Island, Florida.

Can't Fudge The Truth

 I could try and sprinkle sugar on it but the honest truth is the "fish catching" has been going down hill the last week since that severe cold. I talked to two anglers had the boat ramp and who confirmed it with their recent fishing trips - the fish just aren't biting. When I picked up some jigs from "Redfish Carl" this afternoon, he said he had ran up the St. Mary's and didn't get even a nibble. Water temp's were around 44 Monday, 46 yesterday, and 49 today - I'm guessing when they get into the 50's we will begin to get back to normal.

My anglers today, David Vice and his son Nathaniel, and Bob Kossman had to really work hard at it to get some fish in the boat. Nobody got skunked, but it was close! We all met out at Goffinsville Park and then made our way around to Seymore's Point to fish a large drainage. I keep thinking that this spot will eventually turn on.  These anglers were tossing float rigs and live shrimp and mud minnows up current and letting their bobbers drift around the point. They were getting good drifts but had nary a nibble. We moved out and fished deep with jigs in a couple of spots, and again, no bites.

We then ran up the Nassau and dipped into a creek and worked it good. The drawback to these creeks are you lose a bunch of jigs to the submerged logs. It can get aggravating for the anglers but luckily they had me re-rigging! If your going to fish loggy areas I tell people, "learn a couple of knots that you can tie quickly" so you can get back to fishing. We had worked along for a good while and finally both Nathaniel and David had hookups, almost simultaneously. Nathaniel worked his patiently to the net and landed a feisty Redfish that measured 17 15/16" - almost legal! But David's fish proved to be a nice keeper sized Seatrout.  We continued to work the bank and Nathanial had another strong bite, played it perfectly and this time landed a nice Slot Redfish. We fished that stretch up and down and up and down then moved on. 

After fishing and shell line at Back River with floats to no avail we made our way back around to
Seymore's Pointe and this time fished some dock pilings with jigs and shrimp. They reported a few faint nibbles but no takers until Bob hooked up. He fought the fish perfectly and knocked the skunk completely off the boat when he landed a nice Redfish. We had to work all day for the fish that we got - they weren't 'jumping' into the boat, but it turned out to be a beautiful day and another great one to be fishing here at Amelia Island, Florida. 

Water Temperature's Warming

 Those low 40's water temperatures are coming up a bit, today we had it at 47 degrees. I had met Pat Andreasen, his son-in-law Bryan and grandson Mason down at Sawpit Creek early this morning and we made our way up the Nassau River on the first of an outgoing tide with clear and soon to be sunny skies. That cold water we've had has stunted the "fish catching" and today was no different. The trio of anglers were making good casts with float rigs, drifting them over some submerged oysters but we had no luck at that first spot. We ran thru Horsehead and over to Poteat Point and again got good drifts, but to no avail, not a bite.

Back thru Horsehead we came and after stopping at Seyrmore's Pointe, we decided to set up out deep and toss jigs and live shrimp. We worked a few docks and finally Mason "knocked the skunk off" when he hooked up and landed a Seatrout. We then made our way around to Nassauville and fished some docks with the jigs but again, no luck.

After a long run up the Nassau we fished some downed logs with the jigs. All three anglers put in the work and did catch up a handful of fish. Mason topped the board with two nice feisty Redfish and a keeper sized Seatrout. Bryan put a nice Redfish and a Seatrout in the boat. The sun had really started heating things up and I ended up peeling both layers of outwear off. It was a beautiful day, we had caught some fish, so as we headed back to the ramp we counted it as another great day to be fishing here at Amelia Island, Florida. 

Can't Beat the Beauty

 

I fished this morning with John Pellerin and his buddy visiting from Montana, another John. Although the sun was out when we met at 8:30 it stilled seemed awful cold, but that didn't last past the first run. We ran way up the Nassau and dipped into a creek and worked the bank on a tide that had been going out for about three hours. It was slow going but then John2 found a bit of a fishing whole when he hooked up and landed a couple of feisty Redfish. We moved down the bank an then John1 found his own fishing hole - he hauled in an "almost legal" Redfish then he had another subtle bite, set the hook and Fish On! This cold Redfish (the water temperature was 44) aren't putting up much of a fight - the just give up and come to the boat! Or maybe it knew it had met it's match? Anyway, John1 worked in a nice 23" Slot Redfish. 

We worked that bank thoroughly and John2 got another "almost legal" Redfish before we moved on. We made our way back down the river to some docks at Nassauville and here John2 caught a hungry Seatrout deep. We fished Spanish Drop for a bit, working a shell bank, to no avail, then we fished some docks up at Seymore's Point, again to no avail. Those fish are either so cold that they are just hunkering down or they have moved off to find warmer waters. We had some great sunshine and fished some beautiful areas so as we headed back to the ramp we counted it as another great day to be fishing here at Amelia Island, Florida. 

We Salvaged The Trip Big Time

 

Although it was a tad cold - about 34 degrees when I launched, the forecast called for winds at 10mph and sunny skies and the Weatherman nailed it. I had met Mark Averbuch and his fishing buddy Bill down at Sawpit Creek - we were all bundled for that first run and  when we pulled up to some docks at Nassauville we were out of the wind, exposed to the sun, and it was fairly comfortable fishing. Unfortunately the fish didn't cooperate. Both anglers were making excellent casts with their jigs but had few nibbles. Mark did "knock the skunk off" with a feisty Redfish catch.

