Recipe of the Month: Belly Meat Chowder

 My friend and  fishing buddy Daniel Rhodes chastised me one day while I was cleaning fish. Normally I filet them, then cut the rib and belly meat out and toss it to the Seagulls. "Piper, don't be throwing away that belly meat". I've got to admit there is a lot of meat in that portion so now when I'm cleaning fish for customers I'll sometimes save it if they don't want it. I bring it home and either cook it that night or freeze it noted as "Belly Meat". It makes great Fish Chowder. I  threw this together as a recipe:

4-8 pieces of "Belly/Rib" meat. I prefer Redfish because the bones are bigger, but in this batch I used                                                             about 8 pieces of  Redfish and Seatrout

24oz bag of Honey Gold (small) potatoes, chopped

2  small stalks of celery, chopped

1/2 of a small onion, chopped

2 handfuls of frozen corn

1  link of Sausage (I used Nettles Old Grandad Hot), chopped

1-2 T bacon grease

2 T butter

1/2 C Heavy Whipping Cream

1/2 C milk

1 tsp  Konricko seasoning, 

In a skillet, heat the bacon grease and cook the sausage for a bit, then add the celery, onions and corn. Cook until the sausage is browned, the onions begin to go translucent, and the celery begins to soften. Turn off heat.

Fill a large pot half full with water. As  you bring it to boil, drop the Redfish/Trout belly meat in and it will cook fairly quickly. When it turns white, take it out and let it cool, then add the potatoes and begin to boil them. While the potatoes are cooking, open a beer, and de-bone the fish!  As mentioned, Redfish have bigger rib bones and are easier to feel. Cook the potatoes until you can stick a fork thru them. Turn the heat off, drain most of the water, leaving about a cup. 

Add the sausage/onion/celery/corn mixture.

Add the butter, Heavy Whipping Cream, Milk, and Seasoning (may need to add more to taste).

Stir, turn heat back on and bring to a boil. Once boiling, turn back down to simmer, cover, and cook for 30 minutes.

Flatties and a Slam

 I wrapped my week up today fishing south after launching at Goffinsville and meeting John Raker and his fishing buddy Kenny early. We made a quick run over to Spanish Drop with plans to fish some exposed shell beds with jigs and live shrimp on a tide that still had an hour to hit bottom. Kenny "knocked the skunk off" with a nice Flounder catch and shortly after John added one that went in the box at 17".

We then made a short stop at Bubblegum Reef where we had another small Flounder to the boat, then we jumped over to some docks and fished the first of an incoming with the jigs. We were in the right place at the right time where Kenny made short work of bagging an Amelia Island Back Country Slam - he put a keeper sized Black "puppy" Drum in the boat then he added a keeper sized Seatrout.  We picked up a couple of more smaller Drum and then added to the box a good handful of Mangrove Snapper.

After moving around the corner we switched to float rigs to fish
some rocks and here the duo dueled with more Mangrove Snapper and almost reached their limit. Those Mangroves aren't real big(todays biggest was 12"), but you can keep 5 apiece and get some nice little fillets off for a fish fry or fish taco!

Our final stop was back at Spanish Drop, now fishing that incoming tide with float rigs. Kenny was on the stern and caught a hard fighting Jack Crevalle and a Ladyfish then John, fishing the bow, saw is float go slowly under. He tightened up the line, lifted his rod and let the circle hook set and, Fish On!  John played it patiently to the boat and landed another, even bigger, Flounder. After one more Ladyfish fight we called it a day and headed to the dock, counting it as another great day to be fishing here at Amelia Island, Florida. 

Getting Away From It All Today

 

Fishing north again today, I flipped a coin this morning - fish the docks up Lanceford or stay away from civilization. Heads one and after I picked up Craig and Paula Rutledge and their friend Brent, we headed over to fish the backside of Tyger on the first of an incoming tide. The trio of anglers were tossing jigs and live shrimp, letting it fall in the deep water, and retrieving it slowly. They were getting good casts but all we got were "nibbles", here and there. 

The sun was up and we had clear skies and a nice little breeze as we came out of Tyger and rounded around to the Jolley River where we set up fishing the "bank". Craig "knocked the skunk off" when he boated a small flounder then he hooked up and gallantly battled what I believe was a shark, but eventually it tired of playing with us, broke off, and went on it's way. He then had a good bite on his jig, up near the oyster banks, and Fish ON!  Craig played it expertly and soon landed a nice 21" Slot Redfish. Paula, fishing from the stern, had seen a swirl up near the bank, made her cast just to the side, let it sit and when her line tightened she set the hook and, Fish On! She patiently brought it to the boat and landed a beautiful Seatrout. 

We ran further up the river and fished Snook Creek thoroughly, to no avail. Our next stop was back around
at Tyger, now fishing the outside with float rigs and here Craig and Brent tangled with the high flying "poor mans Tarpon" - Ladyfish. Paula added another Seatrout catch to the board, then we moved on, stopping at a flooding point up Bell River, briefly, then we moved on.

