Sunday, October 31, 2010
The Cats Meow
Wanted to get out and fish Atlantic beach on Friday but got called to do something else, so I put a lot of stock into getting out the with family on Saturday and fish all day. As usual we got a late start and didn't get to Vilano until about 10am. Several people were already there and very little was happening. Another lesson learned for me the best tide to fish the surf at Vilano is outgoing. Incoming will drag your weights towards the inlet. Not wanting to wait for the 2pm change in tide and definitely wanting to get on some fish packed it up and headed north to Guana South aka "The Rockpile". Have always come away with some fish at the Rockpile.
Got to Guana two hours before high tide. Very steep drop right at our feet. I'm guessing the depth at about 5 feet. My wife spotted a dorsal fin in that first trough. The sharks were in extremely close feeding. I spotted it. If you were to walk to the waters edge and reach your hand out you could have touched it, it was that close! It's probably what happens on these beaches when people get shark bite playing in that deep first trough. Later in the day we caught half a whiting. Yep, bit clean through by a shark.
First line in was the 7' Shimano Saguaro with the Spheros 6k and almost immediately it was bending over. There was definitely a rhythm to the day. A couple blues and a couple whiting followed by a half dozen hardhead catfish. Then a couple blues and a couple whiting followed by another half dozen cats. Yes, the water was dirty but it started to clean up towards the end of the day. That's when we started catching 14" whiting. The bite was almost non-stop, which is why the bones are aching today. I was able to get three of our four rods rigged and into the fight for the first couple hours, then finally the fourth.
Finished the day at 4pm with 8 whiting and 6 blues on shrimp and clams. It was a very fun day, especially being out there with the family. Everyone caught fish and had a blast. Plan to hit it again next Saturday with my son, probably at Ft. Matanzas, but we may go north to Talbot.
The short answer to which area is going to be fishable on any given day I believe depends primarily on tide for that area and time of year. Vilano seems to always be a problem on the incoming tide. It's an inlet. Yet I've never had a problem at Matanzas on the incoming tide and it's an inlet. The majority of the summer and spring the currents weren't a problem. Jax beach, Hannah Park, Talbot Island, fall currents seem to run rampant. I'm going to build a chart to keep track of it and sort it all out. That will reduce getting into situations where I've set up in a place that's unfishable due to current.
Got to Guana two hours before high tide. Very steep drop right at our feet. I'm guessing the depth at about 5 feet. My wife spotted a dorsal fin in that first trough. The sharks were in extremely close feeding. I spotted it. If you were to walk to the waters edge and reach your hand out you could have touched it, it was that close! It's probably what happens on these beaches when people get shark bite playing in that deep first trough. Later in the day we caught half a whiting. Yep, bit clean through by a shark. First line in was the 7' Shimano Saguaro with the Spheros 6k and almost immediately it was bending over. There was definitely a rhythm to the day. A couple blues and a couple whiting followed by a half dozen hardhead catfish. Then a couple blues and a couple whiting followed by another half dozen cats. Yes, the water was dirty but it started to clean up towards the end of the day. That's when we started catching 14" whiting. The bite was almost non-stop, which is why the bones are aching today. I was able to get three of our four rods rigged and into the fight for the first couple hours, then finally the fourth.
Finished the day at 4pm with 8 whiting and 6 blues on shrimp and clams. It was a very fun day, especially being out there with the family. Everyone caught fish and had a blast. Plan to hit it again next Saturday with my son, probably at Ft. Matanzas, but we may go north to Talbot.
The short answer to which area is going to be fishable on any given day I believe depends primarily on tide for that area and time of year. Vilano seems to always be a problem on the incoming tide. It's an inlet. Yet I've never had a problem at Matanzas on the incoming tide and it's an inlet. The majority of the summer and spring the currents weren't a problem. Jax beach, Hannah Park, Talbot Island, fall currents seem to run rampant. I'm going to build a chart to keep track of it and sort it all out. That will reduce getting into situations where I've set up in a place that's unfishable due to current.
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Water Temps 10-29-10 02:00
Ft. Pulaski, GA 76.3
Fernandina Beach 77.2
St. Augustine 77.5
Though the sun plays the biggest role in water temp, I'm guessing by the end of next week we'll see a significant drop in water temp; high 60's to low 70's because the ambient air temp is going to be in the low 70's for much of the week. Lets see what happens.
