Spring Fishing at Amelia
Story and photos by Terry Lacoss

    Record-breaking catches were made during the spring of 2001, and area fishermen are hoping for big catches again during the 2002 spring fishing season. Record numbers of big drum were barbed last spring while fishing just off from Amelia Island's surf and the footsteps of Fernandina Beach's Atlantic Avenue. Jim Cart-wright made history when he landed a 96-pound black drum on the evening of April 12th. His big catch is a pending all-tackle record for black drum in the state of Florida.
   Good numbers of black drum begin migrating into Amelia Island waters during the beginning of March and run right through the month of May. Look for some of the best action to come from Nassau Sound, Black Hammock, Cumberland Sound and in water depths of 15 to 25 feet, just off from "Main Beach".
   Night fishing is very productive for black drum, particularly just before a full moon and a rising tide. Some of the more popular black drum baits include blue crab, conch, clams and large fresh shrimp. Bonus catches are also enjoyed while fishing with these popular local baits including whiting, blues, redfish, cobia, puppy drum and a wide variety of sharks!

Jim Cartwright, pictured on left with longtime fishing companion
Mike Colon, landed this pending Florida state record black drum
on April 12, 2001. The massive black drum weighed 96 pounds.
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    Offshore fishing begins to heat up with the warming water temperatures of sprin. Bottom fishing produces great action for grouper, red snapper, black sea bass and cobia. Look for some of the best bottom fishing action to come from a wide variety of offshore fish havens including artificial and natural reefs. Look for grouper to hold on big ledges, while red snapper tend to hold close to culvert pipes and similar manmade reefs.
   One of the best baits for bottom fishing is fresh, local squid. However, if you wish to tangle with a large grouper or cobia, try live baits including Spanish sardines, pinfish or grunts.
   Trolling species also arrive with the warming water temperatures of spring. Some of the more popular species include king and Spanish mackerel, blackfin tuna, cobia, barracuda, dolphin, wahoo and sailfish. Look for the best action to come while jigging up live baits around channel markers or offshore structure, then live bait trolling with 20-pound fishing gear.
   Historically, one of the area's best trolling waters are located at the St. Marys sea buoy, where massive numbers of both cigar minnows and Spanish sardines congregate during the spring. Several live bottom and artificial reefs are located close to this fishing hotspot as well.

Kingfish are plentiful offshore during the spring
fishing season. Jack Healan is pictured
above with a 34 pound smoker.
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    Florida's Gulf Stream is located some 75 miles offshore of Amelia Island and offers excellent trolling for dolphin, blue marlin, sailfish, wahoo, blackfin tuna and yellowfin tuna. Some of the best action comes from water depths of 200 ­ 1,000 feet while trolling large nude ballyhoo or ballyhoo rigged with a plastic lure. Some of the more popular trolling lures include the "Wahoo Whacker", "Tuna Tango", "C&H", "Sea Witch" and the "Cedar Plug."
Many of these popular offshore structures are marked on the local offshore fishing chart with loran and GPS coordinates.
   Backwater fishing also peaks during the spring fishing season, with excellent fishing opportunities for catching redfish, sea trout, flounder, jack crevalle, bluefish and sheepshead.
   Redfish can be found on the flooded marsh flats, holding on flats close to deep-water channels, at creek mouths, docks and similar backwater structures. Some of the better lures include the gold spoon, 1/4-oz. led head jig, fitted with a curly tail plastic tail, 52-M Mirror Lure, or a "Snag-less Sally." Topwater plugs include the Top-Dog, Spitin-Image, Chug Bug and the Zara-Spook.
   Fly fishing is also popular for backwater redfish with 6-8 weight fly gear, floating fly line and a variety of flies including the Clouser, Deceiver, Bottom Feeder, Crab Patterns and the Epoxy Spoons.
   Sea trout, blues and flounder can also be taken on all of the above mentioned lures and flies. However, a more popular tactic includes drifting a live shrimp just off from the bottom with a trout float.
   Flounder weighing to 10 pounds are plentiful while fishing right on the bottom with live baits including shrimp, bullhead minnows or finger mullet. Sheepshead can be found holding close to docks, rock piles and bridge pilings. Look for the best action to come while fishing right next to these popular structures with either barnacles or fiddler crabs.
   Surf fishing can be enjoyed along the beaches of Amelia Island for a variety of surf species including whiting, blues, pompano, puppy drum, flounder and sea trout. Here, one of the best fishing tactics is fishing right on the bottom with fresh shrimp. Look for excellent fishing action to come on the Nassau Bridge and the Fort Clinch fishing pier for all of the above mentioned species as well.

Dan Clifton took this nice bass while fishing over a
hidrila grass bed. Also picture is Norman Bray,
an avid largemouth bass fisherman.
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     Largemouth bass fishing is also excellent during the spring fishing season in many of the area brackish rivers. Some of the more popular rivers include Lofton, Thomas, Boggy, Mills, Plumbers, Nassau and the St. Marys Rivers.
Look for the best action to come on the falling tide while fishing with rapalas, floating worms and live shiners.
   Crabbing is also popular during the spring for excellent-eating blue crabs. Crabbing offers great family sport and is enjoyed by young and old alike. For best results, tie a chicken neck to a long string and attach a 3-oz. weight to the chicken neck. Drop the bait right on the bottom and wait for a slight tug. Bring the crab slowly to the surface and net! For excellent eating, cook the crabs alive in a pot of boiling water with crab seasoning added!
   Non-Florida residents will need to purchase a saltwater fishing license when fishing from a boat, land, bridges or piers. For more fishing information, call the Amelia Angler, (904) 321-5090.