February 2024 Volume 22 Issue 266
FishingConnectionOnline.com
Nassau * Duval * Clay * St. Johns * Flagler * Volusia * Brevard
Capt.Bert Deener Swamps, Creeks, and Ponds Page 10
Joe Dionne
Danielle Dionne Pacowta
Publisher Editor
Volunteer Editor
The Fishing Connection Online is Digitally published monthly by the Fishing & Boating Media Group Inc on or before the first Tuesday of each month. No material printed herein may be reprinted or sold for distribution without the express written consent of the publisher. The views, opinions and positions expressed in articles submitted by monthly and or periodic contributors to the Fishing Connection Digital Publication do not necessarily reflect the views of the Fishing Connection. The main objective of The Fishing Connection Online Publication is to provide you as a fishing enthusiast with the best information and knowledge from the top anglers in N.E. Fla and ask you to please support the paying sponsors and column writers who make this monthly publication possible. 2
Our Sponsors
Column Writers for this Issue
Click on Sponsors Name
Tow Boat US Daytona Morgan Metals
Page 6 Nik Bremer Page 10 Capt. Bert Deener
Boaters Exchange Amelia Island Bait & Tackle Oldest City Bait & Tackle
Page 16 Spencer Brogden Page 18 Capt. Jim Suber
Bobs Bait & Tackle Alexander Shrimp Co.
Genungs Fish Camp
Page 22 Travis Goodale
Page 23 Capt. Todd Philcox
Black Creek Marina Aloha Marine Japanese Auto Specialist
Page 24 Capt. Cory Sparks Page 32 Capt. Adam Morley
Strike Zone Gate Petroleum
Page 38 Capt. Jeff Patterson
Fat Cat Mobile Trailer Repair 3
2024 Digital AD Rates beginning January 1st, 2024 AD Size & Monthly Rates Full Page – 175 Half Page – 125 Quarter Page – 75 Eighth Page – 40
Call Joe at 904-962-5996
➢ Your AD will also include a Link to your Business Website or Facebook Page. When the visitor views your AD they simply click that AD and it transports them to your Website or Facebook Page. ➢
Includes a Monthly Analytics Report E-mailed to you.
➢
No extra cost to update your AD sent by the 15th of the month prior to the following month - Must be a PDF Format.
➢
Your AD is Promoted Worldwide and Viewed by Smart Phones / Tablets / Laptops / Desktops
➢ The Deadline for new ADs is the 15th of each Month ➢ Invoices are sent out to the E-Mail address you provide to us upon placing your AD
Payment Options Check / Money Order / Major Credit or Debit Cards / ACH Complete Information at
FishingConnectionOnline.com
FishingConnectionOnline.com 4
Fernandina Amelia Island By Nik Bremer We may not have had a ton of days to get out in the past month due to the weather, but when we have been able to get out, the bite has been there. At Amelia Island Bait and Tackle, our customers have been catching a good mixed bag of fish. Off and nearshore, the sheepshead and black bass bite has been great. Inshore I’ve seen a mess of redfish and some nice trout. These cooler temps have fired up the sheepshead inshore, on the jetties and offshore. The problem has been getting the angler’s favorite sheepshead bait, Fiddler Crabs. Last month we had only 5 days that were over 70 degrees and only two were consecutive. When temperatures remain under 70 as they have,
fiddlers become dormant and need a few days in a row of 70+ degree weather with the sun out to help encourage them to come out. In these cooler times, we’ve been targeting sheepshead with live sandfleas. These little crustations are just as effective and produce convicts. Inshore, work sandfleas in a bottom sweeper jig slightly off the bottom to keep that slack out of your line. Slowly work up the water column to cover the whole structure. If you don’t have a bite, give it another drop or two and move on to the next pilon, dock, or rock pile. Offshore, KBY has been super productive as well. If you spend any time offshore and don’t have CMOR mapping, you’re wasting time out there. Spot lock and CMOR are the only ways to sit right on top of your spot and nail your target consistently without drifting. Sandfleas, fids, black mussels, oysters, and clams are all baits that will bring up sheepshead (and other species). While at KBY, you’ll run into plenty of black bass as well but will have to cull through 2030 to get to that 13” keeper. If you’re looking to fish smarter, not harder, head over to HH or FC area to get your 7 fish bag limit all while catching triggers, b-liners, and red snapper (which must go back 333 days a year).
