Fishing Connection Online July 2023

Volume 21 Issue 259 FishingConnectionOnline.com

week is July 17th-22nd. Go to https://kingfishtournament.com/ to get all the information on registration, the schedule and other festivities. In order for these events to thrive, we rely on the support and generous contributions from so many Go to our website to see who the sponsors are that are behind our Tournament ... and help support them.

Anglers at the Awards Ceremonies

July 22nd starting at 6pm. Come look around at the exhibitors, grab some food and your favorite beverage. We will have over 20 drawings, with chances to win a pair of Serfas eDash bikes, 4 Shimano Trinidad combos, a Fishing Nosara vacation and so much more

Here we are on the threshold of the 43rd 121 Financial Credit Union Greater Jacksonville Kingfish Tournament.

We are proud to continue our support and celebration of our wonderful fisheries, anglers and this great community One example being the Greater Jax Kingfish Reef project in October of 2021 in conjunction with Mobro Marine, Greenland Biomass and the North Florida Marine Association.

Our charitable focus is on our youth, military and marine environment. The Child Cancer Fund, Down Syndrome Association, Heroes on the Water and the Child Guidance Center are just a few great organizations we support. There is mutual benefit to us via our partnership with the Jacksonville University Marine Biology Department to aid in the preservation of our natural resources. So let’s talk Tournament time! The tournament

Now let’s take a look at the 1st place prize. The ever spectacular 25T Contender with Twin 150hp Yamaha outboards, custom T-top w/electronics box from Custom Marine and Ameritrail trailer is what you want for your fishing machine. The total package is valued at $160,000+! The 1st place aggregate wins $12,000 cash

The prize structure pays out to 20 places in both Big fish and aggregate, so you have more chances to win The Lady Anglers 1st place is $2000 and payouts to 10 places and a special weigh slip drawing for three lucky ladies of $1000, $500 cash and a Shimano Trinidad combo

We all love seeing the young anglers smiling at the weigh in of the Junior Offshore Tournament They all want to lay claim to the 1st place prize boat, an Ohana 14” skiff complete with 25hp Yamaha outboard and trailer valued at $14,000.

Top 25 prize packages will have our Juniors smiling even more. Don’t forget our Junior Dock Tourney that awards our top 3 Come cheer on our

The awards will be followed by a bang-up fireworks display in partnership with the City of Jacksonville. So come settle in, make some friends and have a good time!

Good Luck to all, see you at the weigh in.

Nassau * Duval * Clay * St. Johns * Flagler * Volusia * Brevard

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Nik Bremer

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Fernandina Amelia Island

By Nik Bremer

Hello July and Happy Birthday America

In honor of America, let’s talk about Scomberomorus Cavalla, otherwise known as King Mackerel or Kingfish. These fish are found from the Gulf of Mexico, all the way up through North Carolina waters, and abundant right here in Northeast Florida.

The great thing about this fish is that they could be caught near and far, one doesn’t need a 42’ with trips on the back in order to get to them Last year’s Fernandina Beach Rodeo winners (seen in the picture) ran 40+ miles to catch their 50 lb-pound smokers.

On the other side of the coin, anglers are catching fish in the high 30s right off the Jacksonville Pier. At Amelia Island Bait and Tackle, we get asked all the time how to get out and

catch Kings in our backyard.

Let’s start with the gear we recommend. You’re looking for a live bait rod that has a good soft tip that could absorb all the movements of trolling. Star Rods make an excellent live bait rod designed for king fishing. They make these rods in two different models, the Ariel which has a e-glass blank offering a 5-year warranty, and the Handcrafted which has a lighter graphite blank and a limited lifetime warranty.

I would pair this rod up with a fast reel, a 6:1 ratio is ideal Shimano’s Torium 20 and 30HG are two great reels. Light, fast, strong, and have a star drag which I prefer. Spool your reel with 20# mono to have the stretch required to get a proper hookset Trolling with a braided line that has no stretch will most likely result in pulling hooks.

Kingfish are aggressive and will hit a variety of baits, so giving a nice spread will allow them extra choices to entice. Straight off the back, riding shotgun, troll your largest baits 1015ft off the transom in your prop wash. A large drone spoon is commonly found in this position Run the long line off the rocket launcher (T-top rod holder) with a live bait rig holding a pogy, ribbonfish, or cigar minnow. These could be trolled “naked” or with dusters to add a little color and attraction In the other rod holders, present a variety of baits

with different depths and distances. Due to their soft mouths, set drags around 2-5 pounds of drag and troll from 4-7knots Here in Fernandina, spots like FA, KBY, jetty, and up and down the beach are all great places, and close. Remember the birds are always a helping hand to locate bait. Want to save on gas? Find a pogy pod on the beach, throw a chum bag out, and flat-line live baits out. This is another way to find not only kings, but Tarpon, Jacks, cobia, and a few other predators out there. Everyone, please stay safe, and if you need any other pointers always feel free to come by Amelia Island Bait and Tackle or Old Town Bait and Tackle to chat. Until next time, Tight Lines.

904-277-0775

Fishing the Swamps Creeks and Ponds

By Capt. Bert Deener

June 22, 2023 Fishing Report

By Capt. Bert Deener

Altamaha River – Paul and Steve Williamson fished the middle river on Friday and did well for Panfish They had a few catfish, but the shell crackers were the prize. They put worms on the bottom and caught several nice ones Paul’s biggest was 1 lb., 7 oz., and Steve’s biggest was just a little bit smaller than that They had a couple of fish straighten their hooks, as well.