We then made our way around to Seymore's Point an fished some dock pilings. Not a nibble. I noted there that the water temperature was a bit over 41 degrees. It rose to 44 as we fished throughout the day. We bounced down the docks fishing two or three but had no real action until Bill hooked up and expertly landed another feisty Redfish. 

After making the run down to Broward Island we fished the last of an outgoing tide with the jigs and
fished a good stretch of the bank. Not a bite. So we were looking at 2 fish in about 2.5 hours - not a good ratio! We then made the long run further up the Nassau and dipped into a creek and fished it as the tide slowed to a stop. Finally, this duo of anglers began to get some fish, and some good ones. They ended up boating about 6 Slot Reds - one was 26" and one was 26.5", one was 22" and then Mark patiently played to the net a 29.25" Oversized Redfish - big enough to put him in 2nd place in the 2025 Anglers Mark Bragging Rights Tournament (scroll down the right side of this report for standings). Mark also added a keeper sized Sheepshead to the mix.

They added a good handful of small but fun to catch feisty Redfish. We had a slow start but a great finish so as we headed back to the ramp we counted it as another great day to be fishing here at Amelia Island, Florida. 

Young and Old(er) Compete For Big Fish

 We were able to squeeze in a fishing trip yesterday morning before this bad weather came thru. I had
met Mark Averbuch, his son Cutler, and grandson Harvey down at Sawpit Creek early - there was absolutely no wind, but we did have some cloudy skies as we ran up the intercoastal, then up the Nassau to make our way to some docks at Seymore's Pointe. I was hoping for some Black "puppy" Drum on this first of an incoming tide, and they didn't disappoint!  "Poppa Doc" got hot early and hooked up and landed a nice keeper sized Drum, then a Seatrout chased his live shrimp on a jig. Then Harvey jumped in on the action and caught another keeper sized Drum. Cutler hauled in another hungry Seatrout, then the anglers tallied 3 more keeper sized Drum - they were very subtle nibbles, and these anglers had to be ready to SET!

We then made our way down to Broward Island and fished the first of the incoming there. Mark hooked up and landed a nice 18" Seatrout, then Harvey, tossing to the outside of a tree branch, had a strong take. That fish hit hard and started ripping drag heading south!  I knew it was a big one, and soon Harvey did too! But he played it perfectly, let it run when it wanted to, worked it in, and soon landed a big 25.5" Redfish. Boy what a fish!  We worked that bank in a couple of spots and picked up a couple of smaller Reds and moved on. 

Our next stop, after running way up the Nassau River, we worked a bank for about 75 yards. I was
beginning to think we may have made the run for nothing but then the trio began to get fish - Redfish! They took turns catching smaller "rat" Reds, but then every once in a while, they'd get a Slot 19" Red. There were multiple times we had "double hookups" and came close to triple hookups. At one point Mark had sole access to a gap up behind a stump and he took advantage of it, hooking up and reeling in multiple fish. But there was one that began ripping drag and ran up current - a big fish! Mark played it patiently and worked it to the boat to land a nice 26" Redfish to take Big Fish of the day honors.

I counted up that these anglers could have kept 5 Black Drum, one Seatrout and three Redfish but they elected to return all fish back except one for fish sandwiches!  The sun had actually peeked out a couple of times, it had never rained on us and we had good action most of the morning so as we headed back to the ramp, we counted it as another great day to be fishing here at Amelia Island, Florida. 

Starting the New Year Off Right

 

I had my first trip of 2025 this morning with Dennis Fritz and his son Douglas and grandson Ethan - we met down at Sawpit Creek boat ramp and boy what a pretty day it was, albeit a tad bit chilly! But all of us were layered up and we made a quick run up the Nassau to fish some dock pilings as Seymore's Ponte on a tide that had been coming in for about 2 hours. All three anglers were making good casts to the pilings, letting their jig and shrimp drop to the bottom and kept their lines tight - doing everything right - but we had not a single taker. Ouch. 

We then made our way down to Broward Island. The tide had now been coming in about three hours, the current was running a little bit faster than I like it, but these anglers were not to be deterred. I think Ethan was "laying back" because he let his dad and grandfather put a handful of fish in the boat before he started catching. Douglas accumulated a Slam - catching a Seatrout, Redfish, and Sheepshead while Dennis put a nice Slot Red in the boat. We fished a couple of spots along the island before we moved on. 

After running way up the Nassau River we eased into a small Creek and began to work the bank and here
Ethan decided to join the fun. He was making excellent casts and it paid off when he hooked up and landed a good handful of feisty Redfish then he added nice Slot Red to his catch. Both Douglas and Dennis caught handfuls of Reds and each had another Slot or two (I counted 6 Slot Reds caught total). Douglas also caught a small Sheepshead to round out an Amelia Island Back Country Grande Slam. 

We ended the day back at Pumpkin Hill drifting floats -Douglas caught a couple of Seatrout and Dennis added one more Redfish to the catch total. The sun was shining bright, the skies were clear, it had warmed up, so as we headed back to the ramp we counted it as another great day to be fishing here at Amelia Island, Florida.