Fishing Connection Online October 2023

The Fishing Connection Online is Digitally published monthly by the Fishing & Boating Media Group Inc on or before the first Tuesday of each month. No material printed herein may be reprinted or sold for distribution without the express written consent of the publisher.

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Column Writers for this Issue

Page 6 Nik Bremer

Page 12 Spencer Brogden

Page 14

Capt. Jim Suber

Page 16

Capt. Tim Altman

Page 20

Capt. Todd Philcox

Page 22

Capt. Cory Sparks

Page 28

Capt. Adam Morley

Page 30 Will Neiman

Page 36

Capt. Jeff Patterson

Page 38 Craig VanBrocklin

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Fernandina

Amelia Island

By Nik Bremer

With the summer heat ending, we’re finally starting to see the water cool down a bit. The mullet should stick around until we get that first cold front, so take advantage of that. This time of the year is much more comfortable to fish. Over the last couple of weeks, fish have gorged themselves on this mullet run and become accustomed to eating larger baits, so bump those threeinch paddle tails up to four or fiveinch baits to target those larger fish.

Continue to cast net mullet and present those on a fish-finder rig This rig will work well pretty much everywhere. It allows the fish to get into the strike zone and act naturally. If hooking in the mouth,

remember to only hook the top half allowing the mullet to open its mouth to get oxygen in its gills, it will last much longer

Amelia Island State Park is a great place to hang out for the day and catch fish. The park allows you to drive around on the sand to find that perfect spot to set up shop. I love the point where the water converges on the outgoing tide

As the tide inches too low, head a little north to hit the rock jetty. As the water subsides, you’ll be able to reach the rocks to properly fish. This time of year, you’ll find a wide variety of species including reds, Trout, Spanish, Jacks, Tarpon, and blues. The jetty bite continues to be very active and should remain this way The bull red bite has been great, the Flounder bite has been good, and the Trout bite will increase as the water temps continue to drop.

The Bull Reds could be found at the end of the Florida jetty, slightly towards the beachside on the incoming tide. Big cut baits like blue crab, mullet, and ladyfish will all produce your personal best red The red monsters could also be caught from the shore.

Fort Clinch on the last of the outgoing to the first of the

incoming will allow you to cast into deeper water in order to get your bait in their path. Get ready for a fight!

If you’re going after the flatties, work live mullet or mud minnows on a jig head over the top of the rocks. If you prefer artificial, give a bucktail with a Fish Club grub on it a shot. And guys, remember Flounder closes on the 15th of October until the start of December. So as much as we all love to eat Flounder, they all must go back in the water.

Come by Amelia Island Bait and Tackle to show us what you’ve been catching, we love to see those pics. Until November…

Tight lines

Nik Bremer

Pier & Surf

By Spencer Brogden

October isn't just the month for ghosts and goblins, it's the month for the return of Pompano and Whiting in the northeast Florida surf!

As the water temperatures in the Carolinas start to cool off, it begins the fall Pompano migration south. It doesn't take long for good numbers of fish to make it to local waters. The

longer our water temperatures stay in the mid 70's the longer the Pompano will hang around! Last fall was one of the best Pompano runs I've seen in a LONG time for Northeast Florida.

Hopefully, this fall is the same. To catch them look for runouts and sandbars and CLEAN water. They will readily hit sandfleas, fresh river shrimp, blue crab knuckles, and clams. Check out the Bruno rig that the Sinker Guy sells as it's one of the top Pompano rigs for our area. The good news while Pompano fishing is that the Whiting will feed in the same areas and eat the same baits! Redfish and black drum will also be cruising the surf all October and are a good bet to find one of your baits.

The mullet run will still be in full swing so if you want to target some Speckled Trout and Spanish Mackerel use live mullet on a Carolina rig right behind the breakers. Remember Spanish have SHARP teeth so a heavier leader is needed.