I’d recommend switching up your bait up as well. Local cuttlefish are my favorite black bass bait, but not the only one. Boston mackerel, cigar minnows, squid, Bonita, and mullet are all cut baits that work well for Black Sea Bass. As far as gear is concerned, I like using a slightly heavier inshore setup while catching Black Bass. Anywhere from a Medium to Heavy rod with a 3000-5000 reel on it will get the job done. The lighter the setup, the more fun the fight is, but if you get into something a little larger you may be S.O.L. 30# braid should suffice as your mainline with a fluorocarbon leader 24”-36” to a 4/0 circle. Weight will vary based on the gear, depth, current, and size of your bait, but 25oz. is usually where I’ll start. Mark your live bottom and send them down to load up the cooler. Sheepshead and Black Sea Bass are two of my favorite fish to eat and love making a day of loading up on delicious fish. You can’t beat a fresh seabass ceviche. Cooking is another one of my hobbies, so if you ever need a recipe or want to talk cooking, come by Amelia Island Bait and Tackle. Until next month, tight lines my friends!
Nik Bremer
6
Michael Foster
FishingConnectionOnline.com
7
Seff Ali
FishingConnectionOnline.com
8
The F.P.G.A. was created in January of 2023, and the objective of The Forty Plus Golf Association shall be to promote friendly competition, fellowship, and sportsmanship among golfers 40 yrs old and up, to hold membership and guest tournaments and other such golf events and competitions as may be determined by the F.P.G.A. Chairman, and to get a group of Guys and Gals on the Golf course to have some fun and make a few friends in the process. For Schedule, Courses, and Application Check out our Website located at FishingConnectionOnline.com
FortyPlusGolf.com
9
Swamps, Creeks, and Ponds By
Capt. Bert Deener January 25, 2024 Fishing Report This winter warm-up is just what the doctor ordered for some great fishing. The Florida crappie bite is on fire right now, and so are ponds in south Georgia. The south Georgia rivers are pretty much blown out, but they should be dropping within the banks in many locations this week (if we don’t get heavy rains this weekend). Okefenokee Swamp – The water level is still high and fish are spread out, but it’s falling some. This warm spell will increase the activity level of all species. The flier bite should be good this weekend. The most recent water level (Folkston side) was 121.44 feet. Paradise Public Fishing Area (near Tifton) – The crappie bite has been very good this week. Big fish bit in Lake Patrick, as Robert Miller caught a 2-lb., 13.5-oz AND a 2-lb., 3-oz. crappie on Thursday. He caught them by working a jig from the fishing pier. Local Ponds – An angler fished a Brunswick pond this week and caught a 6 1/2-pound bass on a crankbait. I heard a great report from a pond where a couple of anglers trolled 2inch Keitechs on 1/48, 1/32, and 1/16-oz. Zombie Eye Jigheads. They said that the 1/32-oz caught the most fish. They also jigged a 1/16-oz. Tennessee shad Spectacular Jig and caught several nice keepers. They ended up with 35 crappie and a big bluegill. They released all the fish over a pound and kept 21 smaller fish. Their best colors of Keitechs
were electric shad, bluegill flash, and chartreuse back pearl. Their best trolling speed was 0.8 miles per hour. An angler trolling a Waycross area pond on Monday evening caught 6 crappie, and they were all big (over a pound). He fooled them with a chartreuse back pearl 2-inch Keitech on a 1/16-oz. black-green eye Zombie Eye Jighead. Chad Lee didn’t fish much this weekend, but went to a couple of Alma area ponds and fooled 7 crappie on chartreuse Assassin Tiny Shads. Saltwater (GA Coast) – This winter warm spell has gotten the fish chewing! Capt. Tim Cutting (fishthegeorgiacoast.com) had really good days for redfish on Tuesday and Wednesday. His charters used live shrimp and Gulp rigged on Zombie Eye Jigheads (1/8 and 3/16-oz.) for their reds. They caught small, medium, and large slot-sized keepers and several oversized fish per trip. The trout bite slowed this week, though. He did put his clients on 4 big sheepshead with fiddlers on Wednesday. Kenny McClain was visiting from Maryland and fished with me on Thursday. We fished the creeks around the Brunswick area and fooled 27 redfish up to 26 1/2 inches, 3 keeper trout, and 3 black drum. They all ate live shrimp tailhooked on a 1/8-oz. Shrimp Hook or 3/16-oz. Redfish Wrecker Jighead. Fishing shell mounds and creek mouths around low tide was key. An angler fishing a Brunswick area dock spanked the seatrout on Friday evening. He started catching small fish, but then the bigger trout up to 17 inches moved in and he fooled several of them. He caught his fish with 3-inch Keitech swimbaits rigged on 1/8-oz. Zombie Eye Jigheads. Wata-melon Bait and Tackle in Brunswick is open Friday through Sunday from 6 am to 4 pm each week. They have plenty of lively shrimp and fiddler crabs and also have live worms and crickets for fresh water. They’re on Hwy 303 just north of Hwy 82. For