If your hunting Pomps flat beaches are your best bet, gives them a place to feed. Atlantic, Jax Beach, Crescent Beach, Ft. Matanzas. I'm planning to meet up with a friend tomorrow and fish Atlantic beach on the outgoing tide. Wanted to hit the incoming but family duties come first. North winds 10-15 tomorrow on the outgoing I'm expecting the current to be ripping again. If that happens I may hit the Jax Pier for awhile. I might call it an early day and get ready for Saturday. Saturdays forecast calls for very little wind, low 70's temps and sunny. Saturday the plan is to hit it bright and early with the entire family. Haven't decided if I'm gonig to hit Vilano or Ft. Matanzas yet. Vilano would be a nice easy day being stationary; looking for whiting and drum. Matanzas would be a hard working day moving south to north looking for Pomps. Probably won't decide until I'm loading up to go.
There are several theories out there about what the Pomps are doing. One thing for sure they are moving fast. There are reports of catches as far south as Cocoa Beach already. Some say it will be a short duration migration right through the area. However, when I caught my first one in Fernandina there were still reports of catches as far north as Hatteras N.C. That's a lot of ground to cover. If you haven't gotten off the couch yet might want to hurry. Tight Lines!!!
Fernandina Beach 77.2
St. Augustine 77.5
Though the sun plays the biggest role in water temp, I'm guessing by the end of next week we'll see a significant drop in water temp; high 60's to low 70's because the ambient air temp is going to be in the low 70's for much of the week. Lets see what happens.
If your hunting Pomps flat beaches are your best bet, gives them a place to feed. Atlantic, Jax Beach, Crescent Beach, Ft. Matanzas. I'm planning to meet up with a friend tomorrow and fish Atlantic beach on the outgoing tide. Wanted to hit the incoming but family duties come first. North winds 10-15 tomorrow on the outgoing I'm expecting the current to be ripping again. If that happens I may hit the Jax Pier for awhile. I might call it an early day and get ready for Saturday. Saturdays forecast calls for very little wind, low 70's temps and sunny. Saturday the plan is to hit it bright and early with the entire family. Haven't decided if I'm gonig to hit Vilano or Ft. Matanzas yet. Vilano would be a nice easy day being stationary; looking for whiting and drum. Matanzas would be a hard working day moving south to north looking for Pomps. Probably won't decide until I'm loading up to go.
There are several theories out there about what the Pomps are doing. One thing for sure they are moving fast. There are reports of catches as far south as Cocoa Beach already. Some say it will be a short duration migration right through the area. However, when I caught my first one in Fernandina there were still reports of catches as far north as Hatteras N.C. That's a lot of ground to cover. If you haven't gotten off the couch yet might want to hurry. Tight Lines!!!
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
What's Happening 10-26-10
Looks like things have calmed down up north in the Carolinas. Not much bait in the water and only reports of a few Pomps and Whiting with mostly blues and spot being caught. There are reports of keeper Reds and small flounder in the inlets.
In Florida most of the Surf action has been cold. However, there have been reports that the ocean piers are doing well with lots of Pomps, Whiting and Blues being caught, with just a few Spanish and Reds mixed in. If your looking for Pomps it looks like the place to be is moving south. Not a lot of bait out there to keep them foraging in a particular area. I plan to hit Guana South and Vilano this weekend.
I would definitely fish the incoming tide when possible and if you can't find any sandfleas bring along some clams. 4oz Sputniks were not holding in the currents on the outgoing tide and 6oz was being dragged as well. Also if you can I'd fish the inlets with crab looking for Red and Black drum. Good luck this week!
In Florida most of the Surf action has been cold. However, there have been reports that the ocean piers are doing well with lots of Pomps, Whiting and Blues being caught, with just a few Spanish and Reds mixed in. If your looking for Pomps it looks like the place to be is moving south. Not a lot of bait out there to keep them foraging in a particular area. I plan to hit Guana South and Vilano this weekend.