I'm looking forward to the cooler water and the hungry fish it brings as well as all the great reports we should get. Don't forget to check out our YouTube and Facebook page (Brokenreel23) for daily and weekly updates. Until next time, tight lines!

Spencer Brogden

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, The Waterways have been very active as we get through the end of summer and transition to fall The tournaments were very active and the participation was very impressive! The Temperatures flirted the 100-degree mark several times in August and the water temperatures hovered around the 89-92 range The Salinity levels were normal for the most part but with Hurricane Lee making landfall in the Big Bend area on the West Coast we were lucky that it tracked just to the west and north of our area bringing us some wellneeded rainfall that settled temps and salinity levels.

The City of Jacksonville Continues to make improvements and several projects are seeing progress. We have several FIND grants moving along. Riverview Park's new boat ramp is ready for contractors to move ahead so watch for groundbreaking, Liberty Street Marina is in design and permits, and Pottsburg Creek/ Beach Blvd design and permits to rebuild.

Preliminary engineering and design drawings have been submitted. Mike

McCue Boat Ramp Bulkhead replacement design continues to move forward and in partnership with the City of Jacksonville, the City of Jacksonville Beach, and Windward Beach Marina the Mike McCue area is moving forward with road realignment, additional parking, resurfacing of existing parking and retail development This project is a long time needed and it is going to be exciting seeing the progress.

Thomas Creek Fish Camp Adaptive Kayak launch is in design and permits and plans are getting close. 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 has been installed so we should see improvement with the elimination of vessels that go there to die! Jacksonville Marine Charities has announced a new tournament for 2024! They are adding the “KINGFISH KICK OFF” Kingfish Tournament.

This will be a tournament within the state waters with North and south boundaries Brunswick to the Flagler Pier. The first place payout will be $50,000 00 with 20 place payout based on a 300-boat tournament. They also plan a big announcement on the Greater Jacksonville Kingfish Tournament 1st place prize boat.

There will be a discount for fishing in both tournaments and a TWT for the biggest fish aggregate of both tournaments This makes the GJKT week something for everyone to enjoy! A beach tournament, Two days of fishing, a junior angler, a Lady Tournament with its own TWT, a junior angler Dock Tournament, and a Redfish Tournament. All this and a seafood festival!

The derelict vessel war is still full speed ahead all over our waterways. More are piling up and the process and funding are working really slowly. We know we have boat ramps blocked and boats on our park's shoreline but we have to wait for the system FWCC has in place that

requires several layers of investigation, due diligence, approvals, and contract processes

I want to continue to remind all, that on the east end of the Back River behind Blount Island, we have a sand bar developing It is on the Ramoth Drive side of the river. A solution to this concern is being worked on The Jacksonville Waterways Commission continues to have a committee to address this issue and discussions continue with The Army Corp of Engineers and a source of the sand is being explored.

Funding has been approved for 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 Day time always use good, polarized sunglasses and at night slow down and double your caution and lookout

As always allow me to continue to remind everyone to always check your boat and yourself 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 who 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 the 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

Finally, 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

New anchoring zone sign at Ortega River

Jacksonville Marine Charities Down on the Dock Angler! Snapper on a Fish Bite!

Let’s Talk Offshore Fishing With Capt.

in depths of 120ft or greater, when you’re finishing up from bottom fishing prep your highspeed gear.

After you come off of anchor/trolling motor and start to pull away from your spot deploy your high-speeds and make a couple passes on the very spot you were bottom fishing…if they’re there, chances are they will bite…and sometimes it’s going to be a monster.

Bottom Fishing

to get innovative. Try cutting your grunts up or what we call butterflying them. If that doesn’t work, try the same with a legal B-liner

Wahoo Pre-Season

Wahoo Season is just around the corner and what tells me that it’s time to start revamping all of my Wahoo lures and rigging? Tree Stands. I bet you’re saying what is this guy talking about?

