Jacksonville Fishing Report 9/4/24
The run of nice weather we enjoyed last week has been replaced with a stretch of rain and storms that might continue through the weekend into next week. A stalled cold front sitting across Georgia and the Carolina’s has created coastal showers bringing lots of rain our way. The fishing was great over last weekend before the rain started with the more signs of fall patterns starting to show on the water.
The Bull Redfish bite is picking up in the river as move into September. While we have many breeding Redfish calling the lower St. John’s home year round each fall the spawning aggregation occurs and fish move in from offshore as well. Any of the channel edges from Downtown through the inlet can be great fishing this time of year. The 35-45 foot depth transition has always been a good bet to get bent while looking for Bull Redfish action. For bait the go to choices are Ladyfish chunks, Blue Crabs, or cut Mullet. Usually I’ll try to have at least 2 of the 3, some days the fish will be keyed in on one while other days they will eat them all. An 8000 or larger spinning rod or any conventional bottom fishing set up is perfect. For terminal tackle a 3 way swivel is all you need. Use 20-30lb line for a short drop loop off the bottom, 3-4 feet of 50lb leader to a 7/0 circle hook.
While they are very fun to catch it’s important to remember these giants are the breeding stock of our Redfish population in the St. John’s and the coastal marshes along the First Coast. It’s important to catch them quickly, handle them correctly, and either to vent or release them with a descending device. It’s unfortunately a common sight this time of year to find floating Redfish down current of popular fishing spots.
While shark predation can be bad especially in the inlets I would wager the largest driver of mortality for released Bull Reds to be barotrauma. Offshore anglers are more familiar with this, however many inshore anglers don’t invest much time catching fish from 40 feet deep. The rapid ascent of the hooked fish causes the air inside the swim bladder to expand. If released like this it will struggle at the surface, unable to safely return to depth. Venting the fish by inserting a venting needle into the swim bladder a few inches behind the pectoral fin releases the pressure and allows it to swim back down on its own. A descending device is now mandatory to have rigged and ready on your vessel if you fish in federal waters, they are a great way to release Bull Redfish, just make sure the depth setting is correct on the adjustable ones.
Offshore the weather looks questionable for the next few days. The bottom fishing has been good and we’re in that time of year where you start seeing some fall migration of pelagic species moving back South. The Mutton Snapper, Vermilion Snapper, Triggerfish, have all been chewing pretty good with some Mahi and Blackfin biting on the flatlines. In closer the Kingfish bites still going, it usually tapers off with fall from the summer peak but you’ve still got a few weeks for drag screaming action on the nearshore wrecks.
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.
This crew from South Carolina got plenty of Bull Red action on our 4 hour trip.
Jax Beach local Tyler with a nice Flounder he snagged while fishing the ICW this week.
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