I would definitely fish the incoming tide when possible and if you can't find any sandfleas bring along some clams. 4oz Sputniks were not holding in the currents on the outgoing tide and 6oz was being dragged as well. Also if you can I'd fish the inlets with crab looking for Red and Black drum. Good luck this week!
My Favorite Line
A couple years ago I bought a new reel and got it spooled at Strikezone. Archie put on Sufix Tritanium Plus. I'd heard it was very popular with the N.C. fishing crowd so I thought why not, lets give it a try. It is a copolymer line which is very different from monofilament. Monofilament is a single line, that has significant stretch in it. It is also not very abrasion resistant. If you reel in after a day of fishing and were to let the line glide over your fingers you'd feel nicks in the line in the places it rubs the bottom. To maintain the integrity of it's strength you'd have to change it out several times a season.
Copolymer is two lines blended into one. It is thicker in diameter than monofilament for the same pound test. In my opinion it has significant advantages over mono which is why it costs almost twice as much.
A friend of mine introduced me to Flying Fisher which is a much less expensive co-polymer line. I didn't like it primarily because I thought it was very slick and gave me problems tying knots; so I gave the rest of the spool to my friend. I didn't have the same experience with Sufix Tri. It was just as easy to grip and tie knots with as any mono I've used. However, once it was time to change line I didn't give the Sufix Tri another thought. That is until recently.
Someone on one of the forums asked a question about line. Wanting to know the answer myself I did some research. I found the characteristics of a copolymer line make it more abrasion resistant than mono which is a plus. However what attracted me the most is it's virtual lack of memory. With mono when your getting started or wrapping up for the day and your line jumps off the spools it's a hassle but not such a big deal. Where copolymers pay big dividends is when you go to cast. Having near zero memory means when you cast it is going to pay-out truer resulting in greater casting distance. Mono wants to coil up back into a circle; copolymer doesn't.
I'am a big fan of conventional casting reels which are all about distance. Using a copolymer increases that distance. When the tide is 3/4 out and I can't get to the bar yet to cast, a conventional reel can usually reach the area the fish are. When the water is dirty in-close and you need some distance to reach cleaner water usually a conventional can get there. Co-polymers help that effort.
Archie was able to get some Sufix-Tri 14# chartruse in 1/4lb spools. If you need something he's the man to contact at Strikezone. The other thing I'm pretty keen on is being able to see the lay of my line going into the water. To me it adds to the fun of fighting a fish in addition to helping you quickly eye if a fish has taken the bait and moved towards the beach. The chartruse proved to be excellent in allowing me to quickly locate the line and follow the movements of the fish. It's almost twice the price of mono but I believe well worth the investment if distance, lack of memory and visibility are important to you.
Sufix Tritanium Plus in Chartruse is now my line of choice.
Copolymer is two lines blended into one. It is thicker in diameter than monofilament for the same pound test. In my opinion it has significant advantages over mono which is why it costs almost twice as much.A friend of mine introduced me to Flying Fisher which is a much less expensive co-polymer line. I didn't like it primarily because I thought it was very slick and gave me problems tying knots; so I gave the rest of the spool to my friend. I didn't have the same experience with Sufix Tri. It was just as easy to grip and tie knots with as any mono I've used. However, once it was time to change line I didn't give the Sufix Tri another thought. That is until recently.
Someone on one of the forums asked a question about line. Wanting to know the answer myself I did some research. I found the characteristics of a copolymer line make it more abrasion resistant than mono which is a plus. However what attracted me the most is it's virtual lack of memory. With mono when your getting started or wrapping up for the day and your line jumps off the spools it's a hassle but not such a big deal. Where copolymers pay big dividends is when you go to cast. Having near zero memory means when you cast it is going to pay-out truer resulting in greater casting distance. Mono wants to coil up back into a circle; copolymer doesn't.
I'am a big fan of conventional casting reels which are all about distance. Using a copolymer increases that distance. When the tide is 3/4 out and I can't get to the bar yet to cast, a conventional reel can usually reach the area the fish are. When the water is dirty in-close and you need some distance to reach cleaner water usually a conventional can get there. Co-polymers help that effort.
