Go to the ocean and catch some trolling fish. Kingfish, cobia, barracuda, bonita and if you want to go out to the stream, there are still dolphin, wahoo, tuna, a swordfish or two and maybe a sail.
The kings, barracuda, bonita and cobia can be caught as close in as the nine mile.
There is a thermo cline out there now and this has effected the big bait pods that were every where last week so try to get bait before you go or you might be out of luck.
There are millions of red snapper on the close in reefs but most are a few inches short. If you work hard you can still scratch out a grouper or two and there are still a few nice sea bass on the natural bottom.
Out about 3 to 9 miles there are some very nice spanish, upwards of 4 pounds. You will see the same thing as you do when they are inshore, birds diving and fish slashing at the surface. Try a live cigar or poggie or when you see the schools come up get out your spinning rods and cast a big Clark Spoon or Gotcha at them. If you are having trouble casting a Clark Spoon the distance that you will need to cast, try this. Tie a 1/2 to 2 ounce trout weight to the line on the reels spool, from the weight tie on a 1 to 2 foot long section of 30 to 40 pound monofilament leader. Then tie on your Clark Spoon. This will give you the added weight to make those long cast. The Gotcha is weighted, so you do not need to have additional weight to make a long cast. There are also diamond style lead jigs that Sea Striker makes that will cast a very long distance. Remember, these fish are feeding on glass minnows, so try to have your bait look as much like a glass minnow as possible. One more thing, once your Clark Spoon has made it's way PAST the schooling spanish, turn the reel handle as fast as you can. These fish swim very fast and are use to striking baits that are also swimming fast.
The creeks are doing fair with a few reds, trout, flounder, jacks. ladyfish and a few tarpon have eaten my baits in the last few weeks. Most of the time when I am floating a live shrimp or tossing a MirrOlure at a red or trout.
For some decent top water action try, on the higher tides, working a MirrOlure Top Pup over the tops of oyster mounds or along the grass edges for a pretty decent redfish bite. Work the lure very slowly, occasionally stopping it.
The jetties are producing some real nice redfish to 40 pounds. I expect the kings and a cobia or two to show up around the chum hole any day now.
How would you like to go fishing with Capt. Jim?
Prices start at only $240 for inshore / backwater and $425 for ocean fishing.
For charter information please call me at 904 757 7550 or email me at jim@fishingwithjim.com. Don't forget to watch my TV show, every Tuesday at 7pm and Sundays at 8:30am on cable channel 7 in Jacksonville, Clay County and the Beaches and Thursdays at 7:30, Saturdays at 1:30 p.m., Sundays at 11:30 a.m. and 12:00 p.m pm on channel 22 and 2 in St. Augustine and St. Johns County
Remember mom and dad, spend some time with your sons and daughters taking them fishing and you will not be looking for them come Friday and Saturday nights, as they will be home in bed waiting to go the next day.
Good Fishing
Capt. Jim Hammond
jim@hammondfishing.com
http://www.hammondfishing.com
(904) 757-7550