Ocmulgee River – A Fitzgerald angler who fishes the river each week no matter the level (unless it’s extremely flooded) had a great trip late last week before it started rising significantly. His best trip was 17 bass, including a 3 1/2-pound spot and a 5 1/2-pound largemouth On that trip his biggest 5 fish would have gone 19 pounds. He had another trip right after it when he thought he would kill them, but he and a buddy only caught 5 fish. Pretty much all of his bass were on Texas-rigged plastic worms (Junebug or green pumpkin). The river has jumped and muddied since his trips, so expect slower fishing

Ogeechee River – Mark Vick of Guyton fished the river on Saturday and had a good morning, despite the rising water. He and his friend David Brodmann kept 15 nice redbreasts, a bluegill, and a catfish. They caught a bunch of fish but

only kept the biggest Their hot Satilla Spin colors were bumblebee (black/yellow) and crawfish It was the first time his friend had ever fished the Ogeechee, and he caught his first redbreast during the trip Their big channel catfish ate the crawfish-colored spinner bait rigged on a 5-ft ultralight outfit, and it took a while to land it

Satilla River – The river came back up into the floodplain this week and is offcolor You can catch some catfish in the backwaters, but you’d do better to spend time on other waters this weekend

Garrett Harrison of Hazlehurst took his family to the river just before it started rising hard this week and they had a blast in their Creek Boats They caught about 20 redbreasts and bluegills during their several-day trip, with most of them eating worms on the bottom (while they were targeting catfish on the rising river). Garrett’s trophy redbreast ate a red/white Satilla Spin, wrapped him around a log, surfaced, dove, and broke him off, so it was a trophy only in his memory They had a couple of catfish, as well. They will be back when conditions improve.

St. Marys River – I fished the upper river for just a couple of hours on Monday evening and had fun I ended up catching 7 fish (2 bowfins, 4 warmouths, and a bass). The bass hit a crawfish-gold blade Dura-Spin, but all the other fish ate a white-white blade Dura-Spin. Three of the warmouth were over 9 inches and really chunky, with the biggest weighing 11-oz. I was just playing that evening and released them all. The river was off-color from the rains but still very fishable The St Marys is our only local river that I would fish because of the rains over the last couple of weeks The last Shady Bream Tournaments points event of the year is coming up on July 8th. For the event, a team can weigh in 15 fish, and live bait is allowed for this tournament (usually it is an artificial-only format). Check out Shady Bream Tournaments on Facebook for more details.

Okefenokee Swamp – I didn’t get any specific reports this week, but I’m sure the bowfin, pickerel, fliers, and warmouth are still biting You have to work a little harder for them when it’s

warm, but they bite Yellow flies are still around but their numbers have been declining I still recommend covering up if you don’t want to get aggravated by them. The latest water level (Folkston side) was 120 60 feet

Dodge County Public Fishing Area (near Eastman) – Ken Burke fished the area on Tuesday morning and caught 8 bass for a total of 12.25 pounds. His biggest was a 3-lb , 5-oz fish He caught all but 1 of his fish on a shaky head and plastic worm The water temperature rose to 84 degrees by late morning

Local Ponds – Pond fishing was great between the storms this week The brother-sister duo of James and Paisley caught matching warmouth this week from a Tifton area pond that earned them each youth angler awards from the GA Wildlife Resources Division. They fooled their fish and several others with worms Gilbert Ellis, Jr fished some of the ponds (and small creeks) in the Nicholls area on Sunday and Monday and caught some fish He had 7 hand-sized bluegills on Sunday that ate red worms under a float and a crappie that inhaled a white Rooster Tail spinner On Monday he fooled 6 bluegills on the same set-up before the rain set in. He broke off 2 good fish that day that he presumes were bass or catfish. Chad Lee fished in Alma area ponds on Monday and caught 22 bass up to 3 pounds on a combination of buzz baits, swimbaits, and stick worms.

Saltwater (GA Coast) – Hunter Dean had one of the most unique catches of the year and the first tarpon report I’ve heard of this summer. He fooled a baby tarpon in a pond in the Brunswick area by floating a live mullet Tommy Sweeney had a good day Monday behind Jekyll Island. He caught a bunch of short trout and ended up keeping 6 trout up to 19 inches, 3 redfish, and 3 flounder. He caught his fish on Keitech Swimbaits and live shrimp

Despite brutal winds, Don Harrison and friends braved the aggravation and caught 5 keeper trout in the Crooked River area on Thursday

Their biggest was just over 20 inches Electric chicken Assassin Sea Shads worked best for them, but they caught a couple on candy corn, and they fooled a bonnethead with the candy corn Sea Shad, as well All their offerings were under Equalizer Floats Capt. Tim Cutting (fishthegeorgiacoast.com) said that the fishing was good this week even with the overall poor weather conditions He said the quality of the redfish bite was surprising, and the key was deep water next to shell mounds. Gulp lures and live shrimp fooled them Trout have been hit-and-miss, but when he caught them they were good ones – most from 18 to 22 inches. Live shrimp and Assassin Elite Shiners produced his trout

