Nassau Sport Fishing Association -Kingfish time!

TheNassau Sport Fishing Association is a non-profit organization dedicated to develop and promote saltwater fishing in the Nassau County area while adhering to state, federal and local regulations, to encourage compliance with rules of water safety by club members and the general public, and to promote youth related community activities.

Once again, it is Kingfish tournament time in NE Florida. NSFA is proud to be hosting the SKA Division 5 Fernandina Beach Kingfish Tournament and Fishing Rodeo. There are some changes to the format this year. NSFA will be establishing an Eastern Boundary 3 miles from the coast. With this boundary established, the kingfish tournament will be a single division as single engine and multiple engine craft have equal opportunity to catch the winning fish. Another change will be to eliminate the purchase of live bait. All live bait intended for kingfish must be caught by the anglers on the day of the tournament. The final major change to the tournament will be in the Rodeo division. Since the eastern boundary has been established, the rodeo division will eliminate the offshore species and focus on Redfish, Flounder, Trout, and Sheepshead. This will also increase the prize amounts for these targeted species. Please see our website for early bird registration and review the rules for more details. Find us at NSFAFISH.NET/RODEO.

Until the tournament, fishing around Nassau county is on the upswing. Offshore: Not much has been happening in the near shore waters. We do have pogies around and cigar minnows/bait has shown up around the wrecks and ledges. Why the kings are not here is anyone’s guess. Cobia should be around too. Kings are being caught off the Jax Beach pier so they should be following those pogie pods. Backwater: Some positive reports on flounder taking mud minnows off Ft. Clinch and Egan’s creek. That is a good sign. It is still big trout time and if you can catch the first of the morning top water action, that is a good way to land big/keeper trout. The reds just keep moving with some nice catches at the jetties and around most docks and feeder creeks. Surf/South End: The water has been milky which is affecting the bite, except for catfish. However, with very little rain and high tides gone, the water should be clearing up. When it does, look for pomps at American Beach and along many spots on our beaches. The guys are getting some nice flounder on finger mullet too on the South end.

NSFA meets on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month at Kraft Athletic Club on Amelia Island. Join us 26-July for our monthly social gathering. If interested in joining, please visit our website at NSFAFISH. NET or stop by one of our meetings.

As always, Stay Safe, healthy, and we will see you on the water!