How do tree stands tell me it’s time to start fishing for Wahoo? Well the short version is that the opening of deer season usually coincides with the shorter periods of sunlight (shorter days) and decreasing temperatures. This usually causes a decrease in near-shore sea-temperature setting up the beginning of the eventual temperature breaks we find in the winter months.

We know these temp-breaks start the beginning of the pelagic food chain.

But this early in the season…find your bottom spots and if you are high-speed trolling…play connect the dots with your spots. If you are in a good Triggerfish or B-liner bite

Folks the bottom fishing is still strong in depths of 120ft or greater The Triggerfish and Bliner (Vermillion Snapper) bite is outstanding. Make sure you have plenty of bait.

The conventional wisdom for Triggerfish is cut Squid. Squid is plentiful at your bait & tackle places, but for a really good bite use small strips of Bonita. Where can you get Bonita? Just off of the beach in the near shore waters.

They are great for kids to fight and if you take them home and store them in your bait freezer, you have some really great bottom bait! The Grouper bite is very strong along the “ledge” in depths of 165-190ft. You may have to go through several type of baits before you snag them. When I say “types” of baits I’m referring to Dead Bait and Live Baits.

The easiest way is Boston Mackerel, but if they’re not on the Mackerel or biting your live pogies or grunts…then it’s time

Don’t worry, the bait can’t be too big. But be prepared, if you hook up it’s running straight into it’s hole and it’s your job to turn the fish before it makes it home and you get “Rocked Up”. Your drag should be locked down tight all the way and you should have a “stout” rod. Grouper fishing isn’t easy…that’s what make it so much fun.

For how and what to use to catch Wahoo, Triggerfish, Bliners, Mutton & Mangrove Snapper and Grouper, visit Strike-Zone Fishing Jacksonville and ask Mr. Dave Workman Jr or his friendly staff and they will set you up with whatever you need to get the job done!

Take a kid fishing!

Until next month, please stay safe on the water and remember that great things happen when you take a kid fishing

Capt.

A nice Hoodoo Wahoo off of a Triggerfish Spot

Take

A good Hoodoo

October bottom fish trip

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Intracoastal Waterway

By Capt. Todd Philcox

October is one of my favorite months to fish in Jacksonville’s inshore waters. The days are getting shorter and hopefully cooler, water temperatures are dropping, and Redfish begin to push back into shallower water farther back in the creeks.

Fishing action in September was good for upper slot Redfish on the shallowest mudflats early morning The quantity of finger mullet had grown nicely but they became a bit harder to find later in the month, hopefully, we will still have a good amount of mullet around through the middle of October.

Bring along a cast net to secure some if possible and fish them live either on a jig head or with a fish finder rig up on the flats and weed edges at high tide or along the Intracoastal banks and creek holes on lower tides. I prefer to fish the falling tide through the first hour of the incoming when targeting Redfish.

The Flounder action has been a bit slow in the St. Johns River, but I have been finding a few nice flatties up on the mudflats while working the shallows for reds. The Trout bite has been slow but hopefully will improve as the water cools this month. Flood tides will occur from the 1st through the 3rd and the 26th through the 31st of this month, providing the chance to fish up on the grass flats for tailing Redfish and the occasional Sheepshead The most productive flats tend to be closer to ocean inlets where the tidal range is greatest, the Ft. George area and the adjacent Intracoastal grass flats are productive, as are flats closer to Vilano Beach to the south

Fly-fishing with crab imitations or gold spoon flies is productive in the grass as are Gulp shrimp and crabs fished on light tackle, all

need to be rigged weedless Also on tap for October is the continued run of spawning Bull Redfish, action will be hot throughout the river up to the Dames Point bridge, fish the dropoffs from 35-45 feet deep with cut crab, mullet, or ladyfish, and use ample weight to hold the bottom. Remember to vent fish if needed and thoroughly revive them before release. Get out fishing and enjoy one of our most beautiful and productive months on the water!