Flounder are showing up everywhere, but most are small males. Tarpon are here, and he may take a look at some next week Steve and Brenda Hampton fished with Capt Jaime Bracewell was in the Jekyll Island area on Friday and had fun catching a bunch of fish on live shrimp. Brenda had her first

shark, ladyfish, and pinfish in the mix Steve had a letdown as a 24-inch class trout jumped and threw the hook back at him. For the frying pan, they brought back 3 keeper trout and a nice whiting

Keaton Beach, Florida – Capt Pat McGriff of One More Cast Guide Service (www onemorecast net – Phone: 850-584-9145) out of Keaton Beach said that it was a week of running from the weather, but the trout still bit On Saturday his charter had a limit of trout, and their big fish was 23 inches They also had 2 redfish – the biggest was 26 inches (they released the biggest one) All of their fish ate live pinfish under Back Bay Thunder Floats His charter Sunday brought in 7 keeper trout and a red on live pinfish. They threw artificials but couldn’t get the keepers to commit on that day He said that the best trout fishing was the last 2 hours of the rising tide, and they are biting best in 4.0 to 4.9 feet deep in stained water. His reds came from water around 3 0 feet but not the deeper areas during the same tide stage

Above

David Brodmann caught his first redbreast this week while flinging a bumblebee-colored Satilla Spin on the Ogeechee River.

Top Left

Steve Williamson of Jesup caught this fat shell cracker on the Altamaha River this week. It ate worms fished on the bottom in the backwaters.

Bottom Left

Hunter Dean fooled this baby tarpon this week in a pond in the Brunswick area. It ate a live mullet.

Rules are Simple

Your lips MUST CLEARLY touch the fish's mouth. The person in the photo must be clothed but clothing on the fish is optional.

Disclaimer

We are not responsible if the fish you're kissin’ bites your dang face off

Fish Kisser of The Month July 2023

Melissa’s First Bull Red Felix with a fun day on the Beach

Miss Vera Banging The Drums

Pier & Surf

By Spencer Brogden

Pier and surf fishing in July tends to be an up-and-down adventure

Persistent south and southwest winds keep the water dirty.

When this happens the sharks, catfish, sting rays, and sand perch have a blast eating everything thrown into the water I realize it's not easy to be very selective on the days you choose to fish due to work and family

life, however, this time of year I watch for light northeast and east winds.

These tend to clean the water up, and usually quite fast. So what can you expect with clean water and water temperatures in the low 80s? Flounder, speckled trout, and redfish. These three fish usually are around all July and the more mullet that start swimming in the shallows the more these predator fish will follow When I target the flounder I like to use a Carolina rig with a live mullet. Throw around the pilings if on the pier and if you are fishing the beach, try the Vilano rocks or the Huguenot jetties

I use the same rig for the redfish and target the same areas but will also use live sandfleas and live shrimp. For the speckled trout, I use a float rig with live shrimp and fish early morning and late afternoon for them. The trout will also hit topwater lures

right at daylight

One of the fun things about July is that the tarpon really starts to run the beach more. Four hours before I wrote this article I saw several tarpons hooked off the Jacksonville beach pier

If you want to target them from the pier, look back to last month's article for that. To target them from the beach you can use large topwater lures and also use large live mullet, one of their favorites.

I don't target tarpon from the surf but if you would like to the Sinker Guy would be an excellent person to ask about it as he has landed several from the beach! I hope to see many of you guys and gals out fishing, come up and say hi!

And until next month, tight lines!

Spencer Brogden

Our Waterways

By Capt. Jim Suber

COJ Waterways Coordinator Dock Master

been pushed again to July 10 to get us past the 4th of July.

Boaters are still and will still be able to continue to use the Metropolitan Park Docks for events at the Arena and stadium area using the wood docks at Metro Park We are moving the pump out station to the east end of Metro Park so that amenities will continue to be available with only a brief break to make the transition.

We have several FIND grants moving along Riverview Park's new boat ramp is getting closer to mobilization, Liberty Street Marina design and permits, Pottsburg Creek/ Beach Blvd design and permits to rebuild, Mike McCue Boat Ramp Bulk Head replacement design is near completion, Thomas Creek Fish Camp Adaptive Kayak launch is in design and permits, Reed Island Park development has been removed from the F.I.N.D projects due to the Harbor Improvement District is partnering with the city to create a deep water access point and park improvement.

our waterways in 2022 It is not that these are good are bad...they are what they are, but we can always improve as long as there are boating incidents occurring.

* 1,029,993 registered vessels in Florida, a 1% increase

* 734 Boating Accidents a 10% Decrease

* 64 Fatalities and 457 injuries

* 1,998 persons involved in accidents

* 73,258 Boating Safety Cards issues, a 37% increase since 2020

• 57% of fatal accidents were boats 16ft or less

• Duval County was 14th in the state for boating accidents, St Johns was 9th, Nassau 25th, and Clay County was 24th All Northeast Florida Counties were above the State average crash Rate!

This information is provided by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission! Be safe, and use Personal Floatation Devises. Always have a second lookout!

Jsuber@coj.net www.JaxParks.com www.COJ.net

Greetings, Summertime in Florida Where else would you want to be? The fishing is great, the beaches are beautiful, and the Tournaments are full speed ahead from the east coast to the west coast, From the North to the Keys!

