Fall is finally here and that brings some of the best fishing of the year! Many things to do this month. To start out, this might be the last chance to get a shot at a Tarpon. Often times on an outgoing tide at the jetties pulling bait on the rips, they can stack up and drifting a live mullet can be a ticket. The big Jacks will also be around exploding on bait and, the big bull Redfish will all be there. Cast a big topwater like a Rapala skitterwalk, Mirrolure Top dog, or if it is choppy out, use something that will make a good commotion like a High Roller prop bait ,Johnny Rattler, or just a big chugger. All good choices. Connect that with a adequate piece of 25 - 40lb Hi Seas Fluorocarbon leader. Not more than 30 inches. Also use the same leader to make up your fish finder rigs for the bull reds. Fish from 25 - 40lbs are common. Use enough weight to hold bottom along the channel edges and use a piece of lady fish, mullet or crab on the bottom, this is a good place to catch the bulls. Don't forget to use a jetty anchor, Danforth and other types have a tendency to get hung up. Talking lures, topwaters will also get the attention of the redfish and trout in the intercoastal, river and backcountry. Working points, creek mouths and over structure can be very productive. Diving plugs, swim baits, and topwaters, all mullet imitating baits will be the best bet. surrounding areas that have an outlet to the sea holding bait is going to be a great place to get some action. The backcountry reds, trout and flounder will all be active with the southern migration of the mullet and cooler water. This is a good time to catch a big trout as they will be feeding heavy on the mullet. A diving plug that imitates a mullet is best. Remember to let the gators go after a picture so we can aid in maintaining our trout population. Flounder will also be very active this month, as in the past, anglers have scored on big doormats in the Mayport area structure and adjoining tributaries. A TBS black nickel jig paired with a finger mullet or mud minnow will be the best bet. Fan cast the area working the jig slowly back to the boat. Also, a shrimp tipped bucktail jig, Gulp or standard bottom rig / bait on the bottom will be a great choice. Work the jigs slow and wait to feel that exciting "thump" and give the bait a moment and set the hook! Reds will be around many of the backcountries oysters bars and mud flats. Again work the lightest TBS jig and bait combo you can get away with will be what you want to use. Shrimp, mullet or mud minnows are best. Cast to the rips around the bars or sight fish them when condition allow. This is the last month before the migratory and pelagics head out of our area, so get out and get them, Good Luck
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Trout, trout, and more trout! This is a great month to bag a big one. I am at 162 Trout, 5lbs or bigger for my clients over the years and most have come in April. Some of the biggest trout have been as big as 11lbs!! Whether your a float fisherman, plug, topwater or jig, big trout will be on the prowl looking for a meal. They can be caught with any of these methods. Fish get very active with the warming waters and comfortable water temps. Bait will be reentering North Florida, and as it does it will keep the fish active!! Fishing places that have current, ledges, structure and bait will be an ideal place to start your search. Places like these hold fish!! There will a nice mix of bluefish in the area. Very fun, and lots of action. Some people frown at blues and consider them "junk fish", however, I take advantage of what mother nature has to offer? Years past, Paul Bent and I had a day with blues to 8 - 10lbs on inshore waters!! What a fight on light tackle!! Any angler would of loved it!! Will Felner had a 30 inch, 9 1/2 lb Specked Sea trout, what a trout, way to go Will, There will be other fish joining the party. Redfish, Jack Crevalles, Spanish mackerel, Ladyfish, and plenty of blues will be in the mix, especially if the water temps stay up. I have seen these fish in years past show up as early as March and as late as May. April is a good time frame. Plugs and lures that have been productive include, Rapalas, x raps, twichin raps, and skitterwalks. In the Miro-lures line, mirro dynes 52M's and top dogs, BiteABait line, fighters and top walkers, as well as High Rollers are all excellent choices for a trophy trout. Colors are simple, if the water is clean and clear, I like to use natural colors. If the water is dirty or stained, use a white or chartreuse. Fishing towards dusk, use a dark colors so the bait will be silhouetted as the fish look up at it. Keep it simple. The same go's for jigs. Just use enough weight to get down and stay in tune with the bait .These are all fine baits in the hands of an angler that has mastered how to work them? Learn to be good with the bait you choose to use. Many anglers put hope in a "magic or special lure" It's best to master a couple of good time proven lures and cover water knowing you are fishing it correctly. The backcountry is your style, there will be some redfish prowling around. Schools will be smaller and start breaking up with the warmer water. This will be the very last of the clear water and sight fishing this month. As the bait returns to the backcountry, the water will get cloudy and muddy as all the mullet and micro-organism start to replenish and bait will get active and "turn up" the water on the mud flats. Flounder will start showing up more as time go's on. Any structure with bait and moving water can be a hot spot. I like the incoming tide. Fish a TBS jig in a bright color combined with a finger mullet or mud minnow. Fish slow and feel the thump (bite) and reel the slack out and set the hook. Now, don't