Time to start...

...monitoring water temps.

Grays Reef (Savannah) 81.5 deg
Ft. Pulaski GA - 81.7
Fernandina Beach 82.5

Was hoping we'd be closer to Pompano temps. Still about 3 weeks about I'd estimate; first week of October.

I have heard that Black drum have shown up at the Jax pier with good size whiting biting as well.  Plan to head out Weds to fish American Beach and rake for sandfleas.

8/28/12 - Whats going on.

Currently 80 degrees, need a drop of about five more degrees before we can start seeing Pomps in the surf.  Pomps have been reported in the Surf in northern Georgia.  Gettin' close!  Mullet run is underway with fingers reported in the Surf around Ponte Vedre Beach.  Planning to head to Lauderdale about mid Sept for Tarpon and Snook.

Very Early Spring!

Well as most of you know Spring has arrived in Florida!  Confirmed that with the first dusting of pollen late last week.  Yes, the Fish Hunters have returned after a long haitus.  We've not fished much in the past year, other priorities took precedent.  However, cleaned and shined the rods and reels today in preparation of getting back at it this Wednsday! 

The fish are definitely on the move.  Pompano have been reported as far North as the Jax Beach pier over a week and a half ago.  Water temps are rapidly on the rise; 65 at St. Augustine Beach and 69 at the Cape.  Hot and heavy action was reported at New Smyrna beach, with good catching also going on at Daytona Beach. 

Now the question begs are we in for a long protracted spring or a very early summer as well?  I'm voting for the protracted spring!

See you on the beach!
Ed

St. Augustine

...water temp is 63.9 degrees!  Pompano any day!

The Good News...

...we are about 60 days from the arrival of Spring and some really good fishing!

Merry Christmas Everyone!

All's been quite on the fishing front the past few weeks.  Cold weather and holiday preps have been limiting the ability to get out and fish.  It's looking like a warm up this weekend but it's family time!  I do hope to start the new year off right with some New Years day fishing on a few of the local bridges.  Anyone up for the Matanzas bridge on Sat 1/1?

Have a very blessed Christmas and be safe!

Ed

Water Temps 12-15 03:30

Ft. Pulaski, GA             48.2
Fernandina Beach         48.4
St. Augustine                52.9
Cape Canaveral           59.0
Ft. Pierce                     No Data
West Palm                    72.5
Port Everglades             69.3

Guess what I found???

Gotta hand it to NOAA to come up with a product like this.  One stop shopping for tides in every body of water in the country in one place!!!

http://tidesandcurrents.noaa.gov/tide_predictions.shtml?gid=198

Tides, Weather and Tackle Manufacturers

Seperated tides and weather links into their own category on the lower right tab.  Added a tackle manufactures link list bottom center.  

Water Temps 12-14 02:40

Ft. Pulaski, GA                48.7
Fernandina Beach            49.5
St. Augustine                   53.4
Cape                               60.1
Ft. Pierce                        No Data

In the last six days we've seen the "Big Chill" hit our water temps.  From SE Georgia to St. Augustine the drop has been over 7 degrees; while it Cental Florida it's been 4 degrees.

Noone is out there fishing because of the cold.  Hoping for a not so windy day with reasonably moderate temps to hit the pier or an inshore bridge.  Sheespshead must be here in force.

Spotty Dog Tackle (U.K.)

I've been doing my homework on Tackle Retailers in the U.K. that ship internationally.  It seems Spotty Dog tackle is outstanding.  Not only do they have a good reputation for service but their prices are outstanding.  I've been comparing prices on the Century TT LD and the Akios Shuttle.  Places like Gerrys are charging $470 US just for the rod shipped; which is $80-$90 more than Spotty Dog and North East Tackle.

Spotty is the only one that offers discounts not only on the shipping cost but also on product costs.  The rod and reel combo together (shipped) runs (in US dollars) $736 through Gerrys, $661 at North East and $613 at Spotty.  The current exchange rate is $1.585 US to the Pound.

Looks like Spotty Dog is the place to shop.

Water Temps 12-13 02:05

Ft. Pulaski, GA        51.8
Fernandina Beach    52.7
St. Augustine           55.2
Cape Canaveral      61.9
Ft. Pierce               70.7

Unable to get down to the Cape this weekend. My son had some sort of stomach virus. Time to turn my attention to the Sheepshead and Black Drum.

Pompano & Water Temps

Given the things we've seen during this fall run I beleive we can now safely say Pompano can be caught in water Temps from 77 degrees all the way down to 54 degrees. However, you'll probably find the highest concentrations of Pompano in water temps in the mid 60's (65-69).

Another key lesson learned is distance from shore. Have always known they prefer cleaner water, however it looks like long casts will produce the most Pomps (75 yards plus). And that's both on low and high impact beaches. If you're fishing for Pomps most of the time you'll need a rod of 11' or more preferrably married to a conventional reel (Penn Squall, Penn 525, Abu Rockets, etc...)

Another note, I've yet to find any reviews of the new Penn Squall. From what I've heard however, I beleive its a streamlined, better quality product than the 525Mag.

Cape Canaveral Trip 12-10-10

Right now "everything" looks great to hit the Cape on Friday. Air Temp will be 70 and winds will be light at five out of the northwest. Will probably hit half the incoming and half the outgoing tide with High-tide about noon. Mother-Inlaw is excited about the trip. Hoping to put some Pompano in the cooler and on the dinner plate!

Tracking the Sinker

Found these videos on Aliencasters Youtube channel.  Pretty cool.
 Gives you a pretty good idea of the trajectory and distance on a power cast.

Water Temps 12-08-10 01:45

Ft. Pulaski, GA            55.4
Fernandina Beach        56.3
St. Augustine               59.0
Cape                           64.4
Ft. Pierce                     No Data

The Akios Shuttle (656 SCM)

Hooked-Up on the Pier and Surf site brought my attention to this reel.  Top quality but very, very nice looking.  Yes, we fishermen do buy gear just because it looks good.  Just like women buy a purse just because...however, for us it does have to be useful to what we're doing!

 Here's the link to the review:
http://www.fishing-tackle.co.uk/akios-shuttle-656-scm-sportcast-latest-multiplier-reel/

Water Temps 12-7-10 03:55

We just hit the 50's.

Ft. Pulaski, GA              57.2
Fernandina                    56.8
St. Augustine                 61.0
Cape                             No Data
Ft. Pierce                       72.9

Two New Links

Added two new links.

The first is a conversion chart under Fish Hunting Links on the lower left tab.  Sometimes we need to do conversion from ounces to grams, etc.  This is a quick link.

The second is a Rod review section.  It's on the left side of the footer.

I'll be adding a Reel review section on the right side of the footer and the first review will be on the new Penn Squall.

Also, the Penn 525Mags are now on sale for upwards of $50 off around the net and I suspect at local tackle shops also. It is being replaced by the Squall.

Water Temps 12-5-10 23:45

Ft. Pulaski, GA          59.7
Fernandina Beach      61.2
St. Augustine             63.3
Cape                         No data
Ft. Pierce                   74.5

Interesting to note:  The difference in water temp between Ft. Pierce and Ft. Pulaski.  That's 15 degrees separated by about 360 miles and a 6 hour drive.  Take a six hour drive spend a weekend and get into some warm water fish.  Sounds like a plan!