If you want to be on the water, whether it is along the coast, On our inland Waterways, or vast number of lakes. Florida I the place to be! Northeast Florida continues to show up big in the game. The Old School Kingfish Tournament showed we have a good crop of Kingfish and with the Greater Jacksonville Kingfish Tournament going the week of July 17 it looks like they are going to be plenty of opportunities to bring home a Contender with twin 15 Yamahas or $12,000 00 cash put up by Custom Tree Surgeons, or a Jr. Angler win of a Ohana skiff with a 25 hp Yamaha plus plus plus !

The City of Jacksonville Continues to make improvements and several projects are seeing progress Metro Park Marina closing for demo and rebuild has

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 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. We have started the dredging project of Goodby’ Creek which will deepen the channel from the St Johns River to the Boat Ramp area.

We are installing a fish cleaning station at Lions Club and thanks to the Jacksonville Offshore Fishing Club for the build and installation, The City of Jacksonville Sign Shop for the signs, and Jacksonville Marine Charities, (Greater Jacksonville Kingfish Tournament) for the funding we have two fish photo board at Michael B. Scanlan (Mayport) Boat Ramp and Jim King Park and Boat Ramp So now you can hang your catch on the sign for bragging into the future!

A new city ordinance has been approved by the city council to develop an anchoring restriction zone in the Ortega River. This will require vessels to leave the area after 45 days on anchor New signage for enforcement will be installed soon. The permit tract has been slow going but steam is picking up Here are some interesting facts about

The derelict vessel war is still full speed ahead. FWCC Officers are working the cases to get us approval to remove but the paperwork process is in slow motion.

FWCC is working to complete the process for the sunken sailboat northwest of the Beach Blvd channel on the ICW. We have derelicts working in the 5900 block of Heckscher Drive, on the Trout River, and one back in Cedar River.

We have derelict vessels at Lions Club, Burt Maxwell, Wayne B. Stevens, and Half Moon Ramps. This process takes time, but all these vessels were at one time someone's pride and joy so ensuring due diligence to allow the owners to deal with the vessel takes time and a lot of investigative time by law enforcement.

The Boating and Waterways Office in Tallahassee of FWCC has received funds for derelict vessel removal so they have contracted Salonen Marine to remove over 30 vessels statewide with one of our vessels at Beach and ICW removed by the owner 5 removals are planned for Duval County.

FWCC has cleared two additional vessels for removal the City of Jacksonville will remove them using staff and Parks equipment. Continued

Within the next few months, you will see slow speed zone signs for the Cesery Bridge as well as signage warning boaters in these waterways of paddle craft activity.

I want to continue to remind all, 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. 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. Daytime 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. Use of a lookout and being aware of your surroundings is always a priority Invest in a QUALITY EPERB, and file a float plan with someone that will miss you first so that if things don’t go as planned, the search for you can be narrowed and recovery can be quicker

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 Check their website for classes through 2023. 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 The next class and all future classes will be announced on America’s Boating Club website at www usps org/localusps/Jackson JSPS continues to do vessel inspections so you can contact an inspector at the same website or reach out to me and I will assist in 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! BE SAFE!

Capt. Jim Suber

Fish Photo Sign at Jim King Park and Boat Ramp.

Fish Photo sign at Michael B. Scanlan (Mayport) Boat Ramp

Where’s the Bait?

Finding live bait has turned into somewhat of a struggle in the last 2 weeks of June.

At Hoodoo Charters this time of year the majority of our trips are usually for Kingfish. Catching Kings on a consistent basis almost exclusively requires the method of slow-trolling live bait.

The easiest live bait to catch is normally pogies along the beach caught in a cast net About June 12th the pogies left our beaches or migrated out to deeper water. Nevertheless, they disappeared off of the Jacksonville beaches from Saint Augustine to Nassau Sound.

I’m sure there is a scientific reason for this, but it is beyond the scope of my understanding presently Although on June 15th my son and Captain at Hoodoo Charters Chris Altman, took his family up to Jekyll Island for the day only to find that there were acres of pogies in the surf there. Yea…it’ll make you scratch your head.

In my opinion, the BEST live bait to use is live Cigar Minnows or

Sardines jigged up on sabiki rigs on the nearshore structure. The usual haunts for jigging live cigar minnows and sardines are places like the “twin wrecks”, “Maxies” or the “BB” area. But lately, those areas have slim pickings of our favorite kingfish baits. So as a result of our desired live baits missing in our immediate area, we result to our “Plan B”, which is trolling dead ribbonfish, and live grunts or if you are lucky enough to find some blue runners, you jig them up and they are excellent for kings. The blue runners we find are 3-5 inches long and perfect live bait.

So, to answer the title question “Where’s the bait?”, well as of yesterday it was up off of Georgia with some scattered pockets up off of Fernandina Beach just south of the St Marys inlet

But hey…who knows, this morning they could be off of the poles at Hanna Park. Just be prepared to run for pogies, your biggest decision will be to turn right (south) or left (north) at the end of the Mayport Jetties

I’d turn left for now…but keep your radio on Channel 8 from the time your boat hits the water for Pogy reports. You can also go to the Facebook Group “Pogy Report”

.facebook.com/groups/PogyReport and get real-time updates from Captains on the water..

Offshore on the bottom, the Bliner bite has been off of the chain. In 100ft the big Bliners are stacked up and have some nice triggerfish mixed in with them. On 3 back to back to back 8-hour charters we limited out in Bliners in less than 2 Hours with 10-20 Triggerfish on each.