talk about it, get out and enjoy the waters of North Fl and take advantage of a big trout!!! March the water starts to heat up on a regular basis. I often refer to March as the "transitional" month. Depending on exact temperatures or a freak cold snap, the water starts to heat and brings the migratory bait back. This is the opposite of Oct. / Nov. mullet run when all the bait migrates south. As the bait returns and enters the St. John's river and tributaries, redfish, trout, and bluefish will be there to get there share. In the past, temperature depended, I have seen Jack Crevalle show up at the end of March. Ladyfish and Spanish Mackerel will be very close behind them as well!! This is a great time to incorporate throughing lures on your trip. Work the tides to your favor. North in the St. Johns river will hold alot of these species around this time. Tide rips around points and structure will be the ticket. Often, as the water hovers the 65 degree mark and above, I have had some nice success on topwater and diving plugs for all the species mentioned. Last March, Paul Bent Took a beautiful 9 1/2 lb trout on topwater, and Jeff Woods with a 5 lb'er along with Will Felner and Steve Croskey having an epic day with many big 26 -34 inch redfish crushing diving plugs!! All great memories and awesome fishing!! As you catch your redfish and trout, don't forget you will have alot of bluefish strikes as well to keep the action going. I have had days where you can catch them on every cast. Great time to break out the fly rod and have some fun. Use a fluorocarbon leader and a gummy minnow and you will catch a blue! It can be a windy month so plan your trips accordingly. Try to put yourself in the lee or use downwind casts. Give yourself the advantage because it is so important to be "in tune" with your bait. Know what that bait is doing at all times. The backcountry waters will still be clear and redfish will be lurking the mud flats. It will most likely be the last month for sight fishing cruising redfish as the water will begin to get muddy and murky, however, blind casting and soaking jig mud minnows / shrimp combo's in the shallow around oyster bars can still pay big dividends!! Good chance at a sheephead, black drum, or flounder as well. Great time to plan a 3/4 or full day fishing with action through out the day. Alot going on this month, get out and enjoy some action on the waters of North Florida!! I am usually positive about most months fishing, however, February is not one of my favorite months. The best bet will be to fish Redfish on the shallow mud flats in mid day. After the mud warms throughout the day the redfish will get active on the flats. If you can score a falling tide from midmorning through afternoon you are in the best time frame for success. A well placed TBS Jig and mud minnow combo is a sure ticket to a hook up. I like to stake out around pinch points, run outs or falling water and rips around an oyster bar. These are all prime locations for redfish, as well as, black drum, sheephead, trout and flounder. Most trout and flounder will be on the smaller size. Black drum and sheephead need be baited with shrimp, if that is more of the targeted species. For the true flats angler wanting to sight fish, he will need alittle cooperation from mother nature. Low winds and sunshine make for a good day. Poling your skiffs with the sun at your back and on the lee side of the mud flats will be your ticket. Look for heavy pushes and backs and just plain swimming fish. A small black TBS bucktail in 1/8 / 1/4 or a weedless plastic in a dark color are some of my favorites. I prefer the bucktail for the stealthy landing and accurate cast ability, however, if the fish are staging in alot of oysters or very shelly area, the weedless plastic will do. Most time in very shallow areas, steath is the name of the game. The fish canot sense you are there or they become very hard to catch. Trout will be in many of the common areas such as deep bends in creeks and edges of the Intercoastal waterway, and parts of the rivers drop offs. Float rigs, Jig and bait combos and plastic grubs in brighter colors are always a good pick. Use enough weight to effectivivly fish the bottom. If you do not know and are not intune with your bait it can be a tuff bite!! While trout fishing if you run into bluefish, fish the area well, trout will be close by. There should be plenty of bluefish and they are always fun and fairly easy to catch when you find them. If the weather and cold are to much for you.....This is a great time for reel maintenace!!! Get ready, March is coming and things will start to heat up!! Until next report, tight lines! January, the best month for sight fishing Redfish! With all the flats boats and shallow water crafts, this is the time to get out and really use them. As the water of North Florida gets clean and clear with less boat traffic, precipitation, and all the micro organisms die off, you can truly see fish on the right days. It's best to get a falling mid day tide and fish areas with the sun at your back. If the wind is under 10 knots you can pick flats that have smooth water in the lee. this will allow you to see pushes, wakes, and backing redfish. I like to lead the fish afew feet in his path of travel and when he approaches just very slightly move the bait. Use the lightest TBS Black Nickel jig you can get away with or sometimes no jig, just a hook for total stealth. A length of 15 / 20 lb HI SEAS fluorocarbon to about 30 inches and a loop knot to you presentation is ideal. A rod that is 7ft - 8ft with a fast tip is best. This will also give distance, and staying far from the fish as possible will keep from alarming him. A healthy mud minnow is a great choice as well as shrimp. Also blind fishing around