Our final stop was up Lanceford Creek, then into Soap where we fished a flooded shell/grass island with float rigs. Craig had a float drifting between the island and the marsh and as the float slipped under Craig tightened up his line, lifted the rod and let the circle hook set and had another good fish on. He played it perfectly - I thought it was a small Red, but when brought it to the surface and to the net we saw that it was another 21" Slot sized Redfish, which made for a good way to wrap up a great day of fishing here at Amelia Island, Florida. 

Jack Fight

 I fished north today, meeting Lee Riter up at the Dee Dee Bartels Park, and boy what a beautiful day it was. The water was like glass and it was still cool as sun came up over Ft. Clinch.  I wanted to "get away from it all" so we headed up and over to the Jolley River and fished the "bank" with jigs and live shrimp. Lee had brought one of his own rods, a 6' light spinner by St Croix, lined with 6lb test mono and he went with that to start. We had one good hookup that bent the hook and came off! Lee went back tot he bank with a live shrimp on one of my jigs and BAM! A strong hookup and Lee was in for a battle. He played the fish around the boat as I used the trolling motor to try and spin - I bet we went in a circle 4-5 times. This fish was digging deep but staying close to the shore and the boat and I thought for sure a big Red but when Lee finally expertly brought it to the surface, we netted a big Jack Crevalle, boy what a battle!

We fished that stretch, then further up at Snook Creek, then made our way around to Bell River and fished some docks. Although we had a few nibbles, we had no real takers.

Back towards Fernandina we set up alongside a flooding point and here had a bit of action. Lee picked up a couple of hungry Seatrout and a small Flounder, and we both had a good handful of bites that we missed. Our final stop was around on the outside of Tyger Island, fishing with Osprey's keeping a watch, then we headed back to the ramp, counting it as another great day to be fishing here at Amelia Island, Florida. 

Count 'em

Before the day was over we were trying to count up all the species we caught:  Sheepshead, Seatrout, Redfish, Croaker, Toad Fish, Ray, Shark, Mangrove Snapper, Weakfish, Ladyfish and Shark! I had met John Raker with his mother Betty and friend Kenny out at the Goffinsville Park boat ramp early this morning and after making the short run over to Broward Island we set up under a pair of watchful Bald Eagles to fish a small drainage with jigs and live shrimp.  Kenny "knocked the skunk off" with a nice keeper sized Sheepshead catch, then John battled a huge, I mean HUGE, Stingray to the surface.  We fished up and down the bank for a bit then moved on. 

Back at some docks at Nassauville, again tossing the jig/shrimp combo,  the trio caught a Weakfish a Croaker,  and a couple of keeper sized Mangrove Snapper. We then fished Spanish Drop and caught the Toad fish and one of two Bonnethead Sharks then made the run back to Pumpkin Hill to fish float rigs. They hooked up with a couple of more Trout that eventually threw the hook. 

After running thru Horsehead we stayed with the floats and Betty picked up another Trout. Later, fishing the bank of Jackstaff, Kenny fought a HUGE oversized Redfish to the boat and John tangled with a high flying Ladyfish. It was an eventful day out on the water to say the least, so as we headed back we counted it as another great one to be out on the water and fishing here at Amelia Island, Florida. 

Turkey Sausage, Egg and Cheese

 ..on a Multi Grain Bagel, no donut, seemed to be the trick!  I had fished with Eddie Byrd and Bruce Beauchamp all morning long - down on the south end - and even though it was an outstandingly beautiful morning - clear, sunny, just a slight breeze - we didn't have a whole lot of action early, until Bruce started talking about his Turkey Sausage Egg and Cheese Multi Grain Bagle, no donut. 

We had met down at the Sawpit Creek boat ramp, made a quick run up the Nassau River and made our first stop at some dock pilings to catch the incoming tide before it got too high. Although we did pick up a pair of Mangrove Snappers on jigs and shrimp, we had no drag ripping bites.

After running down to Spanish Drop, with the oysters about covered, Bruce took the bow and tossed some artificial lures, slow sinking and topwater and did have a few "spits" but no takers. Meanwhile, Eddie was taking up the stern, drifting a float rig along the shoreline and he picked  up a few fish - a nice 11 spot feisty Redfish, and a couple of high flying Ladyfish. We fished Twin Creeks briefly but had not a single bite, then moved on. 

We fished between some docks at Nassauville and caught another small Mangrove but not much else. I was beginning to think the day was going to be a bust. We cruised over to Back River and fished a grassy pointe and here Bruce got on the board with a Slot Redfish catch.  After that, he had a big bite and a drag ripping bite and, Big Fish On! It was a fun battle but when it took off and dug deep my first thought was "shark" and after a good battle Bruce brought tot he boat a 4' Bonnethead.

