Fishing Connection May 2023

The views, opinions and positions expressed in articles submitted by monthly and or periodic contributors to the Fishing Connection Publication do not necessarily reflect the views of the Fishing Connection. The main objective of The Fishing Connection 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.

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Fernandina Amelia Island

By Nik Bremer

I can't believe we're already into May and the Nassau County Black Drum Tournament is over with some nice fish caught in each category.

Donald Sherain had the overall largest fish at 77.51lb, Emily Campbell took the Lady's tourney with a beautiful 64 pound drum, Savannah Shearin finished on the top in the lady’s junior angler division with a huge 69lb fish and Houston Robinson took the boys division with a 47lber Congrats to the four of you and to everyone else who weighed in throughout the tournament at Amelia Island Bait and Tackle as well as Atlantic Seafood

Water temps are now into the 70s, and the big black drum a replaced with many people's favorite, the pompano When targeting pomps, I like to fish the incoming tide Do a little scouting at dead low tide to find your sandbars. Try to match it up with a good little runout and you’ve got yourself a good place to start Pompano eat a variety of baits including shrimp, sand fleas, clam, and what the Sinker Guy calls his secret weapon, blue crab knuckles

I like to get as many scents in the water as possible to feel out the bite By this I mean, I fish with different baits to see what the fish like to have on the menu for the day Fish a double pompano rig with 1/0 or 2/0 circle hooks. On the bottom hook, I use live sand fleas when I could manage to find them They are on the top of the menu many may argue For the top hook, I'll use fresh dead shrimp (when available) and I'll tip it with fish bites

Color is up to you, but I like using a different scent than I already have on my hooks.

So in this case, I would not use sand flea or shrimp but would try flavors like clam or crab. Fishbites just released Blue Crab and Periwinkle which have been super popular Fishbites also gives the setup a little color and helps keep your shrimp on the hook. With this combo, you’ve now got 3 scents in the water and could see what’s most effective to dial in the bite

Complete your rig with a sputnik weight to keep the slack out of your line and you're in business American Beach, Peters Point, Amelia Island State Park, and Jasmine are a few of the favorite beaches on the island for you to give it a shot. Tight lines my friends! And as always, please feel free to come by Amelia Island Bait and Tackle or Old Town Bait and Tackle with any questions you may have, we're always happy to help

Nik Bremer

Amelia Island Bait n Tackle

Shop # (904) 277-0775

Cell # (760) 212-8131

1925 S. 14th St. Fernandina Beach, FL.

One hell of a Sheepshead weighing nearly 11.5lb.

Chelsea and her Inshore Monster caught on our Fiddlers.

Ponds / Lakes and Streams

By Capt. Bert Deener

April 20th Fishing Report

Check out the annual fishing tournament sponsored by the Satilla Riverkeeper in the Satilla River section below The event will run from April 15th through the 24th.

River gages on April 20th were:

• Clyo on the Savannah River – 14.2 feet and falling

• Abbeville on the Ocmulgee – 8.9 feet and falling

• Doctortown on the Altamaha – 10.5 feet and falling

• Waycross on the Satilla – 11.4 feet and falling

• Atkinson on the Satilla – 11.5 feet and cresting

• Macclenny on St Marys – 2.2 feet and falling

• Fargo on the Suwannee – 3.1 feet and falling

Altamaha River – The river is still high and muddy, but it’s falling out some Trevor Brown fished with his bass club out of Jaycees Landing (Jesup) and had trouble finding areas where the water wasn’t running through the woods But, as always happens, someone found them, and the winning weight was just over 11 pounds. You can catch some catfish, but it’s swift enough that I would recommend fishing elsewhere I went over the river near Lumber City on Tuesday, and it was high and muddy still.

Satilla River – Conditions are not ideal, but fish were caught this week. The best bite would be catfish and bass under these conditions Expect pan fishing to be slow until levels drop out more. The Satilla Riverkeeper is hosting its annual Fishing Tournament from April 1524th The entry fee is only $25 per person and you are competing for $1,000 worth of cash prizes. For details on the tournament, check

out their website at satillariverkeeper.org/tournament.

St. Marys River – This is the river in the best shape for pan fishing. I fished with Blake Edwards on Friday morning out of Traders Hill for just a few hours, and we caught 18 fish (a mixed bag of panfish and a couple of bowfins) Our biggest panfish were warmouth, but we also had a few nice redbreasts. We caught one big redbreast on a warmouth craw Satilla Spin and the rest on a 2-inch Keitech swimbait rigged on a weedless prototype swimbait head. The best colors were chartreuse-pearl belly and green pumpkin-chartreuse.

Okefenokee Swamp – Fishing was very good in the swamp this week. Zane Gill and Noah Mitchell fished with a friend for a few hours on Saturday afternoon and caught 42 fish Noah was a couple of days shy of turning 16 years old, so he tried to catch a few GA DNR angler-award-sized fish before he had to switch to the adult-size categories (check out the program under angler awards at gofishgeorgia.com). They started off pitching pink and yellow Okefenokee Swamp Sallies and caught some fliers right off the bat Noah caught one big enough to earn an angler award on his second fish. Then they were off to fish for larger fish. They trolled and cast Dura-Spins for a bunch of bowfins and a chain pickerel (jackfish) just big enough to earn Noah a second angler award. During the feed, they caught several bowfins up to 8 lb., 2 oz. (Zane caught that one) and several in the 5-lb range Noah earned an angler award for one of those 5-pounders. He ended up catching 3 total angler awards that afternoon. The best color Dura-Spins were black/chartreuse-chartreuse blade, jackfish, and blood red Staff from Okefenokee Adventures on the east side said that there were lots of folks chasing warmouth this week in the canals and that the bite has been fairly slow Most folks he talked with only had a handful of fish per trip. That bite should improve over the next couple of weeks when the cooler nights are at a minimum The latest water level (Folkston side) was 120.36 feet (down slightly).

