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Jacksonville Fishing Report for Amelia Island & Mayport
Capt. Dave Sipler
February 23, 2004
Jacksonville - Saltwater Fishing Report
Winters final weeks
Even though February isn’t my favorite of all the months, I surely had some fun in the last few weeks. I attended the Miami International boat show for the fifth time, and went to beautiful Stuart for some fishing. Yes, the Stuart area has my mouth watering. And I am going to probably relocate to the area sometime in the near future. It’s the lure of the 12 month fishing season, winter Sailfish, summer Tarpon, and of course, the SNOOK!
Anyone interested in an east Jacksonville quiet neighborhood, 1450 sq. ft. town house with 2 bedrooms, two baths, and an upstairs loft, close to schools and shopping?
I also fished for the first time the Jacksonville Offshore Sport Fishing Clubs 4th Annual “El Cheapo” Sheepshead Tournament, on Feb. 21st. I had been a contributor to the clubs tournament for the last three years but had never fished it till they gave a free entry fee to all the contributors. Which was better than a plaque. A regular, and very good client, Jim Sessoms from Georgia got wind of the tourney and wanted to fish it with me on that Saturday and then fish again on Sunday.
Like most charter guides, I don’t normally worry about how big our Sheepshead are that we catch in 50-degree river water. I’m just happy if we catch any at all! The tournament is a one big fish type deal. So numbers are not what you’re fishing for. But Jim and I stayed vigilant. “Bait and wait” fishing is what brought us our only big Sheepshead.
We used monster clams and set out four lines, and stared at the pole tips. Waiting for that tiny “tap, tap”. It finally came, and the fish was 7 pounds 4ounces. I knew it wasn’t going be the winner, but we were glad to make a nice showing. The winning fish came from an offshore wreck and weighted in at a whopping 11 pounds.
I really hope Jim will come back next year and fish the tournament again with me, cause if so I’ll get into the big fish groove and do more homework, so we at least can weigh-in a 10 pounder.
On our second day of fishing, Jim and I did some ANTI-SHEEPSHEAD fishing.
“we hads all ‘bouts we could takes” (in my best “Yosemite Sam” voice) So I never even brought a bottom fishing rod with me Sunday morning. Just the float-rig rods. And dang…Did we have some fun! We caught scores of Speckled Trout to 3 pounds, and yellowmouth trout (weakfish) to 4 ¼ pounds. Plus some small pupper sized Redfish up in a creek. No stress, just a live shrimp and let the float rig drift and search out another fat trout. “Yeah, that’s what I’m talking about.” Some of the best Trout action came at the Mayport Jetties. I have that area nailed down so tight that even though we saw others trying to float rig fish cause they saw us doing it. We caught beautiful Trout practically right from under their boat. Even though Speckled Trout season is closed for another week here in N.E. Florida. That only means to me that the Yellowmouth Trout should be also chewing, and we boxed some real good ones for dinner.
The Review, and what’s up next?
Although, right now as I’m writing this on Monday the 23rd of Feb. The weather is absolutely beautiful outside, and has been the last few days. “We ain’t outa the woods yet, my friends”. But we are a whole heck of a lot closer!
One thing worth mentioning is the amount of Black Drum I saw caught at the inlet while fishing the Sheepshead tournament. It wasn’t like they were eating the keel of the boat, but they are there on the last of the falling tide. I suppose my earlier prediction of a nice “shot” of Black Drum coming from the Mayport area was sort of wrong this year. We’ve caught a few here and there. But it just may happen later instead. These 50 degree+ water temps have to go away, soon. And when they do. All hell should break loose.
NOTE: I truly believe, and have documented, that the real cut off point for N.E. Florida fishing inshore is the 50-55-degree temperature point. When the water temp in the river was 60-64 degrees in January, the fish were biting very well. The Trout, Redfish, Sheepshead, Whiting and more. Then as soon as that water got into the 50’s, everything began to be a chore to catch. We don’t go through this every year. But we are this year.
People from the north that come to fish when their lakes and rivers are frozen over, may understand it, but of course don’t want to believe it. I’m not saying we can’t have good days out there. But as a rule, remember that it’s not going to be a cooler filling day. As I get many requests for. And I also can’t guarantee those people 25-50 pound fish, which I also get asked about.
Come March 1, I will be on those Speckled Trout in the river and at the inlet with a vengeance! And will still be bottom fishing for the Black Drum, and waiting for the first arrivals of my all time favorite river species, the monster size Redfish.
It was sort of funny, when I walked into the Snook Nook bait shop in Jensen beach when visiting the Stuart area after the Miami Boat Show, all I had to do is mention Redfish, and the shop owner and his buddies said, “yeah, ya’ll have some Redfish up in Jacksonville don’t cha?” Of course I couldn’t help mentioning the 50 pounder we had last year to them. They said they measured theirs in inches not pounds. I told them that I don’t. I measure mine in pounds! So you can bet you’ll receive this report and be alerted as soon as the big boys show themselves in the river. Cause I can’t wait!
If your mouth is starting to water (or get very dry) while thinking of battling a giant Redfish on a Twin Drag Accurate reel and G. Loomis back Bounce rod, hold on.
Cause there’s giant Black Drum on the horizon too. Along with Sharks and Tarpon heading this way in the next few months.
But till then, get out those frying pans, buy some Peanut oil, and some Cajun fish fry mix, and some hush puppy batter, have momma make up a big batch of her best Slaw, chill the beers down, stop at a Mayport fish market and get a sack of Oysters, and get ready to eat southern style! Cause those freshly filleted fried Speckled Trout sure do taste good along with all those fixin’s.
The best Trout fishing trip is no more than three passengers and two passengers is best. I will only do bottom fishing if I have four passengers cause that’s all I can do in practicality. Don’t think about what you want to spend for a good day of fishing. Think about how much quality you want your trip to have.
I strive to have the absolute best tackle, a well-rigged and very clean boat, and want you to catch quality fish. If you have a large group, I can accommodate you easily on my partners boat as well.
Speaking of Capt. Randall, if anyone is interested in Trophy Largemouth Bass fishing trips, I can help you with them as well. Capt Randall also provides Rodman Reservoir Bass fishing trips, (near Ocala National Forest, 1 hour 45 minutes south of Jacksonville from January to April 1). I just talked to him from his boat today while he was shiner fishing in the middle of the famous Rodman reservoir and he said the over 10 pound largemouth’s are fired up. He had several 10’s and an eleven-pound Bass in the last few days. These trips are for a max. of three passengers and are about the same price as a saltwater fishing trip.
Between the light tackle saltwater fishing trips and the trophy Bass fishing, hotel information, my latest fishing reports and recent catch photos pages on my web site. I have you covered when it comes to staying in the Jacksonville area. If you need additional info about anything the area has to offer, just ask.
Hope to have you aboard the For Reelin II this spring.
-Capt. Dave Sipler’s Sport Fishing
Jacksonville, Florida
www.captdaves.com
904-642-9546
G. Loomis and Accurate Pro Staff
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