Get out there, but always

(especially this time of year) pay CLOSE ATTENTION to the weather, if you don’t have radar…then listen to Chan 8!

Just last week Capt. Chad Starling of Team Buck Rogers Fishing was making calls on Channel 8 telling folks where of the approaching storms were with their location and intensity. Nevertheless, a 20ft Seacraft Center Console off of Fernandina didn’t hear or didn’t heed the warning and was lost. The occupants were a grandfather, his grandson, and a handicapped gentleman.

All of the occupants were rescued by the US Coast Guard because they were able to get a Mayday call out after their boat got swamped and before it capsized Until next month be safe on the water and remember that great things happen when you take a kid fishing!

Capt. Tim Altman

Call: 904.859.6314

Email: tim@saltwaterchallenge.com

Visit: www.hoodoocharters.com

Offshore - Deep Water - Big Fish With Capt. Tim Altman

Capt Tim and T.J.

Photo Right

Dr. John Murray with Family & Friends

on an 8-Hour Hoodoo Charter

Photo Bottom Left

The Hoodoo cast net the day before the Pogies disappeared

Photo Bottom Right TJ Altman getting a little nap while waiting on a kingfish bite!

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Intracoastal Waterway

By Capt. Todd Philcox

July in NE Florida offers a lot of fishing options, mornings are generally quite calm, both inshore and nearshore, and the best time to get out to avoid the afternoon thunderstorms.

My standard protocol is to work the intercoastal for redfish, but calm summer conditions and higher water temperatures inshore lead me to fish the jetties at the mouth of the St Johns River and the river itself more often this month and next

Bait will become more plentiful at the jetties and finned predators of all sizes and varieties will be cruising the rocks

You can fish close to the rocks with jigs, 3/8 ounce, or float rigs, and shrimp or finger mullet for reds, both slot size and above slot fish will get into the action I’ll generally float a stretch of the jetty using my trolling motor to control my drift when traffic is light

Anchoring up at the tips of the jetties and fishing live or cut mullet, pogies, or blue crab on heavier tackle will also produce bull reds, sharks, and tarpon. Put a couple of baits on the bottom using as much weight as needed to hold and float a couple of baits as well.

If you are targeting tarpon use 4 to 5 feet of fluorocarbon leader in the 80lb test range and 7/0 to 8/0 circle hooks with larger baits

Throughout July the intercoastal banks will have redfish, trout, and scattered flounder cruising the weed line on early morning higher tides During the summer months, my preferred tide is a high outgoing tide at sunrise. I like to start out fishing the weed edges early and later in the tide work the deeper drops along the Intracoastal edges Keep on the move and jump around to different spots until you locate a good bite as those fish will be transient during the summer months

The flounder bite started to improve in June and will continue to this month in

the river along the docks and rocks June fishing was generally tough but staying on the move and hitting multiple spots each trip tended to produce a few good fish.

I stick to fishing the Intracoastal banks and the river during hotter months as water farther up in the creeks is too warm and often quite stirred up by large quantities of baitfish and juvenile sport fish. Work those banks with finger mullet, mud minnows, or live shrimp on the lightest jig possible, a 1/8-ounce jig will work in shallower water and light wind conditions, also chunks of larger mullet or ladyfish will produce fished on 3/0 to 4/0 circle hooks and a Carolina rig. Shrimp baits tend to get stolen quite quickly throughout the warmer months as smaller fish are very active, bring along a cast net, finger mullet will soon be the perfect size to fish on a small jig head. Stay cool and be safe!

Capt. Todd Philcox

Capt. Todd and Rick Johnson from Atlanta.

Ashton Waid from Jacksonville who got one last fishing trip in before reporting to Naval training in the Chicago area.

St. Johns River & Intracoastal Waterway

By Capt. John Eggers

The heat is on, literally, air and water temperatures are climbing and the fish can feel it as well. Depending on how much rain we will get in July will determine how hot our water

temps will be

A Lot of our fish will be most aggressive in the early morning part of the day and again late afternoon and just before dark. These are the best times of the day to fish, most of the time, for shallow water reds and flounder. The usual live bait rigged on 1/4 oz jigs to topwater walk the dog lures and mullet pattern soft plastics will all work effectively.

Once the sun has gotten up and the heat is starting to crank these fish tend to move off the flats and sand bars and stage in deeper water on drop-offs just off these shallow water areas With the deeper water providing some cooler water temperatures a lot of these fish will keep feeding. Try using heavier jig heads from 1/2oz up to 3/4oz to get down deep enough and not get swept away with the current Cast up current and work your baits with the current if you are not fishing oyster bed or rock structure. If you are fishing oyster beds or rock piles

position yourself above them and use a little lighter jig and let the current drift your bait to the structure to avoid fewer hang-ups.

Usually, when you do find these fish there will be multiple species in the same place Try switching up baits and different retrieval techniques to keep the fish biting. A good sonar device will also be very helpful in locating schools of fish that are 10 feet and deeper

I have found many good spots that I didn't know existed just by idling around keeping an eye on my sonar and marking fish or good bottom structure Try some of these techniques, if you haven't before, I promise they will help not just in July but most of the year.

904-591-1611

Capt. John Eggers

Conner Boney from Atlanta

Miles from Connecticut

Palm Valley

By Capt. Cory Sparks

The heat is here and fishing can be a grind this month Avoid mid-day heat by fishing early and late through the summer. Take advantage of the low light conditions during these times and throw topwater plugs.