Local Ponds – A Blackshear angler fished an area lake on Saturday and trolled live bait for some big bass. He caught 7 bass up to 6 1/2 pounds. His biggest 5 fish weighed 19 1/2 pounds The biggest bag I heard of this week was a Brunswick angler who caught 5 bass that weighed just shy of 21 pounds. They threw artificials for their fish. Jackson fished in a Tifton area pond on Saturday and caught and released a good mess of bluegills on red wiggler worms. The bream bite was good, but unfortunately, the bass bite was not. Jay Turner and his friend Gary fished a Savannah area lake on Wednesday and caught a bunch of fish. Most were small bass, but they also caught several hybrids and some giant bluegills.

They caught a couple of hybrids on small crankbaits, but the vast majority hit small 3-inch Keitech swimbaits on Zombie Eye Jigheads cast at shoreline cover. Their best colors were electric shad and shad-looking colors similar to that

Chad Lee fished ponds for a short time during his lunch breaks this week and had bass up to 3 pounds on topwater Shad colors worked best for him

Saltwater (GA Coast) – The winds were better this week but tides were big and kept the water muddier than ideal Capt. Greg Hildreth (georgiacharterfishing.com) said that the whiting bite has been good at the top and bottom of the tide (it’s easiest to keep your bait on the bottom when our 8-foot tides are not ripping in or out!). Shrimp on the bottom is the best way to catch them

The sheepshead bite on the offshore reefs has been his go-to lately when the winds allow him to get out. Capt. Tim Cutting (fishthegeorgiacoast com) had a couple of really good trips on Friday and Saturday around Brunswick before the tides ramped up. They fished the main river points in 4 to 8 feet of water and caught some really nice trout in the 15 to 20-inch range

They caught fish on paddle tails and Gulp Swimming Mullet, but most of them ate live shrimp under Harper Super Striker Floats He did target flounder this week and caught a half-dozen of them in the 12 to 15-inch range. Their surprise catches this week were pompano - they caught several of them While not unheard of, they are a fairly rare catch in our area. He slid out Wednesday looking for tripletail and put eyes on a dozen fish, catching one keeper

They put a bait on one really big fish, but it would not eat. Winds will probably prevent tripletail fishing for the next few days, as it is supposed to kick back up Tommy Sweeney poked around the ICW and creeks off it this week and got into some trout in the Brunswick area He found trout wherever he found clear water, but there were lots of other boats that found that same clear water. He fooled his fish with artificials. I heard of some reports of decent fish being caught from docks in the Brunswick area this week. Most were sheepshead and black drum on shrimp and fiddler crabs.

For the latest fishing information or live shrimp in the Brunswick area, check with J&P Bait and Tackle on Hwy 303 (912-282-9705).

.To monitor all the Georgia river levels, visit the USGS website (waterdata.usgs.gov/ga/nwis/rt).

Zane Gill caught this 8-lb., 2-oz. bowfin on the east side of Okefenokee Swamp on while trolling a jackfish-colored Dura-Spin

Noah Mitchell caught these youth angler award flier and chain pickerel (jackfish) on a pink Okefenokee Swamp Sally and black/chartreuse Dura Spin on the east side of the Okefenokee Swamp.

Capt. Bert Deener 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, call him at 912-288-3022 or e-mail him (bertdeener@yahoo.com)

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 kissing bites your dang face off

Fish Kisser of The Month May 2023 Gavin Bradley

J.O.S.F.C

By Mariana Suzette Yachnowitz

The water temperatures are warming up, This is my favorite time of the year as it’s getting closer to summer!

If you happen to get a day off, you should get out for some nice kingfish, tarpon, and Cobia that are starting to pop up around the beaches. You can find the Pogy pods in about 15 feet of water and get yourself some great live bait then use those to troll the beach or run out to some local reefs.

( There is a Facebook page called “Pogy Report” you can find some helpful info on where they are located). For the ones Sticking inshore the mouth of the jetties should be holding a good amount of Spanish and blue fish to bend a rod and have some fun. Be sure to troll some Gotchu pugs or Clark spoons behind the boat. They usually do the trick, The creeks and river banks are holding a bunch of nice trout and red fish get you a nice 8th-ounce to quarter-ounce jig head and pitch a live shrimp on it to the banks or oyster bars. At the clubhouse, the Fishing boards are getting some fish on them but there is room to knock someone off the board with a monster size fish that are being caught.

