Tightlines: Gentler winds improve fishing at all local spots

by on Wednesday, June 9th, 2010 | No Comments

Calmer winds last week enabled local anglers to fish more effectively at all fishing spots - offshore, at the jetties and in the backwaters and surf.

Water temperatures range from the high 70s to the lower 80s this week, and plenty of live bait can be located along the beaches and the reefs.

Anglers fishing inshore reefs can expect cobia, amberjack, kingfish and barracuda. Live bait has been easy to catch along the buoy line and at the reefs.

A sabiki rig and a good livewell are necessities for the live-bait slow-trolling angler. Further offshore at the R-4 and R-5 towers and along the break, anglers are getting plenty of action from dolphin of all sizes.

Bear Croft and James Raysor reported catching 16 dolphin and 1 tuna last week trolling the breaks. Pink was the color of success.

Keep your eye out for weedlines or debris - you will be surprised at what can be lurking underneath. The snapper season remains closed for the rest of the year, very disappointing for all of us.

Not everyone is able to obtain live bait or to keep it alive for trolling. For anglers who would like to troll at the offshore reefs and wrecks, a No. 3 planer rigged with a spoon is an old-fashioned but deadly technique for catching kingfish. I recommend trolling at approximately 4-5 knots.

Huge pods of pogies are being reported along Cumberland Island's beaches as well as at Amelia's. An 8-10 foot casting net with 5/8-inch mesh weighing 11/2 pounds is the ideal net to cast for live pogy.

Sharks, bull reds, cobia and tarpon are being sighted in these pods. Spanish mackerel are being caught in the clear water on the incoming tide trolling along the south jetty of the St. Marys Sound.

Don't forget there are plenty of trout, flounder, sheepshead and slot reds cruising along the rocks. A mud minnow fished along the bottom can be deadly bait this time of year.

Backcountry fishing has been excellent with plenty of trout, reds, flounder and puppy drum being caught in our rivers. Bob Dixon, Charles Thomas and myself fished Wednesday and caught trout up to 5 pounds, reds, puppy drum and jack crevalle. Live shrimp on a float rig or mud minnows and live shrimp rigged with a jig are excellent techniques for fishing this time of year.

Surf fishing continues to be slow, although the seas have calmed this past week. Calmer seas should improve the water clarity and make conditions better for fishing. Shrimp, clams, sand fleas and cut bait should do the trick in the surf. Whiting, pompano, trout, small sharks, and the occasional redfish have been reported this past week in the surf.

Until next week, Capt. Jim.

Capt. Jim Johnson is owner of Amelia Island Bait and Tackle and Rappi Charters. Send high-resolution photos of recent catches to aibtjj@live.com

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