Archie was able to get some Sufix-Tri 14# chartruse in 1/4lb spools. If you need something he's the man to contact at Strikezone. The other thing I'm pretty keen on is being able to see the lay of my line going into the water. To me it adds to the fun of fighting a fish in addition to helping you quickly eye if a fish has taken the bait and moved towards the beach. The chartruse proved to be excellent in allowing me to quickly locate the line and follow the movements of the fish. It's almost twice the price of mono but I believe well worth the investment if distance, lack of memory and visibility are important to you.
Sufix Tritanium Plus in Chartruse is now my line of choice.
Monday, October 25, 2010
Abu Garcia Blue Yonder vs. Penn 525 Mag
My first conventional casting reel was the Penn 525 Mag. It was recommended as a starter reel for someone looking to try "the Darkside". Conventional reels are considered the darkside because if you don't cast them right they will "blow-up" creating a tangled birds nest that has to be cut away and re-spooled.I enjoyed it tremendously, even though I would get blow ups occasionally.
Then I saw a video by a group from the U.K. who solely love to cast conventionals. The video was set to music and showed them casting different conventional reels on various long rods. The shots included close ups of line spooling off the reel and the adjustments they'd make while the lead was in flight to increase distance. Wow, I thought. That is soooooo cooooool!!! At that point I wanted to graduate from a reel with magnetic cast control like the 525 to a pure conventional reel. I was told to go with a Blue Yonder. So I trudged into Strikezone and got one, I didn't want to wait on ebay.
I've truly enjoyed the Blue Yonder. I've got it paired with a 11' Lamiglas Surf King and use 6oz of lead on it. If I were to change the lead I'd have to dial in to for the weight. I bought the Surf King to use as much lead as possible. I wanted to be able to get to clean water if needed and possible during the Pomp migrations. It is rated 3-8oz, but six seems to be the sweet spot on it. There are definite differences between the two reels. I've found on the 525 if you accidentally bump the mag slider or the tension knob just a little you can throw it off enough that when you cast you will probably encounter a blow up. The easy answer is to check the mag setting prior to each use. But who remembers that? Normally it's rig up, bait up and go!
There are two knobs, one on each side of the BY, that control your cast. The knob on the opposite side of the handle is dialed in to the weight you are using. The knob on the handle side is dialed to the spool. You have to cast and adjust and cast and adjust until you have it dialed in to either just before you get a tiny amount of fluff or no fluff at all. Fluff is considered line that rises off the spool during the cast. The more fluff the higher your likelyhood of a blow-up.
I cannot remember if I've ever had a blow-up with the BY. The only time I've needed to re-dial it in is after I've taken it apart to clean, oil and grease, which is not the case with the 525. To make sure you're still dialed on the 525 you need to check the settings and make an easy practice cast to be sure you're in the ball-park. It may not have won any distance casting competitions like the 525 has, but it is less of a hassle to keep dialed in. I can just rig and bait and go.
It also has enough power to handle a 5 ft approximately 50lb Spinner Shark, which I didn't think it would; but I did land one on it. For my money and enjoyment I like the BY over the 525Mag, which has been discontinued. The Penn Squall has replaced it.
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Saturday, October 23, 2010
Optimal Times to Fish Talbot Island
The fish have been hottest about an hour or two into the incoming tide.
10/28 - Thurs - 8am
10/29 - Fri - 9am
10/30 - Sat - 10am
11/1 - Mon - 12:30pm
11/2 - Tue - 1:30pm
11/3 - Wed - 2:30pm
11/4 - Thurs - 3:30pm
11/5 - Fri - 4:30pm
11/11 - Thurs - 8:00 am
11/12 - Fri - 8:25 am
11/13 - Sat - 9:25 am
11/15 - Mon - 12:30pm
11/16 Tue - 12:45pm
11/17 - Wed - 1 pm
11/18 - Thurs - 1:50am
11/19 - Fri - 2:40 pm
11/20 - Sat - 3:22 pm
10/28 - Thurs - 8am
10/29 - Fri - 9am
10/30 - Sat - 10am
11/1 - Mon - 12:30pm
11/2 - Tue - 1:30pm
11/3 - Wed - 2:30pm
11/4 - Thurs - 3:30pm
11/5 - Fri - 4:30pm
11/11 - Thurs - 8:00 am
11/12 - Fri - 8:25 am
11/13 - Sat - 9:25 am
11/15 - Mon - 12:30pm
11/16 Tue - 12:45pm
11/17 - Wed - 1 pm
11/18 - Thurs - 1:50am
11/19 - Fri - 2:40 pm
11/20 - Sat - 3:22 pm
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Current Analysis
Got the first Pomp almost two weeks ago on 10/9 in Fernandina. Daytime water temp then was about 77.5 degrees. Current daytime water temp now is about 76.8 degrees. That's only a .7 degree cooler difference.
