N.E. Florida Fishing Report 8-09

Ahoy there Anglers,

Don't forget, starting back on August 1st, you now need a "shore bound license" if you're fishing in salt water from shore, bridges, private docks, etc. There are a few exceptions so check them out to see if you qualify and if not then be proud you'll be putting a little something back into the resources like the boating anglers have had to do for years now to help improve our fishery.

During this time of the year when it's pretty hot out there in the sun, a lot of people hear you should be taking in a lot of liquids to stay hydrated. That's very true but, the liquids you should be taking in mostly is water or Gatoraide. Cold drinks/sodas and beer help to dehydrate you without you realizing it. You can become dehydrated quickly which could really cause you some problems especially if you're out there all alone on your boat. Plain water helps your body regulate it's own temperature and also helps your muscles work.

Be very careful while watching other boaters as they are running the waterways close to you. The FWC arrests an alarming amount of people driving their boats while intoxicated, (BUI, Boating Under the Influence) throughout the entire state of Florida. As I read the FWC's newsletter each and every week of the violations across the state I am concerned about how many are BUI arrests. We all have to watch out for the people who are under the influence and be ready to take evasive action just in case they don't see you or they think they are far enough away from you and they're not !

CREEKS:
The redfish are so off an on here lately and I believe it has everything to do with the water temperature being so high right now. Although some days we can really catch them and when that's happening I'm watching my barometer on board my boat and can see that it's fluctuating up and down and has fired them off then the very next day it's hard to get them to bite. Just like this past week. Wednesday we couldn't get but a few and a couple were really nice sized ones but they just didn't want to feed much then the very next day we caught our 4 keepers and one keeper flounder by 8:15 am and then went on to catch a few more keepers and a few shorts. Being on the water every day I get to see fishing at it's best and at it's worst and you can really never tell what it's going to do during the hotter summertime months of July and August. As this time of the year gets in full swing I just can't wait until the end of September, and all through October, November and December when you can catch loads and loads of fish of several species. It's coming! I can people are getting excited about our fall fishing as my October and November dates are filling up already.

Some real nice spotted trout are being caught now but you really have to target them early and throughout the morning. By noon they slow down and the afternoon bite during this hear is almost non existent. There are more and more flounder being caught finally. It's way past time for these guys to have shown up but I think they're finally here. Jacks and ladyfish are a blast on lures. If you're slow on the reds try these guys to bring up some excitement.
A few tarpon are showing up in the creeks now and they seem to have been a little late. Just not near as late as the flounder were.

RIVER:
Yellow mouth trout, whiting, small croakers, mostly bait-sized, and 4 to 15 pound black drum are in the river while fishing on the bottom. Spotted trout are along the grass edges and rock banks when the tide is in the higher phases and moving. You need moving water to make them feed.
Redfish are along the grass edges also and on the bottom in the same drop offs that the black drum are feeding in. Jacks, some small but some are 12 to 15 pounds are being seen chasing the bait fish out of the water right out in the river. Just look for the birds diving and see where the water splashes before the bides hit the water. Top water lures on these fish is really fun.

JETTIES:
Tarpon, jack cravelle, a lot of bull redfish with a few slot-sized mixed in, black drum, whiting, sea bass and some yellow mouth trout are all feeding out at the rocks lately. While you're out there, keep your eyes peeled for some nice cobia coming right up to your boat. We've had them swim right up and under the boat about a foot or two below the surface. We saw one about 40 pounds last week but couldn't get a bait in front of him in time. Kingfish are also just off the jetties. A lot of sharks of various kinds are at the mouth of the river this time of the year. You'll have to put up with them if you fish out there but they sure are fun. Pound for pound they can put up a fight that matches no other. They are absolutely great steaked out on a grill.

MILL COVE:
Tarpon, jacks, lady fish and spotted trout are the main characters feeding in the Cove. A few nice redfish and a few flounder are making their way to the baits in there also. Whiting and yellow mouth trout off and on, (and I really mean off and on) in the entrance.

OFFSHORE:
Kingfish are the main guys being targeted all along the beaches and especially South down to the Red Tops. You can also catch quite a few at the closer in reefs. Dolphin are the next in line with quite a few per boat being reported. Cobia next and the cobia this year are doing better than the last 10 to 15 years. Watch out though. Since there are so many the SAMFC will probably say they're endangered. But, let's don't forget the red snapper. Red snapper all over the place at many of the reefs offshore. No problem with catching your limit in a short amount of time.

SURF:
Whiting, a few pompano and black drum are being caught in the surf with an occasional redfish mentioned. Sharks are always in the surf come summertime so be on the lookout for these guys. Don't wade-fish with bait on you. Keep the bait out of the water back in your cooler.

That's about it for this report. Please keep your trash out of the waterways and take a kid fishing. The smile you'll see on their face will stay in your memory for a long time. They are our future. Let's help them gain a healthy respect for the sport we all love. We need more stewards of the water.

Thank you,

Captain Vic Tison
Co-Host of WOKV's 'Just Fishing' Radio Show, Saturdays 6:00am to 8:00am United States Coast Guard Licensed Captain International Game Fish Assoc. Certified Captain Regional Director for the Florida Guides Assoc. Member of the National Assoc. of Charterboat Operators Member of the American Professional Captain's Association Sponsor of The Inshore Saltwater Anglers Club

Vic2Fish & Adventures, Inc.
P O Box 28208 Jax., Fl. 32226
904-699-2285
Web Site http://vic2fish.com