the latest information, contact them at 912-223-1379. St. John’s River (Astor, Florida) / Crescent Lake - The crappie bite is on fire on the St. Johns systems. On Tuesday, Jamie Hodge fished the river and cuts off of it and fooled 20 big crappie. He long-line trolled some of the deeper water. On Wednesday, he shallowed up in one of the larger lakes and caught his limit in 8 to 12 feet. His biggest was a 2-lb., 4-oz. slab, and he talked to another angler who caught one 2 1/2 pounds. He released a BUNCH of fish in the 8 to 11-inch range. He caught another limit on Thursday, but I’m not sure of the details. A couple of other groups of anglers headed south from Waycross on Wednesday, and they caught some big fish. One group had 14 nice fish on Thursday up to 2 pounds. They were fishing shallow cover in the Astor area. They said that there was a period on Thursday afternoon when the fish moved up. They caught them casting plastics both under a float and without the float. The big fish will push shallow over the next couple of days during the warming trend before the next cold front. For the latest fishing information or to reserve a room or cabin in Astor, you can call Kerry at South Moon Fish Camp (386-7492383). Capt. Bert Deener guides fishing trips in southeast Georgia and makes a variety of both fresh and saltwater fishing lures. Check his lures out at Bert’s Jigs and Things on Facebook. For a copy of his latest catalog, you can download it from his website at bertsjigsandthings.com or e-mail him (bertdeener@yahoo.com).
Capt. Bert Deener 10 FishingConnectionOnline.com
Crappie fishing is fantastic right now. Tommy Davis of Baxley caught this slab crappie by trolling a Keitech 2” swimbait on a 1/32-oz. Zombie Eye Jighead.
FishingConnectionOnline.com
11
Charles Sweat caught this Bull Redfish in Steinhatchee while fishing from an airboat
FishingConnectionOnline.com
12
14
Local Wild Caught Large & Jumbo Shrimp __ Live Blue Crabs __ Tackle & Seasonings
15
Pier & Surf By
Spencer Brogden
Welcome to this month’s pier and surf fishing report. What can we expect in February? In general, feast or famine. What I mean by that is we will feast if we get the water temperatures back in the mid 60’s and it will be famine if it continues to hover in the upper 50’s like it did most of January. February is always a hard month to predict because we never know when that next strong cold front could come. The main staple in the
Northeast Florida surf this time of year is whiting. They aren’t really migratory like Pompano so they are usually able to be caught all winter. If the water drops below 63 or so we soak our shrimp in Diet Pepsi and that helps entice the bite. This method has been used for quite some time in the winter months. Keep in mind with the colder temperatures their metabolism slows down so many times they will nibble for a while so don’t be so quick to set the hook. Look for runouts and deep sloughs when targeting these tasty fish . The other dominant species we target is Sheephead from the piers and the jetty rocks. The Jacksonville beach pier, the St. Augustine beach pier and the Vilano pier all hold Sheephead. The Vilano jetties and the Mayport jetties also
hold a bunch of Sheephead. Fiddler crabs and live sandfleas are the main bait used to target these fish. You can use a Carolina rig or a Sheephead jig. If you’ve never fished for them before be prepared to be frustrated. Many times they hit so light you won’t even know they got your bait! I prefer fishing last 3 hours of incoming and the last three of outgoing and through trial and error you can find the tide you like best as well. On a side note, definitely use the month of February to get all your tackle stocked up and ready because once March hits the fishing will be wide open! Don’t forget to subscribe to our Brokenreel23 YouTube page as well! Until next month, tight lines.