I suspect the Pomps are not hard charging back to Florida but taking a very leisurely stroll because of the very slow drop in water temps over that time. What does that mean for anyone chasing them? Get as far north as you can. Don't expect it to be easy to find them, but the ones you do find should be in the area for a while.
They are still being caught in very good numbers in the Carolinas. Additionally the Bull Reds have shown up from Hatteras Island NC to Jekyll Island, GA. If you want to go after them get north and throw some fish heads (whiting, mullet, etc) or crab halves on a 6/0 or bigger hook.
I suspect the Pomps are not hard charging back to Florida but taking a very leisurely stroll because of the very slow drop in water temps over that time. What does that mean for anyone chasing them? Get as far north as you can. Don't expect it to be easy to find them, but the ones you do find should be in the area for a while.
They are still being caught in very good numbers in the Carolinas. Additionally the Bull Reds have shown up from Hatteras Island NC to Jekyll Island, GA. If you want to go after them get north and throw some fish heads (whiting, mullet, etc) or crab halves on a 6/0 or bigger hook.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Monday, October 18, 2010
Dirty Currents 10/14 & 10/16
On Thursday continued my quest to load up the cooler with good sized Whiting and keeper Pomps. Fished American beach just off Lewis st. on Thursday from 1-4pm hoping for that loaded cooler. Started on a falling tide. The first thing I noticed was the water clarity was bad with a tiny bit of sargassum on the retrieve. Was still hoping the long rods would be productive and they were; just not with what I was looking for. Everything was out beyond the last bar. Used two rods long and two rods short and the short rods yielded nothing. A guy about 100 yards north of me was wading out to cast and he reported only one nice blue. The Blues are definitely closing in on twenty inches. They're big! The long rods would eventually land a nice blue before the Sharpnose took over. Caught four Atlalntic Sharpnose between 18 and 24" The strike even for such a small creature gives the impression you've hooked into a slot red or keeper black drum. They are definitely feisty. Not the day I was looking for but getting some decent pullage was still fun!
Tried the spot I've been spying on Saturday on the south end of Amelia Island, called the South Access. It's a city created path right in the middle of all the condos. There is a steep set of stairs to climb that put you on the path, which is only about 5 feet wide. There's a fence to the left of the mostly shallow sand path that's about 150 yards long. There are shrubs to the right with a fence elevated behind them. At the end of the path there's an over hang of branches followed immediately by another set of stairs that will put you on the beach. It is a well maintained area. The sand has been bulldozed back to provide a breakwall for excessive high tides. Either it was recently bulldozed or not a lot of people trample it. Based on what I saw I believe people just leave it alone.
My family and I were the lone fishers from 9am to 3pm. I also don't think there's a lot of fishing activity there on a regular basis. Unfortunately the current was ripping otherwise I believe it could have been a productive day. 4oz sputniks were not holding at all and the 6oz would stick most of the time and the other times it would drift slowly south. The winds were 10-15 out of the North which probably helped create the current. Fished about an hour of the outgoing and only caught four dink whiting. The rest of the day was spent struggling with the current on the incoming tide. Caught another huge Ray and that was it for the day.
If you're traveling light it's a good place to go and fish. You do have stairs to climb up and down. I have a wheelez cart and it was not too difficult to pull it up and bounce it down the stairs. If you only have a pier cart you'll definitely need help getting it up and down. There are locals passing by all the time, since it sits in the middle of a group of condos, but they were all friendly and not too terribly interested in what you are doing.
It is also in eye shot of Nassau Sound, which makes it a spot you can probably get the occasional Red and Black drum. I've got some pictures I'll post later. Happy Hunting!
