Fernandina Beach to Flagler Beach
Includes Jacksonville and St. Augustine.

Aug. 15-17

NE

OFFSHORE

Kings on the beach have been the best news going this week. The big wind we’re finally coming off of, has cooled the surf temp back down to 76 degrees, and we’re probably going to need to wait a day or so, to see if the bite picks back up where it left off.

As good as the kingfish bite has been the tarpon have not participated. There are some small ones hanging near the tips of the south jetty, but they have not been holding near the shrimp boats, or the poagie pods.

Snapper fishing is still rolling. There are some good fish within 8 miles of the beach, and there’s plenty scattered all the way to the ledge. The beeliner bite has slowed inside of 120 feet, but there’s plenty of big fat ones in the deep water.

There have been a few boats trolling out around the Elton Bottom. There have been plenty of kings and jacks, and at least a few wahoo.

The long range weather is calling for a northeaster to move in early next week.

SAINT AUGUSTINE

There was no shortage of kings at the Captains House before the blow started. Poagies have all of a sudden become easy, and are scattered all up and down the beach. There’s been a few tarpon inside, but it’s been all sharks behind the few shrimp boats dragging.

Snapper fishing remains very strong. There have been reds in close, and mangroves, and beeliners further out. There hasn’t been a great bite of mangroves, but this weekend’s full moon might be just what the doctor ordered.

INSHORE

The early and late low tides of next week, should make for excellent sight hunting in the creeks. There have been lots of reds working shallow, but getting them to bite has been a challenge. Captain Tony Bozzella reports the trout bite has never backed off like it does most summers. Dames Point to Exchange island has been the best bet.

The yellow mouth trout bite has not been quite as good this week, as it was earlier this month, but there are still limits to be caught near the Dames Point Bridge.

Big flounder are ahead of schedule. There are more big fish in the river, than we usually see before the mullet run starts. The creeks are full of mullet, but so far they haven’t filtered in to the main river.

There are plenty of small flounder holding in the creek mouths on the falling tide.

Rick Ryals

By Captain Rick Ryals, damigo@bellsouth.net

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