Trout, redfish, ladyfish, and jacks will all give awesome strikes and fun fights on topwater, and it is an absolute addiction when you experience success with them.

There is a ton of mullet and pogies in Palm Valley and these schools are

typically followed by predators You can spot feeding fish chasing this bait along the banks that become exposed as the tide falls

Cast netting live bait is a must and I love fishing live mullet on a knocker or fish finder rig where cruising fish are seen Using a circle hook allows you to soak live bait in a feeding area while continuing to fish an artificial nearby This way your efforts are focused on your casting and retrieving of the artificial, while also having the opportunity to effectively hook other fish on soaking live bait

Using live mullet or mud minnow on a 1/4 oz jighead is a must for locating flounder Cover rocky bottom stretches by slowly dragging the bait through those areas. Also, fish tidal run-outs where moving water is congregating baits into pinch points. Flounder love laying in those ambush spots and having easy meals brought to them. If using artificial to target flounder, a curly tail plastic is hard to beat

My personal favorite is the Fishbites Dirty Boxer. The longer tail adds so much movement that it drives the flatties nuts I will also throw spinner baits to cover ground as they are one of the best lures

for locating flounder Try one out and I bet you'll be surprised with the results.

Bonnet sharks are everywhere right now and are an extremely tough and fun fight on light inshore tackle These sharks love feeding on shrimp and crabs Also, shrimp and crab-flavored Fishbites EZ strips really draw them in Don't overlook them as they are decent table fare as well as a trophy catch to any new angler or kids! People absolutely love knowing they "caught a shark" and these great fighters make lifelong memories for many folks They also are very cooperative and willing to bite Target them in deeper troughs along ledges and hang on! That drag will be screaming in no time!

Capt. Cory Sparks

310 Charters

Backwater and Inshore

Fishing Charters

Palm Valley FL and

St. Augustine, FL

Marcus with a good Flounder!

Lynn Robeson with a nice Black Drum!

Branson with his first big Bonnet!

Summer Time Fishing in the Matanzas River Tips and Strategies for a Successful Catch

By Capt. Adam Morley

As the temperature rises and the days grow longer, fishing enthusiasts eagerly await the summer season. The Matanzas River, situated in the picturesque state of Florida, offers a perfect backdrop for an unforgettable summer fishing experience. However, anglers must be mindful of the challenges posed by warmer waters, including encounters with catfish and stingrays In this article, we will provide valuable tips to avoid these obstacles while maximizing your chances of reeling in the big ones

1. Stay Active and Avoid Letting Bait Sit

One common mistake anglers make during the summer months is allowing their bait to sit for extended periods. Warm water tends to attract catfish, which are notorious for scavenging motionless bait. To prevent unwanted encounters with catfish, adopt an active fishing approach. Constantly move your bait and use techniques such as jigging or retrieving to entice game fish like redfish and flounder.

2. Ditch Heavy Tackle and Wire Leaders

When fishing in warmer waters, it's essential to lighten up your tackle. Heavy gear and wire leaders are more likely to deter game fish from biting. Instead, opt for lighter tackle, such as medium-action rods and monofilament or fluorocarbon leaders. This will increase sensitivity and improve your chances of a successful hookup

3. Release Unwanted Fish Safely

While targeting specific species is key to improving your catch, it is equally important to practice responsible angling. If you catch a fish that you do not intend to keep, handle it with care and release it back into the water unharmed. Proper catch-and-release techniques, such as using barbless hooks and minimizing the time fish spend out of the water, help maintain healthy fish populations and preserve the ecosystem for future generations

4.

Targeting Redfish and Flounder

In the Matanzas River, redfish and flounder are two highly sought-after species during the summer months Redfish are known for their aggressive feeding behavior and can be found near oyster beds, grass flats, and creek mouths Use live or cut bait, such as shrimp or finger mullet, and work your lure near these structures. Flounder, on the other hand, prefer sandy or muddy bottoms. Try using a jig tipped with a strip of bait, such as shrimp or small fish, to entice these elusive flatfish

practicing ethical fishing techniques, preserving the ecosystem, and leaving no trace behind By following these tips and strategies, you'll increase your chances of a successful catch while fostering a sustainable future for the sport of fishing

904.540.7245

5.

Night Fishing Under Dock Lights for Trout and Snook

To escape the scorching heat of the day, consider venturing out for some night fishing under the glow of dock lights Trout and snook are particularly active during the dark hours and are attracted to the light sources Cast live shrimp or small lures around the illuminated areas and allow the current to carry them into the strike zone Remember to check local regulations and obtain permission before fishing around private docks.

In addition to these specific tips, it's crucial to be prepared for a day on the water during the summer Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water and wear appropriate sun protection, such as a wide-brimmed hat and sunscreen Bring along a cooler with ice to keep your catch fresh and your beverages cold. Also, familiarize yourself with the local regulations and ensure you have the necessary permits and licenses.

As you embark on your summer fishing adventure in the Matanzas River, keep in mind the beauty and fragility of the environment you are privileged to enjoy Respect the water and its inhabitants by

July 2023

Kayak Fishin’

By Will Neimann

Summer has officially arrived, if you couldn’t tell by the daily storms and the high humidity.