UPCOMING EVENTS

May 4th- Meeting

May 25- Board Member Meeting

MAY CLUB TOURNEYS

Inshore: Redfish Tournament

Offshore: Trolling Tournament

Find us on Facebook And check out our website to keep up with our upcoming events and schedules we are open to the public so we would love to have you at the meeting even if you’re not a member. If you have anything you would like to share that is fishing or boat related send us an email or Facebook message! Until next month, Tight Lines

Mariana Suzette Yachnowitz

Pier & Surf

By Spencer Brogden

Welcome back to the surf and pier fishing forecast for the month of May.

As we finished out April, the pompano bite was strong and redfish, speckled trout, bluefish, and Spanish mackerel have also invaded local surf zones. What can we expect in May though? For starters, the pompano will still be around but will definitely thin out as the schools continue their northward track to the Carolinas

The whiting will be very scattered as well. The black drum, speckled trout, and redfish will become more plentiful The black drum will eat most of the bait we use while surf fishing as will the redfish. Clam, shrimp, sandfleas, and crab as well as mullet are viable options with the mullet being mainly for the redfish. The speckled trout like live shrimp and live mullet as well as a variety of top water and sub-surface lures.

For all three species I prefer early morning and late afternoon A lot of times these fish will get in very shallow water overnight so the first couple of hours after sunrise tend to be phenomenal If you can't make it out early, the last two hours before sunset are usually good too. Overcast days are one of my favorite conditions being the fish tend to bite all day

Remember the winds South winds tend to dirty the water which leads to sharks, catfish, and stingrays Northeast and east winds 10 miles or less clean the water up and all of our targeted species bite. Water temperatures will continue to rise and I imagine by the end of May will be close to 78-80 degrees I hope everyone gets some time to get on the fish before the warm water temperatures become a mainstay for a while as they've drastically slow the fishing down. If you have any questions check out our YouTube channel Brokenreel23! Until next month, tight lines!

Spencer Brogden

Creeks & Rivers

By John “Chappy” Chapman

Fishing has taken a turn for the back burner this month for me unfortunately, the demands of life caught up with me. I’m about to be a grandfather at some point this month as well as moving into the woods.

I’m excited about both prospects. I will be a less frequent visitor to the saltwater of the St. Johns and will trade some of that expertise for the fresh waters of the St. Mary’s. I look forward to hitting the fresh water and getting back to my roots. I will probably have to warm up a little out there with some freshwater pond fishing and then graduate to the river. I have already scouted out my neighbor's rig and I think my flats boat will convert to fresh water and chase the local fare rather nicely.

I plan on starting out with the pan fish and working my way up to a little bass fishing and maybe even finding the stripers this winter.

If the editor allows me to change gears, I’ll keep writing and keep everyone up to speed on this transformation. Uh oh maybe a bad choice of words for these times, I think I should have said the transition from brackish salt to fresh water.

No Bud Light jokes are included here. I digress, I will on the other hand hang close to the river and wet a few lines in the middle of the river from time to time as I just can’t give up on it cold turkey. Everyone it seems is trying to home in on the trout right now. I see one of my personal favorite tournaments put on by Craig Van Brocklin is about to take place. I’m sure it will be a blast and it will raise lots of money for a great cause.

It opens the door to the summer full of kayaking and boat tournaments throughout the summer.

If you're not physically able to participate in these tournaments go and chat and buy some raffle tickets, they are put on for all kinds of wonderful charities and are full of all sorts of fantastic anglers.

For the cost of a night at the movies or less you could pay for dinner buy one of those “expert” anglers a beer and gain a wealth of local knowledge. If you wait till the day of the weigh-in, they always get loose lips when they get all giddy about winning and you can gain more knowledge.

You never know how much you could possibly learn in these environments. I promise it will be worth it. If you play your cards right and buy some raffle tickets to support the charity you may even come home with a nice prize in addition to more local knowledge of the area.

I look forward to returning to my roots, freshwater fishing, and dragging you guys along for the ride. Who knows I may even have to change Revo’s name to Gator Bait!!

Look forward to pics of Revo and some Pan Fish next issue. Tightlines everyone

“Chappy” Chapman

John

Intracoastal & St. Johns River

By Capt. John Eggers

The month of May tends to be a very active month for fish because of the warming water temps and much more stable weather conditions. With fewer cold fronts and windy days, the fish seem to settle into better and more predictable feeding habits.

An influx of bait from shrimp and finger mullet to pogies and silverside minnows will push their way inshore from the ocean

The reds will be stacked up on the falling tides in most of the feeder creeks and lined up at low tide on the banks of the Intracoastal Speckled sea trout are schooled up feeding on bait from the jetties at Mayport to downtown Jacksonville

Look for structures like bridge pilings, docks, submerged rock, and shell bars with moving tides to hold the most fish. Since both the reds and trout will be aggressively feeding try using more lures like topwater baits, crankbaits, and swimming soft plastics to cover more water until you locate the schools Once located, switch to live bait if they stop biting artificials.

I especially like top water fishing once the tide has reached the grass line of the Intracoastal and flats. I normally won't get as many bites but the ones I get are generally ferocious and a larger sized fish.

just about anything that moves. Look for the diving birds on the incoming tide a Big blue fish and jacks have made their way in and will be feeding on and you'll find the fish

They are a great target species for new and young anglers and provide a hard fight and plenty of action.

