FALL FISHING AT AMELIA
By Terry Lacoss
Some of the hottest fishing action during the fall fishing
season comes from the backwater estuaries and inlet mouths of Amelia Island. The cooling
water temperatures of fall attract a wide variety of backwater species here, including big
schools of redfish, seatrout, flounder and giant tarpon. This is without a doubt the best
time to enjoy a variety of fishing opportunities.
Often overlooked by the majority of Amelia
Island salts, good numbers of tarpon often hold at the mouths of both the Nassau and
Cumberland inlets. Tarpon often frequent Amelia's beaches and can also be found in good
numbers just off from the inlet mouths of Amelia Island.
One of the more productive fishing holes for tarpon is the deep hole located at the tip of
the St. Mary's south jetties. During the fall, silver kings weighing over the 100-lb. mark
are not uncommon. Some of these high leapers taken annually weigh over 150 pounds!
The best angling tactic for hooking up these trophy gamefish is to fish right on the
bottom of this deep south jetty hole with cut mullet or menhaden. Chumming is also highly
effective. For chum, cast net a couple of five-gallon buckets and then cut them up into
small pieces and discard them slowly over the side of your boat. |
 Fishing Amelia's waters in the fall can yield
huge tarpon like the one pictured here.
____________________ |
Tarpon fishing tackle should include 20 to 30-lb. class
spinning or level wind gear. A four to six-oz. bank sinker is attached to a fish finder
slide with a small piece of picture hanging wire. The fish finder slide is also attached
to the terminal fishing line above the swivel and shock leader so that it slides up the
line when a big tarpon takes your bait. During the first high leap of the hooked tarpon,
the small wire will allow the heavy sinker to break free, allowing the angler to fight the
tarpon without any weights attached to the line.
The terminal fishing tackle is completed by attaching a six foot section of 120-lb. mono
shock leader to the opposite end of the 100-lb. barrel swivel. An 8/0 circle hook
completes the terminal side of your tarpon gear. Be sure and sharpen your hook to a
triangular point for a better hook set.
The best tarpon tides are the last of the outgoing, first of the incoming and the last of
the incoming tides.
Redfish are also plentiful at both the St. Marys and Nassau inlets during the fall fishing
season. One of the better fishing tactics here is to fish right on the bottom with a live
finger mullet. Look for the best action to come during the last of the outgoing and the
last of the incoming tides. Redfish caught in these fishy, Amelia Island waters may well
weigh over the 30-lb. mark, with some as large as 50 pounds!
 Backwater angling for redfish is a
very
popular fall activity.
______________________ |
Redfish are also plentiful in the backwater rivers and bays
of Amelia Island during the fall fishing season. Some of the best action here comes during
the flood tides, when shallow water redfish (better known as tailing reds) move up onto
the marsh flats and feed on small fiddler crabs. They will also hit a wide variety of
lures, flies and live baits. One of the more successful fishing tactics here is to cast a
Johnson gold spoon rigged with a red shad plastic worm as a trailer.
Redfish must measure at least 18 inches and not over 27 inches in length. The bag limit on
redfish is one per day, per angler.
Seatrout are also plentiful during the fall at the Nassau and Cumberland inlets of Amelia
Island. The backwater rivers and bays support good numbers of seatrout as well. Look for
the best action to come from right up close to jetty rocks, close to points and cuts in
the marsh and over flooded shell beds. |
The best angling tactic for seatrout is fishing with a live
shrimp just off from the bottom. Here, a trout float can be adjusted so that your shrimp
drifts with the tide, just off the bottom. Finger mullet and bullhead minnows are also
very effective while fishing for seatrout and can be fished effectively with this same
live bait float setup.
Flounder can also be caught while fishing these very same hot spots. However, fish right
on the bottom with a live bullhead minnow or finger mullet for the best results.
Lure fishing for redfish, seatrout and flounder is also very exciting and productive
during the fall fishing season. Look for the best results while casting a 1/4-oz. led head
jig and a plastic curly tail. The best colors are white, pink and green.
Offshore fishing during the fall provides great action for kingfish, barracuda, cobia,
grouper, black sea bass and red snapper. Look for some of the best action to come from
offshore fish havens FA, HH and FC. All are marked with loran numbers on the Jacksonville
offshore fishing chart.
Look for the Lofton, St. Marys, Nassau, Boggy, Mills and
Plummers rivers to provide great freshwater fishing action in the fall, particularly for
largemouth bass. Stripers, catfish and bream are also plentiful.
Crabbing is great fun during Amelia's fall season. Try fishing right on the bottom with a
piece of chicken. Tie a long piece of string to a 4-oz. weight and chicken part. Fish it
right on the bottom until you feel a slight tug. Pull the crab slowly to the surface and
net. Amelia Island blue crabs are delicious when cooked in a pot of boiling water seasoned
with crab boil. |
 Seatrout are plentiful in many of Amelia's inshore
river systems during the fall.
_______________________ |
Non-florida residents will need to purchase a saltwater
fishing license when fishing from the beach, piers, bridges or boats. For more fishing
information, call the Amelia Angler at (904) 321-5090.
__________________________________________________