Spencer Brogden
16
Our Waterways By
Capt. Jim Suber COJ Waterways Coordinator Dock Master Division of Natural Marine Resources Department of Parks Recreation and Community Services 1410 Gator Bowl Blvd. Jacksonville, Fl. 32202 Office (904) 630-0839 Cell (904)509-0588 Jsuber@coj.net www.JaxParks.com www.COJ.net
Greetings, Winter!! We have had our fair share this year and the water temperatures are about as low as North Florida needs to be! With all of the fronts passing through and the rain playing a part we still have our upriver section of Duval County basically fresh water but our midrange of the river and the estuary near the mouth of the river has returned to a normal range. The water levels are showing normal or near normal levels. Our FIND grants continue to make progress. Riverview Park's new boat ramp has moved out of red tape and the contractor has received the contract and they have mobilized on the site and work has started. Liberty Street Marina is in design and permits. The engineers have produced some additional study findings and the final design should be decided soon. Mike McCue Boat Ramp Bulkhead replacement design and the design
for the Windward Marina upgrades are moving forward at a good pace. Thomas Creek Fish Camp Adaptive Kayak launch design is complete and is in the construction grant process. The City of Jacksonville is submitting grant requests to the Florida Inland Navigation District for the design of dredge needs in the downtown area, The research and design are in progress. The design of extending the floating dock system at Jim King Park and Boat Ramp, St. Johns Boat Ramp Boardwalk, and the replacement of the Oak Harbor Bulkhead are in design. The Downtown Investment Authority has approved the forward movement of the new bulkhead on the downtown North Bank and the new bulkhead east of the St. Johns Boat Ramp on the South Bank. The new docks on the North Bank will be removed and stored on the upland site while the new bulkhead is installed. The docks from the Main St. Bridge east will remain in place. The bulkhead replacement at the CSX Building is near design and permit completion. The City of Jacksonville has been working hard to improve our boat ramps. Jim King Park and Boat Ramp driveways and parking lots have been resurfaced and the back docks are under repair from storm damage. The Dinsmore Boat Ramp has been paved and a light project has been bid out and a contractor is under review. Mayport Boat Ramp is being re-surfaced, and the ramps approach are getting new concrete. The derelict vessel program has continued to make progress but continues to pile up. One of the vessels under investigation in Julington Creek showed itself sunken at the Mandarin Boat Ramp. It was removed from the waterway. The old vessel sunk north of Half Moon Island Park is scheduled for removal, and the sailboat north of the Beach Blvd
Bridge on the ICW, and the sunken vessel near T.K. Stokes ramp are waiting on a contract for removal by FWC. FWC is working on several “AT RISK” vessels that broke loose from their anchoring. One was tied to the Kayak Dock at Stinson Park but has now been placed back on anchor. I want to continue to remind all, that on the east end of the Back River behind Blount Island, we have a sand bar developing. It is on the Ramoth Drive side of the river. A solution to this concern is being worked on. The Jacksonville Waterways Commission continues to have a committee to address this issue and discussions continue with The Army Corp of Engineers and a source of the sand is being explored. The Waterways Commission has submitted legislation to fund warning buoys for the area as well as pursuing a funding source to study a cause and solution. The engineers have completed the design and placement that has gone through review and preliminary Coast Guard approval. The dredge company at Blount Island is back in operation and pipes and buoys are stretched across the river on the back side of the island so use caution. Please use caution and a look out anytime you are underway especially when up on plane in your boat, debris items are just under the surface, and seeing them can be difficult. Day time always use good, polarized sunglasses and at night slow down and double your caution and lookout. As always allow me to continue to remind everyone to always check your boat and yourself.
Continued
18
Use of a lookout and being aware of your surroundings are always a priority. Invest in a QUALITY EPERB, file a float plan with someone that will miss you first so if things don’t go as planned, the search for you can be narrowed and recovery can be quicker.
Check their web site for classes through 2024.