Spanish mackerel will be loaded up at the jetties and in the river feeding on silverside minnows. I usually start by trolling a couple of Clark spoons and have some gotcha plugs tied on casting rods to throw when the schools pop up in a feeding frenzy

Spanish mackerel have about the sharpest and gnarliest teeth of any species so it's a good idea to use a wire leader or a minimum 60lb fluorocarbon leader tied to your lures

Capt. John Eggers

Growing up on the St John’s river fishing the back waters and offshore since he was a teenager, Captain John Eggers has more than 25 years experience fishing in Northeast Florida. His first experience fishing was five years old.

While he is known for his elite skill in fishing for Redfish (Red Drum), John has the expertise and experience to help you catch numerous types of native northeast Florida fish in the hottest fishing spots around Jacksonville.

Featured on TNN and Versus tv shows, the ESPN red fish trail, as well as in The Florida Sportsman Magazine, and The Saltwater Sportsman mag, John also often appears on the “Gone Fishing” show, a local fishing radio show that airs Fridays at noon He writes a monthly article for The Fishing Connection Magazine

As a pro on red fish tournament series, his records include over 15 wins team of the year awards wins on both the IFA redfish series and the FLW red fish tour.

Conner Boney From Buckhead Georgia

The Reimer family from Wyoming

Trina Polkey

Yes Trina, I found a few old photos layin’ around in the archives

May Offshore

By Capt. Tim Altman

May marks the opening of our Grouper Season On May 1st you will be allowed to keep all of those Grouper you’ve been forced to release over the last 5 months

And let me tell you, On the Hoodoo Boats, we have released probably more than I can recall since the clandestine goat rope referred to as the “South Atlantic Red Snapper Closure” came in to effect on New Year’s Day 2010 For the novice angler, hooking a grouper and catching a grouper are 2 very different things. Grouper require a stout rod and a reel with a lot of drag.

The first 15ft off of the bottom with a grouper fight is absolutely key to landing these beautiful and tasty fish. So, you must fight the fish immediately after the hook-up with a series of short rod pumps all the while retrieving the line. There is no replacing that first 30 seconds of the fight if you plan on catching a keeper-size grouper

Earlier this month on the Hoodoo boat 12-year-old Kellen Taylor following the instructions by Capt Flynn Jarrett landed and successfully released one of the biggest Red Grouper we’ve seen in quite a long time within 18 miles of the beach

We use a live bait rig with a 6-8ft leader of 50-80lb fluorocarbon with an 8/0 circle hook W usually use live or butterflied grunts as bait. Our grouper bite this spring has been awesome The Dolphin (Mahi Mahi) should be in full force by Mother’s Day. For those venturing to the deep

12-year-old Kellen Taylor with a big Red Grouper

waters of the gulf stream out of Jacksonville or Saint Augustine remember to bring your spinning rods and if you have enough time, some live bait

I personally think a big Mahi on a spinning rod is one of my favorite fights The day before a charter we usually go out and jig with Sabiki Rigs a live well (or 2) full of Sardines and Cigar Minnows

Upon return to the Marina, we put them in a live bait pen for overnight storage

Sardines & Cigar Minnows are tough and resilient. They will last up to a week in bait pens properly tended We will troll until we get a dolphin bite and as we are bringing the fish to the boat we pay very

close attention to see if there is another fish following the hooked fish

If there is a “trailer” as we call it, we immediately dump a net full of live bait (live chum as we call it) over the side, kick the boat in neutral and start grabbing prerigged spinning rods with 4-5ft of fluorocarbon leaders and small 2/0 hooks

The live chum 90% of the time will seek refuge under the boat and the dolphin will follow if you keep your hooked dolphin in the water close to the boat. Start tossing the spinners in all directions from the boat until you see the fish then just feed them Remember to keep one hooked fish in

. the water at all times. This is done by keeping the last fish hooked up close to the boat until the next fish hooked gets close. This is simple game and before you realize it you will have 10-20 dolphin in the boat.

Usually the schoolie size dolphin (4-8lbs) will come in first, but as you start working the school, the big ones will eventually come in so be ready to sight fish the big hungry bull or cow that follows.

This is one of my very favorite things I love about dolphin fishing On the Hoodoo Boats we pull (troll) naked and skirted ballyhoo in a 6-8 line spread. Additionally, we will have 2 teasers (unhooked fish lure chains) in the water.

Our baits are set in conjunction with those teasers to maximize the effect of them. A great spread will catch fish if they are there. The dolphin bite went off last year beginning around April 23rd and ran just past mid-May. The pogies have shown up early this year on the beach and they are thick

They Cobia are on these pods if you put in the time to search for them. Kingfish are within 20 miles of the beach and the Kingfish bite is stong.

Where can you purchase all of your Cobia tackle and rigging? Strike Zone Fishing Jacksonville is where! Strike Zone owner Dave Workman Jr has the largest selection of Shimano Reels in Northeast Florida and has a huge selection of Cobia specific tackle and rigging Ask for Archie or Dalton to get expert advice on all your fishing needs.

Until next month remember that great things happen when you take a kid fishing! HooDoo Charters Dolphin, Bottom Fishing and Nearshore Trips are in full Swing For more information or to book a trip use the contact info below.