Our next stop was down the way a bit and here that Turkey Sausage Egg and Cheese (on a multi grain bagel)  paid off!  Eddie was on the bow, drifting a live shrimp long under a float and Bruce was following right behind him. Eddie had the first hookup and we could tell it was a nice fish the way his rod stayed bent. Eddie played it perfectly and brought to the net a big 19.5" Seatrout. Then, the "bite" was on! Eddie and Bruce traded catching fish - keeper sized Seatrout with the next 4 being right under that 19" mark, then Bruce hooked up and caught the first Jack Crevalle of the year. He added 2 more Redfish, one of them being of Slot size, then he had the Big Bite and the Battle was on! This fish stayed up near the oysters and when it rolled and tailed up near the bank we knew it was a Big Redfish. Bruce worked him out then it ran back into another shallow pocket, burrowing its nose to no avail. Bruce worked it out again, applied the pressure and eventually landed a big Oversized 29" Redfish, boy what a fish!

Although we had a slow start we had a big finish so as we headed back we counted it as another great day to be fishing here at Amelia Island, Florida

Nice Amelia Island Back Country Slam

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.

Olde Towne Bait and Tackle Opened Today!

The Olde Towne Bait and Tackle opened this morning! It's located up at the old Leaders and Sinkers building at the bridge over Eagans Creek. I stopped in today to check it out and saw that they have a "little bit of everything", especially last minute stuff that you might need, or things that you may have forgotten to bring with you. 

The store has had some serious remodeling done on the inside, new roof installed, and a fresh coat of paint all around. And it's air conditioned!  There are new bait tanks and plumbing installed out back with access to the creek to freshen the tanks. They also have a good supply of frozen bait.

More amenities include picnic tables outside to take the load off and a complementary fish cleaning table down at the dock. 

Opening hour is 6am so if you want to get out real early, plan your bait stop at the new Olde Towne Bait and Tackle up N. 14th Street at Eagans Creek.

(CLICK ON PICTURES TO ENLARGE)

Such a Subtle Bite

 

We did a mid-morning trip today when I met Bill Main down at the Sawpit Creek boat ramp. The tide had been going out for a few hours and when we arrived at our first spot off Jackstaff Creek, the oysters were still showing. But we went with float rigs and live shrimp at that spot and it paid off with a hungry Seatrout catch and a Flounder catch.

We crossed over and fished a bank with jigs and shrimp, had no bites, then moved on. After running thru Horsehead we fished some dock pilings and here had a bit of action. The fish were just giving us subtle bites and after we caught on to that we had some hookups. Bill expertly fought and landed a nice 18" Black "puppy" Drum then he put a nice Mangrove Snapper in the boat. 

After moving down the river we fished between a couple of more docks. Here, Bill caught and landed a nice keeper sized Flounder, another 18" Black Drum, and a keeper sized Mangrove Snapper (they're back!)

We fished Broward Island for a just a while and added a hungry Seatrout to the catch, then finished up at Spanish Drop with a Catfish catch! The wind had picked up and was kicking our butts so we headed back to the ramp, but with some nice catches throughout the morning, we counted it as another great day to be fishing here at Amelia Island, Florida. 

3 Generations Produce a Big Red

 I wrapped up my week yesterday fishing with the Tilltoson's - Granddad Dan, his son Paul and grandson Jack. I met them up at the Dee Dee Bartels Park boat ramp early and with a plan in mind, made the run up to the Jolley River to ease in and fish the "bank" with jigs and live shrimp. The wind had been kicking my butt all week and was expected to increase again today. That first stretch of bank was ideal, and although all three anglers were making excellent casts, we had no real bites. 

After running up the river to Snook Creek we worked that bank a good stretch and once incentivized, Paul "knocked the skunk off" with a nice Seatrout catch! The game was on!

We moved around the corner and fished the MOA (Mother of All) for a while and although we were seeing some good bait movement we had no luck there. The MOA wasn't very MOA today!  The wind had picked up so we made the run back to Eagans Creek with plans to tuck in between some docks and fish the pilings and the plan paid off.

Jack got on the board with a strong hookup, played it expertly, and landed a nice feisty Redfish that was just a smidge undersized. He took the lead in the "challenge", then his Grandad Dan had a good bite, set the hook, and expertly brought to the boat a keeper sized Seatrout. Even though it was of keeper size, it was still smaller than Jack's Redfish so he kept the lead!

Paul added another keeper sized Seatrout, Dan added a nice Croaker to the box,

then BAM! Paul had went in behind a dock, let it slowly fall and, Big Fish On!  All lines were cleared of the water as the big fish dug deep. When it ran up current, against the drag, we knew it was probably oversized. Then the fish took Paul to the stern, around the engine, back around the engine, up to the bow, around the trolling motor, back around the trolling motor and finally, after a lengthy battle, Paul landed the big 29" Oversized Redfish, boy what a battle and boy what a fish!  This fish moved Paul into 2nd place in the 2022 Anglers Mark Bragging Rights Tournament - Redfish Category(scroll down the right side of this report for standings).

We had worked the oysters and the docks and even though the wind had picked up we had a few good fish caught, 3 generations of anglers, so was we headed back to the boat ramp we counted it as another great day to be fishing here at Amelia Island, Florida.