"Wahoo" will be the cry of many avid spring fishermen who troll the deep blue waters of Northeast Florida's Gulf Stream. Appropriately named for their racehorse-like runs, wahoo weighing upwards of 90 pounds can be caught during the spring fishing season. Last year, Captain Allen Mills guided a charter client to a 90-pound wahoo. His 31-foot Bertram charter fishing boat is appropriately named "The Wahoo."

During the first portion of the spring fishing season, wahoo congregate at the 30-fathom curve. As water temperatures warm during late spring, good numbers of wahoo migrate in closer to shore and can be caught at fish havens including "Tanzler's Reef," "Elton Bottom" and the "Forty Mile Bottom."

Wahoo usually like fast-swimming lures that create a "smoke trail" and sub-surface lures including "Jet Heads," "Cedar Plugs," the "Wahoo Whacker" and the "Islander." However, Captain Allen Mills put his Harry Holland fishing party on the 89-pound wahoo by tossing a barbed beeliner to this huge "Hoo," which came up to the transom of the "Wahoo" charter boat in hopes of a free meal! The group was bottom fishing in 120 feet of water when the large wahoo was landed.

Captain Allen Mills guided a charter client to this 89-pound wahoo.
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Other deep-water species that can be caught in the spring include sailfish, blue and white marlin, dolphin, and yellowfin and blackfin tuna.

Closer to land, deep sea fishermen will find cobia, king mackerel, Spanish mackerel, blues, amberjack and bonito dining on the large schools of minnows that have also arrived with the warmer water temperatures. Some of the best fishing action is enjoyed while slow trolling live cigar minnows, or Spanish sardines close to baitfish schools.

Some of the more fishy reefs include, the "Fernandina Snapper Grounds," FC, "East" FC, the "Amberjack Hole," "KBY," Schultz's Fish Market and HH fish havens. All are marked with GPS coordinates on the local offshore charts.
Bottom fishing also picks up at many of these same nearshore fish havens during the spring fishing season for grouper, red snapper and black sea bass. During the first portion of spring, large gag grouper can be found at the offshore wrecks. As baitfish begin to congregate at the many rock ledges during late spring, bottom fishermen will find grouper, snapper and sea bass holding on these two to five-foot rock ledges.

Anchoring on the high side of the ledge produces the best fishing action while fishing right on the bottom with fresh local squid, cut Boston mackerel, or frozen cigar minnows. However, if you wish to reel up a fairly large grouper, cobia or red snapper, try a live cigar minnow or pinfish!

Cobia fishing also picks up during the spring just off the beaches of Amelia Island and the St. Mary's shipping channel. Here, fishermen will find cobia weighing from 20 to 70 pounds holding under rays, channel markers and baitfish schools.

Black drum weighing from 20 to 80 pounds can be found schooling just off Main Beach, where fishing after dark produces some of the larger drum. Fishing right on the bottom with blue crab, conch or large shrimp is the best tactic here. Trying combinations of these tasty baits works well, too.

Huge drum can be taken from Amelia's waters during the spring months.
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Red drum can be found schooling at the St. Mary's jetty rocks during the middle of the incoming tide, where large fresh shrimp and cut baits produce red drum weighing to 50 pounds.

Beach whiting are numerous just off the surf where blues, pompano, sea trout and redfish can be hooked, too. Most surf fishermen fish with fresh shrimp rigged to a "Fish Finder" setup. Look for some of the best fishing to come at the southern tip of Amelia Island, the footsteps of historic Fort Clinch and the old pipeline located in the middle of Amelia Island.

Backcountry fishing is excellent during the spring months for redfish, sea trout and flounder. Redfish can be found tailing during the flood tide on marsh flats. During the falling tide, redfish tend to congregate on the deep sides of oyster bars and creek mouths. Sea trout fishing is best during a flood tide while fishing up close to the flooded marsh. Flounder fishing is best during a falling tide at creek mouths and close to jetty rocks.

Top water fishing is growing in popularity for both redfish and sea trout in the backwaters, particularly during a flooding tide. During a falling tide, a 1/4-oz. led head jig tipped with a live shrimp or bullhead minnow, will tempt flounder, redfish and sea trout.

This beautiful redfish was caught at the Nassau
Sound bridge at the south end of Amelia Island.
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Largemouth bass fishing is excellent during the spring season in many of the local freshwater rivers including Lofton, Boggy, Thomas', Mills and the St. Mary's Rivers. Look for the falling tide to produce black bass weighing to 10 pounds while casting floating worms, rapalas, white spinners and deep-diving crank baits.

Local crabbing is fun for the entire family! Try fishing right on the bottom with a piece of chicken or fish head. When a slight tug is felt, pull the crab slowly to the surface and net. Bring a large pot of water with crab seasoning added to a boil, then drop in the live crabs. Boil the crabs until they turn a bright pink and enjoy!

Non-Florida residents ages 16 and older will need to purchase a saltwater fishing license when fishing from a boat, pier, bridge or land. For more fishing and charter information, call the Amelia Angler (904) 321-5090.