Capt. Tim Altman

Hoodoo Sportfishing Charters

Call: 904.859.6314

Email: tim@saltwaterchallenge.com

Visit: www.hoodoocharters.com

TJ Altman with a Hoodoo Kingfish

35lb Dolphin on a Spinner for Dr. Mike Coulter on the Hoodoo

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Intracoastal Waterway

By Capt. Todd Philcox Salty Charters of Jacksonville

May in NE Florida is a great time to be on the water.

Pleasant temperatures, longer days, and fewer afternoon storms than our summer months will allow for the great morning as well as evening fishing action

Weekend boat traffic will continue to increase so be sure to get out very early, or late evening if you plan to fish along the Intracoastal waterway

Mid-day boat traffic will make fishing the Intracoastal banks uncomfortable and less productive due to wave action and muddied water around the lower tides, and favor creeks, or other protected areas when the boat traffic increases.

The number of fish species cruising our inshore and nearshore waters will continue to increase with many options to bend a rod for sport or table fare

Look for birds to reveal schools of jack crevalle, ladyfish, and bluefish from the jetties, up the river, and in the Intracoastal Jacks and blues will crush topwater plugs and poppers, and spoons and live bait will also draw aggressive bites.

Tarpons should begin showing by late May, along the beaches with the pogy pods first, then at the jetties, smaller tarpon can be found south of Butler Blvd Bridge along

the Intracoastal and in the creeks. Large shrimp or mud minnows freelined on small circle hooks should elicit bites when you find these fish rolling. Fishing the grass edges along the ditch at higher tides will continue to improve as warmer water and increasingly abundant bait will result in strong redfish, trout, and flounder action. Fish jigs and shrimp, minnows, or finger mullet - which will be easier to find and cast net this month.

On calm mornings I will go with lighter jigs, 1/8 to ¼ ounce with shrimp and mud minnows, or a 3/0 to 4/0 circle hook and a small sliding egg sinker with heavier baits, live finger mullet or chunks of larger mullet are great baits as are chunks or strips of ladyfish, which redfish will devour.

On high outgoing tides I’ll work the grass lines adjacent to smaller creek runouts and along the larger mud flats.

During lower tide phases work the steeper drops along the Intracoastal with heavier jigs to get your baits down deep, larger reds and trout will be waiting!

I look forward to seeing you on the water, give me a call if I can help get you out fishing!

Capt. Todd Philcox

Captain Todd Philcox has 45 years of fishing experience, beginning on the waters of Long Island Sound off the shores of Connecticut and New York targeting striped bass, flounder and other inshore fish, and since 2005 working the inshore and near-shore waters of Northeast Florida as a USCG licensed captain for redfish, seatrout, flounder, tarpon and other species that inhabit our waters

His Sea Pro SV2100 CC is a great vessel for shallow flats and creeks, and the St John’s river and jetties, and can accommodate up to 4 adults or entire families.

Prior to operating Salty Charters, Todd spent 10 years as an NFL quarterback, including the 1996 season with the Jaguars as a backup, and seasons with the Cleveland Browns, Cincinnati Bengals and 3 other teams

He is a graduate of Syracuse University where he guided the Orange to #12 ranking in 1988 and completed both undergraduate and graduate degrees.

Todd looks forward to sharing his lifelong passion for fishing and the pleasure of boating with you.

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, Well, the cool weather has kept returning briefly this spring, but it looks like summer is making a breakthrough.

With all the northeast winds and coastal rain events, the salinity at the mouth of St. Johns has been higher than the area of downtown and JU.

The Buckman Bridge area has seen a small uptick of salinity but as the weather patterns settle in the salinity of the system should return to normal. The water temperatures are on the rise with the high 60s and low 70s reported.

The City of Jacksonville Continues to make improvements and several projects are seeing progress. Access to the Mayport area

by boat and space for the commercial industry is getting near.

The new docks of Mayport continue to make progress.

The wood docks at Metro Park have been installed and a floating system area installed for River Taxi and drop-off zones.

Metro Park Marina closing for demo and rebuild has been pushed to mid-June, so boaters are still able to use it for events at the Arena and stadium area.

We have several FIND grants moving along. Riverview Park's new boat ramp is near mobilization, Liberty Street Marina design and permits, Pottsburg Creek / Beach Blvd design and permits to rebuild, Mike McCue Boat Ramp Bulkhead replacement design is near completion, Thomas Creek Fish Camp Adaptive Kayak launch is in design and permits, Reed Island Park development is in bid review.

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.

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.

Thanks to several river cleanup projects the debris is slowing but it is still very important to have a good lookout when running the main stem of St. Johns.

The derelict vessel War is still full speed ahead. FWCC Officers are working on 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 insuring due diligence to allow the owners to deal with the vessel takes time and a lot of investigative time by law enforcement.

The Jacksonville Sail and Power Squadron, America’s Boating Club of Northeast Florida coordinated the BLESSING OF THE FLEET Palm Sunday, April 2 on the South Bank. The vessel turnout was impressive!

Our tournament season is picking up with the Jacksonville Premier Trout Tournament was a great success on April 29 and the Jacksonville Marine Charities Redfish Roundup will be on May 20 at Jim King Park and Boat Ramp. The captain's meeting will be at the Fraternal Order of Police Building 5530 Beach Blvd. With a BBQ dinner sponsored by the FOP! Go to jmcredfishroundup.com for information and online registration. The Chairman of the Waterways Commission has named a committee to explore a slow speed zone at the Cesery Bridge as well as all lower-level bridges in the

county. The committee held a notice meeting and approved a zone at the Cesery Bridge and the full commission as of this writing is scheduled to vote on the recommendation.

