The Flounder are Here
 
We have had rain, wind and now some pretty stiff east winds and with the east winds comes the clear water.  With the clear water comes acres of small 2 and 3 inch long mullet and under them are a herd of flounder.
 
Look for the bait, that is where the fish are going to be.  This week I strictly fished the bait pods and areas where the bait fish congregate and had a pretty good stretch of success.  In two days fishing I had 20 flounder, 22 trout and 14 redfish. Not bad for targeting the bait schools.
 
Here is what I did for these numbers of fish.
 
I went to an area that generally holds big schools of bait about this time of the year. I used my eyes to find the surface bait and my BottomLine recorder for the bait under the surface. When using a recorder to find bait, drive slowly around the area with the unit on and look for big fuzzy markings on the screen. The bait should show up as a big mass, not individual marks. Around the big mass you might see individual marks that are out away from the school (big mass). These are generally the fish that you want.
 
 
Usually the bait fish are going to be moving down a shoreline, in and around structure (bridge pilings or rock piles) or out in the open water.  I generally try to target areas that have structure and DO NOT concentrate on the bait schools themselves. I work the structure near the schools. The fish that we are after are generally going to be hanging around the structure waiting to ambush the school as it gets near their hiding place.
 
Now that we have established where we want to fish, lets work on how. There are several methods and all work to some degree. I like either a trout type float rig with a live shrimp or if you want to cover more area, a Jaw Jacker jig head and a soft plastic like the Sea Striker 4 inch curly tail grub. This bait is one that can be worked in and around just about any structure and in combination with Power Pro braided line, you will be able to feel even the slightest bite.
 

 
If you elect to use the trout float rig, put your anchor down and set up your drift up current from where you want to fish. Set the depth of the bait so it just tickles the bottom and send your drift so the bait is near the structure.

 
For those that prefer the trolling motor and working the structure on the move, cast all around the structure and wait for that subtle or sometimes pull the pole from your hands bite. You know what do to then, set the hook and turn the handle.
 
Give this a try this time of the year and you should come home with some nice fish and have a lot of fun.
 
Local Action:
The offshore waters are still producing a few snapper and grouper, seabass and vermilion snapper. The cobia have shown up in pretty good numbers and a few kingfish are being caught on both live and dead baits.  The stream is producing big numbers of wahoo and dolphin and a few tuna are showing up.
 

Capt. Ronnie Surrency with a nice Stream Dolphin
 
 
The inshore waters are producing big numbers of trout and flounder and some nice reds if you work for them. The jetties are loaded with spanish mackerel and blues.
 
On the freshwater scene, the bream are wide open around the shell bars and docks. Try a piece of clam, crickets or earth worms and you should have the time of your life and end up with some great table fair.
 
 
Capt. Jim Hammond
Capt. Jims Fun Fishing Inc
17184 Dorado Cir
Jacksonville, Fl 32226
904 757 7550
jim@hammondfishing.com
www.hammondfishing.com