Take a safe boating course and do your part to activate our waterways! The Jacksonville Sail and Power Squadron, America’s Boating Club, continuously offers America’s Safe Boating Course at Lamb’s Yacht Center and classes have resumed monthly.
The next class and all future classes will be announced on the America’s Boating Club web site at www.usps.org/localusps/Jackson. JSPS continue to do vessel inspections so you can contact an inspector at the same web site or reach out to me and I will assist
The cost of the classes to the student will continue to be reduced to an affordable rate thanks to a donation from Jacksonville Marine Charities from proceeds from the Greater Jacksonville Kingfish Tournament.
FishingConnectionOnline.com
getting you with an examiner. Last but not least, show pride in the facilities provided for your use with your tax dollars by properly disposing of your by-products when you clean your fish and dispose of your trash appropriately! I wish all a great 2024! Happy Fishing and Safe boating! BE SAFE!
Capt. Jim Suber
19
Derelict Sailboat removal at Mandarin Boat Ramp FishingConnectionOnline.com
20
Mayport Boat Ramp improvements FishingConnectionOnline.com
21
Kayak Fishin’ By
Travis Goodale Hello everyone, my name is Travis Goodale and I’m excited to be your new kayak fishing writer. As an avid kayak fisherman, I have participated in numerous local tournaments and have been fortunate enough to place and win in quite a few of them. I’m eager to share my knowledge and proven tactics with you all. Additionally, I’m a strong advocate for getting kids involved with the outdoors and fishing. Speaking of the outdoors, while the weather may not be hot, the fishing is still great. So, don’t let the cold keep you from enjoying the sport you love! February weather can be
unpredictable, but don’t let that stop you from fishing! When cold fronts hit, most fish tend to have lockjaw, but sheepshead are an exception. Although they can be tricky to catch at first, they’re a lot of fun to reel in. Their bite is very subtle, so it can be hard to know when to set the hook. My suggestion is to hold your rod as close to the water as possible and watch your rod tip. If you see any movement at all on your rod tip, lift the rod slightly and if you feel pressure, set the hook, and hold on tight. Some of my favorite places to target sheepshead are bridge pylons, dock pylons, and rocks. The best time to target them is the hour before and after the turning of the tide. After that, your best bet is to fish the eddy created by the swift current. There are many different baits to use for sheepshead such as fiddler crabs, sandfleas, live shrimp, clams, mussels, oysters, and mud crabs. Fiddler crabs can be tough to get when the weather is cold, so most bait shops won’t have them. That’s when flipping rocks along the shoreline for mud crabs will be your best bet. Be sure to use gloves and know the difference between stone crabs and mud crabs before doing so because stone crabs are illegal to
FishingConnectionOnline.com
harvest. February is a great month for fishing! The water clarity in the backwater is the best it will be all year, making it an ideal time to sightfish for reds. There’s nothing quite like watching reds belly crawl in the mud. Just remember to be stealthy as redfish are easily spooked in shallow water. As for trout fishing, most of the good trout are in deeper water searching for a more stable water temperature. I like fishing deeper holes in creeks on the last of outgoing and the first of incoming tides. Most of the deeper holes I find are on a sharp bend in a creek. I prefer using a bomber long A or Paul Brown’s soft dine and working them slow with longer pauses. One last tip for the month is to always bring along a towel and a change of clothes with you in the cooler months because you never know when you may need them. Remember to be safe out there and always wear your PFD. Tight lines everyone and hope to see you on the water!