the pinch points and out flows of creeks on a falling tide can produce well. There will be trout in the deeper bends, holes in creeks and the Inter coastal waterway. Bright colored plastics on a jig worked slow across the bottom, float rigs and jig and bait are all top producers. Many will be small under the 15 inch min. Black drum will be in many of the same areas. Again a jig and shrimp will be best, casting and leaving the bait stationary in and around the oyster bars. Sheephead will be in the mix as well, same set up will be a ticket. If stretching a line is all you want to do, then look at points and area inlets throughing jigs and plugs for bluefish. These aggressive and hard fighters will be fun for all and easy to catch. many times fulfilling the day with excitment as the tide gets correct for another species. Until next time, don't let the weather fool you, this is still a great time to get out and experience great fishing!!
Redfish, trout, blackdrum, sheephead, and bluefish is what we have for the remainder of the year. I will start out talking about the redfish since this is a great time of year for them. As the water clears up and cools down the micro organisms will die off, less boat traffic, and less rain will help in keeping the water clear. This makes for better sight fishing. Fish the falling tides and target fishy areas like pinch points in creeks, flats and oyster edges can all be great spots to look. Having ideal weather conditions will help. No wind, sun up higher for visibility and behind you. Move very methodically and quiet, looking, as you see a backing or waking fish, get your presentation out in front in his path. Also you can anchor in these areas and soak bait on a TBS Jig. Mud minnows and shrimp work well, and also cast with ease. Let the bait sit still for a pickup. Lure fisherman can use a dark or natural colored bucktail, (crab or shrimp imitation) or if in areas of heavy oysters a weedless soft plastic. Through out and work the lure back with the current. Same if you spot fish lead him and cross the fishes path of travel and be subtle!! Another reason for the bucktail, less movement with the action of the hair breathing, creating a very alive look, not to mention, they through the most accurate!! In many of the trips I take, most people have trouble in accurate casting, so it helps to have a lure that does not "helicopter" and spin off coarse .Accuracy is everything. The bucktails hold water which is weight and through accurate and land soft with a crustation like appearance. Also a good time to fish deeper bends and holes in creeks, they can load up on specked and yellowmouth trout. Bright colored plastic, bucktails, jig shrimp combos and float rigs all have there place and work well. Many fish will be smaller under the 15 inch minimum however numbers can be good. In these type areas and styles of fishing black drum and sheepheads will be in the mix. Shrimp work outstanding for the drum and fiddlers on the sheepies. Of coarse there will be an occasional flounder caught and a fair share of bluefish. Some of the areas inlets and points in the ICW with bait and current will hold most of the blues. Fun fish with lots of action. Every time of year has something to offer, get out and give it a try!!
Just as most Anglers might think that fishing is getting slow and that summer is over, November can be great for Redfish. The beggining of the month has some good tides reaching the 5.5 mark combined with heathly NE winds can bring some tailing redfish action. This will most likely be the last of that style of fishing for them as it also tapers with the cooler months. Many of the backcountry Oyster bars will hold a hatch of smaller fish. Many of the juveniles Redfish commonly known as "rats" have a big appetite. Often very cooperative Reds will slam a TBS Jig and bait combo with usually high number catches. Fun for kids, and anglers looking for fast action. The reds do not take long to hit if they are there. Fish an outgoing tide and be "intune" with your bait. No slack lines. Know what is happening and feel the jig on the bottom, when the "thump" hits, drop your tip allowing the fish to eat the bait and come tight, normally feeling the weight of the fish and set the hook hard. Shrimp, mud minnows, mullet and crab are all great baits. Shrimp and crab are good choices because it allows you to pick up a black drum which normally do not take fish baits. The smaller black drum, 2-8 lbs, will be holding in many of the same areas. Black drum in the legal size make excellent table fare. Anglers will still be able to pick up a flounder as well, however, that bite will start to taper down as we get closer to the winter months. Trout will continue to be good with many fish heading to deeper holes and bends of creeks with many of the fish being undersize. Numbers can be high if you get into a school of them. Often a TBS jig rigged with a soft plastic in a brighter color has proved in the past to be a great choice of lure. Use an adequate amount of weight in your jig selection to reach and feel the bottom without overdoing it. Generally the lightest amount of weight you can get away with is usually the best. A jig and shrimp / mud minnow will be another good choice for the bait / float anglers. As far as the fun fish, bluefish will be holding on many points in sounds, Inter coastal Waterway, jetties and the river. They are not picky, mullet imitations, spoons, and jigs all work well. Use something you know how to use and you will have an excellent chance of success. Bluefish will hit just about every bait you can think of being very optimistic feeders. Until next time get out and enjoy what mother nature is allowing us to do at this time, there is usually something that is happening best!!!