The full council is voting on the issue to get an ordinance for approval then the request will go to FWCC for approval. I want to continue to remind you, 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. Please take 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. 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.

JU has offered a proposal to study the cause. 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 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 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!

Happy New Year!

BE SAFE! AND KEEP WASHING THOSE HANDS!!

Docks at River Front Plaza for River Jam

Derelict Vessel at Half Moon Island

Capt. Jim Suber

Top-Water Fishin’

By Adam Morley

As an angler who loves chasing after Redfish, Trout, and Snook in the South Matanzas River, top-water fishing at high tide over oyster bars and along grass lines is a thrilling experience for me.

Using baits like the Kiss My Fish "Creeper," mirrOlure Top Dog, and Zara Spook, I enjoy the challenge of enticing these prized game fish to strike on the surface.

The Kiss My Fish "Creeper" is a unique bait, and lately my “go-to” choice, that mimics a wounded mullet, which is a primary forage species for Redfish, Trout, and Snook in the area.

Its lifelike action and "walk-the-dog" movement create an irresistible presentation that triggers aggressive strikes from hungry predators lurking around oyster bars and grass lines

Another reliable bait in my tackle box for high tide top-water fishing is the mirrOlure Top Dog Jr

This classic plug's realistic appearance, erratic action, and loud rattles make it a proven choice for enticing Redfish, Trout, and Snook to the surface.

The ferocious strikes that follow are heart-stopping, with fish crashing the bait from all directions. The Zara Spook is also a top choice when targeting Redfish, Trout, and Snook in the South Matanzas River crashing

the bait from all directions

The Zara Spook is also a top choice when targeting Redfish, Trout, and Snook in the South Matanzas River during high tide. Its "walk-the-dog" action, combined with its realistic appearance and built-in rattles, make it a proven bait for luring in these hard-fighting game fish

Working the Zara Spook with quick, aggressive twitches and pauses can trigger the predatory instincts of these species and result in explosive surface strikes.

Understanding the behavior of Redfish, Trout, and Snook is crucial when fishing over oyster bars and grass lines during high tide. These fish often lurk in the shallows during high tide, using the cover of oyster bars and grass lines to ambush prey. They are known for their aggressive feeding behavior and are easily enticed by top water baits that mimic wounded or struggling baitfish Using a “walk-the-dog" action with short, sharp twitches and pauses can trigger their predatory instincts and result in explosive surface strikes.

In addition to using the right baits and techniques, paying attention to tides and weather conditions is essential when targeting these game fish in the South Matanzas River High tide periods, particularly around sunrise and sunset, can be productive, as fish are more likely to be actively feeding in shallow areas.

Overcast days or low-light conditions can also be favorable for top-water fishing. However, always prioritize safety on the water by checking local weather and tidal conditions, and exercising caution.

In conclusion, top water fishing at high tide over oyster bars and grass lines in the South Matanzas River for Redfish, Trout, and Snook is an exhilarating experience for any angler.

Using baits like the Kiss My Fish "Creeper," mirrOlure Top Dog, and Zara Spook with "walk-the-dog" action can entice these game fish to strike on the surface Understanding their behavior, paying attention to tides and weather conditions, and prioritizing safety are all key elements

a successful fishing trip in this beautiful and rewarding fishing destination

So grab your gear, head to the South Matanzas River, and get ready for an unforgettable top-water fishing adventure!

Capt. Adam Morley

904.540.7245

Genungs Fish Camp

Palm Valley

By Capt. Cory Sparks

Inshore and Backwater Fishing Guide Service and Charters in Palm Valley, Florida and St. Augustine 310charters.com

Palm Valley waters are full of feeding fish and 10+ species days are not uncommon. Depending on your goals, you have a variety of options to make a memorable day on the water The less sought-after species are around and cooperative.

These jacks, ladies, bluefish, and Spanish are in full force. These fish should continue chewing through May and make bending a rod easy this month.

The trout bite continues to improve each day. Focus your efforts on clean water rips and creeks with slightly better water clarity than the surrounding waters. Popping corks with shrimp have been the foolproof ticket to an afternoon fish fry and nice size upper slot trout will be chasing bait and lures on a consistent basis.

If artificial is your preference, work slow sinking twitch baits through clean moving water. Of course, topwater is a great option as well, and the triedand-true paddle tail on a ¼ oz. jig head typically never fails They have started dredging again south of the bridge so if water clarity starts to decline,

look for trout up north along the docks and the tree line We may be in for some days of grinding with stirred-up water and water temps rising Make it a priority to continue moving and finding better water clarity

It will pay off when you find fish stacked in these conditions and more than willing to feed. Redfish shouldn't get pushed around as much with the dirty water Pogies and mullet are everywhere in Palm Valley and the redfish will be feeding heavily near these concentrations of bait. Start throwing the cast net for live mullet. You can also use them as cut bait because, with the poor water clarity, redfish will start keying in hard on scent, and cut mullet or pogies can create a bit of a chum slick that can draw a passing school in for a bite.