Capt. Todd Philcox

Sean Buxton and his Dad from Minnesota

Palm Valley

By Capt. Cory Sparks

The next few months are my favorite time of the year to fish in Palm Valley Water temps are cooling off from the summer heat and bait is plentiful. Feeding fish are around just about every ledge, hole and flat Mixed bags are easy to come by and a variety of options to target are everywhere Just about any lure or presentation works well this month. Use this time to try out new products and you will be surprised by finding new "favorites" that can further expand your repertoire!

Redfish will be showing well on the banks at low tide. Any live or artificial bait is applicable this month Landing

your offering well ahead of waking fish will allow them to approach calm and relaxed. Casting too close to these fish will just cause the school to blow off the bank so be patient and stealthy and make your shots count. I will even land my lures on the edge of the bank and drag them into the water so I don't spook the fish with a splash. Try soaking a bait (live or dead) on the bank in a rod holder behind the boat while you actively fish an artificial off the side or front of the boat If you happen to bump into a school from your artificial presentation and they move down towards your real bait then you've given them one more chance to eat rather than leaving the area.

Black Drum are a favorite target this month and they are holding along oyster bars and roll downs I tip all my live and dead shrimp with a small piece of crab or shrimp flavoRed Fishbites EZ Strips. Pink, green, and orange are my go to colors Cast a jig head with shrimp/Fishbites combo up current and let the moving water drift it along the area you are fishing Stay tight to the line and feel the bottom as your hook bounces along. You will learn to identify a shell or small hang up vs fish nibbling and biting A sensitive rod tip will help you with this type of fishing As you feel the rod tip pressure load up, set the hook to get tight on these drum . Also, popping heads off your shrimp help black drum manipulate

the bait and get it into their mouth, rather than them chewing at it before getting the whole bait in their mouth. Drum have somewhat small round mouths and at times have difficulty swallowing a large bait rather than just sucking up more manageable "small bits" of shrimp.

Trout will be feeding and topwater is a great mullet imitation along grass edges on incoming higher water stages of the tide Sheepshead will be in the same areas as the black drum and can be targeted the same way. One exception is Sheepshead like live shrimp over dead so keep that in mind Flounder are laid in ambush points and bait covered banks. Slow drag live or artificial lures along the bottoms to locate these flatties Jacks are in ferocious schools eating small fry hatch and can keep kids engaged and are a blast to see feeding as well as catching a few. Tarpon are also rolling in these bait pods and will eat live mullet freelined to them

Fall is in the air and the possibilities and species are endless Get out there and get a line tight!

Keep Reeling, Capt. Cory Sparks

Photo Right Alex with his first Redfish on top water!

Bottom Left Sight fishing Redfish on low tide!

Photo

Photo Bottom Right Cooper with his Redfish!

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offer an opportunity to catch fish one after another, making for an enjoyable outing for those embarking on their angling journey. Always remember to handle these fish with care and respect before releasing them, ensuring they have the chance to grow into and beyond the slot size.

Fishing Techniques Tailored to October

October Fishing in and Around the Matanzas River

By Capt. Adam Morley

As the calendar flips to October, anglers in the Matanzas River and Inlet area can anticipate an exciting shift in their fishing opportunities September ushered in the mullet run, bringing with it an abundance of big Redfish, Tarpon, Snook, and Flounder. But with the gradual drop in temperatures that autumn heralds, it's time to adapt your fishing strategies to make the most of this transitional period.

Changing Seasons, Shifting Targets

The arrival of cooler weather initiates a transformation in the behavior of these sought-after gamefish. While September provided thrilling encounters with reds, Tarpon, Snook, and Flounder, their presence may become less consistent as October unfolds. Moreover, Flounder season is set to close mid-October, emphasizing the importance of seizing your opportunities while they last.

