Winter Fishing at Amelia

Amelia Island holds a treasure chest of fishing opportunities for both backwater and offshore
fishermen. The cooler water temperatures of winter often heat up the feeding appetites of a wide
variety of gamefish. When you make your next fishing trip on Amelia¹s waters, bring along this
article containing fishing hot spots and many other tips to enjoy a winter grab-bag of angling treats.

Seatrout are plentiful during the
winter months.
____________________

Seatrout fishing is right on top of the list for winter angling treats. Good numbers of seatrout can be found schooling at both inlet mouths of Amelia Island (the St. Marys river and the Nassau Sound) and in the backwater estuaries as well. On of the best spots to fish from shore is the southern tip of Amelia Island. Here, surf fishermen can expect to catch one to five-pound specks while fishing with finger mullet on a "Fish Finder" setup. Look for the last of the outgoing tide to
produce the best action.

Boaters should try the St. Marys south jetties during the outgoing tides. Find a low area in the
jetties and drift a live shrimp just off from the bottom with the aid of the trout float.
If you enjoy plugging for winter specks, try working a topwater plug in close to the flooded marsh grasses or over the top of a flooded oyster bed. Both the Nassau and Shave bridges also offer very good seatrout fishing during the winter months.

     Red bass (redfish) and flounder fishing is excellent during the winter season. Look for redfish to hold on the shallow mud flats where oyster bars and creek mouths are nearby. Flounder can also be found holding at creek mouths and docks as well. One of the best angling tactics for both of these species includes working a 1/4-ounce led head jig with a chartreuse plastic curly tail slowly along the bottom. Tip the jig with a live shrimp, bullhead minnow or finger mullet for bonus strikes.
     Offshore fishing is excellent for bottom species including grouper, snapper and black sea bass. One of the best baits for all of these species is fresh local squid. However, live pinfish or cut Spanish sardines will tease great-eating grouper into taking your baited hook.
     However, the real secret in catching all of these delicious bottom species is fishing with 60 to 80-lb. bottom fishing gear and a fully set reel drag. When a bite is detected, set the hook and don't give up an inch!

Offshore fishing can produce red snapper
(shown above) along with grouper and sea bass.
___________________________

Look for some of the best bottom fishing action to come from KBY, FA, FC and HH. All of
these great offshore fishing havens are marked with coordinates on the local offshore fishing chart.
Trolling at northeast Florida's Gulf Stream can produce great catches of wahoo during the winter
months. The best fishing action should come while trolling with black and red, C & H Wahoo
Whackers. Trolling speeds should be set at six to eight knots. Look for the best wahoo action to
come in water depths from 150 to 500 feet.

Fishing Amelia's tidal rivers and marshes is a beautiful way to spend a winter's day.
_________________________

Surf fishermen can expect to catch whiting, blues, and seatrout during the winter months. Try
fishing right on the bottom with a fish finder rig or a fresh piece of shrimp. Some of the best action
comes during the last of the outgoing and the first of the incoming tides.
Freshwater fishing during the winter season can be outstanding during warm fronts or just before a front moves through northeast Florida.

For anglers who must fish from land,
surf fishing from Amelia's beaches can yield bluefish (above), whiting and seatrout.
________________________

     Some of the best action comes from the St. Marys River and Lofton Creek. For the best results, fish with weighted plastic worms or deep-diving crank baits in the deep bends of the rivers.
     Crabbing is also good during the winter months. Try fishing right on the bottom with a piece of
chicken. Tie a long piece of string to the chicken piece and add a four-ounce weight. When a slight
tug is detected, pull the crab slowly to the surface and net with a long-handled net. For great eating,
boil the live crabs in a large pot of water with "crab boil" seasoning added.
     Non-Florida residents will need to purchase a saltwater fishing license when fishing from land,
bridges, piers or from a boat. For more information on fishing and fishing charters, including
information on size restrictions on certain species of fish, please call the Amelia Angler at 321-5090.