This is still a great time of year to get out early, late, or in any cloudy low-light conditions and throw topwater lures.

There are tons of bluefish in our area that will blow up lures, but trout, redfish, and even snook will be lurking and feeding on the surface action Heddon, Super Spook Jr , Mirrorlure, Top Dogs, and She - Pups are some of my favorite plugs to throw Using a walk the dog retrieve is needed and keep that lure moving Fish have been rolling on the lures multiple times before striking so don’t give up If they swing and miss a time or two!

Another thing I will do is have 2 to 3 different sounding lures on different rods.

If one isn’t drawing a strike or having short strikes, follow that cast up with a different plug Many times, that different offering drives

Austin with a 31" snook on a topwater plug!

Nolan with his biggest redfish ever! 30 inches!

them mad enough to hammer it and then it’s fish on!

I like using loop knots to increase lure action as well as monofilament leader due to the fact it sinks slower than fluoro.

Both these small nuances will aid the plug's action rather than dampen it. Keep Reeling!

Capt. Cory Sparks

310charters.com

716-307-7654

About Me

I'm a USCG Licensed and Insured Charter Captain. I've lived and fished in the St Augustine, FL and Palm Valley, FL areas for over 14 years.

I'm a husband and father of 3 boys under the age of 7 so life is an adventure naturally!

I've also taught Elementary school for many years, so I'm patient and great with kids, families and other newbies to the angling world

I love sharing our resources and my personal experiences with clients as well as hearing about theirs!

Lovett with a nice trout!

Kayak Fishin’

By Will Neimann

Lead Guide at St Augustine Paddle Sports

If you’ve been on the water lately, then you’ve probably noticed the mullet are back and are thick.

Although not as significant as the fall mullet run, the spring run can be just as exciting. With the mullet come the tarpon, snook, redfish, trout, and flounder

Whether you’re using live, dead, or cut mullet or mullet imitation lures, mullet will be the main food source for most of our area fish Matching the hatch is important this time of year

Pay attention to the size of the mullet in the water in the area you’re fishing Use the same size lures as the mullet you are seeing Most will be in the 3-inch to 5-inch range If you’re seeing fish blowing up on bait, but they aren’t hitting your bait, scale down your lure or bait size Oftentimes this will draw the strike.

This time of year, site fishing the mullet schools is a very effective way to bend the rod. The easiest time to sight fish the school's, is on a calm morning when you can see the schools pushing across the flats or up a creek If you see fish running the bait schools, throw a lure or live mullet in the direction the fish are running Free line the mullet if live bait is preferred. If using artificials, work

the bait erratically.

Often, when fish run through the bait schools, they head slap and use their tails to stun the mullet then swing back around for the easy meal

Keep this in mind when the bait is blowing up all around you. A slow, stunned, erratic retrieve is better than ripping it through the schools most of the time. There will be times, however, that the fish want the bait moving as fast as you can reel. This is a super exciting way to fish but can be very frustrating as well when fish are exploding all around you and none will touch anything you throw. It does and will happen, even to the best of us Sometimes there is too much bait in the water, and your bait or lure gets lost in the mix

If you’re seeing mullet schools that aren’t being actively fed on, there will still be fish in close proximity, generally. I’ll make long casts into the schools and give a slow, steady retrieve back to the yak.

I’ll hit the mullet from all angles if possible, and usually, we’ll find a red or trout hanging out somewhere around them. Besides a free-lined live mullet, a live mullet under a popping cork is a deadly way to fish the mullet schools with live bait

I personally prefer using artificials, such as a Hackney Jr Belly, Fishbites Fight Club Butt Kicker, or an ACO Hawg. Another deadly lure is an Unfair Rip-N-Slash These can be worked very erratically. If it’s first thing in the morning, I’m throwing top water at em A Rapala Skitterwalk is my go-to redfish topwater, and a Storm Chug Bug is my go-to snook and trout topwater All these baits are fairly easy to use, but some do require more effort than others May is an exciting month, whether on the inshore flats or up the creeks, your rod

will certainly bend Getting out early will increase your chances for a good trip.

I feel the main feeding time for most fish is in the time between the first trickle of light appearing in the sky to when the sun breaks the horizon. Good luck and tight lines I’ll see ya out there

Will Niemann Lead Guide @ St Augustine Paddle Sports

Trina Polkey on the Fish

Cobia Fishin’

By Capt. Adam Morley genungsfishcamp.com

May is an excellent time for sight fishing for cobia under manta rays off the St. Augustine Inlet. This exciting and challenging fishery requires a bit of skill and patience, but the reward of hooking a big cobia is well worth the effort.

The first step in targeting cobia under manta rays is finding the right conditions. You'll want a calm day with clear water and plenty of sunlight. These conditions will allow you to spot the manta rays from a distance and give you a better chance of seeing the cobia swimming underneath them.

You'll also want to keep an eye out for other signs of life such as birds diving, baitfish, and other predators in the area

Once you've located a manta ray, it's time to approach it carefully It's important to avoid spooking the ray or the cobia, so turn off the motor and approach slowly and quietly. If you have a trolling motor, use it to maneuver into position without disturbing the water too much. When you're within casting range, make your first cast count, as you don't want to spook

the fish with multiple casts. When casting to cobia under manta rays, it's important to place your bait or lure in the right spot You want to cast slightly ahead of the ray, so your bait or lure is in the path of the cobia as it swims underneath.