Nonetheless, there's no need to fret, for October ushers in its own set of angling delights Undersized Redfish will remain abundant and continue to provide an exhilarating experience, especially for young, novice anglers. These schools of undersized reds

For those who prefer to stick with artificial lures, you can expect these fish to seek refuge in deeper holes and water as the temperatures fluctuate To maximize your chances of enticing strikes, employ a slow retrieval technique along the bottom, where these fish are more likely to lurk.

If you favor the "bait n' wait" approach, a wide array of options on a jig head or Carolina rig will work their magic. Live or dead shrimp, as well as cut bait such as ladyfish or mullet, are all excellent choices to attract bites These versatile setups can tempt a variety of species, even as the season undergoes its transitional phase.

Sheepshead: A Rising Star of October

October marks the rise of Sheepshead activity in the area. Fiddler crabs, which are highly effective bait for targeting Sheepshead, should become readily available at local tackle shops. Seek out these delectable fish around rocks and docks, where they often congregate in search of their next meal

Pompano Migration in Full Swing

For anglers looking to diversify their catches and scenery, the Pompano migration should be in full swing along the local beaches. To maximize your chances of success, consider using ghost shrimp, live sand fleas,

Fishbites, or fresh dead shrimp on a Pompano rig equipped with a Sputnik sinker. Some popular rigs for surf fishing include the innovative St. Augustine Sandman Float Rigs, BS Surf Fishing Rigs, or the timeless Captain's Choice Tackle "Pompano rig."

October: A Month of Angling Possibilities

October unfolds as a treasure trove of angling possibilities in and around the Matanzas River and Inlet. Whether you're chasing after Redfish, Trout, Flounder, Sheepshead, or Pompano, the options are as diverse as they are exciting. Keep a watchful eye on changing conditions, and remain flexible with your strategies to make the most of this dynamic fishing season Best of luck on the water, and may your hooks always find their mark! ���� #OctoberFishing #MatanzasRiver #AnglingAdventures

Capt.

Kayak Fishin’

By Will Neimann

If you like to catch big fish, then October is your month I consider the month of October to be the best month to fish in Northeast Florida. Between the mullet run continuing and the Redfish spawn, there are a ton of trophies swimming in our waters. Big Bull Reds move into the area in huge numbers

They will mainly be caught in the area inlets and under the bridges, but don’t be surprised to see a school of 40-inch Redfish on the flats either October

is often dubbed “Red October” for this reason.

The sheer numbers that move in are incredible. There will be days when catching one small enough to eat is the biggest challenge.

Some of the reds will exceed 30 pounds and are absolute bulldogs, so having the correct gear is crucial in landing one on a kayak.

The obvious things to consider when targeting bulls is rod weight, reel size, and line strength My ideal bull red setup is a 7foot heavy action rod with a 6000 series “live liner” reel (Daiwa and Shimano both have a good option), strung up with 50-pound braid and 40-pound fluorocarbon leader.

Using at least a 6/0 circle hook will allow the use of larger baits and won’t bend out on a big fish. Tying it to a Carolina rig or knocker rig will keep the bait on the bottom where most of the reds will be

hanging out Not to say you won’t catch them freelining baits either.

If you have space and the extra rods, do both. Just sit the clicker on the reels and sit back and wait, usually not very long. Live or cut mullet, cut ladyfish, and live or half a blue crab are the best bull red baits. A couple, maybe not so obvious, things to consider when bull Red Fishing from a kayak, are how to get fish on board safely and once on board how to safely handle the fish A bull red has some serious power, so be ready to test your balancing skills, as a big one could easily flip you in the current So now, the fish is whooped, on its side, next to the yak, and it’s too big for the net, now what? Having a good set of fish grips is what is best in this scenario Grip the fish’s lip and drag it over the side, sometimes the best thing to do, if possible, is land them from the shoreline, but that’s

often not an option Once the fish is on board, safely remove the hook using pliers or a hook removal tool, and get the fish back in the water

If you want a picture, as we all do, let the fish revive a little by holding the grips in the water with the fish. Give it a couple of minutes of recovery while getting your camera or cameraman in place. Once the fish is kicking a little, quickly pull it out, supporting the belly, and get a quick shot, returning the fish to the water as quickly as possible. All bulls must be released as they exceed our 27-inch Redfish limit Be safe, be courteous, and respect these fish so the next generations can enjoy them as much as we do. Good luck and tight lines I’ll see you out there

Will Neimann

October 2023

Daytona Ormond Beach

By Capt. Jeff Patterson

October brings some fantastic fishing in the Daytona Beach area! The mullet run is wide open with bait all throughout the Intracoastal, around Ponce Inlet, and on the beach There are mullet everywhere!