July, although hot and muggy, is a fun month to be on the water Flounder are in thick, the bigger mangrove snapper moves in and of course, there’s hungry redfish around

If you like fish tacos as much as me, then now is the time to start filling the freezer With the kids being out of school, putting them in a good mangrove snapper hole will help keep them busy all day long Mangroves are very much structure-oriented fish. They will be found on bridge and dock pilings, rock piles, jetties, ledges, deep holes, and oyster beds.

They have a quick bite and our ferocious feeders If there are snapper in the area you are fishing, you will know within a

few minutes of your first cast Snappers eat a variety of baits, including shrimp, mud minnows, fiddler crabs, and mullet

My preferred method of rigging is using a simple Carolina Rig. My weight will depend on the depth and current, only using enough weight to get to the bottom.

Using too heavy of weight or too long of a leader will result in missed fish I use 3/8-ounce weights with a 10-inch to 14inch leader for most inshore applications

If I’m fishing a bridge in deeper water, I’ll bump it up to 1/2 oz to 3/4 oz. Normally a 2/0 circle hook is what I like to finish off the Carolina Rig

Let the bait sink to the bottom, and be ready The bites come quickly Another fun target for the family is flounder. Not only do they taste great, but they put up a good fight too. Flounder are ambush predators They hide on the bottom waiting for that easy meal, however, they will chase down lures and baits as well Flounder mainly feed on bait fish and shrimp. Since they sit on the bottom, bouncing a lure or live bait is the best approach. Flounder are often sitting in the flow of water, whether it be a tidal creek dumping onto a flat or water flowing through or around grasses and oysters.

They are also found under docks, on the jetties, on ledges, and in deep holes. Mud minnows are a delicacy to a flounder, the bigger the mud, the bigger the flounder generally. When using a live

bait fish, I prefer ¼ ounce jig head, lip hooking the live mud minnow or mullet. When I’m using live shrimp, I tail hook, normally pinching off the flap of the tail, then threading the hook up the tail coming out between the second and third joint

But make sure the shrimp sits upright when sitting on the bottom If artificials are your choice bait, then a Fishbites Fight Club Brawler or Buttkicker on ¼ ounce jig head is hard to beat Slowly bounce the bottom with whatever bait you choose to throw. If you feel a thump, let them chew Premature hook sets are the number one cause of losing flounder July is also a great month to fish after dark

The dock and bridge lights will be full of fish from snook and trout, to flounder and jacks, with the occasional tarpon in the mix as well Free-lining live bait or drifting them under a bobber are both great ways to catch a few. I prefer throwing paddle tail baits in the lights Hackney Baits Jr Belly is an excellent choice for this.

The biggest fish will generally be in the shadows or right on the shadow line. Good luck and tight lines. I’ll see ya out there

Will Neimann

Snook Fishing

By Skye Burkhardt

At some point in their lifestyle, Snook will inhabit almost every type of inshore and nearshore habitat. One day you may be sight-casting Snook in clear water and another pulling Monster Snook from pilings under bridges in the night hours. You can spend a lifetime chasing Snook.

Snook have a unique profile with a long lateral line that starts from the Gill plate and ends at the fork of their tail

Their eyes are located at the top of their head which is great for ambushing bait from above

The common Snook is everything BUT common! Throughout the tropical hemisphere, there are over 10 Species of Snook. The largest on the East Coast reaching a length of 4 feet, these fish lives start in passes and inlets A large female Snook releases up to 1 million eggs every time they spawn. This requires the female to feed which is great for us Anglers fishing the beach and inlets.

Snook or a non-migratory fish, A West Coast Snook may not leave its estuary but throughout the years use the entire system from fresh water to salt water passes.

Along the way, snook spend time in various places Such as deep river channels, mangroves, shorelines, grassy flats, Oyster bars, passes, and inlets.

Reading the water

Knowing how to read the water is very important for a successful fishing trip. When out in the flats looking for distinct

color changes Giving various water depths Drop-offs and transition zones, are places that hold fish

Watching for signs such as strong currents wrapping around Structures during the last hour of the tide change, Pelicans, and birds flying and diving in a grouped-up area Is a good sign letting you know bait fish are present Finding oyster bars especially when it’s low tide Where the wind is pushing up against the oysters is what we call an artificial current This gives an ambush point pushing all the bait up. Simply learning how to read the waters will help you to grow and be more knowledgeable knowing where the fish are at!

Baits and Lures

Everyone has their preference I’m a spinning reel Angler. I find when using a Spinning reel it is best for casting In tight spots and getting the perfect pitch under bridges.

When targeting Snook top waters, suspenders, Diving spoons, plugs, and Gigs will all work when presented properly. A basic paddle tail is one of my favorite go-toos and you should have them in their tackle bag. There’s just something another jig Snook can’t resist then Also, my NLBNs are always rigged ready, and waiting to hit the water. Of course, now depending on the size of your bait will determine the style and size hook you use. When fishing with Live bait typically I would use a 3O - 4O circle hook with jumbo shrimp and finger-sized mullet. Knowing how to work your fish when feeling it in is key to a successful landing, it really all is on the angler Choosing a line, I tend to fish with lighter tackle with a 10/15 lb braid tied double uni or FG knot to a 20lb leader (Some like mono) I’m a fan of Suffix and Power Pro so my spool is rigged with either or Due to a Snooks' sharp gill plates and tough mouths, I always change up my leader and use a foot long to keep my line fresh and free of nics when changing out baits or hooks while Snook fishing.