Tried the spot I've been spying on Saturday on the south end of Amelia Island, called the South Access. It's a city created path right in the middle of all the condos. There is a steep set of stairs to climb that put you on the path, which is only about 5 feet wide. There's a fence to the left of the mostly shallow sand path that's about 150 yards long. There are shrubs to the right with a fence elevated behind them. At the end of the path there's an over hang of branches followed immediately by another set of stairs that will put you on the beach. It is a well maintained area. The sand has been bulldozed back to provide a breakwall for excessive high tides. Either it was recently bulldozed or not a lot of people trample it. Based on what I saw I believe people just leave it alone.
My family and I were the lone fishers from 9am to 3pm. I also don't think there's a lot of fishing activity there on a regular basis. Unfortunately the current was ripping otherwise I believe it could have been a productive day. 4oz sputniks were not holding at all and the 6oz would stick most of the time and the other times it would drift slowly south. The winds were 10-15 out of the North which probably helped create the current. Fished about an hour of the outgoing and only caught four dink whiting. The rest of the day was spent struggling with the current on the incoming tide. Caught another huge Ray and that was it for the day.
If you're traveling light it's a good place to go and fish. You do have stairs to climb up and down. I have a wheelez cart and it was not too difficult to pull it up and bounce it down the stairs. If you only have a pier cart you'll definitely need help getting it up and down. There are locals passing by all the time, since it sits in the middle of a group of condos, but they were all friendly and not too terribly interested in what you are doing.
It is also in eye shot of Nassau Sound, which makes it a spot you can probably get the occasional Red and Black drum. I've got some pictures I'll post later. Happy Hunting!
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Water Temps 10-18-10 02:00 AM
The good news is that the water temps are now in the zone where the catching should be great!
Ft. Pulaski, GA 74.7
Fernandina Beach 75.6
St. Augustine 74.8
The bad news is where in the time of year where the winds are going to play havoc on water clarity and current. We'll have to pick our days to fish more carefully based on the forecast.
Ft. Pulaski, GA 74.7
Fernandina Beach 75.6
St. Augustine 74.8
The bad news is where in the time of year where the winds are going to play havoc on water clarity and current. We'll have to pick our days to fish more carefully based on the forecast.
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
It's on Fire Up North
The catching appears to be on fire in the Carolinas. With cooler fulls of fish being taken by anglers from Hatteras on down. Spot, Whiting, Pompano and Blues are lining the dinner plates as the fall migration gets into full swing. Catches of keeper Red and Black drum are being mixed in as well as Bull Red hookups starting to pick up as well! Not much longer and Florida will be experiencing the same heat!
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Water Temps 10-13-10 02:00 AM
Ft Pulaski, GA 77.0
Fernandina Beach 77.7
St. Augustine 77.5
Beautiful days are keeping it warm. However, the earth continues to move away from the sun so either way it'll cool off. Just may take a little longer.
Fernandina Beach 77.7
St. Augustine 77.5
Beautiful days are keeping it warm. However, the earth continues to move away from the sun so either way it'll cool off. Just may take a little longer.
Monday, October 11, 2010
Notes from last weekend
1. Sofar the incoming and high tide have been where it's at. The bite has died on low tide.
2. Alot of nice cuts and troughs in the Surf. Although I've caught the most on distance casts there should be action in close.
3. Gotta hit the sandfleas hard in the spring when they are abundant and store them for the fall when they are scarce.
4. Learned the difference between copolymer and mono line. Very anxious to give Sufix Tritanium another try, because of the lack of memory and improved castability.
5. Truly looking for the bite to get hotter and hotter in over the next 3-4 weeks. I anticipate a stretch of time where an angler can catch dozens of keepers in a short period of time.
2. Alot of nice cuts and troughs in the Surf. Although I've caught the most on distance casts there should be action in close.
3. Gotta hit the sandfleas hard in the spring when they are abundant and store them for the fall when they are scarce.
4. Learned the difference between copolymer and mono line. Very anxious to give Sufix Tritanium another try, because of the lack of memory and improved castability.
5. Truly looking for the bite to get hotter and hotter in over the next 3-4 weeks. I anticipate a stretch of time where an angler can catch dozens of keepers in a short period of time.
