6/5 - And there they go...

Remember me saying that this year must be the "year of the pogie"?

But as a Jacksonville Angler, I had the feeling that it wouldn't be a guarantee, that each day would be as easy as it has been, "turn the north jetty and throw the net". Because that's where they've been, and how easy it was to get my dozen and a half needed for each day. I guess the saying that sums it all up is, "this ain't my first rodeo."

Had Paul G. two teenagers, and his neighbor aboard today. We got started at the very last of the falling tide. Searched and searched the northside looking for my measily needed 18 pogies. There was none!

Went back dropped the 55 pounds of anchor and chain to the bottom on the inside of the jetties. There was barely any current, so we'd just bide our time and let the tide change, catching a few mini-Croakers, which I kept in the livewell. Some Whiting and of course, and for the closest to the rocks, little Seabass.

For the two young guys, this was their first time. First time out in Lake Atlantic, or close to it, on a boat.  Then, I pulled anchor and went and hunted again.......still no live baits for Redbass fishing. Back to the rocks again....same deal all over. This time we sat in a vortex of current going one way, then switching and going the other. All wrong. Time to get outa here!

This time, it was the search for Mullet. Another bait I haven't even pressed into service. Because I haven't had too. But they too, were damn near LONG GONE......

Not to change the story here, but to give relavence....Friday myself and friend went down river in search of Trout. I knew going in it would be a snipe hunt, because the word on the water hasn't been promising. So we began Trout fishing near the Dames Point area, worked our way on the rising tide to damn near Trout River. Hitting all the places, that I've always caught them. I had one trout hook-up and lost the fish behind the boat. Other than that, we never lost a bait. Never had even a bite. The water down that way is about as grimey as it can get.  B-U-T......the bait???????  It's everywhere!!!!!!! Mullet of every size. Pogies large and small. But then again. Not a Jack, a Ladyfish catch, not even a Pinfish!!!!

But boy there's allot of bait down that way!!!

We ended up leaving. That area of the river has nothing to offer me, other than knowing that's where all the bait is.
Back at the jetties we float-rigged up Two Flounder along the jetty rocks, then put away the not so trusty float-rigs and bottom fished for 20 Whiting and Two Sheepshead on live shrimp. So Friday, we saved the day but sure used some fuel.

So back to today...

We went to the southside of the south jetty. ONE school of Mullet came down the rocks as I pushed them into the jetty with the boat and pitched the net. Had about 10 Mullet, now.

An itch I have to scratch is the beach Kingfish.....someday I'll catch some. So we blew out to the S.E. Hole to pitch out a few Mullet and make a nice long drift. The water out there looks like Sailfish water. Dark blue and clear as a bell. Glass minnow schools everywhere. There was hardly a puff of wind, the water was slick glass calm, so making that long drift was out of the question. So I had to do the "bump in gear, bump outa gear" slow troll to keep those big Mullet from swimming circles around the boat.

Patience with my crew wasn't all that long, and after maybe an hour they were either laying on the deck, or bored. But this ""is"" slow bump and roll, live baiting.....(memo: I really want to scratch that itch STILL, guess I'll try another day.) So I ran all the way back to the jetties, up river and stopped at the little Jetties.

WE STILL HAD CURRENT. The tide was still rising and even though the weekender traffic was too thick for my liking, I anchored up perfectly where I needed to be.

I told the two boys, "THIS IS IT. TIDES DON'T GIVE US A SECOND CHANCE!" So out went a big mullet, and one of the mini-Croakers I'd saved. The current wasn't too bad, 5-6 oz leads held the baits good along the brake, I call "Cut-Off Ledge" behind where we were anchored.

The structure brings in the fish, and the structure can also be your enemy.

It didn't take long......

First rod doubles over and my twin drag Accurate reels were smokin'. 10 pounds of drag or more, and these Monster Redbass don't even slow down. They were big Reds, because the rod tips were bucking and thumping, and the fish would turn. Turn right into the structure down below and POP, goes the leader. Well...that was it.

Re-rigged, re-baited and not long after there goes another rod. Doubled over and bucking. Big Redbass #2, claims another victim. POP, goes the leader.

Re-rig, re-bait, and Pauls neighbor hooks up off the bow on a lighter rod. POP, victim #3 claims his "fish-gone" certificate.

Three in a row, three fish educating fisherman, in the ways of the river in the summer heat!  

The flooding tide quit. The boat swung, so we headed in.

All I can say is........what a day.

I hope to have an easier time catching free and live bait on my next trip, and next trip, and my next trip.

And next up for me is Tuesday.

The best & sharpest

SICK OF DULL FILLET KNIVES?

YEAH, SO WAS I. WET STONES, DRY STONES, MIRACLE SHARPENERS....I HAVE ALLOT MORE TO DO THEN SIT AND SHARPEN KNIFE BLADES AFTER A LONG CHARTER DAY.