With long runs and frequent junks, Snook are sure to make your heart beat a little faster, and no matter how many I catch mine always does Every Snook I land is a trophy in my eyes because no matter the size big or small I put in the same hard work and time

One thing I learned about when fishing for Snook, they love structure! Whether it is natural or manmade Soft as mangroves or hard as wood pilings if it disrupts the flow you are bound to see a Snook angler there There are so many great reasons Snook are a number one target for us anglers here in Florida. They really are a challenge and not an easy catch, which makes it so much more rewarding and fulfilling to bring a Snook to your boat or shoreline

Fun Facts About Snook

•throughout the tropical Western hemisphere there are over 10 different Snook species

•Snook have a lateral line that runs from the hill plate to the fork of their tail

• Snooks' eyes are on top of their head making it easy to ambush their prey from above

• Man-made or artificial Snook love structure

•Snook have razor-sharp gill plates and sandpaper mouths

•Snook behind their lives in passes and inlets

• Female Snook lay up to one million eggs every time they spawn

386.402.2539

Skye Burkhardt

Skye with a Pretty Snook

Daytona Ormond Beach

By Capt. Jeff Patterson

Summer heat is here and the fish are chewing! We had quite a bit of funky weather through June making things pretty tricky at times.

One of the toughest parts of being a guide or a charter captain is that the clients are relying on you to determine whether or not it’s safe to

make the trip when the forecast is calling for inclement weather.

I feel like being born and raised here in Florida helps for what it’s worth.

The flounder bite has been great at the inlet and off the beach with a lot of 1-4 lb fish being caught I’ve been using both mud minnows and live shrimp.

There’s been a bunch of tarpon out there too from 20 lbs to up over 100 and I do best with live pinfish, croakers, and pigfish. The tarpon have been hanging out just outside of the surf north and south of the inlet and especially if you can find bait pods down the beach King mackerel, Bonito, and big jacks are out there as well for some good drag screaming. Redfish have been showing up in better numbers around the inlet after a little stretch of slower action Quite a few 30-40”+ fish being caught in the last couple of weeks.

Mangrove snappers have gotten thick all over with the spawn going on from the river all the way

offshore One of my favorite species to target this time of year.

Inshore there’s a good pompano bite right now in the creeks between Port Orange and the Inlet and it seems the outgoing tide is where it’s at One of my favorites as far as table fare for inshore/nearshore fishing. Seatrout have been plentiful especially south of Ponce Inlet and it’s hard to beat pigfish and croakers for bait However, it does take time to figure out where these fish are more plentiful.

Oyster bars and deeper little cuts in the river are a good place to try. Dock lights at night are just about a sure bet! This should be a good month to wet a line so call me if you want to set up a trip!

Capt. Jeff Patterson

Cole Beynon Jr, Jacob Carter, Capt Jeff Patterson, and Hunter Patterson with a nice offshore mangrove trip

Danielle Dionne Pacowta on the Kings

Tournament Board Spring Tournaments

By Craig VanBrocklin

FLA Championship – Slam

1st Phil Zeller/Scott Koons 8.55

2nd Nathan Johnson/Matt Lewis 8.49

3rd Everett Barts/Bill Lancaster 7.54

4th Bob Morris/Chuck Dehlinger 7.23

5th Amy Farrish/Dave Farrish 6.70

Redfish Roundup Spots

1st Xiengkone Bongoth 64

2nd Wayne ONeal 23

3rd Ryan Pugh 19

4th Matt Davis 8

5th Matt Embree 7

6th Joseph Hale 6

7th Jim Price 6

8th Stephen Wiechens 6 9th Kieren Obrien 6

10th Chris Beutel 5

11th Sammy Fulford 5

12th Earl Chauncey 5

13th Aubrey Hunter 5

14th Thomas Boone 5

15th Trey Michaels 4

Jr Angler

1st Cash ONeal 17

2nd Carter Barksdale 3

3rd Brantley Davis 2

4th King Surface 2

Lady

1st Paula Smith

2nd Valerie Davis 5

1st Paula Smith

3rd Rachel Daymon 3

4th Courtney Kelley 2

Meat Mayhem – Kingfish Open

1st Time Served

2nd Time Machine

3rd D’s Knots

4th Caught Slippin’ Pro Series

1st Time Served 86.85

2nd Gotcha Fishing 83.5

3rd Nimrod 62.45

4th Deja 4 59.25

Old School Kingfish

1st Time Machine 46.83

2nd Reel Hazardous 45.68

3rd Real Reel 43.31

4th Lure’M In 39.47

5th Emilia Key 39.13

Lady

1st Reel Hazardous 45.68

2nd Fishin’Dawg 36.22

3rd No Sweat 35.53

4th King Reaper 35.3

5th Streaker 29.29 Junior

1st Lure’M in 39.7

2nd Dog House 29.59

3rd Hooked Again 28.35

4th Sea Robin 27.08

5th Nut Deep 25.5

Upcoming Tournaments

July

18th GJKT Jr. Angler

21st GJKT General

22nd GJKT Redfish

August

5th North Florida King of the Beach

12th Fernandina Beach Fishing Rodeo

Old School Kingfish

Real Reel

Alex Pacowta with a King hookup