Water Temp 10-12-10 01:15 AM
Ft. Pulaski, GA 77.0
Fernandina Beach 77.7
St. Augustine 77.4
Looks like the clear skies have heated up the water a few degrees.
Fernandina Beach 77.7
St. Augustine 77.4
Looks like the clear skies have heated up the water a few degrees.
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Saturday, October 9, 2010
Welcome Home!
Got the party started Friday at American Beach. First line in one hour into the outgiong and nothing was happening. The sea looked pretty good at first blush. As the waves crashed onto the beach I saw nothing but blue-green. Finally as we approached low tide I hooked up to a hardhead. What? Taking another look at the sea I could tell why. It was dirty and I was shocked. Nowhere in the forecast did I see anything about sustained east winds. But there it was dirty as could be.24 hours makes a big difference.
Packed the family up and made a breakfast stop at Dennys. Arrived at American Beach about an hour before high tide. Set up a 9' Tica Dolphin short and the 10'6" Dolphin and 525 long. Went about 60 yards south and set up 11' Lami and Blue Yonder long and 9' Dolphin short. Everything was happening on the northern rods. All keeper whiting and one bull whiting on the 525 long. Short rods produced a lone lady fish and that was it. Repositioned the southern rods with the rods to the north and then it happened. Pompano! The 11' Lami went slack, telltale sign, I raced to the rod and raced to catch up to the hard charger making for the beach! I think my yell woke the rest of the neighborhood. 16" measure to the fork! Just as I was getting my picture taken the 525 bends over. As I begin the fight it's obvious what it is. It runs then stops, runs and stops; ray; a big one cause I'm not able to get him in quick to rebait my other rods for Pomps. Finally I get him to the beach, get him cut loose and the bite dies. A couple missed hits and that's it.
Friday, October 8, 2010
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Water Temps 10-6-2010 1:00 AM
Ft. Pulaski GA - 76.8
Fernandina Beach - 78.3 (offshore)
St. Augustine - 76.6
Fernandina Beach - 78.3 (offshore)
St. Augustine - 76.6
Tracking the Pompano 10-5-10
Looks like undersized Pomps have shown up in NE FL. Reports of catches from Vilano to Jax Beach. Water temps are almost where they need to be to catch keepers. The Fernandina weather bouy is reading 79.0 degrees water temp. The St. Augustine bouy is actually showing 76.8 and up in Ft. Pulaski GA it reads 76.8 also. Georgia anglers should be out after them now! Anyday now and here in NE Fl we'll be able to put 'em in our coolers! Happy Hunting!
Sunday, October 3, 2010
October Plan
American Beach
Date Sunrise Tide
10/8 7:24am 3:46 PM Low
10/9 7:25am 10:37 AM High
10/16 7:30am 10:13 AM Low
Talbot Island
10/22 7:34am 8:17 AM High
10/23 7:35am 8:57 AM High
10/29 7:40am 7:11 AM Low
10/30 7:42am 8:16 AM Low
Date Sunrise Tide
10/8 7:24am 3:46 PM Low
10/9 7:25am 10:37 AM High
10/16 7:30am 10:13 AM Low
Talbot Island
10/22 7:34am 8:17 AM High
10/23 7:35am 8:57 AM High
10/29 7:40am 7:11 AM Low
10/30 7:42am 8:16 AM Low
Tempting
Several years ago I was introduced to Sharking by a group that loves the sport. I soon discovered it's a very popular sport all along the east and gulf coasts. Most will fish at night. Most will "yak" their baits out a few hundred yards in a kayak. Every type of shark is caught from just a couple feet long to huge 12-15 ft monsters.
I went out and bought a 12' Ocean Master and Penn 545 reel to have a castable rig for catching sharks from the surf. It's not gotten much use yet. Just too busy to put everything together and go catch Sharks. Then I learned that my Spinner Shark catch last year was a bit more than an accident. I learned I was fishing in the right spot at the right time (tide and season). With that new knowledge I decide to give it a shot again since the conditions were exactly like they were last year. This time I encountered one of those monsters (big enough to make the encounter "no contest').
