Summer
Fishing at Amelia Fast-swimming king mackerel head the list for summer game fish at Amelia Island. Saltwater fishermen target king mackerel from both small fishing boats and from fully-rigged sportfishing boats. In fact, during recent summer fishing seasons, particularly when a light west wind is present, king mackerel fishermen have been known to launch their kayak from the beaches of Amelia Island and land bragging-size kingfish! One of the more popular fishing hot spots for summer king mackerel includes Nassau Sound. Kingfish are attracted to the numerous baitfish holding in these plankton-rich waters where a live bottom makes for an irregular bottom and fish magnet. Forage foods here include Spanish mackerel, menhaden, shad, glass minnows, bluefish, whiting, croaker, ladyfish, cutlass fish and the bi-catches from shrimp boat nets. The St. Mary's shipping channel is another good bet for summer king mackerel. Here, kingfish can be targeted from the deep channel waters, in the deep holes located at both tips of the north and south jetty rocks and at both Navy towers.
Summer is the season for kingfish! Offshore fish havens include KBY, FA, FB, FC, AH and the Elton Bottom. Live bait trolling with net-caught menhaden is the more popular fishing technique for summer king mackerel, particularly when king fishing along the beaches and at both the Nassau and St. Mary's inlets. Other popular live baits include Spanish sardines, cigar minnows, threadfin shad, blue runners, imported goggle-eyes, Spanish mackerel and whiting. Ribbonfish, also called cutlass fish, are also very popular dead baits for king mackerel fishing. The annual Nassau Sports Fishing Association's "Tournament of Champions" Kingfish Tournament is the highlight of the summer fishing season, with lots of excitement expected during the weigh-in and awards dinner. This year's event is scheduled for June 19-21, 2008. The largest kingfish weighed in during this year's event will be worth $25,000 in cash! There are also awards in the ladies, youth and 23-foot boat and under divisions. For more information, call Jim Wilson at (904) 607-4224. Offshore fishing is also excellent during the summer fishing season for barracuda, amberjack, cobia, Spanish mackerel, dolphin and the occasional sailfish, or wahoo. Bottom fishing produces excellent eating gag grouper, genuine red snapper and black sea bass. Look for some of the best bottom fishing to come from water depths of 90 feet and deeper. Fishing action at Northeast Florida's Gulf Stream is typically slow during the summer fishing season. However, dolphin fishing can be red hot close to sargassum weed lines. Look for the tip of the St. Mary's north and south jetty rocks to hold red drum weighing to 40 pounds and high leaping tarpon that often weigh over the 100-pound mark. In fact some of Florida's best tarpon fishing comes during Amelia IslandŐs summer fishing season. Tarpon, also called the "Silver King", are also frequently caught along the beaches and from the back bays and tidal rivers as well. A deadly fishing technique for summer tarpon includes netting a cooler full of menhaden, then chumming with the menhaden from an anchored boat. Fish dead on the bottom with cut menhaden and prepare for a fight of your life!
Redfish can be found in many backwater areas. Jetty fishermen will be targeting sheepshead, puppy drum, sea trout, flounder and redfish. Look for the slower moving tides to harbor the best catches of these delicious eating game fish. Surf fishermen can expect to catch beach whiting, pompano, blues, puppy drum, sea trout, redfish and flounder. One of the better locations for surf fishing includes the rock jetties at the southern end of Amelia Island. Here, surf fishermen can wade from shore within casting distance of the jetty rocks when targeting redfish, sea trout, flounder and whiting. Some of the best baits for surf fishing include fresh local shrimp, or sand fleas fished with a "Fish Finder" setup. The fish finder setup begins with an 8-ft. spinning rod and reel filled with 20-lb. fishing line. Next a 2-oz. egg sinker is threaded onto the terminal fishing line, followed by a small plastic bead. Next, a 50-lb. black barrel swivel is tied to the tag end of the fishing line. An 18-inch section of fluorocarbon shock leader is tied to the business end of the swivel. Finally, a #4 to #2 sized kahle hook is tied to the tag end of the shock leader. The size of the hook is determined by the size of the bait. Amelia's summer fishing season is also an excellent time of year to enjoy topwater fishing action in the many backwater bays and tidal rivers. Try and time your backwater fishing trip when a flood tide arrives between 8 a.m and 10 a.m. Here, the clear water conditions allow inshore game fish to hone in on your topwater plug. Baitfish are also schooling close to the surface, while inshore game fish are using the flooded oyster bars and marsh points as ambush points during a flood tide. Some of the more popular topwater plugs include the "Chug Bug", "Skitter Walk", "Top Dog" and the "Johnny Rattler". Be sure and employ a surface lure that has a white belly. The majority of baitfish found in the bays and tidal estuaries have white bellies!
Sea trout can be taken from the surf, the jetties, and many inshore
locations. Flounder fishing is also excellent during the summer fishing season, particularly at the footsteps of historic Fort Clinch. Fish with a "Fish Finder" setup with live finger mullet or strips of cut bait. Fishing from the George Crady fishing pier, located at the south end of Amelia Island, produces summer catches of whiting, sea trout, redfish, puppy drum, flounder, croaker and sheepshead. The Fort Clinch fishing pier holds excellent sheepshead fishing during the high tide phases. Look for the very end of the fishing pier to hold redfish, flounder and sea trout. Crab fishing is also excellent family fun, and can result in a delicious meal as well. Fish right on the bottom of a deep hole located close to a shallow flat with a fish head, chicken neck, or wing. Here, the crab bait is tied to a kite string with a 4-oz. weight tied to the bait. Once a slight tug is detected, bring the crab slowly to the surface and net. Keep the crabs alive in a bucket of water until you are ready to cook. Bring a large pot of water with crab seasoning to boil. Once the crabs turn bright pink in color, they are ready to pick! Non-Florida residents over the age of 16 will need a Florida saltwater fishing license when fishing from piers, bridges, or from the beach. Be sure and pick up a copy of my new book "Redfish", which is now in stock at many area fishing tackle shops. For more fishing and charter fishing information, call the Amelia Angler at (904) 321-5090.
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