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

Sept 3-5

Offshore

Things are pretty rough on the ocean with Hurricane Earl, and with football season here, most if not all offshore anglers stayed in port to wait out the seas. Nathan Stuart, of Seafood Kitchen, reports a growing sailfish presence on nearshore reefs especially with bait present. Ballyhoo rigged naked and slow trolled over reefs or wrecks should be the standard bait to get sails.

Tarpon should rule the beaches and the more pogy schools in the area the better. A few kings and bull redfish are hanging around those bait schools. Mangrove, triggerfish, beeliners and a few grouper are lingering around wrecks 20 to 50 miles out. Barracuda are very thick. You will have to contend with these guys on those same wrecks.

Steve Grant of C&H lures spoke to a packed house two weeks ago on swordfish. As soon as those seas get negotiable, starting at 1,200 feet, anglers will be catching these beasts from the deep.

Inshore

Straight and strong east winds are probably my least favorite wind direction, and this week we have had plenty. Banks that are out of the wind should be sought after, and if there is bait present, deserve merit for a drop of the anchor or trolling motor. The Intracoastal Waterway is always a good choice on an east wind. Teamed with an outgoing tide is even better. I like high trees to block the wind, a creekmouth or some kind of structure. Most important is that bait should be present, and hopefully that bait is getting harassed.

This is that time of year when I go with big and large topwater lures like Rapala's X Walk or Heddon's Super Spook. It will surprise you how many bites you will get from average fish. Like a sudden brick wall collision from a trophy trout.

What kind of fish are we talking about? Well, reds, trout, flounder, jack crevalle, tarpon, ladyfish, and who knows what else is eating. It is early fall, September is here and that means topwater time. I had a chance to talk to Rusty from B&M bait and tackle. We both agreed there is so much going on fishing-wise inshore it’ hard not to make a bad choice.

Fernandina you can't beat the downtown dock areas to the inlet for trout and flounder. Nassau River has been hot for tarpon, trout, and flounder. The Intracoastal on high flood tides have delivered tailing reds on most the shallow marshes that flood from Fernandina to Matanzas Inlet. I like a standard green pumpkin tube rigged weedless and weighted heavy, at least 3/8 ounces to get the bait down. The Buckman Bridge is loaded with bait and trout, redfish, drum, tarpon, even jacks are there. Mill Cove--the jewel of the St. Johns--is fired up and a northeast slam is highly possible. Pine Island, Gauna (north and south), St Augustine Inlet, Moultrie Creek, just to name a few are all good places to target reds, trout, flounder, and black drum.

Earl is not going to hit us, so grab a half pound of dead shrimp or your favorite topwater lure and go fishing.

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