What a week it’s been on the water. With a nice weather window for inshore and offshore the boat ramps have been busy and I’m sure a few sick days were used up on Monday. From the creeks to the Gulf Stream the fall bite was hot all along the First Coast.
Offshore there were many boats heading East focused on Wahoo and plenty of fish caught on the early week window. I heard mixed reports with some boats finding a good bite while others struggled to find clean water and fish. Capt Joe Curtis of Set ‘Em Up Fishing Charters reported the bottom fishing was steady with a hot bite of Triggerfish and Vermillion snapper and a few Scamp Grouper on the bigger baits.
We had a great push of Sailfish over last weekend just in time for the El Pescado Billfish Tournament. Over 2 days of wide open fishing 12 boats released 151 Sailfish and a Blue Marlin. Congrats to the Grand Slam for taking the win in what will surely be remembered as one of the best Sailfish bites in recent memory for North East Florida.
Inshore the fishing has been spectacular. Anything you want to do from Bull Reds, Trout, Sheepshead to sight fishing the shallows the bites been good all over. I’ve done a mix of the above the last few days and we’ve seen some wide open Trout bites in the Saint John’s and the ICW. Topwater plugs and bombers have long been the go to and you can’t go wrong with either. If it’s overcast or low light I’ll commit to the topwater, once the sun gets high a paddle tail or sinking hard bait will get more strikes. The fish I’ve been targeting have mostly been in 6-12 feet of water along the roll downs toward the deeper channels, if you can find that depth range with hard bottom or structure and moving clean water you’ve got the makings of a great winter time trout spot.
It looks like the weather is shaping up nicely for next week. We maybe looking at our longest window in a few months as Sunday through Wednesday looks fishable offshore if the forecast holds. I’d argue fresh fish is always better than a store bought turkey but you may find that a hard one to win with the better half. Take advantage of the calms seas, bring the family along and make some memories that will be remembered long after the Thanksgiving leftovers are gone.
As always wishing y’all tight lines, fair winds, and following seas going into the weekend! If you’re looking to book a charter, submit a photo, or have a report to share reach out to me directly at chris@fishjax.org or visit www.fishjaxcharters.com.
Devin Mercer with a 22lb Scamp Grouper he caught fishing with Capt Joe Curtis over the weekend.
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