I know the fall migration is "everything". All the fish that swim north in summer return to wamer water in the fall. That includes a seemingly endless list of fish from Whiting to Pompano to King and Spanish Macs, to , Tarpon and Jacks; but it also includes Sharks. There is only one species of Shark that I know that loves the colder northern waters and that would be Great Whites.
If you want to learn how to target sharks these are the guys who are the experts, the Texas Sharkers
http://www.tx-sharkfishing.com/
I went out and bought a 12' Ocean Master and Penn 545 reel to have a castable rig for catching sharks from the surf. It's not gotten much use yet. Just too busy to put everything together and go catch Sharks. Then I learned that my Spinner Shark catch last year was a bit more than an accident. I learned I was fishing in the right spot at the right time (tide and season). With that new knowledge I decide to give it a shot again since the conditions were exactly like they were last year. This time I encountered one of those monsters (big enough to make the encounter "no contest').
I know the fall migration is "everything". All the fish that swim north in summer return to wamer water in the fall. That includes a seemingly endless list of fish from Whiting to Pompano to King and Spanish Macs, to , Tarpon and Jacks; but it also includes Sharks. There is only one species of Shark that I know that loves the colder northern waters and that would be Great Whites.
This fall season my primary goal is to catch as many Pomps as I can including a family max in a single day (24). But given the thrill of that brief encounter and that this is also the season for Sharks to be transiting through our area I'm tempted to bring the Shark rod on my trips. On the days I want to stay stationary and not chase the Pomps up and down the beach I think I will cast the heavy gear in hopes of latching onto a 6+ foot shark.
http://www.tx-sharkfishing.com/
Saturday, October 2, 2010
The Bite is On!
Took a friend of mine fishing. Had heard from another friend that the bite was hot at Nassau Sound last week. Things change in a week. Lots of rain to change the salinity in the river and cooler temps add up to a non-existent bite at the Crady bridge. Didn't want to get skunked so packed up and headed up the road to American Beach. It was much more windy than the day before but the water was still clean. Lots of foam and crashing waves, very "drummy" loooking. Used day old shrimp, frozen clam and cut mullet for bait. Started catching almost immediately. Blues, Whiting, even a lady fish. Another friend reported catching a small Pomp in South Ponte Vedre. Most of the whiting are just under keeper with a few keepers mixed in. No bulls or northern king fish yet. I expect the bite to remain hot for the next 4-8 weeks with more catches of Black and Red Drum, Bull Whiting, and Pompano later in the week!Forget the Knife! Always bring the Gun!
Picked Leah up from school and headed out to American Beach. The goal was to catch a Spinner Shark or two on the long rods and whatever else was biting on the short rods. The action started out hot and stayed hot. Surprised to find big blues here so soon. Caught trout, blues and whiting. Started at about 1pm and finished at 5pm. On the long rods I made 50# wire rigs with 6/0 circles. Was using live mullet for bait. Wanted pinfish but my spot didn't produce any. Conditions were blustery and it looked like there should be some Reds out there. So on one of the short rods I switched from #1 circle's to 4/0 circles and baited with cut mullet and whole shrimp. On the long rods I decided to switch to whiting heads as bait. 
I am keenly aware there are big creatures in the sea, but for some reason they slip our of my conciousness until I encounter them again; and usually the fight is over before it even starts. Something powerful latched on to the 12' Ocean Master and 525, with the express intent of taking it out to sea. I saw the rod go over suddenly and forcefully. There was no bounce to the rod like there usually is when something big is struggling to take your gear home. The rod went as far as it could go and the spike started to follow. The spike was deep. He had to displace a lot of sand to be getting the spike too. It was about 40 yards from me and as I started to spriint everything snapped back to twelve o'clock. That battle was over in 10 seconds. I reeled it in to discover the wire had been chewed through. Got a picture but the quality was poor. The hook was gone. The 6 foot leader shorter than it was before. I put the rod back in the spike and stood stunned. I actually had my guns with me, 10/0 thick J hooks on 135# 7 strand wire. Just decided that that was more than I'd need for Spinners since I'd caught one last year on 50# mono. We all know there's always the chance to latch into something more than what you're targeting. All-in-all it was an excellent day! The Fish Hunters caught fish and re-learned a lesson.
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