Travis Goodale
22
Fishing Jax Beach to the St Johns River By Capt. Todd Philcox Winter fishing on NE Florida’s inshore waters offers a great opportunity for continuous action with a variety of species including redfish, flounder, trout, black drum, and sheepshead. Recent weeks have seen many days with 20-30+ fish counts including numerous redfish from 16-22”, some flounder from 12-18”, and black drum or sheepshead mixed in. Schools of seatrout and yellowmouth trout have been active in deeper water, bird activity generally gives away the location of those schools. I expect this type of action to continue
throughout February as our winter months are my favorite time to fish. January saw extreme weather variations which affected water temperatures greatly and fishing as well. Shallow inshore water temperatures vary the most the farther you get away from the ocean inlets, last month the coldest water was in the high 40’s, and the warmest was in the high 50’s. . On those coldest water days, the best action was in areas closest to the St Johns River where more moderate water temperatures could be found. I primarily fish light tackle, a 7’ medium light rod with a 2500 class reel spooled with 10lb test braided line and a 20lb test fluorocarbon leader working live shrimp and mud minnows on a 1/8 to a 3/8-ounce jig, depending on wind and tide conditions. I offer this information because, while I have another 4 size setups with progressively heavier tackle, I fish this lighter setup 85-90% of the time with consistent success and enjoyment for my clients. I expect to land redfish in the 1530” range on this gear, though I have had clients land 25-30lb redfish on this lighter setup. The area I fish predominately, the Intracoastal waterway between Butler Blvd and the St. Johns River, offers a
great variety of conditions, shallow mud flats, oyster beds, winding creeks with significant depth changes, and the Intracoastal banks and grass lines. All these areas will be productive at different times and under different conditions, the hard part is figuring out when to target each area. I find the most success during our colder months fishing shallower waters farther back in the creeks and those deeper creek holes as the tide drops. There are no charts for most of our creeks, so the only way to learn them is to get out around the low tides and explore, slowly! Wishing you good luck and great days on the water, call me if I can help get you out fishing and into the action!
Capt. Todd Philcox Salty Charters (904)403-8575 Saltychartersjax.com
23
warmer water determine where you are fishing. Winter patterns of these fish have continually bounced from the main banks to creek holes back and forth day to day all of January and I expect it to continue this month. Tide changes can also fire off the bite by changing water temperatures. When water temperatures are mid to low 50's, it can dictate where these reds will be, and which ones will feed.
Palm Valley By Capt. Cory Sparks Look for schooling redfish this month in Palm Valley. When water temps fall and water clarity cleans up, these fish become spooky. Approaching redfish schools stealthily will be extremely important to get you in range of the schooling fish. Focus on water temperatures to locate these schools. If water temps on the main channel are cooler than the temperature in the creeks or vice versa, let the
Don't pass up fishing docks as well this month. Redfish and trout will be under docks and in shadows waiting to ambush their meals. I love a 1/4 oz. jighead with a Slayer S.S.T. in "Chicken of the Chain" color for throwing in and under docks. Let wind and tide move you along and tediously work each dock. This takes skill and practice to get lures in the structure safely. Be respectful to the dock owners. If you can't fish the area without hitting their property, then move along. It isn't an easy method to catch fish so until you can confidently thread the needle on casting, stick to a more open
structure. Drum and Sheepshead are along shell-covered banks and bars. A fish bite strip tipped with a live shrimp will catch many of these fish. There are plenty of puppy drum and rat reds in these areas so take care to safely release these undersized fish when catching numbers of them. Sensitive rods are a must in cold weather due to the soft-biting fish. Many bites feel like a bait thief nibbling and then suddenly you feel the rod tip loaded up with some weight. That's when you know to set the hook and start fighting! Keep Reeling!
Cory Sparks 310charters.com
24
Eli and Robert with a couple slots!
FishingConnectionOnline.com
25
Karl with a nice fish in the rain!
FishingConnectionOnline.com
26
Honest Auto Repair
Owner David Genchur has been servicing Jacksonville area Asian automobiles since 1987. His team's built a reputation for accurately diagnosing and repairing any pressing or potential problems.
27
28
29
February 2024
FishingConnectionOnline.com
31
Fishing in and Around the Matanzas River By Capt. Adam Morley
Navigating February weather conditions in the Matanzas River requires a strategic approach to reel in those prized catches. As a seasoned captain, I've learned the subtleties of targeting redfish, trout, black drum, and sheepshead during this transitional month.
