So no. I won't trade with you. But then again, not all that sure if you'd want to hang with never having any consistency, either.
It's my biggest frustration. And yes. It's not everywhere. There is places that do have some kind of consistency. But that place is not N.E. Florida. If someone tells you there is. They're blowin' smoke.
Here at captdaves.com blog reports. I tell it like it is. Because, fishing this area is just that. FISHING.
Today, here comes the storm. So we decided to "postpone" today's one person TROUT ONLY charter.
Yeah, I had Chuck visiting Amelia Island with his wife. He called, and said "I want to go TROUT fishing. And yeah, I'll break off a Redfish to get to a bog Trout!"
WOW, a man after my own heart!
That's a real rarity to have someone say that to me. So Chuck will be back. He's just in Midway, Ga. So in two hrs he can be in Mayport.
Yesterday, I had regular customer Dave Z. He loves Trout fishing too. We had a short window to fish. So we departed early and headed due WEST. It had already drizzled a bit at the boat ramp. But we got very lucky. And had a dry morning.
Spot number one: Not much current, 3 feet of water, scattered oyster shell bottom, I threw a jig and Matrix Shad, had one Flounder hook up and lost it. Dave had a few pinfish bites. So we moved on.
Spot number two: 4 feet of water, rocky bottom, fantastic current. High-tide, just starting to ebb. Dave was on a light spinner rod and reel. A home made popping rattling cork, and 2 feet of leader to a unweighted hook and a live shrimp. 1st cast and drift......Float down! The fish pulls the drag really good. Dave is smiling big time!
FIVE POUND SPECKLED TROUT - 1st cast on 2nd spot. It's 0730am!
We continue to fish the same spot. The Mangroves and Ladies, and Jacks have our number now. Dave get's bit on almost every shrimp.
Then, the float goes down and he gets another beautiful TROUT. Not a 5 pounder, but a nice 18 incher. (no photo....Dave wanted to waste no time, either did I) So he got right back out there and the rest of the bites were "shit fish", Mangroves, Ladies, and Jacks again....
We moved on. THE "shitters" found us!
Spot number three: 3 feet of water atop a rocky shoreline. We had a BIG Flounder sky-rocketing small little minnows along side the boat!!!!!!!! This Flounder looked to be 5 pounds. Coming up to the surface, swirling the water, jumping out of the water, eating 1/2 inch long minnows.
I tried dropping a jig in the spot. It was all ROCKS. Kept snagging. Dave drifted his popping cork thru, and his live shrimp would dive straight into the rocks. Snaggin.......
Oh, this was frustrating. But even a free lined live shrimp may get hung up too.
We ended up with three Ladyfish. While Seabass were eating my jig and Matrix Shad behind the boat.
Seabass??
Third spot: Float-rig fishing. One small Trout. Nothing else. Moved on.
Last spot of the day: A BIG Trout area. For me, as many 5 pounders have come from this spot as I've caught at the jetties in the winter time. So I had confidence. But the current was a bit too quick. So we stuck it out. Mangrove Snappers GALORE. This river is full of those "shitters" this time of year. Almost the reason to fish only "soft plastics, or plugs".....I know that. But most of my customers need live bait. They do best with live bait.
And Dave did!
Right as the tide slowed. He nailed another "sweetheart".
Okay, three nice Trout in the box. No rain. We're dry. And Dave has to head back.
NOT BAD. We did okay, during the super overcast sky's. And now the wind started blowing. So we headed back. And Dave was heading back to Chicago....."with Dinner."
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So, who up next??
Who wants to go hunt up some Big Troutz?
They're around. I'm liking it.
But, I just wish for a bit more "consistency", that's all.
STAY DRY, THE NEXT COUPLE DAYS. I BELIEVE THIS MAYBE A GOOD TREE-TRIMMER AT MY HOUSE....TROPICAL STORM ANDREA, I MEAN.
-IF YOU DON'T WATCH THE WEATHER.
-I DO, I LIVE BY IT.
