After the northeast winds of winter have subsided and the warmer winds of spring begin to heat up Amelia Island's ocean waters, rivers and backwaters, both salt and freshwater fishermen develop a good case of "Fishing Fever." And with good reason! Some of the biggest catches of the year are often made during the spring fishing season.
     Black drum begin their annual spawning run during late February and early March. These delicious fish often weigh upwards of 90 pounds! Some of the best black drum fishing takes place along the beaches of Amelia Island, particularly right at the foot of "Main Beach." Here, night fishing is very popular for these bottom-feeding black drum.
     A variety of baits are effective when drum fishing, including large shrimp, conch and crab.  Combinations of these baits are often successful when fished right on the bottom with heavy, 50-lb. fishing tackle.
     Black drum fishermen can also expect to catch redfish and a variety of sharks while fishing on the bottom.  Other popular black drum fishing locations include the "Breakers", located at Nassau Sound, "Black Hammock" and "Cumberland Sound."
     The black drum run often peaks during the month of May and during a 
full moon.  Look for the best drum fishing to occur during a flood tide.

Spring is the season for huge black drum!
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     Grouper weighing to 25 pounds are frequently landed at the many offshore locations, including the FA, FC, HH and AH fish havens.   One of the best tactics for landing big grouper is fishing a few feet up from the bottom with live pinfish.
     Drift fishermen can also expect to catch red snapper, black sea bass, small sharks, flounder, amberjack and cobia. Although live pinfish work best for grouper, fresh local squid, cut chunks of Boston mackerel and cut sea bass also work well.
     Live bait trolling for king mackerel, cobia, barracuda, amberjack, Spanish mackerel, wahoo, sailfish and the occasional dolphin begins to heat up during late May and early June at many area offshore fish havens located between 10 and 20 miles offshore.  Some of the more effective live baits include cigar minnows, menhaden, mullet, greenies and Spanish sardines.
     Excellent wahoo trolling occurs during the spring fishing season at the "Tuna Patch."  This is actually a deep turn in the Continental Shelf where water depths drop from 180 to over 1,000 feet of water in less than a mile!   Other species of striking fish that can be taken here include dolphin, sailfish, king mackerel, barracuda and blackfin tuna.
     Look for the best trolling action to come close to sargassum weed lines, "Rips" and water temperature breaks.  One of the more successful trolling combinations includes a medium-sized ballyhoo rigged to a pink and white C&H "Stubby."

Offshore trolling can produce great action for wahoo (above), 
dolphin, sailfish, barracuda and tuna.
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     Inlet fishermen will find plenty of saltwater species of fish willing 
to bend a fishing rod at the St. Mary's inlet and rock jetties. Sheepshead, red drum, puppy drum, croaker, yellow-mouth trout, bluefish, tarpon, cobia and sharks are just a few species of fish that school at this fishy inlet.
     Surf fishermen will find sea trout, flounder, blues and redfish holding at the new rock jetties located at the southern end of Amelia Island.  Surf fishing along the sandy beaches of Amelia Island is also excellent during the spring fishing season for whiting, pompano, sea trout, flounder and more.  One of the best spots for surf fishing continues to be an area running north from the fishing pier at the Amelia by the Sea condos to the old pipeline near main beach.
     Fresh dead shrimp fished right on the bottom and during the last of the flood and the first of the falling tide continues to be a deadly surf-fishing tactic.
     Backwater fishing is also excellent for redfish in the Amelia River, bays and tidal estuaries.  Gold spoons and in-line spinners work well when the tide is flooding.  Try a 1/4-oz. led head jig rigged with a Berkley Gulp Shrimp during low tide.

Striped bass can be taken from many area rivers and lakes.
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     Sea trout also bite well in the backwaters during a flood tide while floating a live shrimp under a small popping cork.  Work live shrimp over flooded oyster bars, creek mouths and edges of deep sloughs.
     Largemouth bass weighing to 10 pounds are annually caught and released in many of the local brackish tidal rivers, including Boggy, Thomas, Mills and Lofton Creeks.  Look for the high falling tide to produce the best action while fishing with live shiners, dark-colored plastic trick worms or silver rapalas.
     The lily pad shorelines of Boggy Creek receive very little fishing pressure, but annually produce big bass during the spring fishing season.
     The St. Mary's and Nassau Rivers harbor excellent striped bass weighing to 20 pounds. These can be taken while trolling with rapalas, or by simply fishing on the bottom with fresh shrimp.  Look for the high incoming tide and the last of the falling tide to produce the best striper fishing action.
     Crabbing is also popular family fun during the spring fishing season. Use a long piece of string and a 4-oz. weight with a chicken neck tied to the tag end of the string. When a slight tug is detected, bring the blue crab slowly to the surface and net.  Keep the crabs alive in a bucket of water until time for cooking.
     To cook, begin by adding "crab boil" seasoning to a pot of boiling 
water, then place the live blue crabs into the pot. Boil the crabs until they turn a bright pink color and enjoy!
     Non Florida residents will need a Florida non-resident saltwater fishing license when fishing or crabbing from land, piers, or bridges.  For more fishing or charter information, call the Amelia Angler at (904) 321-5090.

Backwater fishing for redfish is excellent in
the spring fishing season.
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