That being said we have some of the funkiest weather in October which can make for some less than desirable conditions I really like focusing on the Inlet area with massive schools of

Redfish along with big Snook, Tarpon, and Jacks. In September I had several trips with 20-30 Redfish on just a 4 hr trip with both slot sized fish and over slot Redfish up to the mid 40” range.

I mainly use live finger mullet since they’re everywhere If there’s not much current I’ll just use a split shot or two, just enough to get them down slowly. I will use an egg sinker up to a couple ounces at times when the current is ripping

This is a great way to target reds, Snook and even Tarpon but if I’m focusing specifically on Tarpon I like to run the beach and get away from the inlet which tends to be pressured more Drifting with free lined pigfish, pinfish, and croakers is my preference for bait but I’ll use mullet too. I’ve seen some awesome feeding frenzies with all these fish going crazy on huge schools of mullet and telling you about it does it no justice! The Intracoastal is very productive as well with the same species but some nice Flounder, Pompano, seaTrout, and other species too

Bridges hold big Snook and Tarpon and they’re great at night around tide changes

The mangrove shorelines are awesome for a variety of species. I like fishing where there’s a pretty good current. Use it to your advantage and drift baits to cover more territory. There’s so much going on in October I always tell my clients, especially locals, September and October is the best time to book a trip if you’re interested in targeting Snook, Redfish, and Tarpon with some of the most consistent fishing of the year!

Capt. Jeff Patterson

Pole Dancer

Fishing Charters

386-451-4992

Russ Warren and Byron Espittia doubled up on fat reds

Marge Willis with a Snook just shy of the slot

Tournament Board

By Craig VanBrocklin

Summer Tournaments

NE Fl Inshore Slayers BFF Slam (length)

1st Craig Van Brocklin 72”

2nd Pat Manton 65.25

3rd Greg King 64”

Florida Lure Anglers Slam (weight)

1st Stacy Durance/Devin Durance 13.16

2nd Wade Hastings/Scott O’Brien 12.96 3rd Damien Solorzano/Spencer Fox 10.53 4th Bob Morris Charles Dehlinger 9.95 5th Walton Leddy/Chris Peterson 9.7 6th Lynneia Holladay/Stephen Yurkevicius

9.02

7th Nathan Johnson/Matt Lewis 7.87

8th Danny Waters/Summer Waters 6.86

9th Dean Oakley/James Howard 6.37

10th William Willoughby/Morgan Warner

4.36

Jacksonville Offshore Sport Fishing Club Ladies Tournament

Offshore (weight)

1st Laura Ogin 58.93

2nd Marianna Suzette 14.56

3rd Susan Siegal 10

Inshore

1st Alexa Tamurian 10.06

2nd Tammi Van Brocklin 5.9

Upcoming Tournaments

October

*7th FLA

*Full of Bull

* Young Life Slam

* King of the Hill Surf Fishing

* 14th Flounder Pounder

* Pink up the Spots Vilano

* 21st AIGA Inshore Fernandina

* Netti Kayak Challenge

November

4th FLA

* NE FL Inshore Slayers Sheepshead

* Crooked River Cast on the Coast

December

*2nd FLA

* 9th Eggnog Open Steinhatchee

September

Danny and Summer Waters

FLA tourney

Craig Van Brocklin

28" Trout from NE FL Inshore

Slayers tourney