Live bait such as pinfish or shrimp can be effective, as well as artificial lures such as bucktail jigs or swimbaits. Whatever bait or lure you choose, make sure it's something the cobia will be interested in eating If a cobia takes your bait, be prepared for a fight. Cobia are known for their hard, fast runs and can put up a significant fight It's important to keep the line tight and let the fish run when it needs to.

When reeling in the fish, use a smooth and steady motion to avoid jerking the hook out of its mouth.

Once you've landed the fish, make sure to handle it carefully and release it quickly if you're not planning to keep it. While targeting cobia under manta rays can be challenging, it's also a lot of fun It requires a bit of patience and skill, but the payoff of hooking a big cobia is well worth it. Just remember to approach the rays and fish carefully, and use the right bait or lure to entice the cobia to bite.

If you're new to cobia fishing or haven't fished the St. Augustine Inlet before, it's a good idea to hire a local guide.

A guide can show you the best spots to target cobia, provide you with the right

gear and bait, and help you with the techniques needed to hook these powerful fish. They can also provide valuable information on local regulations and bag limits, as well as tips on responsible catch-andrelease practices.

In addition to cobia, the St Augustine Inlet offers excellent fishing for a variety of other species. Inshore, redfish, and trout can be caught in decent numbers, while offshore, mahi-mahi, wahoo, and kingfish are common targets. Whether you're a seasoned angler or just getting started, there are plenty of fishing opportunities to explore in this area. In conclusion, sight fishing for cobia

under manta rays off the St. Augustine Inlet in May is a challenging and exciting fishery. It requires a bit of skill and patience, but the reward of hooking a big cobia is well worth the effort. Remember to approach the rays and fish carefully, use the right bait or lure, and consider hiring a local guide if you're new to the area. With the right preparation and a bit of luck

Capt. Adam Morley

904.540.7245

Trina Polkey sitting proud with a nice Cobia from a while back. The Publisher liked it so much he framed it.

Daytona Ormond Beach

By Capt. Jeff Patterson PoleDancer Fishin'Charters

We’ve had some not-sobeautiful conditions over the last couple of weeks or more but the weather has been shaping up

Last week we had winds up to gale force even a day or two and some rain here and there that kept my phone pretty quiet

I get so many of my clients that check the weather way too far in advance and 9 times out of 10 it changes to some extent. If you’re worried about the weather when booking a charter, book a trip and we can always adjust accordingly. Usually, it works out just fine

Quite a few people tried to book last minute because of the weather and I had no availability at that point

Water temps are in the mid-70s and the tarpon is starting to show up around the inlet and off the beach

There have been some schools of bait hanging off the beach and that’s the time to target some tarpon It should only get better this month. I’ve been starting to notice them more throughout the Intracoastal in New Smyrna recently and around some of the bridges.

The snook bite has been awesome all over the place with quite a few slot fish and over slots as well. The inlet has been good for some and a

bunch are being caught in New Smyrna. In Daytona and Port Orange, there’s been a bunch of jacks, ladyfish, and blues in areas off the main Intracoastal. I’ve also caught some pompano off of the main channel around oyster bars lately There’s also been a bunch of jacks around the bridges which have been a blast for kids and anyone just looking for a bunch of action.

There’s going to be a lot going on over the next month so get out and wet a line!

Capt. Jeff Patterson

Pole Dancer

Fishin’ Charters

386-451-4992

Tournament Board

By Craig VanBrocklin

Spring Tournaments

FLA – Double Slam weight

1st Alec Pope/Justin Flowe 22.53

2nd Jeremy MacDonald/Chad Duncan 19.85

3rd Matthew Lewis/Nathan Johnson 17.45

Inshore Extreme Kayak Challenge (length inches)

1st Jesse Rain 124

2nd Craig Van Brocklin 119.25

3rd Ron Lendvey 98.5

4th Matt Embree 98

5th Christopher Sulenski 93.5

Ladies Champion - Dana Thrower

Smallest Fish - John Dufrene 7.5

Big WT (Whiting weight ounces)

1st TJ Stafford 23.02

2nd Taylor Chenoweth 15.6

3rd Tira Clyce 15.25

Female – Taylor Chenoweth 5.6

Pompano - Alan DeLoach 45.45

Hadassah Hope (Redfish weight)

1st Matt Davis 12.92

2nd Matt Thrasher 12.63

3rd Michael Clark 12.36

Kayak

1st Will Niemann 5.96

2nd Kenny Campbell 3.36

3rd Joe Federico 2.52

Sheepshead Will Niemann 5.96

1st Jr under 12 Brantley Davis 5.96

1st Jr over 12 Whit 5.21

1st Powder Puff Brielle Thrasher 4.17

Upcoming Tournaments

May

• 6th FLAFlorida Redfish Series St Aug

• Florida Surfcasters

• 20th FLA Championship

• Redfish Roundup Spots

• 27th CCA Star begins

June

• 3rd Kingfish Mayhem St Aug

• 10th Wildwood Inshore Villano

• Old School Kingfish Shootout

• 24th Kingbuster 400

Inshore Xtreme Kayak winners

Will Nieman Hadassah Hope Kayak 1st Place