Fishing Report & Forecast Fernandina / Amelia Island

from The Angler Magazine | August 2023 | Northeast Florida Edition

A Time of Porpoise

By Terry D. Lacoss

The temperature is typically hot during the month of August, but the fishing action is hotter than July fireworks!

Big schools of 40–200-pound tarpon, also referred to as the “Silver King” are plentiful along the pristine beaches of Amelia Island and at both the St. Mary’s and Nassau Inlets. However, the most consistent tarpon action can be had while fishing at the tip of the St. Mary’s inlet during the last of the in-coming tide. Anchoring your boat at the just south of the tip of the south jetty rocks and fishing dead on the bottom with live mullet, menhaden, or with a large chunk of cut bait is key.

Many tarpon fishing seasons ago legendary angler Roland Martin and I teamed up for a 200-pound tarpon at the tip of the South Jetty rocks! Roland’s record-breaking tarpon was measured, length and girth to estimate its total weight. Using the formula “length times girth squared, divided by eight hundred.

Standard tarpon tackle includes 20-50-pound braided fishing line with a 3-4 foot section of 80-100 pound mono shock leader followed by a 7/0 circle hook. A fish finder sleeve is attached to the main line which allows different size weights to be exchanged depending on the strength of the current/tide. A small piece of picture hanging wire replaces the standard clip when attaching the weight to the finder sleeve. This allows the heavy weight to be released during the tarpon’s first head shaking leap.

Barb the menhaden from the bottom of the mouth through the top of the head while cutting the tail off which allows the scent to seep out into the water. Chumming is critical while cutting menhaden up into small pieces and slowly tossing overboard while creating a deep-water chum slick. Tarpon fishermen should attach a large bouy to their anchor line so that the anchor can be released when a wide shouldered tarpon spends most of your fishing line from your saltwater fishing reel. Also keep in mind the old saying “Drop the Rod Tip” when the silver king is in the middle of a big jump, should not apply to Northeast Florida tarpon. Once the hook is set, keep the rod tip Up!

series of #4-4-X treble hooks and free lining the live bait far back in their tarpon chum slick. Bonus catches while targeting tarpon include kingfish, cobia, and Spanish mackerel. Fishing on the bottom with cut baits will also produce “Bull” redfish, sharks, and more.

Casting a live finger mullet, live shrimp, or mud minnow barbed with a ¼ ounce led head jig up close to the jetty rocks will produce a variety of light tackle game fish including seatrout, redfish, flounder, and bluefish. One of the better areas of the St. Mary’s jetty rocks includes the southside of the south jetties about halfway from the tip of the rocks to the beach where there are several low areas in the rocks. During a past August fishing trip to the south jetty rocks, Glenda Crosby caught and released a fifty-pound “Bull” redfish while fishing with light tackle spinning gear!

Redfish will be tailing in the many bays and backwaters of Amelia Island during the last of the in-coming tide. As soon as the tide begins to fall, redfish will quickly disappear from the flooded marsh flats and move to deep turns in the tidal rivers and bays. Best lure includes a 1/8th ounce led head jig and Berkley Gulp shrimp in the “New Penny” color pattern.

Beach fishing is excellent early in the morning when there is a light southwest wind at the southern portion of Amelia Island. Bring along a sand rake for capturing sand fleas in the shallow surf. Sand fleas are excellent baits for a variety of game fish holding in the surf including pompano, sea trout, flounder, whiting, and more. A second choice would be ultra fresh shrimp!

Offshore fishing is also excellent during the entire month of August showcasing large schools of king mackerel weighing from 5-40 pounds, cobia, Spanish mackerel, and more. Bring along a Sabki bait catcher rig and jig up a live well full of live minnows for both trolling and bottom fishing.

Fishermen are not allowed to bring tarpon out of the water and into a boat unless they have a tarpon tag. For more information on tarpon regulations please visit www.myfwc.com.

Tarpon fishermen will also benefit by rigging a live menhaden to a

One of the better offshore fish havens offshore of Amelia Island is the popular FA fish haven. All offshore fish havens should be marked on your chart recorder..

For more information and charters, call Amelia Angler Outfitters (904) 261-2870, or visit www.ameliaangler.com