Fuel up. Cast out. Ethanol-free gasoline is available at these GATE locations. 9540 San Jose Blvd., Jacksonville
3210 U.S. Highway 17 S., Orange Park
570 Busch Drive, Jacksonville
5000-60 U.S. Highway 17, Fleming Island
4100 Heckscher Drive, Jacksonville
7099 Collins Road, Jacksonville
463779 S.R. 200, Yulee
686 Blanding Blvd., Orange Park
3150 Emerson St., Jacksonville
10980 U.S. Highway 1 N., Jacksonville
4123 Town Center Parkway, Jacksonville
4511 San Juan Ave., Jacksonville
11350 Baymeadows Road, Jacksonville
450 Park Street, Jacksonville
60 Airport Center Drive, Jacksonville
10970 U.S. Highway 1 N., Ponte Vedra Beach
10044 Atlantic Blvd., Jacksonville
2350 State Road 16, St. Augustine
220 A1A N., Ponte Vedra Beach
1900 Mizell Road, (SR312), St. Augustine
1001 Monument Road, Jacksonville
1605 Race Track Road, Jacksonville
11040 McCormick Road, Jacksonville
3011 International Golf Parkway, St. Augustine
26699 State Road 56, Wesley Chapel
12705 Durbin Lake Drive, Jacksonville
2940 County Road 136, White Springs
2520 S. 3rd Street, Jacksonville Beach
2545 Palm Valley Road, Ponte Vedra
12548 San Jose Blvd., Jacksonville
700 Durbin Pavilion Drive, St Johns
Serving Up More.
Fishing Report & Forecast St. Augustine Inshore By Capt. Tommy Derringer
T
he Spring fishing has been awesome, but summertime is coming. Yeah, it’ll be hot out there, but the fishing will be hot as well! We have some big changes in our fishing patterns coming up over the next couple of months as the water starts to really warm up inshore and the beach fishing action really starts to fire off. Redfish and trout will be blasting top-water plugs at first and last light and the cobia, tarpon, and sharks will invade the beaches. You have got to love summertime fishing in Northeast Florida! Some of the best inshore/backcountry fishing for redfish and trout will occur right at sunrise and again at dusk this time of year. Top-water plugs are one of my go-to lures during those times of day. The fish will be heavily feeding, and they’ll be more than willing to crash your lure on the surface. Mullet should be invading all the creeks and flats in our area by now and the adage “match the hatch” couldn’t be truer. I like to use a “walk-the-dog” type plug in a baitfish pattern to perfectly mimic an injured mullet. If you do opt for the “walk-the-dog” type lure mentioned above be sure to practice making the bait walk side to side. I’ve seen many fish ignore a topwater if it’s just dragged past them, only to have them smash it the next time the lure is properly “walked” by. Once the sun is higher in the sky you may want to switch to a sub-surface lure or bait. My clients have been 16 NORTHEAST FLORIDA
MAY 2022
having great success using the Saltwater Assassin paddle tails rigged on a 1/8oz jighead or a weedless style hook. It looks just like a small mullet or minnow and can fished in a bunch of different ways. The tail on the Saltwater Assassin produces quite a thump when worked through the water. With murkier water being the norm heading into summer, this can be a huge advantage as the fish will be able to home in on the lure much easier. This is also a great month for the Bull reds at the inlets, bridges, and nearshore reefs. Half a crab or a piece of cut mullet on the bottom will work great. Just make sure to give those breeders a healthy release. Just as the mullet will be invading the inshore areas look for the pogy (menhaden) pods to be all over the beach. The pogies bring in all kind of fishing opportunities this time year. The cobia should be hanging around depending on what the water temps do, and the tarpon should start to show as well (They have been here since last month, but more should be on the way!). Sharks, huge jacks, kingfish, and more will all be pulling up a chair to feed on the bait pods. A great way to fish the pods is to slowly idle around looking for the ones that have some pogies getting thrown around. The biggest mistake I see while fishing the beach is when anglers get too close or charge right up to the bait while the outboard motor is still on. Try using the trolling motor or just drifting within casting range. You’ll see a lot more fish and more importantly catch more too. While you’re out there along the beaches don’t forget to check out the shrimp boats and their by-catch… There’s almost always something BIG lurking around those slicks to play with! .
COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
Capt. Tommy Derringer 904-377-3734 • www.InshoreAdventures.net