PERSONALLY, I'LL LET THE SAME PEOPLE WHO MAKE THE SCALPELS FOR DOCTORS. SHARPEN MY FILLET BLADES.

HERE'S A WAY TO GET ONE WITH FREE SHIPPING TO YOUR DOOR.
http://myemail.constantcontact.com/New-Havalon-Baracuta-Knife-Available.html?soid=1102445124774&aid=_pLmlxnuQVU

CONSIDER THIS, A HEADS UP FOR THE SERIOUS ANGLER/HUNTER. WHO TAKE PRIDE IN A "JOB WELL DONE", AT THE END OF THE DAY.

NEED MORE PROOF....CHECK THIS OUT

6/2 - Inshore Summer Dayz......

Well, we already hooked and lost the years first Tarpon.
It was a perfect "crowd pleaser" at under 40 inches. (Similar to this one)


Light Tackle Float-rig fishing, with live shrimp hooks allot of Tarpon, during the summer months.

Unfortunately, it wasn't the targeted fish. So the small wire hook, broke in half at the side of the boat.

We were actually fishing for "REDS". Reddrum, Redfish, Redbass, whatever ya call them. They are the summer targeted fish, along the Mayport Jetty rocks, of the St. Johns River inlet.

18 miles due west of down-town Jacksonville, Florida.

So far this year, it is the year of the POGIE! They are everywhere. Some years they are not. But it can be a curse too. SO MUCH FOOD FOR THE TAKING.

With not only Pogies, aka: Menhaden all over the inlet. There's plenty of small "rain minnows" aka: Glass Minnows, and schools of every size Mullet imaginable, along with Threadfin Herring, swimming around the giant granite boulders, that make up the Mayport Jetties.

But the standard exersize is head over to the "pods" of Pogies each morning, cast the net, and watch it swim away with 500 Pogies in it.

BTW, There should be Jacks around. But as of right now, we've caught TWO....where are they, is what I'm wondering? Fish this size, around structure, on light tackle can be pure adrenaline angling! I love'em this size, for their pure terror!


I dump out most of the Pogies netted, needing only two dozen maybe for a afternoon of fishing the tide, and sending down Pogies on the bottom along the edges of the massive granite jetty boulders.

Be it either "bottom bait" or used on a 3/8ths to 1/2 ounce leadheaded jig cast up into the rocks.

The larger live baits will get more attention then a live shrimp by the Redfish that patrol the hot spots along the rocks, on a ebb or rising tide. Shrimp invite the small "baitstealers" to bite. And the jetties has NO lack of them.

The fisheries people say we have no Seabass, but then again every rocks, ledge, anchor, dock, and piece of oyster clump, on the bottom probably has 20 juvenile Seabass on it. Up and down this stretch of the St. Johns river. And they are eating machines....some will eat a big Pogie, or Mullet. Because that's one fish with eyes bigger than it's stomach. Jus' like baby Grouper! No difference.

The Reds along the jetty rocks are pretty much all to big to keep. Most are in the 30 inch catagory, and larger. So if you want a keeper, KEEP CATCHING. It's a numbers game.

NOW...is the time to think 4th of July! Book all Holidays at least 30 days ahead of time. Don't be like the calls I had over Memorial day weekend at 8pm, wanting a trip at 7am the next day. First come, first reserved.

6/1 - Holiday weather, today.

The Marine NOAA forecast kept saying (Memorial Day) Monday NE 10-15 knots. Well, thank goodness that was wrong. But I believe with today's winds that it's finally here. Could barely "cut my dirt" in my backyard for all the dust flying around.

6/1 - NORTH WINDS 10 TO 15 KNOTS BECOMING NORTHEAST 10 TO 15 KNOTS IN THE AFTERNOON. SEAS 2 TO 3 FEET. INLAND WATERS A LIGHT CHOP. SCATTERED SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS IN THE MORNING...THEN ISOLATED SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS IN THE AFTERNOON.

If these gust are just 15 knots, then I'd hate to see 20 knot gusts!

Okay, right N-O-W, is when folks ought to start thinking ahead to the 4th of July Holiday. And it's funny not a single person that's a "registered reports blog reader" responded to the June discount, either. It was in the last newsletter I sent, and only for those folks.

Still looking to leave those jetties behind, and head out to catch a King, Cobia, Cuda, or Blacktip. Pre-scheduled is June 7th with 3 guys and hope to do it then.

Remember: 30 days advcanced reservations for all major Hoildays and a week is good for all weekdays and weekends.







Here's a reminder of why I love fishing the jetties in the fall & winter more than any place else.
Guiding: Nick Watson from Jacksonville's own, Celtic Rock Band, "Rathkeltair" on November 14th 2009:

It's not against the law to reserve your dates now for around Thankgiving.