Fall is finally here and that brings some of the best fishing of the year! Many things to do this month. To start out, this might be the last chance to get a shot at a Tarpon. Often times on an outgoing tide at the jetties pulling bait on the rips, they can stack up and drifting a live mullet can be a ticket. The big Jacks will also be around exploding on bait. Cast a big topwater like a Rapala skitterwalk, Mirrolure Top dog, or if it is choppy out, use something that will make a good commotion like a High Roller prop bait or a Johnny Rattler. All good choices. Connect that with a adequate piece of 25-40 lb test Hi Seas Fluorocarbon leader. Not more than 30 inches if you connect it to braid. Cast around the bait and hold on.....If the fish are there, you are going on a sleigh ride!! Talking lures, topwaters will also get the attention of the redfish and trout in the intercoastal and river. Working points, creek mouths and over structure can be very productive. Diving plugs, swim baits, and topwaters, all mullet immatating baits will be the best bet. The backcountry reds, trout and flounder will all be active with the southern migration of the mullet and cooler water. Flounder will be very active this month, as in the past, anglers have scored on big doormats in the mayport and adjoining tributaries. A TBS black nickel jig, shrimp tipped bucktail, or fish finder rig on the bottom will be a great choice. Work the jigs slow and wait to feel that exciting "thump" and give the bait a moment and set the hook! Reds will be around many of the backcountries oysters bars and mud flats. Again work the lightest TBS jig and bait combo you can get away with will be what you want to use. Shrimp, mullet or mud minnows are best. Cast to the rips around the bars or sight fish them. Good baits for both situations. Working with bait combos, put a crab, mullet, or chunk of ladyfish on the bottom with a standard fish finder rig along the St.Johns river channel and a bull redfish can be your surprise! Fish to 20-40 lbs are common. All in all, this is usually the last month before the migratory and pelagics head out of our area, so get out and get them, or another year gone bye!! Good Luck out there!
AUGUST FISH REPORT
August is here and the Redfish and Trout are in a full summer time feeding pattern. I would recommend getting out very early or fish into the evening around sunset and after. Dock lights will produce as well. A good method is cast up current and let your bait drift back through the light, while keeping well "in tune" with that bait. The lightest terminal tackle will definitely help produce a strike. Often time live baiting a shrimp, the weight of the hook can be sufficient, and most times, wind is minimal helping in casting finesse baits. If you fish the daytime hours, plan to fish mornings. Redfish will be in the shallows tailing or backing, feeding on grass shrimp. A productive method for this time of year is to dead stick a shrimp with the lightest TBS Jig you can get away with. This will hold the shrimp in the area where the redfish are and as it lands it helps prevent spooking of the fish. On a properly rigged TAllen rod, you should have no problem making a long cast to your desired location. Do not throw into the fish, lead them if moving or cast to the furthest outside area in the deeper part of where they are tailing. Redfish in extreme shallow water can be very easily spooked, I cannot emphasize that enough! Be patient and when the fish eats the bait, drop your tip allowing the fish to engulf the shrimp, as it pulls away and you feel the "weight" set the hook hard. Trout will be the same as far as time of day. I like to fish them early as possible or late in the evening. I choose what species I will target by what the tide is doing? If the tide is low or falling early, I usually target Redfish. However, if the tide is high, or incoming I usually target Trout. Topwaters such as BiteABaits, Skitter walks and Top dogs are all excellent choices. Use the one that you know how to work the best. Remember what I have always said through out the years, master a couple of time proven baits and become one with that lure. It will make a world of difference in your angling success than trying to fish many different baits and mastery none!! I still use some of the same 5 or 6 baits that I started fishing over 30 year's ago in the North Florida area and more importantly they still produce. If bait is your way for trout, a frisky shrimp on a TBS Jig will be a good choice. Float rigs are also an excellent choice. The same areas, grassy points, structure bottom/edges, drop offs, and docks that are holding bait will be of interest. There are plenty of Jacks, ladyfish, Mangrove snappers, to fill your rods with a good bend in the hot afternoon sun. Don't get me wrong, redfish and trout can still be caught in the afternoon, however the early and late