When it comes to redfish, timing is everything. On days when the water temperatures are on the rise, focus on shallow creeks and flats. Lower tides in the middle of the day can be particularly productive, as the water warms faster in these conditions. However, when temperatures are dropping, shift your attention to deeper holes where the water remains more constant, less affected by the ambient air temperature. Regardless of the temperature trend, the water is going to be cold, demanding a slow retrieval pattern for artificial lures. If you prefer natural bait, dead sticking on the bottom can also yield results. Patience is key, and understanding the nuances of temperature fluctuations can
make all the difference. Trout, on the other hand, have their preferences. Look for deeper moving water in the 5 to 10-foot range, especially near drop-offs and structures that provide excellent ambush points. Trout can be finicky about the presentation, so experiment with different casting speeds and angles in relation to the water currents until you find the winning combination. As February unfolds, black drum are still present. Fresh dead shrimp on a Carolina-style rig is your go-to setup for these robust fighters. Target deeper waters and holes for a higher chance of success. Sheepshead, the savvy residents around rocks, docks, and pilings, are always a sought-after catch. While fiddler crabs might be scarce, sand fleas and frozen mussels serve as reliable alternatives. Adapt to their preferences, and you'll be in for a rewarding day on the water. Now, let's shift our focus to a critical aspect of our fishing playground – clean water. The health of our fisheries, the quality of the fish we consume, and the prosperity of our state's economy all hinge on the vitality of our waters. As anglers, we play a crucial role in preserving this delicate balance. I encourage each of you to delve into the 2026 ballot initiative, "Florida's Right to Clean Water." It's not just a cause; it's a commitment to safeguarding our natural resources. By getting involved now, we ensure the success of this initiative, securing a future where our waters remain pristine.
Florida's waters need Florida's anglers. Our passion for the sea transcends the act of fishing; it encompasses a responsibility to protect and preserve. The interdependence between anglers and our aquatic ecosystems is undeniable. Our actions today determine the legacy we leave for generations to come. Beyond the thrill of the catch, let's embrace the responsibility to be stewards of the waters we so deeply cherish. Get involved, stay informed, and together, let's ensure a future where clean water sustains not only our fisheries but the very essence of the Sunshine State. Tight lines, my fellow anglers, and may our commitment to clean water be as unwavering as the tides.
Capt. Adam Morley 904.540.7245
32
FishingConnectionOnline.com
33
34
36
FishingConnectionOnline.com
37
Daytona Ormond Beach By
Capt. Jeff Patterson
This year is off to a tricky start with the forecast all over the place. Several days that were calling for rain all day ended up being gorgeous on the water! The inlet has been holding black drum and sheepshead with an occasional redfish. I like fishing different parts of the inlet on different tides. The inside has been productive for me on incoming tide and sand fleas have been my bait of choice. I’ll put out a mud minnow or finger mullet a little closer to the channel for a redfish.
The river has been slow for me between Ponce and Port Orange. I’ve been seeing a good amount of small jacks and blues more than anything. Further North up in Ormond/Daytona has been more productive. The bridges are holding some nice black drum and there’s been sheepshead up to 5 lbs or better. Both live and dead shrimp as well as fiddlers and sand fleas are good baits around the bridges right now. I’ve been fishing some backwaters in Ormond back in the Tomoka and Sanchez that have been producing some fish. Redfish, black drum, snook, mangroves, and sheepshead have been all over back there and live shrimp has been the bait of choice with some mud minnows here and there for the reds just using a split shot for weight. The clinker islands North of Granada have been good for seatrout and redfish first thing in the morning. You can even find some tailing fish in the shallows at times.
This time of year sometimes I’ll fish further north than I normally do up north of High Bridge into Flagler. It’s nice getting a change of scenery and getting away from all the crowds along with catching some fish. My boat, which is a 23’ C Hawk, floats in about a foot of water so I can get back in some fairly skinny water as long as I keep an eye on the tides. I like fishing some of the flats on the west side of the icw between High Bridge and State Rd 100 and there are a few areas on the east side I like up closer to 100. I’m sure we’ll still have some chilly weather but I’m just hoping we get some breaks with the wind and rain, or even just the crazy forecast that calls for tons of rain that hasn’t been happening. Stay warm for the rest of this FL winter and tight lines! Pole Dancer Fishin’ Charters
Capt. Jeff Patterson 386-451-4992
38
Capt. Jeff with a 29” Red back in the flats FishingConnectionOnline.com
39
Bonnie Sicbaldi from NSB with a good Black Drum FishingConnectionOnline.com
40
Something you don’t hear about quite as much inshore in my area. Black Margates were thick at the jetties, left them biting! Great table fare! FishingConnectionOnline.com
41
David Lisicki caught a 24” Red on a paddle tail
FishingConnectionOnline.com
42
43
44
