Summer Fishing at Amelia

The summer fishing season is definitely the time of year to catch big fish, including tarpon, redfish, cobia, kingfish and many more. The warm waters of summer attract a wide variety of bait fish schools to Amelia Island's inlets and beaches, as well as offshore fish havens. The plentiful supply of bait fish schools sets up an easy meal for many species of game fish. Naturally, area fishermen target these schools first to fill their live wells with bait, and then to try and catch the nearby game fish with their freshly caught baits.
It goes without saying that fishing for king mackerel (or kingfish) is the most popular style of sport fishing during the summer season. Big schools of kingfish can be found feeding offshore at live bottoms, rock ledges and man-made reefs. Here, they feed on large schools of cigar minnows, Spanish sardines, squid, grunts and other small fish.

Kingfish are abundant both close to shore and at
offshore fish havens during the summer. __________________________________

One of the best fishing tactics for catching offshore kingfish is live bait trolling with cigar minnows. Live minnows are rigged with a two-foot wire leader and fished with 20-lb. trolling tackle. A number two live bait hook is barbed from the bottom of the mouth and right through the top, which helps the live bait swim naturally. A stinger hook is then haywire wrapped to a short section of wire and then haywire wrapped to the eye of the

nose hook. The length of the stinger hook is adjusted so the stinger hook lays right alongside the tail of the live bait.
    Offshore kingfish normally range in size from 5 to 15 pounds. However, kingfish weighing over the 40-lb. mark are often caught at these offshore fish havens as well.
    Look for trophy sized kingfish to hold in close to the beaches and both inlet mouths of Amelia Island. At the St. Marys inlet, giant kingfish, some of which can weigh over 50 pounds, feed on the large schools of menhaden, sea trout, croaker, whiting, Spanish mackerel, blues and ribbonfish. Both Joe Bruce and Steve Pickett have landed 50-lb. plus kingfish while live bait trolling at the St. Marys inlet!
     One of the more productive fishing tactics for catching near shore kings is live bait trolling with menhaden. However, rigging dead ribbonfish and trolling them both, either with downriggers or as flat lines, normally attracts the biggest strike of the day!
     Tarpon fishing is also excellent during the summer months. Tarpon can be found in good numbers in close to the beaches and inlet mouths of Amelia Island. Local tarpon often weigh over the 100-lb. mark! One of the best fishing tactics for tarpon includes fishing right on the bottom with cut bait. Chum fishing from a drifting or anchored boat is also very productive, especially while fishing right on the surface with large baits.

    Redfish, cobia, sharks, Spanish mackerel and big jack crevalle can also be caught while fishing in close to the surf and at both inlet mouths of Amelia Island.
    Sea trout, flounder, redfish and sheepshead are plentiful in the bays and tidal rivers of Amelia Island during the summer months. Look for tailing redfish on the marsh flats during the full moon. A wide variety of river species can be found feeding on the deep sides of shell beds, docks and sandbars.
    Blue water fishing for marlin, sailfish, dolphin, tuna and wahoo

summer99-fishing2

Often overlooked by area fisherman, largemouth bass fishing is excellent in many of northeast Florida's freshwater streams.
________________________________

can also be excellent during the summer season. The continental shelf is located some 70 miles offshore of Amelia Island. One of the better fishing tactics here includes trolling with large ballyhoo.
    Surf fishing is excellent during the summer for pompano, whiting, blues, flounder, sea trout and redfish. Try fishing just behind the breakers with fresh shrimp, cut mullet or sand fleas.
    Often overlooked by many area anglers, largemouth bass fishing is excellent in the many local tidal rivers, including Boggy, Lofton and the St. Marys rivers. Try fishing early in the morning with floating plastic worms, rapalas or white spinner baits.
    Crabbing is great family fun during the warm months of summer. Try fishing right on the bottom with a piece of chicken and a two-ounce weight. Once you feel a sharp tug, bring the crab up close to the surface and net with a long-handled net. Keep your crabs alive in a bucket until time for cooking. Bring a large pot of water to boil, add crab boil seasoning and then place the live crabs in the water and cook until they turn pink.
    Non-Florida residents are reminded that a saltwater fishing license is needed when fishing from land, piers, bridges and boats. For more fishing and charter information, call the Amelia Angler at (904) 321-5090.