Tracking the Pompano 9-20-10...and other tidbits.

Recent reports, which are scarce, suggest migrating Pomps should start showing up in South Carolina.  We've had sustained east winds and that will continue this week along the eastern seaboard due to the hurricane in the atlantic.  Sustained east winds normally translates into dirty water along the surf.  However the water this past weekend has been surprisingly clean.  The amount of chop has varied from day to day and morning to afternoon.  Friday afternoon I found some rough seas at Surfside park just north of Vilano.  Saturday morning the seas were almost like glass at Vilano.

Water temps remain somewhat constant though air temps are ticking down a little bit faster.  You should see nighttime temps dip into the high 60's finally within the next 5-10 days in NE florida.

Dug for Sandfleas while at Surfside and Vilano.  At Surfside the coquina was thick and could only get a few fleas at a time.  At Vilano the tide was out so finding fleas was next to impossible. You run into more coquina at low tide on most beaches.  With that in mind I wanted to scout the beaches and see exactly how much coquina we have to contend with.  I drove as far as marineland looking at the beaches again.  Coquina is basically everywhere. At some beaches it does depend on the tide.  At high tide you get fine grainy sand, while at low lots and lots of coquina.  Coquina is a good thing in itself.  The tiny mollusks help to create an attractive habitat for the fish we all enjoy catching and eating. I've had my most varied catches in a single day at Guana, where there's nothing but Coquina.   However, it creates a headache when attempting to find sandfleas.

The Blues have dominated the surf recently.  Most are undersize.  That will change as the water continues to cool.  In the rivers and creeks, trout and reds and flounder are being caught with a lot being in the 12-14 inch range.

Water Temps:
Topsail Beach 81
Tybee Island 84
Jacksonville Beach 82
St. Augustine 81

Fishing weather this week Swells 2-5, winds are going to be predominately out of the east 10-15 knots.  Air temps 87-71.