times are best. Flounder should start showing in greater force, there have been some nice ones showing in some of the same areas. Docks by the Mayport ferry have consistently produced doormats over the past years. Again, a jig and shrimp combo, especially a mud minnow or finger mullet, bounced around those pilling's can be a top producer. Bull redfish will start showing more as the month progress's. Traditional fish finder rig with a piece of cut ladyfish, crab, or mullet will be a ticket. Use just enough weight to get the job done. In all application I like to use Hi Seas Fluorocarbon leaders, they help in light re fraction and it allows the leader to become much harder to see, making the bait or lure much more of a natural presentation. Tarpon will be in full force, where you find them is where they are. I recommend a live mullet on a heavier fluorocarbon leader and drift the bait into the fish. If the tarpon are stacked in a hole, put a bottom bait and a live mullet out and be patient. If you get a hook up, remember to bow to the King!!! Get out and enjoy North Florida's outstanding fishery, you can't do it talking about it from the couch!! Capt. Tony Bozzella / TBS JIGS Professional Angler / Guide www.tonybozzella.com 904 651 0182 Well Anglers, after alot of wind and chill, I think May is going to be a great month for a big trout! Last year, May proved to be true with big fish. Will Fellner caught a 29 inch / 9 1/2 lb Trout with his first cast of the morning!!! Great job Will!! Notice I said first cast, that is usually the best shot you have. Every cast after is alerting the fish. Big ones are a different animal than your typical 15/16 inch trout. Make that 1st cast count!! As all the mullet and bait are back and entering our waters the fish will be on them. This time of the year when water temps are 65 and up is a great time for lures. Topwater action is exciting and productive! Many of your biggest Trout fall victim to topwater plugs. "Walk the dog" is the type of retrieve used with this type of plug. It will take some practice to perfect, however the rewards are explosive action with a great visual. For the float or jig and shrimp combo fisherman, these methods are very productive as well. I like to fish grass lines, points, and structure, that has some current, bait, and if you can find that next to deeper, you have a potentially hot spot. The river, Intercoastal waterway, or backcountry can all be productive. Remember to set your reel drags at 25% of you lines breaking strength. So, 10lb test would equal 2 1/2 lbs of drag and this helps to prevent break offs! Trout have a soft mouth. Another tip is use fluorocarbon leaders in the 30 inch range and any type of loop knots on your lures or jigs. It allows the lures to act "freely" and the way the manufacture recommends. 15-20 lb test leaders are very adequate. When you hook a big trout, despite what you might have learned in the past, keep you ROD TIP DOWN!! This keeps your fish in the water and the water slows the head shake down. When your tip is up, it allows the fish to shake his head out of the water and he can generate more speed and often times will shake the hook. The only time your rod tip is up is when you need to clear your line over an oyster bar or some type of structure while fighting the fish. It is not all about Trout either. There will be some Redfish in these type areas as well. Redfish will take a topwater plug or most lures for that matter. If you are fishing the backcountry, most schools are broken up and you will see singles and doubles and small groups. Get out early and look for backing fish in the shallows. The water at this time will not be as clear as it has been with all the bait and activity sturing it up. There will be some fish lurking the shallows and around oyster bars and grass lines. Weedless plastics, or jig / bait combos will be a good choice. Dead sticking a shrimp, mullet, crab, or mud minnow will all be good choices. There will be many other species around. Cobia, Ladyfish, Jacks, flounder, Spanish mackeral and some bluefish will be in the mix. Weather permitting, cobia will be following the rays along the beach in 20-50 ft depths. Light West winds are best. I like a TBS Cobia jig paired with a 40lb test Hi Seas Fluorocarbon leader on a heavy spinner. You can often see the fish and cast the jig in the fishes path being carfull not to hook the ray, and it is usally game on! Cobia are great table fare. Be careful, Cobia are very powerful and you need to be agressive when handling them. Call me and lets get out and enjoy the expierience of North Florida fishing. Tight lines!
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Fishing Report
Capt. Tony's expert insight on what you should look for on the water and how to get the most out of the current fishing season. Archives
April 2021
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