Fishing Report & Forecast St. Augustine Offshore

By Capt. Robert Johnson

Summertime

It’s that time of year. Time to put away the trolling gear and break out the bottom tackle. The only question is what do you want to target? We are blessed in NE FL to have great fishing for a variety of bottom fish. Let’s start with the snapper family. The most common species other than the forbidden and plentiful Red Snapper is Vermillion. Locally called bee liners, red eyes or verms, they can be caught anywhere from 80 feet on out to the shelf edge. Many are caught on the traditional double rigs using cut squid as bait. If you would like to target the larger vermillion, try using lighter tackle and a single rig and fish your bait off the bottom up in the column. If Grey Snapper (locally called mangos) are your target longer lighter leaders will do the trick. Cut grunt or a live Spanish sardine will get plenty of bites. Use just enough weight to get to the bottom. The key to being successful at bottom fishing is proper anchoring. Make sure you are up tide in front of where you want to fish. Mutton Snapper are becoming more common in our waters and some are very nice sized ones especially in 140 to 170 ft depth. 10 to 15 lbs Muttons are common in the deeper depth. And we do catch a few large YellowTail Snapper. They seem to be mixed in with the Bliners in 150 to 180 ft depth.

Always keep a drift line and live bait ready for the occasional Cobia that will swim up to the boat to check you out. Being prepared is key. If you don’t have a live bait option a jig will do the trick as well. If its grouper or Amberjack you’re after, then heavier tackle and larger bait is the way to go. I use 100# leader around 10 feet long, a Penn 114h reel on a stiff rod. Even though it’s a little on the warm side the fishing can be hot as well.

The Fisheries council met recently about amendment 35. We are lucky to have a 2 day snapper season this year because the future for having a recreational season going forward looks bleak. Us fishermen know there are plenty of snapper and I believe we have more Red Snapper offshore in our local waters than has been in 40 years. Unfortunately common since is not a factor in the decisions being made about our fishery. I wish I had better news, so go out and enjoy our 2 day season while we still can.

“Let’s Go Fishing” Captain Robert Johnson (904)540-2628

Jodielynncharters.com

Jlfishing@bellsouth.net